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City wall in Xian

China tours

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.

Speak to someone
who's been there

Audley Travel specialist Rick

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

    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

    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

    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 and 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

  • 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

    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

  • Ulaan Baatar, Mongolia

    Trans Siberian journey - Beijing to Moscow

    China, Mongolia and Russia

    • 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

    China, Mongolia and Russia

    • 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

  • 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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Beach tours with a touch of exploration

These tour ideas, from our Hidden Beaches collection, are our answer if you’re looking to relax but still want to explore. Each tour combines time at one of our hand-picked beach properties with a few days spent either on safari, taking in a city, discovering the local culture or hopping to the next beach. They are only suggestions though, and a specialist will plan your holiday individually.

  • Pool, Shangri-La's Rasa Ria Resort, Kota Kinabalu

    Shangri-La’s Rasa Ria Resort & Hong Kong

    Beach + City

    Explore the contrasts of east and west, modern and traditional in the fascinating city of Hong Kong before relaxing on the beautiful island of Borneo.

    12 days from £1,890pp

    3 nights Hong Kong, including breakfast; 7 nights Shangri-La’s Rasa Ria Resort, including breakfast. Includes flights and transfers.

  • Three Bedroom Beachfront Pool Villa, Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai, Hoi An

    Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai and Hong Kong

    Beach + City

    Discover one of Asia's most thrilling, spectacular and cosmopolitan cities, Hong Kong before enjoying beach time near to the UNESCO World Heritage town of Hoi An.

    13 days from £2,795pp

    3 nights Hong Kong, including breakfast; 7 nights Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai, including breakfast. Includes flights and transfers.

Some of our favourite travel guides

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.

View this travel guide
Three Pagodas , Dali

Kung fu, cooking and pandas: family travel in China

Think China won’t suit your family? Think again, says Audley China specialist Anthony. China is well set-up for family travel, but what really makes it as a family destination is the variety of child-friendly things to do.

View this travel guide
High speed train, Pingyao

China in my pocket: how high-speed trains make the Middle Kingdom more manageable

China’s scale can feel overwhelming, but its high-speed rail network helps cut the country down to size. Our specialists explain how to use high-speed trains to explore China’s highlights and how to use your time wisely in each destination.

View this travel guide
Dumplings, China

A guide to Chinese food (and where to find it)

There’s more to Chinese food than Western takeaways let on. Each region of China has its own distinct cuisine, from the west’s hot and spicy delicacies to the hearty dishes of the north. China specialists Anthony and Duncan discuss the best ways to experience food in China.

View this travel guide
Songtsam Hotel, Zhongdian

Characterful stays in China

Whether you’re staying in a converted farmhouse surrounded by countryside or a traditional Tibetan building overlooking a monastery, basing yourself in a boutique property during your holiday to China opens your eyes to new cultures and authentic local life. Country specialist Stephanie shares her recommendations.

View this travel guide
Songzanlin Monastery, Zhongdian

China’s spiritual side: the best temples, grottoes, mosques and mountains

You can explore spiritual China in country specialist Anthony’s guide to the Middle Kingdom’s most intriguing holy places. He shares his thoughts on the why and how of visiting Buddhist monasteries, temples and cave art, and even sacred mountains.

View this travel guide
Zhong woman, Longji

Ancient civilisations: The Qin Dynasty

The Qin Dynasty was a short period in Chinese history but one of the most important. Our knowledgeable specialists can create a tailor-made trip that visits the very best historical sites to help you get the most out of your trip.

View this travel guide
Panda trio

How to see pandas in China: everything you need to know

China specialist Rick explains why Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding is our choice for seeing China’s ambassador animal in a responsible way, and how to make the most of your visit to Sichuan province.

View this travel guide
The Summer Palace, Beijing

Everything you always wanted to know about China (but were afraid to ask)

What’s the food really like? And, what about the toilets? When it comes to China, there are no foolish questions. Our China specialist Cheryl provides the answers to your commonly asked questions.

View this travel guide
Terracotta Warriors, Xian

Our guide to exploring the Terracotta Army of Xian

Make the most out of visiting China’s Terracotta Army: we explain what to look for when exploring this archaeological site that predates Christianity.

View this travel guide
View all China travel guides