China · HALF-DAY

15 Half-Day Tours in China Worth Booking

26 tours  ·  from $16 a head

Good half-day tours fill up weeks ahead and the great ones go first. Below: the 15 to book early, what each includes and how they differ.

Half-Day Mini Group Xian Tour to Terracotta Warriors Museum - Finishing near the Big Wild Goose Pagoda
Half-Day, Museums, Terracotta Warriors Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Xi'an

Half-Day Mini Group Xian Tour to Terracotta Warriors Museum

1.Half-Day Mini Group Xian Tour to Terracotta Warriors Museum

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 467 reviews · from $49Our pick

Travel from central Xi’an by air-conditioned minivan to the Terracotta Warriors Museum with an English-speaking guide and a group of about 12. You get museum entry, headsets, bottled water, and a Chinese buffet lunch. Guides such as Rita, Carol, and Celine have been praised for clear explanations and helpful local advice. The tour ends near the Big Wild Goose Pagoda.

“Rita was a fantastic guide. Always aware of our interests and provided great historical info for our day. We loved how she shared the highlights and what to look for away from the entrances and then let us find these things ourselves. Perfect! Thus was a highlight of our China trip!”

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Half-Day Chengdu Cooking Class with a Local Market Visit - Learn why Sichuan food tastes so bold
Cooking Classes, Cooking Classes in Chengdu, Half-Day, Markets, Shopping Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours in Chengdu, Workshops

Half-Day Chengdu Cooking Class with a Local Market Visit

2.Half-Day Chengdu Cooking Class with a Local Market Visit

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 465 reviews · from $90

Meet your English-speaking guide at Chilli Cool’s Kitchen, visit Liangjiaxiang market, taste local ingredients, then cook Sichuan dishes with a chef. Lance, Jerry, and other Chilli Cool hosts help explain the spices, translate instructions, and adapt dishes for vegetarians. Your meal, drinks, recipes, and ingredients are included.

“A delightful time in an authentic traditional Chengdu market, followed by an amazing gastronomic experience. Jerry was just great full of knowledge and energy. The cooking kitchen was a top of the line setting for preparing the meals. The location was perfect an very easy to get to, using the subway. Highly recommend it!”

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Private Half-Day Chengdu Panda Breeding Center Tour with Optional Volunteer - Red pandas add variety to the visit
Giant Panda Tours, Half-Day, Panda Tours in Chengdu, Private, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Chengdu

Private Half-Day Chengdu Panda Breeding Center Tour with Optional Volunteer

3.Private Half-Day Chengdu Panda Breeding Center Tour with Optional Volunteer

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 353 reviews · from $87

Spend three to four hours at Chengdu’s panda base with a private English-speaking guide and hotel transfers. You’ll see baby, young, and adult giant pandas, visit the red panda area, and learn how the center supports breeding. Guides such as Cindy, Jason, Wells, and Jojo are praised for finding good viewing spots. The volunteer option visits Dujiangyan, about 90 minutes from central Chengdu.

“Jason was a great guide, made our visit to panda centre very good. We had a nice chat throughout the tour, so would recommend him to anybody.”

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Half-Day Bike Tour of Shanghai Old Town with Food Tasting - Fazang Temple and the meaning behind the rituals
Cycling Tours, Food, Food & Drink, Half-Day, Old Town & Ancient Village Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Shanghai

Half-Day Bike Tour of Shanghai Old Town with Food Tasting

4.Half-Day Bike Tour of Shanghai Old Town with Food Tasting

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 306 reviews · from $100

Start at 9:30 am with a safety briefing, coffee, and a vintage bicycle. Ride through Shanghai Old Town, the Former French Concession, and Fuxing Park, stopping at Fazang Temple and a traditional wet market. Guides such as Charlie, Claire, Jeremy, and Kat bring local history and street life into focus. The tour lasts about four hours and ends where it begins.

“Great way to spend a half-day in Shanghai. Our guide Jeremy was very knowledgable and guided us through some less touristy sections for the city. We also stopped for some tasty street food, which was an added bonus. I definitely recommend this tour.”

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Half-Day Private Custom Tour of Hong Kong - Victoria Peak and the cost of chasing the view
Half-Day, Private, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Hong Kong

Half-Day Private Custom Tour of Hong Kong

5.Half-Day Private Custom Tour of Hong Kong

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 202 reviews · from $231

Spend five private hours exploring Hong Kong with guides such as Alfred, Andy, Mel, or Sinclair. Walk local streets, ride the MTR and Star Ferry, visit markets, temples, Victoria Peak, or Kowloon, and shape the route around food, photography, shopping, or history. Hotel pickup and public transport are included.

“I enjoyed a wonderfully educational and pleasant half-day tour of Hong Kong. It was five hours packed with many adventures. I loved traveling on the tram, ferry, ding-ding cars, and metro system. Sinclair, my tour guide, made me feel like a local as well as showing me the best views of the city. Thank you for a very enjoyable day!! I can't wait until my next visit and tour.”

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Private Half-Day Tour of Xi'an Terracotta Warriors - Pit One: the main hall and the big reveal
Half-Day, Private, Terracotta Warriors Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Xi'an

Private Half-Day Tour of Xi’an Terracotta Warriors

6.Private Half-Day Tour of Xi’an Terracotta Warriors

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 201 reviews · from $145

Spend about five hours with a private guide and driver at Xi'an's Terracotta Warriors Museum. You will see Pits One, Two, and Three, hear the story behind more than 7,000 figures, and eat at a local restaurant. Afternoon bookings can add a Shaanxi dumpling feast and Tang Dynasty music and dance show.

“It was a great experience, are guide Lin give us the best excursion and explanation about the whole history of Terracotta Warriors. Then she take us to an amazing lunch with a local meal. Definitely were very lucky to have Lin and her driver.”

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Shanghai: Half-Day Biking and Local Food Tour - Starting near South Shanxi Road
Chinese Food Tours, Cycling Tours, Food, Food & Drink, Food Tours in Shanghai, Half-Day, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Shanghai

Shanghai: Half-Day Biking and Local Food Tour

7.Half-Day Biking and Local Food Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 170 reviews · 3 hours · from $88

Ride 11 mostly flat miles through Shanghai with an English-speaking guide such as Ellen, Alyssa, Alisa, or Li. You’ll pass the French Concession, Xintiandi, Taikang Road, Old Town, and the Bund, stopping to walk, taste local food, see daily life, and learn how the city changed from old neighborhoods to a global center.

“It was a very fun activity and a nice way to get to know the city. Highly recommend, also for the culinary chances that come along the way.”

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Half-Day Private Zhujiajiao Water Town Tour with Boat Ride from Shanghai - Walking into the 600-year-old water town
Cruises & Boat Tours, Half-Day, Private, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Shanghai, Water Town Tours, Water Town Tours in Shanghai

Half-Day Private Zhujiajiao Water Town Tour with Boat Ride from Shanghai

8.Half-Day Private Zhujiajiao Water Town Tour with Boat Ride from Shanghai

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 144 reviews · from $160

Travel from Shanghai with a private guide and driver to Zhujiajiao, a 600-year-old water town. Walk its lanes, cross Fangsheng Bridge, visit Kezhi Garden and the old post office, and ride a canal boat. Guides such as Tom, Vicky, David, and Cindy are praised for clear English, local insight, and flexible pacing.

“Very great experience to walk around the ancient town! We could not do the boat ride but overall it was a great experience!”

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All Inclusive Private Half-day tour to the Terracotta Warriors - The drive from Xi’an to the museum
Half-Day, Private, Terracotta Warriors Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Xi'an

All Inclusive Private Half-day tour to the Terracotta Warriors

9.All Inclusive Private Half-day tour to the Terracotta Warriors

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 117 reviews · from $125

Visit Xi’an’s Terracotta Warriors with a private vehicle and English-speaking guide, usually Wendy, Becky, Rocky, or another local guide. You’ll see all three original pits at your own pace, with admission and hotel pickup included. The five-hour outing can begin early or later, and lunch can be added at your own expense.

“Wendy was engaging with my kids. Gave us interesting facts and made the afternoon fun. She even recommended a show and gave us a ride there. Got snacks for my kids after the show. My 12 years old son actually turned to me and said: I have to admit this was pretty cool.”

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Private Half-Day Mutianyu Great Wall Tour including Round Way Cable Car or Toboggan - Reaching the wall by chair lift or cable car
Great Wall Tours, Half-Day, Mutianyu Great Wall Tours, Private, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Beijing

Private Half-Day Mutianyu Great Wall Tour including Round Way Cable Car or Toboggan

10.Private Half-Day Mutianyu Great Wall Tour including Round Way Cable Car or Toboggan

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 115 reviews · from $180

You’ll ride in a private vehicle from your Beijing hotel to Mutianyu, spend about two hours on the wall, and choose a chair lift or cable car up, with walking or a toboggan ride down. Guides such as Jenny, Andy, Angela, and Jack have been praised for clear English, helpful photos, and friendly service.

“This tour was great! Beautiful location and not crowded. Our driver and guide were very nice and the ride to the wall was pretty too. Our guide was friendly and accommodating. He answered our questions and ran ahead to get tickets and drinks so we had no waiting. Highly recommended.”

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Private Half-Day Tour to the Terracotta Army in Xi'an - What your guide adds inside the museum
Half-Day, Private, Terracotta Warriors Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Xi'an

Private Half-Day Tour to the Terracotta Army in Xi’an

11.Private Half-Day Tour to the Terracotta Army in Xi’an

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 76 reviews · from $99

Spend about three hours at the Terracotta Warriors Museum with a private English-speaking guide, then return by private air-conditioned vehicle. Guides such as Linda, Steven, Lisa, and Eddy have been praised for clear explanations and helpful support. Choose a morning or afternoon start, with transfer options depending on the package.

“For me Xian is the capital of China. Here everything started. The silk way for an example. I will for sure coming back to Xian.”

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Private Half-Day Real Hong Kong Walking Tour - Statue Square and the Feng Shui logic of the city
Half-Day, Private, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Hong Kong, Walking Tours

Private Half-Day Real Hong Kong Walking Tour

12.Private Half-Day Real Hong Kong Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 70 reviews · from $213

Spend four hours with a private English-speaking guide in Hong Kong’s Central and Western districts. Visit Statue Square, Graham Street Market, Man Mo Temple, Cat Street, and a Chinese medicine market, while riding the Mid-Levels escalator and learning about local life. Maggie is a guide worth requesting if available.

“Maggie was a wonderful patient guide we CB learned much about Zhong alongside history and todays traditions was the best 4 hours of our visit”

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Peaks to Piers, Half-Day Private Customised Tour In Hong Kong - Victoria Harbour and the Star Ferry
Half-Day, Private, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Hong Kong

Peaks to Piers, Half-Day Private Customised Tour In Hong Kong

13.Peaks to Piers, Half-Day Private Customised Tour In Hong Kong

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 69 reviews · from $268

Start with pickup from your hotel, airport, or cruise terminal, then explore Hong Kong with a private guide such as Amy, Agnes, Nadia, Angel, or Jami. Your day can include Victoria Peak, the Star Ferry, Wong Tai Sin Temple, markets, and the Mid-Levels Escalator, with time to learn local transport and find food that suits you.

“Angel was a wonderful tour guide that really catered the day to what I wanted it to be! She took great photographs and was able to integrate her knowledge of the history of Hong Kong into the beautiful landscapes that I saw. I really feel that I saw so much just in those 6 hours! Thank you for this experience!”

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Xi'an: Private Half-Day Terracotta Warriors Tour with Pickup - Pickup choices that fit a tight schedule
Half-Day, Private, Terracotta Warriors Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Xi'an

Xi’an: Private Half-Day Terracotta Warriors Tour with Pickup

14.Private Half-Day Terracotta Warriors Tour with Pickup

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 60 reviews · 5 - 10 hours · from $85

Make the Terracotta Warriors your priority with a private 5-hour visit from Xi’an. An English-speaking guide such as Linda, Tina, Cindy, or Rosa leads you through the museum, explains Qin history, and helps with photos and crowds. Hotel, airport, and train station pickup options make this a useful choice for a short stay.

“Excellent service. Linda, our guide, was extremely professional, she was telling us just the right amount of background information on history. Very good English and nice personality. Pickup was seamless. Well recommended. The museum is obviously overcrowded, but this has nothing to do with the service provider. Bring an umbrella to protect against the sun, and plenty of water.”

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Half-Day Chengdu Back Alley Foodie Tour - Starting in the Chengdu market
Food, Half-Day, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Chengdu

Half-Day Chengdu Back Alley Foodie Tour

15.Half-Day Chengdu Back Alley Foodie Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 58 reviews · from $80

Spend four hours exploring a Chengdu market, learning about local ingredients, and preparing both spicy and mild Sichuan hotpot with a guide and professional chef. You’ll practice cutting and arranging ingredients, then eat in an intimate home-style setting with unlimited local beer and soft drinks. Guides have included Lance, Jerry, and Winter.

“Our family really enjoyed the tour as it gave us a glimpse into local life. Interesting sights around the markets. Our guide Jerry was super nice and easy going. Knowledgeable and very helpful with food allergies/preferences. We enjoyed the food we tried and the restaurant chosen was delicious.”

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New in Half-Day

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