China · HISTORICAL TOURS

15 History Tours in China Worth Booking

31 tours  ·  from $5 a head

This is the shortlist you would send a friend: 15 history tours worth the money, each with its price, its traveller verdict and the one thing to know before you commit.

Between Capitalism & Communism: Hong Kong History Tip Based Tour - Starting at the Court of Final Appeal
Historical Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Hong Kong

Between Capitalism & Communism: Hong Kong History Tip Based Tour

1.Between Capitalism & Communism: Hong Kong History Tip Based Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 234 reviews · from $2Our pick

Follow a local guide from Central MTR to Man Mo Temple, with stops at the Court of Final Appeal, HSBC, St. John’s Cathedral, Hollywood Road, and more. Guides such as Alice, Andy, Armie, and Wingman bring personal stories to Hong Kong’s colonial past and current politics. A street food tasting is included.

“Excellent tour. Short but thorough and helpful towards the rest of our stay in HK. “Wingman” was terrific, especially sharing her personal story.”

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Beijing Historical Tour II including Summer Palace, Lama Temple & Panda Garden - The Summer Palace, gardens, and what you actually see
Giant Panda Tours, Historical Tours, Lama Temple Tours, Summer Palace Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Beijing

Beijing Historical Tour II including Summer Palace, Lama Temple & Panda Garden

2.Beijing Historical Tour II including Summer Palace, Lama Temple & Panda Garden

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 187 reviews · from $93

Spend about seven hours visiting Beijing’s Lama Temple, Summer Palace and Panda Garden with an English-speaking guide, lunch, transport and entrance fees included. Guides such as William, Mary, Cathy and Cynthia have earned praise for clear explanations. Expect a busy day, optional boat rides, and possible silk, pearl or tea shopping stops.

“I really enjoyed the tour and was lucky to be the only person so it turned into a private tour with Suzanne my local guide. Suzanne also took me to the Olympic Village since we had extra time available which was not on the itinerary.”

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Beijing Historical Tour I - Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square & Temple of Heaven - Tiananmen Square: a powerful beginning
Forbidden City Tours, Historical Tours, Temple of Heaven Tours, Tiananmen Square Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Beijing

Beijing Historical Tour I – Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square & Temple of Heaven

3.Beijing Historical Tour I – Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square & Temple of Heaven

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 120 reviews · from $93

Spend about seven hours visiting Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, and Temple of Heaven with an English-speaking guide. Central Beijing hotel pickup, admission fees, lunch, and return transport are included. Guides such as Mary, Jenny, Cherry, and Mark have earned praise, but confirm the Forbidden City ticket and ask about shopping stops before departure.

“I can’t remember my tour guides name unfortunately but she was amazing, her depth of knowledge felt so present and real, almost as though she had been there while these things were happening. She made sure to include every moment and help us with everything and anything we might need including many photo opportunities.”

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Tour of Jewish Shanghai led by a Jewish History Expert - The Baghdadi Jewish chapter
Historical Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Shanghai

Tour of Jewish Shanghai led by a Jewish History Expert

4.Tour of Jewish Shanghai led by a Jewish History Expert

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 106 reviews · from $96

Spend four hours with an expert guide, often Dvir, tracing Jewish life in Shanghai from Baghdadi merchants to European refugees. Begin near the Bund, then visit Hongkou, the former Shanghai Ghetto, Ohel Moishe Synagogue, Huoshan Park, back lanes, and a former refugee home. Private transport and museum admission are included.

“I would highly recommend this tour without any reservations to anyone traveling to Shanghai. Dvir, the guide, is friendly, knowledgeable and passionate about his work. He will provide you a full history of Jews in the Far East as well as share extensive information about WWII and China. It's a must do!”

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Beijing Historic City Guided Walking Tour + Calligraphy Creation - One hour among Beijing’s hutongs
Calligraphy & Craft Classes, Calligraphy and Craft Classes in Beijing, Guided, Historical Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Beijing, Walking Tours

Beijing Historic City Guided Walking Tour + Calligraphy Creation

5.Beijing Historic City Guided Walking Tour + Calligraphy Creation

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 59 reviews · from $5Best value

Spend 3.5 hours walking from Huguang Guild Hall through old hutongs, Liulichang, Yangmeizhu Byway, Dashilan, and Qianmen. Guides such as Kris and Hao bring history, food, and daily life into the story, with calligraphy along the way. Pay $5 to reserve your place, then tip about 160 to 200 RMB.

“I had such a good time during this tour in Beijing and it exceeded all my expectations! Hao was incredibly knowledgeable and passionate about the city's history, providing various insights at every stop. Highly recommended for anyone looking to explore Beijing in such unique way!”

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Beijing Culture: Tea Ceremony, Heritage Instrument & Calligraphy - Tea ceremony: learning through taste and ritual
Calligraphy & Craft Classes, Calligraphy and Craft Classes in Beijing, Historical Tours, Tea Tastings, Tour Reviews, Tours in Beijing

Beijing Culture: Tea Ceremony, Heritage Instrument & Calligraphy

6.Beijing Culture: Tea Ceremony, Heritage Instrument & Calligraphy

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 57 reviews · from $78

Spend 2.5 hours at Beijing’s private 813 Creative Park venue learning tea ceremony, calligraphy, and Guqin music. A bilingual guide with a master’s degree in history and sociology explains the rituals, while cultural specialists lead the hands-on sessions. Tea snacks, traditional clothing, photos, and a small group of up to eight are included.

“I didn’t expect to feel so moved. Playing the Guqin while the master guided my fingers felt like stepping into another time. It was quiet, personal, and completely different from anything else in my itinerary.”

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2-Hour Beijing Private Forbidden City Tour: History & Highlights - Starting at the Forbidden City and Palace Museum
2-Hour Experiences, City Highlights Tours, City Highlights Tours in Beijing, Forbidden City Tours, Historical Tours, Private, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Beijing

2-Hour Beijing Private Forbidden City Tour: History & Highlights

7.2-Hour Beijing Private Forbidden City Tour: History & Highlights

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 28 reviews · from $80

Spend about two hours with a private English-speaking guide at Beijing’s Forbidden City, with Tiananmen Square possible only when security lines are short. Guides such as Mina, Lily, Christine, Jay, Becky, Lucy, Albert, and Susan Shan have led past tours. Economy bookings use local transit, while Comfort includes private transfer.

“Exceptional English speaking guide! Very informative and fun! Going early was good to avoid some of the crowds. He spent time helping us navigate unexpected traffic at end. If you are short on time this is great option.”

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Xi'an Full Day Sightseeing Tour - Shaanxi History Museum, Big Wild Goose Pagoda, Ancient City Wall - Starting with the Shaanxi History Museum
Big Wild Goose Pagoda Tours, Full-Day, Historical Tours, Museums, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Xi'an, Xi'an City Wall Tours

Xi’an Full Day Sightseeing Tour – Shaanxi History Museum, Big Wild Goose Pagoda, Ancient City Wall

8.Xi’an Full Day Sightseeing Tour – Shaanxi History Museum, Big Wild Goose Pagoda, Ancient City Wall

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 26 reviews · from $219

Spend eight hours with an English-speaking guide, private vehicle, and included lunch visiting Xi’an’s Shaanxi History Museum, Big Wild Goose Pagoda, ancient city wall, and Great Mosque. Guides such as Lily, Lucia, Alice, and Kimi have earned praise for clear explanations and flexible pacing. Book early if the museum matters most.

“While I don't think that this tour is needed to see Xi'an this tour provided a quick overview for anyone who wants to see the city. The tour guide was extremely knowledgable and makes getting around easy if you don't speak Chinese.”

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Private Historical Tour: Guangzhou City Sightseeing Including Lunch - The Nanyue King’s tomb, 20 meters below ground
City Highlights Tours, City Highlights Tours in Guangzhou, Historical Tours, Lunch Experiences, Private, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Guangzhou

Private Historical Tour: Guangzhou City Sightseeing Including Lunch

9.Private Historical Tour: Guangzhou City Sightseeing Including Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 24 reviews · from $239

Spend about eight hours touring Guangzhou with a private English-speaking guide, driver, and air-conditioned vehicle. Visit Chen Clan Temple, the Nanyue King’s underground tomb, Six Banyan Temple, Shamian Island, and Shangxiajiu Pedestrian Street. Admission, hotel transport, and a Chinese-style lunch are included.

“We only had a couple of days to spend in Guangzhou so we decided to book this whole day tour to take in the most of the city. We were very glad that we did. Frank, our tour guide, was very informative. The sites that we visited were all very interesting. But the comments and site-seeing between these was very interesting as well.”

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Beijing: Bell and Drum Towers Entry Ticket—Historic Landmark - Starting with the Drum Tower and its 25 drums
Historical Tours, Tickets, Tour Reviews, Tours in Beijing

Beijing: Bell and Drum Towers Entry Ticket—Historic Landmark

10.Bell and Drum Towers Entry Ticket—Historic Landmark

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 23 reviews · 4 hours · from $13

Visit Beijing’s Bell and Drum Towers at the northern end of the central axis with entry to both historic buildings and an English PDF guidebook. Climb the Drum Tower for city views and a possible five-minute drum performance, then see the 63-ton Yongle-era bell and ancient drums at your own pace.

“Easy tickets to use. Great communication from your company through WhatsApp.”

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Beijing:Tiananmen Square Entry Reservation - Iconic Landmark - What your two-hour visit actually involves
Historical Tours, Tiananmen Square Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours in Beijing

Beijing:Tiananmen Square Entry Reservation – Iconic Landmark

11.Tiananmen Square Entry Reservation – Iconic Landmark

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 17 reviews · 2 hours · from $4

This $4.82 reservation service helps you arrange entry to Beijing’s Tiananmen Square in advance. After you send your passport name and number by email or WhatsApp, Hua Hua Explore China provides reservation details and an English visual guide. You enter with your original passport, but no live guide or audio tour is included.

“The lady who organiz my trip was very communicative and clear about instructions. She even included a map and the top sites to see which I was very grateful for she made sure to reach out before and after I made it clear how and how not to get in which entrances the quickest and how to get to them.”

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UNESCO Watchtowers World Heritage Ancient Villages Private Tour - Zili Village and its three old settlements
Historical Tours, Private, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Guangzhou

UNESCO Watchtowers World Heritage Ancient Villages Private Tour

12.UNESCO Watchtowers World Heritage Ancient Villages Private Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 17 reviews · from $255

Travel from Guangzhou to Kaiping in a private air-conditioned car with an English-speaking guide. Visit UNESCO-listed diaolou villages, Li Garden, Majianglong, Jinjiangli, and Chikan Movie Town. The flexible 5 to 11-hour outing suits families, couples, and anyone tracing Chinese family roots. Entrance fees and lunch cost extra.

“It was a nice trip to visit beautiful historical old town & village. Location is not too far from Guangzhou city, we only spent 8 hours in total for this trip. It was also very quiet in weekdays.”

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Group Vegetarian Food & Cultural Tour - Seeing tofu at Kung Wo Beancurd Factory
Food, Food & Drink, Historical Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Hong Kong, Vegan & Vegetarian

Group Vegetarian Food & Cultural Tour

13.Group Vegetarian Food & Cultural Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 16 reviews · from $81

Start at Shek Kip Mei at 10:00 am for a vegetarian breakfast and Hong Kong milk tea, then visit Kung Wo Beancurd Factory and taste tofu in several forms. Continue to Hop Yik Tai for vegan cheung faan and local drinks before finishing in Sham Shui Po. Guides such as Tony Yee, Amy, Robert, and William bring the food and neighborhoods to life.

“We took a vegetarian food tour with Tony Yee, on 7 th june. The tour was very well organized.”

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Forbidden City&Hutong Private Tour w/Historic Site Add-ons - Entering the Forbidden City through the central axis
Forbidden City Tours, Historical Tours, Hutong Tours, Private, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Beijing

Forbidden City&Hutong Private Tour w/Historic Site Add-ons

14.Forbidden City&Hutong Private Tour w/Historic Site Add-ons

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 14 reviews · 5 - 6 hours · from $88

Choose a five to six hour private Beijing outing with an English-speaking guide, hotel pickup within the Fourth Ring Road, and entry to the sites in your package. Options pair Tian'anmen Square, the Forbidden City, and Houhai Hutongs with a private car, rickshaw ride, Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace, or Mutianyu Great Wall.

“Was great experience, Sherry was explaining a lot about history and guided us well through the security and forbidden city. Although it was raining it was very busy, we enjoyed a lot. Thank you Sherry. Lee mountain was our driver, thank you for bringing us safely to our destinations.”

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Private tour - Hong Kong's major sites and history - Victoria Peak and the fast-track tram
Historical Tours, Private, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Hong Kong

Private tour – Hong Kong’s major sites and history

15.Private tour – Hong Kong’s major sites and history

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 13 reviews · from $314

Start at Statue Square with a private English or French-speaking guide, then connect Central, Victoria Peak, Sheung Wan, Tsim Sha Tsui, and Sham Shui Po by tram, MTR, bus, and ferry. Alexandra and Stéphanie are praised for lively storytelling, family-friendly pacing, and clear insight into Hong Kong’s history, politics, food, and daily life.

“Alexandra is by far the best guide I met in my long travelling years. She is intelligent, witty, knowledgeable together with a charming personality makes her the best guide. Don’t try to explore Hong Kong without her!”

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