The Prices of River Cruises to China
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Sailing down a river offers a perspective you just can't get from the ground. River cruises in China give you the opportunity to relax and enjoy the journey as you pass by charming villages, historical landmarks, and spectacular landscapes. From cultural gems to natural wonders, these cruises let you experience China in a whole new way, all while you sit back and unwind.
In this article, we'll break down the costs of river cruises in China, share the top cruise options, and highlight the must-see routes that make these tours an unforgettable travel experience. We've taken the time to analyze a wide range of cruises, comparing prices, quality, destinations, and included amenities to bring you the best value. So, whether you're a first-time cruiser or an experienced traveler, let the river guide you on your next adventure!
Why does China appeal to river cruise passengers?
River cruises in China appeal to travelers for their relaxed pace, scenic views, and access to culturally rich, often less-touristed destinations. Beijing and Shanghai offer plenty of amazing museums and sights to explore. Shanghai is known for its historical landmarks, local street food, vibrant markets, and waterfront promenade. Beijing and Shanghai are foodie destinations with fantastic cuisine and world-class restaurants. With easy, all-inclusive travel arrangements and immersive stops in culturally rich areas, river cruises provide a convenient and enriching way to explore multiple regions in comfort and style.
How much do River Cruises in China cost?
The average price per day for river cruises in China is $271, based on our analysis of 24 tours. While the overall prices can vary greatly, when we look at the daily price of these tours, the costs range from $120 to $534 per day.
Budget-friendly tours average around $183 per day, while higher-end luxury tours average about $373 per day.
Budget tours will usually provide less luxurious accommodation, have larger group sizes, and visit less expensive destinations. They will also sometimes have you pay for more activities on your own instead of including everything up front.
Mid-range tours often provide a step up in accommodation and transportation, and include more guided activities.
Luxury tours usually provide the highest levels of service, luxury hotels, more gormet food choices, comfortable transportation, and offer more all-inclusive payment options.
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The Best Cruises in China
Budget-Friendly Cruises
Budget-friendly and affordable river cruises in China average $183 per day, with daily prices from $120 to $219. Budget tours usually include hotels, meals, and activities that are not quite as nice as other tours. Often, they might only include transportation, lodging, and some activities, leaving you on your own to pay for meals and other attractions during the tour. This can be a very convenient and economical way to visit France without spending too much money, as it gives you control over the amount you spend on meals and extra services. If you're looking for a really great option, check out 14 Days Zhangjiajie Avatar Mountains & Yangtze River Cruise Small Group Tour here.
Mid-Range Cruises
For typical river cruises in China that fall in the middle range of prices, the average cost is $258 per day. Daily prices range from $227 to $292. Taking this step up in price from the cheaper tours to mid-range will often get you plenty of extra amenities and service for a great price. These tours usually include very comfortable hotels, meals at delicious local restaurants, comfortable transportation, knowledgable guides, and entry to many of the top attractions. One of the best tours is 15-Day All-inclusive China Tour with Yangtze: Small Group, 5-star Cruise.
Luxury Cruises
Luxury river cruises in China average around $258 per day, with daily costs ranging from $295 to $534. At this price, you'll be very well taken care of and pampered on your journey through the scenic destinations. Knowledgable guides, the best accommodation options, the finest restaurants, comfortable transportation, and quick entry into attractions are all part of the itinerary. Every luxury and detail has been planned and thought about so that you don't have to deal with any hassle, you simple show up and enjoy your vacation. One of the best luxury tours here is 16 Days China Highlights with Yangtze (private guide & driver）Family Tour Customizable.
Which tour companies offer these trips?
A number of fantastic tour companies offer river cruises in China. These are a few of the best, because they offer the highest rated service, provide the best overall quality, and have the most five-star guest reviews to prove it.
Odynovo
Odynovo is a large international travel company offering tours all over the world. Some of their most popular destinations include China, Vietnam, Thailand, and India. While the prices may be a bit higher than average, the group size is usually small, giving travelers a more personalized experience. The company appeals to travelers of all ages, with many tours focusing on families with children. Many of the tours fall into the mid-range price category. The company's adventures often highlight activities such as surfing, snorkelling, camel riding, and water sports.
Silk Road Trips
Silk Road Trips is a smaller international tour company with tours to 7 countries, including China, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Kazakhstan. Many of the tours fall into the mid-range price category.
See All Tours from Silk Road Trips
Top China Travel
Top China Travel offers local cultural tours through China, Japan, and South Korea. Most participants are adults and the tours range in length from 3 days to 2 weeks. The company appeals to travelers of all ages, with many tours focusing on families with children. Budget travelers will appreciate the relative affordability of the company's offerings.
See All Tours from Top China Travel
Agate Travel
Agate Travel is a large multi-national travel company which offers tours to destinations around the world. Some of their most popular destinations include India, China, Thailand, and Mongolia. Although the prices might be slightly above average, the small group sizes provide travelers with a more personal experience. Some of their offerings cater to families with children. Most of the tours provided by Agate Travel are high-end and luxurious with a top-tier level of service. Travelers usually enjoy the tour activities such as island hopping, bird watching, and camping.
See All Tours from Agate Travel
Departure Destinations in China
Wondering where tours launch from in China? With a variety of stops and destinations along the way, there's something for everyone.
Beijing
Beijing is the capital city of China and it has a long history that dates back thousands of years. It offers a mix of modern and every changing architecture combined with ancient landmarks and historic neighborhoods. Beijing is a world class city that has amazing music, cuisine, culture, and shopping.
The parks, gardens, palaces, and temples all offer a glimpse into the past, while also letting you enjoy the city and culture that exists today.
Shanghai
Shanghai is a financial and economic hub in China that brings international tourists, business workers, and backpackers. At the heart of its tourist scene is the Bund, which is a waterfront promenade that has colonial and modern buildings. Shanghai is a foodie destination that has great street food as well as high end restaurants.
Its distinct, futuristic skyline and scenic waterside strolls make this city a beautiful place to explore.
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Other popular destinations for river cruise tours through China include Chongqing, Yichang, Xi'an, Guilin, and Yangshuo.
Which is cheaper?
Is independent travel cheaper than guided river cruises? The answer is not simple. Tours provide many of the services that you would otherwise pay for yourself on an independent trip. Hotels, transportation, food, entry tickets, guides, and activities are provided on organized tours, whereas you would pay for everything separately on your own. To deterine the difference in price, you would need to compare the combined price of everything in a tour with everything you would book separately. Sometimes you might want to stay in a cheaper hotel, or eat at a more expensive restaurant, so the price of a tour could be more or less than what you would otherwise pay on your own. Make sure you know what is included before making your comparison.
Also, before booking a tour, make sure you know exactly what is included as tour companies sometimes change their itineraries or included amenities to keep them updated with seasonal changes and customer interests.
More Tour Options
See also The Best Family-Friendly Tours to China, The Best Wildlife Tours to China, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in China, The Best Historical Tours in China, The Best 10-Day Tours in China, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in China, The Best 3-Day Tours in China, The Best 2-Week Tours in China, The Best 3-Week Tours in China, The Best 4-Week (1-Month) Tours in China, The Best Extended Trip Tours in China, One Month or Longer, The Best Bicycle Tours in China, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in China, The Best Christmas & New Years Tours in China, The Best Overlanding Trips in China, The Best Coach Bus Tours in China, The Best Adventure Tours to China, The Best Eco Tours in China, The Best Train & Rail Tours in China, The Best Art History, Museums, and Cultural Tours Tours in China, The Best Sightseeing Tours in China, The Best Cultural Tours in China, The Best Photography Tours in China, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in China, The Best Walking Tours in China, The Best Tours Under $1000 in China, The Best Luxury Tours to China, The Best Budget Tours to China, The Best Tours for Seniors to China, The Best Contiki Tours to China, or The Best G Adventures Tours to China for more tour ideas. With so many options, there's a guided tour or vacation package for every type of traveler.
Also, if you're departing from a specific destination, see The Best 3-Day Tours from Shanghai, The Best 3-Day Tours from Chengdu, The Best 3-Day Tours from Xi'an, The Best 3-Day Tours from Beijing, The Best 3-Day Tours from Guangzhou, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Beijing, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Lhasa, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Shanghai, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Kunming, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Chengdu, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Guangzhou, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Kashgar, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Lanzhou, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Guiyang, The Best 10-Day Tours from Beijing, The Best 10-Day Tours from Shanghai, The Best 10-Day Tours from Chengdu, The Best 10-Day Tours from Kunming, The Best 2-Week Tours from Beijing, The Best 2-Week Tours from Shanghai, The Best 2-Week Tours from Chengdu, The Best 2-Week Tours from Lhasa, or The Best 2-Week Tours from Xi'an for more package tour options.
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