China Small Group Tours
Imagine the sights and sounds of Beijing, navigating the Forbidden City's grand staircases, taking in the imposing Great Wall, and standing before the enigmatic Terracotta Warriors. Remember to explore Drepung Monastery, tour Potala Palace, and visit Yamdrok Lake. Take a stroll on Barkhor Street, and head up Shanghai Tower. China is totally unique and it’s waiting for you.
10 best China small group tours
Compiled by
MelissaChina travel expert at TourRadar
- 11-Day Best China Zhangjiajie Tour: Luxury Small Group & Quality Hotels
- 6 Days Central Tibet Culture Small Group Tour: Explore Tibet's religion, cultural gems, and captivating landscapes
- 9 Days Stunning Tibet For Peach Blossom Festival Small Group Tour (Max 15)| Western China Package Adventure
- 6 Days Lhasa Gyantse Shigatse Group Tour
- 10 Days China Highlights Beijing Xian Chengdu Shanghai Small Group Tour (Max 12)
- 5 Days Lhasa & Yamdrotso Lake Group Tour
- 4 Days Lhasa City Impression Small Group Tour
- 11-Day China Golden Triangle: Luxury Small Group & Quality Hotels
- 2-Day All-Inclusive Beijing Mini Group Tour: Great Wall, Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace, and More Highlights
- 14-Day China Tour with Yangtze Cruise: Luxury Small Group & Hotels
11-Day Best China Zhangjiajie Tour: Luxury Small Group & Quality Hotels
3 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The tour was very knowledgeable and helpful, thank you very much.”
igor, traveled in April
Groups of 2-18 travelers receive personal attention at Mutianyu Great Wall and Tianzi Mountain. The small size enables family visits in Beijing's hutongs and hands-on clay warrior making in Xi'an's traditional cave dwellings.
Duration 11 days Destinations Beijing, Xi'an, Zhangjiajie, Shanghai Age Range All Ages Welcome Group Size Max Group Size 18 Group Type GroupPersonalized Operator TravelChinaGuide From $4,681
15% Off- NZ$3,979You save $702
6 Days Central Tibet Culture Small Group Tour: Explore Tibet's religion, cultural gems, and captivating landscapes
1 Review by TourRadar travelers“The hotel has no air conditioning and I was arranged a room at the south side which was a boiler room.”
Ivy, traveled in June
Duration 6 days Destinations Lhasa, Gyantse, Shigatse Age Range Ages 7+ Group Size Max Group Size 12 Group Type GroupPersonalized Operator Tibet Vista From
15% Off- NZ$1,356
Duration 9 days Destinations Lhasa, Shigatse Age Range All Ages Welcome Group Size Max Group Size 15 Group Type Group Operator UME Travel Co. Ltd From $4,280
20% Off- NZ$3,424You save $856
6 Days Lhasa Gyantse Shigatse Group Tour
5 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“I felt relaxed during my trip. I will recommend this Tour to my friends and family who would like to travel to Tibet.”
bessie, traveled in September
Local English-speaking guides lead intimate group tours through Tibet, costing approx. $160 per day. Sacred sites like Jokhang Temple and Pelkor Chöde Monastery become more accessible. Morning pickups at 9:30 AM provide relaxed starts, with oxygen tanks available for high-altitude comfort.
Duration 6 days Destinations Lhasa, Gyantse, Shigatse Age Range All Ages Welcome Group Size Max Group Size 12 Group Type Group Operator Great Tibet Tour From
20% Off- NZ$1,544
Duration 10 days Destinations Beijing, Xi'an, Chengdu, Shanghai Age Range All Ages Welcome Group Size Max Group Size 12 Group Type Group Operator UME Travel Co. Ltd From $4,726
20% Off- NZ$3,781You save $945
5 Days Lhasa & Yamdrotso Lake Group Tour
1 Review by TourRadar travelers“The scenery of Namtso Lake left a deep impression on us, the lake is very clear, the snow mountain is very majestic.”
OliverA, traveled in July
Cultural treasures of Lhasa unfold at approx. $170 per day. The tour features Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, and Drepung Monastery with English-speaking guides. Oxygen tanks and daily mineral water ensure comfort at high altitudes. Airport transfers and daily breakfast included.
Duration 5 days Destinations Lhasa, Yamdroktso Lake Age Range All Ages Welcome Group Size Max Group Size 12 Group Type Group Operator Great Tibet Tour From
20% Off- NZ$1,356
Duration 4 days Destinations Lhasa Age Range All Ages Welcome Group Size Max Group Size 12 Group Type GroupPersonalized Operator Tibet Vista From
20% Off- NZ$864
11-Day China Golden Triangle: Luxury Small Group & Quality Hotels
5 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Travelling in a small group, having informed guides, and easy access to main sites.”
Leanna, traveled in March
Small groups of 2-18 travelers connect deeply with local culture through family visits in Beijing's hutongs and Xi'an's cave dwellings. The intimate size allows for exclusive dining experiences, including a la carte meals at selected local restaurants.
Duration 11 days Destinations Beijing, Xi'an, Chongqing, Yichang, Shanghai Age Range All Ages Welcome Group Size Max Group Size 18 Group Type GroupPersonalized Operator TravelChinaGuide From $4,630
15% Off- NZ$3,935You save $694
2-Day All-Inclusive Beijing Mini Group Tour: Great Wall, Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace, and More Highlights
1 Review by TourRadar travelers“really very enjoyable and exactly as advertised – all of the best sites and no shopping.”
Andrew, traveled in December
Duration 2 days Destinations Beijing Age Range All Ages Welcome Group Size Max Group Size 12 Group Type GroupPersonalized Operator TravelChinaGuide From
15% Off- NZ$321
14-Day China Tour with Yangtze Cruise: Luxury Small Group & Hotels
3 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Fabulous itinerary, did so many varied activities. Was above and beyond our expectations.”
Anthony, traveled in April
Small groups of 2-18 travelers receive personalized attention at Tiananmen Square and Temple of Heaven. The intimate setting enables unique activities like home visits in Hutong alleys and Tai Chi lessons in Xi'an's City Wall Park. Primarily couples join these tours.
Duration 14 days Destinations Beijing, Xi'an, Guilin, Chongqing, Shibaozhai Pagoda, Qutang Gorge, Yichang, Shanghai Age Range All Ages Welcome Group Size Max Group Size 18 Group Type GroupPersonalized Operator TravelChinaGuide From $5,851
15% Off- NZ$4,974You save $878
Reviews of Small Group tours to China
a 6-day/5-night Lhasa Shigatse group tour with Great Tibet Tour in September 2019. There are three times group airport pickup and drop off included. It is about a 1-hour journey from the airport to the central city. I stayed at the Shangbala Hotel in Lhasa. Most of the clients in the Shangbala Hotel were foreign. I enjoyed breakfast at the Shangbala Hotel. Every morning, my guide will meet us at the hotel hall around 9:30 am. So I can enjoy a good sleep. The tour guide and driver were both Tibetan. They will talk about Tibetan history and their lifestyle with us. I felt relaxed during my trip. I will recommend this Tour to my friends and family who would like to travel to Tibet.
6 Days Lhasa Gyantse Shigatse Group Tour
- 11-Day China Golden Triangle: Luxury Small Group & Quality Hotels
We liked: travelling in a small group: having informed and caring guides: easy, supported acess to main sites: Kung Fu Show in Beijing: Variety show in Xi'an, most authentic and fabulous lunch meal in Shanghai with Chris.
- Two Weeks Impression China Trip: Small Group & Luxury Hotels, All Inclusive
Excellent tour, a lot packed into the first week, second week at an easier pace but tour guides nowhere near as good, and despite our expectations, the cruise was not the best part, as it came with a barrage of hard selling - from the moment we arrived on the boat and we were shown to presidential room in an attempt to get us to upgrade, to all the onboard and tour activities that our boat guide was instructed to sell to us. It rather spoilt what could have been a relaxing break. Still was an wonderful experience, China is a fascinating country with much to see and do. An added bonus was the discovery of western style toilets in so many places, sometime as the Disabled toilet, which we would never abuse at home, but seemed acceptable for tourists to use in China.
What our customers ask about China Small Group Tours
What type of accommodation can I expect on a small group tour in China?
Small group tours provide comfortable lodging in 4-5 star hotels that are centrally located. Guests can expect properties like the Hotel New Otani Chang Fu Gong in Beijing the Crowne Plaza in Xi'an and the Radisson Blu Hotel Shanghai New World. A recent TourRadar traveler noted: "The accommodation was excellent throughout with sumptuous breakfasts and great central locations."
What unique experiences are offered on small group tours in China?
These tours give travelers access to local homes traditional tea ceremonies and cultural demonstrations. In Xi'an visitors can make dumplings with local families join private Tai Chi lessons and get special access at the Terracotta Warriors site. The tours include stays at upscale hotels such as the Crowne Plaza Xi'an and Radisson Blu Shanghai New World. According to a TourRadar traveler: "We particularly enjoyed having informed and caring guides and authentic local experiences like our fabulous lunch meal in Shanghai."
How does transportation work on small group tours in China?
Transportation includes private coaches high-speed trains and flights between major cities. Groups take the bullet train from Beijing to Xi'an which takes 5 hours and fly to destinations like Zhangjiajie. The smaller group size means comfortable travel in private vehicles including trips to the Mutianyu Great Wall. Travelers report: "Everything was well coordinated with seamless transfers between various parts of the tour."
What meals are included on small group tours in China?
Tours generally cover daily hotel breakfasts authentic Chinese lunches at selected local restaurants and special dining events like the Tang Dynasty Dinner Show in Xi'an. Welcome lunches often valued at 150 USD per person and farewell dinners featuring regional dishes are common inclusions. A TourRadar traveler noted: "The authentic meals were a highlight especially experiencing local cuisine with our small group."
How does pricing compare between small group and large group tours in China?
Small group tours cost between USD 150-300 daily while larger groups range from USD 80-150. The higher rates reflect perks like exclusive hotels including the Sunworld Hotel in Beijing or Grand Dynasty Culture Hotel in Xi'an private transport focused guide attention and flexible scheduling. TourRadar data shows small group tours average USD 284 per day.
What is the typical small group size for tours in China?
Groups usually consist of 2-18 travelers creating a more personal experience. TravelChinaGuide's tours keep numbers low to ensure quality time at major sites like the Terracotta Warriors and Great Wall. A TourRadar participant shared: "I liked the small group size. It made visiting places like the Forbidden City much more manageable and intimate." This format allows for special activities like visiting Beijing hutong families and dumpling-making sessions at Xi'an's Tang Paradise Hotel.