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
- 9 Days Lhasa Gyantse Shigatse Everest Namtso Group Tour
- 8 Days Lhasa to Mt. Everest Group Tour
- 6 Days Central Tibet Culture Small Group Tour: Explore Tibet's religion, cultural gems, and captivating landscapes
- 9 Days Historical Tibet For Shoton Festival Small Group Tour (Max 15) | Western China Package Adventure
- 4 Days Lhasa City Impression Small Group Tour
- 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
- Tibet 5 days Group tour Lhasa with Yamdrok Lake
11-Day Best China Zhangjiajie Tour: Luxury Small Group & Quality Hotels
6 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“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
9 Days Lhasa Gyantse Shigatse Everest Namtso Group Tour
4 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The schedule was fun and complete, but still really chill. My favorite part was the Everest Base Camp—so beautiful and epic!”
Louise, traveled in April
Small groups traverse China's Tibetan region with dedicated attention at Jokhang Temple and Tashilhunpo Monastery. The format allows natural exploration of Lhasa's local markets and meaningful exchanges with Buddhist monks.
Duration 9 days Destinations Lhasa, Gyantse, Shigatse, Lhatse, Tingri, Namtso Lake Age Range All Ages Welcome Group Size Max Group Size 12 Group Type Group Operator Great Tibet Tour From
12% Off- US$1,450
8 Days Lhasa to Mt. Everest Group Tour
17 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The arrangement route is nice, with 3 days at Lhasa for acclimatization. It is an excellent tour and I would recommend to my friends GTT if they want to come to visit Tibet.”
Timmy, traveled in October
Small groups averaging 12 travelers follow English-speaking Tibetan guides through sacred sites like Tashilunpo Monastery. The intimate setting enables impromptu stops at local villages and markets between Lhasa and Shigatse, with careful attention at high-altitude spots like Karola Glacier.
Duration 8 days Destinations Lhasa, Gyantse, Shigatse, Lhatse, Tingri Age Range All Ages Welcome Group Size Max Group Size 12 Group Type Group Operator Great Tibet Tour From
12% Off- US$1,046
6 Days Central Tibet Culture Small Group Tour: Explore Tibet's religion, cultural gems, and captivating landscapes
1 Review by TourRadar travelers“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
Duration 9 days Destinations Lhasa, Yamdroktso Lake, Shigatse Age Range All Ages Welcome Group Size Max Group Size 15 Group Type Group Operator UME Travel Co. Ltd From $1,952
5% Off- US$1,854You save $98
Groups of 2-12 travelers aged 3-80 visit Drepung Monastery, where 10,000 monks once lived, then head to Sera Monastery to watch monk debates. The tour includes UNESCO-listed Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, a tea house stop, and time walking Barkhor Street seeing Tibetan Buddhist sites.
Duration 4 days Destinations Lhasa Age Range All Ages Welcome Group Size Max Group Size 12 Group Type GroupPersonalized Operator Tibet Vista From
5% Off- US$639
11-Day Classic China Tour: Quality Small Group & Luxury Hotels, All Inclusive
12 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The tour was excellent from A to Z. I have become taken by the country and wonderful people.”
Adewale, traveled in December
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
5 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“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, Three Gorges, Yichang, Shanghai Age Range All Ages Welcome Group Size Max Group Size 18 Group Type GroupPersonalized Operator Travel China Guide From $2,579
12% Off- US$2,270You save $309
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
Reviews of Small Group tours to China
- 11-Day Best China Zhangjiajie Tour: Luxury Small Group & Quality Hotels
amy very knowledgeable and helpful, thank you very much
What an awesome trip! The schedule was fun and complete, but still really chill. My favorite part was the Everest Base Camp—so beautiful and epic! Big thanks to our guide, Mengbo. He knew all the cool facts about the places we visited. He also fixed any problems we had and made sure everyone had a great time. This trip was way better than I expected!
9 Days Lhasa Gyantse Shigatse Everest Namtso Group Tour
- 8 Days Lhasa to Mt. Everest Group Tour
Benba and Tenzing did an excellent job throughout the trip to cater to each persons needs, as well as keeping to the main itinerary.
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.