WindhorseTour is a local China tour company specializing in private China tours for international travelers. Based in Chengdu and operating since 2007, we plan trips across China around your travel dates, interests, pace and budget.
Every trip is private to your party. Choose one of our itineraries or customize the route, hotels and experiences with your travel advisor. We arrange the details, from local guides and drivers to trains and flights.
For a first trip, Beijing, Xi’an and Shanghai are the classic starting points. With more time, you can add Chengdu, Guilin, Zhangjiajie, the Yangtze River, Yunnan, Tibet or other regions that interest you.
China Visa-Free Entry Policy in 2026
Citizens of over 70 countries, including France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Malaysia, Australia and Singapore, can visit China visa-free for up to 30 days. In addition, travelers from 57 countries, including the U.S., U.K., Canada and Russia, may use China’s 240-hour (10-day) visa-free transit when traveling through China to a third country or region.
Learn more about China’s visa-free entry policies.
Not sure which China tour to choose? These are some of our most popular private China tours for first-time visitors, combining major highlights with realistic travel times. Each itinerary can be customized.
This 9 day Beijing Xi’an Shanghai tour covers China’s Golden Triangle highlights. Walk the Great Wall, explore the Forbidden City, see the Terracotta Warriors and experience Shanghai’s blend of historic charm and modern skylines.
This 14-day China tour with Zhangjiajie and Guilin covers Beijing, Xi’an, Zhangjiajie, Guilin, and Shanghai. Walk along the Great Wall, see the Terracotta Warriors, cruise the Li River, and marvel at Zhangjiajie’s sandstone peaks, the perfect 2-week China itinerary for first-time travelers.
This 13 day China tour highlights Beijing, Xi’an, Guilin and Shanghai. Walk the Great Wall, see the Terracotta Warriors, cruise the Li River, explore Yangshuo and discover Shanghai’s blend of tradition and modern city life.
Experience the best of China on this 2-week China highlights tour with Yangtze cruise and pandas visit. Explore Beijing, Xi’an, Chengdu, Chongqing, and Shanghai, see world-famous landmarks, meet giant pandas, and enjoy a relaxing cruise through the scenic Three Gorges.
With two to four weeks, you can go beyond China’s classic first-trip route and combine major cities with Yunnan, Guizhou, Tibet, the Silk Road, the Yangtze River or less-visited historic towns and landscapes.
Discover China’s cultural diversity on this 2-week China minority tour. Travel through Guizhou and Guangxi to visit Miao, Dong, and Zhuang villages, while also exploring the classic highlights of Beijing, Xi’an, Guilin, and Shanghai.
Explore China’s ancient capitals in 15 days with visits to Beijing, Xi’an, Luoyang, Kaifeng, and Nanjing. Discover imperial sites, Buddhist grottoes, classic gardens, and enjoy a Shaolin Temple Kung Fu show before ending in Suzhou and Shanghai.
Travel across China in 21 days from Beijing and Xi’an to Chengdu, Yunnan, Guilin, Zhangjiajie, and Shanghai. This private journey highlights China’s top cities, historic towns, mountain scenery, and diverse cultures with well planned pacing and expert local guides.
Explore China in 4 weeks on this Grand China Tour with Tibet & Yangtze Cruise. Visit Beijing, Xi’an, Lhasa, Chengdu, Mt. Emei, Yangtze River, Hangzhou, Huangshan, Shanghai, Guilin, and Hong Kong for a month-long cultural and scenic adventure.
Explore private China tours by destination, from Beijing, Xi’an and Shanghai to Guilin, Yunnan, Guizhou and beyond.
Already seen China’s classic highlights, or prefer a slower trip? Focus on one or two regions such as Yunnan, Sichuan, Guizhou, Zhangjiajie or Inner Mongolia, with more time to explore and less long-distance travel.
Explore Yunnan on this 8-day tour from Kunming to Dali, Lijiang and Shangri-La. Visit the Stone Forest, Erhai Lake, Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, Baisha Village, Tiger Leaping Gorge and Sumtseling Monastery while experiencing rich local cultures.
Experience China’s most breathtaking landscapes on this 8 Day Jiuzhaigou and Zhangjiajie Tour. Visit Chengdu’s pandas and Leshan Giant Buddha, explore Jiuzhaigou’s turquoise lakes and Huanglong’s colorful terraces, and marvel at Zhangjiajie’s sandstone pillars and glass bridge.
This 10 day Guizhou Mount Fanjing Zhangjiajie tour explores Guizhou ethnic villages, Huangguoshu Waterfall, Zhenyuan and Fenghuang ancient towns, Mount Fanjing’s sacred peaks and the Avatar style sandstone pillars of Zhangjiajie National Park for a culture and nature adventure.
Experience Inner Mongolia’s diverse landscapes on this 5 Day Inner Mongolia Huitengxile Grassland Tour with Kubuqi Desert. Ride across rolling meadows, stay overnight in a traditional yurt, and explore vast golden dunes. Enjoy Mongolian culture, local cuisine, and scenic hikes through volcanoes and valleys.
Explore private China tours by travel style, including family trips, panda experiences, trekking, train journeys, festivals and winter travel.
Based in Chengdu with local operations in Lhasa, we have been planning China and Tibet trips for international travelers since 2007.
Your trip is private to your party. Adjust the route, pace, hotels and experiences with your travel advisor to fit your time and interests.
We arrange experienced local guides and drivers in each destination, with our China-based team supporting your trip from planning through travel.
You’ll know what is included before you book. Our tours are designed around your travel experience, with no forced shopping stops.
Yes. The China tours featured on this page are private and arranged for your own party. We also offer selected small-group tours in Tibet and a few other destinations.
Yes. The itineraries on this page are starting points. You can change the trip length, destinations, hotels, activities and pace with your travel advisor.
Inclusions vary by itinerary, but we can arrange hotels, local guides, private vehicles, entrance tickets, high-speed trains and domestic flights as needed. Your tour proposal will clearly show what is included and excluded.
For 2–4 travelers, a private guided China tour typically costs around USD 165–250 per person per day, depending on the route, hotels, transportation and included experiences. A two-week private trip for a couple typically costs around USD 6,100–6,600, excluding international flights and meals.
See our China Trip Cost Guide for detailed examples.
Usually not. On a multi-city China tour, you’ll normally have a local guide in each destination. Your WindhorseTour travel advisor coordinates the overall trip and remains your main contact throughout your journey.
Visa requirements depend on your nationality and itinerary. Many travelers can now visit China visa-free, while others still need to apply for a tourist visa before arrival. Eligible travelers may also use China’s 240-hour visa-free transit policy on qualifying itineraries.
Check our China Visa-Free Entry Guide for the latest requirements. If you need a visa, WindhorseTour can provide invitation letters and supporting travel documents for your trip.
China Trip Length for First-Time Travelers — Quick Answer 7 days: Two cities (Beijing and Xi’an or Beijing and Shanghai), or one region such as Yunnan or Sichuan. 10 days: Best for 2–3 destinations, usually Beijing, Xi’an and Shanghai, or Beijing and Shanghai with one special-interest destination. 14 days: 4 to 5 destinations, combining classic cities with one or two major scenic extensions such as Guilin, Zhangjiajie, a Yangtze River cruise, or Tibet. 15 to 21 days: Classic cities combined with one full region such as Yunnan, Sichuan, or Tibet, at a more relaxed pace. Table of ContentsHow Many Days…
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Thinking about spending two weeks in China? Whether you’re visiting for the first time or returning to discover more, 14 days is a great amount of time to experience China’s iconic cities, natural wonders, and cultural highlights. In this easy-to-follow China itinerary 2 week guide, we’ll introduce four top China travel ideas. Whether you’re looking for a relaxing vacation, a scenic escape, a family-friendly experience, or a deeper dive into Chinese history and culture, this guide will help you find the perfect fit. These 2-week China itineraries are designed for smooth travel across 3 to 5 destinations, connected by high-speed…
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A trip to China in 2026 typically costs $120–$250 per day per person for independent travelers, or $165–$250 per day on a private guided tour (based on 2–4 people, excluding meals). Most couples spend around $6,100–$6,600 for a 2-week private trip, excluding international flights and meals. Quick Answer: China Trip Cost in 2026 Budget traveler (independent): $60–$120/day per person Mid-range traveler (independent): $120–$200/day per person Private guided tour: $165–$250/day per person (based on 2–4 people in the group) 2-week couple (private tour): $6,100–$6,600 total 2-week family of 4 (private tour): $9,300–$10,300 total International flights (US/Europe): $800–$2,000 round trip Best value…
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China is easier to travel in 2026 than most first-time visitors expect, but you still need to plan your route, transport, and payments in advance. Distances are long, cities are large, and everyday things like paying for coffee or taking a train work differently than in many countries. The good news is that visa policies have opened up significantly, high-speed rail connects major cities efficiently, and mobile payments handle almost everything once you’re on the ground. This guide covers the practical decisions that shape a smooth first trip. Quick Answer: Planning Your First Trip to China (2026) Best trip length:…
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Choosing a China tour company is about more than comparing itineraries and prices. You need to know who will operate your trip, whether the company is reliable, whether the itinerary fits how you want to travel, what the price includes, and what happens after you book. WindhorseTour is a China-based tour company specializing in private trips for international travelers. This guide explains what we believe travelers should check when comparing China tour companies. Quick Answer: What to Check Before Choosing a China Tour Company Who operates your trip — Know whether you are booking directly with a China-based operator or…
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Private, group and independent travel can all work well in China. The right choice depends mainly on your party size, itinerary, budget, preferred pace and how much support you want. At WindhorseTour, most of the China trips we arrange are private, but private travel isn’t the best choice for everyone. Here’s how the options compare. WindhorseTour travelers on a private China tour at the Great Wall Private vs Group Tours at a Glance ComparingPrivate TourGroup TourTravel datesChoose your datesFixed departure datesItineraryCustomizable; better suited to more complex routes and less-visited placesUsually fixed around well-known destinations and established routesGuideDedicated to your partyShared…
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Start planning your China/Tibet holiday with 1-to-1 help from our travel advisors. Travel with joy!
