China · HALF-DAY
18 reviewed
Short version, for anyone planning a week rather than a month: the 15 half-day tours below are the ones to put in the calendar, each with its price, its rating and the single detail that decides it.
Half-day small-group Xi’an tour to the Terracotta Warriors with hotel pickup, lunch, museum tickets, and an English-speaking guide.
“Well organized, with real info about the site. Efficient, and the guide was incredible with a perfect English! I also liked the timing. I highly recommend!”
Explore Chengdu’s Liangjiaxiang market for Sichuan spices, then cook classic dishes with a chef at Chilli Cool and eat what you make.
“The host Lance was very friendly and welcoming, explaining about the ingredients used in Sichuan cuisine. So interesting! Mrs. Li was also very welcoming and experienced. I had a superb experience learning about the techniques oRead more”
Private half-day panda tour in Chengdu with hotel pickup, English guide, entry, red pandas, and optional volunteering at Dujiangyan.
“Had a great day hanging out with Jason and roaming the facility. All of the activities to break it up and learn more about the panda’s life at the facilities great. I had done this pre-Covid and got to be a lot closer to the pandas, but this was still a good experience for what is available today.”
Half-day vintage bike tour of Shanghai Old Town, Fazang Temple and a wet market, with coffee-pastry breakfast and local tasting.
“We were given a great insight into the lifestyle of Shanghai people with a real glimpse of 'old' Shanghai. Touring on bikes with an excellent guide and a small group of like-minded tourists made this a most pleasurable experience.”
Private half-day Terracotta Warriors tour with hotel pickup, a guide through pits 1-3, plus optional Tang show and dumplings.
“The trip was amazing. Super nice car to pick us up and take us to the site. The warriors were awesome. Ms Lynn was absolutely wonderful - super friendly, knowledgeable and she gave us some very useful recommendations for Xian in the evening time.”
Half-day bike and local food tour in Shanghai, covering the French Concession, Xintiandi, Old Town, and the Bund with bike rental and meals.
“I had a lovely biking tour in Shanghai with guide Ellen. I don't eat meat so Ellen was kind enough to find some vegetarian alternatives. There's a bit of walking involved as well which was nice, but the bikes are very comfortable and of good quality. Ellen was very good at signalling while biking so we knew where to go, it felt safe and was very enjoyable!”
Private Zhujiajiao water town tour from Shanghai with canal boat ride, Kezhi Garden, bridges, and included entry fees for $160.
“Tom was great with timing and comfortable car and driving. Did a walking tour of Zhujiaojiao and was extremely well versed and informative. did the gondola ride and a garden as nice as Yuyaun but the town not at all crowded and was very beautiful and relaxing”
Private half-day to Xi'an’s Terracotta Warriors with hotel pickup, English-speaking guide, admission included, and flexible exploring time.
“The Terracotta Warriors are spectacular and the tour with Becky from Wendys Xian Tours was the best way to see them. Many of the reviews of the Warriors mention the crowds - we went at the height of the Summer holidays and there were very large numbers of domestic tourists. However we took Becky's advice and set of early from our hotel in Central Xian (the journey was around 45 minutes) and Becky helped us move swiftly and efficiently through the crowds and easily find great viewpoints. She was also an excellent guide, providing plenty of information and answering all our questions. The driver was outstanding - we felt very…”
Private half-day Mutianyu Great Wall tour with hotel pickup, expert English guide, and included cable car, chair lift, and toboggan.
“Our guide, Jack, was very enthusiastic and helpful - a really nice guy. We had a great time, walked on the wall, saw some fantastic views and enjoyed the cable car both ways”
A private half-day trip from Xi’an to the Terracotta Army, with hotel pickup, an English guide, and smart time-saving at all three pits.
“Lisa was our guide and did a fantastic job. We learned so much about the Terra-cotta Army which made the visit to the tombs so much more enjoyable! Lisa also helped us translate how to ask for vegetarian food for my wife, this was so handy for the remainder of our trip! Thank you!”
Private half-day Terracotta Warriors tour in Xi’an with pickup. No shopping stops, English guide, guided museum time, and fast returns.
“Amazing day with Tina learning about the Terracotta warriors, and the broader history of Xi’An and the dynasties. Tina was highly knowledgeable throughout the tour and helped take some great picture. After the tour Tina gave a great lunch recommendation and potential activities to do afterwards. Highly recommended”
Half-day Chengdu hotpot in a local home. Market snacks, Red and White Pot cooking, plus unlimited beer and soft drinks for up to 12.
“Lance, our guide, was enthusiastic, knowledgeable and, focussed on our enjoyment. The tour was relaxed; the food selections were very good; the vendors selected were really good … and … we were absolutely full by the end of the tour. Says it all really … Recommended!”
Private Shanghai half-day tour hitting Yu Garden, the Bund, the French Concession, and Pudong, with hotel or port pickup and tea tasting.
“My family and I visited Shanghai for a weekend and wanted to hit the highlights. Our guide was fabulous. Highly recommend.”
Private Beijing hutong walk with a local guide, street snacks and dim sum lunch, plus bell and drum towers and lake bridges.
“One of our highlights of Beijing. Our guide was wonderful. Learned much that most tourists miss about the entryways of the houses.”
Half-day Xi’an market and biang biang noodles class with a spice-market hunt, guided hand pulling, tea, and beer.
“I booked this class because we love oil splashed noodles and biang biang noodles, and I wanted to learn to make them. I also love having cooking classes where we each get our own station and get to put out own spin on a dish. This class iRead more”
