In the city of <a data-destination-id="85" data-internal-link="destination">Xi’an</a> <a data-destination-id="85" data-internal-link="destination">, in north-western China,</a> visitors will be enthused by the archeological treasures. These inconceivable statues were buried here eons ago. They make Xi'an into an essential destination that you absolutely must see during any trip to the region! ﻿

Xi'an and the must-see terracotta army

China presents such a variety of landscapes that I'd find it difficult to talk about the different aspects of its geography. With over 5,000 kilometers separating its borders, there are a number of different environments for its inhabitants to experience without leaving the country. In the east, there are mainly fertile plains, mountains, and the coast. In the west, rolling plateaux, mountains, deserts and steppes. ﻿

The spectrum of Chinese landscapes: such diversity!

Truly an embodiment of their era, temples show us the customs of the populace over the centuries and enable us to understand how society was organized, what people believed, and how they lived.

Temples or the source of religion in China

It's not easy to be a responsible tourist in China! The environment here suffers like nowhere else; historic buildings are destroyed to make way for pale, concrete imitations; and the Chinese love the kind of guided tours that involve large groups of tourists being dragged from one point to another by a guide yelling into a microphone. Oh dear! Adopt a sensible approach, and make yourselves ambassadors for a different kind of tourism!

Yunnan, for sustainable travel in China

Asia

China

Beijing

The small town of Gyantse, 260 km southwest of Lhasa and 90 km southeast of Shigatse, is without question a beautiful place to go and visit when touring Tibet . 

Gyangze

Capital of Yunnan and a major tourist destination and transit point, Kunming serves as the gateway to the wonderful regions to be found in both the province and the whole of southeast China.

Kunming

Dali

Shangri La, formerly called Zhongdian, is a small town in the north of Yunnan.  Perched on a plateau at 3,200m high, it's close to the autonomous region of Tibet.

Shangri-La

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It has a 'once upon a time, in a land far far away' ambiance... a 'world's end', so to speak. Shangri La is a must-see. Its old town and the Songzanlin Monastery, a stunning site, home to 600 plus monks, are worth every cent. Its rolling countryside, complete with yaks and hidden lakes, is ideal for hikes and walks. Did you know? 'Shangri La' was the name given to the mystical, harmonious valley described by James Hilton in his 1933 novel, Lost Horizon. In 2001, when numerous Chinese towns began to claim they were Hilton's inspiration, the government decreed that this legendary place was none other than Zhongdian, subsequently re-baptised as Shangri La. A great marketing coup for the town, which saw its tourist trade rocket!

The best local travel agencies in China for family tours with kids

Family tour ideas in China

With its diverse sites and beautiful sights, China is the perfect destination for a<a href="https://www.evaneos.net/where-to-go/family-vacations/" data-mce-href="https://www.evaneos.net/where-to-go/family-vacations/">&nbsp;</a><a data-mce-href="https://www.evaneos.co.uk/where-to-go/family-holidays/" href="https://www.evaneos.co.uk/where-to-go/family-holidays/" target="_blank">family holiday</a>&nbsp;full of fascinating culture. On&nbsp;<a href="https://www.evaneos.net/china/" data-mce-href="https://www.evaneos.net/china/"></a><a data-destination-id="85" data-internal-link="destination">a tour to China</a>,&nbsp;you and your family will be able to explore the incredible landscape, towering cities and ancient temples that continue to attract visitors all year round. Travelling with kids in China is incredibly easy, thanks to the welcoming culture and family-orientated lifestyle.<h3>Best things to see and do in China with kids</h3><h4>What to see as a family</h4>Culture-loving families will never forget a&nbsp;family trip&nbsp;to&nbsp;Xi’an&nbsp;where ancient culture can be seen around every corner. Visit the old city walls or the world-famous Terracotta Warriors before giving yourselves a challenge with a climb up the&nbsp;Big Wild Goose Pagoda&nbsp;to see an unforgettable view. In Xi’an you’ll also find the fascinating&nbsp;Tang Paradise, where life in the Tang Dynasty is recreated in a fun and interactive theme park setting.&nbsp;The&nbsp;<a data-place-id="11615" data-internal-link="place" href="https://www.evaneos.net/china/holidays/places/11615-11615/" data-mce-href="https://www.evaneos.net/china/holidays/places/11615-11615/">Great Wall of China</a>&nbsp;is a must-see for a reason and any family visiting China shouldn’t miss out on a visit here, especially since children will love tales of the invasions and victories that took place here centuries ago. At the centre of&nbsp;Beijing&nbsp;lies the enticingly named&nbsp;Forbidden City, where you and your family can wander and explore to your heart’s content and enjoy this UNESCO world heritage site. Outdoorsy families will love seeing the most beautiful mountains in China and arguably, in the world.&nbsp;The Karst Mountains&nbsp;are located just outside of&nbsp;Guilin&nbsp;and are best appreciated from the small town of&nbsp;<a data-place-id="275" data-internal-link="place" href="https://www.evaneos.net/china/holidays/places/275-275/" data-mce-href="https://www.evaneos.net/china/holidays/places/275-275/">Yangshuo</a>&nbsp;where you can experience local life in China and perhaps even stay with a local family. From here, you’ll also be able to see the incredibly beautiful Li River, where you can enjoy the&nbsp;family adventure&nbsp;of a lifetime on a river cruise, stopping along the way to enjoy the beautiful villages and landmarks along the way. <h4>What to do as a family</h4>Visit the cities of China and immerse yourselves in the incredible sights and smells of a local market, or go for an unforgettable day out with your kids in&nbsp;Disneyland, Hong Kong.&nbsp;Ride the train up to&nbsp;Victoria Peak&nbsp;for incredible views out over the city.&nbsp;Hong Kong&nbsp;is also home to beautiful beaches, perfect for escaping the bustle of city life.&nbsp;Experience even more family friendly activities and take a family bike ride or go kite flying in&nbsp;Beijing&nbsp;before visiting one of China’s top water parks;&nbsp;Water Cube. Beijing also offers the perfect place to settle down for a traditional tea ceremony after all that excitement. Enjoy the delicious traditional drink and take a moment to reminisce over the excitement of your trip so far and to spend some downtime with your family. If some more family relaxation is just what the doctor ordered, visit&nbsp;Hangzhou&nbsp;where you’ll be spoilt for choice of things to do. Built around the West Lake and surrounding by green rolling hills and stunning landscapes, it’s the perfect setting to explore the historic streets, tranquil temples and stunning gardens. Go out for a day of exploration without any of the overcrowding of some of China’s larger cities.Animal lovers should visit the giant pandas in&nbsp;Chengdu, something which almost all kids remember as one of the highlights of their time during their&nbsp;China family tour. You’ll be able to learn all about these amazing animals and their lives, as well as helping to make food and enrichment toys to keep the animals entertained. China has so much to offer any family, with unforgettable activities wherever you go.<h3>Best time to visit China as a family</h3>Deciding&nbsp;<a href="https://www.evaneos.net/china/holidays/places/" data-mce-href="https://www.evaneos.net/china/holidays/places/"></a><a data-document-id="2108" data-internal-link="article" href="https://www.evaneos.net/china/holidays/when-to-go/" data-mce-href="https://www.evaneos.net/china/holidays/when-to-go/">when to visit China</a>&nbsp;as a family can be a challenge, with different weather patterns and seasons. In terms of weather, the best times to organize your China tour fall between&nbsp;April and May&nbsp;and then between&nbsp;September and October. Between June and August the weather becomes very hot and crowds grow, making it harder to see some of the more popular sites. From November to March, low season prices can be found all over the country and while the weather may not be as perfect, the scenery is arguably at its most beautiful during this period.Besides the weather, there are plenty of other factors to take into account when deciding when you and your family want to visit. China’s many incredible festivals are a great way to choose when to go with the most famous of these;&nbsp;Chinese New Year&nbsp;falling around January and February each year. Watch as the entire country explodes into vibrant colours and incredible atmosphere during this festival. Sometime between Mid September and early October, the Chinese Mid-Autumn festival also takes place and any family will love seeing displays of&nbsp;Chinese culture and tradition&nbsp;during this period.<h3>Family&nbsp;holiday tips for travelling to China</h3>Travelling to China with kids is easy and relatively&nbsp;stress-free, however there are a few small precautions to take to ensure that your family trip goes smoothly. <ul><li style="font-weight: 400;" data-mce-style="font-weight: 400;">Learn a few key phrases in the local language. This could be very useful if you find yourself in a situation where no one speaks your language. If nothing else, it shows consideration for the&nbsp;local culture&nbsp;and locals will like to be greeted and thanked in their native tongue.</li><li style="font-weight: 400;" data-mce-style="font-weight: 400;">Plan when you visit carefully. Visiting during Chinese school holidays will mean more expensive prices and larger crowds, so it may be worth visiting outside of these times if you can.</li><li style="font-weight: 400;" data-mce-style="font-weight: 400;">In large cities and areas with tourist attractions and&nbsp;high numbers of visitors, pickpockets can be a problem. Make sure not to carry too much cash and to keep important documents safe.</li><li style="font-weight: 400;" data-mce-style="font-weight: 400;">Check with a doctor before travelling, since you may need to get some&nbsp;vaccinations&nbsp;or to take medication while travelling to China with your family.</li><li style="font-weight: 400;" data-mce-style="font-weight: 400;">For picky eaters, make sure to be specific with waiters regarding things like spice and flavor, since spicy food is the norm here and you may find that it is added automatically.</li><li style="font-weight: 400;" data-mce-style="font-weight: 400;">Look online well before travelling to investigate what you need to do about Visas and travel documents, since this will vary based on where you are from and how long you plan on visiting China for.</li><li style="font-weight: 400;" data-mce-style="font-weight: 400;">Most of all, embrace local culture and custom. Culture here can be vastly different from Western countries and you and your children will enjoy your time here if you’re willing to go with the flow and embrace any differences.</li></ul>

Start planning your family tour to China

The best tailor-made China tours for families with children, created by a local travel agency. Request a local expert to create your perfect trip.

Design your perfect family holiday with a local expert in China

Family holidays in China

Family Tours

Family Holidays in China | Child-Friendly Tours

The best local travel agencies in China for two week tours

Two week tour ideas in China

The best two week tours to explore China, created by a local travel agency. Request a local expert to create your perfect trip.

Design your perfect two week tour with a local expert in China

Two weeks in China

Two Week Tours

Two Weeks in China | 14 Day Tailor-Made Tours

The best local travel agencies in China for one week tours

One week tour ideas in China

<a href="https://www.evaneos.co.uk/china/" data-mce-href="https://www.evaneos.co.uk/china/"></a><a data-destination-id="85" data-internal-link="destination">China</a> is well known for its incredibly, history, art, food, music, and culture and as such has long been celebrated as the perfect choice of destination for those looking to get away from the familiar and immerse themselves in the adventure that comes with a visit to a new country. Whether you prefer ancient historical sites or cool modern attractions, you won’t be disappointed since China has it all, no matter what you’re looking for from your one week tour. <h3>Best things to see and do for one week in China</h3><h4>What to see in one week</h4>With such a huge area, it’s no surprise that China has so much to see during a one week itinerary. See classic, world-famous attractions, such as The Great Wall of China or The Terracotta Army to give yourself a taste of the incredible things to come during the rest of your trip. Visit the&nbsp;Forbidden City for an unforgettable destination filled to the brim with fascinating things to see and do in the museum, art exhibitions and the main palace complex. The Ming Tombs are yet another must-see attraction during your week in China and here, you can see 13 Ming dynasty emperors’ tombs as well as countless statues and artefacts dotted around this intricate complex. Don’t miss a trip to the Longmen Grottoes, a UNESCO site where you can see hundreds of Buddha statues carved out of the rock which makes for a unique and beautiful sight. <h4>What to do in one week</h4>No trip to China would be complete without a tour of its most impressive temples and palaces and you will have no shortage of these to visit during your 7 day itinerary, with amazing structures around every corner. Visit The Temple of Heaven to see a perfect example of traditional architecture from 1420 set into a beautiful and popular park. Or why not visit The Summer Palace? This beautiful place is famous for its impeccable gardens and grounds and you’ll be able to wander around and appreciate it all. The Potala Palace is another unmissable visit, complete with hundreds of shrines, rooms, and artefacts for you to feast your eyes on in this 17th Century luxury palace. For active visitors, China has so many National Parks and mountains to explore that you’ll be spoilt for choice during your time here. Jiuzhaigou is a stunning mountainous national park, complete with colourful lakes, dozens of waterfalls and some of China’s rarest wildlife, meaning it has something to please everyone. The Stone Forest is a large area which is dotted with bizarre and beautiful limestone pillars that stretch high into the sky and make this an amazing place to walk, hike, cycle or simply explore. Any adventurous travellers shouldn’t miss a trip to Mount Hua. This 2,155 metre peak is accessible via a cable car and offers visitors the option of completing a jaw dropping plank walk along the cliff side.<h3>Best time to travel to China for a week</h3><a href="https://www.evaneos.co.uk/china/holidays/when-to-go/" data-mce-href="https://www.evaneos.co.uk/china/holidays/when-to-go/"></a><a data-document-id="2108" data-internal-link="article">The best time to visit China</a> for a week depends entirely on what you want to get out of your trip but, deciding when to go can be a difficult task and there are some general rules regarding times to avoid. During the high summer months the weather can reach scorching temperatures and as such is not the best time for sightseeing or activities that require physical exertion. Try to visit during the shoulder months of March, April, May, September and October for the perfect mixture of good weather without the excessive heat or humidity that accompanies a summer visit. During the winter the weather can become fairly cold, especially in the more mountainous regions and so these are generally to be avoided to make sure that you are able to visit everything that you want to see during your week here, without worrying about snow and ice putting a rain check on your plans. Whenever you decide to visit, you won’t want to leave this incredible place and you will be counting down the days until your next trip to China.

Start planning your one week tour to China

The best one week tours to explore China, created by a local travel agency. Request a local expert to create your perfect trip.

Design your perfect one week tour with a local expert in China

One week in China

One Week Tours

One Week in China | 7 Day Tailor-Made Tours

The best local travel agencies in China for hiking and trekking tours

Tour ideas for trekking and hiking in China

The best hiking and trekking tours and excursions in China, created by a local travel agency. Request a local expert to create your perfect trip.

Design your perfect hiking tour with a local expert in China

Hiking in China

Hiking & Trekking

Hiking & Trekking Tours in China | Tailor-Made Tours

The best local travel agencies in China for cycling tours

Tour ideas for exploring China by bike

The best cycling holidays and bike excursions in China, created by a local travel agency. Request a local expert to create your perfect trip.

Design your perfect cycling tour with a local expert in China

Cycling in China

Cycling Tours

Cycling Holidays in China | Explore China By Bike

The best local travel agencies in China for city tours

Tour ideas for visiting China's cities

The best city tours and city breaks in China, created by a local travel agency. Request a local expert to create your perfect trip.

Design your perfect city tour with a local expert in China

Cities in China

Cities & Towns

City Tours in China | Explore China's Cities

The best local travel agencies in China for train tours

Tour ideas for exploring China by train

The best train tours to explore China, created by a local travel agency. Request a local expert to create your perfect trip.

Design your perfect train tour with a local expert in China

Train tours in China

Train Tours

Train Tours in China | Explore China By Train

The best local travel agencies in China for Autumn tours

Autumn tour ideas in China

The best tailor-made tours to visit China in Autumn, created by a local travel agency. Request a local expert to create your perfect trip.

Design your perfect Autumn holiday in China with a local expert

Autumn in China

Autumn Tours

Autumn Holidays in China | Tailor-Made Tours

The best local travel agencies in China for Winter tours

Winter tour ideas in China

The best tailor-made tours to visit China in Winter, created by a local travel agency. Request a local expert to create your perfect trip.

Shangri-La Holidays

Shangri-La: What to see nearby?

China: our articles for your holidays