China ToursGroup Tours, Escorted by Expert Guides
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Take a trip through China
Travel through China and discover fascinating ancient sites, a dynamic culture, and mouthwatering food at every turn. China provides a diverse range of experiences, from the majestic Great Wall to the tranquil serenity of the landscapes of Guilin. Marvel at architectural wonders, indulge in delectable treats, and spend time in vibrant markets. Travelers to China are bound to be enchanted, whether they are drawn to the futuristic skyline of Shanghai, the serene countryside of rural towns, or the historical riches of Beijing. A trip to China is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that will stay with you, appealing to adventurers, foodies, culture vultures, and environment lovers alike.
About our tours
Take a tour of China with one of our carefully designed travel packages. Take in China's rich history and culture, from the majestic Great Wall to the energetic cities of Shanghai and Beijing. With our personalized trips, discover modern marvels, historical wonders, and picturesque landscapes.
China group tours
Our group tours of China include the most of this enormous country, including the terracotta army in Xi'an, the historic Beijing, the glittering skyscrapers of Shanghai, and the pandas of Chengdu. A knowledgeable local guide will accompany you at every turn so you can see all the sights. When visiting mainland China, we stay in a variety of well-located, three- to four-star hotels and drive our own private cars, unless we are taking advantage of China's vast high-speed, overnight rail system. Your group tour will be filled with authentic experiences, including riding a rickshaw around Beijing's hutongs or taking in the optional Tang Dynasty Show.
Budget tours to China
Our China Essentials group trips are made to be as affordable as possible while yet enabling visitors to get the most of this magnificent nation. You will have the services of local adventure leaders for included activities while staying in a mix of hostels and guesthouses. You will also have included sightseeing, optional activities, and free time to make the most of your trip. These excursions have a 55-year-old maximum age limit.
Frequently asked questions
I want to visit the Great Wall - do you include this on your China tours?
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.
Where can I see pandas in China?
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 centre so you have a few options available if pandas are on your wishlist. For more information, see our guide to visiting pandas in China.
What is the difference between your Signature and Essentials tours
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 travellers to China, though anyone up to the age of 55 is welcome to join!
How big are your tour groups and what is the age of your travellers?
On our Signature China tours the maximum group size is 24, but the average is around 18 travellers. 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.
What standard of hotels are included in my China package?
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.
What sort of transport do you use on your China trips?
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.
When is the best time to visit China for general sightseeing?
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.
Can I drink the tap water?
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!
Is China a safe destination for travellers from the LGBTQ+ community?
According to the 2022 LGBTQ+ Travel Safety Index, China scores a D- rating for LGBTQ+ traveller 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+ travellers 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 travellers to the country.
What is the current travel advice for China?
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.
