If you're longing for a holiday to China that combines relaxation, adventure, and awe-inspiring scenery, look no further than a river cruise. Great for museums & attractions, food, resorts, and beaches, China is a terrific destination. Imagine the serenity of gently gliding along picturesque waterways, while also immersing yourself in exciting excursions and cultural experiences. We've done the research for you, analyzing a wide range of ships and sailing itineraries based on price, comfort, guest ratings, and excursions to find the best river cruises in China. Get ready to unwind, immerse yourself in the beauty of China, and embark on the cruise of a lifetime.
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.
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.
The average daily price of River Cruises in China is $264 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 River Cruises in China here.
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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 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 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
UME Travel Co. Ltd offers local cultural tours through Japan, Thailand, Vietnam, China, and others. Most participants are adults and the tours range in length from 4 days to 4 weeks. Despite being priced a bit higher, the small group sizes create a more personal and unique experience for travelers. Some of their offerings cater to families with children. Many of their tours are priced in the mid-range category.
See All Tours from UME Travel Co. Ltd
Realistic Asia is a smaller tour company that offers tours to 6 countries, including Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, and Laos. The small group sizes, often less than 15, make for a very personal experience. Certain tours offer the flexibility to be adapted to your unique needs. 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. The company's adventures often highlight activities such as snorkelling, diving, parasailing, and jetskiing.
See All Tours from Realistic Asia
Wondering where river cruise tours visit in China? With a variety of stops and destinations along the way, there's something for everyone.
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 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.
Other popular destinations for river cruise tours through China include Xi'an, Chongqing, Yichang, Guilin, and Yangshuo.
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.
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 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 Guangzhou, The Best 3-Day Tours from Xi'an, The Best 3-Day Tours from Beijing, 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 Chengdu, The Best 10-Day Tours from Shanghai, 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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