China

Home to both ancient villages and modern cities, China is a country of rapid change. In no other country do the ancient and the modern, the tranquil and the hurried provide such a contrasting experience. 

Explore China’s ancient past with visits to the Terracotta Warriors in Xi'an, The water villages near Suzhou, the Great Wall of China, the Temple of Heaven, the Forbidden City, and the hutong neighborhoods in Beijing. Step out of the past and into China’s modern cities as you watch an acrobat show in Shanghai; enjoy a Peking duck dinner in Beijing. The scenery of a Three Gorges Yangtze River cruise, the Himalaya Mountains, and the awe inspiring Li Mountains is worth experiencing as well.  


Our Personal Picks

• Shanghai World Expo Tours in September, 2010
• A Three Gorges cruise down the Yangtze River
• A visit to the Li Mountains near Guilin
• The water villages of Suzhou and Zhouzhuang
• The Chengdu Panda breeding center
• Shangri-La and Lijiang in Yunnan Province
• Tiger Leaping Gorge
• The “Longman Grotto” at Fengxian

When to Travel

Travel to China is possible year round; however, the best times are in the Spring (March to May) and Fall (September to early November). Summer can be very hot especially in northern and central China, and winter tends to bring bitter cold temperatures to the north.

China World Expo Tour to Beijing and Shanghai in September
Red Lantern Journeys is offering 3 departures in September to visit Beijing and the World Expo in Shanghai. This year’s Expo is widely considered to be an experience better than the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.  Click here for tour details.

Visa Information
US and Canadian residents are required a Chinese visa for country entry.  The Chinese consulate does not accept visa applications directly. You must apply for your Chinese visa through an authorized visa service. We recommend CIBT Global Visa and Passport Professionals.

Suggested Itineraries

Below are recommended itineraries for a privately guided tour. Book as-is or customize it to fit your schedule and traveling goals.

China World Expo Tour

• World Expo 2010 - 10 days/8 nights with 3 Departures in September

China Classic Series

• Beijing City Stay - 5 days/4 nights
• Highlights of China- 10 days/9 nights
• Treasures of China with Yangtze River - 12 days/11 nights

Fabulous Culture Series

• Legend of the Silk Road - 15 days/14 nights
• Colorful Yunnan - 13 days/12 nights

Adventurous Discovery Series

• China and Tibet Explorer - 16 days/15 nights
• Footprints on Roof of the World – 9 days/8 nights