China Culture

China Culture

China Culture

A glimpse into Chinese culture before traveling to China

China culture cannot be condensed to a single page, so we figured it would be wise to dedicate a whole section to it in our Travel Guide.

As a civilization spanning thousands of years, and a culture that draws influences from various wisdom traditions, neighboring countries, the personal agenda of different dynasties, and innumerable scientific, philosophical, and artistic endeavours, it seems like China culture is as expansive as the Forbidden City forecourt. Quite literally, it would take months to gain an understanding that goes beyond the superficial.

For our customers looking to gain some understanding of what’s behind the people, places, and things that make up China culture before embarking on a travel adventure, we’ve provided the basics here. Expect to find background information uncovering the essence of China culture, including its evolution from prehistoric times to contemporary life. We touch on Chinese art, literature, music , and the performing arts. 

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You will also find background on spiritual beliefs in China, language, and useful facts about the influences of minority cultures who have integrated into the predominant Han Chinese people, who make up approximately 95 percent of the 1.4 billion population.

And though China culture has drawn influences from people, places, and things from afar, as one of the world’s oldest cultures, its influence is also far-reaching. Advanced shipbuilding techniques and navigation technology, including the compass, saw early Chinese exploration, and consequently, dissemination of China culture such that led to its emergence as the main geographic region within the East Asian region.

With such an expansive history and far-reaching impacts arising from the Middle Kingdom, you may find it hard to know where to start. Let us step in and help. Explore our Travel Guide that’s been curated especially to make preparation for your China travel adventure as easy and fun as possible.


China Culture Articles

Faced with the virtually impossible task of distilling China culture into a single page, we’ve taken the approach that more is, well, more. In this selection of China culture articles, introduce yourself to China’s emperors, learn the difference between Sichuan and Szechuan, uncover the basics of Buddhism and Confucianism, discover the origins of traditional Chinese medicine, and more.  It’s all here in the Travel Guide!

Buddhism in China: Highlights for western travelers to discover and explore
Buddhism in China: Highlights for western travelers to discover and explore
Buddhism in China is woven into the country’s rich history and culture. This interconnectedness makes it virtually impossible to complete your travels ...
Chinese emperors: Fabulous facts and unlikely fiction
Chinese emperors: Fabulous facts and unlikely fiction
If you’re like most people who start reading about Chinese emperors, you’ll feel very quickly that you’ve disappeared down a gilded and extraordinarily...
Traditional Chinese music and performance arts: Making sense of the sound
Traditional Chinese music and performance arts: Making sense of the sound
Traditional Chinese music can seem quite confounding to the outsider.Between the large array of unusual instruments, ear-piercing sounds, elaborate co...
Chinese art: Where to start when you have no idea
Chinese art: Where to start when you have no idea
Chinese art offers a window into the long and fascinating history that is intrinsic to this   country’s legacy. However, a deep study of art in China w...
Traditional Chinese Medicine: TCM for beginners
Traditional Chinese Medicine: TCM for beginners
Traditional Chinese medicine, or TCM, has appealed to the curious and those wanting-to-be-cured for millennia. With its origins dating back as far as 3...
Celebrate Chinese New Year? This is how we do it!
Celebrate Chinese New Year? This is how we do it!
If you’re traveling in China early in the year, you’ll probably notice a buzz that seems to creep up out of nowhere. Typically composed and reserved as...
Chinese Etiquette Essentials: 10 Tips to Good Manners in China
Chinese Etiquette Essentials: 10 Tips to Good Manners in China
When traveling to China, understanding Chinese etiquette and customs are essential for putting your best foot forward. Chinese culture is a rich cultur...
Exploring the World of Chinese Martial Arts
Exploring the World of Chinese Martial Arts
When you think about China, one of the first things that comes to mind is Chinese martial arts. From the stories about monks from the ancient Shaolin M...
Jingdezhen porcelain: Discover Shanghai’s hidden secrets at Jingdezhen Porcelain Artware Co
Jingdezhen porcelain: Discover Shanghai’s hidden secrets at Jingdezhen Porcelain Artware Co
Chinese porcelain – specifically Jingdezhen porcelain – enjoys a history that is almost as expansive as China itself.For travelers to Shanghai, a firs...
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Do’s and Don’ts on a China Tour: How to Save Face Like a Local
Do’s and Don’ts on a China Tour: How to Save Face Like a Local
This do’s and don’ts in China is back pocket material to keep you out of trouble on your China tour.From table manners to Chinese temple etiquette, we...
Traditional Chinese architecture: 7 things to know before your first China tour
Traditional Chinese architecture: 7 things to know before your first China tour
If you’ve ever looked at the traditional Chinese architecture of any ancient building you could be deceived into thinking it all looks the same. From ...
More secrets of ancient Chinese architecture styles: Insider tips for Western travelers
More secrets of ancient Chinese architecture styles: Insider tips for Western travelers
Different styles, different placesWe’ve mentioned that a good rule of thumb to apply in the study of ancient Chinese architecture is that each distinc...
Discover the secrets of traditional Chinese architecture styles
Discover the secrets of traditional Chinese architecture styles
We’ve blogged before about how traditional Chinese architecture can be a little overwhelming and confusing, especially if you’re trying to decipher its...
Chinese Tea: The Elixir of life in all its forms
Chinese Tea: The Elixir of life in all its forms
There is something utterly calming and restorative that arises from the simple act of pouring boiled water onto crisp, tight tea leaves. The sound of w...
Fancy a Chinese tea ceremony? Here’s everything a westerner needs to know
Fancy a Chinese tea ceremony? Here’s everything a westerner needs to know
A Chinese tea ceremony is synonymous with life in China. Hardly a surprise given that tea has been cultivated in China for more than three thousand yea...
Searching for the best Chinese tea? Here’s the ultimate top 10 list for aspiring tea connoisseurs
Searching for the best Chinese tea? Here’s the ultimate top 10 list for aspiring tea connoisseurs
The best Chinese tea? Do this countdown with usWherever you go in China, you’ll hear claims from locals that the best Chinese tea is to be found in...
How to choose Chinese tea like a local: 8 things to look for before you buy
How to choose Chinese tea like a local: 8 things to look for before you buy
A little bit like buying a fancy bottle of wine, knowing how to choose Chinese tea like a local can be, well, a little confusing.In fact, because the ...

We can also organise private China tour guides who speak other foreign languages

Ask us about tour guides who speak en Français, auf Deutsch, in Nihon, and many other European and Asian languages.

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Popular China Culture Tours

Popular China culture tours are for avid culture fans. Love learning about the country you visit while traveling? Then our thoughtfully curated selection of tours featuring all aspects of Chinese culture will surprise and delight you. In fact, it is difficult to go anywhere in China without encountering the remarkable ancient culture, which distinguished this country from its neighbors for millennia. With a view to providing our customers with insights to the very best of culture in China in every destination, regardless of where you go, we take care that our culture tour itineraries are as informative as they are interesting. It’s just another way we enrich your experience of real China and bring travel dreams to life. Explore our tours for the very best in Chinese culture.

11 Days Beauty of China


Destination
Beijing Xi’an Guilin Shanghai
Tour Type
CustomPrivateSmall Group

11 Days Beauty of China

11 Days Beauty of China

13 Days China Wonders & Pandas


Destination
Beijing Xi’an Chengdu Guilin Shanghai
Tour Type
CustomPrivateSmall Group

13 Days China Wonders & Pandas

13 Days China Wonders & Pandas

13 Days Grand China with Panda


Destination
Beijing Xi’an Chengdu Yangtze River Shanghai
Tour Type
CustomPrivateSmall Group

13 Days Grand China with Panda

13 Days Grand China with Panda

Travel Memories

Read what people say about travelling with ChinaTours.com


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Testimonials


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!
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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!
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Scott G
Scott G
Reviewed on Oct 25, 2025
Tripadvisor score Once in a life time. Don’t miss it!

Oct 2025 • Friends

We love China Tours, and glad we chose them.

So far, we’re having a wonderful experience with our tour guide, Helena, in Hong Kong. She is incredibly knowledgeable, speaks excellent English, and shared so much fascinating information about every place we visited. She took us to many interesting and beautiful locations that we might never have discovered on our own. Throughout the day, she was patient, kind, and always ready to help with anything we needed. Her professionalism and friendly personality made the tour both enjoyable and memorable. We are very grateful for her guidance and would highly recommend her to anyone visiting Hong Kong, and we can’t wait to visit China too!
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Emmanuel B
Emmanuel B
Reviewed on Oct 25, 2025
Tripadvisor score An unforgettable experience in Xi’an!

Oct 2025 • Couples

This is the fourth time I write this review because tripadvisor keeps saying it was made using AI. As a non-native English speaker, I used AI to give Cathy the highest praise I could for taking care of us during our trip to Xi'an. She's the best and takes care of every single detail. To Cathy my biggest thanks and to tripadvisor and its insipid AI I hope you detect a drop in content creation due to this.
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Donna B
Donna B
Reviewed on Oct 24, 2025
Tripadvisor score White Glove Treatment

Sept 2025 • Solo

I was a little nervous- never been to Asia, never used this company etc but WOW. I was completely blown away by the service. I booked the two week tour that included Beijing- Xi-an Yangtze cruise- Zhangjiajie and Shanghai. The hotels were fabulous. The transportation included two high speed trains, plane, and private driving service. The guides were top notch and stayed with us until we were on the train and another met us at the other end when we stepped off. Our group was small so we were mobile and able to navigate easily. There wasn’t any shopping stops.
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Austp
Austp
Reviewed on Oct 22, 2025
Tripadvisor score Excellent Tour Organisation

Oct 2025 • Family

great organization of tours, excellent tour guides and communication was always spot on. Would book again with China Tours
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Venture39067238865
Venture39067238865
Reviewed on Sept 29, 2025
Tripadvisor score Great time in China

Sept 2025 • Solo

I traveled through China with China Tours from Sep. 11th to 25th and had a great time. I visited Beijing, Xian, Chongqing, Yangtze river cruise, Zhangjiajie and Shanghai. Everything went smoothly and the tour guides are really helpful and professional. It would be fair to mention their names, just to give them their due: Lee in Beijing, Helen in Xian, Winnie in Chongqing, Lucy in Zhangjiajie and John and Cici in Shanghai. There are many highlights in a country like China, but from a foreigner's point of view maybe Chongqing stands out clearly, if only for unusual, and touring with Winnie, with her deep knowledge of the city made for a great experience.
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isabelle1610
isabelle1610
Reviewed on Sept 23, 2025
Tripadvisor score Great

Sept 2025 • Solo

I had a fantastic trip in China. I was met by 4 different guides in China in each city. In Beijing, I was met by Lindsey , in Xian By Linda, Warren in Shangai and Mathew in Hong kong. They were all very professional and I enjoyed the stories. You have a beautiful country and a lot of history I will definitely recommend China Tours. I met some wonderful people too. The highlight of the tour was surprising my son Jason in Hong Kong as he was celebrating his 30th 🥰
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