Netherlands to China: 14-Day Route & Costs

I’ll never forget the look on my Dutch friend Mark’s face when he landed in Shanghai for the first time. He’d planned everything — the flights, the hotels, the train tickets — but he’d forgotten one thing. He couldn’t get online. His Dutch SIM didn’t work, he hadn’t set up Alipay, and the taxi driver at Pudong Airport was pointing at a QR code that Mark had no way to scan. He stood there in the arrivals hall with a suitcase full of euros and a phone that might as well have been a brick.

“Ik sta hier als een idioot,” he texted me later. (“I’m standing here like an idiot.”)

I’ve done the Netherlands-to-China route more times than I can count — for work, for fun, and half a dozen times with Dutch friends who wanted to see the real China, not the packaged tour group version. This guide is everything I’ve learned. It’s written for someone flying out of Schiphol, paying in euros, and wondering what the hell they’ve gotten themselves into.

And here’s the good news: as of 2026, it’s never been easier for Dutch passport holders to visit China.

Contents

• Before You Go: The Dutch Pre-Trip Checklist
• The Classic 14-Day Route: Amsterdam → Shanghai → Xi’an → Beijing
• Shanghai: The Soft Landing (Days 1–3)
• Xi’an: Where China’s History Hits You (Days 4–6)
• Beijing: The Grand Finale (Days 7–10)
• How Much Does This Trip Cost? (EUR Budget)
• Culture Shocks Dutch Travellers Should Know
• FAQ
• 17-Day Extended Route (Add Guilin)

Before You Go: The Dutch Pre-Trip Checklist

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Here’s what I make every Dutch friend do before they fly. Tick these off before you leave Schiphol.

Your passport is your ticket in. Dutch passport holders get visa-free entry to China for up to 30 days — no application, no embassy visit, no fee. China extended this policy through December 31, 2026. Just make sure your passport has at least six months validity and two blank pages. If you’re planning to stay longer than 30 days, you’ll need a proper visa from the Chinese Visa Application Service Centre in The Hague or Amsterdam.

Book your flight early. KLM flies direct from Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS) to Shanghai Pudong (PVG) daily — about 11 hours. China Eastern also runs the route. Round-trip tickets in July 2026 start around €650-850 if you book a month ahead. I’ve seen deals as low as €550 in shoulder season (March-April, October-November). Compare on Skyscanner or directly on KLM — both are reliable for this route.

Set up Alipay before you leave. This is the single most important thing you can do. China runs on QR codes. Street food stalls, metro turnstiles, temple entry fees, even the guy selling roasted chestnuts — they all take Alipay. Download the app on the App Store or Google Play (it’s available in the Netherlands), link your credit card or iDeal (yes, iDeal works with Alipay now), and you’re set. WeChat Pay is also widely used but harder for foreigners to set up.

Sort out your internet before you land. Google, Gmail, WhatsApp, Instagram, NOS, NU.nl — none of these work without a VPN. The expensive roaming packages from Dutch providers (KPN, Vodafone, T-Mobile) often don’t cover the Great Firewall either. Your best bet is an eSIM with a built-in VPN. I use one that costs about €8 for 30 days with 500MB per day and a working VPN — install it at home before you fly, activate when you land. Without this you won’t be able to use Google Maps, check your email, or message home on WhatsApp.

Download these apps before you go:

• Alipay — for paying everywhere (link your credit card or bank account)
• DiDi — China’s Uber (works through Alipay too, no need to download separately)
• Google Translate — download offline Chinese language pack
• Maps.me — offline maps that still work without internet (Google Maps is unreliable even with a VPN)
• 12306 — for booking high-speed train tickets (the Trip.com app is easier for foreigners)

Cash is optional. I haven’t used physical cash in China in years. Every vendor, every metro station, every museum accepts Alipay or WeChat Pay. Bring maybe €50-100 in RMB for emergencies (metro top-up machines sometimes prefer cash), but you’ll use your phone for 99% of transactions.

The Classic 14-Day Route: Amsterdam → Shanghai → Xi’an → Beijing

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This is the route I always recommend for first-time Dutch travellers. It’s the golden triangle of Chinese tourism — the futuristic financial capital, the ancient imperial capital, and the modern political capital. Three cities, two high-speed train rides, one unforgettable trip.

Getting between cities: China’s high-speed rail network is incredible — cleaner than the NS, faster than flying when you factor in airport transit time. Shanghai to Xi’an is about 5.5 hours (€75 second class). Xi’an to Beijing is also about 4.5 hours (€65). Book through Trip.com, which has an English interface and accepts foreign credit cards.

Shanghai: The Soft Landing (Days 1–3)

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Shanghai is the perfect introduction to China, especially after a direct flight from Amsterdam. It’s futuristic in a way that makes Rotterdam feel quaint, but it’s also walkable, has excellent English signage in the metro, and feels safer than any European city I’ve visited.

Where I stay: I usually base myself in the Former French Concession — think of it as a Dutch-style neighbourhood with tree-lined streets, boutiques, and great coffee. A decent mid-range hotel here runs about €40-60 per night. Budget hostels in the Jing’an district start around €10-15 for a dorm bed. Book through Trip.com rather than Booking.com — Trip.com has better coverage of Chinese hotels.

What to do in three days:

Day 1 — Land at PVG, take the Maglev train to town (€7, 7 minutes, hits 431 km/h — yes, really), check in, take a slow walk along the Bund waterfront at sunset. Have dinner at a xiaolongbao (soup dumpling) place on Yunnan Road.

Day 2 — Morning at Yu Garden (€3 entry), afternoon exploring the Pudong financial district. Go up the Shanghai Tower (€25) for the view — it’s the second-tallest building in the world. Evening walk through Nanjing Road.

Day 3 — Morning bike ride through the French Concession. Visit the Shanghai Museum (free entry). Afternoon at Tianzifang, the artsy alleyway district. Evening Huangpu River cruise (€5).

Getting around: The Shanghai metro is clean, air-conditioned, and has English on every sign. A single ride costs about €0.30. DiDi rides within the city centre are €3-5. Don’t bother with taxis from the street — use DiDi, it’s cheaper and you don’t need to negotiate.

A quick note on safety: Shanghai is one of the safest cities I’ve ever walked through at night. I’ve wandered back to my hotel at 2am without a second thought. Pickpocketing happens in crowded markets (same as the Albert Cuypmarkt), but violent crime against tourists is virtually non-existent.

Xi’an: Where China’s History Hits You (Days 4–6)

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Take the 5:30am high-speed train from Shanghai Hongqiao station to Xi’an North. You’ll arrive around 11am after watching the landscape shift from skyscrapers to farmland to the yellow-brown hills of Shaanxi province.

Xi’an is where China’s ancient history hits you in the face. This was the capital of 13 dynasties. The Terracotta Warriors are the main draw, but the city itself has a gritty, real feel that I love.

The Terracotta Warriors — About 45 minutes outside the city, but worth every minute. Entry is €8. Get there early (8am opening) to beat the crowds. Don’t pay for a guide at the gate — the English signage is good, or download a self-guided audio tour. Budget about 3-4 hours including travel time.

Ride a bike on the City Wall — Xi’an has the best-preserved ancient city wall in China. Rent a bike (€4) and ride the full 14km circuit. Takes about 1.5 hours. The views of the old city vs the modern skyline are incredible.

Muslim Quarter — A chaotic, loud, incredible food street. Try the lamb skewers (€0.30 each), pita bread soaked in lamb soup (€1.50), and the persimmon cakes (€0.20). This is where you’ll get your street food fix.

Where I stay: Budget for a hotel near the South Gate (€25-40). The area is walkable to the Muslim Quarter and the City Wall. For something nicer, try the Sofitel on Renmin Square (€80-120).

Beijing: The Grand Finale (Days 7–10)

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Xi’an to Beijing is another 4.5-hour high-speed train (€65 second class). You’ll arrive at Beijing West station, one of the busiest train stations in the world — it’s overwhelming, but follow the English signs to the metro and you’ll be fine.

Beijing is massive. Politically charged. Historically overwhelming. And completely unlike any other city in China. It took me three trips to really get it. Here’s what to do with your time:

The Great Wall — Go to Mutianyu, not Badaling. Mutianyu is less crowded, more beautiful, and has a toboggan ride down (yes, a toboggan — best €6 you’ll spend). Entry is €6, and a private driver from Beijing costs about €50-60 for the day (split with other travellers through your hostel). Avoid tours that bundle it with Ming Tombs — you’ll spend more time on the bus than at the wall.

Forbidden City — Book tickets online at least a week in advance (€5 entry, capped at 40,000 visitors daily). Go early, spend 3-4 hours, then walk through Jingshan Park (€0.30) for the iconic rooftop view.

Summer Palace — A half-day trip (€2 entry). Rent a boat on Kunming Lake in summer. It’s where Beijingers go to escape the city.

Hutongs — The old alleyway neighbourhoods around Nanluoguxiang and Shichahai Lake. Walk, get lost, eat at tiny hole-in-the-wall restaurants. The hutongs are disappearing fast due to demolition — see them while you can.

Where I stay: Budget options around Qianmen (€20-35). Mid-range near Dongzhimen or Gulou (€40-70). I’ve stayed at the Peking Yard Hostel in a hutong and loved it (€12 dorm, €35 private).

Getting around: Beijing’s metro is the largest in the world and costs about €0.25 per ride. DiDi rides in the city centre are €3-8. Avoid rush hour (8-9:30am, 5-7pm) — the metro is shoulder-to-shoulder crowded in a way that would make Dutch trains blush.

How Much Does This Trip Cost?

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Here’s the real breakdown, in euros. I’ve done this exact trip more than once, and these numbers are from 2026 bookings.

Where the money really goes: Flights are your biggest expense. If you can, fly mid-week (Tuesday-Wednesday) and avoid Chinese public holidays like Golden Week (October 1-7) when domestic transport and hotels triple in price. Shoulder season (April-May, October-November) is the sweet spot — good weather, manageable crowds, lower prices.

Budget hack: A Dutch backpacker I know spent €1,350 total for 28 days in China — hostels at €5-10/night, street food for €1-2/meal, and high-speed trains between cities. It’s absolutely doable if you’re flexible.

Culture Shocks Dutch Travellers Should Know

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I’ve brought enough Dutch friends to China to know what hits them hardest. Here’s the honest truth:

It’s insanely safe — safer than the Netherlands. This is the biggest surprise for every European I’ve brought. I’ve left my laptop on a café table while going to the bathroom. I’ve walked through side alleys at 1am. Nothing happened. Street harassment is minimal. Violent crime against tourists is almost unheard of. For solo female travellers, China is genuinely one of the safest countries I’ve ever visited.

No toilet paper. Public toilets in China don’t provide TP. Carry a small pack of tissues everywhere. Also: squat toilets are common in train stations, metro stops, and older restaurants. If you’re not used to squatting, start practicing now — your legs will thank me later.

Spitting is normal. Older Chinese men spit on the street. Everywhere. You’ll see it within five minutes of leaving the airport. It’s not rude, it’s just a cultural habit. You get used to it.

Smoking is everywhere. Despite bans, people still smoke in restaurants, hotel lobbies, and train station waiting areas. If you’re sensitive to cigarette smoke, bring a mask (locals wear them for pollution anyway, and it helps filter smoke too).

Personal space doesn’t exist in the same way. On the Beijing metro at rush hour, you will be pressed against strangers in a way that would make Dutch people deeply uncomfortable. Elbows out, don’t make eye contact, it’s normal.

English is limited. Outside of big hotels and tourist sites, very few people speak English. The younger generation knows more than the older one, but don’t expect the level of English you’d get in Amsterdam or Rotterdam. Google Translate with the camera function will be your best friend — point it at menus, signs, and receipts.

Everything runs through your phone. You can’t queue for a taxi, you book a DiDi. You can’t order at the counter, you scan a QR code. You can’t pay with cash at most places, you use Alipay. It took me a full trip to stop instinctively reaching for my wallet. Embrace the QR code life.

KLM doesn’t fly everywhere in China. Your direct flight lands in Shanghai. If you try to fly Amsterdam to Beijing direct, you’ll pay significantly more through codeshare partners (China Southern, Air China). The Shanghai route is the most affordable and well-connected option from the Netherlands.

The food is incredible, and nothing like what you’ve had in the Netherlands. Forget the deep-fried junk at your local Chinese takeaway. Real Chinese food is vegetable-heavy, incredibly varied, and tailored to regional tastes. Try the breakfast fried dough sticks (youtiao) at €0.10 each, the hotpot in Xi’an, and the hand-pulled noodles in Lanzhou-style restaurants. Most street food is cheaper than a kroket from a wall-mounted vending machine.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Do Dutch citizens need a visa for China in 2026? No. China extended its unilateral visa-free policy for Dutch passport holders through December 31, 2026. You can enter for tourism, business, transit, or family visits for up to 30 days without a visa. Your passport needs at least six months validity and two blank pages.

Is China safe for solo female Dutch travellers? Yes — genuinely yes. China is one of the safest countries I’ve ever visited, and I’ve met dozens of solo female travellers here. Street harassment is minimal. The main concerns are practical (language barrier, getting lost, food hygiene) rather than safety-related. Standard precautions apply, but the level of safety is notably higher than in many European destinations.

What’s the best time to go from the Netherlands? April-May and September-October. The weather is pleasant in most of China, flights from Amsterdam are cheaper, and you avoid the extreme summer heat (35°C+ in Beijing, 40°C in Shanghai) and the freezing winter (Beijing can hit -10°C). Chinese New Year (January/February) and Golden Week (October 1-7) are best avoided entirely — everything is packed and expensive.

Can I use my Dutch bank card in China? Rarely. Most ATMs accept foreign cards, but don’t count on being able to tap your Maestro or Visa at shops. Alipay is the solution — it now accepts international credit cards and even iDeal in some configurations. Set it up before you leave.

How do I get from Shanghai to Xi’an by train? China’s high-speed rail network is extensive. Book through Trip.com, which has an English interface and accepts foreign credit cards. Shanghai Hongqiao to Xi’an North is about 5.5 hours, second class costs around €75. The train is clean, comfortable, air-conditioned, and has a dining car with surprisingly decent food.

Is the internet really blocked? Yes. Google, Gmail, WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter/X, NOS, NU.nl, and most Western news sites are blocked. A VPN solves this. Get an eSIM with a built-in VPN before you leave — it costs about €8 for 30 days and activates when you land.

Do I need to speak Chinese? No, but it helps enormously. Learn these three phrases: xiè xiè (thank you — pronounced “shyeh-shyeh”), duì bù qǐ (sorry/excuse me — “dway boo chee”), and duō shǎo qián? (how much? — “dwora shaow chyen”). Download Google Translate with the Chinese language pack for everything else.

What’s the time difference from the Netherlands? China is 6 hours ahead of the Netherlands (CET). When it’s 12:00 in Amsterdam, it’s 18:00 in Shanghai. Jet lag works Eastward — the 11-hour KLM flight arrives in the morning, and the hardest thing is staying awake until a reasonable Chinese bedtime.

The 17-Day Extended Route (Add Guilin)

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If you have more time, add Guilin and Yangshuo to the end of your trip. Guilin’s karst mountain landscape looks like a Chinese watercolour painting — the same scenery printed on the ¥20 banknote.

From Xi’an, take a 2-hour flight or the 6-hour high-speed train to Guilin. Spend three days cycling through Yangshuo’s countryside (€3 for a bike rental), cruising the Li River (€30 for a 4-hour boat ride), and hiking up Xianggong Mountain for sunrise (entry €6).

Guilin to Shanghai by high-speed train is about 10 hours (€90). Or fly for €50-70.

This extended route adds about 3-4 days and €300-500 to your total budget. Worth every cent.

Route summary: Amsterdam (fly) → Shanghai (high-speed train) → Xi’an (high-speed train) → Beijing (optional fly) → Guilin/Yangshuo (fly) → Shanghai (fly home from PVG)

Bottom line: China in 2026 is more accessible to Dutch travellers than it’s ever been. You don’t need a visa, you can fly direct from Schiphol, you can pay with your phone, and the experience will reshape how you think about travel. The hardest part is booking the ticket. Everything after that is an adventure.

Planning a trip? Questions about the route, budget, or what to pack? Email me at [email protected] — I answer every message personally.