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An Army of Terracotta Warriors stand in line at Xian, Shaanxi Province, China

China Holidays


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China holidays promise an unforgettable blend of history, culture, scenic grandeur and unique wildlife encounters. With a civilisation spanning thousands of years, ancient treasures are found throughout the country.

Undoubted highlights include Beijing’s iconic Forbidden City, the elegant Summer Palace and the awe-inspiring Great Wall of China, alongside Xian’s vast Terracotta Army. These remarkable sites bring China’s imperial past vividly to life and remain some of the most impressive historical landmarks on Earth.

China’s natural beauty is equally captivating. Cruise along the mighty Yangtze River through the dramatic Three Gorges, explore the ethereal karst landscapes of Guilin and Yangshuo, or venture west to Yunnan, where soaring mountains, ancient towns and the spectacular Tiger Leaping Gorge await.

Trailfinders offer a range of China holidays and our expert travel consultants are a mine of information about what to do here, often with first-hand experience. Whether you want to explore China with your own private guides and drivers, on a sociable small group tour or on a stopover en route to another destination - they are the perfect people to ask.

A few of our favourite China 5★ reviews

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OUR RECOMMENDED HOTELS IN CHINA

We feature a great 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. Or perhaps it's a scenic lodge in the mountains or a chic retreat by the Li River in Yangshuo.

What you won’t find here are thousands of China hotels to wade through. We have done the hard work for you and selected the best places to stay and our travel consultants are on hand to help, often with first-hand experience.
Grand Millennium Beijing
4 star

Beijing

This luxurious hotel is located in the heart of Beijing’s business district and boasts great transport links across the city.
Sichuan Minshan Hotel
3 star

Chengdu

This large hotel boasts a fantastic location in the heart of Chengdu city centre, close to the river, Tianfu Square, and Renmin Park.
Banyan Tree Yangshuo
5 star

Yangshuo

Occupying an excellent position on the banks of the Li River and surrounded by stunning limestone mountains and lush green rice paddies, this luxurious property is a wonderful retreat.
Guilin Grand Bravo Hotel
4 star

Guilin

With a scenic location, close to the picturesque Xishan Park, this grand hotel provides great access to the main sights around the city.
Grand Central Hotel Shanghai
4 star

Shanghai

This large and elegant hotel is ideally located close to bustling Nanjing Road, just a short walk from People’s Square and the famous Bund waterfront.
Six Senses Qing Cheng Mountain
5 star

Chengdu

Located by the picturesque Qing Cheng Mountains and designed to reflect the architecture of the region, this splendid, eco-conscious hotel blends superbly with its natural surroundings and offers a variety of activities to explore the area.

HOW TO GET AROUND CHINA

With its excellent network of domestic flights and high speed trains, China is a perfect destination to be explored by air and rail. Follow one of our carefully planned itineraries or ask our expert travel consultants to tailormake your China holiday.

If you’d like to explore this fascinating destination in other ways how about joining a sociable guided group tour or a 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 HOLIDAYS TO CHINA

Here's a snapshot of some of our most popular China holidays. If you don’t see what you’re looking for, click on the link below them to see our complete range of holidays and tours in the destination.
Classic China
Private Tour
15 days / 14 nights

Discover China’s historical highlights, ever-changing cosmopolitan cities and enchanting scenery on this popular tour.

Guide Price: €4,079 £3,329 pp

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Wonders of China
Guided Small Group Journey
15 days / 14 nights

With bustling cities and idyllic landscapes, China combines the modern and the ancient to unlock a world of wonder.

Guide Price: €4,985 £3,989 pp

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China Highlights
Private Tour
10 days / 9 nights

Visit China’s top attractions in Beijing, Xian and Shanghai and experience a high speed bullet train on this action packed tour.

Guide Price: €2,799 £2,379 pp

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Magic of the Yangtze
Private Tour
14 days / 13 nights

Sail through the Three Gorges where vertical cliffs rise dramatically from the water and explore the historic cities of Beijing, Xian and Shanghai.

Guide Price: €3,849 £3,279 pp

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Walking The Great Wall
Guided Small Group Walking Tour
12 days / 11 nights

Stepping out across the peaceful semi-ruin of a section of the Great Wall is like walking in the footsteps of the past.

Guide Price: €2,429 £2,079 pp

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Highlights of China
Guided Small Group Adventure Tour
15 days / 14 nights

Immerse yourself in China's vast and beautiful diversity on this 15-day tour of its cultural and natural highlights.

Guide Price: €2579 £2229 pp

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WHERE TO GO IN CHINA

Each region in China boasts its own attractions and it’s no exaggeration to say each merits a holiday in its own right. It would be just as easy to spend all your time exploring China’s incredible history in Beijing and Xian as it would be to take in the scenic landscape delights of Yunnan and Guilin.

Click on the tiles below the China map for more details on each holiday destination. Alternatively, if you are looking for some inspiration, give us a call and speak to one of our expert travel consultants.
Beijing
A melting pot of past and present, China’s modern capital is home to some of the country’s most iconic sights including Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, the Temple of Heave and the Summer Palace.
The Great Wall of China
A trip to the iconic Great Wall will undoubtedly be an awe-inspiring experience, offering a glimpse into centuries of history and human ingenuity.
Xian
Once an exuberant city at the heart of the Chinese Empire, Xian offers one of the world’s greatest archaeological finds, the Terracotta Warriors.
Chengdu
The main draw of this wonderful city is a visit to Chengdu’s Research Base of Giant Panada Breeding, helping to protect these highly endangered animals.
Shanghai
A thriving and cosmopolitan megacity, Shanghai offers an eclectic mix of old and new, with gleaming shopping malls, towering skyscrapers, dynamic markets and ancient temples.
Yangshuo
Home to some of the world’s most impressive karst landscapes, Yangshuo is a bustling tourist town with a lively atmosphere.
Yangtze River
The mighty Yangtze is the world’s third longest river and a scenic cruise along this fascinating waterway is a popular addition to any holiday to China.
Lijiang
Located in the heart of the ancient Tea Horse Road in Yunnan province, UNESCO World Heritage listed Lijiang is a picturesque town set against a backdrop of magnificent snow-capped mountains.
Zhangjiajie
The inspiration for the Hallelujah Mountains in the movie Avatar, Zhangjiajie’s towering sandstone pillars make the surrounding landscape feel almost surreal.

WHAT TO DO IN CHINA

As well as some awe-inspiring sights, China is also home to unforgettable experiences. These provide a unique insight into the culture that sightseeing alone simply can’t replace.

One day you might be joining a cookery class in Yangshuo, the next enjoying a traditional acrobatic show. We can help you with walking tours of Beijing’s Hutongs, cycling tours of Shanghai and river cruises, as well as authentic dining and classical entertainment. Our collection of unmissable experiences will really help bring your China holiday to life.
Private Beijing's Hutongs Walking Tour
2.5 hours
Departs: Beijing

Weaving your way through Beijing’s atmospheric ‘hutongs’ is a great way to get a glimpse of the old ...

Private Dragon's Backbone Rice Terraces
8 hours
Departs: Guilin

Venture far into the countryside to see the Longji Rice Terraces. Don’t worry, dragons don’t ...

Private Scenic Walk Along the Yulong River
3-4 hours
Departs: Yangshuo

Wander through lush rice terraces, watch the farmers tend to their land and soak up the ...

Private Chengdu Hot Pot Dinner
2 hours
Departs: Chengdu

Experience one of Chengdu’s most popular dishes – a traditional Sichuan hot pot dinner. Renowned ...

Private Muslim Quarter Street Food Tour, Xian
1.5 hours
Departs: Xian

Stop at one of the many food vendors (at own expense) selling local specialities such as Roujiamo ...

Private Emei Mountain & Leshan Giant Buddha
2 days / 1 night
Departs: Chengdu

Travel to Mount Emei and visit Baoguo Temple with its traditional architecture. After a morning of ...

WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO VISIT CHINA?

The best time to visit China varies by region. Spring and autumn are the most popular travel seasons as it tends to be warm and dry across most of the country.

The north experiences high temperatures above 30 degrees during summer which is also when the rains peak. Chinese public holidays and festivals including Chinese New Year and Golden Week see incredible crowds visiting attractions and are best avoided.

For more information, take a look at our guide to the best time to visit China.

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China Top Tips From Our Travel Experts

Abbi Harris -  expert
Abbi Harris

When visiting Shanghai, make sure you have enough time for a day trip to the picturesque city of Suzhou. Renowned for its canals, bridges and classical gardens, hop on a boat to explore the canals or discover the charming cobbled streets on foot.

Peter Hruska -  expert
Peter Hruska

The city is world-famous for its Terracotta Warriors but Xian's old city is also home to one of China's biggest Muslim communities. Its narrow lanes are filled with great little local restaurants serving traditional Muslim meals that you won't find in most other places in China. Try the freshly baked rolls stuffed with lamb or the mutton soup with flatbread.

Siobhan Blest -  expert
Siobhan Blest

Throw your preconception of Chinese food out of the window and be ready to explore a whole new range of cuisine, bursting with spice and flavour. For real spicy food lovers, don’t miss the dumplings from the Sichuan region, served swimming in spicy chilli oil, they are heaven.

China Fast Facts

Time Zone: China is 8 hours ahead of GMT and does not observe daylight savings

Getting to China: China is served by several airlines, with direct flights into gateway cities including Beijing and Shanghai. Alternatively, popular stopover options include Istanbul and Dubai.

Currency: Yuan (CNY). There are ATMs in large towns and cities and credit cards are widely accepted in hotels, larger shops and restaurants

Tipping: Tipping in China is customary but not obligatory. A 10% tip for service staff is usually sufficient

Language: The spoken language in China is Mandarin. English is not widely spoken so It is advisable to have addresses or instructions written down in Chinese for taxi drivers or others

Visa: A visa is required for travel to China (Irish passport holders). Visit our visa pages for more information.


Tales from the Trail

Top tips and travel inspiration from the Trailfinders team

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