China Tours & Trips

Demographics

Our solo travelers really click with the China Highlights tour - it blends guided support with plenty of space to explore on your own. The mix works well: you'll take fast bullet trains between cities, share meals in local family homes near the Great Wall and discover Shanghai's buzzing neighborhoods with guides who know their stuff. People traveling alone tell us they love how the schedule balances the main attractions with genuine local moments, like trying street snacks in Xi'an's Muslim Quarter or learning about tea traditions in old courtyard houses. There's enough structure to make friends in your group but also free time to wander temple grounds or find that perfect dumpling spot you can call your own.

Couples gravitate toward these private China tours, which blend grand monuments with intimate experiences like camping overnight on secluded Great Wall sections, where you drift off under the stars and wake to pristine sunrise views. The routes weave together Beijing's charming hutong walks, private morning tai chi and evenings gliding along Shanghai's illuminated waterways. Many pairs choose the Yangtze River cruises, settling into private balcony cabins to watch the Three Gorges scenery unfold, paired with dinners in traditional courtyard homes. The experiences are designed for sharing - from learning xiaolongbao dumpling techniques in Shanghai's kitchens, participating in garden tea ceremonies and also cycling together past Yangshuo's dramatic karst peaks. These journeys balance the magnificent with the personal, so you might explore the vast Forbidden City before spending an afternoon in a local home, learning family cooking secrets passed down through generations.

The backpacker tours are a hit with young adults looking to dive deep into Chinese culture while staying active. Most kick off in Beijing where you'll camp right on the Great Wall - pretty cool to wake up to sunrise from your tent on those ancient stones. You'll pick up basic Mandarin phrases, cook with local families and bike through the impressive limestone peaks around Yangshuo. What works really well is how we mix scheduled activities with independent time; your morning might start at the Forbidden City before joining the group later for street food hunting or drinks at a rooftop bar overlooking Shanghai's bright lights. Our younger travelers say they really value having guides to help figure out local transport, point them to authentic food spots and get hands-on with Chinese traditions.

Our senior travelers prefer tours that take their time, especially for Great Wall visits and cultural sites. These routes slow things down so you can properly take in each place - whether that's examining the fine details of the Terracotta Warriors or understanding the design principles of traditional gardens. You'll stay at hotels picked for their good locations, travel comfortably between destinations and benefit from guides who know just when to visit popular spots to dodge the crowds. What works particularly well is having different activity options; some guests tackle the more challenging Wall sections while others explore gentler paths or nearby villages. Evenings often feature cultural shows ranging from acrobatics to the fascinating art of face-changing opera.

Family-focused China tours blend hands-on activities with cultural immersion that resonates across generations. You'll drift along the Yangtze River in well-appointed cabins with private viewing areas, where parents can relax while children explore the ship's open spaces. Popular itineraries combine the must-see highlights - like walking atop the Great Wall, discovering the Terracotta Warriors, and meeting giant pandas - with interactive experiences such as dumpling preparation and traditional paper art workshops. Our travelers often tell us how their children form connections during homestays, sharing games and picking up basic Mandarin expressions with local families. The daily rhythm suits family travel perfectly, with gentle morning tai chi sessions in local parks, followed by engaging afternoon visits to attractions like the Shanghai Science Museum or peaceful water town explorations by boat. Private tour options have become increasingly sought-after, as they allow families to adjust the pace according to their children's stamina and interests throughout the journey.