China

Why Choose an Escorted Holiday to China?

China is one of the few countries where the case for escorted travel is essentially unarguable. The language barrier is significant, the script is entirely different from anything Western, and the gap between what you can see with guidance and what you can access independently is enormous. China has been a continuous civilisation for over four thousand years, and the depth of context available at every major site - the Great Wall, the Terracotta Warriors, the Forbidden City - transforms a visit from a photographic exercise into a genuinely absorbing experience.

The country's scale is also humbling. Beijing, Shanghai, Xi'an and Guilin are not adjacent cities; they require flights or high-speed trains to connect them, and those connections need planning. Our China itineraries are built around maximising what you actually see and experience within a given number of days, with all internal transport, visas assistance and guiding handled end-to-end. For British-Indian passengers, China is a major long-haul bucket-list destination with good vegetarian options in the south, a Buddhist heritage that resonates with many passengers, and an increasingly accessible restaurant scene for Indian dietary requirements.

Indian-Friendly Features on Our China Tours

• Indian dinners included on most evenings of multi-day tours, typically four or more times per week
• Vegetarian options available throughout, particularly strong in Buddhist temple areas and in Shanghai
• No beef or pork compulsory in any group meals - Chinese cuisine naturally accommodates this with tofu, noodles, vegetables and seafood
• Hindi-speaking representatives available on selected China departures - confirm at time of booking
• India departure add-on available on some itineraries - contact our India team on 1800 123 181 181

Best Time to Visit China

March to May is an excellent period: spring temperatures are comfortable across most of the country, the cherry blossoms are out in parts of the south, and the summer crowds have not yet arrived.

September and October are arguably the finest months in China. Golden Week in early October brings domestic tourism; our itineraries are planned around this to manage crowds at the main sites.

November is a good shoulder month: crisp and clear in Beijing, still warm in the south. The Terracotta Warriors and the Great Wall are at their most photogenic in winter light.

June to August brings heat and humidity, particularly along the Yangtze corridor, and the school holiday crowds. Less ideal, though the Li River scenery around Guilin is lush and dramatic in summer rain.

Popular Destinations Within China

Beijing - the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, the Temple of Heaven, the Summer Palace and the Great Wall at Mutianyu or Badaling. At least three full days to do it justice.

Xi'an - the ancient capital, home to the Terracotta Warriors - one of the greatest archaeological discoveries of the 20th century. The 8,000-strong army of figures in their burial pits is something that photographs cannot prepare you for.

Shanghai - the most international of China's cities. The Bund waterfront, the French Concession, Yu Garden, the futuristic skyline of Pudong and the city's extraordinary food and shopping culture.

Guilin and the Li River - the landscape of karst limestone peaks rising from the river, immortalised on the 20 yuan note. A boat journey from Guilin to Yangshuo is one of China's great slow travel experiences.

Chengdu - the capital of Sichuan, home to the giant panda research base and one of China's most distinctive culinary traditions. The spice levels of Sichuan cuisine are something that many of our Indian passengers find genuinely agreeable.

Zhangjiajie - the floating mountain landscape of Hunan province that inspired the Hallelujah Mountains in Avatar. For itineraries with more time, one of China's most remarkable natural environments.

Practical Information

• Currency: Chinese Yuan / Renminbi (CNY / RMB)
• Language: Mandarin Chinese; English is limited outside major hotels and tourist sites - your guide is essential
• Time zone: China Standard Time (GMT+8). The entire country uses a single time zone.
• Electricity: Type A, C and I plugs (220V). A multi-adapter is recommended.
• Tipping: Included in your Star Tours holiday price
• India bookings: Call our India line free on 1800 123 181 181 (10am-7pm)
• ABTA & ATOL: All our China holidays are fully protected