Few countries can match China for sheer scale, history, and variety. Our guided tours in China range from epic rail adventures crossing the Silk Road from Istanbul to Shanghai, to sweeping journeys south through Laos and Thailand
China tours reveal a country of extraordinary contrasts — imperial walled cities alongside modern skylines, ancient Silk Road corridors cutting through remote landscapes, and cultural traditions that stretch back thousands of years. From the Terracotta Warriors of Xi'an and the karst hills of the south to the energy of Shanghai's Bund, China travel packages here are built around the journey itself as much as the destination.
Our small group China tours use the train as the primary mode of travel, connecting cities and landscapes in a way that flights simply cannot. Whether you're heading east from Istanbul across Central Asia to Shanghai, or travelling south from Shanghai through Laos to Bangkok, both China trip itineraries place the railway at the heart of the experience — with expert guides, small groups of no more than 12, and first-class travel throughout.
China
China's high-speed rail network is one of the finest in the world, and our China travel packages use it as the primary mode of transport. Arriving between cities by train means you see the countryside, not just the airports — and China's landscapes between its great cities are well worth seeing.
From Xi'an's Terracotta Warriors and the Silk Road corridors of western China to Shanghai's colonial-era Bund, few countries layer ancient and modern history as dramatically as China does. Our China holidays are structured to give you genuine context, not just sightseeing.
China is not one landscape or one culture — it's dozens. The bamboo groves of Sichuan, the mineral formations of Zhangye, the Uyghur world of Urumqi, and the skylines of Shanghai occupy the same country. No other destination on earth offers this range.
Both our China tour packages cap groups at 12 people and travel in first-class rail comfort throughout. That combination — personal, unhurried, well supported — makes a significant difference across a journey of this scale.
See itinerariesChina rewards travellers who slow down — the best stories are found off the tour-bus route.
From the field
Our China tours depart in March/April and November — both well-suited to the regions visited. The March/April Istanbul to Shanghai departure moves through western China as spring arrives, with mild temperatures and clear skies ideal for the Rainbow Mountains at Zhangye and the streets of Xi'an. The November departure on the Shanghai to Bangkok route catches China in its autumn season — comfortable travelling weather across Shanghai and Yunnan Province before crossing into Laos. If these departure windows don't suit your plans, contact us to discuss a tailor-made China holiday around your preferred dates.
Looking to travel outside the typical windows? Our China tailor-made team can advise on the best time for you.
Dispatches, field notes and practical advice from our specialists.
Reviews from across our small-group programme. Independently rated 4.9 Excellent on AITO by 250+ travellers.
“An amazing trip! We had the most amazing holiday — over two weeks we had a taste of the cities, the culture, the mountains, a safari, and time at the beach. Our driver/guide made the whole trip very relaxing, and we were welcomed warmly by everyone we met, enjoying fabulous food and drink along the way. Undiscovered Destinations planned a really amazing itinerary for us with great hotels, a fabulous guide/driver, and interesting places to visit — they took great care to ensure we had an excellent holiday. We look forward to booking another holiday with them in the future. Thank you, Mark!”
Anna
“This adventure was always going to be very full-on, which is how we like our trips. I didn't count on getting bronchitis and ending up in hospital, however. The itinerary was quickly amended to avoid high-altitude destinations as much as possible while still making sure we had a chance to enjoy interesting experiences. While obviously sad to have missed some of the original sites, the revised itinerary was the only sensible option under the circumstances. I was extremely impressed with how Undiscovered Destinations and their local team handled the situation — taking the stress out of it, smoothing the way, rearranging the itinerary and booking new hotels, translating for me with the medical staff, and making sure I always had transport, medicines and anything else I needed. Nothing was too much trouble, and they kept in touch with me, each other, and the insurance company throughout. I can't recommend them enough!”
Grete
“My wife and I had a wonderful tour with Undiscovered Destinations. We had a different guide at each stop, and all of them were friendly, cheerful and knowledgeable. The local people were welcoming, and we always felt safe and comfortable. The beaches were spectacularly beautiful and empty of people, with warm, clear water, and each stop had its own character — some we loved for their unspoiled scenery, others for their history and the warmth of the welcome. We took the opportunity to snorkel on one of the most pristine reefs we've experienced, swimming with sea turtles and enormous manta rays that came right up to us out of curiosity. A wonderful destination for nature lovers.”
Frank
“Excellent. Action packed. Our local agent was excellent, and a good choice by Undiscovered Destinations. Because there were only two of us on the holiday, we had different guides at each stop, each one making sure we were handed over safely. All manner of transport was used, and we appreciated the different guiding strategies, the wealth of information given, the high level of English, and the genuine wish to show off their country at its best. Excellent.”
Cathy
“Far exceeding my expectations, this was one of the best trips I've ever done. A beautiful destination, with interesting history, lively ceremonies, lovely people and — surprisingly, for somewhere that sees so few tourists — absolutely no hassle on the streets. Excellent service from start to finish, with a first-class tour leader.”
Lynn
“We had a two-week trip with Undiscovered Destinations, flying in for two days first to break up the journey. It was a great trip, because we managed to see so much more than just the capital cities. This was the fourth trip we've taken with Undiscovered Destinations, and each one has been wonderful. Our guides were lovely — very professional and helpful. We rate UD very highly.”
Andy
“We had a fabulous trip with an excellent local guide, who took great care of us and enthusiastically shared his knowledge of both ancient and recent history, with lots of fascinating personal stories of his own life. We highly recommend this trip — Undiscovered Destinations were great to work with, and we hope to use them again.”
Jennie
“Everything was great — we got to witness a wonderful variety of wildlife, and thoroughly enjoyed the scenery and the hospitality of the people. A fabulous trip from start to finish.”
Debbie
“Excellent all-round trip. Drivers were conscientious and careful, accommodation was better than expected, and the scenery was stunning throughout.”
Alexis
“Fabulous, unusual destination, and great people. A private tour of somewhere little-visited, with great service from start to finish and excellent knowledge and advice from Undiscovered Destinations throughout.”
Steve
“An amazing trip! We had the most amazing holiday — over two weeks we had a taste of the cities, the culture, the mountains, a safari, and time at the beach. Our driver/guide made the whole trip very relaxing, and we were welcomed warmly by everyone we met, enjoying fabulous food and drink along the way. Undiscovered Destinations planned a really amazing itinerary for us with great hotels, a fabulous guide/driver, and interesting places to visit — they took great care to ensure we had an excellent holiday. We look forward to booking another holiday with them in the future. Thank you, Mark!”
Anna
“This adventure was always going to be very full-on, which is how we like our trips. I didn't count on getting bronchitis and ending up in hospital, however. The itinerary was quickly amended to avoid high-altitude destinations as much as possible while still making sure we had a chance to enjoy interesting experiences. While obviously sad to have missed some of the original sites, the revised itinerary was the only sensible option under the circumstances. I was extremely impressed with how Undiscovered Destinations and their local team handled the situation — taking the stress out of it, smoothing the way, rearranging the itinerary and booking new hotels, translating for me with the medical staff, and making sure I always had transport, medicines and anything else I needed. Nothing was too much trouble, and they kept in touch with me, each other, and the insurance company throughout. I can't recommend them enough!”
Grete
“My wife and I had a wonderful tour with Undiscovered Destinations. We had a different guide at each stop, and all of them were friendly, cheerful and knowledgeable. The local people were welcoming, and we always felt safe and comfortable. The beaches were spectacularly beautiful and empty of people, with warm, clear water, and each stop had its own character — some we loved for their unspoiled scenery, others for their history and the warmth of the welcome. We took the opportunity to snorkel on one of the most pristine reefs we've experienced, swimming with sea turtles and enormous manta rays that came right up to us out of curiosity. A wonderful destination for nature lovers.”
Frank
“Excellent. Action packed. Our local agent was excellent, and a good choice by Undiscovered Destinations. Because there were only two of us on the holiday, we had different guides at each stop, each one making sure we were handed over safely. All manner of transport was used, and we appreciated the different guiding strategies, the wealth of information given, the high level of English, and the genuine wish to show off their country at its best. Excellent.”
Cathy
“Far exceeding my expectations, this was one of the best trips I've ever done. A beautiful destination, with interesting history, lively ceremonies, lovely people and — surprisingly, for somewhere that sees so few tourists — absolutely no hassle on the streets. Excellent service from start to finish, with a first-class tour leader.”
Lynn
“We had a two-week trip with Undiscovered Destinations, flying in for two days first to break up the journey. It was a great trip, because we managed to see so much more than just the capital cities. This was the fourth trip we've taken with Undiscovered Destinations, and each one has been wonderful. Our guides were lovely — very professional and helpful. We rate UD very highly.”
Andy
“We had a fabulous trip with an excellent local guide, who took great care of us and enthusiastically shared his knowledge of both ancient and recent history, with lots of fascinating personal stories of his own life. We highly recommend this trip — Undiscovered Destinations were great to work with, and we hope to use them again.”
Jennie
“Everything was great — we got to witness a wonderful variety of wildlife, and thoroughly enjoyed the scenery and the hospitality of the people. A fabulous trip from start to finish.”
Debbie
“Excellent all-round trip. Drivers were conscientious and careful, accommodation was better than expected, and the scenery was stunning throughout.”
Alexis
“Fabulous, unusual destination, and great people. A private tour of somewhere little-visited, with great service from start to finish and excellent knowledge and advice from Undiscovered Destinations throughout.”
Steve
Every one of our China journeys can be rebuilt around your dates, pace and interests — or we’ll design something entirely new.
We’ll build one around you.
China is a country that rewards a longer look — and if our group departures don't fit your schedule, we can design a tailor-made China holiday around your dates and interests. Whether you want more time in Shanghai, a deeper focus on Xi'an and the Silk Road, or a bespoke journey through Yunnan and Sichuan taking in Chengdu and the Stone Forest, we can build a private itinerary for you. Contact our team to discuss your China travel plans.
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Our China tours start from £5,490 per person for the 16-day Shanghai to Bangkok Rail Adventure. The 32-day Istanbul to Shanghai Rail Adventure starts from £18,900 per person. Both are fully escorted small group China holidays with first-class rail travel, accommodation, guided sightseeing, and most meals included. Contact us for a full pricing breakdown or to request an information pack.
Shared across all tours that visit this destination. Read alongside your individual tour dossier for trip-specific details.
We constantly monitor official travel advice, including the UK
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) China Travel Advice, and will always advise clients of any warnings before departure. At the time of writing, there are no specific warnings against travel to the parts of China that we visit on our tours.
Please contact us if you have any specific concerns or would like to
understand what measures are in place to ensure your trip remains safe
and trouble-free.
For additional official guidance, travellers may also refer to:
- US Department of State — US State Dept China Travel Advisory
- Australian Government — Smartraveller China Advice
- Government of Canada — Canada Travel Advice for China
Please note this information applies primarily to British citizens —
nationals of other countries should check the current position with
their respective government travel authority.
Join a small-group departure, or let our China specialists craft a private journey shaped around your dates and interests.
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