China Bespoke Holidays

Planned by Alex Robinson, travel journalist and our China specialist · Updated October 2026

Private, Tailor-Made Holidays in China

China is huge, and every region feels like a different country. On a bespoke China holiday you can walk the Great Wall and the hutong lanes of Beijing, stand in front of the Terracotta Warriors in Xi’an, see giant pandas in Chengdu, hike among the sandstone pillars of Zhangjiajie, cruise the Li River through limestone peaks near Guilin and finish among the skyscrapers of Shanghai. China’s high-speed trains make it easy to cover long distances in comfort.

Every trip is private and planned around you, with your own English-speaking guide and driver in each city, hand-picked hotels and all your trains and domestic flights booked for you. Our China specialist Alex Robinson is an award-winning travel journalist and photographer who writes about and travels across Asia.

Why Choose Our China Bespoke Holidays?

• Private guides and drivers: an English-speaking guide in every city, so you never have to find your own way around stations, sights or menus.
• Better timing: we plan visits to the busiest sights, like the Forbidden City and the Great Wall, early in the day or at quieter sections.
• Everything booked: high-speed trains, domestic flights, entry tickets and permits, including the Tibet Travel Permit.
• Financial protection: every booking is protected through the Travel Trust Association. Read about our financial protection.

Where to Go in China

Beijing

China’s capital is home to the Forbidden City, the Temple of Heaven, Tiananmen Square and the Summer Palace. Walk the Great Wall at Mutianyu, a restored section with a cable car, explore the old hutong lanes by rickshaw or on foot, and try Peking duck.

Xi’an

The start of the ancient Silk Road, Xi’an is famous for the Terracotta Army, thousands of life-size clay soldiers buried with China’s first emperor. Cycle on top of the old city wall and eat your way through the Muslim Quarter. Xi’an is around four to five hours from Beijing by high-speed train.

Tibet

Lhasa sits at around 3,650 metres. Visit the Potala Palace, the Jokhang Temple and Barkhor Street, and the great monasteries of Drepung and Sera, and drive to the turquoise water of Yamdrok Lake. You need a Tibet Travel Permit and a guide, which we arrange, and a slow start to get used to the altitude.

Chengdu and Leshan

The capital of Sichuan is the best place to see giant pandas, at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding. It is also known for spicy Sichuan food, teahouses and a relaxed pace of life. A day trip takes you to the Leshan Giant Buddha, carved into a cliff above the river.

Hunan: Zhangjiajie and Fenghuang

Hunan sees far fewer foreign visitors than Beijing or Shanghai. Zhangjiajie National Forest Park has thousands of sandstone pillars rising out of the forest, glass walkways and the Bailong Elevator. Fenghuang is an old riverside town of wooden stilt houses, close to Miao villages. In Changsha, the Hunan Provincial Museum and Yuelu Academy tell the region’s long history.

Guilin, Longsheng and Yangshuo

Cruise down the Li River between limestone peaks from Guilin to Yangshuo, then cycle through the countryside or take a bamboo raft. At Longsheng, walk through the Longji rice terraces to the village of Ping’an.

Shanghai

China’s biggest city mixes the colonial buildings of the Bund with the towers of Pudong. Walk through the old French Concession, visit the Yu Garden and see the city from the Shanghai Tower. Shanghai is a good place to start or end your trip.

China at a Glance

Our China Itineraries

Each of these is a starting point that we tailor around your interests, dates and budget. Prices are per person and don’t include international flights.

• Wonders of China: 8 days, from £2,990. Beijing, Xi’an and Shanghai.
• Highlights of Hunan: 10 days, from £4,300. Changsha, Zhangjiajie, Fenghuang and Dongting Lake.
• Hunan Cultural Holiday, Hunan Family Holiday and Wild Hunan: 10 days each.
• The Grand China Tour: 21 days, from £6,950. Beijing, Xi’an, Tibet, Chengdu, Zhangjiajie, Guilin and Shanghai.
• Grand China Tour with Tibet, Luxury China Tour and Cruise and China and Hong Kong Tour and Cruise: 17 to 19 days.
• China, South Korea and Japan: 23 days, from £8,990.

Responsible Travel in China

We use China’s high-speed trains instead of domestic flights wherever the journey time allows, work with local guides in each region, and add less-visited places such as Hunan and the villages around Fenghuang and Longsheng. In Tibet, we ask you to respect monastery rules and local customs. Read more about our responsible travel approach.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do British citizens need a visa for China?

Until 31 December 2026, British citizens can visit China for up to 30 days without a visa for tourism. Your passport must be valid for at least six months after you arrive and have two blank pages. For trips in 2027 and later, check the latest UK government advice, as the rules may change.

When is the best time to visit China?

Spring, from April to May, and autumn, from September to October, are best for most of China, with mild weather and clearer skies. Summer is hot and humid with heavy rain in the south, and winter is cold and dry in Beijing. Avoid travelling during Chinese New Year and the first week of October, when trains and sights are very busy.

How long do I need in China?

One week is enough for Beijing, Xi’an and Shanghai. With two weeks you can add Guilin and Yangshuo or Chengdu and its pandas, and with three weeks you can include Tibet and Zhangjiajie as well.

How much does a tailor-made China holiday cost?

Our 8-day Wonders of China starts from £2,990 per person, and our 21-day Grand China Tour from £6,950 per person, including hotels, private guides and transport, entry tickets and some meals, but not international flights.

Can I visit Tibet on a China holiday?

Yes. Foreign visitors need a Tibet Travel Permit and must travel with a licensed guide, which we arrange for you. Lhasa is at around 3,650 metres, so we plan a slow first day to help you adjust to the altitude.

How do I get around China?

China has the world’s largest high-speed rail network, linking cities like Beijing, Xi’an, Shanghai and Guilin in a few hours. For longer journeys, such as to Tibet or Chengdu, we book domestic flights. Your guide and driver meet you at every station and airport.

Plan Your China Holiday

Read our China travel guide, explore China’s regions, or combine China with Japan and South Korea. To start planning, request a video call with Alex.