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

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Testimonials


isabelle1610
isabelle1610
Reviewed on Sept 23, 2025
Tripadvisor score Great

Sept 2025 • Solo

I had a fantastic trip in China. I was met by 4 different guides in China in each city. In Beijing, I was met by Lindsey , in Xian By Linda, Warren in Shangai and Mathew in Hong kong. They were all very professional and I enjoyed the stories. You have a beautiful country and a lot of history I will definitely recommend China Tours. I met some wonderful people too. The highlight of the tour was surprising my son Jason in Hong Kong as he was celebrating his 30th 🥰
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Lachlan A
Lachlan A
Reviewed on Sept 18, 2025
Tripadvisor score Beijing Tour is Fun!

Sept 2025 • Solo

I had an amazing tour of the main cultural attractions in Beijing with my tour guide Lee. The experience was so easy and fun with her guidance, sense of humour and suggestions of places to eat and experiences to try in addition of the tour. Highly recommended.
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Mircea D
Mircea D
Reviewed on Sept 17, 2025
Tripadvisor score The best tour I have ever had

Sept 2025 • Solo

Usually I only write negative reviews, but this time it is an exception. Unfortunately I can give only 5 stars, but the company deserves 100 stars. Everything was exceptional, from organizing starting with some places I had in mind to visit, to every single detail of the trip. In other words it was perfect. I chose what I wanted to visit and Martha, the person who replied to my first inquiry, proposed the tour. I wanted to be alone in the tour, which is the best (only you and the guide), but maybe due to the requests, in two places I was with another couple from USA, which was really great. While on tour I realized that there are places I want to visit, but there was no time for this. This means next year I have to come back, but this time I will be alone. There are some things when you have to be alone, no matter how nice the other group members are. Of course if I will come back, I will use China Tours.
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Mark A
Mark A
Reviewed on Aug 25, 2025
Tripadvisor score Amazing China

Aug 2025 • Couples

We had a great 14 day trip with a week gap in the middle to attend the world games in Chengdu. With only three weeks before we departed Dora provided a draft itinerary in 2 hours that required only minor changes. Dora was always available to sort any issues for the whole trip - but tracking down our lost luggage was an outstanding effort. In Guilin we were greeted by Joanne who made our first days in China very memorable, Longji rice terraces and trying local food were highlights. Thanks for the thoughtful train snacks Joanne. Lucy met us at Zhangjiajie and was great company as well as a great guide especially in the amazing and extensive Zhangjiajie National Forest Park. Thanks for the local restaurant tips Lucy. The fast train across the mountains that divide southern and northern China to Xi’an, led us to Helen and her driver who covered both exits to ensure we did not get lost. Helen shared her love and vast knowledge of ancient China - terracotta warriors, and the amazing historic and modern Xi’an. Thanks Helen you brought two thousand years of history and the Silk Road to life. Our last fast train brought us to Beijing and the super resilient Lee, preparations for the victory over Japan parade in Tiananmen Square complicated things and meant that despite great effort by Lee and Dora we will have to visit the square next time. Lee managed the situation very well and we enjoyed our forbidden city, summer palace, Hutongs and temple of heaven day followed by a whole day on the Great Wall which was amazing. Thanks Lee, smiling and super cool under pressure. Special thanks to all our drivers, whose skill, patience and endless bottles of water made every trip stress free. All our hotels were well chosen and met or exceeded expectations. China was fascinating, friendly and full of new experiences, China tours made sure we enjoyed every moment. We’ll be recommending them to our friends and hope to come back and explore more of this beautiful country .
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Tim C
Tim C
Reviewed on Aug 21, 2025
Tripadvisor score Beijing tour

Aug 2025 • Couples

Our guide Linda was fantastic and to have a guide and a driver Zhang made the most of our tour of Beijing with no stress. We got picked up on arrival right from the start and delivered to our departure at the end.
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Sarinee Y
Sarinee Y
Reviewed on Aug 21, 2025
Tripadvisor score Beijing tour

Aug 2025 • Friends

Linda and the Zhang doing wonderful jobs. Thank you so much for show us around Beijing. .I enjoyed the time in Beijing so much
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Petra H
Petra H
Reviewed on Aug 14, 2025
Tripadvisor score A very professional and friendly team. We had a great and unforgettable trip thanks to The China Guide.

Aug 2025 • Friends

The team at The China Guide was very reliable and understanding, even in the planning phase. With a lot of patience, our individual needs and ideas were addressed. Short-term requests or change requests were quickly taken into account. Planning and organizing the trip was completely uncomplicated and fast through WeChat and email. The guides booked on site were punctual and reliable. The contact absolutely uncomplicated and reliable. So we were able to put together our very individual journey and it went smoothly and optimally. Thank you dear team from China Guide (Lina, Lily, Jack and Alice). Petra and Juliet.
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Fay O
Fay O
Reviewed on Aug 11, 2025
Tripadvisor score A Beautiful Travel Memory

Apr 2025 • Friends

My bestie and I visited China in April for a "recharging holiday". We absolutely had a really wonderful time there. Martha help us for designing a unique private tour according to my "wishing list". We visited Shanghai, Hangzhou and Suzhou. The tranquil classical Chinese garden, the amazing ancient water town, the historic tea house, the authentic local food, the exciting custom clothing experience, and the knowledgeable tour guides, are all my beautiful travel memory. Thank you ChinaTours.com for the professional and premium quality services!
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