Is it possible to modify this tour for different accomodations? We would prefer to not stay in hostels unless they have private rooms and bathrooms. Do you have this as a private tour? If so, what would the cost be?

Unfortunately, we can't modify this tour. You can look at another tour we have called China Past Present Future Journeys, which may be more suitable.

Can a 10 year old girl join this tour?

This tour unfortunately isn't suitable for a 10-year-old. The minimum age for this itinerary is 18 years, and it's designed specifically for adult travellers. It includes hostel accommodation, overnight trains, camping on the Great Wall, long travel days, and a semi-independent style that isn't appropriate for children.

What does it mean that the tour is partially guided? Are meals included in the price?

On Our Essential tours we don't include any meals. All meals are at your own expense. Food in China is cheap. We advise you to budget 80 RMB per day for food in great local restaurants your Adventure Leader will take you to which we know are safe and tasty.

could we book with your tours

the max age for our Essentials range is 55 - however we do have other China tours I can recommend.

I would like to have more details on your flexible booking and credit for future tours policies. I am professional actor working in Italy, and whenever I book a trip I am threatened with the possibility of getting an unforeseeable and unexpected job a few weeks before departure. Therefore, I need to find tours that offer flexibility/credit/cancellation policies. If, say, I book your tour and then get a job, how would it work with you? Would I be able to reschedule the dates of the trip? Get a credit to book another? Get my money back?

Many of our "signature" tours do offer flexibility up to 60 days before departure where we would provide a credit should you have to cancel. Any of our other tours such as this "handpicked" tour have a non refundable deposit and you would be best served to look at the possibility of purchasing some type of cancellation insurance that fits your needs and circumstances.

From

$2,880

US $2,736 per person

Essential China Adventure - 23 days

23 days

•

Start and end in Shanghai

4.5

1 traveler review

View all
Fantastic itinerary with a great variety of scenery, experiences and cultures. Would love to be able to start again right-away.
Mathew, traveled in October
4.5
View all

From

$2,880

-5%

US $2,736 per person

Price based on Cheapest Room

Price based on Shared Room

Price based on Private Single Room

Price based on Private Double Room

Select Date

1 Adult2 Adults, 1 Child2 Children

Best price guarantee Learn More

Plan your adventure:

Platinum Operator: On The Go Tours
Explorer: Curated to ignite your sense of adventure
Group Tour: Join a group and forge lifelong friendships
Partially Guided: Independent travel, featuring selected guided excursions
Low Intensity: Travelers can expect some light physical activities
Guided in English
Group Size 4 - 20
Ages 18-55

Image of a map showing the route of the tour

Itinerary

Day 1
Shanghai to Yangshuo
Start point
Shanghai Shi, China (Shanghai)
Landmarks
Pudong Airport
Days 2 - 4
Yangshuo
Included Activities
- Bike & Bamboo Raft the Yulong River
Optional Activities
- Cooking class to prepare traditional Chinese dishes
- Kayaking on the Li River
- Hot cupping and traditional therapies
- Visit Moon Hill
- Cycle to nearby cave complex
- Natural mud baths and hot springs
- KTV sing-off
- Rock climbing on karst peaks
- Visit nearby village for glimpse of everyday farm life
Landmarks
Li River
Yulong River
Moon Hill
Day 5
Yangshuo to Chongqing
Included Activities
- Yangtze River Cruise
- Discover Hongya Cave at Night
Landmarks
Yangtze River
Hongya Cave
Day 6
Chongqing
Optional Activities
- Visit Liziba Station to watch monorail through residential building
- Explore former air raid shelters
- Visit People's Great Hall
- Visit Chaotianmen Dock
- Hike to Eling Park for panoramic city views
- Explore Guanyinqiao district nightlife
Landmarks
Liziba Station
People's Great Hall
Chaotianmen Dock
Eling Park
Guanyinqiao
Day 7
Chongqing to Chengdu
Optional Activities
- Walk through People's Park
- Walk through Kuanzhai Alley
- Try Chengdu's legendary Sichuan hot pot
Landmarks
People's Park
Kuanzhai Alley
Days 8 - 9
Chengdu
Included Activities
- Visit the Giant Panda Breeding Center
- Mandarin lesson with tour leader
Optional Activities
- Experience traditional Sichuan Opera and cultural performance with face-changing masks and fire breathing
- Travel to Leshan to see the world's largest stone Buddha
- Enjoy another round of Chengdu's famous hot pot
Landmarks
Panda Breeding and Research Centre
Leshan Giant Buddha
Day 10
Chengdu to Xi'an
Optional Activities
- Cycle along the ancient Ming Dynasty City Walls
- Visit the Bell and Drum Towers
- Explore the Muslim Quarter
- Sample street food in the Muslim Quarter
- Browse the Silk Road market
Landmarks
Ming Dynasty City Walls
Bell Tower
Drum Tower
Muslim Quarter
Day 11
Xi'an
Included Activities
- Visit the Terracotta Warriors & Mausoleum of Qin Shi Huang
Optional Activities
- Visit Big Goose Pagoda
- Watch music and light show at Big Goose Pagoda square in the evening
Landmarks
Terracotta Warriors
Mausoleum of Qin Shi Huang
Big Goose Pagoda
Day 12
Xi'an to Shaolin
Included Activities
- Take a Kung Fu Lesson & Show at Shaolin Temple
- Mandarin lesson with tour leader
- Evening pub quiz
Landmarks
Shaolin Temple
Day 13
Shaolin
Optional Activities
- Visit the Shaolin Temple and watch masters practice
- Hike to Dharma cave on Elephant Trunk Mountain
- Visit the UNESCO-listed Longmen Grottoes
Landmarks
Shaolin Temple
Dharma Cave
Longmen Grottoes
Day 14
Shaolin to Beijing - The Great Wall
Included Activities
- Hike & Camp on the Great Wall
Landmarks
Great Wall of China
Days 15 - 16
Great Wall - Beijing
Optional Activities
- Browse contemporary galleries of the 798 Art District
- Wander through the serene gardens of the Summer Palace
- Walk across Tiananmen Square
- Enter the Forbidden City
- Climb to the top of Jingshan Park for views
- See an awe-inspiring Chinese acrobatics and circus show
- Enjoy Beijing's iconic Peking Roast Duck
Landmarks
798 Art District
Summer Palace
Tiananmen Square
Forbidden City
Jingshan Park
Day 17
Beijing to Hangzhou
Optional Activities
- Hunt for bargains at the city's well-known fake goods markets
- Visit the Temple of Heaven
- Wander through Nanluo district and its hutongs
- Explore traditional siheyuan courtyards
- Visit charming cafes and lively bars in Nanlou
Landmarks
Temple of Heaven
Nanluo District
Day 18
Hangzhou
Included Activities
- Visit West Lake & Take a Boat Tour
- Hike Jiuyao Mountain for Sunset
Optional Activities
- Visit the National Tea Museum
- Visit the National Silk Museum
Landmarks
West Lake
Lesser Yingzhou Isle
Jiuyao Mountain
National Tea Museum
National Silk Museum
Day 19
Hangzhou to Shanghai
Included Activities
- Hike the 9 Creeks in Misty Woods
Landmarks
Nine Creeks
Misty Woods
Day 20
Shanghai
Included Activities
- Mandarin lesson with professional teachers from Mandarin Garden Chinese Language School
Optional Activities
- Walk to Yu Gardens
- Visit People's Square
- Shop on Nanjing Road
- Walk along the Bund
- Visit rooftop bar for Shanghai skyline views
Landmarks
Yu Gardens
People's Square
Nanjing Road
The Bund
Days 21 - 22
Shanghai
Optional Activities
- Visit Disneyland theme park
- Visit Shanghai Museum
- Wander Moganshan Art Street
- Huangpu River cruise on day 21
Landmarks
Shanghai Disneyland
Shanghai Museum
Moganshan Art Street
Huangpu River
Day 23
Shanghai
End point
Shanghai Shi, China (Shanghai)

Landmarks
Pudong Airport

Landmarks
Li River
Yulong River
Moon Hill

Landmarks
Yangtze River
Hongya Cave

Landmarks
Liziba Station
People's Great Hall
Chaotianmen Dock
Eling Park
Guanyinqiao

Landmarks
People's Park
Kuanzhai Alley

Landmarks
Panda Breeding and Research Centre
Leshan Giant Buddha

Landmarks
Ming Dynasty City Walls
Bell Tower
Drum Tower
Muslim Quarter

Landmarks
Terracotta Warriors
Mausoleum of Qin Shi Huang
Big Goose Pagoda

Landmarks
Shaolin Temple

Landmarks
Shaolin Temple
Dharma Cave
Longmen Grottoes

Landmarks
Great Wall of China

Landmarks
798 Art District
Summer Palace
Tiananmen Square
Forbidden City
Jingshan Park

Landmarks
Temple of Heaven
Nanluo District

Landmarks
West Lake
Lesser Yingzhou Isle
Jiuyao Mountain
National Tea Museum
National Silk Museum

Landmarks
Nine Creeks
Misty Woods

Landmarks
Yu Gardens
People's Square
Nanjing Road
The Bund

Landmarks
Shanghai Disneyland
Shanghai Museum
Moganshan Art Street
Huangpu River

What's Included

Expand All

Accommodation
Guide
Additional Services
Transport

What's Not Included

Flights
Additional Services

Operated by

On The Go Tours

Platinum Operator

Rating: 4.6(2,466 reviews)
Response time: 8 hours
Response rate: 96%
Cancellation policy

Traveler Reviews

4.5

Overall rating based on 1 Reviews

Itinerary
5.0
Transport
4.0
Accommodation
4.0
Food
5.0
Tour Operator
4.6

M
Mathew
October 2nd, 2019
Fantastic itinerary with a great variety of scenery, experiences and cultures. I can't think of a better way to have...
Show more
Traveled in August 2019
Reply from: On The Go Tours
Thankyou very much for taking the time to provide feedback on your recent trip with On The Go Tours. We are pleased you had a wonderful time. Feedback in very important to us to not only congratulate our teams who have done a wonderful job but to also help us to continually improve. We look forward to you travelling with us again.
Show more

Dates & Availability

Select departure month and travellers

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1 Adult2 Adults, 1 Child2 Children

Upcoming departures

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Ends on 27 May, 2026

From Monday
25 May, 2026
To Tuesday
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From Monday
6 Jul, 2026
To Tuesday
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To Tuesday
18 Aug, 2026
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3 Aug, 2026
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25 Aug, 2026
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From Monday
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What our customers ask about this tour

The content in our FAQ section is subject to change.

All questions

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Try a different search term or ask a question to this adventure's experts

R
Ronald
Asked on April 4th, 2026
Is it possible to modify this tour for different accomodations? We would prefer to not stay in hostels unless they have private rooms and bathrooms. Do you have this as a private tour? If so, what would the cost be?
Accommodation
Price / Availability
Tour Details
- On The Go ToursOperator•Written April 2026
  Unfortunately, we can't modify this tour. You can look at another tour we have called China Past Present Future Journeys, which may be more suitable.
T
Tamara
Asked on December 27th, 2025
Can a 10 year old girl join this tour?
Age Range
- On The Go ToursOperator•Written December 2025
  This tour unfortunately isn't suitable for a 10-year-old. The minimum age for this itinerary is 18 years, and it's designed specifically for adult travellers. It includes hostel accommodation, overnight trains, camping on the Great Wall, long travel days, and a semi-independent style that isn't appropriate for children.
M
Mary
Asked on January 15th, 2025
What does it mean that the tour is partially guided? Are meals included in the price?
Meals
Tour Details
- On The Go ToursOperator•Written January 2025
  On Our Essential tours we don't include any meals. All meals are at your own expense. Food in China is cheap. We advise you to budget 80 RMB per day for food in great local restaurants your Adventure Leader will take you to which we know are safe and tasty.
M
Maria
Asked on May 31st, 2024
could we book with your tours
Age Range
Tour Details
- On The Go ToursOperator•Written May 2024
  the max age for our Essentials range is 55 - however we do have other China tours I can recommend.
L
Laura
Asked on August 25th, 2023
I would like to have more details on your flexible booking and credit for future tours policies. I am professional actor working in Italy, and whenever I book a trip I am threatened with the possibility of getting an unforeseeable and unexpected job a few weeks before departure. Therefore, I need to find tours that offer flexibility/credit/cancellation policies. If, say, I book your tour and then get a job, how would it work with you? Would I be able to reschedule the dates of the trip? Get a credit to book another? Get my money back?
Payments
Tour Details
- On The Go ToursOperator•Written August 2023
  Many of our "signature" tours do offer flexibility up to 60 days before departure where we would provide a credit should you have to cancel. Any of our other tours such as this "handpicked" tour have a non refundable deposit and you would be best served to look at the possibility of purchasing some type of cancellation insurance that fits your needs and circumstances.

From

$2,880

-5%

US $2,736 per person

Price based on Cheapest Room

Price based on Shared Room

Price based on Private Single Room

Price based on Private Double Room

Select Date

1 Adult2 Adults, 1 Child2 Children

Best price guarantee Learn More

Plan your adventure:

Good to Know

Tour ID: 146025

Currency
¥
Yuan Renminbi
China
Plugs & Adapters
As a traveler from USA, Canada, South Africa you will need an adaptor for types G, I. As a traveler from England you will need an adaptor for type I. As a traveler from Australia, New Zealand you will need an adaptor for type G.
Type G
China
Type I
China
Vaccines
- These are only indications, so please visit your doctor before you travel to be 100% sure.
- Typhoid - Recommended for China. Ideally 2 weeks before travel.
- Hepatitis A - Recommended for China. Ideally 2 weeks before travel.
- Cholera - Recommended for China. Ideally 2 weeks before travel.
- Tuberculosis - Recommended for China. Ideally 3 months before travel.
- Hepatitis B - Recommended for China. Ideally 2 months before travel.
- Rabies - Recommended for China. Ideally 1 month before travel.
- Yellow fever - Certificate of vaccination required if arriving from an area with a risk of yellow fever transmission for China. Ideally 10 days before travel.
- Japanese B encephalitis - Recommended for China. Ideally 1 month before travel.
- Tick-borne encephalitis - Recommended for China. Ideally 6 months before travel.
Visa
- Unfortunately we cannot offer you a visa application service. Whether you need a visa or not depends on your nationality and where you wish to travel. Assuming your home country does not have a visa agreement with the country you're planning to visit, you will need to apply for a visa in advance of your scheduled departure.
- Here is an indication for which countries you might need a visa. Please contact the local embassy for help applying for visas to these places.
Payment information
- For any tour departing before July 31st, 2026 a full payment is necessary. For tours departing after July 31st, 2026, a minimum payment of $400 is required to confirm your booking with On The Go Tours. The final payment will be automatically charged to your credit card on the designated due date. The final payment of the remaining balance is required at least 70 days prior to the departure date of your tour. TourRadar never charges you a booking fee and will charge you in the stated currency.
- Some departure dates and prices may vary and On The Go Tours will contact you with any discrepancies before your booking is confirmed.
- The following cards are accepted for "On The Go Tours" tours: Visa, Maestro, Mastercard, American Express or PayPal. TourRadar does NOT charge you an extra fee for using any of these payment methods.
Cancellation Policy
- Your money is safe with TourRadar, as we only pay the tour operator after your tour has departed.
- TourRadar is an authorized Agent of On The Go Tours. Please familiarize yourself with the On The Go Tours payment, cancellation and refund conditions.
Accessibility
Some tours are not suitable for mobility-restricted traveler, however, some operators may be able to accommodate special requests. For any enquiries, you can contact our customer support team, who are ready and waiting to help you.
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Essential China Adventure - 23 days

Itinerary

Included Activities

Optional Activities

Included Activities

Optional Activities

Optional Activities

Included Activities

Optional Activities

Optional Activities

Included Activities

Optional Activities

Included Activities

Optional Activities

Included Activities

Optional Activities

Optional Activities

Included Activities

Optional Activities

Included Activities

Included Activities

Optional Activities

Optional Activities

Want to read it later?

What's Included

What's Not Included

Traveler Reviews

Dates & Availability

Want to read it later?

Why book with TourRadar?

What our customers ask about this tour

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Good to Know

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