Personalized trips to China
for independent travelers

How it works
Chat with specialist icon Step 1
Tell us what kind of trip you want
Complete our quick travel quiz
Chat icons Step 2
Chat with a local travel specialist
Work out the details together
Credit card icon Step 3
Securely book your trip
100% satisfaction guaranteed

Travelers love kimkim

- ., traveled to in

Introducing China

When is the best time to visit?
September and October are the best months to visit China, when the weather is predictably sunny and mild. One exception is the first week of October, when the National Day holiday closes businesses and brings domestic tourists out in droves to popular vacation spots. Spring (April-June) also brings pleasant weather to most of the country, but keep in mind that this is the rainy season for southern China. Winter travel can also be lovely—in January and February, travelers will enjoy ice & snow sculptures in Harbin and many celebrations of the Lunar New Year all over the country. Learn more

Where should you go?
For first-timers, a comprehensive tour of China's top sites is recommended—this might include Beijing, Xian, Guilin, and Shanghai. With extra time (see below), you can observe giant pandas and try traditional Sichuan cuisine in Chengdu. The southwestern Yunnan Province is another gem, where you can discover ancient towns hidden in the region's remote corners.

Travelers wanting a deeper dive will have no shortage of options for getting off the beaten path. Consider a cultural excursion to visit the minority community of Guizhou or take a historical journey into Pingyao and the Shanxi Province of northern China. Other places of interest include Shangdong Province, where you can visit Qufu, the hometown of Confucius, and the many heritage sites of Henan Province. For instagram-worthy pictures, beeline to Yellow Mountain and Zhangjiajie, two of China's most photogenic spots.

How many days do you need?
Five days is enough for a whirlwind of China's urban highlights. You can pay quick visits to Beijing and Shanghai, China's political capital and commercial center respectively. If you're more interested in history, combine Beijing with cultural treasure trove Xian instead. A 10-day tour offers a more reasonable pace and many more options—you can easily cover Beijing, Xian, Guilin, and Shanghai (or swap Guilin for Chengdu). Even more ideal is spending 2 weeks or more, allowing for deeper dives into areas of interest and extra time for hidden gems. Add a trip to Suzhou, take a Yangtze River cruise—options are endless, and trips can be tailored to your interests.

Getting Around China
Flying is the quickest way around the country. China’s massive airports⁠ offer dozens of daily nonstop flights to cities all over the mainland and Hong Kong. That said, by the time you factor in security screening and travel time to and from each airport—the airports in both cities are outside the city center—it's often easier and more reliable to take the train. Learn more

Explore trips by duration: 5 days · 6 days · 7 days · 8 days · 9 days · 10 days · 11 days · 12 days · 13 days · 14 days

China Tours & Itineraries

Get inspired by trips other travelers have loved
china
Map of Best of Beijing - 5 Days
Best of Beijing - 5 Days

Spend a quick five days touring the most historic sights of China's capital, like the Forbidden City and Summer Palace. You'll arrive in Beijing and visit Tiananmen Square before heading off for a hike on the Great Wall. Then you'll tour one of the nation's holiest sites, the Temple of Heaven, and cap the trip with a boat ride on the lake at the imperial Summer Palace.

China
Map of Explore the Yunnan Province - 7 Days
Explore the Yunnan Province - 7 Days

You'll pack an incredible week with the highlights of China's Yunnan province. After arriving in the city of Kunming, you'll transfer to Dali and visit the Stone Forest, a natural marvel of towering limestone rocks. Then you'll tour other historic towns and cities that were once fixtures on the ancient tea trading routes while also visiting incredible natural wonders like Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and Black Dragon Pool.

Hong Kong Skyline at Night
Hong Kong and Macau Family Trip - 5 Days

Discover the best of Hong Kong on this family trip, starting with a  bus tour of the city, a ride up the gondola to Victoria Peak, and an evening at Stanely Market. Spend two days riding roller coasters, playing games, and learning about marine life at Hong Kong's Disneyland and Ocean Park. End your trip with a day in Macau, complete with a ferry ride and a visit to the Venetian Resort.

Great Wall of China under a hazy sunset
Map of China's Highlights - 10 Days
China's Highlights - 10 Days

This packed itinerary covers many of China's highlights, starting in Beijing with a tour of the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, and the Great Wall. Then take a bullet train to Xi'an to see the famous Terracotta Army before heading to Guilin for river excursions in a paradise setting. End your trip in metropolitan Shanghai and explore its Bund waterfront, peaceful Yu Garden, and bohemian Tianzifang neighborhood.

Yuyuan Garden (Garden of Happiness) in the center of Shanghai
Map of Highlights from Shanghai to Beijing - 12 Days
Highlights from Shanghai to Beijing - 12 Days

This exciting 12-day itinerary includes some of China's best cultural and natural wonders. Kick off the trip in cosmopolitan Shanghai where you'll explore its modern waterfront, peaceful gardens, and artsy neighborhoods. Next is Zhangjiajie for a dose of dramatic mountain vistas before you continue to Xi'an to see the Terra Cotta Warriors. Finish with a bullet train to Beijing to experience the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, and—on your last full day—the Great Wall of China.

Cherry blossoms in Xi'an
Map of Best of China - 13 Days
Best of China - 13 Days

This packed itinerary checks off China's top cultural and natural highlights. Visit Beijing to see the Forbidden City and hike along the Great Wall, then take the bullet train to Xi'an to see the Terracotta Warriors. Visit Guilin to see the world's tallest Buddha and enjoy Yangshuo's serene countryside. Tour Chengdu's panda research station before finishing your trip in metropolitan Shanghai.

China Travel Advice

Read our detailed insights to make sure you have the best trip

Our Latest China Content

Discover the immense beauty of Yunnan and its people during this eight-day tour
Map of Culture & Nature Tour of China's Yunnan Province - 8 Days
Culture & Nature Tour of China's Yunnan Province - 8 Days

Dive into the cultural and natural landscapes of China's Yunnan province on this immersive eight-day tour. You'll visit ancient towns, explore Buddhist temples, and wander through karst forests, all while connecting with the local people's customs and beliefs. Discover the legends and dance of the Yi in Kunming, mingle with the Bai in Xizhou, make a Naxi baba pancake with a family in Lijiang, learn to write characters from a dongba (shaman) in Baisha, and sit down with a Buddhist lama in Shangri-La.

Explore China's rich past during this nine-day tour
Map of Chinese Culture, Religion & History Tour of Beijing & Shandong Province - 9 Days
Chinese Culture, Religion & History Tour of Beijing & Shandong Province - 9 Days

Delve deep into Chinese culture on this immersive, nine-day tour, visiting temples, palaces, and shrines. Sample succulent Peking duck and explore the Forbidden City in Beijing before hiking along the iconic Great Wall. See a spring-fed lake in beautiful Jinan, Shandong province's capital, then transfer to Tai'an to ascend Mount Taishan, China's most sacred mountain. Visit the hometown of Confucius and explore European influences in Qingdao before discovering the tenets of Taoism on Mount Laoshan.

Taste-test your way through the streets of Macau and Hong Kong on this six-day tour
Map of Food Tour of Hong Kong & Macau - 6 Days
Food Tour of Hong Kong & Macau - 6 Days

Immerse yourself in the foodie paradises of Hong Kong and Macau on this tempting six-day tour. Savor the culinary fusion of their Asian/colonial pasts, beginning with the tasty dim sum dishes of Hong Kong and a street food tour in Kowloon. Discover Lantau Island’s lush landscape, Big Buddha, and freshest seafood before heading to Macau to explore the city’s Baroque architecture and indulge in Portuguese and Chinese-inspired dishes.

China Travel Maps

Get the lay of land, and understand distances between the places you want to visit
Map 14 Days in China - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas
14 Days in China - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas
View article
Map 10 Days in China - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas
10 Days in China - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas
View article
Map Beijing - 5 Days
Beijing - 5 Days
View article

Meet our Local Travel Specialists

Experienced travel agents with a passion for China
Travel specialist Heidi Jiang
active 4 hours ago

Heidi Jiang

For the past fifteen years I have accompanied many private groups to most places of China and also some other southeast Asian countries which makes me understand the first information traveler...

read more...
Travel specialist Heidi Li
active 3 hours ago

Heidi Li

As a travel advisor, I love traveling at home and abroad. I traveled to 14 countries and most destinations in Japan, which helps me better understand different cultures and travelers’ expectation....

read more...
Travel specialist Simon Huang
active 4 days ago

Simon Huang

In 2009, I was privileged to join a tour company as a travel consultant. For over a decade, I've been presented with countless opportunities to explore the wonders of the world, from the majestic...

read more...

Related Destinations

Travelers who visit China also visit these destinations

Why travelers love kimkim

Custom trips for independent travelers who are too busy to plan

Customize your trip with the help of a local travel specialist

Kimkim has handpicked the world’s top local travel specialists so you will have peace of mind and an unforgettable trip that meets your exact requirements.

Authentic travel experiences

Kimkim’s local specialists ensure that you will have the best experience based on up-to-date local insights. On top of that, the vast majority of your money will go straight to support and grow local economies.

Secure & easy booking

Once you are happy with the trip, you can easily book via kimkim’s secure payment platform.

Local support during your trip

You can always reach your local specialist with a quick message or call in case you hit a snag during your trip, or simply want some great local recommendations.

100% satisfaction guarantee
Kimkim offers a 100% satisfaction guarantee. If you are not fully satisfied with us, we’ll work with you to make it right.
kimkim trips are 100% climate neutral
A portion of every kimkim trip goes toward the removal of carbon from the atmosphere. Learn more
BBB A+ rated

Kimkim is accredited by the Better Business Bureau with an A+ rating.

Seller of Travel Registration number: CST #2136279-40.
Registration as a seller of travel does not constitute approval by the State of California.

Trip Reviews for China

The latest reviews by travelers who booked their trip on kimkim

This is my first time booking with Kim Kim an...
China | Mar 4 - Mar 23, 2024

Julio
Julio F.
Flagami, FL | Reviewed on Apr 01, 2024
This is my first time booking with Kim Kim and by all means it WON'T be the last. Heidi did an excellent job on making sure everything was in point, answering all the questions and always be there when needed.
Heidi THANK YOU so much for such outstanding job. my family and I brought all these great memories from the trip and in a great part thanks to you.
we'll talk again very soon...
Julio Cesar.
Read more

This is my first time booking with Kim Kim and by all means it WON'T be the last. Heidi did an excellent job on making sure everything was in point, answering all the questions and always be there when needed.
Heidi THANK YOU so much for such outstanding job. my family and I brought all these great memories from the trip and in a great part thanks to you.
we'll talk again very soon...
Julio Cesar.

Hotel Reviews
The Royal Pacific Hotel and Towers
Hong Kong

Excellent location and the staff awesome!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Sakurai
Kusatsu

We just love it.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Shibuya Tokyu REI Hotel
Tokyo

Excellent place clean and the people very nice

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Heidi Jiang
Heidi
Heidi Jiang
Local specialist in China | Replied on Apr 02, 2024

Dear Julio,

Hope you are doing fantastic.

Thank you so much for your kind feedback and for choosing Kim Kim for your trip. We're thrilled to hear that your experience with us exceeded your expectations .We are also so happy with that you and your family brought back great memories from this trip.It is our great honor and pleasure to play a part in creating those memorable experiences for you and your family.

We look forward to assisting you again in the future and creating more unforgettable adventures together.

Warm regards,
Heidi

Had an amazing well organised trip, Heidi did...
China | Sep 16 - Sep 30, 2023

R
Richard D.
United Kingdom | Reviewed on Oct 01, 2023

Had an amazing well organised trip, Heidi did a great job of suggesting hotels and excursion ideas, overall preparation and ongoing support was very strong. China is a beautiful country, people were lovely and friendly. Also appreciated all my local guides Alice (Beijing), Tracy (Xian), Kevin (Chengdu), Eric Fan (Guilin) and Run Liu (Shanghai). Would recommend.

Local specialist: Heidi Jiang
Heidi
Heidi Jiang
Local specialist in China | Replied on Oct 12, 2023

Hi Richard,

Thank you very much for the positive feedback! We are thrilled to hear that you had a fantastic vacation in China. It brings us great joy to know that you enjoyed your time, and we are especially delighted to hear that you have enjoyable time with all of you local guides. China is a beautiful and colorful country with rich cultural and natural beauty.

Welcome you back to China again in the future.

Warmest regards,
Heidi

Fantastic!
China | Jan 8 - Jan 15, 2020

D
David L.
San Francisco, CA | Reviewed on Jan 16, 2020

I had a great time in China. My tour guides were great! Shout out to the guides Yan, Fish Lee, and Run for the great service. Also, the drivers got us to each location safe and sound and they are very much appreciated. I really enjoyed all of our sightseeing locations. One of my most memorable activities was the dumpling making class in Xi’an. The local family was very nice and cooked some very delicious dishes for us. Great hospitality! Overall, I had a very positive experience booking with KimKim, who referred us to Peicy, our travel consultant, and I am looking forward to our next trip!

Local specialist: Peicy Wang