NZ passport holders: visit China visa-free for 30 days (until 31 Dec 2026). Read our visa guide →

CTS Tours
Shanghai skyline, one of the China gateways available in the CTS stopover collection

2–5 day guided city stays

Turn a connection into part of the holiday.

If your wider itinerary routes through China, add a short guided stay before you continue to Europe, Japan, South Korea or home to New Zealand. CTS checks the published land package against your actual flights before confirmation.

Short and flexible

Published options from 2 to 5 days

Clear inclusions

Sightseeing, meals and stays listed by tour

Checked before booking

Routing and entry conditions reviewed together

Where a stopover can fit

One trip, with more of the journey included.

A stopover is useful only when it works with the real ticket. These are planning scenarios, not route guarantees; CTS checks the complete itinerary before you commit.

01

Europe-bound journeys

Make a China connection part of the holiday

If your selected airfare routes through a Chinese gateway, CTS can check whether a published 2–5 day city package fits between sectors.

02

Japan or South Korea

Add a second East Asia chapter

A short China stay may complement a wider North Asia itinerary. The route, ticket rules and entry conditions must be reviewed before the stopover is confirmed.

03

Journey home to New Zealand

Break up a longer return journey

Where the confirmed routing permits it, a planned city stay can turn travel time into a guided introduction to China before the final flight home.

Plan it in the right order

Start with your flights, then choose the city.

This prevents a good-looking package from being attached to an impossible connection. CTS uses the same flight dates, passport information and stopover product when checking feasibility.

Read the China visa and entry guide →
  1. 1

    Share the full itinerary

    Send every flight sector, travel date, passenger nationality and ticket status.

  2. 2

    Choose the stopover style

    Compare the published city, duration, sightseeing, meals and accommodation.

  3. 3

    Confirm the complete journey

    CTS checks timing and entry conditions, then confirms the land package and any flight implications.

Choose the actual stopover

14 published China stopover tours.

Open any tour to see the exact daily itinerary, inclusions, exclusions and lead-in price. Availability and the fit with your international flights are confirmed before booking.

Ask CTS which one fits →
China Stopover — Shanghai Express (2 Days)
stopover

China Stopover — Shanghai Express (2 Days)

See the best Shanghai has to offer! This compact stopover showcases Shanghai's historic and modern attractions in an efficient timeframe.

2 Days
china
From

From NZD $875

per person
View Details
China Stopover — Beijing Express (3 Days)
stopover

China Stopover — Beijing Express (3 Days)

A perfect blend of history, culture, and culinary delights! This Beijing stopover combines iconic landmarks, cultural experiences, and authentic dining.

3 Days
china
4.7/5(156 reviews)

"Efficient Beijing transit experience"

From

From NZD $1,450

per person
View Details
China Stopover — Shanghai (3 Days)
stopover

China Stopover — Shanghai (3 Days)

Explore dynamic and beautiful Shanghai on China's east coast, experiencing the city's transformation from a sleepy fishing town to a modern metropolis of skyscrapers and modern lifestyle.

3 Days
china
From

From NZD $1,060

per person
View Details
China Stopover — Chengdu (3 Days)
stopover

China Stopover — Chengdu (3 Days)

This stopover showcases Chengdu, capital of Sichuan province, known as 'The Land of Abundance'. Explore the region's natural heritage and cultural attractions.

3 Days
china
From

From NZD $1,359

per person
View Details
China Stopover — Guilin (3 Days)
stopover

China Stopover — Guilin (3 Days)

Explore Guilin's scenic landscapes featuring a Li River cruise to Yangshuo, limestone cave exploration, and iconic mountain formations.

3 Days
china
From

From NZD $1,099

per person
View Details
China Stopover — Xi'an (3 Days)
stopover

China Stopover — Xi'an (3 Days)

Immerse yourself in the rich history of Xi'an, China's ancient capital, with experiences centred on archaeological treasures and cultural landmarks.

3 Days
china
From

From NZD $945

per person
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China Stopover — Guangzhou (3 Days)
stopover

China Stopover — Guangzhou (3 Days)

Transform a lengthy journey into a rejuvenating escape. Explore vibrant streets, sample traditional Cantonese cuisine, and experience the city's relaxed pace.

3 Days
china
From

From NZD $1,399

per person
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China Stopover — Shanghai & Suzhou (3 Days)
stopover

China Stopover — Shanghai & Suzhou (3 Days)

A vibrant fusion of tradition and modernity through Shanghai's old quarters, artistic neighbourhoods, and riverfront, plus Suzhou's water-town charm and elegant gardens.

3 Days
china
From

From NZD $1,356

per person
View Details
China Stopover — Zhangjiajie (3 Days)
stopover

China Stopover — Zhangjiajie (3 Days)

Experience Zhangjiajie's stunning natural landscapes, including Tianmen Mountain, the Bailong Elevator, and the famous Glass Bridge — the inspiration for Avatar.

3 Days
china
From

From NZD $1,899

per person
View Details
China Stopover — Shanghai & Wuzhen (4 Days)
stopover

China Stopover — Shanghai & Wuzhen (4 Days)

Explore Shanghai's modern attractions combined with the timeless beauty of Wuzhen, the peerless water town in the south of the Yangtze River.

4 Days
china
From

From NZD $1,760

per person
View Details
China Stopover — Guilin & Surrounds (4 Days)
stopover

China Stopover — Guilin & Surrounds (4 Days)

Discover breathtaking landscapes and rich cultural heritage through visits to limestone caves, terraced mountains, ethnic villages, and a scenic Li River cruise.

4 Days
china
From

From NZD $1,310

per person
View Details
China Stopover — Guangzhou & Shenzhen (4 Days)
stopover

China Stopover — Guangzhou & Shenzhen (4 Days)

Explore the dynamic city of Shenzhen with futuristic skyscrapers, vibrant shopping districts, and rich cultural landmarks. Experience innovation, cuisine, and a fusion of tradition and modernity.

4 Days
china
From

From NZD $2,340

per person
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China Stopover — Huangshan (4 Days)
stopover

China Stopover — Huangshan (4 Days)

Experience the breathtaking beauty of Huangshan with a scenic cable car ride up Yellow Mountain, overnight stay atop the mountain, and visits to UNESCO-listed Hongcun and Nanping villages.

4 Days
china
From

From NZD $1,635

per person
View Details
China Stopover — Beijing (5 Days)
stopover

China Stopover — Beijing (5 Days)

Experience China's capital with visits to iconic landmarks including the Great Wall, Forbidden City, and imperial palaces in this carefully curated Beijing stopover.

5 Days
china
4.5/5(89 reviews)

"Perfect Beijing stopover"

From

From NZD $2,120

per person
View Details

Before you book

China stopover questions.

How long are the published China stopover packages?

The current CTS collection ranges from 2 to 5 days. Each tour page shows its exact sightseeing, meals, accommodation and exclusions so you can compare what fits your wider journey.

Can I add a China stopover when travelling to Europe, Japan or South Korea?

Potentially. It depends on the cities in your international routing, the time between sectors, ticket conditions and entry requirements for your passport. Send CTS your full flight itinerary before booking so the stopover can be checked against the actual connection.

Are international flights included in a stopover price?

Do not assume they are. Check the Included and Not Included sections on the individual tour page. International airfare, through-ticketing and connection changes are confirmed separately unless a product explicitly states otherwise.

Do New Zealand travellers need a visa for a China stopover?

Entry eligibility depends on passport, travel date, length of stay and routing. Read the current CTS visa guide, then reconfirm the requirements that apply to your exact trip before ticketing.

What should I send CTS before asking for a stopover quote?

Send the full flight itinerary, passenger passport nationalities, preferred China city, available dates and the number of travellers. This lets the team check timing, entry rules and the published land package together.

A practical first step

Send us the flights you are considering.

We’ll review the routing alongside the published stopover tours and explain which options are realistic before you book.

Check my stopover options