China Travel Guide

China Travel Guide

China Travel Guide

Tap into our China travel guide, designed and prepared especially for western travelers looking to bring their travel dreams to life.

As travelers ourselves, we understand making China travel plans should be uncomplicated. However, with the myriad of available options, it’s hard to know where to start. How do you tell one-China travel guide from another? Who do you trust for the very best in China travel? Guide your search by exploring the content we’ve assembled here with help from our team of travel consultants, China travel guides, and our very own CEO, Mr. Li.

As a travel agency that’s been designing unique and memorable vacations for well over a decade, we know the best holiday experiences are created when you have the background and information that enriches your experience. Amongst this collection of articles and news, discover topics of interest about the places, culture, food, accommodation, weather, and people that can become part of your own bespoke adventure. In fact, you can think of it as your personal travel China guide! 

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We are continually adding to this collection, however, some of the most popular articles cover the fundamentals every China travel agency should share with its customers. Find tips on how to travel safely in China, the best ways to pay on your holiday, the best cities to visit on a China tour, the best highlights in every destination, and what to include on your China tour bucket list.

Once the logistics are sorted, turn your attention to the ‘fun stuff’: cuisine, culture, and experiences. Looking for the finest Chinese tea? We can help. Want to explore the intricacies of ancient Chinese architecture? You’ll find the answers here in our travel China guide.

We understand your travel experience with us starts long before you arrive in China and as a dedicated China travel guide, we want every moment of that experience to be the content of beautiful travel memories. Enjoy dreaming and exploring – and if there’s more you want to know for your China travel plans, reach out to us. We’re here to help.


China Popular Highlights

With so many fantastic places and things to see in China, popular highlights that find their way to your bucket list won’t be in short supply. What will be a challenge is narrowing down your list to one that can be covered while you’re traveling on tour. Fortunately, we can help with that! We’ve put together detailed information on China, popular highlights, and included the most fascinating and useful information that will help you decide what to see and when. Want to know what’s really behind the Forbidden City’s walls? Keen to explore Shanghai’s glamorous past? Curious about the Terracotta Army in Xian is really defending? We can answer all these questions and more. And if you’re still having trouble about what to include on tour, explore further in our China travel guide, or get in touch with our team of friendly travel consultants.

Forbiden City

Forbiden City

Great Wall

Great Wall

Terracotta Army

Terracotta Army

Big Wild Goose Pagoda

Big Wild Goose Pagoda

The Bund

The Bund

Yu Garden and Yu Garden Bazaar

Yu Garden and Yu Garden Bazaar

Chengdu pandas at the Giant Panda Breeding and Research Centre

Chengdu pandas at the Giant Panda Breeding and Research Centre

Li River

Li River

Longji Rice Terraces

Longji Rice Terraces

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Things to do in China

Looking for things to do in China? Then it’s time to search our ever-expanding list of the incredible, interesting, and insightful. There literally is no shortage of things to do in China, so when planning your travels, it pays to do your research and be prepared. In this section of our travel China guide, find articles on unique experiences and everyday events that will make for beautiful travel memories in a country with a rich and diverse history. Whether it’s a typical Beijing breakfast, passing time with pandas in Chengdu, or gazing at gorges on the Yangtze, you’ll discover how to maximize the opportunity with the wisdom of our people on the ground – our valued network of guides, travel consultants, and partner providers.

Things to do in Beijing

Things to do in Beijing

Things to do in Xi'an

Things to do in Xi'an

Things to do in Chengdu

Things to do in Chengdu


China Travel Insights

Imagine an industry expert sharing their China travel insights – and being able to take advantage of decades of experience and knowledge. Well, look no further. Discover and explore China through the unique perspective of our travel writing team of travel guides and travel consultants. We’ve tapped into their first-hand knowledge and enthusiasm for their corner of China. You will love learning what makes Beijing beautiful, Shanghai special, and Guilin gorgeous. Don’t wait until you’ve arrived. Let us bring China to life for you right now.

How to plan a trip to China: Get past the overwhelm (and get excited)
How to plan a trip to China: Get past the overwhelm (and get excited)
The specifics of how to plan a trip to China can stump even the most experienced of international travelers. Amidst the challenges posed by the many Ch...
Is China safe to visit for westerners? How to ensure it’s safe to travel to China
Is China safe to visit for westerners? How to ensure it’s safe to travel to China
Is China a safe place to visit? (Tips for Westerners to know it is safe to travel to China)Is China a safe place to visit?We’ve been asked this qu...
Looking for China tours from USA? Insider tips for scoring the best value (and loving your vacation)
Looking for China tours from USA? Insider tips for scoring the best value (and loving your vacation)
Contemplating your options around China tours from USA?  There has never been a better time to be researching, planning and taking China tours from the...

Travel Memories

Read what people say about travelling with ChinaTours.com


Customers from Europe

Customers from Europe

Customers from USA

Customers from USA

Customers from USA

Customers from USA

Customers from USA

Customers from USA


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Testimonials


Mark A
Mark A
Reviewed on Aug 25, 2025
Tripadvisor score Amazing China

Aug 2025 • Couples

We had a great 14 day trip with a week gap in the middle to attend the world games in Chengdu. With only three weeks before we departed Dora provided a draft itinerary in 2 hours that required only minor changes. Dora was always available to sort any issues for the whole trip - but tracking down our lost luggage was an outstanding effort. In Guilin we were greeted by Joanne who made our first days in China very memorable, Longji rice terraces and trying local food were highlights. Thanks for the thoughtful train snacks Joanne. Lucy met us at Zhangjiajie and was great company as well as a great guide especially in the amazing and extensive Zhangjiajie National Forest Park. Thanks for the local restaurant tips Lucy. The fast train across the mountains that divide southern and northern China to Xi’an, led us to Helen and her driver who covered both exits to ensure we did not get lost. Helen shared her love and vast knowledge of ancient China - terracotta warriors, and the amazing historic and modern Xi’an. Thanks Helen you brought two thousand years of history and the Silk Road to life. Our last fast train brought us to Beijing and the super resilient Lee, preparations for the victory over Japan parade in Tiananmen Square complicated things and meant that despite great effort by Lee and Dora we will have to visit the square next time. Lee managed the situation very well and we enjoyed our forbidden city, summer palace, Hutongs and temple of heaven day followed by a whole day on the Great Wall which was amazing. Thanks Lee, smiling and super cool under pressure. Special thanks to all our drivers, whose skill, patience and endless bottles of water made every trip stress free. All our hotels were well chosen and met or exceeded expectations. China was fascinating, friendly and full of new experiences, China tours made sure we enjoyed every moment. We’ll be recommending them to our friends and hope to come back and explore more of this beautiful country .
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Tim C
Tim C
Reviewed on Aug 21, 2025
Tripadvisor score Beijing tour

Aug 2025 • Couples

Our guide Linda was fantastic and to have a guide and a driver Zhang made the most of our tour of Beijing with no stress. We got picked up on arrival right from the start and delivered to our departure at the end.
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Sarinee Y
Sarinee Y
Reviewed on Aug 21, 2025
Tripadvisor score Beijing tour

Aug 2025 • Friends

Linda and the Zhang doing wonderful jobs. Thank you so much for show us around Beijing. .I enjoyed the time in Beijing so much
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Petra H
Petra H
Reviewed on Aug 14, 2025
Tripadvisor score A very professional and friendly team. We had a great and unforgettable trip thanks to The China Guide.

Aug 2025 • Friends

The team at The China Guide was very reliable and understanding, even in the planning phase. With a lot of patience, our individual needs and ideas were addressed. Short-term requests or change requests were quickly taken into account. Planning and organizing the trip was completely uncomplicated and fast through WeChat and email. The guides booked on site were punctual and reliable. The contact absolutely uncomplicated and reliable. So we were able to put together our very individual journey and it went smoothly and optimally. Thank you dear team from China Guide (Lina, Lily, Jack and Alice). Petra and Juliet.
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Fay O
Fay O
Reviewed on Aug 11, 2025
Tripadvisor score A Beautiful Travel Memory

Apr 2025 • Friends

My bestie and I visited China in April for a "recharging holiday". We absolutely had a really wonderful time there. Martha help us for designing a unique private tour according to my "wishing list". We visited Shanghai, Hangzhou and Suzhou. The tranquil classical Chinese garden, the amazing ancient water town, the historic tea house, the authentic local food, the exciting custom clothing experience, and the knowledgeable tour guides, are all my beautiful travel memory. Thank you ChinaTours.com for the professional and premium quality services!
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Nics25
Nics25
Reviewed on Aug 10, 2025
Tripadvisor score Fabulous Family Holiday with great guides!

Aug 2025 • Family

Fabulous family holiday expertly curated by China Tours. Nothing was too much trouble for the helpful guides. Especially Linda in Beijing who expertly navigated the crowds to maximise our experience and provide a truly special time. Would highly recommend China Tours and look forward to returning to China soon
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Graeme C
Graeme C
Reviewed on Aug 10, 2025
Tripadvisor score Great China Tour

Aug 2025 • Family

Great China tour! Visited 4 key places in China: Shanghai/Guilin/Xian/Beijing. Saw all the key sights in those cities. Great tour guides of William; Summer and especially Linda! Thank you! Highly recommend.
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Debbie W
Debbie W
Reviewed on July 4, 2025
Tripadvisor score Beautiful China!

June 2025 • Family

We absolutely had a wonderful time and would highly recommend Chinatours.com to assist travelers to build their itinerary. Our itinerary was well outlined to include many wonderful historical sites, fun outdoor markets and beautiful gardens. We were guided by very knowledgeable and friendly tour guides. We especially liked Lee. She was accommodating, knowledgeable about the history of China, introduced us to the many wonderful things about the culture, recommended very good local restaurants, and assured confirmation and safety of our transportation. Chinatours booked us very nice hotels and the transport between cities was seamless. We really enjoyed our time in China and wished we could have stayed longer.
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