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Chengdu and giant pandas
Home to many of China’s natural wonders, wildlife preserves, archaeological sites, and historical buildings.
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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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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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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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China – Highlights of Yunnan
Yunnan is one of China’s most diverse and naturally beautiful provinces with terrain ranging from snow-capped and alpine mountains to tropical rainforests. Travel from Kunming to Dali and Lijiang to Shangri-La experiencing fascinating cultures and beautiful…
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
- Chengdu
- Xian
- Beijing
- Yunnan
- Hong Kong
- Guilin
- Pingyao
- Shanghai
- Yangtze River
- Tibet
Experiences
Here are a selection of activities and experiences you could consider including in your holiday to China.
Places 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.
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 Traveler 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. Later, my father’s postings took us to Nepal where we had to transit Delhi and Kathmandu where we were sometimes stranded for days and Hong Kong from where I travelled in 1983 through China for two months. Talk with our experts
- 01285 601 784
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. I also seek adventure; exploring the deep blue or hiking a peak often winning favour. Although it’s my time horse herding in Mongolia that I regularly want to relive. Talk with our experts
- 01285 601 784
Deborah Brock-Doyle
My first journey for Steppes was in 1999 when I set off to explore Thailand to gather those little details that constitute Steppes Travel’s trademark knowledge. I have since been lucky enough to travel extensively in Southeast Asia, China, the Middle East and India. A few special memories include being joined at dinner by an otter in Laos, proudly being shown an illicit picture of the Dalai Lama in Tibet and diving with manta rays on Christmas day in Indonesia. I’m pretty sure I always leave a country wishing I had done more, seen more, learned more ….. but I also always hope to return … Talk with our experts
- 01285 601 784
Let’s chat
Speak to our experts
Our team is waiting to help you tailor a trip that will leave you with stories for a lifetime. Call us on
01285 601 784 Can I access social media when travelling in China?
You will not be able to access or use social media platforms such as Facebook, Whats app, Twitter and Instagram – these are banned in China. Email is fine.
Is the street food safe to eat?
Like anywhere where street food is the norm, we always advise eating at places which appear busy with fresh produce. The food on offer in China is like nowhere else, so trying some of the delicacies on offer will be like nowhere else on the planet and provide new culinary experiences.
The language seems hard to grasp, is English spoken over there?
Mandarin is difficult to speak and understand and although English is becoming widely spoken throughout the country especially within the cities, never presume you will be understood. If spending a day at leisure in a city we would recommend writing down the name of your hotel and any sites you may wish to visit in Mandarin as a taxi driver or local won’t necessarily understand English. In Hong Kong, Cantonese is the official language, with English closely followed. Embracing the local language is all part of the adventure and you will certainly raise a few smiles when you have a go!
What should I take that I may not be able to find over there?
Luckily nearly everything you will need is available in China. We do advise if you require any kind of medication to bring it with you as it can sometimes be hard to find the right one. Toiletries are also something we suggest, such as sun cream, insect repellents and preferred shampoos and moisturisers.
Will a guide travel with me on my train journey?
No, your guide would not travel with you for your train journey. Your local guide will leave you at the station with full instructions and directions for boarding the train and you will then be met from the train at your arrival destination. If travelling with a party of 10 or more it would be more normal for a national guide to accompany the group throughout, including train travel.
Can I use my mobile phone in China?
Using your mobile is possible if international roaming is provided, but this can be very expensive. If you are looking to use your phone frequently, it is possible to purchase a pre-paid sim card for an unlocked phone, which can be topped up as you go.
Phones are available at most hotels and restaurants. Phoning from any hotel room can be very expensive. Enquire at the reception.
What is the international dialling code for China?
86
What is the time zone in China?
China is eight hours ahead of GMT.
Haven’t found what you’re looking for?
Why Choose Steppes?
Our knowledge and expertise sets us apart. So too our curiosity. A curiosity of the world and of you, and your passions. 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?
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