Can I find cheaper flights to China if I am willing to have stopovers?

Yes, flights with stopovers are often cheaper than direct flights. Keep an eye out for flight deals to China on Cheapflights that require 1 or 2 stops for potential cost savings.

What is the best airline to fly to China?

Based on reviews from Cheapflights users, Singapore Airlines is rated the highest out of the airlines that fly to China.

What is the cheapest airport to fly to in China?

Hangzhou is currently the cheapest airport to fly to in China. One-way flights to Hangzhou typically cost R908, while return flights cost around R2 209.

How much is a return flight to China?

A return flight to China will typically cost around R3 826, however they can be found for as little as R3 496.

Where does the fastest flight to China depart from?

For those looking to save time traveling to China, Johannesburg offers the quickest one-way flight (15 hours 55 minutes).

Does Shanghai Hongqiao Intl have car hire?

Yes. Those touching down at Shanghai Hongqiao Intl can take advantage of the car hire services offered upon their arrival.

Are there hotels close to Shanghai Hongqiao Intl?

Yes. Shanghai Hongqiao Intl has hotels nearby for those requiring accommodations. Air China Hongqiao Airport Hotel - Air China Boyue Hotel is the closest property to Shanghai Hongqiao Intl (0,0 km away from Shanghai Hongqiao Intl).

R9 236+ Cheap Flights to China

Flights to China in 2025

Enter your travel dates to find the best prices.

Cheapest flights to China
Explore the most affordable flight options available to China. Find the lowest fares based on data from user searches, with prices last updated on 5 December 2025.

Wed 31/1210:10JNB - PEK

Nonstop18h 35mAir China

Thu 5/218:30PEK - JNB

Nonstop19h 10mAir China

Deal found 4/12R13 744

Wed 24/1211:00JNB - CAN

1 stop15h 55mCathay Pacific

Fri 16/122:15CAN - JNB

1 stop15h 10mCathay Pacific

Deal found 4/12R13 863

Wed 17/1217:00JNB - CAN

2 stops19h 35mKenya Airways

Tue 30/1221:40CAN - JNB

2 stops19h 15mKenya Airways

Deal found 3/12R15 700

Fri 5/1213:40JNB - PVG

1 stop17h 05mSingapore Airlines

Tue 30/616:50PVG - JNB

1 stop31h 45mSingapore Airlines

Deal found 3/12R16 057

Wed 24/1217:00JNB - CAN

2 stops19h 35mMultiple Airlines

Mon 19/118:45CAN - JNB

1 stop26h 50mMultiple Airlines

Deal found 4/12R17 333

Sat 6/1211:20JNB - PVG

1 stop19h 10mCathay Pacific

Sat 13/128:30PVG - JNB

1 stop28h 55mCathay Pacific

Deal found 3/12R17 469

Best flights to China
Discover carefully curated flight deals to China that have cost, travel time, and stopovers in mind to ensure you get the best travel experience. Data last updated 5 December 2025.

Fri 23/114:30JNB - PVG

1 stop19h 45mEthiopian Air

Tue 27/123:30PVG - JNB

1 stop19h 35mEthiopian Air

Deal found 3/12R11 481

Mon 19/19:50JNB - PVG

1 stop20h 50mEtihad Airways

Fri 23/114:00PVG - JNB

1 stop24h 20mEtihad Airways

Deal found 3/12R11 941

Sun 1/213:40JNB - PVG

1 stop18h 55mSingapore Airlines

Tue 24/28:20PVG - JNB

1 stop27h 50mSingapore Airlines

Deal found 4/12R12 094

Mon 12/110:10JNB - SHA

2 stops26h 35mAir China

Thu 29/117:40SHA - JNB

1 stop20h 00mAir China

Deal found 3/12R13 761

Wed 24/1211:00JNB - CAN

1 stop15h 55mCathay Pacific

Fri 16/122:15CAN - JNB

1 stop15h 10mCathay Pacific

Deal found 4/12R13 863

Sun 18/118:50JNB - PEK

1 stop21h 40mMultiple Airlines

Sun 25/18:30PEK - JNB

2 stops29h 50mMultiple Airlines

Deal found 4/12R14 492

Wed 17/1217:00JNB - CAN

2 stops19h 35mKenya Airways

Tue 30/1221:40CAN - JNB

2 stops19h 15mKenya Airways

Deal found 3/12R15 700

Thu 8/110:25JNB - PEK

1 stop30h 05mEmirates

Thu 15/16:50PEK - JNB

1 stop19h 45mEmirates

Deal found 3/12R15 955

Wed 31/129:50JNB - PEK

2 stops26h 10mChina Eastern

Thu 5/27:00PEK - JNB

2 stops31h 20mChina Eastern

Deal found 4/12R18 949

Fri 10/419:50JNB - CAN

1 stop31h 35mSingapore Airlines

Wed 22/410:40CAN - JNB

1 stop25h 30mSingapore Airlines

Deal found 3/12R12 400

Fri 13/314:30JNB - PVG

1 stop19h 45mEthiopian Air

Fri 20/323:30PVG - JNB

1 stop19h 35mEthiopian Air

Deal found 4/12R12 417

Wed 7/110:10JNB - SHA

1 stop18h 15mAir China

Mon 26/121:30SHA - JNB

2 stops40h 10mAir China

Deal found 3/12R13 761

Tue 13/111:00JNB - CAN

1 stop15h 55mCathay Pacific

Tue 20/122:15CAN - JNB

1 stop15h 10mCathay Pacific

Deal found 4/12R13 982

Tue 10/319:55JNB - CAN

1 stop22h 25mSingapore Airlines

Tue 17/310:45CAN - JNB

1 stop25h 25mSingapore Airlines

Deal found 3/12R12 876

Mon 2/210:10JNB - SHA

1 stop22h 00mAir China

Tue 24/211:40SHA - JNB

1 stop26h 00mAir China

Deal found 4/12R13 761

Fri 9/114:30JNB - PVG

1 stop19h 45mEthiopian Air

Sat 24/123:30PVG - JNB

1 stop19h 35mEthiopian Air

Deal found 3/12R14 237

Thu 22/120:30JNB - XMN

2 stops33h 55mMalaysia Airlines

Mon 26/119:20XMN - JNB

2 stops26h 15mMalaysia Airlines

Deal found 2/12R31 348

Fri 16/111:00JNB - CAN

1 stop15h 55mCathay Pacific

Tue 20/122:15CAN - JNB

1 stop15h 10mCathay Pacific

Deal found 3/12R14 713

Mon 23/319:55JNB - CAN

1 stop34h 15mSingapore Airlines

Fri 3/41:20CAN - JNB

1 stop23h 15mSingapore Airlines

Deal found 3/12R13 472

Tue 20/113:45JNB - CAN

1 stop18h 40mMultiple Airlines

Tue 27/19:00CAN - JNB

2 stops29h 20mMultiple Airlines

Deal found 3/12R16 448

Fri 9/110:10JNB - SHA

2 stops24h 45mAir China

Sun 25/117:40SHA - JNB

1 stop20h 00mAir China

Deal found 3/12R13 761

Fri 9/110:10JNB - SHA

1 stop22h 00mAir China

Mon 26/121:30SHA - JNB

2 stops40h 10mAir China

Deal found 3/12R13 761

Sat 28/313:40JNB - CAN

1 stop37h 45mSingapore Airlines

Fri 3/41:20CAN - JNB

1 stop23h 15mSingapore Airlines

Deal found 4/12R13 965

Thu 8/114:30JNB - PVG

1 stop19h 45mEthiopian Air

Fri 30/123:30PVG - JNB

1 stop19h 35mEthiopian Air

Deal found 3/12R15 700

Sun 11/111:00JNB - PVG

1 stop20h 30mCathay Pacific

Fri 30/18:30PVG - JNB

1 stop28h 55mCathay Pacific

Deal found 3/12R16 312

Wed 7/110:10JNB - SHA

2 stops25h 45mAir China

Tue 27/117:40SHA - JNB

1 stop20h 00mAir China

Deal found 3/12R13 761

Sun 18/113:40JNB - PEK

1 stop43h 10mSingapore Airlines

Sun 25/116:40PEK - JNB

1 stop31h 55mSingapore Airlines

Deal found 4/12R14 271

Sun 11/111:00JNB - PVG

1 stop20h 30mCathay Pacific

Mon 26/18:30PVG - JNB

1 stop28h 55mCathay Pacific

Deal found 3/12R16 312

Sat 10/18:20JNB - PVG

1 stop25h 55mEthiopian Air

Mon 26/123:30PVG - JNB

1 stop19h 35mEthiopian Air

Deal found 3/12R16 380

Wed 7/110:10JNB - SHA

1 stop19h 15mAir China

Thu 29/115:35SHA - JNB

1 stop22h 05mAir China

Deal found 3/12R13 761

Last-minute flights to China
Discover last-minute flight deals to China. Data last updated 5 December 2025 and is based on user searches.

Wed 17/1210:10JNB - PEK

1 stop20h 00mAir China

Sat 20/1221:00PEK - JNB

1 stop40h 40mAir China

Deal found 3/12R18 744

Wed 24/1211:00JNB - CAN

1 stop15h 55mCathay Pacific

Fri 16/122:15CAN - JNB

1 stop15h 10mCathay Pacific

Deal found 4/12R13 863

Wed 31/1210:10JNB - PEK

Nonstop18h 35mAir China

Thu 5/218:30PEK - JNB

Nonstop19h 10mAir China

Deal found 4/12R13 744

Wed 7/110:10JNB - PVG

1 stop25h 00mAir China

Tue 27/116:10PVG - JNB

1 stop21h 30mAir China

Deal found 3/12R13 761

Wed 7/110:10JNB - SHA

2 stops25h 45mAir China

Sun 25/117:40SHA - JNB

1 stop20h 00mAir China

Deal found 3/12R13 761

Wed 7/110:10JNB - PVG

1 stop20h 15mAir China

Mon 26/121:10PVG - JNB

2 stops40h 30mAir China

Deal found 3/12R14 271

Wed 7/18:20JNB - PVG

1 stop25h 55mEthiopian Air

Fri 30/123:30PVG - JNB

1 stop19h 35mEthiopian Air

Deal found 3/12R14 696

Thu 8/110:25JNB - PEK

1 stop30h 05mEmirates

Thu 15/16:50PEK - JNB

1 stop19h 45mEmirates

Deal found 3/12R15 955

Fri 9/110:10JNB - SHA

1 stop18h 15mAir China

Tue 27/114:00SHA - JNB

2 stops23h 40mAir China

Deal found 3/12R13 420

Fri 9/19:50JNB - PVG

1 stop20h 50mChina Eastern

Tue 27/114:00PVG - JNB

1 stop24h 20mChina Eastern

Deal found 3/12R13 523

Fri 9/114:30JNB - PVG

1 stop19h 45mEthiopian Air

Sat 24/123:30PVG - JNB

1 stop19h 35mEthiopian Air

Deal found 3/12R14 237

Fri 9/110:10JNB - SHA

1 stop18h 15mMultiple Airlines

Tue 27/117:40SHA - JNB

1 stop20h 00mMultiple Airlines

Deal found 3/12R14 373

Find flights to China

One-wayReturn

Explore China

Find flight deals to China

Return from	R12 400
One-way from	R9 236
Popular in	October
Cheapest in	February
Average price	R16 822

Singapore Airlines
14/1-20/1
2 total stops
54h 50m total
Johannesburg to Guangzhou

Search Deals

19/2
2 total stops
26h 05m total
Johannesburg to China

Search Deals

Highest demand for flights based on searches. 6% potential increase in price (R1 032 potential increase over avg. return price).

Search Deals

Cheapest flight prices on average. 1% potential price decrease (R268 potential savings vs. average return price).

Search Deals

Average for return flights in December 2025

Search Deals

Fly from

Route

Depart

Return

Price

JohannesburgShanghai

JNB - PVG

JNBPVG

Johannesburg OR Tambo

Fri 23/1

14:30-16:15

1 stop19h 45m

Shanghai Pu Dong

Tue 27/1

23:30-13:05

1 stop19h 35m

R11 481

JohannesburgShanghai

JNB - PVG

JNBPVG

Johannesburg OR Tambo

Mon 19/1

9:50-12:40

1 stop20h 50m

Shanghai Pu Dong

Fri 23/1

14:00-8:20

1 stop24h 20m

R11 941

JohannesburgShanghai

JNB - PVG

JNBPVG

Johannesburg OR Tambo

Sun 1/2

13:40-14:35

1 stop18h 55m

Shanghai Pu Dong

Tue 24/2

8:20-6:10

1 stop27h 50m

R12 094

JohannesburgGuangzhou

JNB - CAN

JNBCAN

Johannesburg OR Tambo

Fri 10/4

19:50-9:25

1 stop31h 35m

Guangzhou Baiyun

Wed 22/4

10:40-6:10

1 stop25h 30m

R12 400

JohannesburgShanghai

JNB - PVG

JNBPVG

Johannesburg OR Tambo

Fri 13/3

14:30-16:15

1 stop19h 45m

Shanghai Pu Dong

Fri 20/3

23:30-13:05

1 stop19h 35m

R12 417

JohannesburgGuangzhou

JNB - CAN

JNBCAN

Johannesburg OR Tambo

Tue 10/3

19:55-0:20

1 stop22h 25m

Guangzhou Baiyun

Tue 17/3

10:45-6:10

1 stop25h 25m

R12 876

JohannesburgGuangzhou

JNB - CAN

JNBCAN

Johannesburg OR Tambo

Mon 23/3

19:55-12:10

1 stop34h 15m

Guangzhou Baiyun

Fri 3/4

1:20-18:35

1 stop23h 15m

R13 472

JohannesburgShanghai

JNB - SHA

JNBSHA

Johannesburg OR Tambo

Mon 12/1

10:10-18:45

2 stops26h 35m

Shanghai Hongqiao Intl

Thu 29/1

17:40-7:40

1 stop20h 00m

R13 761

JohannesburgShanghai

JNB - SHA

JNBSHA

Johannesburg OR Tambo

Wed 7/1

10:10-10:25

1 stop18h 15m

Shanghai Hongqiao Intl

Mon 26/1

21:30-7:40

2 stops40h 10m

R13 761

JohannesburgShanghai

JNB - SHA

JNBSHA

Johannesburg OR Tambo

Mon 2/2

10:10-14:10

1 stop22h 00m

Shanghai Hongqiao Intl

Tue 24/2

11:40-7:40

1 stop26h 00m

R13 761

Flights are sorted by cheapest return flights first.

Deals found on 4/12

Showing 1-10 of 32 results

Best time to book a flight to China

Have a flexible travel schedule? Discover the best time to fly to China with our price prediction graph.

Estimated return price

Rates are based on past data. Find the cheapest month and day to book your flight based on your travel requirements, then search for cheap deals.

Cheapflights Insights

Everything you need to know about your flight to China

How long is the flight to China?

On average, a flight from Johannesburg to China takes 21 hours 54 minutes. Flights to China from other popular cities in South Africa will vary in length. Below are a few examples of popular routes and their flight times.

When is the cheapest time to fly to China?

Users looking for the lowest fares to China should consider flying on Monday at midday, when prices are typically cheapest. Budget-minded travellers will want to avoid Sunday afternoons, when prices are usually at their highest.

What are the most popular airlines that fly to China?

The most popular airlines flying from Johannesburg to China are Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines and Cathay Pacific.

What are the cheapest airlines that fly to China?

The cheapest airlines flying from Johannesburg to China are Singapore Airlines, Qatar Airways and Ethiopian Air.

Rainfall in China by month

In terms of precipitation, rainfall in China ranges from 30.0 - 260.0 mm per month. May is typically the wettest month, when rainfall can reach 260.0 mm. December is typically the driest time to visit China when rainfall is around 30.0 mm.

Temperature in China by month

If weather is an important factor for your trip to China, use this chart to help with planning. For those seeking warmer temperatures, July is the ideal time of year to visit, when temperatures reach an average of 28.0 C. Travellers hoping to avoid the cold should look outside of January, when temperatures are typically at their lowest (around 14.0 C).

What are the most popular places to fly to in China?

The most popular places in China to fly to are Guangzhou, Shanghai, Beijing, Shenzhen and Chengdu.

Reviews of airlines servicing China

Check out reviews from past customers who have flown Emirates, Singapore Airlines, andCathay Pacific to China to help guide your decision. You can also see how each airline stacks up in terms of entertainment options, comfort, food, crew/service, and boarding process.

Emirates

8,1

Very Good

3 430 reviews

Check prices

Reviews

1 / 20

8,0

Excellent

Anonymous,Dec 2025

ATH - EWR

Smooth flight, good entertainment choices. Bad legroom in economy and mediocre food.

Emirates

8,1

Very Good

3 430 reviews

Emirates

8,1

Very Good

3 430 reviews

Check prices

Reviews

1 / 20

8,0

Excellent

Anonymous,Dec 2025

ATH - EWR

Smooth flight, good entertainment choices. Bad legroom in economy and mediocre food.

Singapore Airlines

8,1

Very Good

1 411 reviews

Emirates

8,1

Very Good

3 430 reviews

Check prices

Reviews

1 / 20

8,0

Excellent

Anonymous,Dec 2025

ATH - EWR

Smooth flight, good entertainment choices. Bad legroom in economy and mediocre food.

Cathay Pacific

7,6

Good

1 084 reviews

Emirates

8,1

Very Good

3 430 reviews

Check prices

Reviews

1 / 20

8,0

Excellent

Anonymous,Dec 2025

ATH - EWR

Smooth flight, good entertainment choices. Bad legroom in economy and mediocre food.

Qatar Airways

7,4

Good

3 678 reviews

Emirates

8,1

Very Good

3 430 reviews

Check prices

Reviews

1 / 20

8,0

Excellent

Anonymous,Dec 2025

ATH - EWR

Smooth flight, good entertainment choices. Bad legroom in economy and mediocre food.

Ethiopian Air

7,2

Good

903 reviews

Emirates

8,1

Very Good

3 430 reviews

Check prices

Reviews

1 / 20

8,0

Excellent

Anonymous,Dec 2025

ATH - EWR

Smooth flight, good entertainment choices. Bad legroom in economy and mediocre food.

FAQs about flying to China

What is good to know if travelling to China?

For some serious shopping therapy and a vibrant nightlife scene, pay a visit to Hong Kong Island, a mere bus ride away from the central city lands you in this destination with its unusual mix of Western and Asian cultures.
Make sure you get around to seeing Beijing, China’s capital which is home to some all-star attractions such as the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, the Temple of Heaven, parts of the Great Wall of China, and the lovely Summer Palace.
History buffs have to make their way to Xi’an, the ancient imperial capital of China. On show here are sites such as the Goose Pagodas, the Bell and Drum Towers, Ming City Walls, and the famed Terra Cotta Warriors!

Can I find cheaper flights to China if I am willing to have stopovers?
Yes, flights with stopovers are often cheaper than direct flights. Keep an eye out for flight deals to China on Cheapflights that require 1 or 2 stops for potential cost savings.
What is the best airline to fly to China?
Based on reviews from Cheapflights users, Singapore Airlines is rated the highest out of the airlines that fly to China.
What is the cheapest airport to fly to in China?
Hangzhou is currently the cheapest airport to fly to in China. One-way flights to Hangzhou typically cost R908, while return flights cost around R2 209.
How much is a return flight to China?
A return flight to China will typically cost around R3 826, however they can be found for as little as R3 496.
Where does the fastest flight to China depart from?
For those looking to save time traveling to China, Johannesburg offers the quickest one-way flight (15 hours 55 minutes).
Does Shanghai Hongqiao Intl have car hire?
Yes. Those touching down at Shanghai Hongqiao Intl can take advantage of the car hire services offered upon their arrival.
Are there hotels close to Shanghai Hongqiao Intl?
Yes. Shanghai Hongqiao Intl has hotels nearby for those requiring accommodations. Air China Hongqiao Airport Hotel - Air China Boyue Hotel is the closest property to Shanghai Hongqiao Intl (0,0 km away from Shanghai Hongqiao Intl).

See more FAQs

Browse thousands of different options on Cheapflights for your next trip

Fly with Cheapflights

How does Cheapflights help users find flights to China?

When you search for this flight to China, Cheapflights searches on 900+ travel sites to save you time finding great flight deals online. Additionally, we offer filter features so you can choose a preferred cabin class or airline, see different price ranges, and much more so you can book the best flight for you.

Why should you use Cheapflights to find cheap flight tickets to China?

Millions of users choose and trust Cheapflights to book the best flight deals to China for free. We help you search and compare prices from hundreds of airlines for the right flight just for you.

Can Cheapflights find flights to China with no change fees?

Yes, we can. To see specific flights to China with no change fees, users can toggle flexible booking options after using the search form above to find flights.

Can Cheapflights notify me if prices for flights to China become cheaper?

Yes, Cheapflights has a feature called Price Alerts, which notifies users when flight prices change. Track prices for your flight to China today and book when you’re ready!

100% Free

Cheapflights is completely free to use, so you can start saving the moment you arrive.

Book with Flexibility

Our users can plan ahead with confidence and find flights with no change fees

Travel Smart

Millions of people come to us for their flight needs every year. We help make travel planning easy by providing useful insights and data-driven graphs that can inform your decisions.

R9 236+ Cheap flights to China

This is the cheapest one-way flight price found by a Cheapflights user in the last 72 hours by searching for a flight departing on 19/2. Fares are subject to change and may not be available on all flights or dates of travel.

Flights to China in 2025

Cheapest flights to ChinaExplore the most affordable flight options available to China. Find the lowest fares based on data from user searches, with prices last updated on 5 December 2025.

Explore the most affordable flight options available to China. Find the lowest fares based on data from user searches, with prices last updated on 5 December 2025.

Find flights to China

Browse one-way and return flights deals to China on Cheapflights. Flight deals are based on user searches and were last updated on 5 December 2025

Explore China

Find flight deals to China

Find the latest flights to China in 2025, with up-to-date prices and availability. In the last 7 days, Cheapflights users made a total of 594 507 searches and data was last updated on 5 December 2025.

Return from

One-way from

Popular in

Cheapest in

Average price

Cheapflights Fare Finder

Use the filters below to find and compare flights to China that are best for you.

Best time to book a flight to China

Have a flexible travel schedule? Discover the best time to fly to China with our price prediction graph.

Cheapflights Insights

Everything you need to know about your flight to China

How long is the flight to China?

When is the cheapest time to fly to China?

Use this chart to determine the cheapest time to fly return from Johannesburg to China. Price data was last updated on 16 December 2024.

What are the most popular airlines that fly to China?

What are the cheapest airlines that fly to China?

Rainfall in China by month

Plan your trip to China by taking into account the average rainfall totals by month.

Temperature in China by month

Plan your trip to China by taking into account the average temperature totals by month.

What are the most popular places to fly to in China?

Destination popularity is based on the amount of flight searches to China in the last few years. This data was updated on 5 December 2025.

The most popular places in China to fly to are Guangzhou, Shanghai, Beijing, Shenzhen and Chengdu.

Reviews of airlines servicing China

Get insights into the airlines that provide service to China. Read reviews, discover amenities, and learn about the overall travel experience offered by airlines. Use this information to make informed decisions when choosing an airline for your flight to China. Reviews last updated 5 December 2025.

Check out reviews from past customers who have flown Emirates, Singapore Airlines, andCathay Pacific to China to help guide your decision. You can also see how each airline stacks up in terms of entertainment options, comfort, food, crew/service, and boarding process.

FAQs about flying to China

What is good to know if travelling to China?

Can I find cheaper flights to China if I am willing to have stopovers?

What is the best airline to fly to China?

What is the cheapest airport to fly to in China?

How much is a return flight to China?

Where does the fastest flight to China depart from?

Does Shanghai Hongqiao Intl have car hire?

Are there hotels close to Shanghai Hongqiao Intl?

Browse thousands of different options on Cheapflights for your next trip

Toggle through the tabs below to find thousands of options on Cheapflights for your next trip.

Find flights to China

Select your preferred flight destination in China from the list below.

Fly with Cheapflights

Find the best flight deals on Cheapflights, where travellers can enjoy low prices and a wide availability of flights to their desired destinations.

How does Cheapflights help users find flights to China?

Why should you use Cheapflights to find cheap flight tickets to China?

Can Cheapflights find flights to China with no change fees?

Can Cheapflights notify me if prices for flights to China become cheaper?

100% Free

Book with Flexibility

Travel Smart

Cheapest flights to China
Explore the most affordable flight options available to China. Find the lowest fares based on data from user searches, with prices last updated on 5 December 2025.