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R9 047 Find cheap flights to China

This is the cheapest one-way flight price found by a KAYAK user in the last 72 hours by searching for a flight from South Africa to China departing on 29/11. Fares are subject to change and may not be available on all flights or dates of travel. Click the price to replicate the search for this deal.
1 adult
0 bags

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Best China Flight Deals

Cheapest return prices found by our users on KAYAK in the last 72 hours

Guangzhou
Guangzhou1 stopR13 280
Shanghai
Shanghai1 stopR13 190
Beijing
Beijing2 stopsR14 407

Good to know

Low season

August

High season

November

Cheapest flight

R9 047
Best time to beat the crowds but there is an average 7% increase in price.
Most popular time to fly and prices are also 6% lower on average.
Flight from OR Tambo Airport, Johannesburg to Shanghai Pudong Airport

FAQs - booking China flights

  • How long is the flight to China?

    An average direct flight from South Africa to China takes 23h 26m, covering a distance of 18932 km. The most popular route is Johannesburg - Guangzhou with an average flight time of 16h 25m.

  • What is the cheapest flight to China?

    The cheapest ticket to China from South Africa found in the last 72 hours was R10 683 one-way, and R10 501 round-trip. The most popular route is Johannesburg OR Tambo to Guangzhou Baiyun and the cheapest round-trip airline ticket found on this route in the last 72 hours was R11 609.

  • What are the most popular destinations in China?

    Based on KAYAK flight searches, the most popular destination is Shanghai (67% of total searches to China). The next most popular destinations are Guangzhou (18%) and Beijing (14%).Searches for flights to Kunming (0,8%) and to Xiamen (0,8%) are also popular.

  • How does KAYAK’s flight Price Forecast tool help me choose the right time to buy?

    KAYAK’s flight Price Forecast tool uses historical data to determine whether the price for a given destination and date is likely to change within 7 days, so travellers know whether to wait or book now.

See more FAQs

Top tips for finding cheap flights to China

  • Looking for cheap airfare to China? 25% of our users found return tickets to China for the following prices or less: From Johannesburg OR Tambo R21 672
  • Book at least 1 week before departure in order to get a below-average price.
  • High season is considered to be August and September. The cheapest month to fly from South Africa is February.
  • Enter your preferred departure airport and travel dates into the search form above to unlock the latest China flight deals.
See more tips

Top 5 airlines flying to China

Need help choosing which airline to fly with from South Africa to China? KAYAK airline reviews give an overall score for each airline based on loads of factors, including comfort, boarding, in-flight entertainment and more, to make your decision easier. See airline scores according to verified KAYAK customer reviews.
8,1
EmiratesOverall score based on 3497 reviews
8,0Comfort
8,3Crew
8,2Entertainment
8,1Boarding
7,9Food
Airline reviews

The entire crew went above and beyond. This was our first flight with our 3 month old, and they were accommodating and friendly. The crew is attentive and marks a HIGE difference to the regular runs with Avianca and LATAM.

10,0 ExcellentDaniel, Nov 2024MIA - BOG
Read more Emirates reviews

The entire crew went above and beyond. This was our first flight with our 3 month old, and they were accommodating and friendly. The crew is attentive and marks a HIGE difference to the regular runs with Avianca and LATAM.

We boarded via a mobile gate in Dubai. I don't care for the bus ride from the gate to the plane

I wish Emirates had lights to Philadelphia (PHL) in USA.

Okish. But for £550 , I’d have preferred a better experience

The lounge staff at reception were inefficient and robotic. Boarding process was chaotic at the gate with no priority for business and first. At arrival into Dubai, no upper deck door . Food option and quality for this flight was awful . Thankfully the bar is always good.

Fresh energetic and friendly crew, great food, brand new plane and non stop entertainment

‏One of the worst flights I took in My life, delays after delays, then the AC is not working and we were living in a sauna,& we were sweating like pigs. and this even before take off. Next we arrived late one hour late, baggage claims worse than the delay itself add to that one more hour to get our luggage. I am extremely disappointed and my experience is I’m never going to fly on Emirates airline. Immigration was the only good thing about this trip. It took us seven minutes to go through to the luggage claims.

On the DXB to IAD flight, missed the snack between the meals again...

No Vegetarian options onboard, made to wait for a long time for boarding

POOR CREW BEHAVIOR. RESTRICTIONS ON FOOD. FEELS LIKE ECONOMY CLASS.

The crew and their service was top notch, but the plane itself seemed to be on the older side and worn out. Also, the food could’ve been better. 9 out of 10.

Didn't like much at all Nowhere near enough legroom, narrow seats. Aisles not wide enough for safe food trolley access and husband had his knee hit cos not enough leg room. Would take a lot to convince us to fly Singapore Airlines again which is a pity cos it was always our go-to airline

Good airlines, travelled 🧳 n Singapore multiple times and experience is consistent

The flight was very late, sitting on the plane for over an hour and missed our connecting flight from Singapore to LA. As senior citizens, we were rerouted to Copenhagen and then to LA. They should not do this to senior citizens. They should have given us a hotel voucher for a night, then catch a flight to LA the next day. Singapore Airlines should grant us some kind of credit for the next trip, if they want us to fly with them. I doubt if we will ever hear from them.

They ran out of food for breakfast They did not offer tea or coffee The staff appeared very inexperienced The cabin was very cold, even with a blanket

If I made the connection in Singapore I was stuck there for 24 hours you owe me 355.00 for accommodations

Leg room and flight sound insulation is very bad. They broke 3 of my bags with bad handling

Crews were great but food not much selection just all tailored for Asian passengers.

plus: service and personal assistance minus: online check-in did not work

The Premium economy class is not the same as some other airlines because there are no economy seats on these planes. Basically you’re getting an economy seat that’s a little wider. The seats are not that much more comfortable. The service and food experience is similar to economy class on other Asian airlines. There aren’t enough toilets for the entire plane therefore we are forced to share the business class toilets that are closed off with curtains.

Delayed my flights and no communication. We end up spending 6 hrs in Doha. No food or any concern from the airline. Terrible

Do I need to repeat my complaints about my lost carry on bag?

Overall experience was OK. Seats were truly uncomfortable for such a long flight. Food quality was mediocre at best. The staff was great though!

As gold member there is no priority checkin. Meaning you either have to board with your zone or last with business class pax. As economy pax all the baggage bays are filled by the time you arrive

Operated by American Airlines. Very chaotic and the crew was bit rough responding any enquiries. Restricted leg space.. Qatar would have been better

Qatar airways from Doha to guangzhau was excellent big bird Boeing 777 more room and smoothly flight, I Love it

Not impressed. Only allowed one carry on on such a long flight.

To many ads. 3 or 4 between each movie. All repetitive, all related to Doha which I was just passing thru.

They shld provide food. Between food they are giving 10 hours gap which is toooo much

I had already opted for Vegan food before 2 months yet they say we have no record for it,

Food and service are good. Bathroom was lack of lotions and cleaning. That should be improved.

Food & service very good next I will pick up again

Chinese flight attendants didn't speak english well. They didn't care enough to remember that I (east asian who isn't Chinese) wasn't Chinese and spoke English. Announcement in english on board was poor and I find it very difficult to understand what was announced. Also, a cabin bag allows only 5kg!

Chinese flight attendants didn't speak english well. They didn't care enough to remember that I (east asian who isn't Chinese) wasn't Chinese and spoke English. Announcement in english on board was poor and I find it very difficult to understand what was announced.

Everything was not satisfactory - the flight was delayed, staffs were ok but they didn't speak English well. I am from east Asia (not Chinese) and they didn't care enough to remember that I wasn't Chinese but persistently spoke chinese to me. The flight announcement in english wasn't clear to understand.

I wish I had been able to choose a vegetarian meal. Crew friendly and helpful. Seat was ok. All quite efficient and pleasant. Would recommend for inner China travel for sure.

The flight is not bad, but the Business Lounge is not big enough for the quantity of people they accept and there is a limited options for food and beverages.

It was simply bad and on top of that my luggage hasn't been delivered until now. They can't even localize it which is just unacceptable when they are supposed to scan the bar code they put when we check in

We bought premium Economy, thinking it would be more comfortable, but the seat is so narrow ,that my legs and feet are swollen , I can't wear shoes !

The flight was delayed for almost 5 hours, but I understand that it was not up to the company, however how they could handle the situation better, they never apologized for that delay, moreover despite passengers being there for 7 hours only thing they did was to give a bowl of instant noodles, afterwards on the plane tiny snacks, people were there starting from lunch time and we’ve arrived to destination at almost midnight

I felt all of the food tasted the same. And we had five meals over the 16 hrs in the air.

The use of a domestic carrier without entertainment was disappointing and a let down

Plane was late with no information or announcement … had to walk up n downstairs.., had not communicated this … and ppl had suitcase to carry .

The food needs to improve especially the fish as there where only 3 fish cubes in my plate.

I have been flew with ET since 2013 and I wish the service can be reach standard airlines as Star Alliance member please ET you need to improve many thing on the services learn from SQ and other member

Good was great, but no vegetarian option: only beef or chicken. In business class please add a vegetarian option. Thanks

The boarding area was too small with only one agent checking passengers into their standing bus

The experience was amazing! Many thanks to the pilot who informed us that we were passing mt Kilimanjaro and we had the chance to see it !

It’s good alternative flight out from Mogadishu, especially for the timing

Movie channels was great. Air hostess could be a little more caring

Book Cheap China Plane Tickets

Recent return flight deals

22/4Ma
1 stopSingapore Airlines
22h 20mJNB-PVG
3/5
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26/2Mi
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26/11Ma
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26/11Ma
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24/2Lu
3 stopsAir China
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28/3Vi
1 stopEmirates
18h 10mJNB-PEK
4/4Vi
1 stopEmirates
26h 10mPEK-JNB
R16 460
14/2Vi
1 stopEmirates
26h 05mCPT-CAN
21/2Vi
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22h 30mCAN-CPT
R16 987

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Recent one-way flight deals

29/11Vi
1 stopEtihad Airways
18h 00mJNB-PVG
R9 047
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2 stopsXiamenAir
24h 50mJNB-PVG
R9 138
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R11 827
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R15 097
29/11Vi
2 stops
23h 55mJNB-SHA
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22/2
2 stopsEmirates
29h 00mJNB-PEK
R17 350
22/2
3 stopsEmirates
24h 20mJNB-PEK
R136 038

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Last minute flights to China

Last minute flight, train and bus deals

21/11Jo
multi-stopEthiopian Air
20h 35mJNB-PEK
27/11Mi
multi-stopEthiopian Air
19h 00mPEK-JNB
R12 172
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multi-stopEthiopian Air
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25/11Lu
multi-stopEthiopian Air
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18/11Lu
multi-stopAir China
23h 15mJNB-CAN
25/11Lu
multi-stopAir China
43h 00mCAN-JNB
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multi-stopAir China
23h 15mJNB-CAN
30/11
multi-stopAir China
42h 00mCAN-JNB
R13 862
20/11Mi
multi-stopQatar Airways
22h 30mJNB-CAN
27/11Mi
multi-stopQatar Airways
27h 00mCAN-JNB
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multi-stopQatar Airways
22h 30mJNB-CAN
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multi-stopQatar Airways
39h 20mCAN-JNB
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19/11Ma
multi-stopCathay Pacific
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30/11
multi-stopCathay Pacific
15h 25mCAN-JNB
R15 951
21/11Jo
multi-stopEmirates
26h 20mJNB-CAN
30/11
multi-stopEmirates
26h 35mCAN-JNB
R17 986
21/11Jo
multi-stopEmirates
26h 20mJNB-CAN
29/11Vi
multi-stopEmirates
22h 20mCAN-JNB
R19 966
18/11Lu
multi-stopCathay Pacific
26h 15mJNB-CAN
25/11Lu
multi-stopCathay Pacific
15h 25mCAN-JNB
R27 360

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Everything you need to know for your flight to China

Cabin class types available on flights to China

Cabin classes available on flights to China. Prices are the lowest found on KAYAK over the last 7 days. Price and availability is not guaranteed.