Booking tours in China can feel overwhelming at first. There are endless options, similar-looking itineraries and prices that seem almost too good to be true. After travelling across China for a month, we learnt that how you book a tour matters just as much as what you book.
This guide shares what we found helpful, what to watch for, and how to choose options that suit your travel style.
Table of Contents
Booking Tours in Advance
Booking tours in advance worked best for us, especially through established platforms. Trip.com is a China-based company and was one of the easiest platforms to use. It offers:
- A huge range of tours and transport options
- English-language support
- Reward points for bookings
You’ll also find good options on Viator and GetYourGuide, particularly for well-known attractions.
Where it can get tricky is choosing between tours that look almost identical.
Understanding What You’re Actually Booking
For popular sites like the Great Wall, you’ll often see dozens of near-identical tours. Key things to look for before booking:
- Group size (10, 30 or even 50+ people)
- Exactly what’s included
- How long you spend at the main attraction
- Whether shopping stops are part of the tour
Many low-cost tours are government subsidised, which is why they appear cheap. To balance the cost, these tours often include stops at jade, pearl or tea shops chosen by the operator.
In reality, we found:
- Time spent at these shops was often longer than time at the attraction itself
- The itinerary focused more on commission stops than the experience you booked
Private Drivers: A Better Experience
To be completely honest, we found the best option was spending a little more on a private driver or private tour. This gave us:
- Pickup and drop-off exactly where we wanted
- Control over how long we stayed at each place
- No pressure to visit commission-based shops
- A much calmer experience without large groups
If you go this route, it’s important to clearly state upfront that you want to visit only the places you’ve chosen, not additional stops added for commission.
The difference in experience was noticeable.
Booking Tours on the Ground
Tours can also be booked once you’re in China, but this comes with mixed results. In some cases:
- Tour sellers told us what they thought we wanted to hear
- Important details were left out
- Everything sounded perfect — until later
We had better experiences booking through small, family-run businesses, where we received more personal attention and clearer explanations.
Larger tour desks often focus on volume and commission rather than fit.
Why Booking Platforms Help
Booking through platforms like Trip.com, Viator, or GetYourGuide adds an extra layer of transparency.
Benefits include:
- Clear inclusions and exclusions
- Digital records of your booking
- Easier communication
- Less pressure at the point of sale
Having everything linked to an account made it easier to keep track of bookings while travelling.
Tickets, Passports and Face Scans
Most tours require passport details at the time of booking. On the day:
- Your passport may be checked once
- Your face is scanned
- Facial recognition is then used instead of physical tickets
This system is common across China and is used at many major attractions.
Language and Communication
Language can vary widely depending on the tour. Things to keep in mind:
- English-speaking guides are not guaranteed unless stated
- Translation apps are useful backups
- Clear communication before booking helps avoid surprises
Even with limited shared language, most tours are well-organised and efficient.
Final Tohu Tip
Tours in China range from highly structured group experiences to flexible private arrangements. Spending time choosing the right option — and sometimes paying a little more — can make a huge difference to how much you enjoy the experience.
Transparency, clear communication and knowing what’s included will save you frustration and help you travel with confidence.
🔗 More China Travel Guides
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🌍 Travel Planning Resources
These are the tools we personally use and trust when planning our travels from finding a place to stay to booking activities, transport and insurance. Let your Tohu guide you — Trust the Journey and follow what feels right for you.
- ✈️Flights – Compare great deals with Trip.com then Kiwi.com for flexible, affordable options.
- 🚐 Campervans – Compare rental deals with Motorhome Republic across Aotearoa and beyond.
- 🛏️ Stays – Compare hotels on Trip.com and TripAdvisor or Booking.com.
- 🚐 Rental Cars – Compare prices and book through Airport Rentals by Motorhome Republic for trusted brands and easy airport pickup.
- 🎟️ Activities – Browse tours and experiences on Viator, Get Your Guide, or TripAdvisor
- 🚆12Go Asia – Compare and book trains, buses, and ferries across Asia in one place with 12Go.
- 🛡️ Travel Insurance – Get flexible short-term coverage with Insubuy for your next holiday.
- 🔒 Protect Your Privacy with a VPN – We recommend Surfshark VPN for secure and private browsing while travelling. It’s fast, affordable and works worldwide — perfect for public Wi-Fi at airports, cafes and hotels.
- 📱 Travel eSIM – Stay connected with Airalo
- 💼 Lounge Access – Treat yourself with Priority Pass – for UK or US
- 🎶 Events & Concerts – Book tickets worldwide through Ticketmaster.
🧭 Note: Some booking links can be a bit shy when you’re using a VPN. If one doesn’t open, try pausing your VPN or switching to a different server location or secure Wi-Fi network to get things flowing again.
“Not all tours are created equal. The right choice gives you freedom, not friction.”