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
- Tibet 5 days Group tour Lhasa with Yamdrok Lake
- 6 Days Central Tibet Culture Small Group Tour: Explore Tibet's religion, cultural gems, and captivating landscapes
- 6 Days Lhasa Gyantse Shigatse Group Tour
- 5 Days Lhasa & Yamdrotso Lake Group Tour
- 4 Days Lhasa City Impression Small Group Tour
- 11-Day Best China Zhangjiajie Tour: Luxury Small Group & Quality Hotels
- 11-Day China Golden Triangle: Luxury Small Group & Quality Hotels
- Two Weeks Impression China Trip: Small Group & Luxury Hotels, All Inclusive
- 14-Day China Tour with Yangtze Cruise: Luxury Small Group & Hotels
- 2-Day All-Inclusive Beijing Mini Group Tour: Great Wall, Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace, and More Highlights
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
- US$830
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 range from 2-12 travelers visiting Tibet's sacred sites, with most groups having 6-8 participants for personal attention at Potala Palace and Jokhang Temple. Smaller numbers allow deeper interactions during the monks' debate at Sera Monastery and more time to photograph Yamdrok Lake's turquoise waters from Gampala Pass at 4,790m. The manageable group size provides flexible pacing when visiting Tashilhunpo Monastery's world's largest gilded Maitreya Buddha statue and meaningful cultural exchanges at local Tibetan tea houses in Lhasa.
Duration 6 days Destinations Lhasa, Gyantse, Shigatse Age Range Ages 7+ Group Size Max Group Size 12 Group Type GroupPersonalized Operator Tibet Vista From
- US$799
6 Days Lhasa Gyantse Shigatse Group Tour
5 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“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
- US$910
5 Days Lhasa & Yamdrotso Lake Group Tour
1 Review by TourRadar travelers“The scenery of Namtso Lake left a deep impression on us, the lake is very clear, the snow mountain is very majestic.”
OliverA, traveled in July
Cultural treasures of Lhasa unfold at approx. $170 per day. The tour features Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, and Drepung Monastery with English-speaking guides. Oxygen tanks and daily mineral water ensure comfort at high altitudes. Airport transfers and daily breakfast included.
Duration 5 days Destinations Lhasa, Yamdroktso Lake Age Range All Ages Welcome Group Size Max Group Size 12 Group Type Group Operator Great Tibet Tour From
- US$799
Duration 4 days Destinations Lhasa Age Range All Ages Welcome Group Size Max Group Size 12 Group Type GroupPersonalized Operator Tibet Vista From
- US$549
11-Day Best China Zhangjiajie Tour: Luxury Small Group & Quality Hotels
3 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 TravelChinaGuide From $2,759
15% Off- US$2,345You save $414
11-Day China Golden Triangle: Luxury Small Group & Quality Hotels
5 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Travelling in a small group, having informed guides, and easy access to main sites.”
Leanna, traveled in March
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, Yichang, Shanghai Age Range All Ages Welcome Group Size Max Group Size 18 Group Type GroupPersonalized Operator TravelChinaGuide From $2,729
15% Off- US$2,320You save $409
Two Weeks Impression China Trip: Small Group & Luxury Hotels, All Inclusive
8 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The group size was no more than 7 once we left Beijing and this made for a fun and friendly tour.”
Richard, 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, Yichang, Shanghai Age Range All Ages Welcome Group Size Max Group Size 18 Group Type GroupPersonalized Operator TravelChinaGuide From $3,449
15% Off- US$2,932You save $517
14-Day China Tour with Yangtze Cruise: Luxury Small Group & Hotels
3 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Very happy with my trip.”
Maria, traveled in September
Small groups of 2-18 travelers receive personalized attention at Tiananmen Square and Temple of Heaven. The intimate setting enables unique activities like home visits in Hutong alleys and Tai Chi lessons in Xi'an's City Wall Park. Primarily couples join these tours.
Duration 14 days Destinations Beijing, Xi'an, Guilin, Chongqing, Shibaozhai Pagoda, Qutang Gorge, Yichang, Shanghai Age Range All Ages Welcome Group Size Max Group Size 18 Group Type GroupPersonalized Operator TravelChinaGuide From $3,449
15% Off- US$2,932You save $517
2-Day All-Inclusive Beijing Mini Group Tour: Great Wall, Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace, and More Highlights
1 Review by TourRadar travelers“really very enjoyable and exactly as advertised – all of the best sites and no shopping.”
Andrew, traveled in December
Duration 2 days Destinations Beijing Age Range All Ages Welcome Group Size Max Group Size 12 Group Type GroupPersonalized Operator TravelChinaGuide From
15% Off- US$189
Reviews of Small Group tours to China
- 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 China Golden Triangle: Luxury Small Group & Quality Hotels
Well organised tour. Particularly impressed with the co-ordination of transfers between various parts of the tour.
- Two Weeks Impression China Trip: Small Group & Luxury Hotels, All Inclusive
Excellent tour - fabulous English speaking guides particularly Tina, Kiera and Ocean who treated us like their best friends. They were all knowledgeable and proud of amazing China. We left feeling relaxed and as though we had a perfect overall snapshot of Xhina
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.