China is a destination best experienced through movement, where walking and cycling reveal layers of history, landscape and culture that are often missed when travelling quickly.
From remote mountain paths to ancient trade routes, journeys here reward a slower, more immersive approach.
Our experience in China spans decades. In 1978, we led the first commercial cycling group in the country, helping shape how active travel developed here in its earliest years. That long history continues to inform how our treks, cycling journeys and cultural tours are designed today.
Great Wall trekking is one of China’s most memorable experiences. Walking lesser-visited sections allows you to move along ridgelines and watchtowers, experiencing the scale of the Wall within its natural setting rather than from crowded viewpoints.
Cycling remains central to how we explore China. Riding quiet backroads and rural routes offers insight into everyday life, connecting villages, farmland and historic towns, with supported journeys allowing you to travel comfortably while staying close to the landscape.
Further west, Silk Road journeys trace the ancient corridors that once linked China with Central Asia and beyond. Travelling through deserts, mountain passes and historic oasis towns reveals the cultural exchanges that shaped the region over centuries.
Explore our China treks, cycling adventures and tours.
Flavours of China: A Journey Through Regional Cuisines
Adventure Touring
15 days
Shanxi: Ancient China in Winter
8 days
Western Silk Road: Chengdu to Jiayuguan
7 days
Premium China: Natural Wonders & Cultural Highlights
Introductory to Moderate
12 days
China Bike and Hike
Moderate
14 days
China's Three Gorges Hike
9 days
Great Wall Hike
Lhasa to Kathmandu via Tibet's Everest BC
13 days
Silk Road to Samarkand via Kashgar
27 days
China Silk Road
17 days
Cycle Backroads to Yangshuo
Terracotta Warriors & Xi'an
Discovery and Cruising
3 days
In cities or large towns you will be accommodated in 3 to 4 star properties that are centrally located, pleasant and reliable.
We use local run guesthouses that offer you a truly authentic experience.
Bin Yan was born in the far west of China in Urumqi Xinjiang, and graduated from Xinjiang University. He has worked as a guide since 2002 and is arguably one of the most experienced Silk Road guides in the business. He is very devoted to his work and his jokes always evoke peals of laughter from his travel companions.
Stony has been a favourite cycle guide for World Expeditions since 2001. In his spare time he explores the most remote corners of China, often helping to pave the way for new adventures, making him an authority who is often published in China Travel magazines. Stony's great knowledge of religion and culture, and his sense of fun, make him well liked by our travellers.
Our association with 'Mr Su' goes back more than two decades when we jointly pioneered the first commercial cycling trips in Southern China. Defying all the odds, Mr Su's vision of providing active, off the beaten track experiences for our travellers to China has been a marvellous accomplishment in a tightly regulated industry. Our adventures in China continue to thrive as a result.
Leah's extensive knowledge of China is your window to its culture, history and people. Guiding for more than 15 years, she is insightful, kind and accommodating. She always goes out of her way to help people at all times to ensure everyone has the best possible experience.
Working with World Expeditions since graduating from university, Charles' guiding experience is second to none. He also works behind the scenes in organising trips and heightening the moral of our tour leaders. He has a great personality and is very helpful and patient. You'll always catch him with a contagious smile on his face. A fun fact about Charles: he is an excellent violinist, playing from a ripe age of four!
Cathy grew up in Yunnan Province, China, and was drawn from an early age to cycling. Her easy going nature and passion for Yunnan's myriad of peoples and cultures make her a favourite with locals and fellow travellers alike. After 10 years as one of China's most experienced cycling leaders showing off her extensive knowledge of back roads, she remains happiest when on a bike!
A native of Xi'an, David used to work as an assistant manager in a 5-star hotel. He is full of smiles, patience, positive energy and always willing to help others. Those who work closely with David describe him to be as bright as the sunshine and optimistic about life.
Dr Anderson lives with his wife in a small town near the Lakes District in the north of England. He is a family doctor and spends much of his spare time travelling as an expedition doctor. He has more than 10 years of altitude and travel medicine experience. Previous treks and expeditions have focused on the Himalayas, with others in the Scandinavian Arctic and mountainous areas of Africa. He also enjoys trail running, cycling and open-water swimming.
We ask travellers to avoid giving money or sweets to children as it encourages begging instead of attending school. As an alternative, we suggest supporting local charities working to alleviate problems associated with poverty in China.
Employing local people in our offices and in the field ensures that wages remain with the people who are custodians of the places and cultures we visit. Additionally, there is no one better to educate travellers about the landscape and culture than a local person.
We operate our itineraries following the principles of Leave No Trace ensuring that we take out all waste that we bring in.
China offers immense geographic diversity from Himalayan plateaus to karst mountains and ancient imperial cities. From the Great Wall and the historic Silk Road to dramatic limestone landscapes and Tibetan-influenced highlands, the country provides extraordinary cultural and natural exploration.
Beijing & the Great Wall: China’s capital showcases the country’s imperial heritage through landmarks such as the Forbidden City and Temple of Heaven, while the rugged mountains beyond the city hold some of the most scenic and remote sections of the Great Wall.
Xi’an & Ancient China: Once the eastern gateway of the Silk Road, Xi’an reveals the legacy of China’s early dynasties and is home to the remarkable Terracotta Warriors, one of the world’s greatest archaeological discoveries.
Sichuan & the Tibetan Plateau: Western Sichuan’s high valleys, traditional monasteries and alpine landscapes provide spectacular trekking on the eastern edge of the Tibetan Plateau.
Silk Road China: The deserts, oasis towns and historic trading cities of western China trace the ancient Silk Road routes that once linked China with Central Asia and Europe.
Guilin & Yangshuo Karst Landscapes: The limestone karst peaks surrounding Guilin and Yangshuo form one of China’s most iconic landscapes, ideal for cycling, river journeys and exploring rural villages.
The best time to travel to China for hiking, trekking and adventure touring is generally Apr–Jun and Sep–Oct, when temperatures are comfortable and conditions are favourable for exploring landscapes, national parks and cultural highlights.
China has a temperate climate with warm summers and cooler winters. Temperatures typically range between 5°C and 30°C (41°F–86°F).
Travelling outside the main season can still be rewarding, with quieter trails, seasonal landscapes and unique experiences depending on rainfall, wildlife activity or snow conditions.
The whole of China (including Tibet) is +8 hours ahead of UTC/GMT
Chinese language is comprised of many different dialects, which some would argue are different languages, because although they share a common writing system, spoken variations of Chinese are often unintelligible to speakers of other dialects.
Modern Standard Chinese (aka Mandarin, Beijing dialect) is the primary and official language of China. In addition, Mongolian is official in Inner Mongolia, Uighur and Kyrgyz are official in Xinjiang, Zhuang is official in Guangxi; Yue (Cantonese) is official in Guangdong and Tibetan is official in Tibet
Different ‘dialects’ include Yue (Cantonese), Wu (Shanghainese), Minbei (Fuzhou), Minnan (Hokkien-Taiwanese), Xiang, Gan and Hakka dialects.
Most people involved in tourism or business, as well as many students, will speak a good deal of English, however any attempts to speak basic Chinese will be warmly received by the people you meet.
Renminbi (aka Yuan)
EUR, AUD, GBP and USD in good condition can be exchanged in China. We recommend withdrawing or exchanging enough cash in major cities to cover expenses between destinations.
Credit card payments and ATMs that accept international cards are available in major cities such as Beijing, Xi’an, Lanzhou, and Urumqi, but may not be accessible in smaller towns. We recommend withdrawing or exchanging enough cash while in the larger cities to cover expenses between destinations. In cases where no ATM is available, your guide can assist with currency exchange. Please note that mobile payments like Alipay and WeChat Pay are now widely used and Alipay tap is now the easiest method of payment within China. The app can be downloaded before departure. While international travellers may not always be able to use these platforms directly, our local guide will be available to assist with any payment situations that arise.
+86
Electricity in China is 220 Volts, at 50 hertz. Plugs vary, often from town to town, and can be 3 pronged angled, 2 flat pins or 2 narrow round pins. Plug types are A, C & I. Any powerbanks taken into China must have CCC logo on them otherwise they will be confiscated by Chinese airport security.
Australian, New Zealand, Canada and the UK passport holders can travel to China for tourism without a visa if their stay is 30 days or less. This visa-free policy is effective to 31 December 2026. If you are staying over 30 days you will need to apply for a visa before your trip.
If you require a visa, it is advisable to apply for your visa approximately 6 weeks before your intended entry into China, but not earlier than three months prior. Applying too early may result in your visa expiring before your arrival. Passport holders from Australia, Canada, United Kingdom, New Zealand and the United States, please visit: https://consular.mfa.gov.cn/VISA/ to be directed to your dedicated city and countries website for instructions.
If you have any doubt about your eligibility, verify the conditions for visa free entry with your nearest Chinese Embassy.
Depending on your passport and location, different requirements apply and they change at short notice. Please refer to websites above for the latest information.
All other nationalities should check with your nearest embassy or consulate.
You must complete an electronic Digital Arrival Card (CDAC) prior to arrival to China. This free, mandatory, and 100% digital process is done via the National Immigration Administration (NIA) website, generating a QR code for immigration inspection. https://s.nia.gov.cn/ArrivalCardFillingPC/entry-registation-home
Your safety is our number one concern. Our safety track record is exemplary thanks to careful management and thorough consultation with local partners. Our industry leading risk management procedures have become a skill that we continue to refine. Our leaders in the field are highly trained and have safety as their number one priority. Expert leaders, risk assessments, quality inclusions and your financial security all come standard when you travel with us.
Please refer to our Travel Advisory page for updates on recent events, travel warnings and advice.
We strongly recommend that all clients take out travel insurance at the time of booking to cover against sickness, accident, loss of baggage, unexpected alterations to travel arrangements and travel disruption, emergency evacuation, cancellations, etc. Insurance information is enclosed with your pre-departure information. Please contact us if you would like to obtain a quote for your trip duration.
We suggest that you consult your doctor, local government inoculation centre or a travel medical specialist in order to get the most current advice regarding vaccination requirements.
Money and valuables should always be stored safely when travelling. Keep your passport with you at all times and do not leave it in your main luggage. You will need it to change money and check into hotels. Where safety deposit boxes are available, we recommend that you use them. Keep jewellery and valuables to a minimum.
Meet the man behind our China operations since the beginning, warmly known as 'Mr Su'.
Cycling holidays give you the advantage to immerse in a destination while also covering longer distances. Where will your next cycling trip take you?
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The Silk Road with World Expeditions and Maria Visconti
Create your dream adventure: start planning a custom made, private group trip today.
Travel with purpose, placing local communities at the heart of your adventure.
Led by experienced local guides and supported by regional crews and partners, your trip helps sustain livelihoods, build skills and strengthen long term partnerships.
Every adventure is designed to encourage respectful cultural exchange and ensure the benefits of tourism are shared with the communities you visit.
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