7 Day Trips in China Worth the Early Start

1.Lantau Island Day Trip – Big Buddha & Tai O

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,328 reviews · from $48Our pick

Spend about seven hours exploring Lantau Island with an English-speaking guide such as Grace, Calvin, Becky, or Lok Lok. Visit Tian Tan Buddha, Tai O fishing village, and a dolphin-watching area, with snack and meal options. Cable car and boat inclusions vary, so check your booking carefully.

“Grace is a great guide. She is energetic and organized. She is funny. The tour started on time and gave good directions.”

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2.Hong Kong Day Tour: City Landmarks & Highlights

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

This 7-hour Hong Kong tour links Central, Sheung Wan, and Kowloon on foot, by tram, and by Star Ferry. You’ll see Tai Kwun, PMQ, Man Mo Temple, markets, Avenue of the Stars, and more, with snack tastings and optional dim sum. Guides include Gary, Joe, Monica, Helen, and Lok Lok.

“We really enjoyed this trip. Gary was an excellent guide very friendly, funny and informative. We learned so much from him. This is a walking tour with a ride on a tram and then boat back over the harbour. Lunch was extra and very enjoyable. We were with a nice group 😊 I would definitely recommend this trip.”

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3.Beijing: Mutianyu Great Wall Day Trip by Bus with Tickets

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 658 reviews · from $20Best value

Take a direct Zanbus from central Beijing to Mutianyu, with admission and the park shuttle included. English-speaking guides such as Maggie, Dao, and Lina explain the route and help with optional cable car or toboggan tickets. You get five hours on the Wall, then return to Beijing near Lama Temple.

“Very nice. I recommend this tour. They were professional.”

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4.Suzhou and Zhouzhuang Water Village Day Trip from Shanghai

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 426 reviews · from $135

Travel from Shanghai to Suzhou and Zhouzhuang in an air-conditioned vehicle with an English-speaking guide. Visit the Master-of-Nets Garden, Grand Canal, Panmen Gate, and silk museum, then ride a Chinese-style gondola through Zhouzhuang. Lunch, entrance fees, and central hotel transfers are included.

“We were picked up at our hotel at exactly he arranged time Meet by a delightful guide Annaliese, On the 29th July my wife & I decided to do Suzhou & Zhouzhuang Water Village Day Trip from Shanghai. We were picked up at exactly our pre-arranged time and meet by our delightful guide Aleena. We booked a group tour but due to changes became a personal tour, which turned out to be in our favour. Our very informative guide made it a day to remember. Our trip to Suzhou garden and Zhouzhuang village, a walk through the Village, then cruising on a gondola through the beautiful waterways made fun with…”

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5.Suzhou Private Day Trip from Shanghai with Bullet Train Option

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 366 reviews · from $193Top rated

Travel from Shanghai to Suzhou by private car, bullet train, or both, with guides such as Annie, Roy, Melinda, and Sammi. Visit a classical garden, Pingjiang Road, Tiger Hill, Qianqian Street, and canal-side Shantang Street. Add lunch, entrance fees, and a boat ride with the all-inclusive option.

“The trip to Sushou was wonderful. The garden is very beautiful and the boat ride us very intersting. The car was very confortable and the guide was especilly good.”

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6.Private Suzhou Day Trip from Shanghai by Bullet Train with All Inclusive Option

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 283 reviews · from $220

Travel from Shanghai to Suzhou by bullet train with a private guide such as Caroline, Jane, Berlin, or Queena. Visit the Humble Administrator’s Garden, Pingjiang Road, Panmen Gate, Shantang Street, and the Grand Canal. Choose lunch only or add all entrance fees, a boat ride, and a rickshaw trip.

“What a great day in Suzhou, very well planned , everything went very well, Jane was a great tour guide and we had fun in the tour and had a great lunch. Thanks Jane”

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7.Shanghai: Southern Great Wall Day Trip by Bullet Train

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 179 reviews · 13 hours - 1 day · from $399

Travel from Shanghai to Linhai by bullet train with a private English-speaking guide such as Summer, Emma, Jenny, or Jordan. Walk the Southern Great Wall, visit East Lake or Donghu Park, eat local dishes, and browse Ziyang Old Street. Expect a long but well-organized 13-hour day with stairs and plenty of train time.

“The most amazing day. Our guide Emma was brilliant and was so informative. It was great to see the Wall and have pretty much no crowds, which made the whole experience incredible. We also went to a local place for lunch and it is hands down the best food I’ve had in China..!”

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