China is one of the most fascinating countries to visit in the world, with bustling modern cities and so many famous tourist attractions.
Best China Tour Companies
These are the top rated tour operators and travel companies offering trips in China.
Travel to China
China is an unbelievably vast and varied land with a long, complex history and strong cultural heritage. As well being the world’s oldest continuous civilization China is becoming ever more important in the modern world, particularly when it comes to economic, political and culturally.
China is the world’s most populated country with over 50 different nationalities living within its borders. It’s also the third largest country in the world behind Canada and Russia with a land mass which includes more than 5000 islands.
The sheer size of China means that getting around to see the best locations independently can be a challenge, especially with the language barrier. This is one of the main benefits of booking a small group tour.
There are five autonomous regions in China as well as twenty-two provinces and the Chinese capital Beijing has a population of over 11 million. You’ll get to see all the main highlights, from world famous cities to spectacular scenery including the world’s highest mountain Qomolangma Feng (Mount Everest) as well as two of the world’s largest deserts (the Taklamakan and the Gobi) and two of the world’s longest rivers (the Yangzi and the Yellow River).
Highlights
Check out our list of essential places to see in China, including the most popular tourist attractions.
Beijing: China’s capital is famous for The Forbidden City, Tian’anmen Square, the Summer Palace the Temple of Heaven, tricycles and roast duck. Numerous parks provide respite from the crowds and museums are plentiful; a real gem is the Old Observatory built by Kublai Khan. Beijing’s lanes and courtyards, the hutong and siheyuan provide an insight into the ordinary lives of people in the city.
The Great Wall is the only man-made structure visible from space, China’s Great Wall writhes across the Chinese landscape, sinuously tracking mountains, plateaux, deserts and plains, travelling more than 4,000 miles across the country from east to west. Several China itineraries visit the Great Wall, even taking travellers over to a specially quiet and tranquil stretch of wall.
Shanghai
This vibrant city with 13 million inhabitants is a mixture of old and new, rich and poor. Its many attractions include the Bund, the Jade Buddha Temple, Yuyuan Garden, the Children’s Palace, Shanghai Museum, the Jade Factory, and Xiaotaoyuan Mosque.
X’ian
Once the largest city in the world due to its position at the end of the ancient Silk Road, Xi’an is now famous for its 6,000 life-sized terracotta soldiers warriors and horses. Other sights worth seeing are the Big and Little Wild Goose Pagodas, the City Wall and the Great Mosque.
Guilin: Characterised by the areas karst peak scenery, the city of Guilin is a good departure point for nearby rural areas such as the spectacular hills and paddy fields surrounding the town of Yangshuo which are well worth some exploration.
Macau: An hour by ferry from Hong Kong, Macau is a refreshingly relaxed and laidback alternative to its neighbouring metropolis. Mediterranean influences are evident in the architecture and cafes which line the charming cobbled streets.
Yunnan: Yunnan is home to many of ethnic minorities in south and features cultural hubs such as Dali and Lijiang.
Tibet: Stepping into Tibet is like entering an entirely different world. This region has only been open to tourists since 1980. Individual visitors still need permits, so it can be easier to go as part of a tour group. ‘The Roof of the World,’ has spectacular scenery and a unique culture. Lhasa is at 12,000 feet, an altitude which can makes some visitors feel ill. Big attractions are the Potala Palace, Drepung Monastery and Jokhang Temple.