The Dragon Trip
- Rating
- Number of reviews
- 1,057
- Number of tours
- 48
- Age range
- 7-75
- Response rate
- 96%
- Response time
- within 1 day
The Dragon Trip Reviews (1,057)
Write a review- J
James
Written on October 6th, 202627 Day China Loop is a great way to see a fair few places in China. All of the Dragon Trip China trips are when combined what make up this one. So you'll have n…Read more - KF
Katie
Written on September 30th, 2026This was such an amazing tour. We saw so much of the country and so many different aspects of Japanese life. Definitely recommend this tour to people wanting to…Read moreThe Dragon Trip commented on this review
Thank you for such a great review Katie! We are thrilled that it exceeded your expectations! Please do recommend this tour far and wide - it's recommendations from our travellers that enables us to continue to offer tours such as these in the future. We look forward to welcoming you on another Dragon Trip soon. Ben - The Dragon Trip. - BM
Ben
Written on September 25th, 2026I really enjoyed dipping my toe in the water with China. I'd never been before, and didn't know what to expect, and so a tour felt like a good way to get starte…Read moreThe Dragon Trip commented on this reviewThank you for your review, Ben! We’re really pleased you chose to experience China with us for your first visit and enjoyed the flexibility of the trip and exploring Beijing, Hangzhou and Shanghai. We also really appreciate your feedback about joining a group that had already been travelling together. We completely understand how that could make it a little harder to settle into the group dynamic, and it’s useful feedback for us to take on board. It’s great to hear that you had such a positive experience with your fellow travellers and Adventure Leaders overall. Thanks for travelling with The Dragon Trip, and hopefully this was just the beginning of your adventures in China! 
Henry
Written on September 25th, 2026Most of the people were nice to me and I loved how I could learn to get around certain parts of Japan quite easily. Nice food, cool buildings, ... that's why I …Read moreThe Dragon Trip commented on this reviewThank you so much for your review, Henry! It’s great to hear you enjoyed exploring Japan, from the food and architecture to getting to grips with travelling around the country. Thanks for joining us on the adventure, and we hope to see you on another Dragon Trip soon!- L
Lauretta
Written on September 25th, 2026I had an amazing 27 days travelling around China with the Dragon Trip! The itinerary was intense but incredibly interesting, with a great mixt of places, activi…Read moreThe Dragon Trip commented on this reviewThank you so much for your review, Lauretta! We’re so happy to hear you had an amazing 27 days travelling through China with us. It’s a big adventure with a lot packed in, so it’s great to hear you enjoyed the variety of places, activities and experiences along the way. We love being able to show travellers just how diverse China is! Thank you for choosing The Dragon Trip for your adventure, and we hope to welcome you on another one soon! Mikdat
Written on September 24th, 2026An incredible way to experience China, especially if you're travelling solo. The itinerary gives you the chance to see so many different cities and experiences,…Read moreThe Dragon Trip commented on this reviewThank you so much for your lovely review! We're delighted to hear you had such an incredible time exploring China with us and that our Adventure Leaders helped you feel comfortable and supported throughout your journey. Thanks again for travelling with The Dragon Trip. We hope to see you on another adventure soon! The Dragon Trip Team- MS
Marlene
Written on September 23rd, 2026It was my first solo trip and first group tour and I really enjoyed having other likeminded people around to connect and experience a new country with me. Also …Read moreThe Dragon Trip commented on this reviewThank you so much for your lovely review, Marlene, and for sharing your photos with us! We're so pleased that you chose The Dragon Trip for your first solo adventure and group tour! We hope this is the first of many solo adventures, and we'd love to welcome you on another trip soon! - FS
Farah
Written on September 23rd, 2026Excellent tour, very well planned and diversified. The adventure leader was super helpful and kind. - MM
Megan
Written on September 23rd, 2026Really good experience with loads of things included! Definitely worth it!The Dragon Trip commented on this reviewThank you so much for your review, Megan! We're delighted to hear you had such a great time exploring South Korea and enjoyed all the experiences included in the trip. We hope to welcome you on another adventure soon! Ben - The Dragon Trip - JM
Jessica
Written on September 23rd, 2026The tour is amazing, you get to see so many different places try many foods and learn about the history and culture. The only thing is there isnt a lot of time …Read moreThe Dragon Trip commented on this reviewThank you so much for your review, Jessica! We're delighted to hear you enjoyed exploring South Korea, trying the local food and learning about the country's history and culture. Thanks again for travelling with us, and we hope to see you on another adventure soon! Ben - The Dragon Trip
The Dragon Trip Tours
Japan Plus 11-Day Culture Tour: Golden Route & Beyond
China Unveiled: 18-Day Journey from Hong Kong to Beijing
14-Day India Odyssey: Golden Triangle, Varanasi, Taj Mahal & Thar Desert Trek
20-Day Vietnam to Cambodia: Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, Hoi An, Ho Chi Minh City, and Angkor Wat
Shanghai Loop: Shanghai, Beijing, Xi'an Chengdu & Beyond
3-Day Singapore City Stopover
Great Wall to Great Cities: Epic China Adventure from Beijing to Shanghai
12-Day Taiwan Explorer: Nature and Adventure
Traveler Videos & Photos
- 10-Day Premium South Korea Adventure: Culture, Cuisine, and Coastlines
- 10-Day China Premium Tour: Beijing, Xi'an & Shanghai
- Japan Plus 11-Day Culture Tour: Golden Route & Beyond
- 12-Day South Korea Adventure: From Seoul to Jeju Island
- Japanime: 7-Day Tour of Tokyo's Anime Scene
- 13-Day Nepal Adventure: Himalaya Hiking, Rafting, Wildlife , and Culture
- 14-day Argentina & Brazil Group Tour
- 13-Day Japan Tour: Tokyo, Mount Fuji, Kyoto, Nara, Osaka & Beyond
- 31-Day Southeast Asia Adventure: Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, and Cambodia
- China Unveiled: 18-Day Journey from Hong Kong to Beijing
- 8-Day USA West Coast Adventure: Las Vegas, Route 66, Grand Canyon, LA, Yosemite & San Francisco
- 14-Day Thailand to Laos: Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Luang Prabang & Hanoi
- 12-Day Japan Family Adventure through Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka and Beyond
- 12-Day Taiwan Explorer: Nature and Adventure
- 27-Day China Loop: Hong Kong, Beijing, Shanghai, Xi'an, Chengdu and Beyond
Top Deals
The Dragon Trip Destinations
The Dragon Trip Videos
Questions & Answers
Do I need any special vaccinations for Japan?
No vaccinations are required to enter Japan.
How do I get my Japanese Visa?
Nice and easy - these are available upon arrival for over 60 countries including the UK, US, Canada Australia and EU countries. Some countries are now eligible for visa-free travel to Japan. Please reach out and we’ll help you with the entry requirements.
How do I get money in China?
You will be able to withdraw money at an ATM in each city, and your Adventure Leader will tell you when the next stop on the Trip where you will be able to withdraw more cash is. We advise that you notify your bank that you will be travelling before you depart. As a note, many banks and cards do charge a foreign transaction fee when withdrawing money while abroad, so consider getting a card with no fees.
Suitcase or backpack?
You should be considerate of their amount of luggage when travelling. Please keep luggage to one check-in bag and to a size convenient for easily moving between locations, and for storage in hostel dormitory/shared rooms. We highly recommend a large backpack (50-70L). Laundry facilities are available throughout the trip to make packing lighter possible. For those taking domestics flights on their trip, please be aware carriers operate a standard 15kg limit on checked-in luggage.
What should I pack for my trip?
A final booking pack will be sent to you 2-4 weeks prior to your departure. In the meantime, if you are curious about this, here’s what we recommend packing:
- Passport
- Japanese yen or credit/debit card
- Travel insurance policy
- Photocopies of insurance policy, bank cards, passport photo page, visa
- A big bag and a small rucksack. We sometimes get separated from our big bags, so you’ll need to keep your valuables with you in a small bag.
- Mosquito repellant
- Dry clothes for the rainy season/typhoon season
Who are the adventure leaders?
Each group will be accompanied by a combination of Local and Western Adventure Leaders. All our Adventure Leaders speak English and the local language fluently and have the passion and knowledge to ensure that they can help you have a great time in each destination.
Do you provide an airport transfer service?
The Dragon Trip provides, upon request, airport transfers.
What is it like on the trains?
You will be getting your own sleeper seat (full flat bed) for each train ride. We try to get all our travellers in the same compartment as well so that you can have fun getting to know each other better, playing some games, and even sharing a few drinks.
Who looks after our bags when we’re on transport and/or day excursions?
The bags will be stored at the hostels where they are tagged and recorded. We have never had a case of anyone losing their luggage or having their luggage stolen so you can focus on having fun.
Do the hostels have WIFI? Will I be able to keep in touch with friends and family while in China?
There is Wi-Fi and computers available for use in all hostels you stay in during The Dragon Trip.
What is the standard of accommodation?
All of the hostels are clean, air-conditioned or have fans, safe, have good showers, internet, washing machines and most importantly, have real Chinese character. People who stay at hostels are usually aged 18 to 35, travelling on a smaller budget than people staying at hotels. So it is easy to make friends and fun to hang out at the bar (all the hostels we stay at have cool bars and lounging areas to hang out). If you would like to stay in a private room, that is absolutely possible upon request.
Which hostels do we use? Their addresses?
Please reach out to our team and we will be happy to provide a detailed itinerary.
I’m not very physically fit! Is the trip suitable for me?
At its heart, the Dragon Trip offers adventure tours, but you can make your Dragon Trip as physically active (or inactive) as you want. Instead of hiking, you could ask your Adventure Leader for a more relaxing activity like going for a massage!
What travel insurance do I need for China?
We require all our customers to have backpackers travel insurance when coming on the trip. Please bring details of your travel insurance along with you. In the event of an accident, we may need contact your insurance company on your behalf, so we will need the insurance company’s name and phone number and your policy number.
What are the ages & nationalities of people booked on Dragon trips?
Each trip is different, but our travelers come from all over the world and from every background- why not connect with fellow Dragon Trippers or meet people on The Dragon Trip Facebook page. We fully embrace the backpacker attitude that everyone is very welcome. A typical trip would include friends who have just finished high school, couples on career breaks, students on university holidays, and solo travelers from all walks of life. The group normally speaks English, coming from all over the world.
I have a medical condition – is this OK?
Generally yes, but please do inform us of your specific requirements at the point of booking.
Please note that many common medications and over-the-counter drugs are illegal in Japan. If you have a prescription, you may want to check the rules regarding bringing it intoBringing luggage on the Shinkansen (bullet train)
There are restrictions in place for the size of luggage which can be taken on board the bullet train when travelling across Japan. You can travel with one luggage piece with a maximum size of 160cm (sum of height, width, and length). For comparison, a standard large backpack has dimensions of 50-52cm torso length and 88-100cm hip width. When travelling in Japan, we would always recommend travelling with a large backpack or rucksack to ensure that you’re able to board all transportation successfully.
Will my phone’s sim card work?
International travellers often face expensive roaming charges when using their mobile phones abroad. However, there are alternatives to ensure convenient and affordable internet connectivity without incurring charges.
It is possible to buy a prepaid SIM card when you enter Japan, which can be used on most unlocked mobile phones. Some mobile phone carriers offer the option of purchasing an e-sim, too. Or you could rent pocket wifi - can be ordered to arrive at your accommodation upon your arrival.
What kind of restaurants will we go to?
Your Adventure Leader will always offer to take you for a group meal, where we go to a local restaurant, which we know is hygienic and has cheap and delicious food. If you are craving Western food, then there are lots of great options!
I’m a vegetarian/have allergies – will I be able to get the right food?
Yes! With so many food choices, Japan can meet the needs of individuals with special dietary needs or requests. Just tell your Adventure Leader and they can help you find something suitable. You will probably discover a new dish that you love!
How much should I budget for food and drink on the Dragon Trip?
Generally, we take travellers to affordable restaurants and recommend budgeting £15-20 a day for food and drink.
How do I get my Chinese Visa?
When travelling to China for tourism, all travellers require a visa to gain entry. Applying for a tourism visa around 2 months before you travel should usually give you the time you need to get everything in order, so The Dragon Trip will provide you with your invitation letter at this point – this is a key piece of documentation you need when applying
Documentation requirements for your Chinese visa:
Documentation requirements may differ between nationalities - Please check what your specific needs are! For several European & Asian countries, China has a policy to stay up to 15-days without a visa! These countries include Germany, France & the Netherlands. We’re expecting more countries to follow soon, but always make sure to check if you need a visa or not to be absolutely sure. Upon request, we can adjust
Contact our Travel Experts
+1 844 311 8331
24/7 Support
Our team of experienced tour specialists have travelled to hundreds of countries around the globe and have decades of first-hand travel experience to share. Contact us now to have all of your tour-related questions answered!