This was posted 3 months 9 days ago, and might be an out-dated deal.

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10 Days China Tour from SYD/MEL $888 Per Person Twin Share ($500 Solo Surcharge) @ TripADeal

2000
10 Days China Tour from SYD/MEL $888 Per Person Twin Share ($500 Solo Surcharge) @ TripADeal
Go to Deal
fratzhaus on 13/09/2024 - 08:10 tripadeal.com.au (6662 clicks)
Last edited 13/09/2024 - 11:55 by 1 other user

I went on this exact trip in May, and it was genuinely amazing. The trip is heavily subsidised by the China govt, which explains how they get away with the tiny cost.
You will need about min $1000 extra for the optional activities, tipping, and food.

I personally spent $2000 extra in total, but I bought a lot of things back.
I used Alipay almost exclusively which meant it was super easy to summarise every expense in the country and know where I was at.
Happy to answer questions too if people are concerned.

Reminder that the 15 day free visa makes this trip even cheaper and easier:
https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/853959

Dates

2024
* 9th November

2025
* 28th February
* 4th March
* 6th March
* 8th March
* 10th March
* 14th March
* 15th May
* 19th May
* 21st May
* 22nd May
* 26th May
* 28th May + $50 P/P
* 2nd June + $50 P/P
* 4th June
* 10th June

Itinerary

Day 1
Australia (or New Zealand) – Beijing, China
Day 2
Tiananmen Square & Forbidden City (or Tiananmen Square & Temple of Heaven)
Day 3
Great Wall of China
Day 4
Beijing – Shanghai - Suzhou
Day 5
Suzhou – Wuxi
Day 6
Wuxi - Hangzhou
Day 7
Hangzhou - Shanghai
Day 8
Shanghai History Museum & Free Afternoon
Day 9
Shanghai, China – Australia (or New Zealand)
Day 10
Arrive Australia (or New Zealand)

Inclusions

"Explore Beijing, Hangzhou, Suzhou, Wuxi and Shanghai
Visit historic Tiananmen Square in Beijing
Step back in time at the UNESCO-listed Forbidden City or The Temple of Heaven (subject to availability)
Tick the Great Wall of China off your bucket list
Indulge in a delicious Peking Duck lunch experience
Enjoy a scenic boat ride on Hangzhou’s picturesque West Lake
Visit Lihu Park in Wuxi, a serene oasis nestled along the shores of Lake Lihu
Delve into the history of China at the Shanghai History Museum
Explore the Lingering Garden and a silk spinning factory in Suzhou
Visit a local Jade Museum and see incredible artisans at work
Learn about traditional Chinese medicine at ‘Tong Ren Tang’ in Beijing
Discover Longjing Tea at Meijiawu Tea Village with tastings"

Travel Airfare Asia China Instagrampost Tour

Related Stores

TripADeal
TripADeal

closed Comments

    • Hangryuman on 13/09/2024 - 13:21
      -2

      tour is fully organised ;-)

    • F11HLL on 13/09/2024 - 13:52
      +4

      Always got to be one racist comment, right?

    • HangryCakeStore on 13/09/2024 - 15:16
      +1

      Where u from by the way?

    • Oxenfree123 on 13/09/2024 - 16:24
      -3

      CCP Bots are out in full

  • AnyFurtherDiscount on 13/09/2024 - 12:34

    What airlines did you fly with?

    • jcft on 13/09/2024 - 12:39
      -4

      Its always a China Airlines

    • F11HLL on 13/09/2024 - 13:49

      China Eastern.
      Or Shanghai Airlines, which is a subsidiary of China Eastern.
      Not the best airline in the world and the food is a bit meh', but for the price you pay it's okay.

      To upgrade to business it's ~$500 each way.

      • AnyFurtherDiscount on 13/09/2024 - 15:03

        Bugger: Was expecting China Southern or Hainan AIrlines

        • xmagic on 13/09/2024 - 21:28

          Guess I'm not the only one hate China Eastern LOL

      • fratzhaus on 15/09/2024 - 21:58

        For my trip in may, it was 300 to upgrade to economy plus, 1.2k to go business, and 2k+ for business plus.

        This is all pp one way, and it was more expensive on the way back.

        Granted we checked costs when checking in, I don't think you can any earlier..

    • Richcor on 14/09/2024 - 01:04

      We went Hainan airline

  • jcft on 13/09/2024 - 12:37
    +2

    please read comments on - tripadeal China tour via tripadvisor

    • valuer on 13/09/2024 - 16:35
      +2

      Yes, it is useful to get feedback from someone who isn't selling the product.

  • Cluster on 13/09/2024 - 12:37
    +1

    The only thing missing from this trip is a visit to Xi'an and the terracotta soldiers, but that's quite a distance away and the trip would have to be longer. Otherwise I think it's good value.

    I've been on several tours in South Korea, China, and Thailand and yes, eventually you'll be taken to a store where the tour guide gets a cut of the sales. Buy something if you like it, but don't be pressured into anything.

  • Tupi Song on 13/09/2024 - 12:38
    +2

    If I take you to buy tea and jade, forget it, but don't buy them. If you are not an expert in the jade industry, don't try it. Some of the stones may be soaked in various chemicals, and wearing them may hurt you. There are too many frauds, and some of these teas are not healthy. If you really want to buy them, just go to a local supermarket in Hangzhou and buy some tea. In addition, I recommend eating at a Michelin restaurant in Hangzhou that only costs 3 Australian dollars.

  • zer0ne on 13/09/2024 - 12:46

    What are your views on travelling on this deal with a child under 2?

    • May4th on 13/09/2024 - 13:15
      +1

      not specific for this tour but as a parent that has made a few trips with a tiny monster the thought of it makes me anxious.. a tour where you have have to leave by a certain time / where you don't get to dictate your schedule would be really challenging I think

      • zer0ne on 13/09/2024 - 13:19

        Thanks just saw deal is only for those over 18

  • possie115 on 13/09/2024 - 13:21

    Just booked for May, this seems like a great deal, Flying from Sydney. Now for the Jetstar flights from Hobart. Do you know if you can eat at any outlet or are there only designated places to eat?

    • F11HLL on 13/09/2024 - 13:51
      +1

      They have designated places to eat as a tour, or you are welcome to do your own thing.

      As an example, in Xi'an a buffet lunch organised by the tour was approx $15 (not bad), but I went out and got my own lunch (Burger, noodles and a drink) for $3

      • possie115 on 13/09/2024 - 14:13

        My tummy's rumbling already!

  • DraggyX on 13/09/2024 - 13:21

    Are they allowed you booked solo, and they will fill a random person to your room?

    • F11HLL on 13/09/2024 - 13:53

      You will be on your own - but you would need to pay the $500 single surcharge.

  • AuQld on 13/09/2024 - 14:12
    +2

    Kinda looks like 7 day tour.

    • jcft on 13/09/2024 - 15:04
      +2

      Day 1 - leave australia
      Day 2 - arrive China
      Day 9 - Leave China
      Day 10 - Arrive Australia

      Plus in between free days - excellent and research what can be done - youtube is great

    • Squeezy on 13/09/2024 - 15:18

      We are doing the 12 day terracotta warriors tour and its effectively just 10 days in China and a full day on each side traveling

  • Sage222 on 13/09/2024 - 15:42

    so what happens if you deviate? ie. miss your plane home and do other things? assume you have to then pay your on flight home other than that any penalty?

    • Richcor on 14/09/2024 - 01:00

      On my tour 3 people arrived at airport with us and then departed with us, they did 0 activities with us whilst there

      • zjz93 on 14/09/2024 - 01:07
        +1

        That would be ideal for those that have already visited, thanks. I have no interest in visiting places I've already been and being able to go off on our own sounds good

  • batrarobin on 13/09/2024 - 15:59

    Geographically close but still a $700 additional surcharge if flying from Perth! Doesn't make sense in Asian math at all!

  • CarlosZarate on 13/09/2024 - 16:22
    +1

    Chinese government subsidise the tour that is why it's so cheap. You stay majority of the time at hotels owned by the government. All the hotels are around 4 star quality. Very clean and nice. Hotels usually a long way from the town centre.

    I've been on 10 day tour and the terracotta warriors tours. Highly recommend the terracotta warriors tour for the extra $500 each.

    You get taken to Government owned shops. They follow you around but you say your all good and they will leave you alone. Everything over priced compared to local shops. But you may not get a chance to go to local shops.

    Other optional activities add up to about $500 per person if you do them all. You most probably only going to go to China once so worth while doing even though most are over priced for what you get. Compared to what you pay in Australia they are cheap. What i mean is you may go to Chinese family house for dinner and jammed into a small room. $60 for the meal/drinks which in China is worth about $20. In Australia you would pay $60 for the same thing. First time i went it was worth $60 because it was a cook that prepared the meal, he sang a song, showed us his pet cricket and gave us a shot of his home made alcohol. Next time i went we went to a different home and meal was prepared by their 18yo son. No other entertainment. Meal is on the first real night there and good to get to know your fellow travellers.

    $12 a day tipping per person. If you can't afford the $120 per person for tips don't go. The guides and drivers do a fantastic job. They don't get paid much and have families to feed. They stay at the hotels and in the busy season are lucky to see their family once or twice a week for a few hours at a time.

    • May4th on 13/09/2024 - 17:30
      +5

      lol where are you getting this from.. it's not north korea.. the big bad govt doesn't own all the hotels and restaurants.. what you get is government subsidies to increase tourism and numbers into China and then local govt level corruption to direct the tourists to affiliated shops, everybody gets a slice of the pie, the officials usually gets the biggest slice

      • xmagic on 13/09/2024 - 21:33
        +2

        I think they might have mistaken "government-owned" with "foreign-designated" as hotels in China requires license to accept foreign guests.

        Which may be a good thing as hotels with foreign-designation are often 4-5 stars hotels anyway. But I personally miss the practicality of cheap but well-designed and clean express hotel chains with local traffic and nightmarket right downstairs.

      • CarlosZarate on 28/09/2024 - 22:28
        -1

        LOL. Look it up. Local government own heaps of hotels and businesses. Google is free unlike in China.

  • ozone on 13/09/2024 - 17:25
    +1

    Did anyone do this China tour from TripADeal?

    https://www.tripadeal.com.au/deals/5043-natural-wonders-of-c…

  • glenf on 13/09/2024 - 18:20

    I had booked this one last year to travel in May but had to cancel due to arrival of our baby. Is this something I can do with my 6 month old ?

    • Richcor on 14/09/2024 - 00:55
      +1

      18+ only

  • JOZL on 13/09/2024 - 19:37
    +1

    I went on one of these and one of the hotels was a legit french castle type building in Shanghai that had been 5 star renovated with gold and marble decor everywhere. It was the best damn hotel experience i ever had. Yes there are shopping stops in designated places to subsidise the fkg cheap cost of the tour but thats only fair, hardly worth whinging about it because there is no pressure to buy. During free time you can shop in the cheap markets near each hotel and get all sorts of bargains. Be kind to people and they will be kind to you. Some of the shopping places gave me a discount because i either bargained hard or asked respectfully depending on the establishment. Just need to read the room

    Would 100% go again once i have done some other bucket list places

  • living4music on 13/09/2024 - 22:09

    Was your group lucky enough to get in Forbidden City? Recently so many tourist groups didn’t have a chance to get in Forbidden City due to no tickets, which is the most disappointing thing in Beijing tour.

    • Richcor on 14/09/2024 - 00:55

      My tour did when we went few months back

    • fratzhaus on 15/09/2024 - 09:26

      We didn't get tickets to travel to shanghai via train, it looks like they've removed it entirely from the itinerary, but nobody had issues getting tix to the forbidden city.

  • lilkid28 on 13/09/2024 - 23:25
    -1

    Cheap, bought 8. Thanks OP.

  • inthemoney114 on 14/09/2024 - 00:55

    Can you buy 2 of these deals for a family of 4?

    • fratzhaus on 15/09/2024 - 09:25

      Yes there was a family of 10 on one of the bus groups haha. Could be worth chatting to support to make sure you're all in the one group

  • aeoz on 14/09/2024 - 01:19
    +1

    Did you had to use much cash? How much cash would you recommend we bring? Or is AliPay/WeChat Pay enough for all payments?

    Also, can you access Whatsapp and Instagram using eSIM or AU roaming?

    • JOZL on 14/09/2024 - 19:28

      I brought about 500 aud in cash, plenty of places to convert. Cash also lets you haggle in some places. I found good bargains a couple doors down from the places they brought us. If you want to splurge a bit on fancy teas and souvenirs maybe bring 1000. Pack it in a travel wallet hidden around your waist etc if you’re worried about loss.

      Whatsapp and insta - you’ll just need to do a google search on the latest Great Firewall policies but when i was there i stuck mainly to SMS text and calls so we could coordinate free time meetups. I saved all my social posting till i got home. Facebook was mainly blocked. Maybe someone else can chime in. There are texting apps like WeChat or Line that you can install way before your trip if you want that extra Redundancy.

    • fratzhaus on 15/09/2024 - 09:23

      Most international data esims that service in China also had a built in VPN. I bought a 15gb esim data pack and had no issues using facebook/messenger/insta etc. I did delete my bank apps and anything super sensitive before going but I truly think it was just paranoia. I'd still play it safe regardless.

  • Chewy2221 on 14/09/2024 - 10:56

    I am told that the public toilets consist of a hole in the ground - not up to a Western standard. Would anyone else wish to comment. This would be a deal breaker for us.

    • JOZL on 14/09/2024 - 19:22
      +3

      Having been there. The public toilets you will get are tourist facing and so are very western. In the shanghai hotel i talked about up there, i encountered the most amazing toilet with heated seat and all sorts of amazing electronics, WARM water bidet, a bum dryer with warm air- i sht you not- i thought i had gone to heaven

      The hole in ground stuff is largely ignorance- they do exist but you literally have to leave the tourist area and walk a couple km to the local areas- not recommended obviously as if you get lost youre a bit fkd if you dont know the language and have no internet.

      Enjoy the trip, its a great experience. Would 100 go again

      Source; i left the tourist area and walked a couple km during free time

      • May4th on 14/09/2024 - 20:35
        +1

        yes.. can confirm those toilets are a lifechanging experience

      • fratzhaus on 15/09/2024 - 09:20

        Can confirm China was my first bidet experience.

        Only had to pee into a squat toilet at the great wall, otherwise they were all Western style

    • sushifish on 15/09/2024 - 19:19
      -5

      I am in China right now and let me tell you, squat toilets are everywhere and they are disgusting. In almost every metro station there are squat toilets as well as in main attractions, Forbidden City was squat only! The hotels have clean normal Western toilets but everywhere I went in Beijing, Xi'an, Chengdu and Chonqing had squat toilets and only a few Western toilets in shopping centres if you were lucky! If you're older it may be difficult to use them (not to mention you need to take your own toilet paper as many bathrooms do not have any). Also, you can't flush the toilet paper here and have to throw it into a bin beside the toilet.

    • sushifish on 16/09/2024 - 10:05
      -1

      Also lol at whoever downvoted me, squat toilets could definitely be a problem for anyone with mobility issues. Even on the high speed trains the toilets are all squatting, these were the top class trains from Beijing to Xi’an, Xi’an to Chengdu, Chongqing to Guangzhou etc. They are definitely prevalent.

  • jrvb42 on 15/09/2024 - 03:42
    -1

    Same, or similar, deal to last year.
    Pro: price has dropped from $999 (with good reason IMHO)
    Cons: cannot choose to fly in early or leave later; tour is content light really, have a good look; tripadeal can randomly change itinerary;

    Flying to China for only 10 days doesn't make sense to me. Others have commented on additional expenses of around $1000. This seems crazy. China is quite inexpensive.

    You can easily do this tour self paced, staying longer, for less.

    Also beware, like most tours, things like the TCM place are likely to be overpriced and giving kickbacks to the tour operator.

    If you are at all independent, you'd do better creating your own itinerary. Wait for cheap flights, often on ozb, and go for it.

  • varunynr on 15/09/2024 - 11:30
    +1

    Anyone going from Melb on 28 Feb 2025, let me know. Cheers

  • Regie69 on 16/09/2024 - 11:14
    +2

    I tried to tip in China 2 weeks ago at 3 different locations they all refused.
    This is not a Chinese custom

    • cerealsmok3r on 18/09/2024 - 10:39

      yeah thats correct. you only tip for the tour guide and driver

  • cerealsmok3r on 18/09/2024 - 10:38
    +1

    crossposting my comment on the new china tour deal:

    Just got back from the previous deal tour and happy to answer questions. Just a few pointers to share.

    I would also recommend it to anyone that enjoys travelling as guides have their own lines to bypass lines for most of the tourist things like forbidden palace and the great wall which is still faster than the public line. you can also duck off for the optional tours and do your own thing but you just need to make your way back to the hotel (usually via didi and its relatively cheap)

    jades mostly a scam, silk is authentic but overpriced, tea is good but different from what you can get here. knockoff market is fun if you want to learn how to lowball and haggle (generally 30% of total price is where you end up) and they can take you away to some place if youre after luxury knock off and still have to ask for the good stuff.

    before going to china set up both alipay and wechat. they may occasionally fail so you have to swap and sometimes they accept different merchants. also turn off sms exception or use netbank/netcode because there is no roaming to use your code to verify the purchase even if you tell the banks youre overseas.

    • sal78 on 25/09/2024 - 05:16

      Really? Silk was so cheap! $200 AUD for king sz and $250 for King sz and cover.

      That’s cheap for silk. Most good quilts here are $200+ on special.

      The covers are very traditional embroidery. We have one from our wed night from mil. Only ever used on wed night. It’s too old fashion. I prefer 100% cotton.

      We enjoyed the history and the staff were so fun n funny. At least 1/2 our tour bought and inc older chinese ppl.

  • klrrider1 on 18/09/2024 - 16:04

    Knockoff market is fun…….. if you know what you are looking at.

    My Chinese ex GF bought an Apple iPhone at this market. The outside of the phone looked like an iPhone, but the electronics were from an old Android phone.

  • tufftaffy on 18/09/2024 - 19:41

    Thanks looking to book out for next june!

  • worrierwan on 21/09/2024 - 21:53

    Anyone know what happened to the dates? They just changed it looks like

    • fratzhaus on 22/09/2024 - 18:08

      I would imagine that just means certain dates are selling out. Deal is still active though.

  • branners on 24/09/2024 - 08:49

    I posted this https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/835578#comment-15052700 on an earlier thread, might be useful info for potential travellers.
    PS I am not a bot or a government agent…

  • klrrider1 on 24/09/2024 - 10:10
    +1

    Thanks for the link.

    Now that Australian and NZ passport holders can get a 15 Day Visa On Arrival, the advice to check visa application forms is now redundant.

  • sal78 on 25/09/2024 - 05:11
    +6

    Hi guys,

    We just returned from the Trip A Deal Panda & Yangtze River tour yesterday.

    So worth it. It was a relaxing pace, brilliant guide who made everything so easy and efficient, no hard sell (only 1 shopping trip to sill factory and we found the history interesting). Our guide did not ask for any tips until penultimate day and she specifically told everyone 4 days of tips 4 x $12.50 pp even though she picked us up and delivered us to airport and stayed with us on the cruise throughout. Crazy, we tipped 6 days. On the Warriors tour, the guide does not come on cruise with you.

    I have Wechat, Weixin pay and can access Didi services through Wechat. Omg it is so easy and sooooo cheap! 40mins Didi cost AUD$8!! And a car in mins! We used Didi a lot as hotel was far from subway.

    Chengdu - amazing city
    Yangtze river cruise - so relaxing and beautiful
    Chongqing - best city in China. Will return.

    We went out on our own each evening, opted out of some optionals, explored Chongqing on our own etc

    We saw everything we wanted. Went to Chengdu Global Centre, Wuhou temple, Jinli St, Chengdu IFC (climbing panda), SPK Chengdu, Spacelab Chengdu (food delivered via like spaceships so cool)

    In Yichang we opted out of the 3 Tribes tour (how tribes lived before the dam) and took Didi to Quyuan temple instead. This was a bucket list so I’m really happy. He is the Greatest Poet ever and we celebrate him each year with dragon boat and zhongxi festival.

    In Chongqing we had 5-6hrs before our flight. Went to 22nd floor, train through building, chongqing hot pot, shopping area etc crazy but so easy to do with Didi.

    Picked up a pair of Way of Wade from Li Ning for AUD$300. Apparently it’s $600 here snd always sold out.

    That was everything we did on our own not inc in tour. The tour inc were excellent! Panda super cute!

    As an ultimate Ozbargainer, I booked the deal earlier this yr when it was 50% off Qantas pts. I used pts to book so paid nothing.

    We met up with ppl from the Warrior tour and wow, stark difference. Hassled for tips daily, cost hundreds more to upgrade room n dining on cruise so stuck at buffet with very pushy n noisy elderly locals (worst nightmare), lots of shopping trips, 2 hrs in Suzhou + 3hrs shopping trip… omg what’s the point? Suzhou is one of the most beautiful cities in China.

    The best money we spend was upgrading to 5th floor dining with guaranteed window seats, max 40ppl, inc all beverages, and excellent dining services for only $120pp total of 11 great meals!! Such a bargain! Entire 5th floor dining was from our tour. Our guide is so good.

    I think you really need to scrutinise the itinerary, use some common sense and be prepared with Wechat and Esim. I had access to FB, IG, Google no issues.

    Even KFC is cashless and must be ordered via scanning and it’s all in chinese. Staff are great though n help me to order or I give them my phone. It’s via Wechat. You must gave Wechat. Same with Maccas, Chagee etc

    As for toilets, all the public toilets I went to were super clean n some quite swanky. When with tour to tourist sites, I did not go to toilet at all. There’s no way I would go to those toilets so just time yourself.

    But when we went out on our own to IFC Chengdu, designer stores, modern etc the toilets are super clean and nice.

    Didi is in Wechat under pay services. Anyone really can travel by themselves in China without knowing how to spk Chinese if they have Didi.

    Only us and another couple went around by ourselves. The other two guys, one is Chinese. They even caught public transport.

    If you don’t have internet of Wechat then it’s a different kind of holiday. The hotels are all remote. Not even close to public transport/subway. The food inc in tour is not good. I would rather save my calories for good food when we go out on our own for dinner.

    At Emeishan city, everyone paid for optional tour n lunch which was 350RMB pp. We took Didi to Emeishan KFC, walked around dept store, checked out Huawei’s new triple fold phone etc and total cost was 60RMB inc Didi!! Crazy cheap. They went to an ancient town (many on the group told us it was too hot n not worth it) but since we opted out, our guide sent us back to hotel in Didi (1.25hrs)

    We had a rest in hotel and went out in evening on our own.

    Ppl that came back from the tour were in 38 sun all arvo and too exhausted.

    Anyway it was the best trip n cheapest we have ever done.

    Also we flew China Southern which is the best of the Chinese airlines. No issues.

    In fact, we will fly them again in Dec. we are flying to Seoul with Jetstar and Seoul to Bris China Southern with Beijing stopover. One way only $50 more than Jetstar and full service + free stopover! This deserves its own ozbargain post!

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