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.
Next Departure
11 Mar 2027
Returns 25 March 2027
All departure dates
Departs 11 March 2027
Returns 25 March 2027
NZD $4,080per person
+ NZD $800 single supplement
Dates refer to scheduled group departures — confirm at booking.
Mon–Fri 9am–5pm · speak to a real person, no form needed
I designed Essentials as a broad China sweep — one itinerary that hits the icons so you do not have to choose Beijing or Shanghai alone on visit one. Expect full days; I have trimmed the fluff so the highlights stay honest.
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.
November 2026 Departure Sold Out
Next Departure: 11 March 2027
From NZD $4,080 per person twin-share. Contact us to register interest in a future November departure.
Evening international flight from Auckland to Beijing.
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.
Single supplement: NZD $800
Most operators send Kiwi travellers to China for 10 days — enough for the headliners (Beijing, Xi'an, or Shanghai), but not enough to step beyond the well-trodden tourist trail.
The extra 5 days on our Best of China itinerary cover:
Temple of Heaven, Tian'anmen Square, Forbidden City (or substitute Jingshan Park & Prince Gong's Mansion if tickets unavailable), Beihai Park, and the Great Wall
Hutong pedi-cab tour with family visit and Silk Market
High-speed train G89 Beijing–Xi'an (second class)
Terracotta Warriors with Circle Vision and Bronze Chariot; optional Tang Palace banquet show
Xi'an City Wall, Big Wild Goose Pagoda, Small Wild Goose Pagoda Museum, and Muslim Quarter (Huimin Street)
Flight to Hangzhou and Tongxiang — Puyuan Fashion Ancient Town (Song-style waterways)
West Lake boat tour, G20 Hangzhou International Expo Center, Meijiawu Longjing tea, Qinghefang Ancient Street
Shanghai: Yuyuan Garden, Bund, Nanjing Road, Lujiazui skyline corridor, World Cultural Heritage Art Exhibition Centre
Included meals (22)
12
Breakfasts
9
Lunches
1
Dinners
Accommodation (12 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.
Beijing Wanda Moments or similar (4-star)
Mercure Xi'an Downtown or similar (4-star)
Puyuan Hotel or similar (5-star)
Holiday Inn Hangzhou or similar (4-star)
Holiday Inn Express Shanghai or similar (4-star)
Official guides and destination hubs to help you prepare—visa timing, seasons, and places on this route.
Interested in China Discovery — Best of 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
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 person
Yunnan by air via Beijing — Erhai and Bai culture around Dali (including Shuanglang and “Santorini” viewpoints), Lijiang's Lashi Lake and Shuhe, then overland to Shangri-La through Tiger Leaping Gorge, Songzanlin Monastery, and Napa Lake before returning to Auckland via Beijing.
From NZD $3,899
per personEverything you need to know about traveling to China with CTS
Have more questions?
Contact Our SpecialistsPlanning your first trip to China? Here are the essential tips every Kiwi traveller needs to know before they go.
A practical day-by-day guide to 10 days in Beijing and Xi'an — the Forbidden City, Great Wall, high-speed train, and Terracotta Warriors — designed for New Zealand travellers doing China for the first time.
I’m Baker Gu — field notes for photographers: light, lenses, drone reality, and the side gates I ask guides to use so you’re not fighting busloads.
Follow Our Journey on Facebook
Travel inspiration, China tips & exclusive offers for Kiwi travellers
1,700 Kiwis following
