China Small Group Tours
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10 best China small group tours
Compiled by
MelissaChina travel expert at TourRadar
- 8-Day Small Group China Tour to Beijing, Xi'an and Shanghai
- 6 Days Central Tibet Culture Small Group Tour: Explore Tibet's religion, cultural gems, and captivating landscapes
- 6 Days Lhasa Gyantse Shigatse Group Tour
- 5 Days Lhasa and Yamdrok Lake Small Group Tour
- 5 Days Lhasa & Yamdrotso Lake Group Tour
- 8 Days Beijing Xian Shanghai Small Group Tour
- Discover China's Silk Road - 11 Days Private Tour
- 8 Days Tour Shanghai / Xian / Beijing
- 9 Days Tour Beijing / Xian / Chengdu
- China Central City Tour in 6 days
8-Day Small Group China Tour to Beijing, Xi'an and Shanghai
20 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“A wonderful tour with expert guides, first class hotels and well thought out and co-ordinated visits to amazing sights.”
Hattie, traveled in September
Small groups of 2-18 travelers get personal attention at iconic sites like Mutianyu Great Wall and Terracotta Army. For travelers aged 5+, the tour offers cultural connections through family home visits in Beijing's hutongs and hands-on activities like crafting mini warriors in Xi'an's cave dwellings.
Duration 8 days Destinations Beijing, Xi'an, Shanghai Age Range 1 to 99 year olds Group Size Max Group Size 18 Group Type GroupPersonalized Operator TravelChinaGuide Tours From $1,709
15% Off- US$1,453You save $256
6 Days Central Tibet Culture Small Group Tour: Explore Tibet's religion, cultural gems, and captivating landscapes
1 Review by TourRadar travelers“The hotel has no air conditioning and I was arranged a room at the south side which was a boiler room.”
Ivy, traveled in June
Duration 6 days Destinations Lhasa, Gyantse, Shigatse Age Range 7 to 80 year olds Group Size Max Group Size 12 Group Type GroupPersonalized Operator Tibet Vista From
15% Off- US$549
6 Days Lhasa Gyantse Shigatse Group Tour
4 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“I felt relaxed during my trip. I will recommend this Tour to my friends and family who would like to travel to Tibet.”
bessie, traveled in September
Local English-speaking guides lead intimate group tours through Tibet, costing approx. $160 per day. Sacred sites like Jokhang Temple and Pelkor Chöde Monastery become more accessible. Morning pickups at 9:30 AM provide relaxed starts, with oxygen tanks available for high-altitude comfort.
Duration 6 days Destinations Lhasa, Gyantse, Shigatse Age Range 2 to 80 year olds Group Size Max Group Size 12 Group Type Group Operator Great Tibet Tour From
15% Off- US$910
Duration 5 days Destinations Lhasa, Shannan Age Range 3 to 80 year olds Group Size Max Group Size 12 Group Type GroupPersonalized Operator Tibet Vista From
15% Off- US$749
5 Days Lhasa & Yamdrotso Lake Group Tour
1 Review by TourRadar travelers“The scenery of Namtso Lake left a deep impression on us, the lake is very clear, the snow mountain is very majestic.”
OliverA, traveled in July
Cultural treasures of Lhasa unfold at approx. $170 per day. The tour features Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, and Drepung Monastery with English-speaking guides. Oxygen tanks and daily mineral water ensure comfort at high altitudes. Airport transfers and daily breakfast included.
Duration 5 days Destinations Lhasa, Yamdroktso Lake Age Range 2 to 80 year olds Group Size Max Group Size 12 Group Type Group Operator Great Tibet Tour From
15% Off- US$799
Duration 8 days Destinations Beijing, Xiangfan, Shanghai Age Range 1 to 90 year olds Group Size Max Group Size 12 Group Type Group Operator Expeditions Gateways From $4,798
50% Off- US$2,399You save $2,399
Discover China's Silk Road - 11 Days Private Tour
6 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The drivers were punctual, the lodging was tidy, the staff was nice and friendly, and the meals were good.”
Tanya, traveled in September
Private guide and driver lead intimate groups throughout China. With 2-4 travelers typically, the tour offers exclusive access to Mutianyu Great Wall and Temple of Heaven. Personal attention extends to the Terracotta Warriors and Xi'an's Muslim Quarter.
Duration 11 days Destinations Beijing, Xi'an, Guilin, Yangshuo, Shanghai Age Range 1 to 99 year olds Operated in English, German, Italian, Portuguese, French, Spanish, Chinese, Dutch, Russian Group Size Max Group Size 15 Group Type PrivatePersonalized Operator Realistic Asia From $5,473
52% Off- US$2,627+$730 local paymentsYou save $2,845
8 Days Tour Shanghai / Xian / Beijing
7 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The tour was perfect and great customer service.”
Felipe, traveled in November
Perfect for intimate exploration with English-speaking guides throughout Shanghai, Xi'an, and Beijing. Small groups ensure personalized attention at key sites like Yu Garden and Summer Palace. Private transportation and cultural insights enhance the experience at every destination.
Duration 8 days Destinations Shanghai, Xi'an, Beijing Age Range 6 to 99 year olds Operated in English, Chinese Group Size Max Group Size 20 Group Type GroupPersonalized Operator ChinaWayz From
52% Off- US$1,557
9 Days Tour Beijing / Xian / Chengdu
3 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The hotels were clean and comfortable - some rather too far out of the centre but generally in nice places.”
Teresa, traveled in September
Intimate tour limited to small groups ensures personalized attention at sites like the Temple of Heaven and Summer Palace. Expert English-speaking guides provide cultural insights during tea ceremonies and hutong visits, with authentic dining experiences including dumpling feasts.
Duration 9 days Destinations Beijing, Xi'an, Chengdu Age Range 6 to 99 year olds Operated in English, Chinese Group Size Max Group Size 20 Group Type Group Operator ChinaWayz From
52% Off- US$1,698
Duration 6 days Destinations Beijing, Shanghai Age Range up to 90 year olds Operated in English, German, French, Spanish, Chinese, Russian Group Size Max Group Size 15 Group Type PrivatePersonalized Operator Vietnam Tour Fun From $1,998
50% Off- US$999+$370 local paymentsYou save $999
Reviews of Small Group tours to China
- 8-Day Small Group China Tour to Beijing, Xi'an and Shanghai
Great small group tour. Linda in Beijing and Ocean in Shanghai were both excellent guides. Some days were a little drawn out and could be modified and for some reason 2 of the hotels had no aircon turned on which would have been good to know as everyone wasted a lot of time trying to get theirs to work when we could have just been told and ordered a fan for the room. Overall an excellent Golden Triangle Tour
I traveled with my parents to Tibet for the first time. We all can only say great things by the tour guide given to us by this agency. We would recommend this agency to anyone traveling to Tibet. And our tour guide Lobsung was very special to us. He waited in the airport for us after our flight was delayed due to weather. We where all exhausted, I'm sure he must have been too, but he greeted us very kindly. He was extremely accomodating to us and was constantly there to help us with anything. He is an excellent tour guide!
6 Days Lhasa Gyantse Shigatse Group Tour
- 5 Days Lhasa & Yamdrotso Lake Group Tour
I had the 6 Days Lhasa & Namtso Lake Group Tour with my mom this time, she is 70 years old. Our driver and guide were very caring for her, I very appreciate them. We like the hotel in Lhasa very much, The bed is very comfortable, so my mother got a good rest. The scenery of Namtso Lake left a deep impression on us, the lake is very clear, the snow mountain is very majestic. I can't imagine that there would be such a huge lake at such a high altitude. We are home now and often flips through those photos. Our Tibet journey was really good! Thank you all!
What our customers ask about China Small Group Tours
What type of accommodation can I expect on a small group tour in China?
Small group tours provide comfortable lodging in 4-5 star hotels that are centrally located. Guests can expect properties like the Hotel New Otani Chang Fu Gong in Beijing the Crowne Plaza in Xi'an and the Radisson Blu Hotel Shanghai New World. A recent TourRadar traveler noted: "The accommodation was excellent throughout with sumptuous breakfasts and great central locations."
What unique experiences are offered on small group tours in China?
These tours give travelers access to local homes traditional tea ceremonies and cultural demonstrations. In Xi'an visitors can make dumplings with local families join private Tai Chi lessons and get special access at the Terracotta Warriors site. The tours include stays at upscale hotels such as the Crowne Plaza Xi'an and Radisson Blu Shanghai New World. According to a TourRadar traveler: "We particularly enjoyed having informed and caring guides and authentic local experiences like our fabulous lunch meal in Shanghai."
How does transportation work on small group tours in China?
Transportation includes private coaches high-speed trains and flights between major cities. Groups take the bullet train from Beijing to Xi'an which takes 5 hours and fly to destinations like Zhangjiajie. The smaller group size means comfortable travel in private vehicles including trips to the Mutianyu Great Wall. Travelers report: "Everything was well coordinated with seamless transfers between various parts of the tour."
What meals are included on small group tours in China?
Tours generally cover daily hotel breakfasts authentic Chinese lunches at selected local restaurants and special dining events like the Tang Dynasty Dinner Show in Xi'an. Welcome lunches often valued at 150 USD per person and farewell dinners featuring regional dishes are common inclusions. A TourRadar traveler noted: "The authentic meals were a highlight especially experiencing local cuisine with our small group."
How does pricing compare between small group and large group tours in China?
Small group tours cost between USD 150-300 daily while larger groups range from USD 80-150. The higher rates reflect perks like exclusive hotels including the Sunworld Hotel in Beijing or Grand Dynasty Culture Hotel in Xi'an private transport focused guide attention and flexible scheduling. TourRadar data shows small group tours average USD 284 per day.
What is the typical small group size for tours in China?
Groups usually consist of 2-18 travelers creating a more personal experience. TravelChinaGuide's tours keep numbers low to ensure quality time at major sites like the Terracotta Warriors and Great Wall. A TourRadar participant shared: "I liked the small group size. It made visiting places like the Forbidden City much more manageable and intimate." This format allows for special activities like visiting Beijing hutong families and dumpling-making sessions at Xi'an's Tang Paradise Hotel.