• expired

11 Days China Discovery Tour Departing on Select Dates from Sydney/Melbourne from $899 Per Person Twin Share @ TripADeal

1330
11 Days China Discovery Tour Departing on Select Dates from Sydney/Melbourne from $899 Per Person Twin Share @ TripADeal
Go to Deal
rvsure on 04/04/2025 - 14:03 tripadeal.com.au (4169 clicks)
Last edited 04/04/2025 - 14:23 by 1 other user

The 11 day China Discovery Tour is currently on sale for $899 ($100 discount) at TripADeal for Sydney and Melbourne departures including 2025 dates.

  • Return international full-service flights & one-way internal flight (or high-speed rail)
  • 9 nights of 4-star hotel accommodation
  • Daily breakfast plus a traditional Peking Duck lunch
  • Travel with local English-speaking tour guides
  • Adults only (18+)
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
    Longmen Ancient Town
  • Day 8
    Hangzhou - Shanghai
  • Day 9
    Shanghai History Museum & Free Afternoon
  • Day 10
    Shanghai, China – Australia (or New Zealand)
  • Day 11
    Arrive Australia (or New Zealand)
Tour Inclusions:
  • Explore Beijing, Hangzhou, Suzhou and Shanghai
  • Visit historic Tiananmen Square in Beijing
  • Step back in time to 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
  • Experience Longmen Ancient Town, famous for its unique Qing dynasty buildings
  • Visit Lihu Park, a serene oasis nestled along the picturesque shores of Lake Lihu in Wuxi
  • Delve into history of China at the Shanghai History Museum
  • Explore the Lingering Garden and a silk spinning factory in Suzhou
  • Learn about Longjing Tea at Meijiawu Tea Village with tastings
Optional Tours:
  • Beijing: The Golden Mask Dynasty - 380 RMB.
  • Beijing: Hutong Pedicab Tour & Dinner - 360 RMB.
  • Suzhou: Grand Canal Cruise - 220 RMB.
  • Shanghai: ERA and The Intersection of Time - 390 RMB.
  • Shanghai: Half-Day Shanghai Tour - 240 RMB.
  • Shanghai: Huangpu River Night Cruise - 280 RMB.
    Please note:
  • Prices are based per person, are subject to change & availability, time permitting and weather conditions, and are payable directly to the tour operator in the currency specified.
  • Some tours require minimum numbers to operate.

Please note that there is recommended $12 per day pp tipping which seems to be unofficially mandatory as per reviews. Also, there are a few shopping stops with high-pressure sales as per reviews. Also, the optional tours may not be really optional unless you want to spend few hours on a hot bus while other finish their optional tours. Factor those costs into account.

Please refrain from sharing your perceived opinions about China based on what you heard. Appreciate your feedback if you have been on this tour or heard directly from someone who has been.

Travel Asia China Instagrampost Tour

Related Stores

TripADeal
TripADeal

Comments

    • rvsure on 04/04/2025 - 14:09
      +1

      As per some reviewers, the tour guides said the tour is highly subsidised by Chinese government. Not sure how much of that is true but it makes sense considering you can't probably get a return flight alone to China for $899 in May 2025.

      • richy_o on 04/04/2025 - 14:45
        +8

        Heads up that May in China is probably the second biggest public holidays of the whole year. Places like Shanghai can be absolutely packed.

        • Tinky Winky on 04/04/2025 - 15:18
          +1

          Second this. Definitely avoid the public holiday week. Everywhere is closed or completely packed.

          • 0806449 on 16/04/2025 - 10:34

            @Tinky Winky: Yep, just search for video what the people do when they are stuck in massive traffic jams

      • wetsandwich on 04/04/2025 - 15:50
        +1

        Sydney to Beijing return is under $600 currently. I paid about the same for May flights a few months ago. It's cheap-ish, but depends what the cost of budget food and accommodation are normally.

      • RTX9090Ti on 04/04/2025 - 16:06
        +9

        Based on personal past experiences, not tru this tour but other tour companies, they generally goes to the same 'mob' of shops on most major cities.
        They will bully you to submission and 'force' you to buy their goods to the point they will follow you all the way to the bus if you refused their offer.
        Also the tour leader won't be 'friendly' to you towards the rest of the journey if you refused to buy anything from these shops.
        Tour leader also generally local people appointed by the local tourism authority who speaks fluent english so they won't be on your side.

        • May4th on 04/04/2025 - 16:09
          +2

          just budget 30-50aud to buy stuff you'll throw away. small change on the subsidised deal. play the game

          • RTX9090Ti on 04/04/2025 - 16:16

            @May4th: Yeah, this is a tip for the first-timer to China or those with western background who's new to the game.
            Saying NO won't work over there, and as you said, go along with their game and be smart.

            • feisty on 06/04/2025 - 10:11
              +1

              @RTX9090Ti: My six months working in China says that yelling out Tài guìle (too expensive) works way better. The locals appreciate you getting into the spirit of the potential deal.

        • yanlianglee on 04/04/2025 - 18:25
          -1

          This is what you would expect from the province of China :(

        • Dr Phil on 05/04/2025 - 13:51
          -3

          This is absolute garbage!
          Ive been on this exact tour and another almost idential run by "China tour".
          None of what "RTX9090Ti" is true in general.
          Maybe RTX9090Ti did something to upset or offend the tour guide, but even then they just let it go.
          These tour guides are very professional and highly educated - usually outside China
          The tour guides were always VERY pleasant, helpful and informative.
          No tour guide bullied you into doing anything….

          However some of the "tourist trap shops" visited "exclusiely" by the many tour buses did engage in pushy selling.
          But only if you showed any interest.
          And none of these "tourist trap" shops had anything worth buying in my opinion.
          Everything is overpriced.

        • crisso on 05/04/2025 - 19:20

          I did a Tripadeal China tour last year and was not forced into anything, and the tour guides were friendly and helpful.

          • RTX9090Ti on 05/04/2025 - 19:21

            @crisso: I did say other tour companies, not trip a deal. I never been with trip a deal.

        • serena-yu on 16/04/2025 - 13:28

          It's against the law to force tourists to shop. They can persuade you and may be pushy, but no one should force you to buy anything.
          You could easily complain it to the police (call 110) and the big brother will teach them a lesson.

      • ATangk on 04/04/2025 - 16:24

        For a highly subsidised tour, you can get $0 tours right now including flights and all accom, if you go to those shopping stops.

        • jiancoek on 04/04/2025 - 16:59

          Where can we find those $0 tours ?

          • ATangk on 04/04/2025 - 17:41
            -2

            @jiancoek: Go into any chinese travel agent, but theyre restricted to chinese speakers only, and must hold AU, US or CAN passports.

    • Elitebhy on 04/04/2025 - 14:12
      +3

      Subsidised by the government to get more tourists into China.

      • datafellows on 04/04/2025 - 15:29
        +6

        I wish more countries did this.

      • TightAl on 04/04/2025 - 15:48
        +2

        Israel is better, Americans subsidise the trips of jews

        • OfTheOverflow on 04/04/2025 - 19:03
          +1

          I don't know why this is being down voted, this is true of Australia as well.

        • Gavman on 05/04/2025 - 08:49

          Not just Jews. If you consider youself jewish ( don’t even have to prove it) you can also partake. Beats going to China every day of the week. Israel is majestic

          • tenpercent on 05/04/2025 - 15:38

            @Gavman: How does an Australian who has recently decided to identify as Jewish partake in this scheme?

          • greatlamp on 16/04/2025 - 01:06

            @Gavman: Good luck. They don't play games with identity politics. I wouldn't want to end up in an IDF prison blindfolded and handcuffed in a kneeling position for months on end.

      • Dr Phil on 05/04/2025 - 14:03
        +1

        Im not so sure any more….

        Here is a heads-up on prices and values…

        Firstly the UPFRONT cost of this tour has decreased from $999 in 2016/7 to $899 now which is great!
        And it looks like you are touring for 9 days instead of 8 days so thats en extra day, though it does depend on the airline arrival and departure times.

        When I did this same tour back in 2017 the AUD bought 5 RMB
        Now the poor Aussie only buys 4.4 RMB.
        So that means everything is well over 10% more expensive just on the exchange rate…how sad!

        But I can tell you that most of the tours cost about AUD $50 back in 2016 and 2017.
        So about 250 RMB.
        Now they are 360-390 RMB (AU $81-$88).
        So those tour prices have increased astronomically!
        Im not sure who is cashing in on these tours but someone is making HEAPS!

        Furthermore with "China Tour" the price was $999 in 2016, and you flew with cheap Chinese airlines BUT all Hotels were magificient 5 star with maybe a couple of still very nice 4.5 star hotels.

        "Trip a Deal" flew us on Qantas in 2017 (also for $999) but the accomodation was basically 4.5 star hotels.
        Now dont think that 1/2 star makes no difference. Its a huge difference!
        So staying in 4 star accomodation in China today is very, very ordinary indeed !!!!

        Tipping has increased as well from AU $10 per day to $12 per day and thats per person per day!
        So that works out to be almost $100 per person just for tipping
        If you do the maths, for a coach load of tourists (say 40) that tour guide gets $4,000 in tips for 8-9 days of work.
        Not bad for someone working in China!

        Anyway, apart from these cost increases, its a very worthwhile tour.
        Where else can you do and see so much over 9 days with flights included for under $2,000 ???

  • Averell on 04/04/2025 - 14:15
    +2

    What happen with dinners and lunches? Will they take us to their affiliated restaurant or it's like free time so we can eat whatever/wherever we want?

    • U30004 on 04/04/2025 - 14:19
      +3

      Back in the shoe

    • rvsure on 04/04/2025 - 14:21

      Don't have personal experience as I haven't been to this tour yet but booked for June. From the reviews, they stop for lunches during the tours most of the times at buffet style restaurants. You will end up eating dinners at the hotel's restaurant as the hotels are quite far away from the city with few options to go out for dinner. Also, the days are long and tiring so you wouldn't want to go too far out for dinners as the days start at 8am.

        • blitz on 04/04/2025 - 16:31
          +9

          Please refrain from sharing your perceived opinions about China based on what you heard.

          I've heard that as this is a public forum I can say just about whatever I like thanks.

          • RTX9090Ti on 04/04/2025 - 19:10
            -1

            @blitz: He meant if you over there in China, don't criticize the government when you are over there on their country.

          • BargainMe on 05/04/2025 - 14:40

            @blitz: Definitely! But it was OP that didn't want people to share their opinions unless it's positive.

      • node modules on 04/04/2025 - 17:42

        not sure why you're being downvoted

        • rvsure on 04/04/2025 - 17:44

          Me neither 😀. I clearly said it's based on the reviews I found.

      • bchliu on 04/04/2025 - 18:51
        +9

        I went with group of friends in October last year.

        Breakfast (all included) is served every day from pretty early.. 7-8am or something. They don't head out until 9am so it's not too bad for timing.
        Lunches (BYO) - depends on the day - but no buffet restaurants was on route for us. Not sure where that BS came from since it's mostly in areas that are either tourist areas or in parts of town that you can get any food including western junk food stuff (KFC, McD etc).
        Dinners (BYO) - are a bit harder since the hotels are mainly out of the city areas to keep down the costs. However, it is China and you can get food just about everywhere and even at 3am you will find something to eat. Security is great too so you can walk the streets at 3am without being mugged.

        This tour is NOT demanding at all since the bus basically takes you to most places. The most demanding you might get is maybe the Beijing Tiananmen Square / Forbidden City day where you do have to walk from one side to the other and it's very big (expect a 2-3km walk). Other days are very much riding the bus from location to location and you can walk around freely in certain parts of town to go shopping or for food etc.

        About the shopping part - honestly, you can say no to it all and they don't get shetty at you (they have stated that it IS illegal to force sales to people these days). They do recommend that you help out the local businesses this way though so maybe entertain them and play along if you need to. There are expensive stuff and cheap stuff too.. so just grab some of the cheap stuff as souvenir for family / friends.

        Fantastic tour.. I recommend it to anyone to do it just to simply take advantage of a cheap holiday. Hotels are very nice and clean despite being a bit far from the actual main city CBD. You can take a cheap Cab/Didi ride there, but the traffic is god-awful during peak times so try and avoid the peak hours (5pm-7pm).

      • donman92 on 05/04/2025 - 02:04
        +6

        Might see ya there. Who's going to awkwardly break the ice by asking the group "any ozbargainers here"?

        • tenpercent on 05/04/2025 - 15:40
          +3

          Just wear your teal Asics to signal to the other Ozb'ers

        • Craze on 05/04/2025 - 18:31
          +3

          Or bring your OzB T-shirts if you have one?

    • Maichu on 04/04/2025 - 14:43
      +13

      Have been on this trip before. Food options were plentiful as every hotel we stopped at had eateries nearby. They did not take us to any affiliated restaurants. You can eat at the hotel if you just want something easy. If you are comfortable using the Alipay / Wechat apps, you can order food to be delivered. Better yet, it would be highly recommended to venture out to the city centre / night spots either by public transport or Didi (their version of Uber). You are free to do whatever you like at night, unless you opt for some of the optional night activites.

      For lunches, again they will take you to areas that have plenty of food options in between your destinations. They will drop you off for a certain amount of time and you can do whatever you want.

    • Dr Phil on 05/04/2025 - 14:15

      As with most tours and hotel stays, a daily buffet breakfast is included.
      But the quality does vary greatly depending on whether its 5 star, 4.5 star or 4 star hotel
      And I can tell you that 4 star is very basic and unimpressive indeed.
      Dont expect these to be your typical buffet breakfasts.

      They do take you to one lunch but its very, very ordinary.
      Nothing like a chinese restaurant here.

      So you must find and buy your own lunch and dinner.

      But dont think its like here where every Chinese restauarnt menu is in Chinese and english.

      Its all in Chinese Im sorry to say.
      And they dont speak much English over there
      So you are reliant on the photos.
      But photos with english descriptions (like you get here) is one thing.
      Photos of meals with no description is a bit like a lucky dip.
      A photo of a seaweed dish can look like a lovely shredded meat dish (oh yes!)
      Its not a case of what you see is what you get because you have no idea whats pictured in the photo.

      Oh so much fun!
      You might be lucky and find a dumpling/wonton shop where there is less chance of buying something you didnt intend to buy.
      And some of the "food chain" shops do have some english descriptions, but hard to find

    • crisso on 05/04/2025 - 19:28

      Most are in free time, but on the one I did last year, there were a couple of lunches included.IF you decide to go organize a ESIM before as Google Translate and/or Google Lens will greatly help.

  • seriousquokka on 04/04/2025 - 14:20
    +24

    I want the same experience as Speed’s.

    • Bignudge on 04/04/2025 - 14:32
      +1

      Well, it's ultimately what you make of it

    • Cataclysm on 04/04/2025 - 16:40

      if you go now u can still meet speed

    • solacens on 04/04/2025 - 16:54
      +1

      Expectation vs Reality

    • aubh on 05/04/2025 - 11:56

      I also want red carpet experience in Whitehouse

  • TheDukeOfNukem on 04/04/2025 - 14:42

    Catch me being tempted to go just to not tip and avoid tours to prove a point.

    What that point is, I don't know, though.

    ..

    I know it says adults only, so no kids, but would a baby (2y/o) be allowed or a hard no? Otherwise, got any deals for 2040 lol?

    • cerealsmok3r on 04/04/2025 - 15:09

      i tipped for the first half and didn't need to for the second half so YMMV

      • node modules on 04/04/2025 - 15:42
        +1

        What would happen if you didn’t tip?

        • crisso on 05/04/2025 - 19:36

          They do expect the tips and will give a little speech on why they need them, but in saying that, I've done tours in UK./Ireland Trafalga, Italy Trafalga, Spain/Portugal Tripadeal, China Tripadel and Turkey Tripadel and they all expect the tips!

    • Richcor on 04/04/2025 - 20:34
      +1

      The tip is unavoidable, a chinese aussie couple went when i went and they said Tripadeal mandate the tip, and the bullet train ticket would not be handed to them if they didnt pay.
      The tours are completely optional, many people didnt participate at all and did there own thing all day.

      • serena-yu on 16/04/2025 - 13:33

        Extortion for a tip is illegal in China. It's bullying of tourists. Call the police (110) and the big brother will "have a tea" with these tour guides.

        • Richcor on 16/04/2025 - 21:43

          Yeah there was no tips asked anywhere but from the tripadeal guides lol

    • serena-yu on 16/04/2025 - 13:17
      +1

      Tip is not required in China just like in Australia. However if they see you are white, they may think you are American and ask for a tip.

      • TheDukeOfNukem on 16/04/2025 - 14:58

        How dare you assume my pigmentation!

        /s

      • Richcor on 16/04/2025 - 21:44

        They were Chinese Aussie lol
        Besides the tour guides we never got asked for tips being white.

  • ryefig on 04/04/2025 - 14:51

    It's back, I remember similar deals last year.

    The travel calendar is looking pretty empty this year, so this is looking appealing.

    OP do you know much about the international flights to/from Australia. Specifically, will we be given a reference number to seat select ourselves (or even pay/bid to upgrade cabin class), and what airline is used? Couldn't find the info myself on the website.

    • rvsure on 04/04/2025 - 17:39

      I am yet to receive the flight tickets. Based on the reviews the flights are with China Eastern. The terms and conditions says they don't select the seats for you but you should be able to select the seats yourself directly on the airline's website but not sure for a fee or free.

      • donman92 on 05/04/2025 - 01:59

        Fingers crossed I can handle the seats as I'm 6'4 and a bit chonky.

      • ryefig on 05/04/2025 - 10:55

        Makes sense. If you don't mind me asking, how long ago did you make the purchase through TripADeal?
        I don't even mind paying for my seat if I have to but pretty hesitant if there is no ability to select.

        • rvsure on 05/04/2025 - 12:13

          I only booked yesterday just before posting this deal.

    • Richcor on 04/04/2025 - 20:36
      +1

      I went last years tour and for $800aud you can upgrade to business. We did it both ways. Was marvellous!

      • johnmelb on 04/04/2025 - 21:08
        +1

        How much was upgrade to business?
        I couldn't immediately find it on the site.

      • armageddeus on 05/04/2025 - 00:10

        $800 /person both ways?

        • Richcor on 05/04/2025 - 13:25
          +1

          Each way

      • ryefig on 05/04/2025 - 10:53

        I did a 'dummy' booking on TripADeal and I couldn't see an option to upgrade the flights. If you could share how you did that, it would be really appreciated.

        • Richcor on 05/04/2025 - 13:27

          Once you get your tickets you can only upgrade, better seats ie more legroom.
          Business unfortunately can only purchased once you check in at airport.
          Just walk up to the business check in pay and thats it.

          • BuyNow Think Later on 05/04/2025 - 14:39

            @Richcor: Was it flat bed?
            Good entertainment selections?
            Airport lounge access included?
            Priority immigration checkpoint?

            • Richcor on 06/04/2025 - 09:12
              +1

              @BuyNow Think Later: Flat bed yes.
              Entertainment was good, slept most of it as we had a night flight tho.
              Airport lounge and immigration priority yes.

              • BuyNow Think Later on 06/04/2025 - 17:40

                @Richcor: $800 each way is a bargain!

                Did you check in online as economy a day before your flight?

                Or you didn't. You went to biz class counter to request to upgrade?

  • Ham Dragon on 04/04/2025 - 14:52
    +9

    11 days is a fairly blatant lie, as day 1, 10 & 11 are international long haul travel. Seems also day 4, 5, 6 & 8 are also travel.

    Do they bus you around between the cities? Days on end of driving the Chinese highway system watching the endless bleak & gray landscape of ugly towns & factories doesn't sound enticing.

    • cerealsmok3r on 04/04/2025 - 14:56
      +1

      depends on what is convenient for them. when I went it was mostly buses that took us around with the exception of shanghai where we flew in. in the description they mentioned that this can be substituted with the high speed rail

    • Pa55er6y on 04/04/2025 - 15:54
      +3

      Wouldn't comment on day 4, but for days 5, 6, 8:

      Day 5: Suzhou - Wuxi ~30km, 10-15 minutes by high-speed rail (plus maybe 30 minutes to/from hotel, depending on the location of hotel)
      Day 6: Wuxi - Hangzhou ~150km, around 2 hours by high-speed rail (plus to/from hotel)
      Day 7: Longmen Ancient Town ~50km from Hangzhou, around an hour by bus
      Day 8: Hangzhou - Shanghai ~160km, 1 hour by high-speed rail (plus to/from hotel)

      • Ham Dragon on 05/04/2025 - 14:53

        Not bad! Definitely more enticing if it's via train and not coach.

    • May4th on 04/04/2025 - 16:11
      -3

      same applies for every other tour ever advertised

      • TightAl on 05/04/2025 - 09:42
        +1

        Exactly not even sure why it's a "blatant" lie, bro is expecting teleportation between cities or something lmao

  • hashtagbargain on 04/04/2025 - 14:59
    +1

    What’s the deal with excluding children? I guess families are not their target audience.

    • rvsure on 04/04/2025 - 15:02
      +10

      They can't sell you the herbal medicine or a jade souvenir if you are too distracted by your children 😀

    • iactuallydontknow on 04/04/2025 - 15:24
      +6

      Kids on a long tour on and off transit etc does sound like a bit of a nightmare. I personally wouldn’t go on a tour like this if kids were on it. Nothing against kids but I’d be pretty flat if I paid to be around screaming kids all day

    • mcha16 on 04/04/2025 - 15:27

      Kids here to pay full fee.

  • Krayzii on 04/04/2025 - 15:03
    +7

    Just got back from China and man, loved it. I usually recommend going solo (it's very safe for travelers) but if you can't be arsed to do anything then yeah can do this.

  • cerealsmok3r on 04/04/2025 - 15:08
    +6

    I did the 10 day tour last year and had a lot of fun. you don't have to buy anything if you don't want even if theyre pushy. I bought the silk pillowcases and they were $50 for two - pricey relative to what locals can get but still cheaper than if you bought it elsewhere.

    I think of the optional tours, the grand canal one is the one worth doing. the rest is fun if you like being a tourist unless you prefer venturing in the city or shopping. shanghai tour you could do it by yourself and using DIDI is easy to get around. you could even ask reception to help you with ordering food on the apps.

    also its worth downloading both wechat pay and alipay. payments can fail sometimes so you can switch between the two

    • crisso on 05/04/2025 - 19:53

      LOL, My wife bought the whole silk set with the free suitcase, I said they got you, but she does love it.

  • datafellows on 04/04/2025 - 15:40
    +3

    This is a really good deal and I’m sure you will mostly have a really good time.

    Last time me and missus were on a trip we generally got out from the hotel around 11, explored for couple of hours and then sat in a corner coffee shop an hour to think about our next step :D

    So no, I would not join group tours :D

    • Nohtyp on 04/04/2025 - 15:44
      +1

      call in sick everyday, so do things on your own. LOL

    • buyer-123 on 05/04/2025 - 11:11
      +1

      This sounds much more appealing than flat out 8am wakeups every day..

  • sh4hp on 04/04/2025 - 15:46

    Going in June. Still wondering when is the best time to call to find out flight details

    • donman92 on 05/04/2025 - 02:04

      Might see ya there. Who's going to awkwardly break the ice by asking the group "any ozbargainers here"?

      • star-ggg on 05/04/2025 - 08:58

        Just wear the OzB t shirt

        • donman92 on 05/04/2025 - 09:39

          Dear lord no ty

        • sh4hp on 05/04/2025 - 09:44

          From 2019?

      • sh4hp on 05/04/2025 - 09:44

        There will be hints

  • saintza on 04/04/2025 - 16:03
    +2

    My sister and brother in law recently did this tour and were surprised by how much they enjoyed it, especially given how cheap it is. They definitely recommended it.

  • danhendo888 on 04/04/2025 - 17:00

    How many people in a tour group?

    • festivus4all on 04/04/2025 - 17:01

      Minimum group size 28, maximum group size 44 per vehicle.

  • belongsinforums on 04/04/2025 - 17:07
    +3

    add in mandatory 'tips' to your deal

Login or Join to leave a comment
Login Join