China Holidays

Name: China
Brand: Exodus
Rating: 4.6 (129 reviews)

Exodus Does China Tours

China with Exodus Travels

Exodus offer a wide range of adventure, activity, cycling and walking holidays to China. From epic mountains and desert moonscapes to the modern chic of Shanghai; from ancient civilisations to the People’s Republic. China is vast, it’s incredible – it really is a different world.

Recommended Trips

Essential China

Walking the Great Wall of China

Walk with Exodus along one of the Seven Wonders of the World visiting the most remote sections of the Great Wall of China.

Recommended Trips

Walking the Great Wall

What our China Experts say?

The Great Wall is even more mind-blowing than in your imagination and doing this fantastic trip at the end of October is a great time to see it. We had beautiful autumn colours, with pleasant, warm days and slightly cooler mornings and evenings, and it’s not crowded with visitors. It’s suitable for people who are fit and enjoy walking, but it’s most definitely not a trek, so if that’s your thing you may not enjoy it as much as we did.

You get to visit different parts of the wall – from the restored and more touristy, to completely wild and unrestored and we appreciated seeing these different facets. The toboggan at Mutianyou is a hoot so it’s well worth giving yourself time to fit that in.

The food was good quality and varied (though see below if you’re veggie).The hotel in Beijing (Golden Sun Commercial Hotel) was very nice; a little away from the city centre but we enjoyed wandering the local hutongs, parks and temples and we easily got into town via the subway (Guang’anmennei station is an easy walk from the hotel).

Julia P Walking the Great Wall

A great hiking holiday walking different parts of the Great wall, from fully restored to original bricks. A mixture of tourist areas and wilderness.

Davina Farrer Walking the Great Wall

An excellent overall experience, really enjoyed the walking, especially the less touristy parts of the wall.
The hotel rooms in Beijing and Xi’an were looking a little tired but, they were clean with comfortable beds and good showers. The homesteads were fine with very welcoming hosts.
The food overall was very good, although breakfast was a little limited if you like your traditional “English” style to start the day.

Peter Kenny Walking the Great Wall

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Activities in China

Walking in China Culture in China

China Tours

9 Days from USD 2100

Guided Group (Excl. Flights)

Trek one of the seven wonders of the world

Walking & Trekking

11 Days from USD 3000

Guided Group (Excl. Flights)

Travel from Beijing to Shanghai to discover China's highlights

Culture

11 Days from USD 4985

Journey across ancient China, experiencing the true highlights of this unforgettable country.

Walking & Trekking

Why not extend your trip? Discover China's legendary Terracotta Warriors

Culture

Why not extend you trip? Discover China's legendary Terracotta Warriors

Culture

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Our Top Destinations in China

Beijing Guilin The Great Wall Xi’an Yangtze

Expert Blog Entries

Walking the Great Wall of China

Best Things to do in China

China Tours

From epic mountains and desert moonscapes to the vibrant city of Shanghai, China tour holidays are vast and varied, just like the landscape.

Overland China tours give you the maximum opportunity to make your trip a real once-in-a-lifetime adventure, with experiences such as a boat trip along the Yangtze, a tour along the Silk Road and, of course, a trip to the Great Wall. At the Forbidden City, once the imperial palace of China’s emperors, explore the vast halls and exquisite architecture.

Another renowned destination is the ancient city of Xi’an where you’ll witness the awe-inspiring Terracotta Warriors, a collection of thousands of life-sized statues guarding the tomb of China’s first emperor. You can also explore the Muslim Quarter, where vibrant markets and tantalising street food immerse you in the city’s lively atmosphere.

To experience China’s modern-day culture, take a tour of Shanghai and see the futuristic skyline which is pierced by skyscrapers such as the Oriental Pearl Tower and the Shanghai World Financial Centre. Stroll along the historic Bund, with its colonial-era architecture and picturesque views of the Huangpu River.

A cruise along the Yangtze River takes you on a mesmerising journey past immense gorges and sheer cliffs that tumble into the water. While your evenings are spent on board taking in the intense sunsets over the landscape, during the day you can enjoy a range of shore excursions that introduce you to fascinating villages and towns.

Or why not try our Private Group Adventure in China?

Are you looking to book a holiday with a group of your friends, family or other half? With our Private Group Adventures, you can now experience the China tour holidays with people who matter the most. Enjoy the freedom to travel with your own private group, including the flexibility to choose your departure date and add on days at the end of the trip, should you wish to extend your stay. So, if you’d like to celebrate your birthday with friends, a wedding anniversary or simply book a holiday to China with the ones you love, just let us know your group size and dates, and we’ll do the rest.

Find out more information about our Private Group Adventures.

FAQs on China Tour Holidays

What are the best places to visit in China?

China is an expansive country with countless fascinating destinations, but some of the must-visit places include Beijing, Shanghai, Xi’an, Guilin and the Yangtze River. Beijing is home to iconic sites like the Great Wall and the Forbidden City, while Shanghai is known for its modern skyline and historic areas like the Bund. The ancient city of Xi’an is most famous for the Terracotta Warriors, but there are many other sights to explore, including the Muslim Quarter and Great Mosque. In the evenings the city streets are bustling with food stalls and colourful bazaars.

Do you need a visa for China tour holidays?

Yes, most visitors to China require a visa. However, there are certain countries with visa exemptions, so it is essential to check the specific requirements for your country before planning your trip. It is advisable to apply for a Chinese visa well in advance to avoid any last-minute complications. We recommend checking visa requirements with your embassy or consulate well in advance of travelling to China. We’ve listed below some links to various government websites.

Australia: www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/asia/china
Canada: www.travel.gc.ca/destinations/china
United Kingdom: www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/china/entry-requirements
USA: www.travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/China.html

When is the best time to visit China?

China is a vast country with varied climates so the best time to visit depends on the regions you plan to explore. Generally, spring (April to June) and autumn (September to November) offer pleasant weather in most parts of China with less rainfall, making it ideal for outdoor activities. However, if you are planning to visit the northern parts of China such as Beijing and the Great Wall, the temperatures will be colder in the mountainous regions. From June to August, most areas enjoy plenty of sunshine and hot temperatures.

Do you need vaccinations to visit China?

While vaccinations are not mandatory to enter China, obtaining vaccinations for hepatitis A, tetanus, polio, typhoid, rabies, hepatitis B, encephalitis and tuberculosis is highly recommended. Hepatitis A and B, Japanese encephalitis, typhoid fever and influenza are amongst the diseases that pose the most significant risk to visitors. Dengue fever is also a risk of you’re visiting Hong Kong. Consulting with your healthcare professional and staying up to date with routine vaccinations can help ensure a safe and healthy journey. If you’re travelling from a country that has a risk of yellow fever, you’ll need a certificate of vaccination.

How long does it take to walk the Great Wall of China?

The Great Wall of China is a remarkable feat of engineering and a world-famous landmark that spans over 13,000 miles across mountains and valleys. Its length, combined with diverse terrains, makes it difficult to estimate the time required to walk the entire wall. Factors such as the walking pace, physical fitness, weather conditions and the chosen route need to be taken into consideration. On average, someone with a reasonable level of fitness can walk approximately two to three miles per hour. Assuming an uninterrupted journey, it may take around 4,000 to 6,000 hours, or roughly 5 to 9 months, to walk the entire length of the Great Wall of China.

What is the main food in China?

Chinese cuisine is renowned worldwide for its variety and spicy flavours and each region has its own distinct culinary traditions. From Peking duck and dim sum in the north to spicy Sichuan dishes in the west and Cantonese cuisine in the south, the country is a culinary paradise for food lovers. Hotpot, known locally as huo quo, is popular in Sichuan and consists of vegetables, various meats and quail eggs. Ma po tofu is another favourite delicacy made with beef, onions and chillies. As well as famous dishes like noodles and dumplings, make sure you also try the tasty street food.

Do you offer guided walking on China tour holidays?

Yes, at Exodus we offer a range of guided walking tours in China. Our expert leaders are English speaking and guide you among the main attractions as well as lesser-known gems that are tucked away off the tourist routes. Throughout your tour, our guides will also provide you with insightful information about each destination and offer immersive experiences that let you delve deeper into the history, culture and diverse landscapes of China.

Adventure trips to China: The highlights

1. Follow the Silk Road: Connecting China to the Mediterranean via the Central Asian steppes, the Silk Road is one of the world’s oldest and most historically important trade routes and had a huge influence on the civilisations of the West. The vast plains and great deserts create an unmissable wilderness landscape, home to nomadic tribes and marauding warriors. The Silk Road is also home to the forgotten cities that were once the centre of civilisation: Samarkand and Bukhara in Uzbekistan, and Kashgar in China’s Xinjiang region – regal posts on this incredible journey to Beijing.

2. Trek the Great Wall: China’s most famous landmark, the Great Wall winds like a dragon across the landscape. Stretching over 6000km it maps out most things Chinese, taking in Imperial tombs, quiet rural villages and mountainous highlands before reaching Beijing itself. The best bits are away from the tourists, and we’ll take you to the more remote areas. Your effort will be rewarded with peace and tranquillity, and an opportunity to get a real sense of the scale and majesty of this remarkable construction.

3. Walk among the Terracotta Army: In 1974, a group of peasants unearthed one of the biggest archaeological discoveries of the 20th century: over 8000 life-sized terracotta warriors. Beautifully crafted with astonishing attention to detail, the soldiers had been lying there for over 2000 years guarding the tomb of the first Chinese Emperor in the ancient city of Xi’an.