How much does a trip to Beijing & Shanghai cost from South Africa?
About R34 560 for 7 days, solo
Or R29 100 each for two people sharing a room. Saving for a trip a year from now means about R2 880 a month.
Estimates from Johannesburg, booked 3 to 6 months ahead, including a 20% buffer and the visa fee. Prices checked Sep 2026.
Join the waitlistImperial history in Beijing, a futuristic skyline in Shanghai, and a bullet-train network that makes both easy.
Cost by trip length and style (solo)
| Length | Tourist | Blend | Niche |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 days | R30 000 | R31 074 | R31 470 |
| 7 days | R34 560 | R35 344 | R35 418 |
| 14 days | R50 520 | R50 287 | R49 236 |
Tourist covers the famous sights. Niche swaps them for places locals love, usually with cheaper stays but more travel between them. Blend mixes both. Two people sharing pay less each, because the room is split.
Where the money goes (7 days, Tourist, solo)
| Return flight from Johannesburg | R14 500 |
|---|---|
| Accommodation, 7 nights | R9 100 |
| Food, local transport and activities | R4 200 |
| 20% buffer for surprises | R5 560 |
| Visa and entry fees | R1 200 |
| Total | R34 560 |
Visa for South Africans
Visa required Yes. South Africans need a Chinese tourist (L) visa to visit China.
Apply at the visa centre 4–8 weeks ahead.
When to go
| Best time | Apr–May, Sep–Oct |
|---|---|
| Cheapest time | Mar, Nov |
| Currency | Yuan (¥) |
Book 3–4 months out and leave room for visa processing.
Know before you go
| Getting there | About 16 to 20 hours with one stop via Hong Kong, Addis Ababa or a Gulf hub. |
|---|---|
| Health | No malaria in the main cities. |
| Money | Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay before you go; both accept foreign cards and cash is rarely used. Google services and WhatsApp are blocked on local networks, but a roaming SIM or eSIM usually still works. |
A 7-day plan that mixes both
- Day 1 Arrive, check in and find dinner nearby
- Day 2 Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square
- Day 3 Great Wall hike from Jiankou to Mutianyu
- Day 4 Great Wall at Mutianyu
- Day 5 798 Art District
- Day 6 Temple of Heaven and a hutong rickshaw ride
- Day 7 Final morning, then fly home
The classics
- Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square
- Great Wall at Mutianyu
- Temple of Heaven and a hutong rickshaw ride
- Summer Palace
- Bullet train to Shanghai
- The Bund and Yu Garden
- Shanghai Tower observation deck
- Peking duck dinner
Where locals go
- Great Wall hike from Jiankou to Mutianyu
- 798 Art District
- Wudaoying hutong cafés
- Shanghai's former French Concession by bike
- Zhujiajiao water town
- Hangzhou's West Lake and Longjing tea villages
- Suzhou's classical gardens
- Pingyao's walled old town
Hidden gems near Beijing & Shanghai
Pingyao
An intact Ming-era walled town where you sleep in courtyard guesthouses.
About R2 600 extra to get there
Hangzhou
West Lake and tea terraces, about an hour from Shanghai by train.
About R700 extra to get there
Ready to book?
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Quick answers
How much does a trip to Beijing & Shanghai cost from South Africa?
About R34 560 per person for 7 days travelling solo, or R29 100 each for two people sharing a room, booked 3 to 6 months ahead. That includes return flights from Johannesburg, mid-range accommodation, daily spending, the visa fee and a 20% buffer. These are estimates checked in Sep 2026.
Do South Africans need a visa for China?
Yes. South Africans need a Chinese tourist (L) visa to visit China. Apply at the visa centre 4–8 weeks ahead.
When is the best time to visit Beijing & Shanghai?
The best time is Apr–May, Sep–Oct. The cheapest time is usually Mar, Nov.
How long is the flight from Johannesburg?
About 16 to 20 hours with one stop via Hong Kong, Addis Ababa or a Gulf hub.
Sources
Checked Sep 2026.