China, with its long history and rich geography, may be on your bucket list. It is also the top place to explore Far-Eastern elements and culture.
Below are seven easy steps for planning a first China tour using our first-hand knowledge. We have been based in China since 1998 and have experience creating over 100,000 custom-made China tours, the majority of which were for families and couples.
1. Choose Where to Go
With our knowledge of China and feedback from our clients, we suggest you visit Beijing, Xi'an, and Shanghai for your first trip, extending it to Guilin and/or Chengdu if you have the time.
1) Beijing — Explore China's Imperial Past
The Forbidden City
As an imperial and modern capital of China, Beijing is a must-see, because it is home to many of the finest icons of China's medieval and recent past. It is also China's top gateway city.
The Great Wall of China and the Forbidden City are both must-see attractions, especially if you are interested in China's architectural marvels and dynastic history.
For a special experience and some private time, we can arrange a less-crowded sunset visit to the Great Wall with a romantic picnic for you.
If you are interested in Beijing's local lifestyle, a locally-guided walk through Beijing's hutongs with your children or husband/wife is highly recommended.
If you want to try some new things with kids, we recommend a family morning tai chi session, a local home visit, trying Chinese calligraphy, and playing with a Chinese yo-yo. See more from our 11-Day China Family Tour.
2. Decide How Many Days to Stay
After a long journey to get to China, you probably won't want to just scratch the surface of China and just take snapshots with the landmark attractions.
We suggest you take at least a week for your first trip to see a spectrum of the highlights in the top three cities: Beijing (3–4 days), Xi'an (2 days), and Shanghai (1–2 days). See our 8-Day Beijing–Xi'an–Shanghai Tour for inspiration.
To discover more of China, like charming Guilin and lovely Chengdu pandas, you would need a few more days. See our 11-Day Classic Wonders tour of Beijing, Xi'an, Guilin/Yangshuo, and Shanghai.
Tibet is also a dream destination for many of our clients. If you want to visit this pure land, you may need 3 to 5 more days. See our 2-Week Private Tour of Beijing, Xi'an, Lhasa, and Shanghai.
All our tours can be adjusted based on your interests, travel time, group size, and other needs. Just contact us.
3. Consider When to Travel to China
Longji Rice Terraces in Guilin
China's cultural and historical attractions are good for a visit all year round. Things to do in Beijing, Xi'an, and Shanghai are seldom affected by the seasons.
Spring (April–May) and autumn (September–October) are generally the most comfortable and recommended times for a China tour. They are neither too hot nor too cold, but fall is generally drier and warmer than spring.
A more ideal travel time for you could be March and early April or early November when there are smaller crowds, favorable prices, and still good weather.
China is a good summer holiday destination too. There are not many rainy days in summer. It rarely rains continuously for a whole day, with rain coming in less and less frequent downpours as the summer draws on.
It can get a little hot in summer, but air conditioning and expert arrangements would help you avoid the heat as much as possible.
You can find more detailed tips on Best Times to Travel to China.