China Small Group Tours
Imagine the sights and sounds of Beijing, navigating the Forbidden City's grand staircases, taking in the imposing Great Wall, and standing before the enigmatic Terracotta Warriors. Remember to explore Drepung Monastery, tour Potala Palace, and visit Yamdrok Lake. Take a stroll on Barkhor Street, and head up Shanghai Tower. China is totally unique and it’s waiting for you.
10 best China small group tours
Compiled by
MelissaChina travel expert at TourRadar
- 11-Day Best China Zhangjiajie Tour: Luxury Small Group & Quality Hotels
- China Golden Triangle and Avatar Mountains Small Group Adventure
- 6 Days Central Tibet Culture Small Group Tour: Explore Tibet's religion, cultural gems, and captivating landscapes
- 6 Days Lhasa Gyantse Shigatse Group Tour
- Tibet 5 days Group tour Lhasa with Yamdrok Lake
- 11-Day Classic China Tour: Quality Small Group & Luxury Hotels, All Inclusive
- 8 Days Qinghai to Dunhuang Group Tour including Chaka Salt Lake
- 11-Day China Golden Triangle Trip: Luxury Small Group & 5-star Cruise
- 2-Day All-Inclusive Beijing Mini Group Tour: Great Wall, Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace, and More Highlights
- Two Weeks Impression China Trip: Small Group & Luxury Hotels, All Inclusive
11-Day Best China Zhangjiajie Tour: Luxury Small Group & Quality Hotels
“The tour was very knowledgeable and helpful, thank you very much.”
igor, traveled in April
Groups of 2-18 travelers receive personal attention at Mutianyu Great Wall and Tianzi Mountain. The small size enables family visits in Beijing's hutongs and hands-on clay warrior making in Xi'an's traditional cave dwellings.
Duration 11 days Destinations Beijing, Xi'an, Zhangjiajie, Shanghai Age Range All Ages Welcome Group Size Max Group Size 18 Group Type GroupPersonalized Operator Travel China Guide From $2,919
12% Off- US$2,569You save $350
Duration 10 days Destinations Beijing, Xi'an, Zhangjiajie, Shanghai Age Range Ages 10+ Group Size Max Group Size 8 Group Type Group Operator Bamba Travel From
12% Off- US$3,767
6 Days Central Tibet Culture Small Group Tour: Explore Tibet's religion, cultural gems, and captivating landscapes
“The hotel has no air conditioning and I was arranged a room at the south side which was a boiler room.”
Ivy, traveled in June
Groups of 2-12 travelers tour central Tibet's main sites in shared vehicles, seeing UNESCO-listed Potala Palace, Tashilhunpo Monastery's giant Maitreya Buddha, and Pelkor Monastery's 100,000 Buddha statues. The 6-day tour costs around $160/day with 3-star hotels and welcome dinner included.
Duration 6 days Destinations Lhasa, Gyantse, Shigatse Age Range Ages 7+ Group Size Max Group Size 12 Group Type GroupPersonalized Operator Tibet Vista From
12% Off- US$799
6 Days Lhasa Gyantse Shigatse Group Tour
“Tibet is stunning—like, jaw-droppingly beautiful! Seriously, this trip was perfect in every way.”
Tez, traveled in January
Local English-speaking guides lead intimate group tours through Tibet, costing approx. $160 per day. Sacred sites like Jokhang Temple and Pelkor Chöde Monastery become more accessible. Morning pickups at 9:30 AM provide relaxed starts, with oxygen tanks available for high-altitude comfort.
Duration 6 days Destinations Lhasa, Gyantse, Shigatse Age Range All Ages Welcome Group Size Max Group Size 12 Group Type Group Operator Great Tibet Tour From
12% Off- US$910
Groups of 2-12 travelers get focused attention from English-speaking guides at Tibet's key monasteries and natural sites. The small size makes it easy to watch daily monk debates at Sera Monastery (3:00-5:30 PM) and share a traditional welcome dinner together on day 2.
Duration 5 days Destinations Lhasa, Yamdroktso Lake Age Range Ages 6+ Group Size Max Group Size 12 Group Type Group Operator Top China Travel From
12% Off- US$830
11-Day Classic China Tour: Quality Small Group & Luxury Hotels, All Inclusive
“We were in safe hands and through their efforts had a holiday of a lifetime.”
PaulMacmillan, traveled in August
Small groups of 2-18 travelers receive dedicated attention at the Forbidden City and Summer Palace. The intimate setting allows for Tai Chi lessons in Xi'an's City Wall Park and home visits with local families in Beijing's Hutong alleys.
Duration 11 days Destinations Beijing, Xi'an, Guilin, Yangshuo, Shanghai Age Range All Ages Welcome Group Size Max Group Size 18 Group Type GroupPersonalized Operator Travel China Guide From $2,279
12% Off- US$2,006You save $273
Duration 8 days Destinations Xining, Zhangye, Jiayuguan, Dunhuang, Mogao Caves Age Range Ages 6+ Group Size Max Group Size 8 Group Type Group Operator Top China Travel From
12% Off- US$1,687
11-Day China Golden Triangle Trip: Luxury Small Group & 5-star Cruise
“Everything was well organized and the guides were so friendly and knowledgeable. I have memories for many years to come.”
Colleen, traveled in May
Small groups of 2-18 travelers connect deeply with local culture through family visits in Beijing's hutongs and Xi'an's cave dwellings. The intimate size allows for exclusive dining experiences, including a la carte meals at selected local restaurants.
Duration 11 days Destinations Beijing, Xi'an, Chongqing, Qutang Gorge, Yichang, Shanghai Age Range All Ages Welcome Group Size Max Group Size 18 Group Type GroupPersonalized Operator Travel China Guide From $2,739
12% Off- US$2,410You save $329
2-Day All-Inclusive Beijing Mini Group Tour: Great Wall, Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace, and More Highlights
“The 2 day mini tour was an excellent glimpse into Beijing and Chinese culture.”
Vasanthi, traveled in May
Duration 2 days Destinations Beijing Age Range All Ages Welcome Group Size Max Group Size 12 Group Type GroupPersonalized Operator Travel China Guide From
12% Off- US$189
Two Weeks Impression China Trip: Small Group & Luxury Hotels, All Inclusive
“Had bad weather on one day, and central government restrictions prevented seeing lesser known sights.”
Andrew, traveled in September
Limited to 2-18 travelers, this tour provides close-up experiences at Temple of Heaven and Summer Palace. Private Hutong rickshaw rides and local family visits in Beijing create meaningful cultural exchanges. Mostly couples aged 5+ share these memorable moments.
Duration 14 days Destinations Beijing, Xi'an, Chengdu, Chongqing, Qutang Gorge, Yichang, Shanghai Age Range All Ages Welcome Group Size Max Group Size 18 Group Type GroupPersonalized Operator Travel China Guide From $3,509
12% Off- US$3,088You save $421
Reviews of Small Group tours to China
- 11-Day Best China Zhangjiajie Tour: Luxury Small Group & Quality Hotels
It was great to have everything organized. We saw so much in a short time. It was great to arrive to all the accommodation and meals organized as the language barrier was daunting at first. The guides were very knowledgeable and friendly.
- 6 Days Lhasa Gyantse Shigatse Group Tour
My trip to Tibet was absolutely amazing! My tour guide and driver were awesome—super friendly and knew all the best spots for killer photos. They snapped so many great shots for me, and I couldn’t be happier. My guide, Lhadron, had this way of describing the sights with such cool, vivid details that made everything even more fascinating. And the scenery？ Tibet is stunning—like, jaw-droppingly beautiful! Seriously, this trip was perfect in every wa
- 11-Day Classic China Tour: Quality Small Group & Luxury Hotels, All Inclusive
The tour is a great professional with knowledge guide person such as Carol in Xi'an or Randy in Beijing. We were very happy with the hotels, tour schedule plus local foods whenever we got to the different locations. We strongly recommend your company to any travelers who would like to discover China trip. Will come back to you soon in another tour in near future.
What our customers ask about China Small Group Tours
What type of accommodation can I expect on a small group tour in China?
Small group tours provide comfortable lodging in 4-5 star hotels that are centrally located. Guests can expect properties like the Hotel New Otani Chang Fu Gong in Beijing the Crowne Plaza in Xi'an and the Radisson Blu Hotel Shanghai New World. A recent TourRadar traveler noted: "The accommodation was excellent throughout with sumptuous breakfasts and great central locations."
What unique experiences are offered on small group tours in China?
These tours give travelers access to local homes traditional tea ceremonies and cultural demonstrations. In Xi'an visitors can make dumplings with local families join private Tai Chi lessons and get special access at the Terracotta Warriors site. The tours include stays at upscale hotels such as the Crowne Plaza Xi'an and Radisson Blu Shanghai New World. According to a TourRadar traveler: "We particularly enjoyed having informed and caring guides and authentic local experiences like our fabulous lunch meal in Shanghai."
How does transportation work on small group tours in China?
Transportation includes private coaches high-speed trains and flights between major cities. Groups take the bullet train from Beijing to Xi'an which takes 5 hours and fly to destinations like Zhangjiajie. The smaller group size means comfortable travel in private vehicles including trips to the Mutianyu Great Wall. Travelers report: "Everything was well coordinated with seamless transfers between various parts of the tour."
What meals are included on small group tours in China?
Tours generally cover daily hotel breakfasts authentic Chinese lunches at selected local restaurants and special dining events like the Tang Dynasty Dinner Show in Xi'an. Welcome lunches often valued at 150 USD per person and farewell dinners featuring regional dishes are common inclusions. A TourRadar traveler noted: "The authentic meals were a highlight especially experiencing local cuisine with our small group."
How does pricing compare between small group and large group tours in China?
Small group tours cost between USD 150-300 daily while larger groups range from USD 80-150. The higher rates reflect perks like exclusive hotels including the Sunworld Hotel in Beijing or Grand Dynasty Culture Hotel in Xi'an private transport focused guide attention and flexible scheduling. TourRadar data shows small group tours average USD 284 per day.
What is the typical small group size for tours in China?
Groups usually consist of 2-18 travelers creating a more personal experience. TravelChinaGuide's tours keep numbers low to ensure quality time at major sites like the Terracotta Warriors and Great Wall. A TourRadar participant shared: "I liked the small group size. It made visiting places like the Forbidden City much more manageable and intimate." This format allows for special activities like visiting Beijing hutong families and dumpling-making sessions at Xi'an's Tang Paradise Hotel.