Western China Tours & Trips
4.5 stars on(8,447 reviews)- Choose from 150+ Western China tours
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Table of contents
- The best Western China tour packages
- What people love about Western China Tours
- Travel Western China your way
- Best tour companies for Western China tours
- Discover Western China tours for every budget
- Western China tours for every type of group
- Top Western China travel itineraries to fit your plans
- Demographics
- Best time to visit Western China
- Contact our Western China travel experts
- What our customers ask about Western China Tours & Trips
The best Western China tour packages
Compiled by
MelissaWestern China travel expert at TourRadar
Tibet: Beijing to Kathmandu Overland
6 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The train ride was a highlight, getting to talk to locals and share stories and snacks was a truly incredible experience.”
Stephanie, traveled in August
The Great Wall marks the starting point of this route through Western China to Tibet's sacred peaks. The world's highest railway carries visitors onward to remote monasteries including Rongbuk at 5200m, offering breathtaking views of Mount Everest's north face.
Duration 15 days Destinations Beijing, Lhasa, Gyantse, Shigatse, Sa'gya County, Thankot, Kathmandu Age Range 15 to 99 year olds Operator Intrepid Travel From $6,645
20% Off- NZ$5,316You save $1,329
Glimpses of Nepal and Tibet Tour 14 Days
13 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The journey seamlessly combined the vibrant culture and stunning landscapes of Nepal with the serene beauty and spiritual depth of Tibet.”
Luigi, traveled in July
Ancient cultural landmarks dot Western China, including UNESCO-listed Potala Palace and Tashilhunpo Monastery. The scenic Gyantse La pass rises to 5,220m, while traditional monk debates unfold at Sera Monastery. The comfortable Yak Hotel in Lhasa serves as a base for visiting the region's spiritual and architectural treasures.
Duration 14 days Destinations Kathmandu, Pokhara, Gyirong County, Xegar, Shigatse, Gyantse, Lhasa Age Range 2 to 80 year olds Operator Peregrine Treks and Expedition Pvt Ltd From $9,943
50% Off- NZ$4,971+$398 upfront costsYou save $4,971
Essence of Southwest China
1 Review by TourRadar travelers“Tour was excellent. Better than expected. Great itinerary - a lot packed into a short time.”
SallyJaneStephenLaura, traveled in October
Ancient towns and mountain monasteries paint Western China's landscape from Dali to Shangri-La. Tiger Leaping Gorge's dramatic canyons lead to Ganden Sumtseling Monastery, while Lijiang's UNESCO-listed old town preserves centuries of history. Traditional guesthouses and boutique hotels like Dali Shiguang Inn offer comfortable rest.
Duration 13 days Destinations Kunming, Dali, Lijiang, Tiger Leaping Gorge, Shangri-La, Yangshuo, Hong Kong Age Range 1 to 99 year olds Operator Truly China Travel From $7,243
35% Off- NZ$4,708You save $2,535
Overland Tibet with EBC Tour 8 days
2 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“I particularly enjoyed the Mount Everest Tibet basecamp visit and our tour of a Bhudist nunnery.”
Dennis, traveled in July
The Tibetan plateau stretches from Kerung to Lhasa, where UNESCO's Potala Palace stands guard. The route crosses the 5,050m Lalungla pass through Tingri (4,300m), past Shigatse's monasteries and Gyantse's Kumbum Stupa. Hotels and breakfast included at approx. $180/day.
Duration 8 days Destinations Kathmandu, Xegar, Shigatse, Gyantse, Lhasa Age Range 16 to 75 year olds Operator Adventure Himalayan Travels From
35% Off- NZ$2,444
Forbidden Lhasa and Everest Base Camp - 9 Days
3 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“This was the trip of a lifetime, you indeed feel you are at the top on the world in these beautiful mountain valleys surrounded by unforgettable peaks.”
Anne, traveled in September
Tibet's ancient quarters and remote monasteries reveal Western China's spiritual heart. The UNESCO-listed Potala Palace serves as gateway to Everest Base Camp (5,150m), while Shigatse's Tashilhunpo Monastery preserves authentic Tibetan culture.
Duration 9 days Destinations Kathmandu, Lhasa, Gyantse, Shigatse, Everest Base Camp Age Range 12 to 85 year olds Operator Adventure Himalayan Travels From
35% Off- NZ$3,604
What people love about Western China Tours
This trip takes you from the hustle and bustle of Beijing to the serene beauty of the Tibetan Plateau! So much variety, the train ride was a highlight, getting to talk to locals and share stories and snacks was a truly incredible experience. Breathing the fresh mountain air and taking in the scenery, I will never forget it. Our Tibetan leader was the best part of our trip, wildly knowledgeable and funny to boot. I would do this trip again in an heartbeat.
Tibet: Beijing to Kathmandu Overland
- Glimpses of Nepal and Tibet Tour 14 Days
I want to thank Pradip and his tour company for organizing for me the trip. Everything was well organized. Travel guides in Kathmandu and Pokhara were very nice, polite and knowledgeable. Tibet is a place to visit at least ones in live. The mini bus in Tibet had oxygen bottle for our use in case of altitude sickness and we used it few times. Pradip provided his personal number and was available to answer question at all times during the tour. He organized for me one more night in Pokhara instead of Kathmandu and arranged extra activities. They are very flexible on tour activities in Nepal. They can organize for you some extra activities according to your interest. I definitely recommend this tour.
- Overland Tibet with EBC Tour 8 days
We did the Kathmandu-Lhasa Overland Tibet tour along with Everest Base Camp for 8 days. We drove from Kathmandu to the Tibet border Karung, North Everest base camp, Shigatse and Lhasa. These places were so beautiful that made me never want to leave. I will always keep this tour and experience on my mind. Everything was coordinated perfectly. Our guide Dambar spoke perfect English so communication was very smooth and Effortless. Thank you Adventure Himalayan Travels and treks for providing us with necessary things to make this tour an extraordinary experience.
Travel Western China your way
Explore a wide diversity of tours through Western China. We have 21 adventures that vary from 5 days to 25 days. With the greatest number of departures in August, this is also the most popular time of the year.
Search for the ultimate Active tour in Western China! From adrenaline-fuelled experiences to water sports, there are 34 private, group and tailor-made adventures to choose from. With some of our much-loved tour operators offering all-inclusive activity packages, you’re sure to find your perfect Western China adventure!
Discover hidden gems and off-the-beaten paths with over 65 adventures available in Western China.
Select from our extensive range of 94 fully guided tours to enjoy a worry-free experience through Western China with our expert guides leading the way.
More travel styles:
Best tour companies for Western China tours
View operators
Discover Western China tours for every budget
Browse the best budget and luxury tours in Western China that will take you through unmissable places like Lhasa and Shigatse.
Western China budget tours- Western China luxury tours
Western China tours for every type of group
Who are you traveling with?
Group
139 tours in Western ChinaExplore a wide diversity of group tours through Western China. We have 139 adventures that vary from 3 days to 25 days. With the greatest number of departures in September, this is also the most popular time of the year.
Small Group
87 tours in Western ChinaVisit Western China with fewer travelers, ensuring more immersive activities.
Private / Personalized
37 tours in Western ChinaEnjoy the exclusivity of our Private Western China tours, tailored to your own group, preferences and pace with over 37 itineraries to choose from.
Top Western China travel itineraries to fit your plans
Don't miss out on visiting:
Beijing, Dunhuang
Don't miss out on visiting:
Urumqi, Heavenly Lake, Turpan, Kashgar
Don't miss out on visiting:
Lhasa, Gyantse, Shigatse, Namtso Lake
Demographics
Discover unforgettable adventures designed for all ages! Whether you're young or young at heart, our adventures offer excitement and wonder for everyone.
- Solo Travelers112 tours
- Couples17 tours
- Seniors (50+)83 tours
Best time to visit Western China
- Summer 2025
- 126 tours
- popular 133 tours
- 132 tours
- Fall / Autumn 2025
- popular 142 tours
- 135 tours
- 116 tours
- Winter 2025 / 2026
- popular 112 tours
- 90 tours
- 87 tours
- Spring 2026
- 76 tours
- 85 tours
- popular 95 tours
Contact our Western China travel experts
Nadine
Expert in Western China at TourRadar
Nadine is one of our seasoned Western China Travel Experts. Reach out to us to get all your questions about Western China tours answered!
- Choose from 177+ Western China tours
- 139 verified reviews by TourRadar customers
- 24/7 customer support
Call us
+64 4888 0182What our customers ask about Western China Tours & Trips
When is the best time to visit Western China's diverse regions?
Western China's regions each have distinct prime visiting seasons. Spring (April-May) and fall (September-October) offer the most reliable weather across the region. The Silk Road destinations including Dunhuang and Turpan are most comfortable in spring before temperatures soar. Yunnan maintains pleasant conditions year-round with temperatures staying between 20-25°C. For Tibetan regions such as Shangri-La plan your visit from May to October when roads are clear and skies are bright. A TourRadar traveler noted: "The timing was perfect in September with clear skies and comfortable temperatures for exploring both cities and mountainous areas."
What types of accommodation can I expect in Western China?
The accommodations reflect Western China's blend of urban development and rural tradition. City centers like Chengdu feature international chains such as the 4-star Dorsett while Shangri-La offers properties like the Hilton Garden Inn that incorporate local design elements. In more remote spots like Tiger Leaping Gorge local guesthouses provide basic but clean rooms. A TourRadar traveler mentioned: "The hotels throughout our journey were excellent especially the DuoFu Resort in Lijiang which perfectly blended modern comfort with traditional architecture."
How should I prepare for the altitude changes in Western China?
The elevation shifts in Western China require careful planning. Regions like Shangri-La sit at 3200 meters while Tibet reaches even higher altitudes. Start your journey in lower-elevation cities like Kunming (1900 meters) to help your body adjust. Take it easy the first few days drink plenty of water and avoid demanding activities. One TourRadar reviewer noted: "Our guide in Shangri-La helped us adjust to the altitude by planning relaxed activities on the first day and ensuring we took plenty of breaks."
What's the food like on Western China tours?
The food scene in Western China spans from fiery Sichuan dishes to unique ethnic minority recipes. Local specialties include Chengdu's hot pot Lanzhou's hand-pulled noodles and traditional Tibetan foods. Tour packages typically cover hotel breakfasts and select group meals at vetted local restaurants. As one TourRadar traveler shared: "The food variety was incredible - from street food in Xi'an's Muslim Quarter to traditional Bai minority dishes in Dali."
How long should I plan to spend exploring Western China?
A proper exploration of Western China needs 10-14 days at minimum. This timeframe lets you see key sites along the Silk Road visit Yunnan's historic towns and explore Tibetan monasteries. The schedule accounts for travel time between locations and necessary altitude adjustment periods. A TourRadar reviewer recommended: "Our 13-day journey from Beijing through Yunnan to Shangri-La felt perfect - enough time to really experience each destination without feeling rushed."
What kind of weather should I expect during a Western China tour?
The climate varies significantly across Western China. Silk Road cities experience extremes ranging from -20°C to 40°C. Yunnan stays mild throughout the year. Mountain regions like Shangri-La require warm clothing even during summer months. As noted by a TourRadar traveler: "The weather in Lijiang was perfect in May but we needed warm layers for the early morning at Tiger Leaping Gorge and the higher altitude of Shangri-La."