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An Army of Terracotta Warriors stand in line at Xian, Shaanxi Province, China

China Holidays


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China holidays promise history, culture, scenic grandeur and unique wildlife spectacles that will long stay in your memory.

China's history stretches back thousands of years and age old treasures abound all over the country. Undoubted stars of the show are the Forbidden City, Summer Palace and the Great Wall of China in Beijing, and Xian's vast Terracotta Army.

Nature is no shrinking wallflower in China either. Sail along the magnificent Yangtze River past former imperial cities and through the spectacular Three Gorges, explore the ethereal karst landscape around Guilin and Yangshuo or escape to the west for Yunnan's magnificent mountains, ancient towns and the majestic Tiger Leaping Gorge.

Trailfinders offer a range of China holidays and our expert travel consultants are a mine of information about what to do here, often with first-hand experience. Whether you want to explore China with your own private guides and drivers, on a sociable small group tour or on a stopover en route to another destination - they are the perfect people to ask.
Speak to a China Holidays Expert
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HOW TO GET AROUND CHINA

With its excellent network of domestic flights and high speed trains, China is a perfect destination to be explored by air and rail. Follow one of our carefully planned itineraries or ask our expert travel consultants to tailormake your China holiday.

If you’d like to explore this fascinating destination in other ways how about joining a sociable guided group tour or a cruise to give you a taste of Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong. Lastly, don’t forget China as a stopover option; Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong are easily included in a flight to Australia or New Zealand.

OUR HOLIDAYS TO CHINA

Nobody offers more ways to explore China than Trailfinders.

Here's a snapshot of some of our most popular China holidays. If you don’t see what you’re looking for, click on the link below them to see our complete range of holidays and tours in the destination.
Journey Through China
China
Private Tour
14 days / 13 nights

This in depth tour covers all the country’s major highlights along with some of the lesser visited regions.

Guide Price: €4,169 pp

Guide Price: £3,419 pp

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Pandas & Emperors
China
Family Holiday
14 days / 13 nights

Step back in time and bring history to life on this epic journey through China.

Guide Price: €14,155 per family

Guide Price: £12,239 per family

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Magic of the Yangtze
China
Private Tour
12 days / 11 nights

Sail through the Three Gorges where vertical cliffs rise dramatically from the water and explore the historic cities of Beijing, Xian and Shanghai.

Guide Price: €3,219 pp

Guide Price: £2,639 pp

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China Highlights
China
Private Tour
8 days / 7 nights

Visit China’s top attractions in Beijing, Xian and Shanghai and experience a high speed bullet train on this action packed tour.

Guide Price: €2,169 pp

Guide Price: £1,779 pp

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Wonders of China
China
Guided Small Group Journey
15 days / 14 nights

With bustling cities and idyllic landscapes, China combines the modern and the ancient to unlock a world of wonder. Journey across this beautiful country, visiting the most iconic sights, from the famous Great Wall to the meandering Yangtze River.

Guide Price: €4,985 pp

Guide Price: £3,989 pp

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China Experience
China
Guided Small Group Adventure Tour
19 days / 18 nights

Travelling by rail, this tour includes the splendours of Beijing, the fearsome Terracotta Warriors and Chengdu’s adorable pandas.

Guide Price: €3,505 pp

Guide Price: £2,895 pp

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WHERE TO GO IN CHINA

Each region in China boasts its own attractions and it’s no exaggeration to say each merits a holiday in its own right. It would be just as easy to spend all your time exploring China’s incredible history in Beijing and Xian as it would be to take in the scenic landscape delights of Yunnan and Guilin.

Click on the tiles below the China map for more details on each holiday destination. Alternatively, if you are looking for some inspiration, give us a call and speak to one of our expert travel consultants.
China Holiday Highlights Map
Beijing
Beijing is the fascinating capital of China.
The Great Wall of China
A trip to the iconic Great Wall will undoubtedly be an awe-inspiring experience.
Xian
Xian was once an exuberant city buzzing with poets, monks and warriors of various religions and cultures and the starting point of the Silk Road.
Chengdu
Chengdu’s main draw is a visit to the Giant Panda Breeding & Research Centre to learn about these endangered animals.
Shanghai
The gateway city to the Yangtze River, Shanghai is unlike any other city in China.
Yangshuo
Access to Yangshuo is generally via a scenic boat trip along the winding Li River from the city of Guilin.
Yangtze River
The Yangtze is the longest river in Asia and the third longest in the world!
Lijiang
A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997, Lijiang, with its picturesque snow-capped mountain backdrop is home to bustling cobblestone streets and colourful markets.
Zhangjiajie
Located in central China, the UNESCO protected park Zhangjiajie is famous for its magical scenery of pillar-like jagged peaks rising up from dense forest which inspired the movie Avatar.

OUR RECOMMENDED HOTELS IN CHINA

We feature a great range of accommodation in China, with something to suit all budgets. Maybe you’re looking for an authentic courtyard hotel in one of Beijing's historic neighbourhoods or a luxurious landmark property in the heart of Shanghai's Bund. Or perhaps it's a scenic lodge in the mountains or a chic retreat by the Li River in Yangshuo.

What you won’t find here are thousands of China hotels to wade through. We have done the hard work for you and selected the best places to stay and our travel consultants are on hand to help, often with first-hand experience.
Grand Millennium
4 star

Beijing

This luxurious hotel is located in the heart of Beijing’s business district and offers great transport links across the city.
Sunworld Dynasty Hotel
3 plus star

Beijing

This modern hotel enjoys an excellent location on one of the city’s most famous shopping streets.
Hilton Xi-an
4 plus star

Xian

Ideally situated within the beautiful old city walls of Xian, this beautiful hotel elegantly combines ancient and modern.

WHAT TO DO IN CHINA

As well as some awe-inspiring sights, China is also home to unforgettable experiences. These provide a unique insight into the culture that sightseeing alone simply can’t replace.

One day you might be joining a cookery class in Yangshuo, the next enjoying a traditional acrobatic show in Shanghai. We can help you with walking tours of Beijing’s Hutongs, cycling tours of Shanghai and river cruises, as well as authentic dining and classical entertainment.

Our collection of unmissable experiences will really help bring your China holiday to life.
Walking Tour Through Beijing's Hutongs
2½ hours
  • Weave through the atmospheric 'hutongs'
  • Marvel at historic Beijing
The Great Wall - Mutianyu Section
9 hours
  • Venture by foot on this monumental structure
  • Visit the best preserved sections of the Great Wall
  • Explore the Summer Palace
Shanghai Acrobatic Show
2½ hours
  • Experience the world's best acrobats in action
  • Sit back and enjoy a mesmerising show
Scenic Walk along the Yulong River
3-4 hours
  • Wander through lush paddy fields
  • Observe local living

WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO VISIT CHINA?

The best time to visit China varies by region. Spring and autumn are the most popular travel seasons as it tends to be warm and dry across most of the country.

The north experiences high temperatures above 30 degrees during summer which is also when the rains peak. Chinese public holidays and festivals including Chinese New Year and Golden Week see incredible crowds visiting attractions and are best avoided.

For more information, take a look at our guide to the best time to visit China.

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China Top Tips From Our Travel Experts

Abbi Harris - China expert
Abbi Harris

When visiting Shanghai, make sure you have enough time for a day trip to the picturesque city of Suzhou. Renowned for its canals, bridges and classical gardens, hop on a boat to explore the canals or discover the charming cobbled streets on foot.

Peter Hruska - China expert
Peter Hruska

The city is world-famous for its Terracotta Warriors but Xian`s old city is also home to one of China`s biggest Muslim communities. Its narrow lanes are filled with great little local restaurants serving traditional Muslim meals that you won`t find in most other places in China. Try the freshly baked rolls stuffed with lamb or the mutton soup with flatbread.

China Fast Facts

Time Zone: China is 8 hours ahead of GMT and does not observe daylight savings

Flight Time to China: Flight times to China average at between 11 to 18 hours depending on the airline and route

Currency: Yuan (CNY). There are ATMs in large towns and cities and credit cards are widely accepted in hotels, larger shops and restaurants

Tipping: Tipping in China is customary but not obligatory. A 10% tip for service staff is usually sufficient

Language: The spoken language in China is Mandarin. English is not widely spoken so It is advisable to have addresses or instructions written down in Chinese for taxi drivers or others

Visa: A visa is required for travel to China (Irish passport holders). Visit our visa pages for more information.


Tales from the Trail

Top tips and travel inspiration from the Trailfinders team

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