China Culture

China Culture

China Culture

A glimpse into Chinese culture before traveling to China

China culture cannot be condensed to a single page, so we figured it would be wise to dedicate a whole section to it in our Travel Guide.

As a civilization spanning thousands of years, and a culture that draws influences from various wisdom traditions, neighboring countries, the personal agenda of different dynasties, and innumerable scientific, philosophical, and artistic endeavours, it seems like China culture is as expansive as the Forbidden City forecourt. Quite literally, it would take months to gain an understanding that goes beyond the superficial.

For our customers looking to gain some understanding of what’s behind the people, places, and things that make up China culture before embarking on a travel adventure, we’ve provided the basics here. Expect to find background information uncovering the essence of China culture, including its evolution from prehistoric times to contemporary life. We touch on Chinese art, literature, music , and the performing arts. 

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You will also find background on spiritual beliefs in China, language, and useful facts about the influences of minority cultures who have integrated into the predominant Han Chinese people, who make up approximately 95 percent of the 1.4 billion population.

And though China culture has drawn influences from people, places, and things from afar, as one of the world’s oldest cultures, its influence is also far-reaching. Advanced shipbuilding techniques and navigation technology, including the compass, saw early Chinese exploration, and consequently, dissemination of China culture such that led to its emergence as the main geographic region within the East Asian region.

With such an expansive history and far-reaching impacts arising from the Middle Kingdom, you may find it hard to know where to start. Let us step in and help. Explore our Travel Guide that’s been curated especially to make preparation for your China travel adventure as easy and fun as possible.


China Culture Articles

Faced with the virtually impossible task of distilling China culture into a single page, we’ve taken the approach that more is, well, more. In this selection of China culture articles, introduce yourself to China’s emperors, learn the difference between Sichuan and Szechuan, uncover the basics of Buddhism and Confucianism, discover the origins of traditional Chinese medicine, and more.  It’s all here in the Travel Guide!

Buddhism in China: Highlights for western travelers to discover and explore
Buddhism in China: Highlights for western travelers to discover and explore
Buddhism in China is woven into the country’s rich history and culture. This interconnectedness makes it virtually impossible to complete your travels ...
Chinese emperors: Fabulous facts and unlikely fiction
Chinese emperors: Fabulous facts and unlikely fiction
If you’re like most people who start reading about Chinese emperors, you’ll feel very quickly that you’ve disappeared down a gilded and extraordinarily...
Traditional Chinese music and performance arts: Making sense of the sound
Traditional Chinese music and performance arts: Making sense of the sound
Traditional Chinese music can seem quite confounding to the outsider.Between the large array of unusual instruments, ear-piercing sounds, elaborate co...
Chinese art: Where to start when you have no idea
Chinese art: Where to start when you have no idea
Chinese art offers a window into the long and fascinating history that is intrinsic to this   country’s legacy. However, a deep study of art in China w...
Traditional Chinese Medicine: TCM for beginners
Traditional Chinese Medicine: TCM for beginners
Traditional Chinese medicine, or TCM, has appealed to the curious and those wanting-to-be-cured for millennia. With its origins dating back as far as 3...
Celebrate Chinese New Year? This is how we do it!
Celebrate Chinese New Year? This is how we do it!
If you’re traveling in China early in the year, you’ll probably notice a buzz that seems to creep up out of nowhere. Typically composed and reserved as...
Chinese Etiquette Essentials: 10 Tips to Good Manners in China
Chinese Etiquette Essentials: 10 Tips to Good Manners in China
When traveling to China, understanding Chinese etiquette and customs are essential for putting your best foot forward. Chinese culture is a rich cultur...
Exploring the World of Chinese Martial Arts
Exploring the World of Chinese Martial Arts
When you think about China, one of the first things that comes to mind is Chinese martial arts. From the stories about monks from the ancient Shaolin M...
Jingdezhen porcelain: Discover Shanghai’s hidden secrets at Jingdezhen Porcelain Artware Co
Jingdezhen porcelain: Discover Shanghai’s hidden secrets at Jingdezhen Porcelain Artware Co
Chinese porcelain – specifically Jingdezhen porcelain – enjoys a history that is almost as expansive as China itself.For travelers to Shanghai, a firs...
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Do’s and Don’ts on a China Tour: How to Save Face Like a Local
Do’s and Don’ts on a China Tour: How to Save Face Like a Local
This do’s and don’ts in China is back pocket material to keep you out of trouble on your China tour.From table manners to Chinese temple etiquette, we...
Traditional Chinese architecture: 7 things to know before your first China tour
Traditional Chinese architecture: 7 things to know before your first China tour
If you’ve ever looked at the traditional Chinese architecture of any ancient building you could be deceived into thinking it all looks the same. From ...
More secrets of ancient Chinese architecture styles: Insider tips for Western travelers
More secrets of ancient Chinese architecture styles: Insider tips for Western travelers
Different styles, different placesWe’ve mentioned that a good rule of thumb to apply in the study of ancient Chinese architecture is that each distinc...
Discover the secrets of traditional Chinese architecture styles
Discover the secrets of traditional Chinese architecture styles
We’ve blogged before about how traditional Chinese architecture can be a little overwhelming and confusing, especially if you’re trying to decipher its...
Chinese Tea: The Elixir of life in all its forms
Chinese Tea: The Elixir of life in all its forms
There is something utterly calming and restorative that arises from the simple act of pouring boiled water onto crisp, tight tea leaves. The sound of w...
Fancy a Chinese tea ceremony? Here’s everything a westerner needs to know
Fancy a Chinese tea ceremony? Here’s everything a westerner needs to know
A Chinese tea ceremony is synonymous with life in China. Hardly a surprise given that tea has been cultivated in China for more than three thousand yea...
Searching for the best Chinese tea? Here’s the ultimate top 10 list for aspiring tea connoisseurs
Searching for the best Chinese tea? Here’s the ultimate top 10 list for aspiring tea connoisseurs
The best Chinese tea? Do this countdown with usWherever you go in China, you’ll hear claims from locals that the best Chinese tea is to be found in...
How to choose Chinese tea like a local: 8 things to look for before you buy
How to choose Chinese tea like a local: 8 things to look for before you buy
A little bit like buying a fancy bottle of wine, knowing how to choose Chinese tea like a local can be, well, a little confusing.In fact, because the ...

We can also organise private China tour guides who speak other foreign languages

Ask us about tour guides who speak en Français, auf Deutsch, in Nihon, and many other European and Asian languages.

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Popular China Culture Tours

Popular China culture tours are for avid culture fans. Love learning about the country you visit while traveling? Then our thoughtfully curated selection of tours featuring all aspects of Chinese culture will surprise and delight you. In fact, it is difficult to go anywhere in China without encountering the remarkable ancient culture, which distinguished this country from its neighbors for millennia. With a view to providing our customers with insights to the very best of culture in China in every destination, regardless of where you go, we take care that our culture tour itineraries are as informative as they are interesting. It’s just another way we enrich your experience of real China and bring travel dreams to life. Explore our tours for the very best in Chinese culture.

11 Days Beauty of China


Destination
Beijing Xi’an Guilin Shanghai
Tour Type
CustomPrivateSmall Group

11 Days Beauty of China

11 Days Beauty of China

13 Days China Wonders & Pandas


Destination
Beijing Xi’an Chengdu Guilin Shanghai
Tour Type
CustomPrivateSmall Group

13 Days China Wonders & Pandas

13 Days China Wonders & Pandas

13 Days Grand China with Panda


Destination
Beijing Xi’an Chengdu Yangtze River Shanghai
Tour Type
CustomPrivateSmall Group

13 Days Grand China with Panda

13 Days Grand China with Panda

Travel Memories

Read what people say about travelling with ChinaTours.com


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Customers from USA

Customers from USA

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From Czechoslovakia

From Czechoslovakia

Customers from USA

Customers from USA


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Testimonials


alizasopharr
alizasopharr
Reviewed on May 27, 2025
Tripadvisor score Amazing trip, extraordinary people !

May 2025 • Friends

Linda (Sun) was an incredibly sweet and attentive guide, she helped make an already amazing trip extraordinary by going above and beyond to help us be as comfortable as possible. I would recommend her and China Tours to anyone hoping to visit, truly an unforgettable experience!
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Adventurer508882
Adventurer508882
Reviewed on May 26, 2025
Tripadvisor score Xi’an more than only the Terracotta Army

May 2025 • Couples

It was a dream come true. Excellent guide, Felix and very good driver with a spacious and clean car. A wonderful experience and a lovely hotel.
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Ruby J
Ruby J
Reviewed on May 22, 2025
Tripadvisor score Beijing china tour

May 2025 • Friends

Sun (Linda/ling ling) was an absolute pleasure to have as a tour guide. I really feel like she went above and beyond to make the beginning of this tour an amazing experience. She was patient but ensured we were on time to everything and clearly very knowledgeable about the beautiful sights to see in Beijing. My luggage was lost and she was very diligent in its recovery, I am very grateful she was out tour guide she made this an even better experience without a doubt
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Hannah B
Hannah B
Reviewed on May 22, 2025
Tripadvisor score China tour

May 2025 • Friends

Sun/linda was very kind and attentive to all of our needs. She was patient and made the experience so much more enjoyable and easy considering we do not speak Chinese. She was very knowledgeable and made navigating the city fun and entertaining. I am so grateful she was our tour guide she took the best photos f me at so many beautiful places in Beijing
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A W
A W
Reviewed on May 19, 2025
Tripadvisor score A memorable trip

May 2025 • Friends

The trip is very organized and tour is running smoothly. The trip is memorable and money is well spent. The contest highly recommended.
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 Allen M
Allen M
Reviewed on May 17, 2025
Tripadvisor score Highly recommended

Apr 2025 • Family

As an experienced international traveler, I had never used a travel agency before. I felt China was different and that I should use an agency. I am 100 percent happy I did and that I chose China Tours. Martha was responsive, helpful and listened to our particular wants and desires. We had three different guides and they were all of very high standards. Would highly recommend using for any China trios.
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C S
C S
Reviewed on May 10, 2025
Tripadvisor score Great and flawless experience

Apr 2025 • Family

I booked them for two cities and I had a very smooth experience from the beginning until the end. They were able to accomodate to any changes, and all the pickups, guides, and transport were flawless. I would book them again anytime.
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Rene N
Rene N
Reviewed on May 10, 2025
Tripadvisor score Unforgetable memories from Beijing

May 2025 • Couples

Unforgetable stay in Beijing. The service of Chinatours is excellent, everything went smothly, no crowds, no waiting time in queue lines. And our tour guide Nancy was so high professional! She cared about us unbelievably nicely. I would reccomend this travel agency to all who would like make a trip to China.
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