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China Holidays

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Holidays to China promise history, culture, scenic grandeur and unique wildlife spectacles that will long stay in your memory.

China's history stretches back thousands of years and ancient treasures abound all over the country. Undoubted stars of the show are Beijing, boasting the Forbidden City, Summer Palace and Great Wall of China, and Xian's vast Terracotta Army. However, you may be just as impressed by the less famous sites like Suzhou, the 'Venice of the East' and the impressive walled city of Pingyao.

Nature is no shrinking wallflower in China either. Sail along the magnificent Yangtze past ancient imperial cities and through the spectacular Three Gorges, explore the ethereal karst landscape around Guilin or escape to the west for Yunnan's magnificent mountains, ancient towns and the majestic Tiger Leaping Gorge.

Trailfinders helps thousands of people plan their holidays to China every year and we have a dedicated team of destination specialists who are mines of information about the country, often with first-hand experience of travel here. Whether you want to explore the country with your own private driver or on a sociable tour, or simply want some advice on the best places to go – they are the perfect people to ask.
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OUR HOLIDAYS TO CHINA

Drastic karst peaks against a clear blue sky line the meandering Li River, China, where a few boats sail in the shadows of the peaks
Journey Through China
14 days / 13 nights
from €3,282
  • The Great Wall of China
  • Terracotta Wariors
  • Giant Pandas
  • Lijiang
  • Yangshou

    • An Army of Terracotta Warriors stand in line at Xian, Shaanxi Province, China
    Kung Fu, Pandas & Emperors
    14 days / 13 nights
    from €Please contact us
  • Beijing
  • Xian
  • Chengdu
  • Hong Kong

    • The Yangtze Explorer sits on the murky waters of the Yangtze River, China, where huge steep sided mountains rise up from the river.
    Magic Of The Yangtze
    12 days / 11 nights
    from €2,823
  • Scenic Yangtze River Cruise
  • The Great Wall of China
  • Terracotta Warriors
  • Vibrant Shanghai

    • An Army of Terracotta Warriors stand in line at Xian, Shaanxi Province, China
    China Highlights
    8 days / 7 nights
    from €1,659
  • Climb the Great Wall of China
  • Admire the Terracotta Warriors
  • Explore futuristic Shanghai
  • Experience the speed of the bullet train

    • The stones of the serpentine Great Wall of China burst above the forested hills on which it is built near Beijing, China
    Best of China
    15 days / 14 nights
    from €6,815
  • Stunning Yangtze River cruise
  • Walk along the Great Wall of China
  • See the immense Three Gorges Dam
  • Freedom of Choice sightseeing in Beijing and Shanghai
  • Tour of Beijing and Tiananmen Square
  • Visit Chengdu Panda Breeding Research Centre to see the famous Giant Pandas
  • Tour through Shanghai and view the city from the Jin Mao Tower

    • Sunrise bursting through the clouds that wrap around the mammoth peaks lining the Li River, Yangshuo, China
    China Experience
    21 days / 20 nights
    from €2,890
  • Beijing
  • Xian
  • Chengdu
  • Yangtze River
  • Hong Kong

    • View all our holidays in China

    WHERE TO GO IN CHINA

    China is a vast country covering five time zones and each region boasts its own unique landscape and culture.

    You could cover the highlights of Beijing, Xian and Shanghai in just over a week which would be a wonderful introduction to the country. Give yourself two weeks though and you could also take in the scenic delights of Yunnan and Guilin and perhaps include a fabulous Yangtze cruise, a trip to see Chengdu’s pandas or the water towns of Hangzhou and Suzhou.

    Take a look at the guide below to discover further or give us a call if you are looking for some inspiration.

    China Holiday Highlights Map
    The top of a tiered red temple stands above the roofs of ancient buildings set against a clear blue sky in Beijing, China
    Beijing
    Beijing is the fascinating capital of China. It holds many of the country’s must-see sights, such as the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, the Summer Palace and the Temple of Heaven. It is also still possible to take a tour around the diminishing hutongs to experience the old way of life.
    The stones of the serpentine Great Wall of China burst above the forested hills on which it is built near Beijing, China
    The Great Wall of China
    A trip to the iconic Great Wall will undoubtedly be an awe-inspiring experience. There are a number of visitor sites which can be reached from Beijing; Badaling is by far the most popular while the well-preserved section at Mutianyu allows you to get away from the crowds. Further afield, Jinshanling is a more challenging section but offers fantastic views.
    Head and shoulders of a pair of Terracotta Warriors as part of a larger group near Xian, China
    Xian
    Xian was once an exuberant city buzzing with poets, monks and warriors of various religions and cultures and the starting point of the Silk Road. Today, Xian is a modern city surrounded by the old city walls. A visit here is not complete without seeing the iconic Terracotta Warriors!
    A pair of black and white pandas feeding in fields of bamboo in Chengdu, China
    Chengdu
    Chengdu’s main draw is a visit to the Giant Panda Breeding & Research Centre to learn about these endangered animals. However, the city itself offers many more attractions with important shrines, interesting teahouses and the famously spicy Sichuan cuisine.
    Neon, futuristic skyline of Shanghai at twilight viewed from the Bund with the Peal tower taking centre stage. China
    Shanghai
    The gateway city to the Yangtze River, Shanghai is unlike any other city in China. A modern city with towering skyscrapers, a vibrant nightlife and vast shopping malls, yet tucked amongst the plethora of gleaming shopping malls is Old Shanghai. Be sure to immerse yourself in the historical charms of The Bund, lined with beautiful Art Deco buildings.
    A cormorant fisherman fishing by lamplight in Yangshuo, China. The karst peaks leave silhouettes against the violet sky in the low light
    Yangshuo
    Access to Yangshuo is generally via a scenic boat trip along the winding Li River from the city of Guilin. A popular tourist destination, it is a quaint and beautiful town to wander around with plenty of shops and restaurants. However, its allure is in the beauty of the surrounding countryside with its dramatic karst landscapes.
    The gigantic Yangtze river meanders between steep sided green mountains, China
    Yangtze River
    The Yangtze is the longest river in Asia and the third longest in the world! A slow-paced and scenic cruise along the Yangtze River is a popular inclusion in most itineraries and includes a fascinating trip to the Three Gorges Dam site to learn about this spectacular hydroelectric facility.
    A multitude of terraced rice paddies blanket the green hills of the Dragons Backbone near Guilin, China
    The Dragon’s Backbone Rice Terraces
    Also called the Longji rice terraces and located in Longsheng County, these dazzling rice terraces are a stark contrast to other areas of the country. Surrounded by many small villages, the waterlogged terraces carved into the hillsides by the Zhuang people are said to look like the scales of a dragon.
    Snow-capped peaks loom over the mountainous Lijiang, China, where traditional tiered buildings and bridges line the river
    Lijiang
    A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997, Lijiang, with its picturesque snow-capped mountain backdrop is home to bustling cobblestone streets and colourful markets. Allow yourself to get lost in the maze-like streets or take a cable car ride up Jade Dragon Snow Mountain for spectacular glacier views.
    Dramatic spires of rock with trees precariously perched on top stretch into the distance at Zhangjiajie, Hunan Province, China
    Zhangjiajie
    Located in central China, the UNESCO protected park Zhangjiajie is famous for its magical scenery of pillar-like jagged peaks rising up from dense forest which inspired the movie Avatar. Not for the faint-hearted, there is a mix of cable cars, glass elevators and glass walkways to view the incredible vistas along with scenic mountain trails and walks through the canyon.

    HOW TO GET AROUND CHINA

    Exploring China with your own private car and driver is extremely popular. You can simply follow one of our classic itineraries or our specialist China team can put something tailormade together for you including flights and rail journeys.

    Small group touring is also a sociable way to explore the country and we also can help you with luxury escorted group journeys too, great choices if you are travelling solo. There are some wonderful boats sailing the waters of the Yangtze River and it’s also worth considering an ocean going cruise to give you a taste of Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong.

    Lastly don’t forget China as a stopover option. Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong are easily included in a flight to Australia or New Zealand.

    OUR RECOMMENDED HOTELS IN CHINA

    We feature a wonderful range of accommodation in China, with something to suit all budgets.

    Maybe you're looking for an authentic courtyard hotel in one of Beijing's historic neighbourhoods or a luxurious landmark property in the heart of Shanghai's Bund. Or perhaps it's a scenic lodge with the best views of the Longshen Rice Terraces or a chic retreat on the banks of the Li River in Yangshuo. We can help you with hotels, guesthouses and lodges all over the country.

    Sleek indoor pool lined with white loungers overlooked but the hotels glass fronted gym at the Grand Millennium Beijing, China
    4 star
    Grand Millennium
    Beijing

    A multitude of different colourful dishes line the sleek white counters at the Sunworld Dynasty hotel in Beijing, China
    3 plus star
    Sunworld Dynasty Hotel
    Beijing

    Imposing square fronted Hilton Xian lit up at night against a violet sky. Xian, China
    4 plus star
    Hilton Xi-an
    Xian

    The bright rooms of the Sofitel Chengdu with a large window offering views over the city. Chengdu, China
    4 star
    Sofitel Chengdu Taihe
    Chengdu

    Huge bed with plush red headboard and brown suede furniture fills the art deco styled room at the Yangtze Boutique Hotel in Shanghai, China
    5 star
    The Yangtze Boutique Shanghai
    Shanghai
    from €263

    Spectacular rooftop terrace bar at the Hyatt on the Bund offering sweeping views over Shanghai’s evening skyline. China
    4 plus star
    Hyatt on the Bund
    Shanghai

    View all our hotels in China

    THINGS TO DO IN CHINA

    As well as some incredible sights, China is also home to some wonderful experiences that will really help you get under the skin of the country.

    One day you might be joining a cookery class in Yangshuo, the next enjoying a traditional acrobatic show in Shanghai. We can help you with walking tours of Beijing’s Hutongs, cycling tours of Shanghai, river cruises, authentic dining and classical entertainment.

    Our collection of unmissable experiences will really help bring your holiday in China alive.

    A man rides a bicycle down a Hutong, a narrow lane lined with traditional, rickety houses and bright green trees and plants, Beijing, China
    Walking Tour Through Beijing's Hutongs
    Approx 2 hours
    from €55
  • Rickety homes of the Hutong
  • Guided walk through the narrow lanes

    • The stones of the serpentine Great Wall of China burst above the forested hills on which it is built. Jinshanling section, China
    The Great Wall - Jinshanling Section
    Approx 7 hours
    from €208
    Lesser visited section of the Great Wall
    Futuristic skyline of Shanghai, China, from across the Huangpu River against a clouded blue sky. The pearl tower takes centre stage
    Shanghai City Tour
    Approx 4 hours
    from €102
  • Impressive skyscrapers
  • Birthplace of modern China
  • The Bund waterfront
  • Yu Yuan Gardens
  • Jade Buddha Temple

    • A huge array of vibrant, colourful vegetables line the stalls at a Yangshuo market, China
    Yangshuo Cookery Class
    Approx 3 hours
    from €91
  • Learn traditional cooking techniques
  • Visit a local market

    • The Yulong River meanders through patchwork fields as karst peaks burst through the mist to break the skyline. Near Guilin, China
    Scenic Walk along the Yulong River
    Approx 3-4 hours
    from €128
  • Walk through the paddy fields
  • See local living

    • A multitude of terraced rice paddies blanket the green hills of the Dragons Backbone near Guilin, China
    The Dragon's Backbone Rice Terraces
    Approx 8 hours
    from €174
  • Spectacular rice terraces
  • Culture of the Zhaung & Yao village people

    • View all our Unmissable Experiences in China

    When is the best time to visit China?

    China Climate Guide
    Beijing

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    China Fast Facts

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    Time Zone

    GMT
    +8 hours

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    Flight Time to China

    Approx
    10-12 hours

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    Currency

    Chinese Yuan

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    Visa Required?

    Yes

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    Recommended Immunisations

    Diphtheria/Tetanus/Polio booster
    Cholera
    Hepititis A (vaccine recommended)
    Japanese Encephalitis
    Malaria
    Rabies
    Tick Borne Encephalitis
    Typhoid
    Yellow Fever

    20% Discount off immunisations at our London Travel Clinic if you have booked your holiday with Trailfinders.

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    Trailfinders Travel Insurance

    Enjoy comprehensive cover in China from just €69 for 7 days with our superb value Single Trip Travel Insurance.

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    Visa information given is given for Irish citizens holding a valid Irish passport with at least 6 months validity remaining. Immunisation guidelines assume routine Irish childhood immunisation has been given and will not apply to all situations. Medical advice should be sought. Your Trailfinders consultant will advise you of the specific visa and immunisation requirements for your trip.
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