Travel and holiday in China
From the Great Wall to the karst landscapes of the Li River
Fancy discovering one of the world’s oldest and most fascinating civilizations, with ancient monuments, breathtaking landscapes, incomparable cuisine and future-facing megacities?
China, the Middle Kingdom, unfolds a cultural and geographical richness unrivalled anywhere on the planet. Its Great Wall — the largest human construction in history, winding for over 21,000 km — inspires awed silence. Beijing’s Forbidden City, an imperial palace with 9,999 rooms, keeps the secrets of twenty-four emperors. In Xi’an, the army of 8,000 terracotta warriors stands eternal guard. And on the Li River, between the karst mountains of Guilin, boats glide through scenery so perfect it seems lifted from an ink-wash painting.
China also reveals itself through striking contrasts: the cosmopolitan frenzy of Shanghai versus the tranquillity of Beijing’s hutongs, the giant pandas of Chengdu versus Pudong’s skyscrapers, the terraced rice fields of Yunnan versus the modernity of Shenzhen. The best time to travel in China is in spring (April–May) and in autumn (September–October), with ideal temperatures and often clear skies.
Voyages Flammang will help you design a tailor-made tour of China, from imperial classics to off-the-beaten-track discoveries, fully adapted to your pace and passions.
Why go to China?
The Great Wall, the Forbidden City, Xi’an’s warriors, the Li River, giant pandas, outstanding cuisine and futuristic megacities: China is one of the richest and most disorienting destinations in the world, an invitation to journey through 5,000 years of civilization.
Discover our best offers for your trip to China
Ready to journey through 5,000 years of civilization between the Great Wall and the Li River?
We have selected for you our most popular tours and stays in China, designed to suit every desire: classic Beijing–Xi’an–Shanghai tour, an adventure in the landscapes of Guilin, a China–Vietnam combination, a cultural getaway or a family discovery.
Whether you are looking for a grand cultural tour of the imperial sites, an immersion in China’s natural landscapes, a honeymoon blending the Orient and modernity, or an off-the-beaten-track family adventure, each stay can be fully customized to suit your dates and your budget.
Choose your option, and we will create for you a tailor-made tour of China, turnkey.
11.519 €
price per person
Along the Mekong – Aqua Expeditions
- Intimate Mekong River cruise
- Trip reserved for French-speaking passengers
- Discover Vietnam and Cambodia
10.358€
price per person
The diversity of the Far East
- 14-night cruise from Tokyo to Hong Kong
- Sailing aboard Mein Schiff 6
- Stopovers in Japan, South Korea, China and Hong Kong
When to go to China?
China is a vast country with very diverse climates depending on the region. Taking Beijing and the north as a reference, two main seasons clearly stand out for a pleasant trip.
April–May & September–October – The ideal seasons
Spring (April–May) and autumn (September–October) are the best times to travel in China. Temperatures are pleasant (15–25°C), the sky is relatively clear, and tourist sites are accessible in the best conditions. October is particularly spectacular, with autumn foliage on the Great Wall.
Summer (June–August) – Hot, humid, and very crowded
Summer brings high temperatures (30–38°C in Beijing), high humidity, and frequent rain. It is also China’s peak tourist season, with maximum crowds at all major sites. Southern China and Guilin are particularly rainy from May to September.
Winter (December–February) – Cold but uncrowded
Winter is cold and dry in the north (Beijing can drop below -10°C). Sites are far less crowded and prices are lower. A light snowfall on the Great Wall creates exceptional images. The south (Guilin, Yunnan) remains mild and pleasant in winter.
Beijing / Beijing
| Jan | Feb | March | April | Mai | June | July | Aug | Sept | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Our opinion | ||||||||||||
| Season | ||||||||||||
| Tourist peak | ||||||||||||
| T° max | 2°C | 5°C | 12°C | 21°C | 27°C | 31°C | 31°C | 30°C | 25°C | 17°C | 7°C | 1°C |
| Rainy days | 2 d | 2 d | 3 d | 5 d | 7 d | 12 d | 18 d | 15 d | 7 d | 4 d | 3 d | 2 d |
| Hiking |
Where to go in China? Must-see destinations and sites
Beijing – the imperial capital of the Middle Kingdom
Beijing (Beijing) is the historical and political soul of China. The Forbidden City, one of the largest palaces in the world, towers over Tiananmen Square with its imperial majesty intact. The Temple of Heaven, a masterpiece of Ming architecture, the hutongs (traditional alleys) of the Nanluoguxiang area, and the hill in Jingshan Park—a panorama over the Forbidden City’s golden rooftops—round out this capital of many faces and seemingly endless treasures.
Ideal for:
- Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square
- Great Wall (Mutianyu, Jinshanling)
- Temple of Heaven and the Nanluoguxiang hutongs
Not to be missed:
- sunset from Jingshan Hill
- Summer Palace and its Kunming Lake
- Peking duck at the Quanjude restaurant
Xi’an – the Terracotta Warriors and the Silk Road
Former capital of thirteen imperial dynasties and the starting point of the Silk Road, Xi’an is a city of exceptional historical richness. Its main attraction, the Terracotta Army of Emperor Qin Shi Huang (221 BC), brings together 8,000 life-size sandstone soldiers, each unique in its features. The old city of Xi’an, surrounded by its intact Ming walls, is home to a Muslim Quarter (Huimin) with unforgettable street-food aromas.
Perfect for:
- Terracotta Army — a must-see
- Ming city walls and the Bell Tower
- Huimin Muslim Quarter and street food
An absolute must:
- a bike ride on the city walls at sunset
- sound-and-light show on the Bell Tower
- Shaanxi History Museum
Shanghai – a metropolis between the colonial Bund and futuristic Pudong
Shanghai is China’s most cosmopolitan city and one of the most dynamic in Asia. The Bund, an iconic promenade lined with Art Deco buildings from the International Settlement, offers a striking face-off with the dizzying towers of Pudong. The Tianzifang district, a maze of alleys with artists’ studios and trendy cafés, and the Yuyuan Gardens reveal historic Shanghai. The view of the world from the Shanghai Tower (632 m) is an unforgettable moment.
Ideal for:
- a stroll along the Bund and views of Pudong
- Tianzifang district and the French Concession
- Yuyuan Gardens and the Old City bazaar
To discover:
- views from the Shanghai Tower (632 m)
- Shanghai Museum and contemporary art galleries
- silk market and luxury shopping
Guilin & Yangshuo – the karst landscapes of the Li River
The Guilin region, in Guangxi, offers one of the most famous natural landscapes in the world: hundreds of limestone peaks with improbable shapes emerging from the mist above the Li River. The cruise between Guilin and Yangshuo (4 hours by boat) is the most contemplative and memorable experience of any trip to China. This landscape, printed on the 20-yuan banknote, has inspired countless Chinese ink painters.
For travelers looking for:
- a cruise on the Li River between Guilin and Yangshuo
- biking or riding a scooter in the Yangshuo countryside
- climbing karst peaks (a world-renowned site)
Not to be missed:
- cormorant fisherman at sunset
- Elephant Trunk Hill in Guilin
- Yangshuo night market
Chengdu & pandas – the capital of Sichuan
Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan province, is China’s most laid-back and most food-loving city. The Giant Panda Research and Breeding Center offers the most heart-melting encounter of the trip — dozens of giant pandas living in semi-freedom in a lush park. Sichuan cuisine — spicy, fragrant, and incomparable — can be explored in the restaurants on Jinli Street and at local markets.
For travelers looking for:
- an encounter with giant pandas
- Sichuan cuisine — Sichuan hot pot (Hot Pot)
- laid-back lifestyle in tea houses
To discover:
- Jinli Street and the old districts of Chengdu
- excursion to Leshan (Giant Buddha, 71 m)
- Jiuzhaigou site (multicolored lakes, 4 hours from Chengdu)
Which trip to China is right for you?
China lends itself to every travel style: a grand historical circuit between Beijing, Xi’an and Shanghai, exploration of the natural landscapes of Guilin and Zhangjiajie, cultural immersion in hutongs and traditional villages, or a foodie adventure from Sichuan gastronomy to Beijing cuisine.
Family trip – discoveries and wonder in China
China is an extraordinary destination for families curious about the world. The pandas of Chengdu delight children, the warriors of Xi’an fascinate young and old alike, and the cruise on the Li River in Guilin amazes all ages. The temples, the hutongs to explore by bicycle rickshaw, and the gastronomy to discover create unforgettable travel memories for the whole family.
You will especially enjoy:
- meeting Chengdu’s giant pandas
- the Terracotta Army of Xi’an
- a bicycle-rickshaw ride through the hutongs
Couple’s trip – imperial romance & a complete change of scenery
China is wonderfully suited to a romantic getaway: sunrise on the Great Wall in absolute silence, a candlelit dinner in a Beijing hutong restaurant, a sunset cruise on the Li River amid Guilin’s karst peaks, a stay in a boutique hotel in Shanghai’s former French Concession, and a getaway to the ancient villages of Yunnan among golden rice-terrace landscapes.
To experience as a duo:
- sunrise on the Great Wall
- a private boat cruise on the Li River
- dinner in a historic Beijing hutong
Trip with friends – grand tour & Chinese adventures
With friends, China is meant to be devoured: hiking on the Great Wall between the watchtowers, a nighttime exploration of Beijing’s hutongs by bike, spicy cuisine at the Hot Pot in Chengdu, climbing the karst peaks of Yangshuo, evenings in the bars on the Bund in Shanghai, a trek among the terraced rice fields of Yunnan and meeting ethnic minorities. China is a huge playground for curious groups.
Not to be missed:
- hiking on the Great Wall between towers
- Hot Pot and Sichuan cuisine in Chengdu
- climbing the karst peaks in Yangshuo
Practical tips for your trip to China
China is the most populous country in the world with 1.4 billion inhabitants, and has the largest army in the world. It invented paper, printing, gunpowder and the compass — the four great inventions that changed the course of human history. The Chinese character 囧 (jiǒng), which looks like an expressive face, has become China’s most popular emoji on social media.
Luxembourg nationals need a Chinese tourist visa (Type L), to be requested at the Chinese embassy in Luxembourg or Paris. Processing time: 2 to 4 weeks before departure. A passport valid for 6 months is required. China has developed a visa-exemption program for certain nationalities for short stays (72h or 144h transit) — check with our advisors for the latest provisions in force.
The official currency is the Renminbi (RMB), whose main unit is the yuan (CNY). China is a largely cashless society: Alipay and WeChat Pay dominate payments, including with street vendors. Western bank cards (Visa, Mastercard) are accepted in major hotels and some shops. Bring some cash in yuan for markets, local transport and rural areas.
China blocks Google, WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook and most Western services (the “Great Firewall”). To access these services, you will need a VPN (Virtual Private Network) to install before you leave from Luxembourg — it is very difficult to set it up from within China. Buy a local SIM card on arrival for data. WeChat is the universal app on the ground.
China has the world’s densest high-speed train network (TGV/CRH) — fast, punctual and very comfortable. A Beijing–Shanghai ticket costs around €50–80 for a 4h30 journey. For long distances (Guilin, Chengdu), cheap domestic flights are available. In cities, the metro is modern, clean and affordable. Taxis and DiDi (Chinese Uber) round out local transport.
China is on UTC+8, i.e. +6h in summer time and +7h in winter time compared with Luxembourg. Allow 10 to 13 hours of flight time from Paris or Frankfurt to Beijing or Shanghai (depending on stopover). China does not observe daylight saving time — the entire country is on a single time zone, even though geographically it should span 5.
China is generally a very safe destination for tourists — violent crime is rare. Recommended vaccinations include hepatitis A and B, and the usual boosters. Never drink tap water (bottled only). Air pollution (smog) can be an issue in Beijing and Shanghai in winter — bring masks if you are sensitive to it. Your European Health Insurance Card is not valid in China.
Create your dream trip to China now
The Great Wall, the Forbidden City, Guilin’s Li River and Chengdu’s giant pandas are waiting for you.
We design a tailor-made tour in China for you, fully adapted to your dates, your budget and your passions for the Middle Kingdom.
Discover our other destinations in Asia as well
Feel like extending the adventure after China?
Our experts have selected the most beautiful destinations in Asia for you, ideal to combine with your tour in China: the temples of Angkor in Cambodia, Halong Bay and Hội An in Vietnam, the temples of Bagan in Myanmar, the rice terraces of Bali, or Tokyo and Kyoto in Japan. Let yourself be inspired for a great tailor-made Asian adventure.
Bali
Between rice paddies, volcanoes and lagoons, serenity becomes an island
Cambodia
An eternal kingdom between rice fields and ruins
India
A world of colours, scents and spirituality
Japan
Experience the harmony between temples and skyscrapers
Maldives Islands
A turquoise jewel at the end of the world
South Korea
Between ancient rituals and urban beats
Sri Lanka
A jewel of Asia where nature and spirituality unite
Thailand
Between golden temples and azure lagoons.
Vietnam
Between rice paddies, bays and mountains
FAQ: everything you need to know before traveling to China
Start by applying for your Chinese tourist visa (Type L) at the Chinese embassy 2 to 4 weeks before departure. Install a VPN on your phone before you leave (Google, WhatsApp and Instagram are blocked). Choose your season: April–May or September–October for ideal conditions. Our Flammang advisors build your tailor-made tour with transfers, hotels, French-speaking local guides and activities.
Allow at least 10–12 days for the classic itinerary Beijing (3 days) – Xi’an (2 days) – Shanghai (2 days). Add 3–4 days for Guilin and Yangshuo, or Chengdu with the pandas. A 3-week trip lets you explore China more in depth by adding Zhangjiajie, Yunnan, or a Yangtze cruise. China is vast — you’ll need to make choices based on your priorities.
The best times are spring (April–May) and autumn (September–October), with pleasant temperatures and favorable weather. Avoid the Golden Week around October 1 (National Day) and Chinese New Year (January–February) — transport and sites are crowded. Winter is ideal for seeing the Great Wall under snow, but the cold is intense in Beijing.
China can be complex to visit on your own: the language barrier is real (few English speakers outside major hotels), signage is often only in Chinese, and navigating without access to Google Maps is difficult. A tour with a French-speaking local guide, or at least an organized tour with accommodation and transfers booked, greatly simplifies the trip. Our Flammang advisors offer different levels of support.
Plan on around €2,000 to €3,500 per person for 12 days (flights from Luxembourg, 4-star hotels, French-speaking guide, high-speed train). China is a fairly affordable destination: meals in local restaurants cost €5–15, domestic transport is inexpensive (Beijing–Shanghai high-speed train: approx. €60) and site entrance fees are moderate (Forbidden City: €15, Xi’an Terracotta Warriors: €24).
Yes, China combines easily with Japan (Shanghai–Tokyo flight in 3 hours), Vietnam (Guangzhou–Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh flight), or Cambodia (via Bangkok). A 3-week China–Vietnam combination is one of our most requested tours. Our Flammang advisors regularly create tailor-made multi-country itineraries to optimize your time and budget.
Chinese cuisine offers many vegetarian options, especially in Buddhist temples and specialized restaurants. However, communicating dietary requirements can be complex: many “vegetarian” dishes contain meat broth or oyster sauce. Our French-speaking local guides can help you navigate menus and identify restaurants that suit your dietary constraints.
Consult your doctor or a vaccination center before departure. Recommended vaccinations: hepatitis A and B, typhoid, rabies (long stays). Air pollution can be problematic in Beijing and Shanghai in autumn–winter — bring FFP2 masks. Never drink tap water. Your European Health Insurance Card is not valid in China: take out comprehensive travel insurance covering medical expenses and repatriation.