Top China Budget Culture Tours & Packages 2025/2026

Our 74 most popular China Budget Culture Tours & Packages trips. Compare tour itineraries from 25 tour companies. 345 reviews.

74 Trips match your criteria (1 - 22 shown)

Imperial China & Yangtze River Cruise
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4.9/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Why we love them
With a wide range of trip styles, Exodus caters to every type of traveler out there- even those with specific interests from cycling to winter hiking.
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Beijing, Chengdu, Shanghai, Three Gorges, Yangshuo

Highlights

  • See the Terracotta Warriors in Xi'an
  • Visit a quieter section of The Great Wall
  • Cruise down the Yangtze River past the Three Gorges Dam
  • Visit the Giant Panda Breeding Research Base near Chengdu
  • Discover rural Yangshuo and its limestone karst scenery

Themes

Cultural, Nature & Wildlife

What travelers are saying

"Excellent service"

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list

Health Safety +

Generous cancellation

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Mongolia: Steppes, Deserts & Nomads - Eagle Festival
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4.8/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Why we love them
With a wide range of trip styles, Exodus caters to every type of traveler out there- even those with specific interests from cycling to winter hiking.
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Beijing, Ulaanbaatar

Highlights

  • Attend the Eagle Festival in the remote Altai Mountains
  • Explore Mongolia's vast wilderness stepp and Gobi Desert
  • Experience traditional nomadic culture

Themes

Cultural, Nature & Wildlife, National Parks, Festivals & Special Events

What travelers are saying

"Excellent service"

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list

Health Safety +

Generous cancellation

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Mongolia Golden Eagle Festival
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4.4/5 Great
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Why we love them
With a wide range of trip styles, Exodus caters to every type of traveler out there- even those with specific interests from cycling to winter hiking.
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Beijing, Ulaanbaatar

Highlights

  • Attend the Eagle Festival in the remote Altai Mountains
  • Explore the vast wilderness of the steppe and Gobi Desert
  • Experience traditional nomadic culture

Themes

Cultural, Nature & Wildlife, National Parks, Festivals & Special Events

What travelers are saying

"Excellent service"

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list

Health Safety +

Generous cancellation

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China Experience
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
5/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Why we love them
They're highly committed to sustainable tourism and contribute to crucial initiatives like climate action, focusing on local cultures and more.
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Beijing, Chengdu, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Three Gorges, Three Gorges Dam, Yangshuo, Yangtze River, Yichang

Highlights

  • This is one of our most comprehensive trips in China, covering huge distances and taking in key destinations from north to south with plenty of variety in experiences and sights along the way
  • Zip through the country from north to south on its efficient high-speed rail network.
  • Take through the iconic scenery of the Yangzi River as you meander through the dramatic Three Gorges on a three-day cruise
  • No matter how many guide books you have read, nothing truly prepares you for the grandeur and immensity of historic sights like the Great Wall, Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, Leshan Big Buddha and the Terracotta Army. However, the country's modern man-made sights refuse to beoutdone, and you can see the modern equivalence of those ancient feats in the skyline of Hong Kong and the Yangzi River's Three Gorges Hydroelectric dam
  • Get up close to giant pandas in Chengdu and learn about the preservation work required for this ancient species.
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Themes

Cultural, Local Immersion & Homestays, High Adventure, Transformative

What travelers are saying

"I went on the Intrepid 15 day "Best of Morocco" tour in 2025 and had such an amazing time that I wasn't ready to leave by the time the trip finished! It exceeded my expectations in so many ways: value for money, itinerary, a lot of included activities balanced with lots of rest stops on longer travel days, very caring & attentive local guides, and lots of optional activities. As a company, Intrepid was very easy to communicate with before the trip started (I had sent a few questions about optional activities). The website is also easy to navigate and simple for updating travel & health information. If you are considering doing a tour with Intrepid - make sure you read the Essential Trip Information they have on each tour page. It describes everything in detail so you'll know what to expect. While I LOVED my tour, I can see some people signing up for this without reading the description and then being surprised at some of the 2 star hotels (in this case it was the "Original" tour style). Overall, I am impressed at how this tour managed to simultaneously get us closer to Moroccan culture AND feel like an adventure AND feel like a vacation from day-to-day life back home. I would travel with Intrepid again."

Trip dates & details
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Delhi to Kathmandu
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4.8/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Why we love them
They're highly committed to sustainable tourism and contribute to crucial initiatives like climate action, focusing on local cultures and more.
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Agra, Chitwan National Park, Delhi, Durbar Square, Himalayas, Kathmandu, Taj Mahal, Tibet, Varanasi

Highlights

  • Bigger and more beautiful than any photo can capture, the Taj Mahal is a triumph of Mughal architecture that promises to inspire even the most seasoned travellers.
  • Learn to whip up some central Indian staples during a cooking demonstration at home with friends in Orchha; the perfect opportunity to experience an authentic slice of Indian family life.
  • See pilgrims praying and bathing along the ghats of the sacred Ganges River during an unforgettable sunrise cruise in Varanasi – one of India's holiest cities.
  • Stay in a lodge and wake to the calls of the jungle in Chitwan National Park, then embark on a safari in search of rhino, deer, monkeys, and a wide array of birdlife.
  • Spend a memorable night atAmaltari Madhyavarti Homestay – staying here provides sustainable incomes and encourages local communities to conserve the wilderness and wildlife around them.

Themes

Cultural, Local Immersion & Homestays, High Adventure

What travelers are saying

"I went on the Intrepid 15 day "Best of Morocco" tour in 2025 and had such an amazing time that I wasn't ready to leave by the time the trip finished! It exceeded my expectations in so many ways: value for money, itinerary, a lot of included activities balanced with lots of rest stops on longer travel days, very caring & attentive local guides, and lots of optional activities. As a company, Intrepid was very easy to communicate with before the trip started (I had sent a few questions about optional activities). The website is also easy to navigate and simple for updating travel & health information. If you are considering doing a tour with Intrepid - make sure you read the Essential Trip Information they have on each tour page. It describes everything in detail so you'll know what to expect. While I LOVED my tour, I can see some people signing up for this without reading the description and then being surprised at some of the 2 star hotels (in this case it was the "Original" tour style). Overall, I am impressed at how this tour managed to simultaneously get us closer to Moroccan culture AND feel like an adventure AND feel like a vacation from day-to-day life back home. I would travel with Intrepid again."

Trip dates & details
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Darjeeling, Sikkim & the Singalila Ridge
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4.8/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Why we love them
With a wide range of trip styles, Exodus caters to every type of traveler out there- even those with specific interests from cycling to winter hiking.
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Darjeeling, Gangtok, Tibet

Highlights

  • Classic camping trek through rhododendron forests to the Singalila Ridge
  • See four of the five highest peaks on Earth: Everest, Kanchenjunga, Lhotse and Makalu
  • Explore Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim
  • Drive through tea plantations and visit a tea estate
  • Stay in Martam, a traditional Sikkimese village

Themes

Cultural, Nature & Wildlife, Hiking & Walking, National Parks

What travelers are saying

"Excellent service"

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list

Health Safety +

Generous cancellation

More
China Highlights
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
4.9/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Why we love them
They're highly committed to sustainable tourism and contribute to crucial initiatives like climate action, focusing on local cultures and more.
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Beijing, Great Wall of China, Shanghai

Highlights

  • Take on one of the most popular trips in China, packed full of experiences that will give you a great insight into China in just a short time.
  • Be dazzled by Shanghai’s neon lights and the stunning night skyline. Then, get a peek into what life was like in ancient times with a visit to the incredibly scenic Huishan Ancient Town and one of the finest examples of traditional Chinese gardens – Jichang Garden.
  • Spend the night in a charming, family-run guesthouse near the Great Wall of China – a great opportunity to experience local life – and take the chance for a short sunset hike over one of the Seven Wonders of the World.
  • Explore Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City in Beijing with a local leader who knows all the history, tips and tricks for this fascinating and historic area.
  • Witness the incredible sight of the Terracotta Army – buried for over 2000 years, this fantastic historical wonder is an excellent example of the genius and artistic prowess of man.

Themes

Cultural, Local Immersion & Homestays, High Adventure, Transformative

What travelers are saying

"I went on the Intrepid 15 day "Best of Morocco" tour in 2025 and had such an amazing time that I wasn't ready to leave by the time the trip finished! It exceeded my expectations in so many ways: value for money, itinerary, a lot of included activities balanced with lots of rest stops on longer travel days, very caring & attentive local guides, and lots of optional activities. As a company, Intrepid was very easy to communicate with before the trip started (I had sent a few questions about optional activities). The website is also easy to navigate and simple for updating travel & health information. If you are considering doing a tour with Intrepid - make sure you read the Essential Trip Information they have on each tour page. It describes everything in detail so you'll know what to expect. While I LOVED my tour, I can see some people signing up for this without reading the description and then being surprised at some of the 2 star hotels (in this case it was the "Original" tour style). Overall, I am impressed at how this tour managed to simultaneously get us closer to Moroccan culture AND feel like an adventure AND feel like a vacation from day-to-day life back home. I would travel with Intrepid again."

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list

Health Safety +

More
Bangkok to Singapore
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
5/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Why we love them
They're highly committed to sustainable tourism and contribute to crucial initiatives like climate action, focusing on local cultures and more.
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Ao Nang, Bangkok, Georgetown, Khao Sok, Krabi, Kuala Lumpur, Surat Thani

Highlights

  • Dive into a nature lover’s paradise at Khao Sok National Park, exploring, hiking, relaxing, and cruising by longtail boat on a limestone cliff-circled lake.
  • Taste Thai traditions while learning how to cook authentic dishes with your host, during a village visit in Krabi.
  • Encounter the fusion of cultures that gives Penang a unique atmosphere; walk down the backstreets where historic buildings, tumble-down shops and hawker-filled alleyways meld with cool street art.
  • Find a slice of paradise on an included sea kayaking trip through the stunning inlets, caves and hidden lagoons of the Baan Bor Tor mangrove forests.
  • By travelling on this trip, you’ll directly support our Intrepid Foundation partner, EcoThailand Foundation. Donations help educate school children on important environmental issues like climate change, nature appreciation, conservation and sustainability.

Themes

Cultural, Local Immersion & Homestays, High Adventure

What travelers are saying

"I went on the Intrepid 15 day "Best of Morocco" tour in 2025 and had such an amazing time that I wasn't ready to leave by the time the trip finished! It exceeded my expectations in so many ways: value for money, itinerary, a lot of included activities balanced with lots of rest stops on longer travel days, very caring & attentive local guides, and lots of optional activities. As a company, Intrepid was very easy to communicate with before the trip started (I had sent a few questions about optional activities). The website is also easy to navigate and simple for updating travel & health information. If you are considering doing a tour with Intrepid - make sure you read the Essential Trip Information they have on each tour page. It describes everything in detail so you'll know what to expect. While I LOVED my tour, I can see some people signing up for this without reading the description and then being surprised at some of the 2 star hotels (in this case it was the "Original" tour style). Overall, I am impressed at how this tour managed to simultaneously get us closer to Moroccan culture AND feel like an adventure AND feel like a vacation from day-to-day life back home. I would travel with Intrepid again."

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list

Health Safety +

More

China Budget Culture Tours & Packages Reviews

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Anonymous

Jan 2018

Impressive and full of variety whilst still feeling welcoming & friendly

This trip ticks all the boxes to immerse yourself in Chinese culture and history. Seeing the Terracotta army in all its glory was a lifelong ambition and didn’t di...

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Anonymous

Jan 2018

A great trip, who have interest and energy

Kris was an excellent guide with detailed knowledge on the Nation and people of China. Answered questions with a easily to understand words. There is little rest s...

A

Anonymous

Jan 2018

So much included

This was my first trip outside of Europe, and I recommend it to anyone who wants to step outside their travel comfort-zone and immerse themselves in a completely d...

A

Anonymous

Jan 2018

Hints and tips

This is not a restful trip. It is full on from the start but it gave us everything we wanted to see in China and our guide Kris made it very easy for us. She had a...

A

Anonymous

Jan 2018

A great way to see all the great things in China

Have low expectations and be positive was the motto of our guide. My own expectations were exceeded! We got to see so many great things Pandas! I booked this trip ...

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