In the city of <a data-destination-id="85" data-internal-link="destination">Xi’an</a> <a data-destination-id="85" data-internal-link="destination">, in north-western China,</a> visitors will be enthused by the archeological treasures. These inconceivable statues were buried here eons ago. They make Xi'an into an essential destination that you absolutely must see during any trip to the region! ﻿

Xi'an and the must-see terracotta army

China presents such a variety of landscapes that I'd find it difficult to talk about the different aspects of its geography. With over 5,000 kilometers separating its borders, there are a number of different environments for its inhabitants to experience without leaving the country. In the east, there are mainly fertile plains, mountains, and the coast. In the west, rolling plateaux, mountains, deserts and steppes. ﻿

The spectrum of Chinese landscapes: such diversity!

Truly an embodiment of their era, temples show us the customs of the populace over the centuries and enable us to understand how society was organized, what people believed, and how they lived.

Temples or the source of religion in China

It's not easy to be a responsible tourist in China! The environment here suffers like nowhere else; historic buildings are destroyed to make way for pale, concrete imitations; and the Chinese love the kind of guided tours that involve large groups of tourists being dragged from one point to another by a guide yelling into a microphone. Oh dear! Adopt a sensible approach, and make yourselves ambassadors for a different kind of tourism!

Yunnan, for sustainable travel in China

It's the most densely populated city in China and one of the most modern.

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China

Shanghai

Found in northwest of Yunnan Province, the town of Lijiang sits at 2,600m high on a plateau that is surrounded by mountains and the sinous Yangtze (or Yangzi Jiang) River. 

Lijiang

Capital of the Kingdom of Tibet since the 7th century, Lhasa was the seat of the Tibetan government until the region was invaded by China in 1949.

Tibet

Lhasa

Hongkeng is a magnificent traditional village in Fujian province, in the south east of China.

Hongkeng

Shuhe is in the north-west of Yunnan province, not far from Lijiang - both the old towns are listed as UNESCO sites - at the foot of the snow capped Jade Dragon Mountain.

Shuhe

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North America

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It was one of the first towns that the ancestors of the Naxi minority lived in, as well as an important stop on the ancient Tea Horse Road, and especially famous for the quality of its leather. From Lijiang it's easy to get to Shuhe by minibus, taxi, or even bicycle. Its atmosphere reminds you of Lijiang a few decades ago, before the floods of tourists spoiled its authenticity. Shuhe's central square (Sifang Jie),is surrounded by stalls of all sorts, and has live music and dancing at the end of the day. Shuhe's must-see is without doubt its Qinglong bridge, which is the oldest of the region's many bridges. A short, pretty walk will take you to the top of the old town for a superb view over Shuhe and <a href="/china/holidays/places/272-lijiang/">Lijiang</a>. From the old town it's an easy 45 minutes walk to get to the pretty neighboring village of Baisha.

Local travel agencies in China that specialize in family tours with kids

Family tour ideas in China

With its diverse sites and beautiful sights, China is the perfect destination for a<a href="https://www.evaneos.net/where-to-go/family-vacations/" data-mce-href="https://www.evaneos.net/where-to-go/family-vacations/"> </a><a href="https://www.evaneos.net/where-to-go/family-vacations/" target="_blank" data-mce-href="https://www.evaneos.net/where-to-go/family-vacations/">family vacation</a>&nbsp;full of fascinating culture. On <a href="https://www.evaneos.net/china/" data-mce-href="https://www.evaneos.net/china/"></a><a data-destination-id="85" data-internal-link="destination">a family tour to China</a>, you and your family will be able to explore the incredible landscape, towering cities and ancient temples that continue to attract visitors all year round. Traveling with kids in China is incredibly easy, thanks to the welcoming culture and family-orientated lifestyle.<h3>Best things to see and do in China with kids</h3><h4>What to see as a family</h4>Culture-loving families will never forget a family trip to <a data-place-id="281" data-internal-link="place">Xi’an</a> where ancient culture can be seen around every corner. Visit the old city walls or the world-famous Terracotta Warriors before giving yourselves a challenge with a climb up the Big Wild Goose Pagoda to see an unforgettable view. In Xi’an you’ll also find the fascinating Tang Paradise, where life in the Tang Dynasty is recreated in a fun and interactive theme park setting. The <a data-place-id="11615" data-internal-link="place">Great Wall of China</a> is a must-see for a reason and any family visiting China shouldn’t miss out on a visit here, especially since children will love tales of the invasions and victories that took place here centuries ago. At the center of <a data-place-id="3574" data-internal-link="place">Beijing</a> lies the enticingly named Forbidden City, where you and your family can wander and explore to your heart’s content and enjoy this UNESCO world heritage site. Outdoorsy families will love seeing the most beautiful mountains in China and arguably, in the world. The Karst Mountains are located just outside of Guilin and are best appreciated from the small town of <a data-place-id="275" data-internal-link="place">Yangshuo</a> where you can experience local life in China and perhaps even stay with a local family. From here, you’ll also be able to see the incredibly beautiful Li River, where you can enjoy the family adventure of a lifetime on a river cruise, stopping along the way to enjoy the beautiful villages and landmarks along the way.<h4>What to do as a family</h4>Visit the cities of China and immerse yourselves in the incredible sights and smells of a local market, or go for an unforgettable day out with your kids in Disneyland, Hong Kong. Ride the train up to Victoria Peak for incredible views out over the city. Hong Kong is also home to beautiful beaches, perfect for escaping the bustle of city life.&nbsp;Experience even more family friendly activities and take a family bike ride or go kite flying in Beijing before visiting one of China’s top water parks; Water Cube. Beijing also offers the perfect place to settle down for a traditional tea ceremony after all that excitement. Enjoy the delicious traditional drink and take a moment to reminisce over the excitement of your trip so far and to spend some downtime with your family. If some more family relaxation is just what the doctor ordered, visit Hangzhou where you’ll be spoiled for choice of things to do. Built around the West Lake and surrounding by green rolling hills and stunning landscapes, it’s the perfect setting to explore the historic streets, tranquil temples and stunning gardens. Go out for a day of exploration without any of the overcrowding of some of China’s larger cities.Animal lovers should visit the giant pandas in Chengdu, something which almost all kids remember as one of the highlights of their time during their China family tour. You’ll be able to learn all about these amazing animals and their lives, as well as helping to make food and enrichment toys to keep the animals entertained. China has so much to offer any family, with unforgettable activities wherever you go.<h3>Best time to visit China as a family</h3>Deciding <a href="https://www.evaneos.net/china/holidays/places/" data-mce-href="https://www.evaneos.net/china/holidays/places/"></a><a data-document-id="2108" data-internal-link="article">when to visit China</a> as a family can be a challenge, with different weather patterns and seasons. In terms of weather, the best times to organize your China tour fall between April and May and then between September and October. Between June and August the weather becomes very hot and crowds grow, making it harder to see some of the more popular sites. From November to March, low season prices can be found all over the country and while the weather may not be as perfect, the scenery is arguably at its most beautiful during this period. Besides the weather, there are plenty of other factors to take into account when deciding when you and your family want to visit. China’s many incredible festivals are a great way to choose when to go with the most famous of these; Chinese New Year falling around January and February each year. Watch as the entire country explodes into vibrant colors and incredible atmosphere during this festival. Sometime between Mid September and early October, the Chinese Mid-Fall festival also takes place and any family will love seeing displays of Chinese culture and tradition during this period.<h3>Family vacation tips for traveling to China</h3>Traveling to China with kids is easy and relatively stress-free, however there are a few small precautions to take to ensure that your family trip goes smoothly. <ul><li style="font-weight: 400;" data-mce-style="font-weight: 400;">Learn a few key phrases in the local language. This could be very useful if you find yourself in a situation where no one speaks your language. If nothing else, it shows consideration for the local culture and locals will like to be greeted and thanked in their native tongue. </li><li style="font-weight: 400;" data-mce-style="font-weight: 400;">Plan when you visit carefully. Visiting during Chinese school holidays will mean more expensive prices and larger crowds, so it may be worth visiting outside of these times if you can. </li><li style="font-weight: 400;" data-mce-style="font-weight: 400;">In large cities and areas with tourist attractions and high numbers of visitors, pickpockets can be a problem. Make sure not to carry too much cash and to keep important documents safe. </li><li style="font-weight: 400;" data-mce-style="font-weight: 400;">Check with a doctor before traveling, since you may need to get some vaccinations or to take medication while traveling to China with your family. </li><li style="font-weight: 400;" data-mce-style="font-weight: 400;">For picky eaters, make sure to be specific with waiters regarding things like spice and flavor, since spicy food is the norm here and you may find that it is added automatically. </li><li style="font-weight: 400;" data-mce-style="font-weight: 400;">Look online well before traveling to investigate what you need to do about Visas and travel documents, since this will vary based on where you are from and how long you plan on visiting China for. </li><li style="font-weight: 400;" data-mce-style="font-weight: 400;">Most of all, embrace local culture and custom. Culture here can be vastly different from Western countries and you and your children will enjoy your time here if you’re willing to go with the flow and embrace any differences.</li></ul>

Start planning your family vacation in China

The best {nb_iti} China tours for families with children, created by a local travel agency. Plan and book tailor-made vacations at local prices.

Plan your family tour with a local travel agency in China

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Trip ideas for visiting China's historical sites

The best tailor-made trips to see China's historical sites, created by a local travel agency. Request a local expert to create your perfect trip.

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