Beijing › Xi'an › Hangzhou › Shanghai
China Discovery — Best of China
FromFrom NZD $4,080 per person pp
Discover MoreCurated, luxury journeys designed in New Zealand for discerning travellers — small groups and genuinely tailor-made.
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The journeys our specialists are recommending right now — fully escorted from New Zealand, with guaranteed departures.
Beijing › Xi'an › Hangzhou › Shanghai
Departing from the South Island
No need to connect through Auckland. This festive departure leaves direct from Christchurch, so South Island travellers start the trip at their own airport.
Christchurch direct15 Days · Discovery · Departs 22 December 2026
A 15-day festive journey departing direct from Christchurch through China's greatest icons — Christmas markets and skyline views in Shanghai, New Year's Eve celebrations in ancient Xi'an, the Great Wall and Forbidden City in Beijing, the Terracotta Warriors and futuristic Chongqing.
Confirmed dates pulled live from each tour — never a stale page.
| Departs | Journey | Duration | From | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 Sep 2026 | China Signature — Natural China (signature) | 16 Days | NZD $8,150 | View |
| 10 Sep 2026 | China Discovery — Colorful Yunnan (discovery) | 11 Days | NZD $3,899 per person | View |
| 14 Oct 2026 | China Discovery — Shanghai & Surroundings (discovery) | 10 Days | NZD $3,399 per person | View |
| 15 Oct 2026 | China Signature — Legacy of China (signature) | 17 Days | NZD $9,999 | View |
| 15 Oct 2026 | China Discovery — A Tale of Two Cities (discovery) | 10 Days | From NZD $3,480 | View |
| 16 Nov 2026 | China Discovery — Golden China (discovery) | 12 Days | From NZD $4,999 per person | View |
Baker Gu
Founder & Lead China Specialist
Read his story“For 20 years I've shown Kiwi travellers the China I grew up in — not the one in the brochures.”
Baker personally designs and quality-checks every CTS journey. When you enquire, you're not talking to a call centre — you're talking to the person who built the trip.
Speak to Baker — no obligation
For nearly a century we have crafted exceptional travel experiences, bridging New Zealand and the wonders of China.
Nearly a century of on-the-ground expertise in Chinese culture, logistics and hospitality.
Flexible itineraries customised down to the finest detail around your interests and pace.
TAANZ-bonded and IATA-accredited, so your investment is secure from the first deposit.
Talk directly with our Auckland-based team before, during and after your journey.
Real words from CTS travellers — every itinerary personally designed by our specialists.
“The visa-free entry for Kiwis made booking so much easier than we expected — no embassy queues, just flights booked and off we went. Baker's itinerary was brilliantly paced: three days in Beijing (Forbidden City, hutong walk, Great Wall at Mutianyu at sunrise), then a bullet train to Xi'an for the Terracotta Warriors. Two of the world's great historical capitals in ten days. Couldn't have asked for more.”
“I'd been putting off China for years, mostly the visa process. Then visa-free access opened for NZ passport holders and I had no more excuses. Baker sorted the rest: a great small group, a private morning at the Wall before the tour buses arrived, and a Xi'an family dinner that turned into a two-hour dumpling lesson. I've been talking about this trip non-stop since I got home.”
“We've done a fair bit of Asia, but Shanghai & Surroundings completely redefined our benchmark for a well-designed tour. The contrast between the futuristic Bund skyline and the classical gardens of Suzhou made us feel like we'd moved through 1,000 years of history in two days. Hangzhou's West Lake at dusk was one of the most beautiful evenings of our lives.”
“We knew the Shanghai skyline would be impressive. We didn't expect it to stop us mid-sentence. Baker timed our Bund walk perfectly — the lights came up as we arrived and the entire Pudong skyline reflected in the Huangpu River. Suzhou's Humble Administrator's Garden the next morning was a completely different kind of beauty. Worth every cent.”
“We nearly booked Beijing instead. So glad we didn't. Chongqing is like nothing else on earth — a neon-lit mountain city where the monorail passes through a skyscraper, the ancient Hongyadong stilt houses glow over the river at night, and the hotpot is gloriously fiery. Then Chengdu arrived like a deep breath: morning pandas, afternoon teahouse, Sichuan opera. Do not sleep on this one.”
“Baker recommended Chongqing & Chengdu when I called asking about Beijing, and honestly — thank you. Chongqing was a revelation: the city climbs the hillside in layers, the food is extraordinary, and the Dazu Rock Carvings were a genuine surprise most tourists miss. Small group, guides who actually live in these cities, perfect balance of guided time and free evenings. Absolutely coming back.”
travel-tips9 min read
How long should you spend in Chongqing — 2 days, 5 days, or longer? A practical day-by-day planning guide for Kiwi travellers covering Liziba monorail, Hongyadong, hotpot, day trips, and Yangtze River cruise embarkation, by CTS Tours NZ.
Read more
experience10 min read
Everything Kiwi travellers need to plan a Yangtze River cruise from Chongqing to Yichang in 2026-27 — the Three Gorges, ship choices, when to go, what's included, and how to combine it with a Beijing-Xi'an-Shanghai itinerary. By CTS Tours NZ.
Read more
destination7 min read
How to find, ride, and photograph Liziba Monorail Station — the famous Chongqing metro line that runs straight through a residential apartment building. NZ traveller guide with timing, exits, photo spots, and how it fits into a Chongqing itinerary.
Read moreTell a New Zealand-based China specialist what you dream of seeing. No obligation — a reply within one working day.
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