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.
Discover real reviews of Highlights Travel Family's best-rated service across trusted platforms.
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Albee Ning Surreal China Trip
Albee Ning with China Highlights never fails to create the perfect vacation!!! She listens and understands what interests us and provides a guided tour that is surreal. We will remember and share the marvellous memories of this experience for the rest of our lives!! Thanks for everything Albee!!! (Including our dinner together by the elephant in Guilin!!) more
Oct 2024, Mike and Lucy
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Well organised and interesting
Tom was very helpful and knowledgeable. The walk along the Wall was well planned and really enjoyable. The visit to the Summer Palace and Forbidden City were memorable with excellent guiding more
Oct 2024, Robin
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Tour of Beijing
Tom from China tours guided us for a hike on the Jiansanling section of The Great Wall and then a one day tour of Beijing including Forbidden City Tiananmen Square and the Summer Palace. He was very friendly and accommodating from the begin. He answered all of our questions about Chinese history and culture and gave great explanations of the history of all the monuments we visited. The restaurants he chose and dishes he recommended were very tasty on both days. I would recommend him very highly to anyone looking for an English language tour in Beijing and particularly for people interested in history. more
Oct 2024, Sam M
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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.