China · CITY TOURS

The 15 Best City Tours in China

68 tours  ·  from $5

One day, one city, someone else driving. These 15 compare the classic runs through Beijing, Shanghai, Xi’an and Hong Kong on route, pace and what the price actually includes.

Zhujiajiao Water Town and Shanghai City Private Day Tour - Shanghai Tower and the 360-degree view
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Zhujiajiao Water Town and Shanghai City Private Day Tour

1.Zhujiajiao Water Town and Shanghai City Private Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,016 reviews · from $246Our pick

Spend about eight hours with a private guide and driver, combining Zhujiajiao’s canals, boat ride, local lunch, Yuyuan Garden, the Bund, and Shanghai Tower. Guides such as Snow, Caroline, Xin, Jane, and Queena have led this route. The schedule can be adjusted for your interests, with Jade Buddha Temple replacing Yuyuan Garden on Mondays.

“This was an exceptional tour of Shanghai and Zhujiajiao. We enjoyed the private tour and our friendly and safe driver. Most of all we enjoyed meeting Caroline. She’s a very bubbly, smart, funny and very informative tour Guide. Her English is Read more”

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Private Shanghai Full Day City Tour with Old and New Highlights - The Old Town adds food, shopping, and local texture
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Private Shanghai Full Day City Tour with Old and New Highlights

2.Private Shanghai Full Day City Tour with Old and New Highlights

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 995 reviews · from $115

Spend 7 to 8 hours exploring old and modern Shanghai with a private guide such as Annie, Sammy, or Fei Fei. Shape the day around your interests, from Yu Garden and the Bund to the Jade Buddha Temple and Shanghai Tower. Downtown pickup is offered, while lunch, transport, and entrance fees depend on the package you choose.

“Annie was an amazing tour guide! From the minute she picked us up at our hotel till the moment she dropped us off, she was professional, very knowledgeable, and funny. She also helped me navigate a food allergy with lunch so I could enjoy Read more”

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Hong Kong Day Tour: City Landmarks & Highlights - Central begins with the Mid-Levels Escalator
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Hong Kong Day Tour: City Landmarks & Highlights

3.Hong Kong Day Tour: City Landmarks & Highlights

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 798 reviews · from $48

Spend about seven hours exploring Central, Sheung Wan, and Kowloon with an English-speaking guide such as Gary, Joe, or Monica. Walk through old markets and heritage sites, sample local snacks, ride the tram and Star Ferry, and finish near the Tsim Sha Tsui Clock Tower. Lunch and some transport details depend on the option you choose.

“this is a walking tour and not transported via bus, the tour guide was not helpful in resolving this for us”

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Xi'an in A Day: Terracotta Army+City Highlights+Family Lunch - Entering the Terracotta Army Museum
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Xi’an in A Day: Terracotta Army+City Highlights+Family Lunch

4.Xi’an in A Day: Terracotta Army+City Highlights+Family Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 304 reviews · 1 day · from $24

Cover Xi’an’s three essential sights in one day with an English-speaking guide such as Andy, Willow, Min, or Maryam. The full tour includes hotel pickup, air-conditioned transport, attraction visits, and lunch at the guide’s family home near the Terracotta Army. Check your booking option carefully, since ticket-only reservations exclude these services.

“Andy was a great guide, excellent English very good to explain and answer the many many questions. There was plenty time at every stage. Bus was very comfortable. Lunch with his parents in their home was very tasty. Excellent experience”

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4-Hour Flexible Private Shanghai City Tour - Jade Buddha Temple and its quiet chambers
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4-Hour Flexible Private Shanghai City Tour

5.4-Hour Flexible Private Shanghai City Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 235 reviews · from $115

This four-hour private Shanghai tour lets you choose two or three sights, with hotel pickup, an air-conditioned car, and a personal guide such as Snow, Kalvin, Kiki, or Jenny. Use a suggested route or shape the day around gardens, temples, old neighborhoods, food, shopping, or skyline views. Morning, afternoon, and evening departures are available.

“The best of care is taken. The vehicle is modern and clean, water provided. The driver was excellent. The guide I had was JUDY and she spoke perfect English and was so attentive and made sure I didn't miss anything! No hard sell and was happy for me to make my own choice to skip other things to go the new museum in Pudong and left me to enjoy myself at leisure there before getting me buns for lunch which were delicious!”

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Shanghai: 8-Hour Private City Tour - Yu Garden, Old Street, and a traditional tea break
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Shanghai: 8-Hour Private City Tour

6.8-Hour Private City Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 230 reviews · 8 hours · from $135

This private eight-hour tour pairs a driver-guide with a flexible Shanghai route. Visit Yu Garden, Old Street, the French Concession, Jade Buddha Temple, the Bund, and Shanghai Tower, or adjust the day to suit your interests. Guides including Tom, Vicky, Mary, Patrick, and Jessie have led past tours, with English and Chinese available.

“Tom was an excellent guide and very thorough and knowledgeable. He was happy to show us around and be guided by what interested us, as well as making sure we saw all the best bits.”

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4-Hour Private Shanghai City Tour with Old and New Highlights - Yu Garden, with a Monday replacement if needed
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4-Hour Private Shanghai City Tour with Old and New Highlights

7.4-Hour Private Shanghai City Tour with Old and New Highlights

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 199 reviews · from $93

Build your own four-hour Shanghai tour with a private guide such as Annie, Sammi, Lea, or Roy. Pair Old Town and Yu Garden with The Bund and Shanghai Tower, or swap in Jade Buddha Temple, Tianzifang, Xintiandi, or the Propaganda Art Poster Center. Choose car, Uber, or metro transport, with lunch or dinner available.

“The tour was absolutely fantastic. We had Claire as our guide and she was so informative and knowledgeable about Shanghai. We thoroughly enjoyed our tour today. Would highly recommend this tour.”

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Best of Hangzhou: A Comprehensive Tour of the City's Top Sights - Walking through Flower Harbor Park
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Best of Hangzhou: A Comprehensive Tour of the City’s Top Sights

8.Best of Hangzhou: A Comprehensive Tour of the City’s Top Sights

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 192 reviews · from $153

Spend 6 to 8 hours seeing Hangzhou by private car with an English-speaking guide. The route links West Lake, Flower Harbor, Lingyin Temple, Amanfayun, Dragon Well tea fields, and Southern Song Imperial Street. Guides such as Bonnie, David, Nancy, May, and Lulu are praised for flexible planning and clear explanations. Lunch is optional, and tea shopping can be skipped.

“We were late for our arrival and the Viator team was FANTASTIC is being patient and finding us in a very crowded train station in Hangzhou. Our tour guide Bonnie had IMPECCABLE English and a sunny disposition that made our day delightful. She also was quite knowledgeable about local Hangzhou culture and current Alibaba information, which was quite fascinating. We would ask for Bonnie next time for sure!”

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Shanghai One Day City Private Tour by German-Speaking Guide - The Bund: Shanghai’s old face and new skyline
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Shanghai One Day City Private Tour by German-Speaking Guide

Private Xi'an Day Tour: Terracotta Army&Optional City Attractions - Choosing your two Xi’an attractions
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Private Xi’an Day Tour: Terracotta Army&Optional City Attractions

10.Private Xi’an Day Tour: Terracotta Army&Optional City Attractions

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 170 reviews · from $88

Spend about eight hours with a private English-speaking guide and driver, visiting the Terracotta Warriors plus two Xi’an attractions. Choose from the City Wall, Big Wild Goose Pagoda, Muslim Street, Banpo Museum, the Eight Immortals Temple, and Xi’an Mosque. Pickup is available from your hotel, with airport and train station transfers by arrangement.

“My tour guide Richard was very helpful and friendly and very good taking care of us, we were so very happy for this trip”

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Hong Kong City Tour + Lunch + Peak Tram - Tai Kwun, old police buildings, and a former jail
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Hong Kong City Tour + Lunch + Peak Tram

11.Hong Kong City Tour + Lunch + Peak Tram

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 154 reviews · from $48

Walk Hong Kong Island with a licensed guide such as Joe, Amy, Grace, Monica, or Gary. Visit Tai Kwun, PMQ, Cat Street, Man Mo Temple, and Sheung Wan, then enjoy dim sum, an egg tart, and tea or coffee. The six-hour option can include a Peak Tram ticket, while a Star Ferry ticket may be selected separately.

“The tour guide Gery is very knowledgeable & well organised. We have learnt a lot of Hong Kong history from him, thanks.”

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Private Amazing Shanghai City Day Tour in Your Way - Yu Garden and the old city
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Private Amazing Shanghai City Day Tour in Your Way

12.Private Amazing Shanghai City Day Tour in Your Way

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 147 reviews · from $135

Spend about eight hours exploring Shanghai with a private guide and optional car service. Shape the day around Yu Garden, Shanghai Tower, the Bund, Tianzifang, the French Concession, Jade Buddha Temple, or your own requests. Guides such as Xin, Jenny, Judy, Mary, and Berlin are praised for clear English, local insight, and flexible planning.

“A fantastic overview of Shanghai. May our guide was exceptional, informative, really helpful and very friendly. We saw so many different aspects of this wonderful city. Alana her manager was also really helpful and upgraded our tour to add a free lunch (which was delicious) as the Yu gardens are closed on Mondays. Our driver was also excellent and the car very comfortable and air conditioned which helped a lot. I would thoroughly recommend this tour to anyone who has not visited Shanghai before. Probably our best Viator tour so far! Thank you May”

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Beijing City Walk: Explore Hutongs Life and Old Beijing - Qianmen, Dashilan, and the quieter turn into Sanlihe
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Beijing City Walk: Explore Hutongs Life and Old Beijing

13.Beijing City Walk: Explore Hutongs Life and Old Beijing

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 146 reviews · from $15Best value

Spend about 2.5 hours exploring Beijing’s old neighborhoods with an English-speaking guide. Depending on your departure, you may walk Qianmen and Dashilan, Sanlihe Hutong, Nanluoguxiang, the Drum and Bell Towers, or Houhai. Guides such as Kevin, Yang, Eevee, and Summer Wang add local stories, food stops, calligraphy, and cultural details.

“Highly recommend the tour we did with Yang. Well balanced with knowledge and fun, from bits of history to trying your hand at calligraphy, having local snacks to trying Peking Opera outfits, hutongs, local shops and even shoe museum... you name it.. Totally recommend the guide and the tour.”

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Private Mutianyu Great Wall Day Tour From Beijing City/Airport - The ride north and the story of the wall
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Private Mutianyu Great Wall Day Tour From Beijing City/Airport

14.Private Mutianyu Great Wall Day Tour From Beijing City/Airport

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 146 reviews · from $206

Travel privately from Beijing or its airport to the quieter Mutianyu Great Wall. An English-speaking guide such as Jenny, Tony, or Sonia may lead the day, with transfers, entrance, lunch, and round-trip cable car included. Walk between watchtowers, then return by cable car or upgrade to the toboggan.

“Unfortunately it was raining, and this part of the wall was closed, however our guide Cindy rang around to find which section was open, and we went there, No chairlift, so more walking, and big crowds because of the other sites being cloRead more”

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A Private City Tour of Hong Kong with Mercedes-Benz - Central streets, Soho, and the Mid-Levels
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A Private City Tour of Hong Kong with Mercedes-Benz

15.A Private City Tour of Hong Kong with Mercedes-Benz

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 121 reviews

Spend 4.5 hours with an English-speaking guide such as Wing, Gary, Wayne, or Rain in a private Mercedes vehicle. Shape the route around your interests, with Kowloon pickup included and sights such as Victoria Peak, Stanley Market, Aberdeen, Man Mo Temple, and Nan Lian Garden available. Extra time costs $45 per hour.

“What a great experience. Wing was extremely knowledgeable and his English is perfect. I wouldn’t go to Hong Kong and leave him out of your plans. He is a must do”

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