CALL US FREE ON
0800 141 3667

OPENING TIMES TODAY 09:00 - 17:30

SPECIAL OFFER:

Save £200 per person on China tours departing from September 2026. Book by 30th November 2025. Request a brochure

China Tours

17 to 23-day itineraries visiting many of China’s most iconic wonders

With thousands of years of history and a fascinating, vibrant culture, it’s easy to see why China remains one of the world’s favourite travel destinations. Alongside the intriguing history seen in the many ancient cities and archaeological discoveries, China seamlessly blends centuries-old traditions with modern innovation. Join us as we explore iconic landmarks, indulge in local cuisine and discover its rich cultural tapestry and incredible landscapes.

Once in a Lifetime Experiences

China’s ancient city of Pingyao – Stay in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Pingyao, a tiny ancient city, often overlooked by travellers. Pingyao’s superbly preserved architecture and city walls, elegant courtyards and ancient temples, along with the vibrancy created by the 30,000 people residing there, and the absence of cars within the city walls, transports you to a bygone era.

Unforgettable cruises – A true highlight is our unforgettable three-night cruise along the spectacular Yangtze River, with plenty of time to sit back and view ever-changing vistas or to explore a selection of the river’s ancient waterside towns and the remarkable engineering feat of the Three Gorges Dam.

Wildlife wonders – The beloved panda is the national symbol of China. Join us as we visit the Giant Panda Breeding Research Institute, home to around 120 giant and 76 red pandas.

Connect with culture – History buffs and food lovers will find plenty to captivate their senses. From scaling the Great Wall and wandering through Suzhou’s celebrated gardens, we witness firsthand the wonders that make China truly one-of-a-kind. We’ll engage in Tai Chi, explore the ancient art of calligraphy, learn to prepare traditional dishes, and discover the delicate craft of silk embroidery. Along the way, we’ll savour local delights like fresh noodles, dumplings, Peking Duck and tea house specialties, tantalising our taste buds with every bite.

So Much Included

From start to finish, our China escorted tours are meticulously planned and offer exceptional value. We include return international flights from the UK, overseas transfers and transport in modern air-conditioned coaches, deluxe hotels in great locations, many meals including daily breakfast, and entrance fees to the many incredible places and monuments you will visit, all with an experienced Tour Manager or local guide, and access to our exclusive Distant Journey’s travel app.

Take advantage of our Special Offers or check out our late availability to China.

Did you know? The Travel Visa Company, a UK-based travel visa agent with 25+ years of experience, offers a complete service for Distant Journeys customers, helping with visa applications for China. You can now obtain a tourist visa without having to attend an application centre in person as the Travel Visa Company will do this for you. Find out more

Read Less

Holiday Styles to Suit You

YOUR HOLIDAYS OF A LIFETIME

The meticulous organisation, scope of places and sights visited, the expertise of the local guides, and particularly the superb management and assistance provided by our tour guide, made The Very Best of China tour a wonderful experience.

Mr Wood
The Very Best of China
brochure-stack-Far-East-25-26

BROCHURE REQUEST

Order your free brochure

Escorted touring experience

At Distant Journeys we are true escorted touring experts. From our knowledgeable Directors and Reservations consultants at Head Office to our Tour Managers on the ground, each person plays a unique role in ensuring you have the holiday of a lifetime.

We have extensive experience in the travel industry and in creating the best escorted tours of China from the UK. You can be confident that our escorted tours to China are of the highest standard.

Our success is evident having now become 23-time winners at the prestigious British Travel Awards, and we have been awarded Feefo’s highest Platinum Trusted rating.

Your money is 100% safe when you book with Distant Journeys. All our Chinese touring packages are fully-bonded by the Civil Aviation Authority (ATOL no. 10913).

Award-winning tours

We have won numerous awards at the British Travel Awards, most recently ‘Best Small Holiday Company to Australasia’, ‘Best Small Holiday to Sub-Saharan Africa’ and ‘Best Small Escorted Tours Holiday Company’.

Our customers are at the heart of what we do, and this is reflected across our company. We have received an incredible 4.8/5 customer experience rating with independent reviews provider Feefo, and were awarded its highest ‘Platinum Trusted’ rating, for consistently delivering an excellent level of customer service.

China holiday highlights

Our escorted tours to China have many and varied highlights. Below are just some you will experience on the Distant Journeys Very Best of China tour:

  • Beijing – a leisurely four night stay in this fascinating city, with sightseeing in the Forbidden City and Summer Palace included
  • The Great Wall – China’s most iconic sight and ample time to stroll along this engineering triumph
  • Pingyao – stay in the ancient walled city and UNESCO World Heritage site of Pingyao
  • The Terracotta Warriors – experience a bullet train ride to Xi’an and home of the Terracotta Army
  • Li River & Yangshuo – cruise down the Li River and enjoy two nights in the idyllic resort of Yangshuo
  • Giant Pandas – the national symbol of China, this Research Institute has played an important role in the preservation of pandas for nearly 30 years
  • Yangtze River Cruise – spend three nights on the Yangtze, including the spectacular The Three Gorges
  • Shanghai – we end our tour with four nights in China’s most cosmopolitan city

 

Providing exceptional value while maintaining the highest standards is at the heart of everything we do.

Excellent Hotels

Distant Journeys appreciate the hotels in which you stay are an integral part of your holiday enjoyment, which is why we take great care in hand-picking all the accommodation features in our tours to China. Location and quality are always paramount considerations, and we strive to provide the best of both.

So many experiences included

Visit China with Distant Journeys, and you’ll enjoy so many incredible experiences, at no extra cost. From strolling along the Great Wall and visiting the Forbidden City in Beijing, to a cruise along the Yangtze River, they’re all included in the price of your China tour.

Our China tours include

  • Return scheduled economy class flights
  • A choice of UK departure airports at no additional cost
  • Airport transfers overseas
  • Superior hotels, with great locations
  • Daily breakfast included
  • Many lunches and dinners sampling regional specialities
  • Experienced tour managers and local guides
  • Incredible excursions
  • All pre-payable airport taxes
  • All hotel porterage
  • ATOL protection for your holiday
  • Our Price Promise

At Distant Journeys, we think we’ve found the perfect balance of freedom and flexibility that every escorted tour of China needs.

Where would you like to fly from?

It’s up to you! On our 23 day Very Best of China tour, our return economy flights with Emirates fly via Dubai from London Heathrow, London Gatwick, London Stansted, Manchester, Birmingham, Newcastle or Glasgow. Inclusive of all airport charges, security charges, any applicable fuel surcharges and UK Air Passenger Duty

What would you like to do?

On an escorted tour, we think it’s important to still have the flexibility to enjoy experiences that really interest you. And our Very Best of China tour has several Freedom Days to allow you to decide how you wish to spend your time.

Special Offer

Take advantage of Early Booking Offers available with savings of £200 per person, when you book a China tour departing from September 2026. Offer ends 30th November 2025.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Is there a time difference?

    Beijing GMT +8hrs

  • What is the currency?

    Renminbi (commonly known as Chinese Yuan)

  • What will the weather be like?

    Weather patterns around the world are becoming less predictable. Our tour of China covers different provinces so the weather can be changeable, however as a general guide, during spring and autumn the weather tends to be warm and dry and a little cooler in the evenings, although as we travel south it can be hotter and more humid. We recommend checking up-to date weather forecasts before you travel.

  • What clothing should I take to China?

    Dress for our tours is generally relaxed and informal during the day, dressing to suit the weather conditions and the activity you are undertaking. It’s likely there will be occasions when exploring you’ll be walking on uneven surfaces, so we recommend sturdy and comfortable walking shoes. Wearing layers of clothing means it’s much easier to deal with potentially varied weather conditions and it’s always advisable to carry a waterproof. Any included evening dinners are also informal, with smart casual dress being the norm. We would also recommend taking good insect repellent, a high factor sunscreen lotion, sunglasses and a hat for protection from the sun.

  • What is the best way to pay for things in China?

    Major credit cards are widely accepted in all hotels and on your cruise. ATMs are widely available in major cities, but less so in more rural areas. We do recommend that for any purchases outside of the hotel, including restaurants, especially outside of the major cities and even for small purchases, you use cash or mobile payments such as Alipay, as many establishments will not accept credit cards. For convenience, we recommend downloading the Alipay App to your smartphone before you travel. When you change money, ask for some small bills and keep these, along with coins separate from the larger ones, so that they’re readily accessible. If changing currency locally, your Tour Manager will be on hand to help you find the best places to exchange your money and to assist with using the Alipay App. Keep your exchange receipts as these will be needed if you want to exchange any remaining currency you have at the end of your trip. We also recommend advising your bank of your travel plans in advance so you do not encounter potential problems when trying to withdraw cash.

  • How much should I tip in China?

    In China, it is customary to offer gratuities within the hospitality and tourism industries, as a way of showing your appreciation for good service. We have included a number of gratuities into your tour, however, tipping for your Tour Manager, local guides and drivers are not included.

    Tips remain discretionary, however, if you are happy with the service you have received, we would suggest the following amounts:

    Tour Manager: £3 – £5 per person per day
    Local Guides: £2 – £3 per person per day
    Drivers: £2 – £3 per person per day

    Note: As our tours visit several areas across China, you will have more than one local guide and coach driver on your tour.

    When eating in restaurants, a service charge of 10-15 percent will already be included in your bill. Tipping for taxi drivers is not expected, however, rounding up the final fare is common.

  • What are the entry requirements for China?

    The following information on entry requirements, passports and Visa’s is for British citizens only. Holders of a British Subject passport, non-British citizens and holders of a passport endorsed in any way should check immigration requirements with the relevant embassy or consulate of the country to be visited, as should clients with dual nationality or renounced citizenship.

  • Do I need to renew my passport?

    A valid ten-year British passport is required for all holidays, valid for a minimum of 6 months after your return date to the UK. When travelling to China you must also allow two blank pages for your visa. If you are not currently in possession of a valid passport please make sure you leave plenty of time before your holiday to apply for this document. Our recommendation is that you should apply at least three months before your holiday. A standard, 30-day single-entry visa can be issued in four to five working days.

  • Will I need a visa to enter China?

    To enter China you will be required to obtain a visa before you travel. You are required to obtain an L visa type and must apply for your visa via the China Visa Application Centre: http://www.visaforchina.org/

    We recommend applying for your visa no more than three months and at least one month before your intended travel date. The cost of a single entry visa is £87.00, however, please note the China Visa Application Centre levies an extra administration fee of £66.00 for standard service, £78.00 for a 3 day express service, and £90.00 for a 2 day urgent service or a postal service. Standard service and express service require you to submit and collect your visa in person. As part of the application process you need to show proof of an air-ticket booking and provide accommodation details. We will provide this information for you once your booking is confirmed. Please be aware our normal cancellation fees will apply if you are refused a Chinese Visa. More information can also be found on the Chinese Embassy website: http://www.chinese-embassy.org.uk/eng/visa/  Alternatively, you may prefer to use a visa agency to obtain your visa. We recommend The Travel Visa Company.

    For more information on passport information and entry requirements please visit the Government Passport Office website: www.gov.uk/browse/abroad/passports and the Foreign Office website https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice It is important to note entry requirements may change and it is your responsibility to ensure you are in possession of all necessary travel, passport, visa, other entry requirements before departure. All costs incurred in obtaining such documentation must be paid by you. We regret we cannot accept any liability if you are refused entry onto any transport or into any country due to failure on your part to obtain and carry all required documentation.

  • Do I need to have any vaccinations?

    Health facilities, hygiene and disease risks vary worldwide. You should take health advice from your GP or local travel clinic about your specific needs as early as possible and ensure that vaccinations or preventative measures are taken early enough (which may be a month or more prior to departure) to be fully effective by the date of travel. For more information on health and vaccinations please visit the Foreign Office website www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice and NHS Travel Vaccinations website on: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/travel-vaccinations/

    Advice may change and you should check the most up to date position with your GP or local health / travel clinic in good time before departure.

BOOK WITH CONFIDENCE

Award-winning Holidays

Distant Journeys has won 23 awards over the last seven years, at the British Travel Awards, and we have been awarded Feefo’s highest Platinum Trusted Rating for customer satisfaction.

Guaranteed Price Promise

Know you are paying the best price for your holiday with our Price Promise. We never offer last minute discounts and we guarantee the earlier you book the better the offer you’ll receive.

100% Financial Protection

Book in the confidence your money is 100% safe. All Distant Journeys holidays are fully bonded by the Civil Aviation Authority (ATOL number 10913) or ABTOT (number 5427).

ORDER YOUR BROCHURES TODAY

New Brochure

 

Planning your next holiday? Let Distant Journeys give you some travel inspiration.

There are three easy ways to request your brochures – just click on your preferred option below:

View our
online brochures
Download
your brochures
Request your FREE
brochures by post

CUSTOMER REVIEWS

Platinum Trusted Service Award