China · TOURS

The 15 Best Tours & Day Trips in China

571 tours  ·  from $5 a head

Everything with a guide, a boat, a minibus or a train ticket attached, in one list. The 15 below are the ones worth a whole day, priced and timed, with the rest of the catalogue underneath.

From Beijing: Mutianyu Great Wall Tours with Options - The 8:00 AM coach and the ride to the mountains
Great Wall Tours, Mutianyu Great Wall Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Beijing

From Beijing: Mutianyu Great Wall Tours with Options

1.Mutianyu Great Wall Tours with Options

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 9,216 reviews · 8 - 10 hours · from $19Our pick

Join Beijing Mubus for an 8 to 10 hour Mutianyu Great Wall trip from central Beijing. Ride a direct coach, spend about four to five hours at the Wall, and choose from free exploration, a buffet lunch, a 30-minute architecture talk, a demanding 5-kilometer hike, an overnight villa, or a Summer Palace add-on. English, Spanish, and Russian guides are available.

“It was very nice trip, interesting info received while on the bus, everything well explained and enough time to explore great wall on your own, highly recommended! And make sure to include lunch, worth it.”

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Beijing: Forbidden City Tour(Group/Private)-Tickets Included - Meeting Tian’anmen Square without wasting the morning
City Highlights Tours, City Highlights Tours in Beijing, Forbidden City Tours, Private, Tickets, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Beijing

Beijing: Forbidden City Tour(Group/Private)-Tickets Included

2.Forbidden City Tour(Group/Private)-Tickets Included

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 7,974 reviews · 3 - 8 hours · from $4

Choose a small-group or private visit to Tian’anmen Square and the Forbidden City, led by experienced English-speaking guides such as Mina, Miko, Maria, or Jay. Palace Museum entry is arranged for you. Longer options add the Clock and Treasure museums or Coal Hill Park, while a private booking can include hotel pickup.

“Our guide Susan spoke perfect English and had a fantastic knowledge of Chinese history. It was exactly why we booked private tour. There is no way we could navigate through tiananmen square so quick by ourselves. Lots of different queues in different places. Susan was absolutely incredible.”

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Beijing: T-Square & Forbidden City Group or Private Tour - Tiananmen Square: a one-hour introduction
Forbidden City Tours, Private, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Beijing

Beijing: T-Square & Forbidden City Group or Private Tour

3.T-Square & Forbidden City Group or Private Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 4,446 reviews · 3 - 8 hours · from $17

See Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City with a multilingual guide such as Tony, Michael, Gary, or Song. Choose a 3-hour Forbidden City visit, a 4-hour group tour with the square, or a private day adding the Summer Palace, Temple of Heaven, Hutongs, or Great Wall. Expect security checks, brisk walking, and help with Beijing’s complicated entry process.

“Our Guide-James was really kind, helpful and has great knowledge about history of Forbidden City. He showed us some interesting objects in the museum and guided us through Tiananmen square.”

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Beijing: Mutianyu Great Wall Daily Tour with Ticket & Lunch - The ride from central Beijing to the mountains
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Beijing: Mutianyu Great Wall Daily Tour with Ticket & Lunch

4.Mutianyu Great Wall Daily Tour with Ticket & Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3,056 reviews · 9 hours · from $18Top rated

Meet your English-speaking guide at Zhangzizhonglu Subway Station at 8:00 AM for a nine-hour Mutianyu outing. Guides such as Kevin and Linda help you choose a route, arrange optional cable-car or toboggan tickets, and explain the Wall’s story. You get round-trip transport, admission, park shuttle service, and five hours around Mutianyu, with lunch available as an option.

“Definitely one of the best things you can do in Beijing. Our guide Kevin is a really nice guy, ready to help you. Choose the option which offers food, it's really good.”

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All-Inclusive Tour: Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, Great Wall - Walking Into the Forbidden City
Forbidden City Tours, Great Wall Tours, Tiananmen Square Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Beijing

All-Inclusive Tour: Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, Great Wall

5.All-Inclusive Tour: Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, Great Wall

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,873 reviews · from $128

Spend 9 to 11 hours with a private guide such as Lucy, Wendy, or Jerry, visiting Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, and Mutianyu Great Wall. Hotel pickup, transport, lunch, entrance fees, bottled water, and either a cable car or chairlift and toboggan ride are included. Expect a full, active day with useful help at security points.

“Jerry was an amazing guide, catering to our interests, giving us tips that allowed us to sail thru security, and seeing the good stuff! He knew historical details that thrilled these history buffs’ hearts. This trip was clearly bucket list items, and he allowed us all the time we needed to fully appreciate our amazing time at the Great Wall! I’d recommend this tour and Jerry both!”

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MuBus: Mutianyu Great Wall ENG/ESP/RUS Guided Bus Tour - Arriving at Mutianyu and using the shuttle
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MuBus: Mutianyu Great Wall ENG/ESP/RUS Guided Bus Tour

6.MuBus: Mutianyu Great Wall ENG/ESP/RUS Guided Bus Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,361 reviews · from $20

Travel from Dongzhimen to Mutianyu by direct bus with an English, Spanish, or Russian-speaking guide. You get several hours on the Wall, entrance and internal shuttle tickets, plus tea and snacks. Optional extras include a rural buffet lunch, a 5-kilometer hike, cable car, and toboggan rides.

“John was very helpful. But if you plan to do west and east side the time is very short. The point 20 is very beautiful but hard to climb.”

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4-Hour Small Group Tour to Forbidden City with Entry Tickets - Tiananmen Square: important, but not always quick
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4-Hour Small Group Tour to Forbidden City with Entry Tickets

7.4-Hour Small Group Tour to Forbidden City with Entry Tickets

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,863 reviews · from $15Best value

Explore Beijing’s Forbidden City with a guide in a group capped at 15 people. Hear stories of the Ming and Qing emperors, see the Meridian Gate, grand halls, living quarters, and Imperial Garden. Choose Tiananmen Square or Jingshan Park, and bring your passport for entry.

“Good and expert guide (Maria), with value for money. The pace was very relax and probably due to off peak, the group size is small. Maria was very helpful through the tour and patiently helping us taking photos. Her spoken English was good and clear.”

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Beijing Full Day Tours: Tiananmen Sq, Forbidden City, Great Wall - Three hours inside the Forbidden City
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Beijing Full Day Tours: Tiananmen Sq, Forbidden City, Great Wall

8.Beijing Full Day Tours: Tiananmen Sq, Forbidden City, Great Wall

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,634 reviews · from $99

This 10 to 11-hour small-group outing links Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, and Mutianyu Great Wall. Expect hotel pickup within Beijing’s Third Ring Road, an English-speaking guide such as Helen or Rocky, entrance fees, buffet lunch, water, and a cable car or chairlift and toboggan ride. It is an efficient first-day introduction, but expect a long, active schedule.

“Mary is our tour guide! Thank Mary for sharing her expertise, food and experience! She has been great Great way to go to all the places! May not be the best to come to China or any East Asian countries during summer. Otherwise, well worth it to not go through the hassle of doing all of them yourselves.”

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Hong Kong: Dolphin Cruise, Big Buddha & Lantau Island Tour - Searching for dolphins in open water
Cruises & Boat Tours, Dolphin Watching, Lantau Island & Big Buddha Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Hong Kong

Hong Kong: Dolphin Cruise, Big Buddha & Lantau Island Tour

9.Dolphin Cruise, Big Buddha & Lantau Island Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 1,512 reviews · 7 hours · from $35

Spend seven hours exploring Lantau Island with an English-speaking guide such as Grace, Lok Lok, or Eva. Ride local transport, cruise for pink dolphins, visit Tai O’s stilt houses and floating market, climb to the Big Buddha, and choose the cable car for wide mountain and water views. Lunch and cable car access may depend on your booking option.

“Lok Lok was a wonderful guide. Though we did not see any dolphins, we had a great trip!”

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Authentic Local Food Tour in Central Shanghai - Meeting at Huangpi Nan Road and entering Xintiandi
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Authentic Local Food Tour in Central Shanghai

10.Authentic Local Food Tour in Central Shanghai

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,382 reviews · from $79

Join Shanghai Foodie for a three-hour walking tour through Xintiandi, the Former French Concession, and People's Square. Guides such as Jade, Kurt, TJ, Jim, and Wang Jian lead small groups to local restaurants for soup dumplings, noodles, pork, duck, tea, and dessert. Morning, lunch, evening, and late-night departures are available.

“Great food and a behind-the-scenes look at the food that the city is known for. Plenty of good samplings from Friendly local vendors. Jim, our guide, was very attentive.”

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Mini Group Xian Day Tour to Terracotta Army, City Wall, Pagoda and Muslim Bazaar - Lunch and the practical value of the package
Markets, Shopping Tours, Terracotta Warriors Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Xi'an, Xi'an City Wall Tours

Mini Group Xian Day Tour to Terracotta Army, City Wall, Pagoda and Muslim Bazaar

11.Mini Group Xian Day Tour to Terracotta Army, City Wall, Pagoda and Muslim Bazaar

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,320 reviews · from $49

Spend about 9 to 10 hours exploring Xi'an with an English-speaking guide, hotel pickup, transport, museum tickets, and a Chinese buffet lunch advertised as included. Visit the Terracotta Army, Big Wild Goose Pagoda, ancient City Wall, and Muslim Quarter with a group of about 12. Guides such as Lily, Roger, Rita, Tracy, and Carol are frequently assigned.

“Unique and Unforgettable Moment in the Terracotta Warriors Xi’an and our guide Roger I recommend him!”

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Beijing: Tianmen Square, Forbidden City & Royal Museum Tours - Entering the Forbidden City with ticket assistance
Forbidden City Tours, Museums, Tianmen Mountain & Glass Bridge Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Beijing

Beijing: Tianmen Square, Forbidden City & Royal Museum Tours

12.Tianmen Square, Forbidden City & Royal Museum Tours

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 1,288 reviews · from $4

Visit Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City with ticket help or a guided group tour. Choose English or Spanish, morning or afternoon departures, and select options that include the Royal Treasures Museum. Guides such as Linda, Vanessa, Mary, Snow, and Icy are praised for clear stories, crowd help, and patient care in the heat.

“The meeting point could be closer to the entrance, because it's a lot of walking inside the palace anyway.”

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Mubus: Mutianyu Great Wall Bus Tour with Summer Palace Options - Meeting at Dongzhimen and riding out
Great Wall Tours, Mutianyu Great Wall Tours, Summer Palace Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Beijing

Mubus: Mutianyu Great Wall Bus Tour with Summer Palace Options

13.Mubus: Mutianyu Great Wall Bus Tour with Summer Palace Options

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,272 reviews · from $20

Mubus takes you from Dongzhimen to Mutianyu on a direct bus with an English, Spanish, or Russian-speaking guide, depending on your booking. You get the wall entrance fee, internal shuttle, free tea and snacks, and 4 to 5 hours to explore. Optional packages may add cable cars, a toboggan, buffet lunch, or a Summer Palace visit.

“The experience was amazing, walking on the great wall of China was surreal. The lunch they provide with the tour was also delicious. Thank you very much Mike for an incredible tour!”

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Beijing Hutong Walking Food and Beer Tour at Hidden Restaurants - Stop one: Beijing hotpot in a copper pot
Drinking Tours, Food, Food & Drink, Hutong Tours, Local Life & Hidden Corners, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Beijing, Walking Tours

Beijing Hutong Walking Food and Beer Tour at Hidden Restaurants

14.Beijing Hutong Walking Food and Beer Tour at Hidden Restaurants

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,132 reviews · from $80

Walk Beijing’s old hutongs for 3.5 hours with an English-speaking guide and up to 11 other people. Stop at four tucked-away family restaurants and homes for hotpot, noodles, beef buns, and spring pancakes, with unlimited local beer and soda. Guides such as Winnie, Yoyo, Janice, and Haitao add food and neighborhood context before a final craft beer at a local brewery.

“This was a great way to explore a part of Beijing that would be hard to navigate without some local knowledge. The food was delicious, the beer free-flowing and the company was interesting. Our guide, Yoyao, was engaging and informative. Definitely recommend this tour as a way to see Beijing.”

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Big Bus Hong Kong Open Top Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Tour - Green Route: Stanley, Repulse Bay, and Aberdeen
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Big Bus Hong Kong Open Top Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Tour

15.Big Bus Hong Kong Open Top Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 1,077 reviews · from $53

See Hong Kong from an open-top double-decker bus with a 24 or 48-hour pass. Ride three routes across Hong Kong Island, Stanley, and Kowloon, with audio commentary, WiFi, a Star Ferry ticket, and extra options with the 48-hour pass. Expect major sights, beach views, markets, museums, and some long waits between buses.

“3 different routes that show you 3 different to sides to Hong Kong. Definitely worth the money. We bought the 48hr pass and did the red and green line the first day (and included the Peak Tram) then did the blue line the next day. You will see sides of Hong Kong you never realised existed.”

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Great Wall Tours171Forbidden City Tours80Terracotta Warriors Tours46Chinese Food Tours48Giant Panda Tours41City Highlights Tours53
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