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Ji-hoon's South Korea HSR trip: 5 days in Beijing & Shanghai
A 5-day mid-range trip through Beijing, Shanghai, budgeted at $1,100 (≈ $220/day).
real-trip-budgets2026-10-27
At a glance
- Traveler
- Ji-hoon
- Nationality
- South Korea
- Travel style
- mid-range
- Month of travel
- June 2026
- Total cost
- $1,100
- Per day
- $220
- Days
- 5
Visa note
South Korean citizens are 30-day visa-free. Ji-hoon used the visa-free entry; passport scanned at PEK immigration took under 30 seconds.
Paying your way
Samsung Card Visa linked to Alipay worked everywhere. KakaoPay does not work in China — needed the Alipay setup.
Highlights
- Beijing arrival on the morning flight, Great Wall at Mutianyu the same afternoon
- Beijing-Shanghai HSR ($80 second class, 4.5 hr)
- Shanghai Maglev from Pudong ($8 round trip)
- Bund cruise at sunset — ¥120, book on the day
Cost breakdown
| Flights | $220 |
|---|---|
| Accommodation | $380 |
| Meals | $240 |
| Transit | $180 |
| Attractions | $60 |
| Misc | $20 |
Day by day
Day 1 — Beijing
≈ $220- Arrived in Beijing
- Beijing arrival on the morning flight, Great Wall at Mutianyu the same afternoon
Day 2 — Beijing
≈ $220- Temple of Heaven morning visit
- Beijing-Shanghai HSR ($80 second class, 4.5 hr)
Day 3 — Shanghai
≈ $220- Bund cruise at sunset — ¥120, book on the day
Day 4 — Shanghai
≈ $220- Yu Garden morning visit
Day 5 — Shanghai
≈ $220- Departed Shanghai