Booking China tours from Australia is now easy, affordable, and fun with travel restrictions well and truly a thing of the past. After all that dreaming about travel during lockdowns, we can take a collective deep breath and think about where we’d like to visit. China offers so many diverse options in terms of landscapes, culture, history, and highlights that you could be forgiven for thinking it’s too hard to choose. That’s where a travel expert on China tours from Australia can help.
A remarkable 800,000 Australians make the trek to China annually, and although numbers may have dropped during the pandemic era, as a destination, China still sits among the top five countries to visit. It seems Australians can’t get enough of this land of history, culture, and amazing cuisine.
With that in mind, we figure, there’s nothing like researching your destination, which is why it pays to research the best selection of China tours from Australia.
Check out these top tips (from our very own CEO, no less!) for turning your holiday dreams into travel reality.
Tours to China from Australia: Bring a little DIY to the mix
One thing travel restrictions taught world travelers is that we should never take the flexibility and opportunity to travel for granted. In effect, being unable to travel made us want to travel more. Australians are no exceptions to this rule. Why? Because Australians, having gained a reputation as holidaymakers who are unphased by long haul flights across oceans and continents, are an adventuresome lot. Our research shows a spike in interest around tours to China from Australia, and that can only mean one thing: Australians are jumping back on planes again.
Australians are a resourceful bunch and more inclined to take travel matters into their own hands – and that’s a good thing. In fact, we recommend it to our customers when it comes to booking international flights.
While travel arrangements were previously made through travel agents, technology advances mean you can design and create a tailored travel adventure online. Although it’s wise to connect with a travel agency or tour operator on the ground in China to guarantee the best experience, there’s no reason you can’t book your own flights. That’s right – DIY flights booked online once you have your tour travel dates.
Insider tip: We recommend going directly to the airline website rather than using third party platforms, as this keeps fees to a minimum and it’s where the best deals are found. As a customer, when it comes to flights, the power is very much in your hands. In the interest of encouraging travel, airlines are offering expectional flight deals that make any tours to China from Australia highly accessible.
Bespoke tours: Why not enjoy something a bit fancy?
Regular Australians are generally unaffected and perhaps not so inclined to opt for something a bit fancy, however they do love good value.
What we’re seeing is a trend in savvy western travelers doing their due diligence on tours to China from Australia. They now expect to connect directly with a local in-country tour operator or travel agency. They have also come to expect more flexibility, freedom, and customized travel experiences that allow them to connect with locals, learn about culture, and sample cuisine (that maybe they had a hand in preparing).
That means goodbye boring ‘vanilla’ itineraries and hello bespoke travel adventures.
As a company operating tours for well over a decade, we’ve seen a growing appetite from our Australian customers who recognize good value and want to book private and custom China tours.
Apart from giving Australians more of the travel experience they really want, it also means you can tailor your holiday to include unique excursions and unusual destinations that don’t make it into standard ho-hum tours available through many tour operators.
Insider’s tip: Research the experiences you want in the destinations you’re visiting in China and talk to your in China travel agency or tour operator about how these can be incorporated into the itinerary. This is the kind of vacation we love designing and creating (did we say we love taking care of the details?), so don’t hold back. After all, by the time you land in Beijing, your China highlights bucket list will probably be a mile long.
How to pick the best China tours from Australia
An online search for the best China tours from Australia will yield literally thousands of results, so if you’re a first time visitor, reconnecting with your family, or even if you’re a returning adventurer, how do you make sense of them all and feel confident in your decision?
We’ve already talked about the importance of research and this certainly applies when it comes to selecting the best China tours from Australia.
First, you must decide what level of travel you’re after. If budget is your main consideration, there are ample choices. However, if budget is less of a concern, and you value flexibility and choice, then it’s a good idea to dive into the detail of what’s really being offered.
Be sure to check the important information and terms and conditions. Consider whether land transfers are included, the support provided by guides, if you’ll be forced into commission-based shopping stops, and the location of hotels.
Specialization is the hallmark of an exceptional China travel provider, but what most customers don’t realize is that many operators don’t look for opportunities to deliver unique experiences. It could be a cultural perception that differentiation isn’t appreciated, however this is exactly what the savvy Australian traveler wants. A taste of real China by immersing themselves in it.
This is the very reason we recommend searching for a tour company that really knows China – and truly cares about your experience. Approaching travel plans this way means you’re more likely to discover a holiday that is more than a mediocre ‘vanilla’ substitute. It’s okay to expect value for money, and even to want something a bit special; it just shouldn’t come at a cost to the quality of your holiday.
Once you’ve picked a tour, find out if it can be taken as a private guided tour and what the price difference is. While small group tours are wonderful (we only travel with a maximum of 12 people), a private tour following the same itinerary offers even more flexibility.
Insider tip: If you only plan on visiting China once – do your research and book a bespoke tour, tailored exactly to your interests, budget, and travel days. Regardless of whether you’re traveling solo, as a family, or group of friends, this is a great way to travel your way.
China visa? Yes, you’ll need one for China tour packages from Australia
China is a country where a visa is required for Australian travelers under certain conditions. As at November 2024 when this article was published, China has included Australia in its visa waiver program from 1 July 2024. If you hold an Australian passport you can enter China for up to 15 days for business, tourism, family, or transit purposes. Note that diplomatic and official passport holders must still apply for a visa.
Don’t be overwhelmed by the application process. If you’ve booked a tour, travel agencies like our own can help by providing the items required for your China visa, namely an invitation letter and related travel information such as destinations, duration of stay, and hotels. Whether it’s small group, private, or custom China tour packages, from Australia, entry into China will mean a little legwork to meet all the requirements.
Be sure to allow plenty of time and connect with your local China Embassy, Consulate, or Visa Application Center to complete your application by providing photos, the relevant form and other supporting documentation.
Insider’s tip: If you’re confused about what’s required for your China visa, or want to understand where the application process fits in terms of timing for your travel arrangements, ask for help. The travel agency you’re dealing with will be up to date with changes that occur, which affect visa applications for international visitors.
More reasons to start planning your China tour from Australia
Here are some other great reasons to choose a specialized local tour operator or travel agent in China if you’re considering a China tour from the Australia:
- More choice of tour itineraries, including tours focused on specific themes, interests, and destinations. It’s a great way to immerse yourself in local culture.
- Different tour types, including private tours, small group tours, and customized tours.
- Value for money. As a direct sale, you avoid unnecessary fees associated with booking through a traditional travel agent. That means more holiday spending cash.
- Responsiveness and communication. With a focus on serving the western traveler, travel agencies like ChinaTours.com engage travel consultants with an excellent command of English, and with a strong service ethic, response times from enquiries are typically very quick.
- Quality service – As China’s tourism industry has grown, so too have expectations around service. Before booking, check out the online reviews of companies offering tours, to see the comments made about the company’s travel consultants, local guides, and drivers. You’ll find uncensored opinions and they are a great way to find out how well customers were taken care of by their tour operator or travel agency.
- Quality hotels, centrally located – One day in a busy city like Beijing and you’ll soon appreciate the value of a quality hotel that is centrally located. A deceptively large amount of your valuable tour time can disappear traveling between sights, so research your tour and find out where the hotels are located relative to stops in the daily itinerary. Be aware that interpretations of four and five star may differ between providers, so ask about the hotel partners too. International hotel brands with consistent standards are always a safe bet.
- Industry recognition – Traveling with a company with international industry memberships provides peace of mind, especially for Australian travelers planning a China holiday. Industry bodies like the Pacific Asia Travel Association, American Society of Travel Advisors, and the China Association of Travel, provide credibility, as well as a point of reference if you are concerned about service standards.
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Stuck for China tour ideas? Start your research with this ‘best of’ recommendations from the ChinaTours.com team.
| Recommended tour | Destinations | Why take the tour |
| 8 Days Golden Ring of China | Beijing, Xian, Shanghai | A perfect snapshot of China’s most iconic highlights in a manageable week long itinera |
| 10 Days Best of China and Pandas | Beijing, Xian, Chengdu, Shanghai | Best China highlights plus pandas (world’s cutest bears) |
| 11 Days Beauty of China | Beijing, Xian, Guilin, Shanghai | City bustle, China’s iconic historical landmarks, and natural beauty |
| 12 Days Odyssey of Yangtze | Beijing, Xi’an, Chongqing, Yangtze River, Shanghai | The famous Golden Triangle of Beijing, Xian, Shanghai with the bonus of a Yangtze cruise |
| 14 Days Zhangjiajie Avatar Pandora Wonderland | Beijing, Xian, Chongqing, Yangtze River, Zhangjiajie, Shanghai | Amazing natural landscapes plus incredible history and highlights |
| 16 Days China Highlights with Yangtze and Pandas | Beijing, Xian, Guilin, Chengdu, Yangtze River, Shanghai | Full experience of China’s many historical landmarks and natural wonders |
If you’re researching China tours from Australia, why not simplify the big decisions about how to plan and organize a tour that maximizes your time and budget. Having served customers from around the world, including Australia for well over a decade, we know what savvy travelers from the West want on their holidays. Research, plan, and explore the options available in our selection of best China tours, or create your own custom experience with the help of travel consultants who know and care about every detail. We welcome online enquiries via direct contact and respond within 24 hours.
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Great experience!
