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.

Forbidden City

Forbidden 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 USA

Customers from USA

Customers from USA

Customers from USA

Customers from Canada

Customers from Canada

Customers from UK

Customers from UK


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Testimonials


Brandon L
Brandon L
Reviewed on Sept 26, 2026
Tripadvisor score Joy was an absolute Joy

Sept 2026

Our trip to Xi’An was amazing and would not have been possible without the help of our tour guide, Joy. Joy was incredible in helping our family explore the Terracotta Warriors, Xi’An City Wall, and the Muslim Quarter. She also helped us in the market. I cannot recommend Joy enough!
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Victoria L
Victoria L
Reviewed on Sept 22, 2026
Tripadvisor score So much fun. We love Joy

Sept 2026

We had a great time. Joy was so excellent. She answered all of our questions and was so patient with all of our family needs. She helped us translate things in the market and was so kind. 100/10 recommend Joy!!
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Chris N
Chris N
Reviewed on Sept 21, 2026
Tripadvisor score Independent travel in China

Sept 2026 • Couples

We wanted to travel independently in China, but knew that there were some places we wanted a private guided tour. Dora from China tours was excellent! She found us guides and drivers for day tours tailored to our requirements in Beijing, Xian and Chengdu. The guides were friendly and knowledgeable. Dora was also extremely helpful and flexible when our plans changed. We knew she was always there for us! Would highly recommend Dora and China Tours
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Philip W
Philip W
Reviewed on Sept 17, 2026
Tripadvisor score Chongqing tours with Jennie through China Tours

Sept 2026 • Couples

We booked our China trip through China Tours, and Dora was our main contact who helped organize our visit across three cities. She was very helpful throughout the planning process and made the arrangements easy for us.

For our Chongqing tour, we were very lucky to have Jennie as our guide. She was patient, organized, caring, knowledgeable, and just a genuinely nice person to spend the day with. She made the whole experience feel easy, relaxed, and enjoyable.

One of the things we really appreciated was how much effort Jennie put into taking pictures for us. She used her professional-grade cameras and captured so many great moments throughout the day. At times, it honestly felt like we had a professional photographer traveling with us, which made the experience even more special.

Jennie also went well beyond what we expected from a tour guide. She had already been in touch with us before the tour to help us prepare, and even after the tour had ended, she continued to look out for us. The next day, she reminded us a couple of times about a drone show in Chongqing so that we would not miss it. She did not have to do that at all, and we really appreciated how thoughtful and caring she was.

We really enjoyed our time with Jennie and were very happy with the support we received from Dora and China Tours as well. We would happily recommend China Tours, and especially Jennie, to anyone visiting Chongqing.
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Napha P
Napha P
Reviewed on Sept 13, 2026
Tripadvisor score Jenny was a hard worker dedicated to providing us with the best service possible making our tour totally enjoyable. ❤️🥰

Sept 2026

Jenny was a hard worker dedicated to providing us with the best service possible making our tour totally enjoyable. ❤️🥰🥰
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Fabio M
Fabio M
Reviewed on Sept 09, 2026
Tripadvisor score Discover the attractions of Zhangjiajie with CHINA TOURS.

Sept 2026 • Solo

Perfectly organized tour with driver and guide, Mr. Mudong. Every day allowed me to discover enchanting places and attractions, both by day and by night. I highly recommend these people and this type of organization. Heartfelt thanks.
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Lyn R
Lyn R
Reviewed on Sep 02, 2026
Tripadvisor score Excellent Tour and Outstanding Guides

August 2026 . Friends

We had a very good experience and would definitely recommend this tour. The itinerary was well paced, covered the major sights we wanted to see, and the logistics were handled very well.

The guides were the strongest part of the trip. Helen was exceptional; Robert, John and Smile were all knowledgeable, attentive and flexible. They worked hard to make the trip comfortable and adjusted when needed. Smile’s recommendation of the Beijing acrobat show was an unexpected highlight.

We loved the Great Wall, Forbidden City, Summer Palace, Terracotta Warriors, pandas and Shanghai Museum. The Peking duck experience was also excellent. Crowds were overwhelming at times, but that was beyond the tour company’s control.

There were a few areas for improvement; dietary restrictions needed better communication with restaurants, domestic airline baggage limits should be explained in advance, and we would have appreciated clearer instructions for high-speed train travel.

Overall, it was a memorable trip with excellent guides, good pacing and very well-managed logistics. We were very glad we chose this tour.
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Emily Rose
Emily Rose
Reviewed on August 26, 2026
Tripadvisor score Our tour guide Ken made the trip so special!

Aug 2026 • Couples

Ken was an AMAZING guide!! One of my favorite tour guides ever. He was so professional and knowledgeable and kind. He really looked after us and made sure everything was handled perfectly. Huge thanks to Ken!!
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