Our Team
Our Tour Experts
Heroes and Heroines
Chengdu and giant pandas
Home to many of China’s natural wonders, wildlife preserves, archaeological sites, and historical buildings.
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![Amy Waters snow biking]()
Our Team
Steppes Travel is made by the people who work here. Incredible holidays are made possible because of their vast travel experience and the great enthusiasm they bring to their work.
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![William Dalrymple]()
Our Tour Experts
We carefully select our experts based on their knowledge, companionship and influence, ensuring that you can travel with the most knowledgeable leaders in the field.
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![Liz Bonnin]()
Heroes and Heroines
the people who lead the way when it comes to those things which matter to us: exploration, the environment, women’s empowerment and education
China Holidays
Where old and new, and history and innovation, live side by side. There are many ways to see sprawling China with us – whatever you choose, there will undoubtedly be colour, culture and cuisine to enchant you.
While China has emerged as a global superpower, it still retains a rich history and distinctive culture all of which you can experience on a tailor-made holiday. From the man-made wonder of the Great Wall to the natural beauty of Yunnan, China is a land of both rare beauty and stark contrasts.
What to expect on your China holiday
China has over 5,000 years of enthralling history, 48 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, cutting edge cities, a fascinating culture, magical landscapes, minority tribes and delicious cuisine. A world apart from our culture, an expert who knows and loves the country is invaluable when creating a tailor-made holiday to China.
The iconic sites of China are well visited for a reason so shouldn’t be missed on a first-time visit to the country. From the Terracotta Warriors in Xian to the magical karst limestone peaks of Yangshuo and the mighty Yangtze River. Our experts can combine these well-trodden routes with far less visited parts of the country.
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Idea
China
Highlights of China including Yangtze Cruise
This classic holiday encompasses many of the highlights China has to offer, including Beijing and Xian as well as a Yangtze cruise and the beautiful karst limestone peaks of Guilin. A great first holiday to China with a fabulous mix of Chinese…
Idea
China
Highlights of China including Yangtze Cruise
This classic holiday encompasses many of the highlights China has to offer, including Beijing and Xian as well as a Yangtze cruise and the beautiful karst limestone peaks of Guilin. A great first holiday to China with a fabulous mix…
Beyond the classic sites
Take the time to travel a little further to places such as the Silk Road city of Kashgar, or the exceptionally preserved Ming dynasty walls of Pingyao city, and Datong, home to the Yungang Caves and their carved Buddha’s. China is home to many minority tribes many of which are found in the less visited regions on Guizhou, Qinghai and Yunnan – time spent with these people is a rare glimpse into a fast disappearing China.
Xian
Chang An, as Xian was once known, was the start of the Silk Road to Europe through Persia and the Subcontinent.
Beijing
In the North of the country, it is a veritable metropolis of epic proportions and offers more than just the entrance to…
Guilin and The Li River
Guilin's charm lies in its magical scenery which has inspired poets and artists for thousands of years.
Shanghai, Hangzhou and Suzhou
A city of contrasts, Shanghai has two distinctly different faces, one old and one new, and is evolving at a rapid pace.…
Yangtze Cruises
There's are few better way to experience China's stunning landscapes and ancient culture than on a Yangtze cruise.
Lijiang, Shangri La and Yunnan
Yunnan, meaning 'Beautiful clouds in the South' is one of China's most diverse and naturally beautiful provinces.
Tibet
Tibet still exudes a magic that is hard to emulate.
The Silk Road
The Silk Road was the most well known international trade route for the Chinese Empire
Pingyao and Datong
Easily reached by train from Beijing, Pingyao was China's most important trading city during the late Ming and Qing dynasties and is…
Hong Kong
Great shopping, accessible beaches, local history and culture, sky-scraping modern architecture and a wide choice of restaurants.
Explore China
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Chengdu
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Xian
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Beijing
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Yunnan
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Hong Kong
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Guilin
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Pingyao
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Shanghai
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Yangtze River
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Tibet
Experiences
Here are a selection of activities and experiences you could consider including in your holiday to China.
Where to Stay
Every captivating tailor-made itinerary needs a perfect base. Our team has handpicked this collection of properties to give you luxury options in styles to suit any adventure.
China
The Opposite House
From the outside, The Opposite House is clearly different from many of the other 5* hotels in the city – huge wooden entrance doors contrast with the striking green glass exterior and lead into an informal…
China
Waldorf Astoria Hotel
The striking, contemporary exterior of The Waldorf Astoria stands in contrast to the soft and elegant interior where sleek modern art combines with oriental charm. The 176 rooms are spacious and stylish with most located in…
China
Banyan Tree – Lijiang
Banyan Tree Lijiang is located a short hop from the cobbled streets of old town Lijiang, with views towards the towering Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. Each of the 55 villas is furnished in a local style…
China
Sofitel Legend Hotel
Once a government guesthouse, Sofitel Legend Hotel has 71 stylish and elegant guestrooms. The decor blends local styles with French and Art Deco features and most of the rooms overlook the hotels landscaped gardens and fountains.…
Meet our experts
A passion for travel runs right through every one of our experts - meaning they're always ready with first-hand insight about their specialist countries.
Paul Craven
Paul is the Conde Nast Traveller chosen Specialist for Central Asia and the Silk Route.
Being from a family with Army connections I can from an early age remember travelling. From camping in Europe and then later being sent to boarding school when we lived in Germany at the age of eight, complete with shorts, long socks, a cap and my suitcase. In appearance not too dissimilar to the children evacuated to the countryside during the blitz.
Talk with our experts
- 01285 880 980
Clare Higginson
It was my passion for languages that first encouraged me to leave the UK behind and grab my rucksack. Since then, it’s been a mixture of intriguing cultures, jaw-dropping landscapes and the wonder of seeing animals in their natural habitat that sees me continuously extending my travel wish list.
Talk with our experts
- 01285 880 980
Start planning your trip
Can I access social media when travelling in China?
Is the street food safe to eat?
The language seems hard to grasp, is English spoken over there?
What should I take that I may not be able to find over there?
Will a guide travel with me on my train journey?
What is the time zone in China?
Why Choose Steppes?
Our knowledge and expertise set us apart. So too our curiosity. It is this that drives us to create a journey that is really bespoke to you, all the while ensuring we travel and operate sustainably.
Are you ready to discover extraordinary once again?
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