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nǐ hǎo china destination guide

Few countries can match what China has to offer. Unbelievable scenery, truly ancient cultures, and one of the world’s favorite cuisines… So where to start? We’ll lead the way, with all your China vacation essentials taken care of by us, while you choose from our optional experiences to tailor your ultimate China trip. Whether you want to explore the ancient treasures of the Forbidden City or wander through the stunning Temple of Heaven, you’ll discover the best of China, but always your way.

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our favourite ways to see china

12 Day Trip

5 Cities in

1 Country

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Iconic China with Yangtze Cruise

Prices from $2,725 pp

Exceptional price for China

Prices from $2,725 pp

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Visiting

  1. China

    Beijing Chongqing Shanghai Xian Yichang

16 Day Trip

6 Cities in

1 Country

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Natural Wonders of China

Prices from $5,195 pp

Exceptional price for China

Prices from $5,195 pp

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Visiting

  1. China

    Beijing Chongqing Jianshui Kunming Shanghai Xian

4 Day Trip

1 City in

1 Country

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Hong Kong Highlights

5 5 1 review
Top Rated

Prices from $625 pp

Best price for China
5 5 1 review
Top Rated

Prices from $625 pp

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Visiting

  1. China

    Hong Kong

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Based on 12,773 independent reviews
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essential china bucket list items by us

Our China tours are packed with all the best bucket list experiences you can get, from the incredible Great Wall of China to the Terracotta Warriors and the beautiful Yangtze River.

Visit the majestic Great Wall of China

Walking the Great Wall is not only one of China’s highlights, but one of the world’s top travel experiences and you’ll soon understand why. Imagine setting eyes on the 21,000-kilometre wall, with nearly 3,000 years of history held within some of the stones, snaking like a dragon through lush green valleys, deserts and mountains. It’s truly iconic.
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Take a cruise along the iconic Yangtze River

Prepare for the magic of seeing some of the world’s most heavenly landscapes, as we take you on an unforgettable journey down the longest river in Asia. Cruise from the lush peaks of the Wushan Mountains, to the ancient shrines and temples of Fengdu’s ‘Ghost City’, to the Goddess Stream that absolutely lives up to its name.
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See thousands of stone Terracotta Warriors in Xi'an

The Terracotta Warriors are a must see in China and for good reason. There’s nothing quite llike seeing this hand-made life-sized army of thousands of sculptured warriors all with a different face. Your local China guide will share tales of how the warriors were rediscovered after standing guard over the body of China’s first emperor for over 2,000 years!
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china tailored by you

You’ll get to tailor your dream China trip with our range of Optional Experiences. Choose from adventures like wandering the incredible Temple of Heaven or exploring the Forbidden City on your Beijing tour.

Explore the Temple of Heaven

We took an incredible trip to the Temple of Heaven, a massive religious complex in the old city of Beijing. It's a UNESCO World Heritage Site and considered to be a masterpiece of traditional Chinese architecture. It was interesting to hear how the temple was designed to represent the belief that the earth is square and heaven is round!
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Katie Birtles
happy Get Going past guest

Wander through Forbidden City in Beijing

Enclosed by 3.5km of citadel walls at the very heart of Beijing, the Unesco-listed Forbidden City is China’s largest and best-preserved collection of ancient architecture. Built between 1406 and 1420 by the Ming emperor Yongle, the construction of the Forbidden City was a titanic undertaking, employing battalions of labourers and craftspeople. Getting lost in its streets is an absolute must on your China tour!
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Irina Gorskaia
Costsaver team member

Dive into Shanghai

There is so much to explore in Shanghai, it's hard to know where to start! We went to the ancient water town of Zhujiajiao with 36 bridges built during the Ming and Qing Dynasties, and also relaxed in the shady coves of the Yùyuán Garden in the Old Town. By night we went to a thrilling acrobatics show and shopped 'til we dropped on Nanjing Road, a three-mile strip of over 600 stores!
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Kelsey Fitzgerald
Costsaver team member

what to eat & drink in china

Surrender your tastebuds to the endless famous dishes to eat in China. We’ll get you started with our tips on the best Chinese foods that should shoot straight to the top of your list.

Hotpot

Hot pot isn’t just a dish - it’s a whole experience. It starts with a huge bowl of steaming broth placed on a table over a flame, before everyone gathers round to dunk ingredients like vegetables and meats in the broth to cook before eating. We can’t get enough of this Chinese fondue!
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Dumplings

Chinese dumplings are one of the country’s greatest gifts to the world and they taste even better when you eat them in their homeland. These delicious pockets of steamed dough are stuffed with all kinds of fillings like pork, spices and herbs, but be warned - they’re very addictive!
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Chow Mein

Chinese food doesn’t get much more iconic than chow mein. These stir-fried noodles are tossed with soy sauce, oyster sauce, garlic, vegetables and proteins like beef, chicken, pork, shrimp or tofu, and we’ll show you all the best places to get authentic chow mein in China.
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when is best to visit china

The best time to visit this huge country is not easily summed up, but you can’t go wrong with the warm summers and gorgeous autumn colors from June to November when you visit China.

Best time to take a Yangtze River cruise

We love cruising the famous Yangtze River in the autumn season from September and October when the weather is comfortable and there are beautiful fruits in bloom.
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Best time to walk the Great Wall of China

The best time to explore the Great Wall is spring (April to May) and autumn (September to November) when the weather is at its best and there are fewer crowds.
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Best time to visit China’s cities

You can visit the iconic cities like Beijing, X’ian and Shanghai all year round, although we love autumn for less rain and clearer days, perfect for a China city break.
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packing tips for china

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Camera & extra SD card

Somewhere between the Great Wall and the cliffs of the Yangtze, you’re likely to find your camera storage full. Bring an extra SD card so you can click away without a worry.

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Extra bag space

China has some incredible places to shop for every budget, so make sure you leave room for all those wonderful souvenirs, gifts and trinkets you’re bound to find.

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Walking shoes

There are endless sights to explore in China from ancient temples and beautiful gardens to sprawling cities, so bring a comfortable pair of shoes to cover it all.

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how to travel responsibly in china

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Dress respectfully in temples

It’s important to dress appropriately when visiting temples and religious sites, and both men and women should cover their arms and legs.

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Embrace traditions and customs

China is steeped in tradition with customs that are very different from what we experience back home. Brush up on the customs before you go and remember to have patience!

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Understand business card etiquette

Many Chinese people love to hand out business cards and if you receive one, make sure you look at the card carefully before putting it away and never place it in your back pocket.

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