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Beijing skyline with the Forbidden City in the foreground

Lucy's UK grand tour: 14 days across China

A 14-day luxury trip through Beijing, Xi'an, Chengdu, Lijiang, Shanghai, budgeted at $5,200 (≈ $371/day).

real-trip-budgets2026-10-18
Ranks of the Terracotta Army in their excavation pit, Xi'anRoofs of Lijiang Old Town with Jade Dragon Snow Mountain behind

At a glance

Traveler
Lucy
Nationality
United Kingdom
Travel style
luxury
Month of travel
October 2025
Total cost
$5,200
Per day
$371
Days
14

Visa note

UK citizens need a L visa. Applied at Chinese Visa Application Centre London, 8 business days, £151.

Paying your way

HSBC Premier Visa linked to Alipay. Barclays Wealth card for bookings. No FTF.

Highlights

  • London Heathrow → Beijing (Air China, 10 hours direct)
  • Peninsula Beijing (¥2200/night)
  • Private guide throughout
  • Lijiang boutique hotel with Naxi culture

Cost breakdown

Flights$1,400
Accommodation$1,800
Meals$900
Transit$500
Attractions$400
Misc$200

Day by day

  1. Day 1 — Beijing

    ≈ $371
    • Arrived Beijing Capital T3
    • Checked into Peninsula Beijing

  2. Day 2 — Beijing

    ≈ $371
    • Forbidden City (private guide, morning)
    • Jingshan Park sunset

  3. Day 3 — Beijing

    ≈ $371
    • Temple of Heaven (private guide, morning)
    • Summer Palace afternoon

  4. Day 4 — Beijing

    ≈ $371
    • Great Wall Mutianyu (private car + guide)

  5. Day 5 — Xi'an

    ≈ $371
    • HSR to Xi'an
    • Checked into Hyatt Regency Xi'an

  6. Day 6 — Xi'an

    ≈ $371
    • Terra Cotta Warriors (private guide, morning)
    • City Wall sunset cycling

  7. Day 7 — Chengdu

    ≈ $371
    • HSR to Chengdu
    • Checked into Niccolo Chengdu

  8. Day 8 — Chengdu

    ≈ $371
    • Panda Base (private car, morning)
    • Wenshu Monastery afternoon

  9. Day 9 — Lijiang

    ≈ $371
    • Flight to Lijiang
    • Checked into Lux Hotel

  10. Day 10 — Lijiang

    ≈ $371
    • Jade Dragon Snow Mountain (private car)

  11. Day 11 — Lijiang

    ≈ $371
    • Old Town morning
    • Tiger Leaping Gorge afternoon

  12. Day 12 — Shanghai

    ≈ $371
    • Flight to Shanghai
    • Checked into Waldorf Astoria

  13. Day 13 — Shanghai

    ≈ $371
    • Shanghai Tower (morning)
    • French Concession afternoon

  14. Day 14 — Shanghai

    ≈ $371
    • The Bund morning
    • Departed Shanghai Pudong