China trip from India: Beijing, Xi'an & Shanghai in 8 days
An 8-day China itinerary from India: how Indians get the tourist visa, a rupee budget, Great Wall, Terracotta Army, Shanghai, payments and the firewall.
China
The Great Wall, the Terracotta Army and Shanghai's skyline, linked by high-speed rail; Indians need a visa applied for in person.
Entry rules for Indian passports
| Entry | Visa required; tourist (L) visa applied for at the Chinese Visa Application Service Centre in Delhi, Mumbai or Kolkata |
|---|---|
| Stay | Set on the visa issued; not stated on the embassy pages we checked |
| Government fee | Reduced visa fee for Indian passport holders extended until 31 December 2026 (amounts published only as images); express ₹1,800 and urgent ₹2,700 extra |
| Processing | About 4 working days regular and 3 express, per the embassy's August 2024 notice; no appointment needed |
| Official site | in.china-embassy.gov.cn |
When to go
The best months are April, May, September, October. Flights from India: Nonstop flights resumed from Delhi, Kolkata and Mumbai to Shanghai and Guangzhou; check current schedules. Otherwise one stop via Hong Kong, Bangkok or Singapore. Currency: Chinese yuan (CNY, renminbi), roughly ₹12. Clocks: IST + 2:30.
Trip guides
China guides