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Dawn breaking over the Great Wall of China in Jinshanling

China holidays 2020 & 2021

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With practical guidance, our flexibility promise and inspirational tools for travel planning, you can book with confidence with Audley.

The Great Wall snaking over the horizon, impassive rows of Terracotta Warriors, sacred mountains, giant pandas munching bamboo… On a tailor-made holiday to China with Audley, you’ll see the highlights — and much more — your way. We’ll design your ideal trip with you, paying close attention to your interests, your travel style and your budget. Our China specialists know the country inside out and can lead you to experiences you won’t find in a guidebook.

Weave through frenetic city markets selling everything from jade trinkets to deep-fried locusts. Drink in Shanghai’s skyline from a rooftop bar. Hike through swirling, emerald-green rice terraces in the peaceful backcountry of Longji. Cruise the Yangtze, passing vast gorges that have inspired classical Chinese art and poetry. Eat your way around Beijing on a guided breakfast tour, or dine at a family home in Xian.

Buddhist monasteries and giant prayer wheels. Cooking classes in Beijing’s backstreets. Ming-dynasty walled towns. The towering limestone peaks of Guilin. What excites you? Travel at your own pace, in your own style, with the confidence that we’ll show you the best options, wherever you go.
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Suggested tours for China

These tours give you a starting point for what your trip to China could entail. They cover routes we've found work particularly well and feature some of our favourite places to stay. Treat them as inspiration, as each trip is created uniquely for you.

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Why travel with Audley?

  • 100% tailor-made journeys
  • Fully protected travel
  • Established for 20 years
  • 98% of our clients would recommend us to a friend
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Travel Advice

Practical tips for travelling to China, from social protocols to guidance on money matters, with a link to the latest government travel advice.

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Our detailed brochures feature trip ideas and travel experiences recommended by our specialists.

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China in pictures

  • Panda, at Chengdu panda research base
    Visit the pandas in Chengdu
  • Great Wall at Simatai
    Walk along the Great Wall of China
  • The Terracotta Warriors, Xian
    Visit the Terracotta Warriors in Xian
  • Lijiang Old Town
    Explore the World Heritage town of Lijiang
  • Dragon's Backbone Rice terraces, Longji
    See the Dragon's Backbone in Longji
  • Quiet Hutong, Beijing
    Cycle around Beijing's ancient Hutong District
  • Sunrise on the Yangtse, Chongqing
    Cruise the Yangtze River
  • Local Tibetan weaving, Zhongdian
    Meet rural tribes

Our expert guides to travelling in China

Written by our specialists from the viewpoint of their own travels, these guides will help you decide on the shape of your own trip to China. Aiming to inspire and inform, we share our recommendations for how to appreciate China at its best.

  • Audley presents China

    Audley presents China

    China rewards the curious visitor with many hands-on, guided experiences. On your tailor-made trip, you could make dumplings in a cooking class, hike the Great Wall without the crowds, or cycle Shanghai’s quieter, locals-only districts.

  • Yangshuo, China

    What to do in China: our highlights guide

    Visit China's Forbidden City and Terracotta Warriors, walk the Great Wall, hike along the Dragon’s Backbone, and meet the native minorities in the Yunnan and Guizhou provinces. China specialist, Alice picks her favourite things to see and do when visiting this vast country.

  • The Great Wall, Beijing

    The Great Wall of China: taking a quieter path

    Unmistakeable in its appearance and scale, the Great Wall of China wends across the hills, mountains and valleys of northern China. For most visitors, blanking out time to visit this man-made wonder is a must — China specialist Susan outlines the best ways to do this.

  • Yangtze River, Yangtze River

    Yangtze River cruises in China: a need-to-know guide

    China can be overwhelming, so Audley specialist Heather suggests exploring it from a calmer perspective on a cruise of its greatest river, the Yangtze. She reveals the key sights, and what life’s like on board your Yangtze cruise ship.

  • Pudong, Shanghai

    China’s modern cities: Shanghai and Hong Kong

    Mixing Chinese and European cultures, Shanghai and Hong Kong bridge the gap between East and West and often mark the start or finale to a China holiday. Specialists Susan and Kara outline the best ways to take in their shimmering skylines and quieter corners.

  • Li river, Guilin

    The slow side of China: visiting the rural provinces

    There are still places to visit in China that remain almost untouched by the modern world. Country specialist Cheryl shares her experiences of rural China, from meeting local people and learning about their minority cultures to hiking through mountains and rice terraces.

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Discover more about China on our blog

Read more North Asia, China & Japan articles on our blog