China’s 5,000 years of civilization collide with a 21st-century powerhouse vibe, making the huge country an immensely captivating place to visit. Its innate sense of culture is evident in much loved proverbs; ‘a book is like a garden carried in the pocket’ reads one that neatly evokes China’s widespread characteristics of natural beauty, creativity and no-nonsense practicality. In Beijing, enjoy the splendours of the Forbidden City and take in cutting-edge art at Dashanzi Art District, then head out to the Great Wall; visit Shanghai for urban pizzazz and eye-popping sky-rise architecture; marvel at the misty beauty of the Guilin limestone landscape; cruise the Yangtze to see ancient wonders and (controversial) engineering innovation; sample spicy Sichuan cuisine in Chengdu, also renowned for its giant pandas.
And that’s just for starters. Wherever you go, daily life also delights – from kite flyers to vibrant markets and time-honoured tai chi sessions in public parks.
Explore China on a deeper level from the huge Buddha Statues of Datong to the Sugarloaf Mountains of Guilin. This comprehensive tour will take you from the iconic Great Wall of China, Terracotta Warriors of Xian, Shanghai's intricate neighbourhoods, and the medieval city of Pingyao contrasting the ancient with the modern.
Discover spectacular scenery, distinctive culture and customs of the ethnic minority groups, waterfalls, rice terraces and ancient villages in Yunnan. Visit the rice terraces of Yuanyang, Stone Forest in Shilin, trek up sacred mountains, and continue to Dali. Drive along the shores of Erhai Lake, visit the Three Pagodas and UNESCO-listed Lijiang.
One of the Seven Wonders of the World, The Great Wall of China has to be the ultimate building project the world has ever known; constructed by human hands over 2000 years ago, it stretches across this hilly region with long spurs and watch-towers often disappearing into the mists.
An epic journey by rail from Beijing via the world's highest Qinghai-Tibet Railway over mountain landscapes to Tibet. Explore Beijing’s Summer Palace, Forbidden City and Tiananmen, hike the Great Wall before embarking on your rail journey. On the way, you will visit Xining’s impressive Cultural Museum, Qinghai Lake and Lhasa's Tibetan temples.
This immersive tour takes in two spectacular cities, Beijing and Shanghai, and allows you to experience the Great Wall of China, Forbidden Palace, the Terra Cotta Warriors, Li River (on a cruise) and Shanghai's intricate ancient neighbourhoods that stand along modern architecture.
An eye-opening experience touring China by high-speed train on one of the most modern rail networks in the world. Begin your journey from Beijing, with stops to admire medieval Pingyao, Xi’an’s Terracotta Warriors and Luoyang’s natural wonders.
A Yangtze River Cruise is one of the must do's on a tour to China. From Chongqing, board your cruise and sail through the dramatic landscape, spectacular scenery, and marvel at engineering feats. Visit ancient sites, local markets and see the natural beauty of the Three Gorges Dam as it makes its way through the famous Three Gorges.
China Rice Terraces and Ethnic Tribes
An off the beaten track experience that will take you on a trek through a dramatic landscape of terraced rice fields and learn about the traditions and customs of China’s ethnic groups, the Miao, Dong and Yao villages. Best time for this tour: Mar to April / October to November
A short discovery tour of Tibet, taking you through stunning Himalayan mountain landscapes, pristine lakes, and ancient monasteries. Experience the spiritual traditions, join the monks in prayer and visit a local Tibetan home. Enjoy a walking Lhasa and Gyantse’s old towns and handicraft markets.
China Yunnan, Kunming-Dali-Lijiang by train
Discover Yunnan on an incredible train journey from Kunming to Dali and Lijiang. Explore Yunnan’s cultural wonders, travel through timeless landscapes, visit minority ethnic tribes. Best time for this tour is from March and May / October and November
