China Tours & Package Trips

Question 1

I want to visit the Great Wall - do you include this on your China tours?

Answer

You'll get to see the world's most famous wall on most of our China trips that begin or end in Beijing. And that's the vast majority of them. An afternoon is spent at the popular Badaling section of the wall and unlike many other operators, we also spend a night at a hotel right beside the wall. This means you get to revisit the Great Wall the following morning before the crowds arrive and enjoy views of the Juyongguan Pass from your hotel. If you're interested in knowing more about the different sections of the wall, check out our page on visiting the Great Wall.

Question 2

Where can I see pandas in China?

Answer

The best place to see a giant panda in China is the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding. This non-profit facility is home to over 80 pandas and enables visitors to observe the monochrome bears at play. We have several different escorted itineraries that include time in Chengdu and a morning visit to the panda center so you have a few options available if pandas are on your wishlist. For more information, see our guide to visiting pandas in China.

Question 3

What is the difference between your Signature and Essentials tours?

Answer

Our Signature Range are what makes On The Go Tours unique! On these trips you will be fully escorted by one of our expert local guides, and will stay in well-located 3-4 star hotels. Arrival transfers and private transportation are included, as is all of your sightseeing and plenty of meals.

Our Essentials tours are a good option if you're travelling on a budget. Staying in hostels and making use of public transport including trains, you'll still get to see plenty of China, but lots of the sightseeing is optional. This keeps costs down and gives you flexibility to do as much or as little as you want. You will also have plenty of free time to explore at your own pace. We recommend Essentials tours for younger travelers to China, though anyone up to the age of 55 is welcome to join!

Question 4

How big are your tour groups and what is the age of your travellers?

Answer

On our Signature China tours the maximum group size is 24, but the average is around 18 travelers. You can expect an interesting dynamic with people from all walks of life on your China tour. This includes a wide range of ages from the mid-20s to the early 70s. The average age is somewhere between 35 and 55 years of age.

Question 5

What standard of hotels are included in my China package?

Answer

You'll be staying in comfortable, Western-style 3-4 star hotels with good sized rooms and modern amenities on your Signature China tour. Our hotel beside the Great Wall is a little more simple but what the hotel lacks in facilities it more than makes up for with its location and views of China's most impressive man-made structure.

With our Essentials tours, you will stay in a mixture of hostels, guesthouses and budget hotels.

Question 6

What sort of transport do you use on your China trips?

Answer

You'll get to sample a range of transport modes on your China package, from bicycle rides along ancient city walls to rickshaw rides through Beijing's most historic districts. There's also the chance to cruise along the Huangpu River in Shanghai and the pretty canals of Suzhou. For road transfers on our Signature tours we use private A/C vehicles and for longer journeys we use comfortable overnight soft sleeper trains in private four-berth carriages. See our Top Travel Tips page for more details on sleeper trains in China. On some Signature tours we also make use of internal flights. Our Essentials tours make use of China's efficient train network.

Question 7

When is the best time to visit China for general sightseeing?

Answer

The spring months (March - May) and autumn months (September - November) are considered the best time to visit China. During these seasons the weather is generally dry and temperatures not too hot nor too cold. The skies are also clearer with less smog in the cities and lower rainfall. You can find more detailed information, including climate averages, on our best time to visit China page.

Question 8

Can I drink the tap water?

Answer

The tap water in China is not safe to drink and could cause you to become unwell. We strongly recommend sticking to bottled water throughout your China tour - this is readily available in shops, restaurants and hotels. The water from the tap is fine for activities such as brushing your teeth, but don't swallow it!

Question 9

Is China a safe destination for travellers from the LGBTQ+ community?

Answer

According to the 2022 LGBTQ+ Travel Safety Index, China scores a D- rating for LGBTQ+ traveler safety, ranking 107th out of 203 countries. Same sex marriage is not legal, and there are no constitutional or worker protections based on sexual orientation.

26 – 50% of consulted citizens consider China a good place to live for gay and lesbian people. There are laws preventing the discussion of pro-LGBTQ+ issues, but pro-LGBTQ+ organizations are not illegal (though they are subject to penalty and are not supported by the government).

No legal punishments for same sex relations exist and most trips for LGBTQ+ travelers to China are trouble-free.

The LGBTQ+ Travel Safety Index is designed to provide a good overall picture of attitudes towards the LGBTQ+ community in each country and may not reflect the experience of foreign travelers to the country.

Question 10

What is the current travel advice for China?

Answer

As a UK-based company, we follow the latest up to date advice from the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCDO). You can see the latest travel advice for China here.