Beijing
8-day tour of China: ancient & modern icons
8 days
from US$2,160 per person
China tours & tailor-made trips
Plan your dream trip to China with a local expert
See a different side to China on a trip built just for you, by someone who lives there.
Custom itinerary planningHandpicked local experts
Complete peace of mindASTA membership, financial protection & 24/7 local support
A fairer way to travelBenefiting local communities
China rewards curiosity, whether you're walking the Great Wall at Mutianyu in Huairou District or eating Sichuan hotpot in Chengdu.
China is vast, but high-speed trains now link Beijing, Xi'an, Shanghai and Guilin in a matter of hours. Start with the Forbidden City and the hutong lanes of Beijing, then stand before the Terracotta Army in Xi'an. Further south, the karst peaks along the Li River and the Longji rice terraces show a quieter side of the country, while Chengdu pairs giant pandas with some of the spiciest food in China.
Our local experts live in China and take care of the practical side, from train tickets and mobile payments to guides who know their subject. They can arrange a tea ceremony among the plantations near Hangzhou, a homestay with a Tibetan family in western Sichuan or a cooking class in Xi'an. Arranging everything directly with them puts more money in the pockets of Chinese guides, drivers and family-run guesthouses.
Your China adventure awaits
Best time to visit
Spring and fall: April to May, September to October
Quieter city breaks: November to March, avoiding Chinese New Year
Destination highlights
Walk the restored Mutianyu section of the Great Wall in Huairou District, about 90 minutes from central Beijing, where watchtowers follow forested ridges. In Beijing, explore the hutongs by rickshaw and visit the Temple of Heaven early, when local people gather for tai chi. Add the Terracotta Army in Xi'an, a bamboo raft on the Li River near Guilin and the sandstone pillars of Zhangjiajie.
Price overview
US $2,000 - $2,500+
All of our tailor-made trips can be 100% customized to your style—from budget stays to higher-end escapes. Prices are per person, based on a 7-day trip.
Best time to visit
How it works
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Build a trip from scratch with a local China expert, or pick a curated itinerary as your starting point and customize it until it's yours.
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Meet your local experts
Your trip, planned by someone who actually lives there
Our local experts aren’t travel agents working from a brochure. They’re people who live locally and know the destination like the back of their hand. Alongside them, you’ll craft an authentic and immersive trip, filled with intimate knowledge and passion for the place they call home.
Start planning your trip
JakeI'll introduce you to China's rich fabric of traditions and etiquette; showing respect and openness to these practices can truly enhance your experience.
WendyWorking with TravelLocal has helped us grow our business and support our local community.
- Jake
Walking along the Great Wall is like traveling through time; you can almost hear the echoes of the past mingling with the winds of the present. It's worth exploring on a full-day trip!
Traveler stories
What our travelers are saying
We're back from China, and YES, the trip was a dream and unforgettable. Jing from the agency in Beijing planned and executed everything wonderfully!
This is our 6th trip with TravelLocal, another 5 star experience arranged by Jake and Nikki, our reason for staying with TravelLocal is that there is always a human contact that answers the phone on your trip. Fantastic trip thankyou.
We had a wonderful holiday. Our guides and drivers were superb; without exception we were looked after with courtesy and efficiency throughout. Everything worked!
+78k78,000+ travelers have had a more authentic, tailor-made vacation
Places & highlights
Learn more about China
Featured storyA regional guide to China for foodies
China’s flavorsome food is unlike any other nation. Here is our regional guide to what to eat in China, from fine dining to rustic eating.
Where and how to see the Great Wall of China
We offer a few tips on how to see the Great Wall of China and its various vantage points, a must for all on their first trip to China.
China’s nuns and imams: top religious sites to visit
Read our guide to the top mosques and churches in China, each one hinting at the variety of religious beliefs found in China today.
Shangri-La, China: Zhongdian travel guide and tours
Get to know the history and charms of Shangri-La, a city that goes by three different names in China's Yunnan province.
Things to do in Xi’an, China’s former capital
Xi'an is known for its Terracotta Warriors, but there's much more to this city. We take a deep dive into the top things to do in Xi'an.
The ultimate guide to traveling on China’s bullet train
Read our guide to China high-speed rail journeys, a cheaper and more environmentally-friendly way to explore this Asian gem.
Good to know
Frequently asked questions about China
Spring (April and May) and fall (September and October) bring mild weather across most of the country. Summer is hot and humid, with heavy rain in the south, and winter is cold in Beijing but good for quiet sightseeing. Avoid the national holidays in the first week of October and around Chinese New Year, when trains and sites are very busy.
Mandarin Chinese is the official language, and many people also speak a regional language such as Cantonese. English is limited outside hotels and major sights, so a translation app helps, as does carrying your hotel's address in Chinese characters. Many Western apps, including Google, are blocked, so set up alternatives before you go.
Yes. US citizens need a visa arranged before travel, and your passport must have at least six months' validity and two blank pages. Visa-free transit is possible at some airports if you are flying on to a third country, but the rules vary and change often. Check current entry requirements before you travel.
China's currency is the renminbi (RMB), counted in yuan. Most payments are made by phone through Alipay or WeChat Pay, which can be linked to foreign cards, so set them up before you go. International cards are accepted in larger hotels, but carry some cash for small shops and rural areas.
China is in East Asia and is one of the largest countries in the world, bordering 14 countries, including Mongolia, Russia, India, Nepal and Vietnam. Its east coast faces the Yellow Sea, the East China Sea and the South China Sea. Most visitors fly into Beijing, the capital, Shanghai or Guangzhou.
Most visits to China are trouble free, and violent crime against visitors is rare. Take the usual care with belongings in crowds, use licensed taxis or ride apps, and be wary of friendly strangers who invite you to tea houses or bars. Carry your passport at all times, as hotels and trains check it. Read the latest US travel advisory before you travel.
Next steps
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