China Guided Tours & Trips
There’s something about this journey just hits different. Imagine exploring the Temple of Heaven in Beijing where emperors prayed, experiencing Beijing Hutong by rickshaw through narrow alleyways. You'll walk the historic Mutianyu Great Wall with fewer crowds, discover the Terracotta Warriors in Xi’an, and visit ancient Gao's Courtyard. Six days gives you China's essential highlights without feeling rushed.
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Cannot express my gratitude for organising this trip at such a short notice. We were very happy with the tour guides. They have done everything possible to make this trip run smoothly. From picking us up to checking in and out of hotels. Excellent locations with walking distance to everything and with breakfast catering for everyone. Would highly recommend a the tour guides Jen, Celina and Daniel and your company. Very professional and helpful especially with entrances to all the places. Food provided was exceptional, from breakfasts to add included lunches. We have seen so much and really learned a lot about the country. My highlight, Dancing with a total stranger to Chinese traditional music. People were very friendly, respectful and nice. Thank you and “See you on the next trip”
Tailor-Made 8-Day Best China Private Tour, All Inclusive & Fully GuidedChina is now a very modern country, with large highways everywhere, bullet trains, it is very clean. We stayed at very nice hotels, they were very luxurios. it was a joke with us "are you sure we can afford this?" Our favorite hotel was the Holiday Inn in Chengdu, the room was smaller but, the beds were so comfy! In the last hotel in Shanghai the toilet had an integrated bidet but we could not figure out how to operate it, there were no English instructions. Our least favorite hotel was the one in Zhanjiajie, the seal on the shower door was broken and we made a mess whenever we would shower. We slept in the train one night from Guilin to Zhanjiajie, that went very well (no shower on the train though). English is not spoken much in China. We always had to use a translation app to talk to the staff at hotels, restaurants, doctors, etc,.. Most toilets in China are the squat type and toilet paper is mostly non-existent. The tourists sites will have a few toilets of the "sitting type" and as you enter the bathroom there may be a toilet paper dispensing widget (a round thing and you can pull some toilet paper pieces from the middle). The hotels have fancy toilets self flushing, heated seats. We had different guide and driver pair at every location. Some spoke English better than others but all were knowledgeable, some of them put in the extra effort to ensure you had a great trip. Claire in Chengdu, James in Shanghai and Toby in Beijing stand out in my mind. We had a hot pot with Claire for lunch and it was a memorable meal. The Pekin duck in Beijing with Toby was also memorable. We went to an add-on show with acrobats in Beijing and that was alright, the acrobats were very young. We went to another show in Xian, and that one was way-over-the-top, we were joking "what did not happen in this show?" It was a big production, the stage was rotating around the audience. It is an optional activity, I do not recommend that one. The food... the breakfast in the hotels were very busy every morning (except one). They do not put salt and pepper on the tables. The food was plenty and delicious but you have to be adventurous and try new things. Some lunches were also covered by the tour and these were very good meals. The Chinese do not seem to eat deserts! We did not see a single fortune cookie anywhere. The sites were awesome! That what we go to China for after all! One of the best experience was the making of my own terracotta warrior...
Customized 14-Day China Private Tour with Zhangjiajie, Fully GuidedBravo Asia Tours made excellent arrangements for our party of four when we toured Shanghai and Beijing. The guides were excellent and the transfers from our cruise ship to our hotel and other transfers to hotels, airports and trains were smooth and stress free.
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Tailor-Made 8-Day Best China Private Tour, All Inclusive & Fully Guided
“Excellent locations with walking distance to everything and with breakfast catering for everyone.”
Franka, traveled in March
Intimate tours through Temple of Heaven and Terracotta Army reveal detailed historical context. Seamless transitions connect Beijing's Summer Palace, Xi'an's Muslim Quarter, and Shanghai's Yu Garden.
Duration 8 days Destinations Beijing, Xi'an, Shanghai Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Travel China Guide From $2,099
15% off- US$1,784
Customized 14-Day China Private Tour with Zhangjiajie, Fully Guided
“the trip was fantastic. For us it hit all the highlights we wanted to see”
David, traveled in September
Seasoned English-speaking guides conduct intimate tours of the Summer Palace, Terracotta Army, and Avatar Mountains. Giant pandas and Shanghai's Yu Garden visits feature expert commentary. Private transfers and specialized cultural insights included.
Duration 14 days Destinations Beijing, Xi'an, Chengdu, Guilin, Yangshuo, Zhangjiajie, Shanghai Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Travel China Guide From $7,539
50% off- US$3,770
Beijing, Xi'an & Shanghai China Tour 8 Days
“Everything ran relatively on time with very few hiccups.”
Jerrell, traveled in November
Knowledgeable guides present UNESCO sites including Forbidden City and Terracotta Warriors. Private transfers provided between Beijing Dong Fang Hotel, Grand Noble Xi'an, and Kingtown Riverside Shanghai, with cultural insights throughout.
Duration 8 days Destinations Beijing, Xi'an, Shanghai Age Range All Ages Welcome Operated in English, German, Spanish Operator Bravo Indochina Tours From
50% off- US$1,997
China Highlights
“This was our first trip with Intrepid but it definitely won't be our last! The highlight for us was seeing the sunrise over the Great Wall.”
Kelvin, traveled in September
This deep dive into China spans from Shanghai's Bund to Beijing's Forbidden City. Visitors will see Huishan Ancient Town, Xi'an's Muslim Quarter, and secluded sections of the Great Wall. Traditional accommodations create authentic cultural connections.
Duration 8 days Destinations Shanghai, Wuxi, Xi'an, Beijing Age Range Ages 15+ Operator Intrepid Travel From
50% off- US$1,760
8 Days Unique Experiences of Chengdu Chongqing Zhangjiajie Small Group Tour (Max 16)
“slow-paced exploration of a city that has mastered the art of being good over time.”
Adeline, traveled in March
Duration 8 days Destinations Chengdu, Chongqing, Zhangjiajie Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator UME Travel Co. Ltd From $1,597
5% off- US$1,517
North China Getaway
“I really enjoyed the small group, non touristy adventures, the extras that William brought to the experience.”
Heather, traveled in March
Skilled guides lead tours from Beijing's Temple of Heaven to Shanghai's French Concession. Walk remote Great Wall sections, visit Xi'an's Muslim Quarter, and ascend Huangshan's peaks. Includes curated cultural experiences and local accommodation.
Duration 9 days Destinations Beijing, Xi'an, Shanghai Age Range Ages 15+ Operator Intrepid Travel From
5% off- US$1,110
14-Day Tailor-Made Private China Tour with Zhangjiajie, Fully Guided
“The wall was excellent and we could have spent more time there.”
Christine, traveled in March
UNESCO heritage sites including Forbidden City and Terracotta Warriors take center stage. Cultural immersion continues at Great Mosque, Shanghai Museum, and traditional Hutongs, with expert commentary at Temple of Heaven and Yu Garden.
Duration 14 days Destinations Shanghai, Zhangjiajie, Guilin, Yangshuo, Xi'an, Beijing Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Travel China Guide From
5% off- US$3,539
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What our customers ask about China Guided Tours & Trips
What are the key benefits of choosing a fully guided tour in China?
A fully guided tour in China lets you focus on experiencing the country while experts handle the details. Local English-speaking guides provide deep cultural context and easy access to major sites like the Forbidden City Great Wall and Terracotta Warriors. Tour groups consistently praise guides such as Candy in Beijing and Ocean in Shanghai for their cultural knowledge and smooth handling of logistics. The tours include stays at quality hotels like the Sheraton Guilin and create opportunities for hands-on experiences such as dumpling-making classes and visits with local families.
What type of accommodations can I expect on a fully guided China tour?
Most guided tours in China put travelers in 4-5 star hotels chosen for their central locations and comfort levels. Common options include the Hotel New Otani Chang Fu Gong in Beijing the Crowne Plaza Xi'an and the Sheraton Guilin Hotel. One TourRadar traveler noted: "The hotels were luxurious and well-located - we stayed at the Radisson Blu in Shanghai which offered spectacular city views and easy access to major attractions." Some itineraries mix in unique stays like overnight train journeys in soft sleeper cabins.
What is the best time of year for a fully guided tour in China?
Spring (April-May) and fall (September-October) offer the most reliable weather for touring China with clear skies and moderate temperatures ideal for outdoor activities. The Great Wall at Mutianyu for instance sees its best conditions during these months. Summer brings heat and crowds while winter is cold but offers unique scenes like snow-covered monuments. Shanghai and Beijing are most comfortable in spring and fall though places like Chengdu's panda bases welcome visitors year-round.
How much free time is typically available on a fully guided tour in China?
Tours generally balance guided activities with independent exploration time. A typical schedule includes organized morning sightseeing followed by several hours of personal time later in the day. According to one TourRadar traveler: "Our guide Linda gave us perfect amounts of structured time and free time - we could explore the Muslim Quarter in Xi'an independently after her orientation." This format lets travelers pursue their interests while maintaining the security of guided support.
What kind of transportation is used between destinations on fully guided tours?
Tours utilize modern air-conditioned coaches high-speed trains and flights depending on the distance between stops. The journey from Beijing to Xi'an often uses bullet trains while reaching Zhangjiajie typically requires flying. TourRadar travelers report seamless transfers with guides managing all logistics. Local transport might include subway rides or rickshaw trips for an authentic feel and hotels like the Rezen Select Huajing are chosen to minimize travel times.
How does the dining experience work on fully guided tours in China?
Tours typically cover daily hotel breakfasts and select lunches that showcase regional cooking. Xi'an visitors might enjoy dumpling feasts while Chengdu offers traditional Sichuan dishes. One TourRadar traveler noted "When meals weren't included guides would recommend authentic local spots and organize optional group dinners." Tours can accommodate special diets including vegetarian vegan and halal options with advance notice.
How do local guides enhance the travel experience in China?
Local guides serve as cultural bridges offering language support historical context and special access to experiences. In Beijing guides arrange visits to family homes in traditional hutongs while Chengdu guides share expertise about the pandas at the Breeding Center. A TourRadar traveler shared: "Our guide Tracy in Xi'an made history come alive at the Terracotta Warriors and helped us navigate local restaurants making our experience so much richer than if we'd traveled independently."