China and India, two vibrant and culturally rich Asian countries, offer an array of experiences for the intrepid traveler.
In this guide, we are going to look at how to plan a travel itinerary for a tour of China and India.
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What to See in China and India
China and India offer incredibly rich cultural and natural experiences. Here, we primarily provide references for first-time visitors to these two countries, covering the most iconic destinations and activities.
Top Things to Do in China
Beijing, Xi'an, and Shanghai are the top three cities for first-timers.
Our guests on the Great Wall- In Beijing, hike on the Great Wall, learn about the stories of the emperors in the palace where they once lived, and discover authentic Beijing food in the hutongs (imperial-era neighborhoods).
- In Xi'an, visit China's first emperor's tomb and his burial pit with the Terracotta Army, and try to make a mini copy of a terracotta warrior to take home.
- In Shanghai, travel through time as you stroll along Shanghai's Bund amid bustling skyscrapers and old colonial buildings.
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Beijing
Selinda was an amazing guide. We had the best time with her. We had the most incredible time on the great wall and exploring beijing more
Apr 2024, Harsh P
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A Truly Memorable Adventure
We are so grateful to China Highlights for the perfect planning of our trip to Beijing! Our guide, Olivia Tian had deep knowledge of Chinese history and culture, she was adaptable to clients' needs and we really benefitted from her recommendations for restaurants and other activities. With her warm personality she helped us create many happy memories from Beijing. We hope to come back some day and we shall certainly rely on the services of China Highlights again. more
Apr 2024, Rossitza
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The best of Beijing
The Great Wall views were amazing. Shopping in Hutong and Quianmen Street were fantastic and the traditional Chinese restaurants were also fabulous. Thanks to Mark our tour guide who took care of everything we needed!!! more
Apr 2024, Jodie W
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Top Things to Do in India
Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur are the top three cities for first-timers.
Our guests celebrate Holi in India- In Delhi, visit India's biggest mosque, Jama Masjid, and take a rickshaw ride through the famous Chandni Chowk market to see Old Delhi's lifestyle.
- In Agra, a visit to the Taj Mahal is a must. Then head to Agra Fort where you could see courtly buildings and get clear views of the Taj Mahal.
- In Jaipur, learn about the secret of the Hawa Mahal (why it is called the 'Palace of Winds'). Enjoy a beautiful sunset view of the whole city from Nahargarh Fort.
How Many Days Are Needed?
A classic itinerary covering must-sees in China and India would need about 2 weeks, with 1 week devoted to each country. This duration allows for a well-paced journey and covers the most iconic cities in both countries.
Both China and India are vast and diverse, so if you have a longer vacation of 3 or 4 weeks, consider delving into regions with unique local characteristics, such as Tibet in China (for 1 week) or Rajasthan in India (for 1 week).
Nepal and India are also a popular combination. If you want to add a trip to Nepal, see our 20-Day China (including Tibet), Nepal, and India Tour.
Our tours are customizable and we would create an itinerary that aligns with your interests and available time.
A Classic 2-Week Itinerary
There is no big difference whether you fly to China or India first because there are many flight options for these two countries.
You could decide according to the most convenient flight times, ticket prices, and travel dates.
- Days 1–3: Beijing (the Great Wall, the Forbidden City, hutongs, Peking duck...)
- Days 4–6: Xi'an (the Terracotta Army, biking on Xi'an Ancient City Wall...)
- Day 7: Shanghai (a walking tour of the Bund, Shanghai Tower, some free time...)
- Day 8: Fly to India
- Days 9–10: Delhi (ancient forts, mosques, markets...)
- Days 11–12: Agra (the Taj Mahal, Agra Fort...)
- Days 13–14: Jaipur (ancient forts, palaces, a cooking class...)
India is also famous for tiger safaris. If you are interested in one, you could spend one more day there to go on a safari in Ranthambore National Park, which is between Delhi and Agra.
You could also contact us to create an itinerary based on your available travel time, interests, and other requirements.
Costs
Our family guests make their mini clay warriors in Xi'an's Terracotta ArmyThe estimated cost for a private trip to China and India is about 220–250 USD per person per day including flights/train journeys within China and India as well as transportation between China and India, 4- or 5-star hotels, lunches, attractions, guides, and private transport.
India also offers many luxury experiences, such as ultra-luxurious accommodation experiences, an elegant afternoon tea in a real palace, etc. If you want to have such a luxurious experience, it will cost more. See our 2-Week Luxury India Tour.
The price gap between the low and high seasons is not substantial. It's important to note that hotel prices could surge by 50% to 100% during certain major holidays, though, such as Christmas, India's Holi festival, and China's National Day holiday (the first week of October).
To enhance your choices, we suggest making reservations 3 months in advance.
When booking with us, you'll receive a 100% refund of any payments made to China Highlights if you cancel up to 3 weeks before departure (more details here⇒).
Best Times to Visit India and China
A view of Taj Mahal from Agra FortIf you are looking for good weather, then autumn (September to November) is generally the best time to visit China or India.
If you want to experience the festive atmosphere, we recommend visiting during China's Spring Festival (late January or early February) or India's Holi festival (March).
The period around Christmas is also a good time as India enjoys pleasant and cool weather during this time. Northern China, including Beijing and Harbin, offers beautiful snowy landscapes, while southern regions, such as Yunnan and Hong Kong, have mild and sunny weather.
During the summer vacation (June to August), both countries experience their rainy seasons. Some outdoor activities may be affected, but there are plenty of indoor activities to complement your experience. For example, you could take a cooking class in Jaipur or try your hand at making miniature clay warriors in Xi'an.
Our itineraries are rich and flexible, and yours would be adjusted according to your needs and the weather conditions to ensure that your experience is least impacted by the weather.
How to Travel Between China and India
Flying is the most recommended and popular way to travel between China and India. Currently, the shortest flight journeys are about 11 hours (Shanghai/Beijing–Delhi) with one stop (Hong Kong), due to there being no direct flights from China's mainland to India. Direct flights from Hong Kong to Delhi take about 6 hours.
Visa Requirements
Most European and American tourists need to apply for a visa to visit both China and India.
For India: For convenience, India offers an electronic visa, or e-visa, to citizens of many countries, such as the UK, US, Canada, and Australia. You could acquire it by filling out a straightforward online application form.
For China: You need to apply for a tourist visa (L visa). You could refer to the requirements for visa applications (for the USA) here.
Tour China and India with Us
All of our tours can be adjusted or customized based on your requirements. Just contact us if you have a good idea about what you want to do or if you need some help to start planning.