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Forbidden City, Beijing

Mike's Canada grand tour: 21 days across China

A 21-day mid-range trip through Beijing, Xi'an, Chengdu, Lhasa, Shanghai, budgeted at $4,200 (≈ $200/day).

real-trip-budgets2026-10-27
Potala Palace, LhasaGiant panda at Chengdu Panda Base

At a glance

Traveler
Mike
Nationality
Canada
Travel style
mid-range
Month of travel
May 2026
Total cost
$4,200
Per day
$200
Days
21

Visa note

Canadian citizens are 30-day visa-free since February 2026. Tibet Autonomous Region permit required on top of the visa-free entry — arranged via the Lhasa hotel.

Paying your way

RBC Avion Visa linked to Alipay covered 95% of merchants; Lhasa Tibetan-owned restaurants needed UnionPay or cash.

Highlights

  • Chengdu → Lhasa flight ($320, 4 hr)
  • Potala Palace ticket lottery (booked 24 hr in advance via Trip.com)
  • Yamdrok Lake day trip from Lhasa
  • Final week in Shanghai — Pudong skyline + Zhujiajiao water town

Cost breakdown

Flights$920
Accommodation$1,320
Meals$620
Transit$740
Attractions$380
Misc$220

Day by day

  1. Day 1 — Beijing

    ≈ $200
    • Arrived in Beijing
    • Forbidden City complex visit

  2. Day 2 — Beijing

    ≈ $200
    • Great Wall day trip

  3. Day 3 — Beijing

    ≈ $200
    • Hutong walk

  4. Day 4 — Beijing

    ≈ $200
    • Temple of Heaven morning visit

  5. Day 5 — Xi'an

    ≈ $200
    • HSR/transit from Beijing to Xi'an
    • City Wall evening walk

  6. Day 6 — Xi'an

    ≈ $200
    • Muslim Quarter food street

  7. Day 7 — Xi'an

    ≈ $200
    • Bell and Drum Tower area walk

  8. Day 8 — Xi'an

    ≈ $200
    • Big Wild Goose Pagoda visit

  9. Day 9 — Chengdu

    ≈ $200
    • HSR/transit from Xi'an to Chengdu
    • Panda Base morning visit

  10. Day 10 — Chengdu

    ≈ $200
    • Jinli Street evening walk

  11. Day 11 — Chengdu

    ≈ $200
    • People's Park teahouse afternoon

  12. Day 12 — Chengdu

    ≈ $200
    • Kuanzhai Alleys stroll

  13. Day 13 — Lhasa

    ≈ $200
    • HSR/transit from Chengdu to Lhasa
    • Jokhang Temple and Barkhor circuit walk

  14. Day 14 — Lhasa

    ≈ $200
    • Potala Palace ticket lottery (booked 24 hr in advance via Trip.com)

  15. Day 15 — Lhasa

    ≈ $200
    • Yamdrok Lake day trip from Lhasa

  16. Day 16 — Lhasa

    ≈ $200
    • Barkhor Street kora walk

  17. Day 17 — Shanghai

    ≈ $200
    • HSR/transit from Lhasa to Shanghai
    • The Bund evening walk

  18. Day 18 — Shanghai

    ≈ $200
    • Yu Garden area stroll

  19. Day 19 — Shanghai

    ≈ $200
    • French Concession morning walk

  20. Day 20 — Shanghai

    ≈ $200
    • Final week in Shanghai — Pudong skyline + Zhujiajiao water town
    • Departed Shanghai

  21. Day 21 — Shanghai

    ≈ $200
    • Nanjing Road stroll