City wall in Xian

China tours

City wall in Xian

With China’s fast pace of development and growing international and domestic tourism industry, it’s important to plan your tour well to experience an authentic view of the country. Our specialists have an in-depth knowledge of this diverse nation and their tour ideas include unusual destinations well off the beaten track as well as China’s incredible highlights.

Each trip suggestion can be tailored to your interests and we can plan a route to help you avoid the busiest times and locations at China's main sights so that you can get the most out of your travels.

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Audley Travel specialist Chris

Start planning your tailor-made trip by contacting one of our China specialists

Our recommended tours in China

These itineraries are designed to give you some suggestions for what is possible when you travel in China, and they showcase some of the routes that we’ve found work particularly well. Treat them simply as inspiration, because your trip will be created uniquely for you by one of our specialists based on your particular tastes and interests.

  • Two old ladies, Beijing

    Highlights of China: Beijing, Xian, Guilin and Shanghai

    China

    • See China’s famous sights including the Great Wall, Forbidden City, Terracotta Warriors and the Li River.

    • Travel by high-speed bullet trains and on Shanghai’s Maglev train.

    • Enjoy a cycling tour through Shanghai’s French Concession.

    • Explore Xian’s lively Muslim Quarter on a street food tour.

    • Relax in the laid-back town of Yangshuo.

    12 days from £3,505pp

  • Great Wall at Jinshanling

    Classic China tour

    China

    • See China’s iconic sights including the Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven and Terracotta Warriors.

    • Walk along the Great Wall at Jinshanling Pass.

    • Trek through the rice terraces and stay overnight in Longji.

    • Explore Shanghai’s French Concession by bicycle.

    • Learn to cook Chinese dumplings and sample local street foods.

    15 days from £4,085pp

  • Karst scenery, Yangshuo

    Family China tour

    China

    • See the Great Wall, Forbidden City and the Terracotta Warriors.

    • Visit Chengdu Panda Research Base and see the giant pandas.

    • Discover Yangshuo's countryside by bike.

    • Sample local Beijing breakfasts and learn to make dumplings.

    15 days from £4,665pp

  • Dali city walls

    Southwest China: Yunnan's mountains & minorities

    China

    • Stroll around the charming old towns of Dali and Lijiang.

    • See the endangered snub-nosed monkey.

    • Journey to Shangri-La to discover stunning scenery and Tibetan culture.

    • Visit Yuanyang’s rice terraces, a UNESCO Heritage Site.

    • Meet the diverse ethnic minorities of Yunnan Province.

    16 days from £4,675pp

  • Great Wall, Beijing

    Essential China

    China

    • See China’s quintessential sights including the Great Wall, Forbidden City, Terracotta Warriors and the Bund.

    • Travel by high-speed bullet trains and optional ride on Shanghai’s Maglev train.

    • Enjoy a cycling tour through the Beijing’s Hutongs.

    • Explore Xian’s lively Muslim Quarter and the Grand Mosque.

    9 days from £2,670pp

  • Hong Kong from Victoria Peak

    A tale of two cities: Hong Kong & the history of Angkor

    Cambodia and China

    • Take in the views from Kowloon over to Hong Kong Island.

    • Enjoy some of the best dim sum in the world with the locals Hong Kong style.

    • Soak up the atmosphere of Phnom Penh, Cambodia's up and coming capital.

    • Visit the awe-inspiring temple complex of Angkor Wat and bring out your adventurous side exploring Ta Prohm.

    • Relax in Kep and experience the flavours of Cambodian cuisine.

    14 days from £2,995pp

  • Yangtze River

    Yangtze River Classic tour

    China

    • Marvel at the wonders of the Forbidden City, Great Wall and the Terracotta Warriors.

    • Cruise on the Yangtze river and take in the spectacular scenery.

    • See the enormous Three Gorges Dam up close.

    • Explore Shanghai’s former French Concession by bike.

    • Sample Chinese breakfast specialities and enjoy lunch with a local family.

    13 days from £3,715pp

  • The Three Pagodas, Dali

    Sichuan & Yunnan explorer: Pandas & Mountains

    China

    • Visit Chengdu Panda Research Base and see the adorable giant pandas.

    • See the sacred Giant Buddha of Leshan and ascend Emei Mountain.

    • Meet the diverse ethnic minorities of Yunnan Province.

    • Stroll around the charming old towns of Dali and Lijiang.

    • Journey to Shangri-La to discover stunning scenery and Tibetan culture.

    16 days from £4,060pp

  • RV Angkor Pandaw

    Cruising the Red River

    Vietnam and China

    • Begin your trip in Hong Kong where east meets west.

    • Explore the charming Vietnamese capital Hanoi where the organised chaos is perfectly contrasted by the serene temples and beautiful lakes.

    • Embark on a river cruising adventure through lesser visited parts of Northern Vietnam.

    • Visit the hill tribes in the spectacular Mai Chau Valley.

    • Sail on the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Halong Bay.

    16 days from £4,355pp

  • The Terracotta Warriors, Xian

    Classic China & Yangtze cruise

    China

    • See China’s iconic sights including the Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven and Terracotta Warriors.

    • Walk along the Great Wall at Jinshanling Pass.

    • Explore Shanghai’s French Concession by bicycle.

    • Trek through the rice terraces and stay overnight in Longji.

    • Cruise along the Yangtze river to discover lost cities and the Three Gorges Dam.

    16 days from £4,500pp

  • Jade Dragon Snow Mountain & Black Dragon Pond, Lijiang

    Magnificent China tour

    China

    • Visit the Forbidden City, the Great Wall at Jinshanling Pass and Terracotta Warriors.

    • Explore China stunning countryside in Yangshuo, Longji and Zhongdian.

    • Learn about Naxi faith and Tibetan culture in Yunnan.

    • See the giant pandas at Chengdu Panda Research Base.

    • Sample delicious street foods of Xian’s Muslim Quarter.

    18 days from £4,525pp

  • Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

    Trans Siberian journey - Beijing to Moscow

    Russia, Mongolia and China

    • Stand atop the magnificent Great Wall of China.

    • Spend the night in traditional nomadic accommodation in Mongolia.

    • Hunt for wild horses out on the Mongolian steppe.

    • Visit the world's deepest fresh water lake.

    • Visit the Kremlin in mighty Moscow.

    16 days from £4,565pp

  • Zhangjiajie scenic area, Zhangjiajie

    Natural Wonders of China

    China

    • Cycle through Shanghai’s former French Concession.

    • Explore the summit of sacred Huang Shan along winding trails.

    • Step back in time with a visit to Chengkan, Xidi and Pingshan ancient villages.

    • Enjoy the scenery of Zhangjiajie National Park and Wulingyuan Scenic Area.

    • Walk on the Glass Bridge and take an exhilarating cable car ride up to Tianmenshan.

    15 days from £4,725pp

  • Yi women, Kaili

    Villages of Southwest China

    China

    • See the pretty rice terraces of Longji.

    • See seldom visited minority villages in Guangxi and Guizhou provinces.

    • See the well preserved Naxi minority town of Lijiang.

    • Visit Tiger Leaping Gorge.

    • Experience a side of China that few other visitors experience.

    16 days from £4,735pp

  • Li river, Guilin

    Classic China & Fujian tulou houses

    China

    • See China’s iconic sights including the Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven and Terracotta Warriors.

    • Walk along the Great Wall at Jinshanling Pass.

    • Explore Beijing’s Hutongs and Shanghai’s French Concession by bicycle.

    • Trek through the rice terraces and stay overnight in Longji.

    • Explore Gulangyu Island and the Tulou clusters in Fujian Province.

    17 days from £4,990pp

  • Mingsha - The Singing Mountains, Dunhuang

    Highlights of Western China

    China

    • Visit the Terracotta Army in Xian.

    • Walking through the Mingsha Dunes in Dunhuang.

    • Look over the Flaming Mountains in Turpan.

    • Experience Kashgar's Sunday market.

    • Travel along the Karakoram Highway to Lake Karakul and Mount Muztagata.

    14 days from £4,995pp

  • Walk Along the Dragon's Backbone

    Hiking in China

    China

    • Witness the sheer magnitude of the Great Wall.

    • See the sunrise over Huangshan.

    • Journey through rice terraces and minority villages.

    • Hike through the impressive Tiger Leaping Gorge.

    • Visit the high Tibetan Plateau.

    19 days from £5,530pp

  • Tsars Gold Private Train

    A private Trans-Siberian journey - Beijing to Moscow

    Russia, China and Mongolia

    • Explore Beijing's highlights, including the Forbidden City, the Temple of Heaven and Tiananmen Square.

    • Witness Mongolian nomadic life and enjoy a traditional Mongolian music performance.

    • Cross the vast expanses of Siberia.

    • Soak up the scenery of Lake Baikal.

    • Visit the Kremlin and learn about Moscow's history on a guided evening tour of the city.

    18 days from £7,400pp

  • Taal volcano

    Luxury tour of the Philippines

    China and Philippines

    • Explore Hong Kong's skyscrapers.

    • Take a guided tour of Intramuros ———— Manila's walled city crammed full of history.

    • Stay on Pamalican island.

    • 7 sq km (3 sq miles) of pristine coral reef and stunning beaches at one of the Philippines' best resorts.

    • Visit Lake Taal crossing the lake by boat and ride on horseback to the top of the volcano.

    17 days from £8,370pp

  • Giant panda, Chengdu

    Luxury Family China: Emperors, Warriors and Pandas

    China

    • See the Great Wall, Forbidden City and the Terracotta Warriors.

    • Visit Chengdu Panda Research Base and see the giant pandas.

    • Discover Beijing’s Hutongs and scenic Yangshuo countryside by bike.

    • Take in an awe-inspiring Kung Fu show and learn the moves.

    • Sample local Beijing breakfasts and learn to make dumplings.

    14 days from £8,995pp

  • The Forbidden City, Beijing

    China in Style with Luxury Yangtze Cruise

    China

    • Marvel at the Terracotta Warriors and the wonders of the Forbidden City.

    • Cruise on the Yangtze river aboard the luxurious Sanctuary Yangzi Explorer.

    • Taste delicious Chinese food with a private cookery lesson and a street food tour.

    • Learn the ancient art of Tai Chi in a private masterclass.

    12 days from £9,170pp

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