India-China Flights Are Back — What It Means for Travel Between the Two Countries
For the first time since COVID, direct flights between India and China have resumed. Air China, Air India, and IndiGo have all added India-China routes in 2026. Here's what's now bookable and why it matters.
India-China air connectivity has been effectively frozen since 2020. Six years later, direct flights are back — and they're opening up a destination that most Indian travellers have never seriously considered.
What's flying now
Air China has resumed Delhi (DEL) to Beijing (PEK) with 3 weekly frequencies. Air India has launched Bengaluru (BLR) to Shanghai (PVG) — a first for direct south India to China connectivity. IndiGo has announced routes from Bihar (Patna/Gaya) to Shanghai targeting Buddhist circuit travellers. Hainan Airlines is expected to add Mumbai–Guangzhou by Q3 2026.
All flights require a valid Chinese tourist visa (L visa) — that process hasn't changed, but turnaround times have improved significantly. The Chinese consulate in Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru are now processing tourist visas in 7–10 working days.
Why China was off the radar for so long
Beyond the political backdrop, the practical barriers were significant: no direct flights meant routing through Hong Kong, Bangkok, or Singapore adding 6–8 hours; visa processing was slow; and the digital restrictions (no Google Maps, WhatsApp, or Instagram) put off independent travellers. None of these have disappeared — but the flight barrier has dropped, and that changes the calculus for anyone who was on the fence.
What's actually worth visiting in China for Indian travellers
Beijing is one of the great capital cities of the world — the Forbidden City, the Great Wall (Mutianyu section is far less crowded than Badaling), the Temple of Heaven, and the hutong neighbourhoods of Dongcheng are all world-class. Shanghai is more accessible for first-timers: the Bund at night is spectacular, French Concession is a beautiful walking neighbourhood, and the food is excellent.
For Indian travellers specifically, two circuits stand out: the Buddhist trail (Lumbini in Nepal connecting to Bodh Gaya in Bihar, then continuing to Xuanzang's route through Xi'an and Luoyang) — historically significant and now bookable with IndiGo's Bihar-Shanghai link. And Yunnan province (Kunming, Dali, Lijiang, Shangri-La) — less crowded than Beijing, stunning mountain and lake scenery, and excellent for trekking.
Practical notes for first-time India-China travellers
VPN: Get one before you land. ExpressVPN and NordVPN both work in China as of early 2026 (though reliability varies). Download offline Google Maps for your destination city before departure. WeChat Pay and Alipay have opened foreign card linkage — set this up in advance, as cash acceptance is now rare in major Chinese cities. Mandarin is helpful but not essential in Beijing and Shanghai where tourist infrastructure is strong.
Cost: China is mid-range for Southeast Asia standards. A comfortable hotel in central Beijing runs ₹4,000–7,000/night. Food is extremely cheap — ₹200–400 for a good local meal. A 7-night India-China trip from Bangalore costs approximately ₹90,000–1,20,000 per person all-in.
Trripah is now building China itineraries for the first time. Talk to us if you want to be among the first Indian travellers on the new direct routes.