We keep our group sizes small: 10–11 people. This ensures a more meaningful, personalised experience.

It’s easy! To secure your place on one of our journeys, go to the Bookings tab and click deposit ($600 AUD), or the full amount. You’ll then be taken to the checkout to finish the transaction. The full amount is due 120 days before a tour begins. We will send you a reminder and a form to fill out to collect necessary information (passport details, for example).

All tour prices are listed in Australian dollars (AUD). If you’re booking from overseas, your bank or credit card provider will convert the amount into your local currency at their exchange rate. Just a heads-up – there may be a small international transaction fee, depending on your bank.

Citizens of many countries, including Australia and New Zealand, can now enjoy China visa-free for up to 30 days. As things can change however, we recommend checking your government’s official travel website or contacting the nearest Chinese consulate to confirm the latest visa requirements. If you do need a visa, the process is generally easy, although you should allow a little time, depending where you live. The nearest Chinese Embassy or Consular Office can help.

Absolutely. Taking out comprehensive travel insurance is mandatory for participation in all our tours. Please see the Terms of Service on our booking forms (or the link at the bottom of this page) for more details.

Moderately. Our tours include walks through markets, villages, towns, and cities, sometimes on uneven surfaces and up stairs. On some days, you may walk several km, mostly at an easy pace, but with occasional rough or rising terrain. Some experiences include a mountain hike… an easy hike, but a hike nonetheless. Comfortable shoes, being nimble on your feet, and a reasonable fitness level are advised.

If you have any concerns about mobility, please reach out and speak with us in advance.

Tour prices include accommodation, most meals (breakfast may not always be included, depending on the hotel), transportation (including airport transfers), and entrance fees for scheduled activities.

Additional costs like drinks, optional activities, tips, breakfasts (where not included by the hotel), souvenirs, other personal items, and international airfares are not included. Please see each itinerary for more details. 

Yes! Our itineraries include downtime so you can either rest or explore independently. Whenever there is downtime, your host and guide can provide recommendations for places to visit, shop, or eat if you want to venture out on your own.

Our cancellation policy can be found in our terms of service. If something comes up and you need to cancel or reschedule, please let us know as soon as possible. We’ll do our best to accommodate your needs, though cancellations may incur fees depending on the timing. 

A highlight of our tours is sampling plenty of local food and you can expect to try authentic regional dishes across the gamut. Unfortunately, because of the communal nature of Chinese dining and the way non-vegetarian/non-vegan ingredients are used throughout these regional cuisines, we cannot cater specifically to vegetarians, vegans, or anyone with strict dietary needs or allergies.

We select hotels that offer comfort, character (where possible), and a strong sense of place. While we prefer charming, locally run places, we sometimes opt for more standard hotels (4 star where possible), particularly if they offer better vehicle access, comfort or convenience.

In smaller towns or less touristy areas, accommodations may be more modest – sometimes 3-star or similar – but rest assured, they will still provide a comfortable base to relax after a day of exploration. Where an itinerary includes a rural or village homestay, the accommodation will be humble.

Breakfast may or may not be included every day, depending on the final hotel selections; we’ll confirm these once the group is locked in. If there’s a day when breakfast isn’t included, we’ll give you a heads-up – plus local tips on where to find a good one.

Comfortable walking shoes with slip-resistant soles, weather-appropriate clothing, and layers for cooler mornings and evenings. A small daypack is recommended for carrying snacks, water, any personal purchases, and for using on an overnight homestay if your itinerary includes this. You might want to pack one outfit for a nice dinner, but leave the posh clothes and fancy shoes at home.

In Yunnan the sun can be strong, even in cooler months, so do bring sun protection and a hat. Bring all your medications, and basics like band-aids, Panadol, hand sanitiser or wipes, insect repellant and lip balm.

In China, three main types of plugs and sockets are used: Type A, Type C, and Type I. (Type A has two flat, parallel prongs, Type C has two round pins, and Type I has three flat prongs arranged in a "V" shape). Most places will have Type 1 sockets, but bring a universal adapter plug to be on the safe side. The standard voltage in China is 220V, and the frequency is 50Hz.

Consider bringing a spare phone charger cable and plug… a little redundancy doesn’t go astray when it comes to your phone. Also bring a power bank for your phone so you don’t run out of juice during the day; there will be plenty to photograph!

No specific vaccinations are required, but we recommend checking with your doctor or travel clinic. Common recommendations for China include Hepatitis A, Typhoid, and Tetanus. Other vaccinations might be individually advised and it’s wise to be up to date with a Covid booster.

Due to ageing water infrastructure and the potential for contaminants, it’s best to only drink bottled water in China and also to avoid using tap water for cleaning your teeth. Bottled water will be provided by hotels and we will also keep supplies on hand each day.

Cash is becoming less common in China, as mobile payment apps like Alipay and WeChat Pay dominate daily transactions. However cash (Chinese yuan/RMB) is still accepted in rural areas and at some smaller businesses. It’s a good idea to carry a little cash for emergencies. Most Chinese ATMs accept Cirrus, Visa (Plus), and Maestro cards; check the ATM for the Cirrus logo (or other accepted logos like Visa, Mastercard, or UnionPay) to ensure your card will work. It's generally recommended to use ATMs operated by major banks like the Bank of China, China Merchants Bank, ICBC, or HSBC, as these are more likely to be compatible with foreign cards. 

Yes. WeChat isn’t just a messaging or payment app in China, it’s how the country runs. Locals use it for everything from chatting and sharing locations to booking Didi (China’s Uber equivalent), paying for things (even the tiniest transactions, like street food), and scanning QR codes to view menus or access services. And great news – it has a built-in translator.

You’ll use WeChat to communicate with your guide and group, receive daily updates, drop location pins, and ask questions. And of course, you’ll use it (or Alipay) to pay for any purchases you make. It works over Wifi too, so even without a SIM, you’ll stay connected at hotels, airports and cafés. Download it before you travel, set it up with your card details, and you’ll be good to go. You can always delete it once you’re back home if you like.

Yes, and most hotels etc will offer wifi. But China restricts access to many international websites and apps, including Google, Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp, and some news outlets. To access these during your trip, you’ll need to install a reliable VPN (Virtual Private Network) before you arrive – VPN apps are blocked once you're inside the country, so don’t leave it too late.

We’ve found Surfshark, VyprVPN, and NordVPN to be reliable, but the VPN landscape changes often. For the most current info, browse the latest threads in r/VPN or r/China on Reddit before you travel.

🧳 Tip: Some VPNs offer “stealth” or “obfuscated” modes and these are designed to work better in restrictive environments like China.

If you're using an international eSIM like Holafly, these come with their own VPN. It’s a convenient option, but check with your eSIM provider to confirm what's included and whether the VPN can be toggled on or off (some are always-on, which may affect performance or access to certain apps).

Having mobile data is essential to remain connected. We recommend an eSIM rather than using a Chinese SIM card (there are local requirements around procuring these). You can purchase an eSIM before travelling, then activate it once you land. We recommend an eSIM from Holafly but there are other providers too.

Holafly eSIMs for China include a built-in VPN, addressing China's internet restrictions. This allows travellers to access popular apps and websites like Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and Google Maps, which are typically blocked within China. The VPN ensures you can browse without issues or restrictions.