For travellers from China
In short: A Buddhist pilgrimage to India and Nepal planned for travellers from China. You fly to Delhi or Kolkata and visit the four holy places of the Buddha’s life: Lumbini, Bodh Gaya, Sarnath and Kushinagar. Prime Value Tours offers group tours (3-star) from US$319, private tours with 4-star hotels from US$649 (4 days) and US$1,349 (8 days), and 5-star private tours from US$819 (4 days) and US$1,699 (8 days) per person, with vegetarian meals and Buddhist guides.
At a glance
| Gateway airport | Delhi (DEL) or Kolkata (CCU), then on to Varanasi or Gaya |
|---|---|
| Flight time | About 5 to 7 hours nonstop to Delhi or Kolkata |
| Time difference | India is 2.5 hours behind China. |
| Visa | Regular Indian tourist visa from an Indian embassy or consulate |
| Best season | October to March |
| 4-star private tour | From US$649 (4 days) or US$1,349 (8 days) per person |
| 5-star private tour | From US$819 (4 days) or US$1,699 (8 days) per person |
| Group tour (3-star) | From US$319 (4 days) or US$669 (8 days) per person |
| Languages | Mandarin-speaking guides are available on request; all our guides speak English. |
| Meals | Pure vegetarian |
The holy places you will visit
- Lumbini, Nepal – birthplace of the Buddha (Maya Devi Temple guide)
- Bodh Gaya – place of Enlightenment under the Bodhi Tree, a UNESCO World Heritage Site (Mahabodhi Temple guide)
- Sarnath – where the Buddha gave his first sermon (Sarnath guide)
- Kushinagar – place of the Buddha’s Mahaparinirvana (Kushinagar guide)
Most tours also include Rajgir (Vulture’s Peak), the ruins of Nalanda University, Vaishali and Sravasti. See the complete Buddhist pilgrimage guide to India and Nepal.
Chinese pilgrims have walked this route for 1,600 years. Faxian and Xuanzang (玄奘) both described Bodh Gaya, Sarnath, Kushinagar and Lumbini, and Xuanzang studied at Nalanda University, where the Xuanzang Memorial Hall stands today. Chinese temples at Bodh Gaya, Sarnath and Kushinagar welcome offerings.
Recommended pilgrimage tours
Prices are per person in US dollars, twin sharing, land only.
| Tour | Length | Route | Group (3-star) | Private (4-star) | 5-star private |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Complete Buddhist Circuit India & Nepal | 10 days | Varanasi → Bodh Gaya → Rajgir → Vaishali → Kushinagar → Lumbini → Sravasti | US$839 | US$1,689 | US$2,089 |
| India–Nepal Extended Circuit (premium) | 12 days | Delhi → Varanasi → Bodh Gaya → Rajgir → Vaishali → Kushinagar → Lumbini → Kathmandu | US$1,199 | US$2,359 | US$2,639 |
| Buddhist Pilgrimage India | 8 days | Varanasi → Bodh Gaya → Rajgir → Vaishali → Kushinagar | US$669 | US$1,349 | US$1,699 |
| Bodh Gaya, Rajgir & Nalanda | 4 days | Bodh Gaya → Rajgir → Nalanda | US$319 | US$649 | US$819 |
| Varanasi, Sarnath & Bodh Gaya | 5 days | Varanasi → Sarnath → Bodh Gaya | US$419 | US$849 | US$1,119 |
| Buddhist Monastery & Meditation Tour | 8 days | Varanasi → Bodh Gaya → Rajgir → Nalanda | US$669 | US$1,369 | US$1,749 |
See all Buddhist circuit tours or pilgrimage tours.
4-star hotels and prices
Our private tours use 4-star hotels, a private air-conditioned car, a personal Buddhist guide and pure-vegetarian meals. 4-star private tours start from US$649 per person (4 days) and US$1,349 per person (8 days), twin sharing.
| City | 4-star hotels we use (or similar) |
|---|---|
| Varanasi | Radisson / Pinnacle / Amaya |
| Bodh Gaya | Hyatt / ITC / Ramada |
| Rajgir | Residency / Ashok |
| Patna | Taj / Patliputra Continental |
| Vaishali | White Lotus |
| Kushinagar | Royal Residency |
| Lumbini, Nepal | Hyatt / Vilasa / Landmark |
| Sravasti | Tulip / Pride / Metta |
| Gorakhpur | Radisson / Marriott |
| Delhi, Agra, Kolkata, Kathmandu | Selected 4-star hotel |
Smaller pilgrimage towns have fewer hotels; there we use the best available. Group tours use 3-star hotels. Hotels are confirmed at booking, subject to availability.
5-star Buddhist pilgrimage: hotels and prices
Our 5-star private tours use the top hotels in each city, a private premium car, a personal senior Buddhist guide and pure-vegetarian meals. 5-star tours start from US$819 per person (4 days) and US$1,699 per person (8 days), twin sharing.
| City | Hotels used on 5-star tours (or similar) |
|---|---|
| Delhi | 5-star hotel |
| Agra | 5-star hotel |
| Varanasi | Radisson (top hotel in our list) |
| Bodh Gaya | Hyatt / ITC |
| Patna | Taj |
| Gorakhpur | Marriott / Radisson |
| Lumbini, Nepal | Hyatt |
| Kathmandu, Nepal | 5-star hotel |
| Rajgir | Residency / Ashok (best available – no 5-star hotel) |
| Vaishali | White Lotus (best available – no 5-star hotel) |
| Kushinagar | Royal Residency (best available – no 5-star hotel) |
| Sravasti | Tulip / Pride / Metta (best available – no 5-star hotel) |
Rajgir, Vaishali, Kushinagar and Sravasti are small pilgrimage towns without 5-star hotels; there we use the best available.
Group, private or 5-star?
| Group | Private | 5-star private | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hotels | 3-star hotel | 4-star (best available) | 5-star (best available in small towns) |
| Transport | Shared AC coach | Private AC car | Private premium car |
| Guide | Shared Buddhist guide | Personal guide | Personal senior guide |
| Dates | Fixed group dates | Any date | Any date |
| 8-day price from | US$669 | US$1,349 | US$1,699 |
Flights to India from China
Direct flights between China and India resumed in 2025–26. Current nonstop routes include Shanghai–Delhi (China Eastern, Air India), Beijing–Delhi (Air China), Guangzhou–Delhi and Guangzhou–Kolkata (IndiGo; China Southern resuming Guangzhou–Delhi), Shanghai–Kolkata (IndiGo) and Kunming–Kolkata (China Eastern). Kolkata is the closest major gateway to Bodh Gaya. Schedules change, so check current flights before you book.
Visa and entry
Chinese citizens need a regular tourist visa for India, applied for through the Embassy or Consulates of India in China; the e-Tourist Visa is not currently available to Chinese nationals. Check current rules before applying. If your tour includes Lumbini and returns to India, ask for a visa with at least two entries. A Nepal visa is available on arrival at the land border.
Before you travel
- Best time to go: October to March; avoid April to June, when temperatures reach 45°C.
- Time difference: India is 2.5 hours behind China.
- Power plugs: India uses 230-volt power with Type C, D and M sockets, the same voltage as China. Some Chinese plugs fit, but carry an adapter.
- Language: Mandarin-speaking guides are available on request; all our guides speak English.
- Money: the currency is the Indian rupee (INR); Nepal uses the Nepalese rupee (NPR). Cards are accepted at hotels; carry some cash for temple offerings. Our prices are in US dollars, and we can quote in your local currency on request.
- Travel advice and insurance: check your government’s travel advice for India and Nepal, see a travel clinic 4 to 6 weeks before departure, and take insurance that covers medical treatment and evacuation.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Buddhist pilgrimage to India cost from China?
Land-only prices start from US$319 per person for a 4-day group tour. With 4-star hotels, private tours start from US$649 (4 days) and US$1,349 (8 days), and with 5-star hotels from US$819 (4 days) and US$1,699 (8 days) per person, twin sharing. Flights are extra.
Can Chinese citizens visit India for a Buddhist pilgrimage?
Yes. Chinese citizens need a regular tourist visa from the Embassy or Consulates of India in China. Direct flights between China and India resumed in 2025–26.
Does the tour include Xuanzang sites?
Yes. Our tours visit Nalanda University, where Xuanzang studied, and the Xuanzang Memorial Hall, as well as the holy places he described.
What hotels are used?
Private tours use 4-star hotels (best available in small towns), such as Hyatt, ITC or Ramada in Bodh Gaya and Radisson, Pinnacle or Amaya in Varanasi. Group tours use 3-star hotels, and 5-star tours use the top hotels in each city, such as Hyatt or ITC in Bodh Gaya and Taj in Patna.
Are meals vegetarian?
Yes. All meals on our pilgrimage tours are pure vegetarian. Vegan, no onion-garlic and monastic-schedule meals can be arranged with advance notice.
When is the best time to go?
October to March. December and January are the busiest months at Bodh Gaya, so book early. Avoid April to June, when temperatures reach 45°C.
Related pages
- Buddhist pilgrimage for American travelers
- Buddhist pilgrimage from the UK
- Buddhist pilgrimage from Australia
- Buddhist pilgrimage guide to India and Nepal
Plan your pilgrimage with us. Tell us your dates, group size and language, and we will send a detailed quotation within 24 hours.
Plan My Pilgrimage WhatsApp +91-9794122849Prepared by the Prime Value Tours pilgrimage team in Varanasi, Govt. of India approved and an IATO member, organising Buddhist pilgrimages since 1999. Flight and visa details checked November 2026; airline schedules change, so confirm before booking.