Cost of Traveling to China Independently: Economical and Effective
How much does it cost to travel to China on your own? Let's analyze in detail the necessary expenses with NVK Travel and share tips to save money for a complete yet affordable trip.
Overview of self-guided travel costs in China
Self-guided travel costs in China depend on many factors such as destination, duration, travel style (budget, mid-range, or luxury), and travel season. On average, a self-guided trip of 5-7 days to major cities like Beijing, Shanghai, or Guangzhou can range from 20 million to 40 million VND/person, including major expenses such as visa, airfare, accommodation, transportation, meals, entrance tickets, and additional costs.
Self-guided travel costs in China depend on many factors
1. Visa costs for traveling to China
Reference price: 1.5 million - 2.5 million VND (single-entry tourist visa). To enter China, Vietnamese travelers need to apply for a visa in advance. Visa costs depend on the type of visa and processing time:
Tourist visa (L visa): Approximately 60-100 USD, equivalent to 1.5-2.5 million VND.
Processing time: 5-7 working days, or 2-3 days if expedited (may incur additional fees).
Saving tip: Prepare a complete application (passport, photo, travel itinerary) to avoid additional costs for redoing. Schedule an appointment early at the Chinese Embassy or Consulate.
Reference price: 6 million - 12 million VND (round trip). Airfare from Vietnam to China depends on the destination, airline, and booking time:
Low-cost airlines: Vietjet Air, AirAsia, Scoot have round-trip tickets from Hanoi/Ho Chi Minh City to Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou starting from 6-9 million VND if booked early.
Traditional airlines: Vietnam Airlines, China Southern Airlines have prices from 9-12 million VND, offering better service.
Saving tips:
Book tickets 2-3 months in advance, avoid peak seasons (September-November or Lunar New Year).
Choose night or early morning flights for cheaper prices.
Choose night or early morning flights for cheaper prices
3. Accommodation costs
Reference price: 500,000 - 2 million VND/night. Accommodation costs in China vary greatly depending on the city and type of lodging:
Hostels, guesthouses: 500,000 - 800,000 VND/night, suitable for backpackers, popular in Beijing, Shanghai, Xi'an.
Reference price: 200,000 - 1 million VND/day. China has a modern public transportation system, making it easy for self-guided travelers to move around:
Subway: 10,000 - 20,000 VND/ride in major cities like Beijing, Shanghai.
Buses: 5,000 - 15,000 VND/ride, cheap but requires knowledge of Chinese or using a map app.
High-speed trains (G-series): 500,000 - 2 million VND/trip (for example: Beijing - Shanghai about 1.5 million VND).
Taxi/Didi (ride-hailing app): 50,000 - 200,000 VND/short trip in the city.
Saving tips:
Buy a public transportation card (like Yikatong in Beijing) to save on subway and bus fares.
Book high-speed train tickets through the Trip.com app or at the train station 1-2 weeks in advance for better prices.
Use Baidu Maps or Amap apps to find the best routes.
5. Food costs
Reference price: 300,000 - 800,000 VND/day. Chinese cuisine is rich and diverse, from street food to high-end restaurants:
Street food: 20,000 - 100,000 VND/meal, such as bao, hand-pulled noodles, grilled meat skewers.
Local eateries: 100,000 - 200,000 VND/meal, popular in night markets like Wangfujing (Beijing) or Chenghuang Miao (Shanghai).
Mid-range restaurants: 300,000 - 600,000 VND/meal, serving specialties like Peking duck, Sichuan hot pot.
Saving tips:
Enjoy meals at night markets or local eateries to save more compared to tourist restaurants.
Buy drinks and snacks at convenience stores like 7-Eleven or FamilyMart.
Try budget chain restaurants like Lanzhou Lamian (hand-pulled noodles) or Malatang (hot pot buffet).
6. Entrance fees for attractions
Reference price: 500,000 - 1.5 million VND/person for 5-7 days. China has countless famous attractions, from cultural heritage to scenic spots:
Great Wall (Beijing): 150,000 - 200,000 VND/ticket.
Forbidden City (Beijing): 150,000 - 200,000 VND/ticket.
Jiuzhaigou (Sichuan): 500,000 - 700,000 VND/ticket (includes shuttle bus in the area).
The Bund: Free, but if you go up the Shanghai Tower, it will cost about 500,000 VND/ticket.
China has countless famous attractions
7. Other additional costs
4G SIM/Wifi: 200,000 - 500,000 VND for 7 days, providing 1-2GB of data/day. Popular carriers: China Mobile, China Unicom.
Travel insurance: 100,000 - 300,000 VND for 5-7 days, ensuring peace of mind in case of emergencies.
Shopping, souvenirs: 500,000 - 2 million VND, depending on preferences (tea, silk, handicrafts).
Tips for saving:
Buy a SIM at the airport or book in advance through platforms like Klook.
Bring a reusable water bottle to save on drinking water costs.
Avoid shopping in crowded tourist areas, instead choose local markets like Silk Market (Beijing).
Plan a budget-friendly self-guided trip to China.
To optimize costs, you can refer to a sample itinerary for a 5-day trip to Beijing and Shanghai:
Day 1-3 (Beijing): Visit the Great Wall, Forbidden City, Summer Palace. Stay at a hostel (600,000 VND/night), eat at local eateries (300,000 VND/day).
Day 4-5 (Shanghai): Explore the Bund, Shanghai Tower, old town. Travel by high-speed train from Beijing (1.5 million VND).
Estimated total cost: About 20-25 million VND/person (including visa, airfare, accommodation, meals, entrance fees).
Let NVK Travel help you turn your self-guided trip to China into a memorable experience at the best cost! Whether you want to explore the majestic Great Wall, enjoy the spicy cuisine of Sichuan, or admire the dazzling Bund, we are always ready to accompany you. Visit nvktravel.com now for free consultation and to book services with attractive offers.
