How much does a 5-day China trip from South Korea actually cost?

Ji-hoon spent $1,100 total ($220/day) on a mid-range-tier 5-day trip in June 2026. Of that, flights were $220, accommodation $380, meals $240, transit $180, attractions $60, and misc $20.

What cities did Ji-hoon visit on this trip?

Beijing, Shanghai. The 5-day route was: Beijing → Shanghai.

🇰🇷 South Korea · mid-range · June 2026

Ji-hoon's 5-day China trip — $1,100 total

Beijing → Shanghai

Last updated: 2026-06-16

Quick Answer

How much does a 5-day China trip from South Korea cost?

Ji-hoon (South Korea) spent 5 days across Beijing, Shanghai on a mid-range budget, totaling $1,100 ($220/day) in June 2026. "5 days, two cities, one Maglev ride — the most efficient China trip possible."

Source: NihaoVisit first-party data

Cost breakdown

Category	USD	% of total
flights	$220	20%
accommodation	$380	35%
meals	$240	22%
transit	$180	16%
attractions	$60	5%
misc	$20	2%
Total	$1,100	100%

Day-by-day itinerary

Day-by-day breakdown based on Ji-hoon's actual travel log.

Day 1 · Beijing
~$220
- Arrived in Beijing· 1 link
- Beijing arrival on the morning flight, Great Wall at Mutianyu the same afternoon· 1 link
Day 2 · Beijing
~$220
- Beijing-Shanghai HSR ($80 second class, 4.5 hr)· 3 links
Day 3 · Beijing
~$220
- Shanghai Maglev from Pudong ($8 round trip)· 1 link
Day 4 · Shanghai
~$220
- HSR/transit from Beijing to Shanghai· 3 links
- Bund cruise at sunset — ¥120, book on the day
Day 5 · Shanghai
~$220
- Beijing arrival on the morning flight, Great Wall at Mutianyu the same afternoon· 1 link
- Departed Shanghai· 1 link

Payment evidence

3 first-party asset placeholders (Alipay top-ups, HSR tickets, hotel check-ins, metro QR scans) — to be replaced with real screenshots once lead-form submissions accumulate.

Alipay Tour Pass ¥500 (Samsung Card Visa)Day 1 · ¥500 CNYKorean Visa/Mastercard cards consistently work.
Beijing → Shanghai HSR second classDay 3 · ¥553 CNY4.5 hours, ¥80 equivalent.
Shanghai Maglev (Pudong airport)Day 5 · ¥50 CNY¥50 round trip. 431 km/h.

Trip highlights

Beijing arrival on the morning flight, Great Wall at Mutianyu the same afternoon
Beijing-Shanghai HSR ($80 second class, 4.5 hr)
Shanghai Maglev from Pudong ($8 round trip)
Bund cruise at sunset — ¥120, book on the day

Visa for South Korea

South Korean citizens are 30-day visa-free. Ji-hoon used the visa-free entry; passport scanned at PEK immigration took under 30 seconds.

Payment in China

Samsung Card Visa linked to Alipay worked everywhere. KakaoPay does not work in China — needed the Alipay setup.

In Ji-hoon's words

"5 days, two cities, one Maglev ride — the most efficient China trip possible."

Frequently asked questions

How much does a 5-day China trip from South Korea actually cost?: Ji-hoon spent $1,100 total ($220/day) on a mid-range-tier 5-day trip in June 2026. Of that, flights were $220, accommodation $380, meals $240, transit $180, attractions $60, and misc $20.
Do South Korea citizens need a visa for China?: South Korean citizens are 30-day visa-free. Ji-hoon used the visa-free entry; passport scanned at PEK immigration took under 30 seconds.
What's the best way to pay in China as a South Korea visitor?: Samsung Card Visa linked to Alipay worked everywhere. KakaoPay does not work in China — needed the Alipay setup.
What cities did Ji-hoon visit on this trip?: Beijing, Shanghai. The 5-day route was: Beijing → Shanghai.