The Best Art History, Museums, and Cultural Organized Tours in China

Guided Group Tours, Vacation Packages, or Planned Itineraries

China

Are you ready to embark on an unforgettable adventure to China, but are not sure how to start planning? Don't worry, because we have analyzed an extensive selection of multi-day art history and museum tours based on key criteria such as price, destinations, guest ratings, service, travel style, quality, and activities. So, get ready to immerse yourself in a rich tapestry of culture, history, activities, excitement, food, and breathtaking landscapes. Below are the best holiday packages and organized tour options in China, so let's get to it!


The Top 3 Tours:

  • 12 Days, $2776.00

  • 12 Days, $2776.00
China
The Best Art History, Museums, and Cultural Tours through China

Including guided tours, organized tours, holiday packages, all-inclusive vacations, and guided itineraries.

All tour prices are listed in US Dollars before taxes, and come from a base price that is reported by TourRadar. Peak season prices can vary significantly, particularly in destinations where seasonal travel fluctuates dramatically. While we do our best to evaluate all tours to maintain accuracy, always confirm the details directly with TourRadar or the tour company before booking. The information provided on this website is sourced directly from TourRadar and may change at any time.

Organized by Contiki 12 Days Beijing to Shanghai 6 Destinations
  • High Quality: guest ratings are higher than average.
  • In Depth: you'll spend a longer amount of time in each place.
  • Local Culture: provides in-depth local experiences.

Great for:
  • Culture Lovers
  • History Enthusiasts

starstarstarstarstar 5.0 rating

Age Range: 18 to 35
Maximum Group Size: 24
Price per Day: $256

This tour visits Beijing, Xi'an, Chengdu, Yangshuo, Guilin, and Shanghai.

  • Sightseeing
  • In-depth Cultural
  • Historical
  • Museum
  • Local Living
  • Temples
  • Partially Guided

By Contiki
Contiki specializes in group tours for young travelers (ages 18-35). Their trips emphasize social experiences, adventure, and vibrant nightlife while covering top destinations worldwide. They offer different styles, from fast-paced itineraries to more laid-back explorations, catering to solo travelers and groups alike.



$2,776
on TourRadar

Organized by Contiki 12 Days Beijing to Shanghai 6 Destinations
  • In Depth: you'll spend a longer amount of time in each place.

Great for:
  • History Enthusiasts
  • Culture Lovers

starstarstarstarstar 4.8 rating

Age Range: 18 to 35
Maximum Group Size: 24
Price per Day: $256

This tour visits Beijing, Xi'an, Chengdu, Yangshuo, Guilin, and Shanghai.

  • Sightseeing
  • Historical
  • Museum
  • Local Guide
  • Fully Guided

By Contiki
Contiki specializes in group tours for young travelers (ages 18-35). Their trips emphasize social experiences, adventure, and vibrant nightlife while covering top destinations worldwide. They offer different styles, from fast-paced itineraries to more laid-back explorations, catering to solo travelers and groups alike.



$2,776
on TourRadar

Why does China appeal to history and art lovers?

China is a treasure trove for art history enthusiasts, with its iconic museums, historic art movements, and architectural marvels. Beijing and Shanghai offer plenty of amazing museums and sights to explore. The romance, charm, and excitement of Shanghai and Beijing makes them very popular with couples looking for a romantic trip. Across a variety of destinations and historical periods, China's rich artistic heritage captivates travelers.

China


How much do art history and museum tours in China cost?

The average daily price of Art History, Museums, and Cultural Tours in China is $256 per day. Prices can vary widely due to the included amenities, length of the trip, number of guests on the tour, and many other factors. If you want more information about prices, we have put together a complete analysis of the costs of Art History, Museums, and Cultural Tours in China here.


We partner with TourRadar because they offer the world's largest selection of multi-day organized tours, offering seamless travel experiences while supporting local businesses. It's the perfect way to explore new destinations with ease and confidence.




$256
Average Price Per Day
2
Tours Analyzed
4.9
Average Rating
24
Average Group Size

Contiki

Contiki logo Contiki is a large multi-national travel company which offers tours to destinations around the world. Some of their most popular destinations include Great Britain, Italy, France, and Germany. Younger travelers looking for adventures love this company. This company's tour offerings are generally priced lower than others, which makes them attractive for budget travelers. Travelers usually enjoy the tour activities such as island hopping, snorkelling, wine tasting, surfing, camping, whale watching, diving, rock climbing, white water rafting, and jet boat rides.

See All Tours from Contiki


Art History, Museums, and Cultural Destinations in China

Wondering where art history, museums, and cultural tours visit 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 city is filled with iconic landmarks including the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, and The Temple of Heaven. It's also essential that you plan a trip outside of town to the world renowned Great Wall of China. The trip takes about an hour and you can organize a tour through almost any hotel or tour company.

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.

The city's sights mix culture with modern innovation. From the futuristic skyline and the iconic waterfront area known as the Bund, to the classic Yu Garden, there are a diversity of sights around the city. There are also museums like the Shanghai Museum, which educate visitors on Chinese culture.

More

Other popular destinations for art history, museums, and cultural tours through China include Guilin, Chengdu, Yangshuo, and Xi'an.


Art History, Museums, and Cultural Tours vs. Independent Travel: Pros and Cons

When deciding between a self-planned trip and an organized tour, remember to evaluate the key features of each travel style.

Pros
  • Guides offer expert insights into art and history.
  • Access to lesser-known stories and details.
  • Skip-the-line access to popular sites or museums.
  • Organized itineraries save time and effort.
  • Opportunities to ask questions and interact.
  • Group tours often include transportation.
  • Visits to curated highlights ensure you see the best.
  • Learn cultural context for deeper appreciation.
Cons
  • Group settings may feel impersonal or distracting.
  • Fixed itineraries limit flexibility.


Pros
  • Freedom to choose your favorite museums and landmarks.
  • Explore at your own pace without feeling rushed.
  • Tailor your itinerary to your specific interests.
  • Spend more time at off-the-beaten-path locations.
  • Flexibility to adjust plans as you go.
  • Enjoy a more personal, intimate experience.
Cons
  • Researching locations takes time.
  • Risk of missing important context or details.
  • Navigating transportation to multiple places can be tricky.
  • Long lines or limited access without advanced booking.
  • Harder to discover hidden stories or significance.
  • No expert to answer your questions on-site.
  • Overwhelming number of options to choose from.
  • Requires managing tickets, hours, and reservations yourself.


Which is cheaper?

Is independent travel less expensive than booking guided art history and museum tours? The answer varies. Organized tours package essential services like accommodations, transport, meals, entrance fees, and activities into a single price, while independent travel involves booking each aspect separately. To assess which is more economical, compare the tour price with what you'd spend arranging everything yourself. If you prioritize budget options or premium experiences, the cost comparison could swing either way. Always review the details of what's included in the tour package to decide.

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 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 2-Week Tours in China, The Best River Cruises 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 Adventure Tours to China, The Best Eco Tours in China, The Best Train & Rail Tours in China, The Best Sightseeing Tours in China, The Best Cultural 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 Chengdu, The Best 3-Day Tours from Shanghai, 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 Lanzhou, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Guiyang, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Chengdu, The Best 10-Day Tours from Beijing, The Best 10-Day Tours from Kunming, The Best 10-Day Tours from Shanghai, The Best 10-Day Tours from Chengdu, The Best 2-Week Tours from Beijing, The Best 2-Week Tours from Shanghai, The Best 2-Week Tours from Chengdu, or The Best 2-Week Tours from Lhasa for more package tour options.

Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.

Some of the links on this website are sponsored or affiliate links which help to financially support this site. By clicking the link and making a purchase, we may receive a small commission, but this does not affect the price of your purchase.