China Tours & Trips
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Table of contents
- The best China tour packages
- What people love about China Tours
- Most popular destinations in China
- Travel China your way
- Top operators in China
- Best places to start your China tour
- Discover China tours for every budget
- China tours for every group
- Top China travel itineraries to fit your plans
- Demographics
- Best time to visit China
- China travel guides - curated by our experts
- Contact our China travel experts
The best China tour packages
Compiled by
NadineChina travel expert at TourRadar
China Highlights
20 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The experiences were amazing and Peter, the tour guide, was outstanding.”
Thomas, traveled in January 2019
From Shanghai's Bund to Beijing's Forbidden City, this tour costs around $1,800. The route takes you through Wuxi's Jichang Garden, Xi'an's Terracotta Warriors, with a sunset view at the Great Wall. Comfortable hotels and a local guesthouse serve as bases while traveling by bullet train.
Duration 8 days Destinations Shanghai, Xi'an, Beijing Age Range 15 to 99 year olds Operator Intrepid Travel From $1,685
15% Off- US$1,432You save $253
China Express
16 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“They make a real effort to provide more of a genuine experience of the place and culture.”
Ruth, traveled in September 2018
This eight-day Chinese adventure costs approx. $210 per day. Highlights include the Mutianyu Great Wall section, Xi'an's Terracotta Warriors, and Shanghai's modern skyline. Central hotels provide comfort while bullet trains connect iconic destinations.
Duration 8 days Destinations Beijing, Xi'an, Shanghai Age Range up to 90 year olds Operator G Adventures From $1,499
25% Off- US$1,124You save $374
Hong Kong to Chengdu Express: 9-Day China Discovery
2 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“I will use tourrader again.”
sam, traveled in May 2019
Hong Kong's sunset skyline awaits at Victoria Peak, while bamboo rafts glide down Yulong River in Yangshuo. The trip features pandas at Chengdu's Research Center, dining at Temple Street Night Market, optional rock climbing, and Moon Hill's hot springs.
Duration 9 days Destinations Hong Kong, Yangshuo, Guilin, Chengdu Age Range 18 to 55 year olds Operated in English, Chinese Operator The Dragon Trip From $799
15% Off- US$680You save $119
Real China
11 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Small group size was definitely the best part. Having lunch and dinner in groups and getting to experience all the different food that would probably otherwise have not been ordered.”
Zoe, traveled in January 2019
China's landmarks unfold over 12 days: Beijing's Forbidden City, the Mutianyu Great Wall section, Xi'an's Terracotta Warriors, Chengdu's Giant Panda Base, and cycling through Yangshuo's Moon Hill karst landscape. The finale brings you to Hong Kong's Temple Street market.
Duration 12 days Destinations Beijing, Xi'an, Chengdu, Yangshuo, Hong Kong Age Range 18 to 35 year olds Operator Intrepid Travel From $1,145
5% Off- US$1,088You save $57
Great Wall to Great Cities: Epic China Adventure from Beijing to Shanghai
2 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“I was very impressed with the accounting for optional activities.”
ColleenGellein, traveled in March 2018
From Beijing's Forbidden City to Shanghai's Nanjing Road, this tour costs around $1,000. A night camping on the Great Wall, sailing on Hangzhou's West Lake, and traditional hutong visits round out the experience. Bilingual leaders guide you between hostel stays.
Duration 10 days Destinations Beijing, Hangzhou, Shanghai Age Range 18 to 55 year olds Operated in English, Chinese Operator The Dragon Trip From $935
15% Off- US$795You save $140
What people love about China Tours
- China Highlights
Guide was great, very patient and knowledgeable about culture. He was respectful and knew a lot about Chinas culture and history. Main issue of the tour were other tour attendees which cant be controlled. I'd also reccomend intrepid nixing the water town day and spending the extra day either in shanghai/xian or beijing. I dont feel the water town added much value or interest to the trip. Overall excelletn trip - would do it again!
- China Highlights
It was an excellent trip. Luckily as well the weather was on our side; always blue sky, even in Beijing (no smog at all). Our Tour Guide (Jing) was also excellent. Her english was very good, her attitude always positive and upbeat, and she was open to answer all sorts of questions. All the trip was very well planned; we encountered no delays at all. This trip is highly recommended.
- China Highlights
great trip, a lot of variation in this very compact overview of China. I will go back
Most popular destinations in China
Explore the breathtaking peaks of the Himalayas, trek along the historic Silk Road in Xinjiang, and savor the fiery flavors of Sichuan cuisine. Get up close with adorable pandas in Chengdu. Western China offers a dynamic blend of nature, history, and culture.
See all Western China toursThe limestone karst landscape around Guilin has been capturing Chinese artists' imagination for generations, and it's easy to see why. Our guided experiences receive consistently high marks, particularly for how they handle the natural attractions. The local guides are real gems - they don't just show you around, they dive deep into the geology, share historical context and explain cultural meanings. What works particularly well is how we mix the must-see spots with genuine local experiences that most tourists miss entirely. For the best conditions, plan your visit between March and November, with April through October being especially good for river activities and photos. Early risers get treated to misty morning views of the karsts, and we've found market days in the villages offer the richest cultural experiences.
See all Southern China toursTibet really gets under your skin - it's a place where spiritual and cultural experiences run deep. Our travelers tell us again and again how moved they are by visits to the grand Potala Palace, the sacred spaces of Jokhang Temple and the rich Buddhist heritage preserved at Drepung Monastery. Taking the Friendship Highway overland to Nepal is particularly special, with massive mountain views and genuine encounters with local communities along the way. What makes Tibet truly unique is how it combines crystal-clear high-altitude lakes, towering peaks and living Buddhist traditions that you can actually experience firsthand. Our customers often share their most powerful memories: joining morning prayers at Jokhang Temple, watching local festivals unfold and finding themselves completely immersed in Tibetan daily life.
See all Tibet toursFrom exploring the Summer Palace, Tiananmen Square, and the unmissable Forbidden City in Beijing to trekking iconic spots along the spectacular Great Wall of China, you’re in for a truly unique adventure.
See all Northern China tours
More exciting destinations:
Travel China your way
Our multi-day Great Wall hikes go way beyond the usual tourist spots. You'll walk both restored and wild segments from Jinshanling to Simatai, where the wall follows mountain ridges in a zigzag pattern. Many of our travelers tell us that camping overnight on selected sections is their trip highlight - you get both sunset and sunrise views when weather allows. For those seeking a physical challenge, the Jiankou section offers the "Spider Wall" climbing parts, while easier routes stick to well-maintained areas like Mutianyu. Just pack extra layers for winter trips since guesthouses along the wall don't have heating, though the clear winter air makes for really good photos.
See all Hiking & Trekking toursLooking to mix exercise with real Chinese culture? Our Great Wall tours often include training sessions with actual Shaolin martial artists plus impressive kungfu shows. Down in Yangshuo, we've mapped out bike routes that wind through rice fields and past those distinctive limestone peaks - you'll stop to chat with farmers and cook traditional dishes. Sichuan tours combine panda visits with walks through tea farms and bamboo forests. What makes these trips work is how natural the mix feels - your morning might start with tai chi in a park alongside locals and finish learning traditional handicrafts in someone's home.
See all Active toursTake in the picturesque landscapes and remarkable sights on a guided Coach / Bus adventure of China. There are 16 vacation packages to choose from, that range in length from 3 days up to 21 days. The most popular month for these tours is March.
See all Coach / Bus toursOur most popular China tours go beyond typical sightseeing to create genuine connections. You'll camp overnight on the Great Wall - just you and your group catching both sunset and sunrise from this ancient marvel. In Shanghai, we start with hands-on dumpling making alongside local chefs before heading to Beijing. Near Xi'an, you can visit rural villages to meet the actual person who first discovered the Terracotta Warriors and try crafting mini warriors yourself. For panda encounters, Dujiangyan offers a quieter, more personal experience compared to the busy Chengdu center. Over in Guilin, you'll bike through terraced rice fields and float on bamboo rafts down the Li River. Our customers particularly value getting away from tourist crowds, especially in places like Huanglongxi where they share tea with locals in traditional riverside homes.
See all Explorer tours
More travel styles:
Top operators in China
Four solid tour companies stand out for China trips, but they each have their strengths and little quirks worth knowing about. Intrepid Travel's guides Owen, Jing and also Alan get lots of praise from our travelers - they really know their stuff and help everything run smoothly. The catch is their "Real China" tour sometimes misses the mark on cultural immersion, with some travelers wanting more depth. Truly China Travel gives you that VIP feel, and guides Daniel and Yunhua create some genuinely special moments. Though watch out for the hotels on their Guilin tour - they can be hit or miss depending on availability. If you're after reliability and excellent planning, Vincent at Bravo Indochina Tours has built quite a reputation for getting all the details right. Their sister company, Bravo Asia Tours, handles transfers really well and their guides share interesting local knowledge that goes beyond the usual tourist facts. I've noticed our travelers often mix and match these companies based on specific regions - maybe booking Truly China for Beijing and Xi'an, then switching to Intrepid for western China. It's perfectly fine to be strategic about which company you use where.
- 4.5 (11,928 China reviews)
"Excellent guide Jacky Zhan: patient, knowledgable and tireless. Very good itinerary. Affordable price! Not all the accomodation of the same quality. Breakfast should be a basic standard in tours like this.
- Tours
- 8 China tours
- Age range
- 5 to 99 years old
- Adventure type
- In-depth Cultural
- Response time
- 8h
- Response rate
- 88%
- Average price
- $246
- 5.0 (22,798 China reviews)
"This tour was exactly what I expected. Yes, we did travel a lot, but saw so much in such a short amount of time. Ricky was so sweet! He looked after us so much and really got to know his group. And speaking of the group, the dynamics were perfect. Such a small team and this allowed us to get around all security checks swiftly and through all places visited. We stayed in some amazing accommodation which got better each place that we stayed. The itinerary was very clear, except for no mention about the second lengthy train journey. (Might need to fix this) A very inexpensive tour for what you got. Would highly recommend one of the options for seeing China with G Adventures!
- Tours
- 16 China tours
- Age range
- 12 to 90 years old
- Adventure type
- In-depth Cultural
- Response time
- 1h
- Response rate
- 96%
- Average price
- $210
- 4.5 (455 China reviews)
"Joining this tour was one of the best decisions I've ever made! The itinerary was well designed and thought out with a balance of activities and downtime to do what I wanted, I never felt I had too much or too little to do during the trip. My highlights were probably The Great Wall of China, seeing the shaolin monks and exploring Shanghai. Although there were some long journeys, the views from out of the window never made you feel like you travelling for too long because there was always something interesting, beautiful or unusual to see. The tour guides were all very friendly and informative and knew so much about their country! As a solo traveller I was nervous to begin with, but having a good group of people really made me feel welcome.
- Tours
- 7 China tours
- Age range
- 7 to 80 years old
- Adventure type
- In-depth Cultural
- Response time
- 9h
- Response rate
- 100%
- Average price
- $225
Best places to start your China tour
Beijing naturally leads the way for starting China trips, with 66 of our guests choosing the capital as their first stop. Shanghai, Hong Kong, Chengdu and also Lhasa each draw their own dedicated group of travelers, with Lhasa specifically attracting those curious about Tibetan culture. Looking at our booking data, you'll want to lock in your plans about 5.5 months ahead - that's 169 days before you plan to leave, which becomes especially important during the popular spring and fall seasons. April and May bring out the flowers and comfortable temperatures, while September and October offer clear skies that photographers really appreciate. Our travelers consistently tell us they feel at ease and welcomed throughout their trip, and many mention how smoothly China mixes its ancient sites with modern touches like the fast train network and easy mobile payments through WeChat and Alipay.
Discover China tours for every budget
Budget travelers really connect with tours that give them genuine local experiences. The Hong Kong to Chengdu journey lets you catch Victoria Peak's sunset colors, get hands-on with traditional cooking in Yangshuo and spend proper time with the giant pandas. Many people choose the Beijing-Xi'an-Shanghai route where you'll sleep on the Great Wall, join locals for morning tai chi and bike along ancient walls. Our guests tell us these tours excel at cultural immersion; they love having flexibility and guides who help them figure out local transport and food options. The accommodations are simple but well-kept hostels near city centers, perfect for exploring on your own during free periods.
Luxury China tours focus on refined details and special access privileges. Several routes feature private Yangtze River vessels with personal balconies - ideal for taking in the Three Gorges views. You'll stay in sophisticated Guilin hotels with karst mountain panoramas and enjoy private Li River bamboo rafting. The schedules include nice perks like early entry to see the Terracotta Warriors before the crowds and private tai chi sessions in the Temple of Heaven. Our luxury guests often mention how their guides open doors to unique moments - dining in traditional courtyard homes with local families and also joining exclusive tea ceremonies in historic gardens.
China budget tours- China luxury tours
China tours for every type of group
Who are you traveling with?
Group
457 tours in ChinaGroup tours excel at building shared moments while maintaining flexibility. The Real China route gets consistent praise for mixing major landmarks with local life - you'll play mahjong in Chengdu's parks, learn cooking in Xi'an's Muslim Quarter and gather for hotpot feasts with your fellow travelers. Our customers like how guides balance planned activities with free time, so you can explore solo or join optional group activities. With 12-15 people per tour, there's good social energy while keeping things manageable for navigating busy streets and local markets.
Small Group
258 tours in ChinaVisit China with fewer travelers, ensuring more immersive activities.
Private / Personalized
182 tours in ChinaPrivate tours offer full customization with expert guidance. The 14-day Beijing, Xi'an, Chengdu and Shanghai routes let you set your own pace - maybe lingering to photograph the Forbidden City's intricate details or making unplanned stops at local markets. In Zhangjiajie, you can time your visits to dodge the crowds at the glass bridge and Avatar mountains. Our travelers mention how private guides make their trip better by finding impromptu local festivals, suggesting perfect photo times and also helping them discover regional dishes. These tours work particularly well for families, photography enthusiasts and anyone wanting their own pace for cultural discovery.
Top China travel itineraries to fit your plans
The 7-day Silk Road tour takes you from Kashgar to Dunhuang along China's historic trading paths. Starting in Kashgar's bustling old town markets, you'll head to Mt Tianshan's crystal-clear Heavenly Lake before exploring Turpan's clever underground water systems and the Buddhist art at Bezeklik. We've also got a popular Beijing and Xi'an weeklong route that includes cycling on Xi'an's city walls and visiting the famous warriors. Our travelers really like how the mornings are free for their own exploring, with guided afternoon visits to places like Chengdu's lively streets and local tea spots.
TourRadar recommends visiting:
Beijing, Xi'an, Chengdu
See all tours
Ten days gives you time to really get to know China. Our Great Wall to Shanghai tour includes something special - camping overnight on a quiet wall section. Our guests often tell us watching sunset and sunrise from their private spot becomes their favorite memory. For wall enthusiasts, we've got a focused walking tour covering different sections, from the coastal "Old Dragon's Head" to the raw beauty of Jiankou. You'll sleep in local guesthouses and walk paths that most tourists never find. There's plenty of culture too - you might learn mahjong in Beijing's back lakes, try tea in Hangzhou's hillside gardens and float through Shanghai's bright evening waterways.
TourRadar recommends visiting:
Beijing, Pingyao, Xi'an, Shanghai
See all tours
Two-week tours show you everything China has to offer. One unique route combines hands-on panda care in Dujiangyan with martial arts at Shaolin Temple - you'll help feed pandas, maintain their spaces and learn about protection efforts before heading north to practice kung fu with temple experts. Another full journey takes you from Beijing's royal sites to Zhangjiajie's towering sandstone peaks that Avatar copied for its floating mountains. You'll cross the world's longest glass bridge, walk through Guilin's rice terraces and bike among Yangshuo's limestone formations. Our customers especially value having free days built in, perfect for exploring Shanghai's French Concession or finding their own favorite Chengdu tea house.
TourRadar recommends visiting:
Chengdu, Dujiangyan, Xi'an, Dengfeng, Beijing
See all toursDemographics
Our solo travelers really click with the China Highlights tour - it blends guided support with plenty of space to explore on your own. The mix works well: you'll take fast bullet trains between cities, share meals in local family homes near the Great Wall and discover Shanghai's buzzing neighborhoods with guides who know their stuff. People traveling alone tell us they love how the schedule balances the main attractions with genuine local moments, like trying street snacks in Xi'an's Muslim Quarter or learning about tea traditions in old courtyard houses. There's enough structure to make friends in your group but also free time to wander temple grounds or find that perfect dumpling spot you can call your own.
The backpacker tours are a hit with young adults looking to dive deep into Chinese culture while staying active. Most kick off in Beijing where you'll camp right on the Great Wall - pretty cool to wake up to sunrise from your tent on those ancient stones. You'll pick up basic Mandarin phrases, cook with local families and bike through the impressive limestone peaks around Yangshuo. What works really well is how we mix scheduled activities with independent time; your morning might start at the Forbidden City before joining the group later for street food hunting or drinks at a rooftop bar overlooking Shanghai's bright lights. Our younger travelers say they really value having guides to help figure out local transport, point them to authentic food spots and get hands-on with Chinese traditions.
Our senior travelers prefer tours that take their time, especially for Great Wall visits and cultural sites. These routes slow things down so you can properly take in each place - whether that's examining the fine details of the Terracotta Warriors or understanding the design principles of traditional gardens. You'll stay at hotels picked for their good locations, travel comfortably between destinations and benefit from guides who know just when to visit popular spots to dodge the crowds. What works particularly well is having different activity options; some guests tackle the more challenging Wall sections while others explore gentler paths or nearby villages. Evenings often feature cultural shows ranging from acrobatics to the fascinating art of face-changing opera.
- Solo Travelers583 tours All tours for Solo Travelers
- Couples155 tours
- Seniors (50+)311 tours All tours for Seniors
- Family424 tours All tours for Family
Best time to visit China
- Spring 2025
Spring's mild weather creates perfect conditions for exploring China's key destinations. Beijing, Xi'an and Shanghai connect naturally on our most-booked routes. The Great Wall camping tours really shine in April and May - you'll walk sections most visitors never see and catch incredible sunrises right from your camp on the wall. Shanghai's gardens burst into bloom this time of year, from the classical Yu Garden to the traditional water towns nearby. Our travelers often mention how comfortable the spring temperatures are for longer outdoor activities like cycling through Yangshuo's limestone peaks or exploring Xi'an's lively Muslim Quarter food scene. The pandas get quite active in spring too, which makes Chengdu visits extra special during these months.
- 481 tours
- 550 tours
- popular 552 tours
- Summer 2025
Summer tours adapt cleverly to the warmth by focusing on early mornings and evenings. In Beijing, we start before the crowds with tai chi in the Temple of Heaven's grounds and explore the Forbidden City before peak heat hits. Yangshuo becomes a natural summer choice where you can cool off on bamboo rafts along the Li River and duck into cave systems between the karst formations. The Yangtze River cruises prove especially popular, offering air-conditioned comfort while passing the Three Gorges. Our guides have perfected the timing of outdoor activities, and travelers regularly tell us how much they value this thoughtful scheduling during the warmer months.
- 525 tours
- 516 tours
- August 2025 popular 526 tours
- Fall / Autumn 2025
Fall consistently ranks as our travelers' favorite season, with clear skies and pleasant temperatures perfect for exploring. The Beijing-Xi'an-Shanghai route really comes into its own from September through October - you get exceptional Great Wall visibility and outdoor markets filled with harvest specialties. Guilin draws many guests in autumn when the rice terraces turn golden and the light hits just right for photos. Our travelers often mention how enjoyable it is to explore Pingyao's ancient streets and also wander through Shanghai's French Concession during these cooler months. The pandas stay quite active in fall, making Chengdu an excellent addition to any autumn itinerary.
- 534 tours
- popular 538 tours
- 453 tours
- Winter 2025 / 2026
Experience the Harbin Ice Festival's spectacular ice sculptures. Visit Beijing when there are fewer tourists and stay for Lunar New Year.
- 249 tours
- popular 410 tours
- December 2025 384 tours
China travel guides - curated by our experts
China Travel Guide | All You Need to Know
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Weather in China in 2025
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Contact our China travel experts
Melissa
Expert in China at TourRadar
Melissa is one of our seasoned China Travel Experts. Reach out to us to get all your questions about China tours answered!
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