China Tour Companies

There are few places in the world as awe-inspiring as China. The Brazilian jungle is breathtaking, Paris for an evening stroll unforgettable, a helicopter tour of the Hawaiian volcanos once-in-a-lifetime, and a meal at a 5-star Italian Michelin rated restaurant, spectacular. But what if we told you China can check those distinct boxes – adventure, culinary delights, sights and sounds – all by itself. Honestly, few countries can check all the boxes quite like China, and that’s why it deserves your attention as a tourist.

First thing before considering the tour company to partner with is China is indeed a whole other land. The penetration for example of English is still very low (compared to countries of a similar size and development status). Therefore, unless you have an elementary command of Mandarin for example, it is likely you’ll run into some uncomfortable silences if you’re trying to communicate about anything that isn’t, “where is the bathroom,” or, “I can’t pay more than $5 for this magic amulet.”

With that said, the Chinese are an approachable bunch, eager to share, meet new people and show the wealth of what their country has to offer. Cash is the preferred means of paying for anything in China. The country recognizes one currency – the yuan – so don’t come with dollars expecting to pay in dollars. While some might accept them, most won’t, and you might get yourself into a bind if folks take offense. Second, don’t tip in China. It’s not done nor expected. And last, hone your haggling skills. Some people don’t like to haggle, we get it, but in China this is customary and potentially frowned upon if you don’t engage back. So, engage back, you might even enjoy it.

Now on to some trip providers. Zicasso has been popping up frequently on sites like Consumer Affairs among others as one of the most adaptable agencies on the market today. Selected travel agents will put together trips crafted especially to a family or individual’s interests in a manner that is honestly unseen in the larger touring business. Another great option is China Culture Tour. Must see destinations such as the Yangtze River, Chengdu, Hong Kong and Beijing are a specialty here and first-time China travelers will be blown away by the sheer wealth of knowledge these folks bring to the table.

If you’re on a bit of a budget or find yourself strapped for cash but still got China in your sights, Affordable Asia is a fine option. All the top destinations can be reached here but on a shoestring budget. Granted, you won’t be wined and dined like some of the other operators will set you up to be, but you’ll hit the highlights and have that pic of you and your girlfriend in front of the Great Wall ready to share with all your buddies on Instagram. Charming Asia Tours is a boutique agency, geared at couples traveling without kids and looking perhaps to mix in a little romance to the trip. Not everything needs to be 5AM wake up calls, bug repellent and tasting obscenely spicy dumplings. Let Charming Asia Tours inject some downtime into your China trip, your relationship or marriage will certainly thank you.