China Tours for Solo Travelers
A solo trip to China is planned but chaotic, and it's always amazing. You'll see the Forbidden City in Beijing, the Terracotta Warriors in Xi'an, the Bund in Shanghai, and the karst peaks in Guilin. You'll see real differences. On tours, you can meet other travelers, try local foods, see how old and new things can live together, and make memories that will last a lifetime.
10 best China solo travel packages
Compiled by
NadineChina travel expert at TourRadar
- Solo-ish China
- 11-Day Luxury China Small Group Tour: No Shopping & All Inclusive
- 11-Day Impressive China
- 8 Days Unique Experiences of Chengdu Chongqing Zhangjiajie Small Group Tour (Max 16)
- China Highlights
- 14 Days Beautiful China with Yangtze River Cruise and Guilin
- 11 Days China Natural Wonders Group Tour
- China Golden Triangle 8D Group Tour: Beijing, Xi'an, Shanghai
- 6 Days Beijing Xi'an Group Tour
- 6- Days Classic China Tour - Private Tour
Solo-ish China
“Seen so much, experienced so much, a wonderful guide, a nice group of people, good food.”
Margrit, traveled in October
Small groups welcome travelers age 18+, featuring shared cooking classes in Shanghai and group dinners in traditional settings. The itinerary winds through Luoyi Ancient Town and includes hiking the Great Wall at Jinshanling. Comfortable twin-share accommodation in hotels near Xi'an's Muslim Quarter and Beijing's historic sites.
Duration 11 days Destinations Shanghai, Zhujiajiao, Yangzhou, Xi'an, Luoyang, Jinshanling, Beijing Age Range Ages 18+ Group Size Max Group Size 16 Group Type Group Room Type Singles, Shared Operator G Adventures From $2,399
25% off- US$1,799
11-Day Luxury China Small Group Tour: No Shopping & All Inclusive
“Got new friends with whole group members. Accomodation/hotel was much better as expected.”
Romeo, traveled in March
Small groups of 2-18 visit Forbidden City and Terracotta Army. Cultural experiences include dumpling dinners in Xi'an and rickshaw rides through Beijing's hutongs, while enjoying single rooms in 5-star hotels.
Duration 11 days Destinations Beijing, Xi'an, Guilin, Yangshuo, Shanghai Age Range All Ages Welcome Group Size Max Group Size 18 Group Type GroupPersonalized Room Type Singles, Shared Operator Travel China Guide From
25% off- US$2,119
11-Day Impressive China
“Very wonderful trip. Good accommodation and exciting trip.”
Cecilia, traveled in March
Cultural immersion awaits at Beijing's Forbidden City and Shanghai's Bund. Group activities ranging $35-89 foster new friendships. Single rooms available with $500 supplement at welcoming hotels like Continental Grand Beijing.
Duration 11 days Destinations Beijing, Juyongguan, Xi'an, Suzhou, Wuxi, Hangzhou, Shanghai Age Range All Ages Welcome Group Size Max Group Size 40 Group Type Group Room Type Singles, Shared Operator Intertrips From
25% off- US$1,099+$120 upfront costs
8 Days Unique Experiences of Chengdu Chongqing Zhangjiajie Small Group Tour (Max 16)
“Well organised tour.”
Cécile, traveled in September
Duration 8 days Destinations Chengdu, Chongqing, Zhangjiajie Age Range All Ages Welcome Group Size Max Group Size 16 Group Type Group Room Type Singles, Shared Operator UME Travel Co. Ltd From $1,597
5% off- US$1,517
China Highlights
“The tour was fantastic, and the guide truly cared about everyone, going above and beyond.”
Amanda, traveled in January
Independent travelers form friendships while visiting Shanghai's Bund, sharing meals in Xi'an's Muslim Quarter, and walking the Great Wall. Private rooms in hotels and friendly guides create a welcoming atmosphere.
Duration 8 days Destinations Shanghai, Wuxi, Xi'an, Beijing Age Range Ages 15+ Group Size Max Group Size 16 Group Type Group Room Type Singles, Shared Operator Intrepid Travel From
5% off- US$1,760
14 Days Beautiful China with Yangtze River Cruise and Guilin
“Great experience in China. Top China Travel looked after us very well”
Erni, traveled in August
Travelers connect with groups averaging 62 years old, from Beijing's hutongs to Shanghai's Bund. Natural connections form during the Li River cruise, Longji Rice Terraces visit, and Three Gorges journey, while staying in comfortable 4-star accommodations.
Duration 14 days Destinations Beijing, Xi'an, Guilin, Longsheng, Ping’an, Yangshuo, Chongqing, Qutang Gorge, Three Gorges, YangtzeSee all destinations Age Range All Ages Welcome Group Size Max Group Size 18 Group Type GroupPersonalized Room Type Singles, Shared Operator Top China Travel From
5% off- US$2,867
11 Days China Natural Wonders Group Tour
“the experience was amazing. China is a must see”
Dallen, traveled in April
Small groups of 18 travelers share experiences at Beijing hutongs and Zhangjiajie's glass bridges. The tour includes visits to Forbidden City and Terracotta Warriors, with 4-star accommodations throughout China.
Duration 11 days Destinations Beijing, Xi'an, Zhangjiajie, Shanghai Age Range All Ages Welcome Operated in English, German Group Size Max Group Size 18 Group Type GroupPersonalized Room Type Singles, Shared Operator Top China Travel From
5% off- US$2,303
China Golden Triangle 8D Group Tour: Beijing, Xi'an, Shanghai
“Big thank you to Top China tours on awesome tour experience and would highly recommend tour anyone wanting to visit China.”
dean, traveled in September
Intimate groups of max 18 people welcome individual travelers. The tour weaves through Beijing's Temple of Heaven, Xi'an's Muslim Quarter, and Shanghai's Nong Tang alleys. Private room options available in 4-star hotels.
Duration 8 days Destinations Beijing, Xi'an, Shanghai, Zhujiajiao Age Range All Ages Welcome Operated in English, German Group Size Max Group Size 18 Group Type GroupPersonalized Room Type Singles, Shared Operator Top China Travel From
5% off- US$1,451
6 Days Beijing Xi'an Group Tour
“Awesome hospitality at both cities with lots of great memories on the places that we have visited.”
Cindy, traveled in May
Travelers averaging 69 years share airport transfers and group activities at Temple of Heaven and Terracotta Warriors. Meaningful connections form during Hutong family visits and Muslim Quarter walks while enjoying private 4-star accommodation.
Duration 6 days Destinations Beijing, Xi'an Age Range All Ages Welcome Group Size Max Group Size 20 Group Type GroupPersonalized Room Type Singles, Shared Operator Top China Travel From
5% off- US$919
6- Days Classic China Tour - Private Tour
“Realistic Asia paid close attention to details. They were very accommodating and responsive.”
Duane, traveled in July
Groups average age 44, with personalized guidance at Forbidden City and Summer Palace. Social dining experiences feature meals at Shi Yuan Restaurant and local dim sum venues.
Duration 6 days Destinations Beijing, Shanghai Age Range All Ages Welcome Group Size Max Group Size 15 Group Type PrivatePersonalized Room Type Singles, Shared Operator Realistic Asia From $1,232
5% off- US$1,170+$350 local payments
What people love about touring China solo
- 11-Day Luxury China Small Group Tour: No Shopping & All Inclusive
The tour is a great professional with knowledge guide person such as Carol in Xi'an or Randy in Beijing. We were very happy with the hotels, tour schedule plus local foods whenever we got to the different locations. We strongly recommend your company to any travelers who would like to discover China trip. Will come back to you soon in another tour in near future.
- 11-Day Impressive China
Fantastic! The trip was well planned and a learning experience , it tackled both the cultural aspects and the spiritual
- 8 Days Unique Experiences of Chengdu Chongqing Zhangjiajie Small Group Tour (Max 16)
The 8 Days Unique Experiences of Chengdu tour was a great trip and an amazing chance to explore Chengdu beyond the typical tourist sites. The program was well- organized, with visits to cultural sites, local neighborhoods, scenic spots, and authentic experiences. They had different things to offer each day and they didn't go at too fast a pace to enjoy the destinations they were visiting. Our tour guide was very friendly and knowledgeable and was really attentive during the tour. These were very interesting to hear about Chengdu's history, traditions, food and lifestyle, making each visit more interesting. I would also like to thank them for their recommendations on restaurants and activities around the area during our time off. Reliable and comfortable transportation, adequate and clean lodging. Daily tours, transfers, etc., everything was done in an efficient way so that it was smooth and stress-free. The opportunity to experience Chengdu's unique culture and cuisine was definitely one of the highlights. The 8 Days Unique Experiences of Chengdu was overall an above average experience. It was not only fun and educational, but also memorable. I can certainly recommend this tour to anyone who wants to explore Chengdu in an authentic way, and in an organized manner.
What our customers ask about China Tours for Solo Travelers
What's the best time of year for solo travelers to join a China tour?
Spring (April-May) and Fall (September-October) offer the most pleasant travel conditions with manageable temperatures and large numbers of fellow solo adventurers. During these peak months solo travelers make up 50-60% of tour participants. A recent TourRadar traveler noted "I went in September and there were 6 other solo travelers in my group of 15 making it easy to connect and explore places like the Mutianyu Great Wall together."
Which cities in China are most solo traveler-friendly on guided tours?
Beijing Shanghai and Xi'an stand out as the most welcoming cities for solo travelers. Each offers a good mix of famous landmarks and social settings. The Muslim Quarter in Xi'an and French Concession in Shanghai let travelers explore independently during free time while still feeling secure. As one TourRadar participant said "As a solo traveler I felt completely comfortable exploring the hutongs of Beijing and evening markets in Shanghai with guidance from our tour leader."
How social are the group tours in China for solo travelers?
The group dynamic on China tours naturally brings people together with solo travelers making up 40-60% of most groups. Tours create natural bonding moments through shared activities like dumpling-making in Xi'an tea ceremonies and group meals. A TourRadar guest shared "The group was very social and the guides were excellent at bringing everyone together especially during the Huizhou village homestay and shared meals at places like the Novotel Beijing Xin Qiao."
How much free time is typically available for solo exploration on China group tours?
Tours usually set aside 2-3 hours daily for independent activities particularly in the evenings. Hotels like the Novotel Beijing Xin Qiao place you close to key attractions for easy exploring. A TourRadar participant shared "I appreciated having free evenings to explore places like the Bund in Shanghai or join optional activities with other solo travelers from the group."
How do meals work for solo travelers on China group tours?
The meal setup includes daily breakfast at accommodations like the Shanghai Metropolo Jinjiang plus several shared dining experiences featuring local dishes. A TourRadar guest commented "As a solo traveler I loved the group dining experiences - from dumplings in Xi'an to Peking duck in Beijing it was a great way to socialize and try authentic dishes without worrying about ordering alone."