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  3. Marcus's Germany trip: 21 days across China
Beijing skyline with the Forbidden City in the foreground

Marcus's Germany trip: 21 days across China

A 21-day mid-range trip through Beijing, Xi'an, Chengdu, Lijiang, Shanghai, Hong Kong, budgeted at $3,500 (≈ $167/day).

real-trip-budgets2026-10-27
Giant panda eating bamboo at the Chengdu Panda BaseHong Kong skyline and harbour from Victoria Peak

At a glance

Traveler
Marcus
Nationality
Germany
Travel style
mid-range
Month of travel
September 2025
Total cost
$3,500
Per day
$167
Days
21

Visa note

German citizens are 30-day visa-free. Marcus used the visa-free stay for the entire 21 days including the Hong Kong side trip (Hong Kong counts as a third country for re-entry purposes).

Paying your way

Alipay was the workhorse. WeChat Pay worked too but needed an extra verification step with the German phone number.

Highlights

  • Beijing → Shanghai via HSR (1,318 km, 4.5 hr, €90 second class)
  • 3 days in Lijiang old town + hike to Tiger Leaping Gorge
  • Hong Kong as the post-mainland decompression
  • Linked DKB Visa debit card to Alipay — worked at 80%+ merchants

Cost breakdown

Flights$720
Accommodation$1,300
Meals$480
Transit$380
Attractions$320
Misc$300

Day by day

  1. Day 1 — Beijing

    ≈ $167
    • Arrived in Beijing
    • Forbidden City complex visit

  2. Day 2 — Beijing

    ≈ $167
    • Great Wall day trip

  3. Day 3 — Beijing

    ≈ $167
    • Hutong walk

  4. Day 4 — Beijing

    ≈ $167
    • Linked DKB Visa debit card to Alipay — worked at 80%+ merchants

  5. Day 5 — Xi'an

    ≈ $167
    • HSR/transit from Beijing to Xi'an
    • City Wall evening walk

  6. Day 6 — Xi'an

    ≈ $167
    • Muslim Quarter food street

  7. Day 7 — Xi'an

    ≈ $167
    • Bell and Drum Tower area walk

  8. Day 8 — Xi'an

    ≈ $167
    • Linked DKB Visa debit card to Alipay — worked at 80%+ merchants

  9. Day 9 — Chengdu

    ≈ $167
    • HSR/transit from Xi'an to Chengdu
    • Panda Base morning visit

  10. Day 10 — Chengdu

    ≈ $167
    • Jinli Street evening walk

  11. Day 11 — Chengdu

    ≈ $167
    • People's Park teahouse afternoon

  12. Day 12 — Chengdu

    ≈ $167
    • Linked DKB Visa debit card to Alipay — worked at 80%+ merchants

  13. Day 13 — Lijiang

    ≈ $167
    • HSR/transit from Chengdu to Lijiang
    • Lijiang Old Town evening wander

  14. Day 14 — Lijiang

    ≈ $167
    • 3 days in Lijiang old town + hike to Tiger Leaping Gorge

  15. Day 15 — Lijiang

    ≈ $167
    • Black Dragon Pool park walk

  16. Day 16 — Lijiang

    ≈ $167
    • Linked DKB Visa debit card to Alipay — worked at 80%+ merchants

  17. Day 17 — Shanghai

    ≈ $167
    • HSR/transit from Lijiang to Shanghai
    • The Bund evening walk

  18. Day 18 — Shanghai

    ≈ $167
    • French Concession morning walk

  19. Day 19 — Shanghai

    ≈ $167
    • Yu Garden area stroll

  20. Day 20 — Shanghai

    ≈ $167
    • Linked DKB Visa debit card to Alipay — worked at 80%+ merchants

  21. Day 21 — Hong Kong

    ≈ $167
    • HSR/transit from Shanghai to Hong Kong
    • Hong Kong as the post-mainland decompression