China Treks, Cycle & Tours

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.

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://cova.mfa.gov.cn/ 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 arrival card to enter China. You can do this before you arrive or at your point of entry, on the National Immigration Administration website or by scanning a QR code.

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.