Beijing & Xi'an Tours from New Zealand: What to Expect (2026 Guide)

Booking a China tour from New Zealand has historically meant dealing with operators based in Australia or the UK — companies with good products but no particular understanding of what Kiwi travellers want or expect, and no one to call in your timezone.

CTS Tours is different. We're Auckland-based, have been running guided China tours for New Zealand travellers for decades, and price everything in NZD. Here's what you should know about booking a Beijing and Xi'an tour from New Zealand in 2026.

What's Typically Included

A fully-inclusive Beijing and Xi'an tour from New Zealand should cover:

International airfares from Auckland to Beijing, and return. Most routes connect through Shanghai, Hong Kong, or a Southeast Asian hub. Journey time is approximately 12–14 hours including connection.

Domestic transport within China — the high-speed train from Beijing to Xi'an (2nd class) is typically included, along with all coach transfers between hotels and attractions.

4-star hotel accommodation in centrally located hotels in both cities. In Beijing, central means within reasonable distance of Tiananmen/Wangfujing. In Xi'an, central means inside or adjacent to the city walls.

English-speaking guide throughout — not just for specific sites, but accompanying the group from arrival to departure. This is the single most important inclusion on any China tour.

Entrance fees to all listed sites: Forbidden City, Great Wall, Temple of Heaven, Terracotta Warriors, city walls, and others depending on the itinerary.

Meals as specified — typically breakfast daily, some lunches at local restaurants, and a highlight dinner (Peking Duck in Beijing is standard on CTS itineraries).

What's Typically Excluded

Travel insurance — strongly recommended for any international trip. CTS Tours does not include this in the tour price; purchase it separately before departure.

Tips — the standard suggestion is NZD $10 per person per day for the guide and driver.

Personal expenses — shopping, optional activities, beverages beyond included meals.

China visa fee (if required) — check the current visa-free entry rules for New Zealand passport holders before booking.

Pricing in 2026

CTS Tours' A Tale of Two Cities — 10 days, Beijing + Xi'an — is priced from NZD $3,480 per person (twin share). Single supplement is additional; enquire when booking.

This pricing includes international airfares from Auckland. If you're used to seeing China tour prices in Australian or British dollars and converting, or seeing land-only packages that exclude flights, the all-inclusive NZD pricing is straightforwardly comparable: this is the full cost of the trip from your door to China and back.

When to Go

October is the best month for northern China. The summer heat has passed, the skies are typically clear after the monsoon season, temperatures are 10–20°C — ideal for walking — and the autumn foliage around the Summer Palace and hutong areas is genuinely beautiful.

CTS Tours' 2026 October departure leaves Auckland on 15 October. This timing is chosen deliberately for the best conditions.

April–May is the second-best window — spring blossoms, good temperatures, before the summer humidity arrives. We also run spring departures; enquire for dates.

Avoid: July and August in Beijing are hot (35°C+) and humid, and July–August is peak domestic tourism season in China, which means larger crowds at all major sites.

Visa-Free Entry for NZ Travellers

New Zealand passport holders currently benefit from China's visa-free entry policy for short leisure visits. This makes the logistics of a first China trip simpler — no embassy appointment, no waiting period, no visa photo requirements. Confirm the current rules before booking; policies are subject to change.

Why Book with an Auckland-Based Operator

The practical difference: when you have a question at 2pm on a weekday, you call us. Not an Australian toll-free number. Not a UK call centre. Us, in Auckland, in your timezone, familiar with where you're flying from and what matters to you.

We've been running China tours for New Zealand travellers for decades. We know what Kiwi travellers find surprising about China, what they find challenging, and what they find extraordinary. Our itineraries are designed with that knowledge, not adapted from a product built for a different market.

Enquire about the Beijing & Xi'an tour →