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Forbidden City, Beijing

Nina's France overland trip: 21 days across China

A 21-day mid-range trip through Beijing, Pingyao, Xi'an, Chengdu, Lijiang, Dali, Guilin, Shanghai, budgeted at $4,800 (≈ $229/day).

real-trip-budgets2026-10-18
Pingyao ancient city wallKarst peaks of the Li River, Guilin

At a glance

Traveler
Nina
Nationality
France
Travel style
mid-range
Month of travel
May 2026
Total cost
$4,800
Per day
$229
Days
21

Visa note

French citizens are 30-day visa-free. Nina entered without a visa.

Paying your way

Societe Generale Visa linked to Alipay. No FTF.

Highlights

  • Paris → Beijing (Air China, 10 hours direct)
  • Pingyao ancient walled city
  • Tibet permit and Simi not included in budget
  • Li River karst at sunset

Cost breakdown

Flights$1,200
Accommodation$1,680
Meals$1,000
Transit$420
Attractions$380
Misc$120

Day by day

  1. Day 1 — Beijing

    ≈ $229
    • Arrived Beijing Capital T3

  2. Day 2 — Beijing

    ≈ $229
    • Forbidden City, Jingshan Park

  3. Day 3 — Beijing

    ≈ $229
    • Great Wall Mutianyu

  4. Day 4 — Beijing

    ≈ $229
    • Summer Palace, Temple of Heaven

  5. Day 5 — Pingyao

    ≈ $229
    • HSR Beijing → Pingyao (4 hours)
    • Ancient city wall at dusk

  6. Day 6 — Pingyao

    ≈ $229
    • Rishengchang Telegraph Office, old city walk

  7. Day 7 — Xi'an

    ≈ $229
    • Bus Pingyao → Xi'an (4 hours)
    • Terra Cotta Warriors afternoon

  8. Day 8 — Xi'an

    ≈ $229
    • City Wall cycling, Muslim Quarter

  9. Day 9 — Chengdu

    ≈ $229
    • HSR Xi'an → Chengdu (3 hours)
    • Jinli Street evening

  10. Day 10 — Chengdu

    ≈ $229
    • Panda Base 7:30 AM

  11. Day 11 — Lijiang

    ≈ $229
    • Flight Chengdu → Lijiang
    • Lijiang Old Town evening

  12. Day 12 — Lijiang

    ≈ $229
    • Jade Dragon Snow Mountain day trip

  13. Day 13 — Dali

    ≈ $229
    • Bus Lijiang → Dali (3 hours)
    • Erhai Lake evening

  14. Day 14 — Dali

    ≈ $229
    • Dali Old Town, Three Pagodas

  15. Day 15 — Guilin

    ≈ $229
    • Flight Dali → Guilin
    • Elephant Trunk Hill evening

  16. Day 16 — Yangshuo

    ≈ $229
    • Li River boat to Yangshuo
    • West Street evening

  17. Day 17 — Shanghai

    ≈ $229
    • HSR or flight to Shanghai

  18. Day 18 — Shanghai

    ≈ $229
    • The Bund, Yu Garden

  19. Day 19 — Shanghai

    ≈ $229
    • French Concession full day

  20. Day 20 — Shanghai

    ≈ $229
    • Shanghai Museum, Tianzifang

  21. Day 21 — Shanghai

    ≈ $229
    • Morning walk along the Huangpu
    • Departed Shanghai Pudong