China Culture

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. Read more

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.

Buddhism in China: Highlights for western travelers to discover and explore

October 06, 2023

Buddhism in China is woven into the country’s rich history and culture. This ...

Chinese emperors: Fabulous facts and unlikely fiction

September 02, 2021

If you’re like most people who start reading about Chinese emperors, you’ll...

Traditional Chinese music and performance arts: Making sense of the sound

September 02, 2021

Traditional Chinese music can seem quite confounding to the outsider. Between...

Chinese art: Where to start when you have no idea

October 06, 2023

Chinese art offers a window into the long and fascinating history that is i...

Traditional Chinese Medicine: TCM for beginners

September 02, 2021

Traditional Chinese medicine, or TCM, has appealed to the curious and those want...

Celebrate Chinese New Year? This is how we do it!

October 06, 2023

If you’re traveling in China early in the year, you’ll probab...

Chinese Etiquette Essentials: 10 Tips to Good Manners in China

March 09, 2021

When traveling to China, understanding Chinese etiquette and customs are essenti...

Exploring the World of Chinese Martial Arts

May 04, 2021

When you think about China, one of the first things that comes to mind is Chines...

Jingdezhen porcelain: Discover Shanghai’s hidden secrets at Jingdezhen Porcelain Artware Co

May 04, 2021

Chinese porcelain - specifically Jingdezhen porcelain - enjoys a history that is...

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

Beijing, Xi’an, Guilin, Shanghai

Tour TypePrivate, Small Group, Custom

12 Days China Wonders & Pandas

Beijing, Xi’an, Chengdu, Guilin, Shanghai

Tour TypePrivate, Small Group, Custom

13 Days Grand China with Pandas

Beijing, Xi’an, Chengdu, Yangtze River, Shanghai

Tour TypePrivate, Small Group, Custom

S SAXENA wrote a review 30 November 2023

London

China Tours for Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam

We did Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam tour organised by China Tours.
We are very happy with China tour company.
All our hotels accommodation was excellent. all our Guilds in all three countries were very good and speak very good English.
Our transport arrangements during tour and airport pickup and drop off was in time for our flights.
I did the tour of South Korea and China with China Tours, This November 2023 tour was based on my good experience with China tours in the past

Date of experience: November 2023
Nicababy Lin wrote a review 12 November 2023

Jacksonville, Florida

5 days 4 nights tour at Beijing and Xi’an with Chinatours

I did a 5 days 4 nights solo private tour trip with “Chinatours.com” to Beijing and Xi’an. I am really satisfied with the itinerary and flexibility of how “Chinatours” allows me to add and customize my trip.
A little hiccup, when I arrived at Xi’An high speed rail station from Beijing, my tour guide, Helen when to a different station to wait for me as they have two different rail station. Despite this, I felt her sincerity to welcome me in Xi’an whilst she kept apologizing.
Upon arriving at the hotel, guess what? The hotel gave me a free upgrade to a Suite. A whole Suite by myself！Awesome！Wish I had more time to stay in the hotel room though but my itinerary was packed. I arrived pretty late that night. Regardless, the room was decorated to give this ancient China historical ambience. It’s huge and clean. Hotel name is Grand Mecure on Renminbi Square. Breakfast included. Breakfast was alright, I had better breakfast choices in Beijing.
Next morning, Helen (tour guide) arrived early to the hotel to pick me up and start my trip. I managed to squeezed through the crowds and got an impressive view of the Terra-cotta army!
Wow!!! It’s a must to come to Xi An and look at this army yourself.
Helen (tour guide) treated me to a popular terracotta shaped chocolate ice cream. She said to make up for the hiccup last night.
I bought a history book that is all in English. If you love reading history I recommend to buy the book.
We had some thick wide noodles for lunch. It’s called “Biang Biang Mian”.
In the evening, I went to walk the ancient City Wall. Saw the bell tower and drum tower too. Then I had dinner at the mall nearby the hotel.
Final day at Xi’An, started with a beautiful weather, visited Big Wild Goose Pagoda and Xi’an Museum. I went to watched a 30 mins Tang Dynasty musical instrument show. I recommend only people who are really interested to know more about Chinese music to attend.
Then I went to Great Mosque and walked along Muslim street. Try a giant BBQ squid, it was alright. Had the crispy chinese croissant with minced pork and wanton soup for lunch. Delicious!
Overall, Helen really took care of my needs and I love her knowledge on the history of China and Xi’An. I almost forgot, both tour guides from Beijing and Xi’An are bilingual. They are fluent in English. I had a really great time in China and I am definitely visiting China again in the near future! Cheers!
I wrote a separate review for my experience in Beijing.

Date of experience: October 2023
Cheristiawan H wrote a review 8 November 2023

Great Trip Datong and Pingyao

Excellent service provided to our Datong and Pingyao trip...will recommend to our friends for china trip... Great service also from Martha from China Tours

Date of experience: Nov. 2023
Sonya A wrote a review 21 September 2023

Towcester, United Kingdom

China Tours 13 day tour

My daughter and I just returned from a fantastic 13 day trip to China with China Tours. The organisation and itinerary were excellent and our guides were really helpful and knowledgable. We had an absolutely brilliant time and a lot of that is down to the China Tours staff. When my daughter left her favourite jacket behind in Chengdu, Martha immediately arranged to have it sent on to the guide in Shanghai for us. I thoroughly recommend China Tours to anyone considering a holiday in China.

Date of experience: Sep. 2023 • Family
Tom M wrote a review 20 September 2023

Cork, Ireland

Chinatours.com’s “Essence Of China” is fantastic. Highly Recommended.

We have just come back from a ten day tour of China. We booked it online with Chinatours.com and we were not disappointed, Martha could not have been more helpful. We visited Beijing, Xi'an, Zhangjiajie and Shanghai. The experience was phenomenal. Chinatours.com were absolutely fantastic. Everything was superbly organised, the guides were really knowledgeable and friendly. The hotels were all clean and comfortable. The bullet train was eerily quiet and smooth even at 350km/hr. The internal flights, China Eastern Airlines, were all thoroughly enjoyable. The sites were stunning and the experience will stay with us for ever. The trip exceeded all of our expectation. Thoroughly recommended, thank you Chinatours.com for an exceptionally good time.
Tom

Date of experience: Sep. 2023 • Couples
623normant wrote a review Written 14 September 2023

A Journey through China: Exploring 2,100 Miles on Bullet Trains

Introduction: Two weeks in China became an unforgettable adventure that took me on a tour of this diverse and historically rich country. With the efficient logistics of bullet trains whisking me across 2,100 miles at speeds of up to 350 kph, I had the privilege of being accompanied by knowledgeable guides who were not only well-versed in Chinese history but also took a personal interest in ensuring I had a fulfilling experience. Knowledgeable Guides: The heart of this remarkable journey was undoubtedly the guides who accompanied me throughout. Their expertise in Chinese history was evident as they skillfully narrated the stories behind each site we visited. Their deep knowledge extended beyond facts and dates; they painted vivid pictures of the past, bringing ancient dynasties to life. It was as though I had traveled back in time, understanding the significance of each monument, temple, and landmark.
Personalized Experience: What truly set my trip apart was the guides' dedication to ensuring I had a personalized experience. They encouraged questions and patiently answered each one, taking a genuine interest in my curiosity. Their enthusiasm was contagious, making every moment of exploration feel like a shared adventure. They didn't merely recount history; they made it relatable and accessible. Cultural Insights: The guides were not limited to historical narratives; they also delved deep into Chinese culture. From explaining traditional customs and rituals to discussing contemporary trends, I gained a holistic understanding of China's diverse culture. They also shared personal anecdotes, providing a unique perspective on daily life in China. Their stories revealed the warmth and resilience of the Chinese people, making me feel more connected to the country.
Exploring China's Rich History: One of the highlights of the trip was the guides' ability to explain China's remarkable 5,000-year history. They seamlessly wove together tales of ancient emperors, philosophers, and dynasties, connecting the past to the present. Through their words, I gained a profound appreciation for the continuity of Chinese civilization.
A Modern Marvel: Beyond its rich history, China exceeded my expectations in terms of modernity. I was pleasantly surprised by the clean air, pristine water, and well-maintained streets. The sight of new cars, electric buses, and fast subways was a testament to China's commitment to environmental sustainability and infrastructure development. The subways with marble floors exemplified the attention to detail in every aspect of public life.
Conclusion: My two-week journey through China, covering 2,100 miles on bullet trains, was a remarkable experience made truly exceptional by the knowledgeable, passionate, and patient guides who accompanied me. They made sure I not only saw the beauty of China's history but also felt a deep connection to its culture and people. China's blend of ancient heritage and modernity left an indelible mark on me, and I returned home with a newfound appreciation for this incredible nation.

Date of experience: Sep. 2023 • Solo