
A 16-day festive journey 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, futuristic Chongqing and a Cantonese Yum Cha finale in Guangzhou.
Next Departure
22 Dec 2026
Returns 6 January 2027
All departure dates
Departs 22 December 2026
Returns 6 January 2027
NZD $7,188per person
+ NZD $968 single supplement
Dates refer to scheduled group departures — confirm at booking.
Mon–Fri 9am–5pm · speak to a real person, no form needed

I put this China Discovery — Christmas & New Year in China itinerary together for New Zealand travellers who want the route to feel human — hotels, pacing, and local guides are chosen so you spend your energy on the places, not on fixing problems on the ground. Ask our Auckland team if you want my eyes on the dates; I still review Discovery and Signature lines myself.
100+ Years Heritage
Backed by CTS · Founded 1928
Auckland Local Office
Local Support When You Need It
Direct China Operations
No Middlemen, Best Value
50,000+ Happy Travelers
Trusted by Kiwi Families
CTS Tours is a TAANZ member and IATA-accredited agency with local support in Auckland and direct operations in China—so you deal with one trusted team from enquiry to return.
View memberships & credentials



Free changes up to 60 days
Amend dates or travellers at no fee until 60 days before departure.
NZ-based specialist team
Speak to a Kiwi consultant in Auckland — one team, enquiry to return.
Backed by CTS · Founded 1928
CTS Tours NZ has run Kiwi-led tours from Auckland since 2000 (25 years), backed by China Travel Service (founded 1928) — hotels, guides, transport we run ourselves.
TAANZ bonded & IATA
Client funds held in a TAANZ-bonded trust — protected if travel plans are disrupted.
Departing From the South Island?
15-Day Christchurch Departure Available
Fly direct ex-Christchurch via Guangzhou — view the 15-day Christchurch itinerary
Depart Auckland for Guangzhou on flight CZ 306, 2210/0510+1. Overnight on board.
A 16-day festive journey 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, futuristic Chongqing and a Cantonese Yum Cha finale in Guangzhou.
Single supplement: NZD $968
Christmas Eve in Shanghai: the Xintiandi Shikumen Christmas lighting ceremony, and the Bund Source German Christmas Market with European wooden stalls, mulled wine, gingerbread and a double-decker carousel
New Year's Eve in Xi'an at the Tang Dynasty Ever-Bright City, with performances, float parades and festive crowds
The Great Wall at Mutianyu and the Forbidden City, Tian'anmen Square and the Summer Palace in Beijing
The 2,000-year-old Terracotta Warriors, including the Circle Vision Movie and Bronze Chariot
Zhujiajiao Watertown, a pedi-cab Hutong tour with a local family visit and a Beijing Duck banquet
Chongqing's Hongyadong night view, Ciqikou, Liziba and Eye in the Clouds, then Yum Cha in Guangzhou
Included meals (33)
12
Breakfasts
9
Lunches
12
Dinners
Accommodation (13 nights)
5 carefully selected properties
Sample hotels detailed below — final selection confirmed at booking.
Representative properties for this tour — actual hotels may vary by departure date and are confirmed at booking.
Metropark Jichen Hotel Shanghai or similar 4-star (No 818, Wanhangdu Road, Jing'an District, Shanghai)
New World Tongpai or similar 4-star (No 3-18, Chongwenmenwai Road, Dongcheng District, Beijing)
Mercure Downtown or similar 4-star (No 8, Xixin Road, Xincheng District, Xi'an)
Fairfield by Marriott or similar 4-star (No 9, Jiangnan Road, Nan'an District, Chongqing)
Elong Hotel Guangzhou or similar 4-star (No 293, Guangzhou Road, Yuexiu District, Guangzhou)
Official guides and destination hubs to help you prepare—visa timing, seasons, and places on this route.
Interested in China Discovery — Christmas & New Year in China? We'll get back to you within 24 hours.
Cherie Fairley
21 Jun 2026
“We went on a recent trip to Dali and Lijiang from 19th to 30th May 2026. Well, what amazing places they are. Plus the nearby city of Shangrila. We both had an amazing time walking and exploring with only our phone app to translate, since little or no English was spoken or written. Contrary to what the Lonely Planet guidebook said! Everything worked out well which is why we want to thank Baker at CTS personally for an awesome trip, the trip of a lifetime. If any other tours, guided or unguided come up please let us know. This is Mikes second time holidaying with CTS and we will certainly highly recommend your company to friends. Mike Brooker & Cherie Fairley”
GReview from GoogleMaryam Absh
6 Jul 2026
“The china journey was well‑organized, I actually enjoyed all the moments without worrying about anything. Highly recommend the tour of tale of two cities china”
GReview from GoogleMurray Middendorf
16 Jun 2026
“Just came back from a tour of Xinjiang and a stopover in Xian. We had a fantastic time, the culture and scenery in Xinjiang is stunning and the tour was led by an experienced guide with excellent English. Highly recommended.”
GReview from GoogleGroup departures from New Zealand (dates as published). Contact us to reserve a seat or request a private departure.
signature · China
signature · China
signature · China
signature · China
discovery · China
discovery · China
discovery · China
discovery · China
Explore more China Discovery tours

October-ready from Auckland — Beijing's Forbidden City, Great Wall, and hutongs, then high-speed rail to Xi'an for the Terracotta Warriors. Many NZ leisure trips can use China's visa-free entry (confirm before you book); published group departure in October as listed on this page.
"Perfect first China experience — the essence of Beijing and Xi'an"
From NZD $3,480
per person
Fifteen days from Beijing's Temple of Heaven, Forbidden City, Great Wall and hutongs, by high-speed train to Xi'an's Terracotta Army, then by air to Hangzhou via Puyuan's fashion ancient town, West Lake and Longjing tea, finishing in Shanghai before your return via Beijing.
From NZD $4,080 per person
per person
October-ready from Auckland — Yangtze Delta loop: Suzhou gardens and Shantang Street, Wuxi lakeside sights and Three Kingdoms City, Hanfu and afternoon tea in Xinshi water town, Hangzhou's West Lake and Longjing tea, then Shanghai's Bund. Visa-free entry may apply for many NZ trips (confirm dates); mid-October departure published.
From NZD $3,399
per personEverything you need to know about traveling to China with CTS
Have more questions?
Contact Our SpecialistsFollow Our Journey on Facebook
Travel inspiration, China tips & exclusive offers for Kiwi travellers
1,700 Kiwis following