Travel expert Leigh-Ann Kitto shares why a Small Group Tour is the ideal way to experience the wonders of China.

From the towering Himalayas to the lush wetlands of the Yangtze River, China is a nation of superlatives. An undercurrent of vitality runs through the land, where megacities dotted with neon-lit skyscrapers buzz with energy and ancient temples stand as tributes to dynasties past. It’s this sense of contrast and discovery that makes this new journey for 2026 so compelling. Navigating China’s size, languages and pace can feel daunting, and that’s where a Small Group Tour makes all the difference. With every detail seamlessly arranged and an intimate group size of just 24 guests, there’s space to slow down, take it all in, and connect more deeply with one of the world’s most captivating destinations.

An electrifying city where imperial palaces meet modern life, your journey starts in Beijing. The atmosphere is best described by the Chinese concept of rè nào. Translating to lively, bustling and exciting, it also captures the cultural notion that a place thrives when full of people, noise and activity. Life spills into the streets, chatter fills the air and hawkers buzz at every turn. Many of the country’s most storied sites are found here, from the labyrinthine Forbidden City to the stirring landmark of Tiananmen Square. No trip to China is complete without walking part of the 21,000-kilometre-long Great Wall. At the well-preserved Mutianyu section, wander the watch towers and admire the wall snaking through lush forest into the horizon. In Xi’an, it’s a surreal feeling as you gaze out over the sprawling rows of the terracotta warriors. Meanwhile, Shanghai’s Nanjing Road – China’s most famous shopping street – stimulates your senses with a swirl of neon lights and constant motion.

"With just 24 guests, there's space to slow down, take it all in, and connect more deeply with the destination."

Small Group Tours also open doors to authentic cultural encounters beyond the typical tourist trail. Wander through Beijing’s tangle of hutongs, filled with red lanterns, ornamental jujube trees and the waft of street food like chuàn’r (seasoned meat skewers) and zhajiangmian (noodles with fried bean sauce). Rapidly disappearing due to urbanisation, these narrow alleyways are formed by rows of traditional courtyard homes called siheyuan. Here, you’ll enjoy a home-cooked lunch with a local family and master the art of dumpling making. Venture to Chengdu and experience the city’s laidback lifestyle at an authentic teahouse inside People’s Park. People watching is one of the great joys of visiting China’s green spaces — the living rooms of the city, where you can glimpse locals doing everything from playing mahjong to matchmaking.

Trade skylines for limestone peaks on a relaxing three-night Yangtze River cruise aboard the stylish Century Paragon. From practising Tai Chi on deck to drifting through the striking Qutang Gorge, the journey offers a peaceful retreat from the bustle of Beijing and Shanghai. A highlight is the shore excursion to Shen’nv Stream, or Goddess Stream, where the verdant landscape feels like a fairy tale. According to ancient legend, a young goddess descended from heaven to protect locals from floods before being transformed into the graceful peaks that line the stream. Board a timber boat to explore the mist-shrouded tributary, home to protected wildlife including monkeys, deer and boar.

A land of striking contrasts, shaped by imperial legacies and cutting-edge cities, China offers rich cultural experiences and a rhythm of life all its own.

As told to Jemma Glucina-Henderson