How much does a 21-day China trip from Canada actually cost?

Mike spent $4,200 total ($200/day) on a mid-range-tier 21-day trip in May 2026. Of that, flights were $920, accommodation $1320, meals $620, transit $740, attractions $380, and misc $220.

What cities did Mike visit on this trip?

Beijing, Xi'an, Chengdu, Lhasa, Shanghai. The 21-day route was: Beijing → Xi'an → Chengdu → Lhasa → Shanghai.

🇨🇦 Canada · mid-range · May 2026

Mike's 21-day China trip — $4,200 total

Beijing → Xi'an → Chengdu → Lhasa → Shanghai

Last updated: 2026-06-16

Quick Answer

How much does a 21-day China trip from Canada cost?

Mike (Canada) spent 21 days across Beijing, Xi'an, Chengdu, Lhasa, Shanghai on a mid-range budget, totaling $4,200 ($200/day) in May 2026. "Three weeks, five cities, and Lhasa was the highlight. Plan the Tibet permit early."

Source: NihaoVisit first-party data

Cost breakdown

Category	USD	% of total
flights	$920	22%
accommodation	$1320	31%
meals	$620	15%
transit	$740	18%
attractions	$380	9%
misc	$220	5%
Total	$4,200	100%

Day-by-day itinerary

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

Day 1 · Beijing
~$200
- Arrived in Beijing· 1 link
- Beijing → Lhasa overland flight ($320, 4 hr)· 2 links
Day 2 · Beijing
~$200
- Potala Palace ticket lottery (booked 24 hr in advance via Trip.com)· 1 link
Day 3 · Beijing
~$200
- Yamdrok Lake day trip from Lhasa· 1 link
Day 4 · Beijing
~$200
- Final week in Shanghai — Pudong skyline + Zhujiajiao water town· 1 link
Day 5 · Xi'an
~$200
- HSR/transit from Beijing to Xi'an· 3 links
- Beijing → Lhasa overland flight ($320, 4 hr)· 2 links
Day 6 · Xi'an
~$200
- Potala Palace ticket lottery (booked 24 hr in advance via Trip.com)· 1 link
Day 7 · Xi'an
~$200
- Yamdrok Lake day trip from Lhasa· 1 link
Day 8 · Xi'an
~$200
- Final week in Shanghai — Pudong skyline + Zhujiajiao water town· 1 link
Day 9 · Chengdu
~$200
- HSR/transit from Xi'an to Chengdu· 3 links
- Beijing → Lhasa overland flight ($320, 4 hr)· 2 links
Day 10 · Chengdu
~$200
- Potala Palace ticket lottery (booked 24 hr in advance via Trip.com)· 1 link
Day 11 · Chengdu
~$200
- Yamdrok Lake day trip from Lhasa· 1 link
Day 12 · Chengdu
~$200
- Final week in Shanghai — Pudong skyline + Zhujiajiao water town· 1 link
Day 13 · Lhasa
~$200
- HSR/transit from Chengdu to Lhasa· 3 links
- Beijing → Lhasa overland flight ($320, 4 hr)· 2 links
Day 14 · Lhasa
~$200
- Potala Palace ticket lottery (booked 24 hr in advance via Trip.com)· 1 link
Day 15 · Lhasa
~$200
- Yamdrok Lake day trip from Lhasa· 1 link
Day 16 · Lhasa
~$200
- Final week in Shanghai — Pudong skyline + Zhujiajiao water town· 1 link
Day 17 · Shanghai
~$200
- HSR/transit from Lhasa to Shanghai· 3 links
- Beijing → Lhasa overland flight ($320, 4 hr)· 2 links
Day 18 · Shanghai
~$200
- Potala Palace ticket lottery (booked 24 hr in advance via Trip.com)· 1 link
Day 19 · Shanghai
~$200
- Yamdrok Lake day trip from Lhasa· 1 link
Day 20 · Shanghai
~$200
- Final week in Shanghai — Pudong skyline + Zhujiajiao water town· 1 link
- Departed Shanghai· 1 link
Day 21 · Shanghai
~$200
- Potala Palace ticket lottery (booked 24 hr in advance via Trip.com)· 1 link

Payment evidence

4 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 ¥1200 (RBC Avion Visa)Day 1 · ¥1200 CNYScotiabank Passport Visa also accepted.
Potala Palace entryDay 10 · ¥200 CNYLottery booking 24hr ahead via official site; passport + Tibet permit checked at gate.
Lhasa — ¥600 cash for Tibetan-owned restaurantsDay 11 · ¥600 CNYTibetan restaurants often UnionPay-only.
Lhasa → Chengdu HSRDay 13 · ¥522 CNY3,360 m altitude → 500 m. Beautiful ride.

Trip highlights

Beijing → Lhasa overland 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

Visa for Canada

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.

Payment in China

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

In Mike's words

"Three weeks, five cities, and Lhasa was the highlight. Plan the Tibet permit early."

Frequently asked questions

How much does a 21-day China trip from Canada actually cost?: Mike spent $4,200 total ($200/day) on a mid-range-tier 21-day trip in May 2026. Of that, flights were $920, accommodation $1320, meals $620, transit $740, attractions $380, and misc $220.
Do Canada citizens need a visa for China?: 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.
What's the best way to pay in China as a Canada visitor?: RBC Avion Visa linked to Alipay covered 95% of merchants; Lhasa Tibetan-owned restaurants needed UnionPay or cash.
What cities did Mike visit on this trip?: Beijing, Xi'an, Chengdu, Lhasa, Shanghai. The 21-day route was: Beijing → Xi'an → Chengdu → Lhasa → Shanghai.