China Travel Guide

China Travel Guide

China Travel Guide

Tap into our China travel guide, designed and prepared especially for western travelers looking to bring their travel dreams to life.

As travelers ourselves, we understand making China travel plans should be uncomplicated. However, with the myriad of available options, it’s hard to know where to start. How do you tell one-China travel guide from another? Who do you trust for the very best in China travel? Guide your search by exploring the content we’ve assembled here with help from our team of travel consultants, China travel guides, and our very own CEO, Mr. Li.

As a travel agency that’s been designing unique and memorable vacations for well over a decade, we know the best holiday experiences are created when you have the background and information that enriches your experience. Amongst this collection of articles and news, discover topics of interest about the places, culture, food, accommodation, weather, and people that can become part of your own bespoke adventure. In fact, you can think of it as your personal travel China guide! 

Read More

We are continually adding to this collection, however, some of the most popular articles cover the fundamentals every China travel agency should share with its customers. Find tips on how to travel safely in China, the best ways to pay on your holiday, the best cities to visit on a China tour, the best highlights in every destination, and what to include on your China tour bucket list.

Once the logistics are sorted, turn your attention to the ‘fun stuff’: cuisine, culture, and experiences. Looking for the finest Chinese tea? We can help. Want to explore the intricacies of ancient Chinese architecture? You’ll find the answers here in our travel China guide.

We understand your travel experience with us starts long before you arrive in China and as a dedicated China travel guide, we want every moment of that experience to be the content of beautiful travel memories. Enjoy dreaming and exploring – and if there’s more you want to know for your China travel plans, reach out to us. We’re here to help.


China Popular Highlights

With so many fantastic places and things to see in China, popular highlights that find their way to your bucket list won’t be in short supply. What will be a challenge is narrowing down your list to one that can be covered while you’re traveling on tour. Fortunately, we can help with that! We’ve put together detailed information on China, popular highlights, and included the most fascinating and useful information that will help you decide what to see and when. Want to know what’s really behind the Forbidden City’s walls? Keen to explore Shanghai’s glamorous past? Curious about the Terracotta Army in Xian is really defending? We can answer all these questions and more. And if you’re still having trouble about what to include on tour, explore further in our China travel guide, or get in touch with our team of friendly travel consultants.

Forbiden City

Forbiden City

Great Wall

Great Wall

Terracotta Army

Terracotta Army

Big Wild Goose Pagoda

Big Wild Goose Pagoda

The Bund

The Bund

Yu Garden and Yu Garden Bazaar

Yu Garden and Yu Garden Bazaar

Chengdu pandas at the Giant Panda Breeding and Research Centre

Chengdu pandas at the Giant Panda Breeding and Research Centre

Li River

Li River

Longji Rice Terraces

Longji Rice Terraces


Want a more personal experience on China’s best tours?

Book a private or custom tour!

Enquire Now

Things to do in China

Looking for things to do in China? Then it’s time to search our ever-expanding list of the incredible, interesting, and insightful. There literally is no shortage of things to do in China, so when planning your travels, it pays to do your research and be prepared. In this section of our travel China guide, find articles on unique experiences and everyday events that will make for beautiful travel memories in a country with a rich and diverse history. Whether it’s a typical Beijing breakfast, passing time with pandas in Chengdu, or gazing at gorges on the Yangtze, you’ll discover how to maximize the opportunity with the wisdom of our people on the ground – our valued network of guides, travel consultants, and partner providers.

Things to do in Beijing

Things to do in Beijing

Things to do in Xi'an

Things to do in Xi'an

Things to do in Chengdu

Things to do in Chengdu


China Travel Insights

Imagine an industry expert sharing their China travel insights – and being able to take advantage of decades of experience and knowledge. Well, look no further. Discover and explore China through the unique perspective of our travel writing team of travel guides and travel consultants. We’ve tapped into their first-hand knowledge and enthusiasm for their corner of China. You will love learning what makes Beijing beautiful, Shanghai special, and Guilin gorgeous. Don’t wait until you’ve arrived. Let us bring China to life for you right now.

How to plan a trip to China: Get past the overwhelm (and get excited)
How to plan a trip to China: Get past the overwhelm (and get excited)
The specifics of how to plan a trip to China can stump even the most experienced of international travelers. Amidst the challenges posed by the many Ch...
Is China safe to visit for westerners? How to ensure it’s safe to travel to China
Is China safe to visit for westerners? How to ensure it’s safe to travel to China
Is China a safe place to visit? (Tips for Westerners to know it is safe to travel to China)Is China a safe place to visit?We’ve been asked this qu...
Looking for China tours from USA? Insider tips for scoring the best value (and loving your vacation)
Looking for China tours from USA? Insider tips for scoring the best value (and loving your vacation)
Contemplating your options around China tours from USA?  There has never been a better time to be researching, planning and taking China tours from the...

Travel Memories

Read what people say about travelling with ChinaTours.com


Customers from USA

Customers from USA

Customers from Europe

Customers from Europe

Customers from Europe

Customers from Europe

Customers from Europe

Customers from Europe


View More Travel Memories

Testimonials


Anto
Anto
Reviewed on Feb 02, 2026
Tripadvisor score Thanks China Tours

Jan 2026 • Couples

We used China Tours to plan a six day itinerary to cover the Great Wall and Terracotta Army. China Tours planned and executed a seamless experience that was just excellent! We saw and experienced far more than we had initially expected. The guides in both Beijing and Xi'an were excellent with an incredible knowledge.
Read more Read less
Derik H
Derik H
Reviewed on Jan 20, 2026
Tripadvisor score Fantastic Family Adventure

Jan 2026

What an amazing trip in China. China tours did a fantastic job planning out my 12 day trip in China! Dora was very helpful in planning the trip and making adjustments as needed based on what type of experience I was looking for. Not only was she accommodating but she also went out of the way to help me get in contact with the orphanage institution that I was from in China. The main goal of this trip was to visit my home town that I grew up in and to explore China. Dora helped achieve those goals and made a great itinerary. We went to Beijing, Xian, Shanghai, Lishui, and Hong Kong. Everything went seamless and smooth and the private tour guides were amazing. I would highly recommend using China tours for visiting China!
Read more Read less
Maxime M
Maxime M
Reviewed on Jan 20, 2026
Tripadvisor score Very good experience

Dec 2025

I went on a family trip in China, going from Hong Kong (arranged by us), to Guilin, Chengdu, Xi'an, and Beijing (arranged by China Tours). The agency provided us with hotels, guides, and transportation, and was available to answer our questions (we used emails and WeChat to communicate, but other options might be available). We generally had a wonderful trip, with very nice attractions, nice guides as well, and a good balance between attractions and personal time. I will recommend China Tours to my acquaintances that want to do a tour in China.
Read more Read less
ErronW
ErronW
Reviewed on Jan 16, 2026
Tripadvisor score Amazing trip to Beijing

Dec 2025 • Couples

We had an amazing time in Beijing and it was our first trip to China. Glad that we chose China tours to organise the trip, thank you Martha!

Our guide, Li, and the driver Sun, were very attentive and helpful and they are insightful! Every day was fantastic, we were taken to the Great Wall at Mutianyu point and took chairlift up. We then took the Toboggan down which was so much fun.

The experience around Forbidden City was also mesmerising. It felt like stepping back in time. We love all the historical stories. Li also took us to the Summer palace where we saw beautiful paintings along the endless corridor and we walked alongside the frozen lake. They were on time but never rushed, so it was relaxing. The hotel, The Regent Beijing was fabulous, the room, the food, location all was perfect. Thank you for organising this trip and we had precious happy memories!
Read more Read less
Dorothy K
Dorothy K
Reviewed on Dec 25, 2025
Tripadvisor score Please Use China Tours, They Deserve It!

Oct 2025 • Family

China Tours was wonderful and I highly recommend them. Lora was very patient and thorough with all of our pre-trip emails and questions. I discovered that everyone in our group also received the same excellent pre-trip customer service. Our guides met us on time in every city and pleasantly accompanied us to our destinations. Hotels were great with awesome breakfast buffets!
Read more Read less
Luc v
Luc v
Reviewed on Dec 07, 2025
Tripadvisor score 8 day China tour

Oct 2025 • Couples

We had an 8 day trip in organized by China Tours to Being, Xian and Zhangjiajie. There was a different tourguide in every city so we were always with a local! They even made sure we were on the correct seat of the train to the next place. Great memories
Read more Read less
Sumaiya S
Sumaiya S
Reviewed on Nov 20, 2025
Tripadvisor score First Time Traveller 10/10

Oct 2025 • Solo

My entire experience was a 10/10 - the hotels, schedules, timeliness and even the tour guides - on par, they spoke English and gave a lot of insights into historical events and cultural significance as we went on various tours. I would highly recommend! My entire two weeks was absolutely exciting, little packed but worth it. Definitely using China Tours for my next trip!
Read more Read less
Resort12472330819
Resort12472330819
Reviewed on Nov 07, 2025
Tripadvisor score Great experience!

Oct 2025 • Couples

Fabulous 13 day no shopping, small group China trip. (4 of us in Beijing and Xi’an and just 2 for remainder). Itinerary included Beijing, Xi’an, Chonqing, Yangtze cruise, Zhangjiajie and Shanghai. Great guides and drivers, accommodation was excellent and we were lucky enough to get 2 upgrades! Guides were all knowledgeable, professional, punctual and very helpful. Right from planning and booking stage, Dora from China Tours delivered a great experience. Guides included, Lee (Beijing), Helen (Xi’an), Jasmine (Chongqing), Amber (Yichang), Fiona (Zhangjaijie) and John (Shanghai). Thanks China Tours!
Read more Read less

For the very best in China tours

Filter our search options to find the best suited tour

Destination

Tour Durations

Reveal Tour Options

Quick Question

Expected reply 24 - 48 hours

"*" indicates required fields

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.