China Li River, River cruise Tours & Trip Packages

China Li River, River cruise Tours & Trips

384 China trips. Tours from 153 tour companies. 1,321 reviews. 4.8/5 avg rating.

15 trips exactly matchall of the the filters you selected.
My selections:
Li River
River cruise
Grand China and the Yangtze (2021)
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5/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
River Cruise
Why we love them
They have the highest staff-to-guest ratio in the river cruise industry and a reputation for excellent service.
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Beijing, Chengdu, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Yichang

Themes

50 plus, Cultural, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"Personnel were all very polite and happy to serve. Service was timely and professional. Most remembered your preferences and were prepared to assist."

Trip dates & details
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Grand Tour of China
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4.7/5 Excellent
69 reviews
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Beijing, Chengdu, Great Wall of China, Hong Kong, Shanghai

Highlights

  • Visit the Forbidden City and Tian An Men Square
  • Visit Shuanglin Temple
  • Visit the Terracotta Army and Great Wild Goose Pagoda
  • Visit Nanjing Road and the Bund.
  • Visit the West Lake, Six Harmonious Pagoda

Themes

Cultural, Small Ship Cruise, Religious

What travelers are saying

"The cruise was cancelled 2 weeks before departure. The replacement was a serious step down and appalling. The Croisi Boat (MV Beethoven) should be avoided at all possible cost. It is a rattling banging creaking heap. VJV just dump people when they arrive (they booked flights and transfers) with no refreshments, no protection from the cold and no information. They are just let to wait for the boat to allow them on, which was around 2 hours. To save money, they all dock alongside each other and this boat is the last. You need to cross two other boats to get ashore and the crossings are precarious and worrying for elderly or disabled passengers. It is impossible to sleep in cabins akin to prison cells with the torture of noise all night long"

Trip dates & details
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China and Hong Kong
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3.8/5 Great
18 reviews
Group Tour
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Beijing, Chongqing, Great Wall of China, Guilin, Shanghai, The Forbidden City, Three Gorges, Tiananmen Square

Highlights

  • Explore fascinating Shanghai
  • Visit the ancient water town of Zhujiajiao.
  • Opportunity in deluxe ship for our Yangtze River Cruise.
  • See the historic Chongqing
  • Enjoy scenic boat trip down the Li River
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Themes

50 plus, Cultural, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife, Transformative

What travelers are saying

"I went on a Grand Tour of Italy with my husband and we had the trip of our lives. Senior Discovery Tours took care of everything so we just got to enjoy ourselves. Would highly reccomend!"

Trip dates & details
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China Special Value Tour
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3.8/5 Great
18 reviews
Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Beijing, Great Wall of China, Guilin, Shanghai, Suzhou, Terra Cotta Warriors, The Forbidden City, Xian

Highlights

  • Explore Beijing, China's political and cultural centre
  • Visit impressive Tiananmen Square and Tiananmen Square
  • Visit Xian's magnificent city wall and Wild Goose Pagoda
  • See the awesome Shanghai Museum - an ultra-modern repository for 5,000 years of history and culture

Themes

50 plus, Cultural, Transformative

What travelers are saying

"I went on a Grand Tour of Italy with my husband and we had the trip of our lives. Senior Discovery Tours took care of everything so we just got to enjoy ourselves. Would highly reccomend!"

Trip dates & details
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Old Towns and Li River Cruises
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5/5 Excellent
15 reviews
Private Guided
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Guilin, Yangshuo

Highlights

  • Travel along the Li River on the large Public Boat Cruise
  • Explore the Yulong Valley either by bicycle or foot and admire the spectacular scenery
  • Watch the famous Impression 3rd Sister Liu Show held on the banks of the Li River
  • Walk the old streets and go back in time at Huangyao Ancient Town
  • Board a raft and drift down the peaceful Yulong River whilst admiring Southern China’s beauty
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Themes

Cultural, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife

What travelers are saying

"We had great three days in Guilin with Sarah!! Thank you! ♡"

Trip dates & details
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Guangxi Explorer
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5/5 Excellent
15 reviews
Private Guided
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Guilin, Star Wars, Yangshuo

Highlights

  • Drift along the scenic Yulong River on your own private raft
  • Cycle through the scenic Yangshuo Countryside and Yulong Valley
  • Try local specialties among the hustle and bustle of West Street
  • Take a step back in time with a visit to a local rural market day in Yangshuo
  • See a different bird’s eye view of the natural beauty from the peaks of Xianggong Hill
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Themes

Cultural, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife

What travelers are saying

"We had great three days in Guilin with Sarah!! Thank you! ♡"

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Southern China Scenic Getaway
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5/5 Excellent
15 reviews
Private Guided
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Guilin, Yangshuo

Highlights

  • Taste the famous Guilin Rice Noodles at a popular local Noodle Shop
  • Climb the peaks of Cuiping Hill and overlook some stunning rural scenery
  • Take a step back in time with a visit to a local rural market day in Yangshuo
  • Cycle through the scenic Yangshuo Countryside and Yulong Valley
  • Drift along the scenic Yulong River on your own private raft
Show more

Themes

Cultural, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife

What travelers are saying

"We had great three days in Guilin with Sarah!! Thank you! ♡"

Trip dates & details
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China Delights
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5/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Beijing, Guilin, Shanghai, Terra Cotta Warriors, The Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, Xian, Yangshuo, Yichang

Highlights

  • See the fascinating Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City
  • Explore Beijing
  • Discover Shanghai
  • Opportunity to Li River cruise to Yangshuo
  • See the Shanghai Museum, Yuyuan Garden

Themes

Cultural, Family Friendly, Local Immersion & Homestays, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife

What travelers are saying

"TCGT is a company you need for an “all inclusive” trip in China. Emily arranged for us a perfect tailored itinerary based on our preferences. Hotel, transports and guides were professional, gentle and fluent English-speaking. We thank TCGT for such wonderful and perfect vacation in China and we highlight its services to everyone."

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15 trips exactly matchall of the the filters you selected.
My selections:
Li River
River cruise

China Reviews & Ratings

4.8/5  Excellent
1,321  Reviews
See all China tour reviews
Excellent
881
Great
197
Average
14
Disappointing
2
Terrible
0
A

Andrew

Oct 2015

Written on

Overall, the trip was excellent. This was

Overall, the trip was excellent. This was my first time with Intrepid but I have taken several similar trips (Tucan). The tour leader (Kris) was excellent and the ac...

A

Anne

Sep 2015

Written on

Emma was an excellent group leader- very

Emma was an excellent group leader- very friendly, helpful and polite. We really liked her suggested restaurant and activity recommendations and felt that they were ...

S

Steve

Sep 2015

Written on

Excellent Guide. Good Itinerary.

Excellent Guide. Good Itinerary.

B

Benita

Sep 2015

Written on

A well put together itinerary from Intrepid

A well put together itinerary from Intrepid and my tour guide Emma Guo was fantastic. She made herself available to the group 24 hours with added information on loca...

C

Cornelia

Sep 2015

Written on

I had a amazing time during this

I had a amazing time during this trip. China Experience is a very good to see a lot of spots in China. That only negative point was that we couldn't see the Forbidde...

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China Tour Selection Trips

  • When choosing a tour to China, consider how much free time is allowed, especially in cities, where the chance to walk the streets and observe daily life can be an unforgettable experience.
  • Resident tour guides are your best resource for insights into modern Chinese life, and the best of them are bright, sophisticated, willing to answer your hard questions and eager to find out more about you.
  • Request or procure a multiple-entry 10-year China tourist visa (which became available late in 2014), making a return visit easier and cheaper.
  • Jet lag is a reality for most travelers to China. Try to fly in at least a day ahead, if possible, so that you can begin your tour at full strength.
  • Early spring and late fall are the best times to travel in most parts of China—less hot and crowded. Southern China is much warmer than the North in winter months.
  • Learning a few Chinese phrases can go a long ways in smoothing your way, even on a tour. Being able to say “Hello,” “Good-bye,” and “Thank you” opens doors, while “Yes,” “No,“ and “How much is this?” in Chinese make shopping (and fending off vendors) much easier.
  • After you’ve arrived…Credit cards will be all you need for most purchases, and ATMs are widely available in cities, but street markets and village shops usually require local currency.
  • If you’re venturing outside the main cities, be sure to carry tissues, hand sanitizers and other hygienic devices. China has modernized rapidly, but it is still a developing nation.
  • Most Chinese are frank and outgoing, rather than reserved. Few topics are taboo these days, especially among young people, but certain topics of conversation -- such as Tibet, the Dalai Lama, Hong Kong elections, abortion, Taiwan -- can be unfruitful.
  • Jokes and puns, however, are popular, as is Western pop culture, including music, films and designer clothes.
  • Wear sturdy, comfortable walking shoes, since you’ll want to see as much as possible on foot.
  • Given the air pollution and dusty (sometimes unclean) conditions, choose serviceable outdoor attire by day. Touring China can be more a ramble through the outback than a stroll through a shopping mall.

Additional details

Tours to China usually visit the heavy hitters, such as the Great Wall, and major sites in Beijing. However, the benefit of going on a China tour is the opportunity to venture out to the countryside, get a glimpse of rural Chinese life, and the amazing ancient natural landscapes.

What to expect from a China Tour

Culturally, there are many nuances to Chinese life that will come to life as you travel through, and some things may be difficult to adapt to. Traveling on a tour in China will not only enhance your experience, it will help with the language barrier, and you’ll learn more about local life, bringing these many nuances to light in a safe and comfortable way.

History tours are a great way to gain a deeper understanding of Chinese culture, but they can only go so far. Try to book a tour that visits local establishments and villages as well as cities.

Here are a few unexpected cultural differences you can expect on your first trip to China:

  • Toilet paper. The majority of public restrooms (with the exception of higher-end restaurants and hotels) don’t carry toilet paper, and so you may want to carry around your own packet, or some tissues.
  • Service. The expectation that you will be waited on hand and foot is a uniquely American ideal. In China, like many other places, service is not quite so good. On a similar note, the Chinese do not tip, and won’t expect them from you.
  • Spitting. You might be shocked the first time you see an old Chinese man hock a loogie onto the street, but the Chinese do not use tissues. In fact, they are equally disgusted by the way that we Westerners “keep” our mucus!
  • Small talk. In most Western cultures, having a conversation with a stranger about your marital status, economic status, or personal history can seem incredibly invasive; these topics are not off limits for the Chinese.

Affordable Asia & Traveling China on the Cheap

There are two general, competing views on traveling to China:

  1. Buying a flight to Asia is really expensive, and so is having a decent vacation in one of China’s crowded, rapidly expanding cities.
  2. Traveling Asia is really cheap, and China is no exception, from its abundant street food and mass production.

The truth actually lies somewhere in between. If you want to live life to the fullest in one of China’s premiere cities -- Beijing, Shanghai, or Hong Kong -- eating like a king, and then resting your weary bones in a luxury hotel, you can expect to pay similar prices to any big Western city.

There are, however, ways to travel China affordably. Here are some of our recommendations:

  • Step outside the cities. As is the case any other country, prices in big cities (especially touristy ones!) are significantly higher than anywhere else
  • Public transportation. China not only has a cheap and effective taxi system within its cities, but an effective and very affordable rail system. If you plan to travel within the country, a ticket on a sleeper train will not only save you the cost of a hotel room, it will be at least half the price of a flight!
  • Check your credit card fees. This rule stands for all international travel -- make sure you are using a credit card with minimal, or no, international fees when making payments. Or sign up for WeChat, which is the most common method of payment in China, and only uses your phone.
  • Eat like the locals. Not only is this food likely to better, and is guaranteed to be authentic, eating Chinese food in China is much cheaper than eating any other foreign food. When in Rome! Another tip if you are eating a single portion of food, ask for your meal “xiao pan.” This will cut the size of meal, and reduce the price as well.

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