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China is quite unlike anywhere else in the world, with customs that might seem unusual at first, ancient sites so old it’s hard to grasp how things were built and some of the world’s most iconic sites such as the Great Wall of China.
We’ve compiled a list of our four favourite companies to help you discover China's traditions, religious sites and epic battles as well as delve into the futuristic world of modern cities.
Plus, we’ve recommended tours and companies by travel style, length and itinerary, and discounts to get you there for cheap.
Wendy Wu knows Asia and connects travellers with local guides for authentic experiences that you won’t find on other tours. With over 59 award-winning tours in China alone, Wendy Wu will make sure that you see all of China well.
No stone is left unturned with Gate1 Travel's tours which are a well-curated set that include hotel stays, most meals, internal flights, sightseeing tickets and English-speaking tour guides. Tours are quite active and can include international flights, upon request.
Explore further on your dollar with small group tours that keep costs low by offering a mixture of accommodation and transport to suit even shoestring budgets. G Adventures offers 20+ tours ranging from classic itineraries to more active and youthful ones.
China Odyssey Tours focuses primarily on customised private tours around China that are tailor-made to fit your needs. From tours as short as a day to longer than three weeks, China Odyssey Tours covers all of the best areas in China and beyond.
Most of Webjet's packages include return flights from Australia, luxury hotel stays, tours and activities, meals and transfers so everything is organised for you. You just need to choose your adventure.
Offering 5-star experiences at bargain basement prices, Nexus Holidays tours are easy on the wallet and fully customisable, making them a great choice for return visitors who know what they want and first-timers alike.
Tour packages include international flights, accommodation and tour.
Western China is one of the most popular areas for tours as it emcompasses Tibet and part of the Silk Road which is a famous trading route that connected the east and west. Most tours cover Lhasa, Drepung, Sera Monastery and Yamdrok Lake in Tibet.
Travel around Tibet on a discovery tour to see palaces, temples, monasteries and get a glimpse into local Tibetan life with stops for cultural shows. You'll also drive across the Gampala pass for jaw-dropping views of snow-capped mountains.
Southern China includes the iconic cities of Shanghai with its contemporary skyline and Shenzhen, a metropolis renowned for its amusement parks and wetland parks.
Most tours focus on these two cities; however, some also jump across to Hong Kong for something a little different.
Visit historic sites in Beijing such as Tiananmen Square, try authentic local food, see the Terracotta Army Museum in Xi'an and walk the Great Wall of China. This tour starts in Shanghai.
You could easily spend weeks travelling China and still not see it all. It's possible to see one or two highlights in five days, but you’d do better staying for an extended week (9-12 days) to blitz through the essentials.
If you'd prefer to take your time, give yourself three weeks, and if you wish to get off the beaten path or travel the Silk Road, schedule four weeks or more to dig deep into Chinese culture.
Spend your short time in China experiencing something magnificent. This small group tour is relaxing and takes you through one of the nation's most picturesque sceneries. It includes transfers to and from Huangshan.
This small group tour covers three of the main highlights in China – Beijing, Xi’an and Shanghai – which will give you a taste of old and new China in a little over a week. You’ll learn about the culture, the most famous points in history and see some of the tops sites in China.
With 10 days in China you can squeeze in the top sites as well as a stop in Hong Kong. This tour is also a private tour that can be customised based on the sites you want to see between Beijing and Hong Kong.
14 days will allow you to see China’s top cities and sites in more depth and you can travel at a more leisurely pace. On this two-week tour you’ll get to explore the Great Wall, see the Forbidden City and visit a panda research centre.
Flight Centre - International
AirAsia sale: Asia flights from $216 return
Valid for travel between October 2019 - February 2020. Destinations include Singapore, Phuket, Ho Chi Minh City, Bali, Shanghai, Delhi, Bangkok and more. Sample fare is Perth-Lombok.
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Expedia.com.au
Up to 25% off Hilton Asia Pacific hotels
Valid for travel from 8 July 2019 - 31 January 2020, including over Christmas. Destinations include Australia, New Zealand, South Pacific Islands, China, Thailand, Singapore, Maldives and more. T&Cs apply.
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Groupon
Up to 59% off 11-day China tour with flights
Valid for travel on select 2019 and 2020 dates. Includes accommodation, return international flights from Melbourne or Sydney, transfers and more. T&Cs apply.
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Aunt Betty
China flights from $601 return
Valid for travel between 15 October - 14 November 2019 with Cathay Pacific. Sample fare is Melbourne-Beijing. Other destinations include Shanghai and more.
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Expedia.com.au
Up to 35% off worldwide hotels
Valid on select 2019 dates. Minimum of 5 consecutive nights. Destinations include Shanghai, Hanoi, Sydney, Milan, Frankfurt, London, Paris, New York and more. T&Cs apply.
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Trip.com
Free airport transfers with China Southern Airlines
Valid for travel on November 2019. Get a complimentary airport transfer worth up to $150. Destinations include Seoul, Tokyo, London, Osaka, Rome, Amsterdam, Paris and departing from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth. T&Cs apply.
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G Adventures
Up to 15% off China and Japan tours
Valid for travel from 17 October - 1 December 2019. Destinations include Beijing, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Osaka and more. T&Cs apply.
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G Adventures
Up to 30% off Asia tours
Valid for travel from August - October 2019. Destinations include India, Thailand, China, Indonesia and more. T&Cs apply.
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Flight Centre - Holidays
China: 3-night stay + flights from $999
Valid for travel from 10 October - 14 November 2019 with Qantas. Includes accommodation at Howard Johnson Plaza, return flights from Melbourne and more. T&Cs apply.
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Wendy Wu Tours
Up to $300 off last-minute Asia tours
Valid for travel on select dates between August - December 2019 until sold out. Destinations include Laos, Borneo, Indochina, Myanmar, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, India, Japan, China, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and more. T&Cs apply.
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Wendy Wu Tours
Up to $600 off Asia 2020 tours
Valid for travel between January - December 2020. Destinations include Japan, China, India, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Borneo and more. T&Cs apply.
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Flight Centre - International
Qantas sale: China flights from $675 return
Valid for travel from 10 October - 14 November 2019. Sample fare is Brisbane-Shanghai with Qantas. T&Cs apply.
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Wendy Wu Tours
$100 off tours for senior card holders
Valid on 2018 dates depending on the destinations. Destinations include China, India, Vietnam, Cambodia, Sri Lanka, Japan and more. T&Cs apply.
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| Last checked | Code description | Code |
|---|---|---|
| 19 Aug 2019 | Up to 10% off worldwide flights with code | CMT**** |
| 16 Aug 2019 | Father's Day sale: $30 off site-wide with code | DAD**** |
| 31 Jul 2019 | Extra $7 off activities with code | KLK**** |
| 31 Jul 2019 | Extra 8% off flights worldwide | AUM**** |
| 30 Jul 2019 | Extra $10 off with code | FIN**** |
