1 Your experience of China so far…
Popular 1st Time China Tours | in any season
Here are some popular tours for a first time trip to China. Visit the classic sights, but also work in personal touches and experiences that make your first trip to China even more memorable.
These recommended tours all feature on the "Top 10 China Tours" list, and 80% of people who buy these top 3 are first time visitors.
First Time Tour Routes
China is unbelievably large! You would need months to do it justice. Travel blogs and resources like the Lonely Planet often advise to focus on one region, or if this is your second trip focus on a couple of provinces and explore in-depth.
Gateway City: Think outside the box!
Don't assume you're restricted to the main hubs of Beijing and Shanghai, our tours can start from any city. In fact, 90% of our tours are customized to our traveler's needs. So consider flying directly into Chengdu to see the Panda’s, and perhaps out of Beijing. That’s the beauty of planning with us, you’re not restricted to dates, routes or gateways like a overseas operator.
When and for How Long to Visit?
We recommend at least 8 days, but a 14-day tour will allow you to step out of the classic routes to experience both a cruise on the Yangtze River and see the magical scenery of Guilin. We will suggest the best places for your season of visit, but here are some dates to avoid when planning a China tour.
How to Plan a China Tour
Our China guide has some practical articles and advice on planning your first trip to China. Take a look at "How to Plan a First Trip to China". Also see "5 Top Tips for a First Trip to China" Our Travel Advisors are happy to chat and work with you to create your perfect trip.
Inspiring Destinations for a Return Visit to China
Stand on the lofty heights of the Tibetan plateau, or relax aboard a luxury train winding along the ancient Silk Road, sip tea on a private balcony on a luxury Yangtze Cruise, enjoying the scenery, or take a road trip to Shangri-La, and don’t forget about the rice terraces and minority culture of China’s southwest.
If cruising down the Li River on a bamboo raft is more your style, consider Guilin. You’ll get a chance to capture the dramatic Chinese karst mountain peaks as they cut through the mist like something out of a classic Chinese painting. The area also offers the Dragon’s Backbone rice terraces and numerous fascinating minority areas.
Good to know
We want to show you the other side of China, the side large group tours and overseas operators don’t. So with us you’ll not just ‘tour’ China, but touch it in a personal way.
Deciding on the Destinations
The challenge about a second or third China tour is deciding where to go. The famous travel guides often advise a second tour to focus on just one or two provinces. This is good advice but we recommend you first decide on the key sights and design your tour in that region.
Here is an example:
E.G. The Panda Research Center as a Major Trip Focus
“If the Panda protection project is on the top of your list you could focus on Chengdu, home to the pandas. As it’s a central city you have three great options.
1) To go east on a Yangtze River cruise towards Shanghai, and visit the ancient water towns that surround it.
2) Go west and visit Tibet. Chengdu is also a popular and convenient gateway to the Tibetan plateau.
3) Go south to Guilin for the rivers, mountains and terraces.”
Popular Focuses, Regions and Days
| Major Focus & Region | Est. Days |
|---|---|
| Tibet & Gateway City | 5-7 |
| Yangtze Cruise + Pandas | 7-8 |
| Silk Road – Deserts & Minorities | 8-10 |
| South West Guilin, Shangri-La, Guizhou | 10-12 |
| South West + Tibet or Yangtze | 14-16 |
| Silk Road Deserts & Tibet | 14-16 |
| South Region, Silk Road, Tibet | 25-28 |
2 Select the season in China you’re thinking of coming
Just tell us when you’re thinking about coming and we’ll show you some awesome tours for that season. The perfect starting place to creating your own China tour.
Ideas for Summer
Our team have chosen some of our most popular Summer China tours. We hope you find something you like, or a trip that forms a good starting point for creating your trip with us.
Holy Tibet and Other Beautiful Summer Destinations 15 days from $2,459 
Rich Revelations 13 days from $1,459 
Cool China, Cute Pandas 12 days from $2,909 Perfect for Autumn
These are our most popular Autumn China tours. We hope you find a good starting point or a source of inspiration for creating your ideal China trip.
Classic Wonders of Autumn 11 days from $1,419 
The Nature of China in Autumn 15 days from $2,489 
Close Encounters with Panda 12 days from $1,849 
Family-Friendly Fun 11 days from $2,259 China Tour Ideas for Winter
We’ve picked out some of our most popular Winter tours, we’re sure you’ll find a wonderful tour or a good starting point for planning your unique China trip with our team.
Time-Travel Through Charming China 8 days from $789
A Terrific Taste of China 12 days from $1,499 
Christmas Family Vacation 10 days from $2,709 
Beyond the Golden Triangle 9 days from $869 Spring China Tours
These are our most popular Spring China tours. We hope you find a tour you like, or at least a good starting point or a source of inspiration for creating your perfect China trip with us.
Spring Forward with Family or Friends 9 days from $1,759 
Classic Wonders of Spring 11 days from $1,419 
The Diverse Minorities 17 days from $2,589 
Fabulous Fresh Spring Colors 14 days from $3,239 
