Hi Everyone,
Wondering if anyone can recommend (or not recommend) a particular tour operator’s guided tour of China, based on your own personal experience? A few places my husband and I want to visit: Great Wall, Shanghai, Beijing...and maybe the Guilin hills. And other places you recommend. Thank you!
Posted by
8107 posts
We did a wonderful 3 1/2 week of China in 2012 with a tour company that is now bankrupt. It was still a great tour.
Our itinerary included Beijing, The Great Wall, Xian and the Terra Cotta Warriors (this is a must), Shanghai, a four day Yangzee River cruise from Chongqing, Hong Kong and a couple of places that I don't remember their names. I do remember a separate 3 hour cruise through an area with amazing rock formations in the south of the country that was special.
We now do tours with Gate 1 Travel (we have done four and have one booked for 2025). They are excellent and have great low prices.
Posted by
Long Beach, Ca, usa
1213 posts
annawynne,
I second the terra cotta warriors in Xian. More impressive than the Great Wall! It was our primary reason for going to China.
Posted by
Lynnwood, Washington
8829 posts
Right now Gate 1 has China tours on sale ($500 off per person) through Sept 10th. Look on their website and see if any of the choices match your interests. The code for the $500 off is FSJCS500.
I think Intrepid Travel also has a variety of tours there as well.
Posted by
Chicago
1055 posts
Just FYI - the US State Department issued a travel advisory in April 2024. Reconsider travel to mainland China.
You might wish to check for tour reviews from those who have traveled in very recent months. The situation has changed in recent years in China, Hong Kong, and Macau. (Former expat)
Posted by
OP
2 posts
Thank you, All, so much! I really appreciate knowing about the State Dept warning, so we may put off a China visit for now. But I also greatly appreciate everyone's recs of tour providers and sights to see. Will check out those tour companies for other destinations!
Posted by
1547 posts
I do remember a separate 3 hour cruise through an area with amazing rock formations in the south of the country that was special.
That is most likely the Li River and Karst Mountains that are usually accessed from Guilin.
Posted by
Michigan USA
372 posts
We were just in China in May with Gate 1. Our tour was Shanghai, Suzhou, 4 day Yangtze River cruise, Xian, and Beijing. We saw the Great Wall, the Terracotta Warriors, the pandas at the Beijing Zoo, and the Forbidden City. We arrived two days ahead and visited Shanghai Disney on our own. There were only 23 people on our tour. Gate 1 handles your luggage and generally takes great care of you. The trip was excellent and a great value and I highly recommend it.
Posted by
8107 posts
Trotter,
Yes, it was the Li River and amazing.