Off the Beaten Path Travel in China

Step off the beaten path and into China’s lesser-known landscapes, where untouched beauty and time-honored traditions invite adventure and deeper discovery.

China’s wild frontier invites travelers to hike ancient trade routes along secluded trails, uncover sacred grottoes carved into desert cliffs, and climb high-altitude passes where stories are etched into the land. From expert-led expeditions to thoughtfully themed journeys, each WildChina experience is crafted with deep cultural insight, designed to foster meaningful connection — with histories, places, and the people who call them home.

Off the Beaten Path Tours

Autumn Special

Songyang: Tea, Traditions, and Innovation

4 Days
In Zhejiang's misty and mountainous southwest, Songyang county has, in many ways, remained unchanged for centuries. Here, artisans cast traditional iron knives in street-side stores, […]
(1 Review)
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Guizhou village by WildChina's Owen Morris

Old Country Living: Guizhou and Guangxi

12 Days
Availability : Spring, Fall, Winter
A National Geographic “Tour of a Lifetime”, this backcountry adventure through Guizhou and Guangxi takes in bamboo forests, classical karst peaks and undulating rice terraces. […]
(2 Reviews)
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Gyantse Monastery by Herbert Bieser

Soul of Tibet

7 Days
Availability : Spring, Summer, Fall
Take a more profound look at spiritual life in Tibet as you journey through its heart, touring in a loop from Lhasa, along the shores […]
(1 Review)
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Jewish Tour of China

10 Days
Availability : Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Uncover the legacy of Jewish China on this highlights tour with a kosher twist. Explore the synagogues and Jewish quarters of Tianjin and Harbin, and […]
sichuan prayer flags by GraceY

Sacred Peaks of Yading: A Tibetan Journey

5 Days
Availability : Spring, Fall
This pilgrimage-inspired journey takes you into the heart of Yading Nature Reserve — Tibet's hidden Shangri-La, steeped in natural wonder and spiritual significance.
Hakka Tulou at Tianluokeng, the most famous Earthen buildings in Fujian China - World heritage site

Fujian: Meet the Hakka people

4 Days
Availability : Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Experience the hospitality of Fujian’s Hakka people and their unique tulou dwellings, mighty fortifications of earth and stone that house up to 80 families. You’ll […]
Lhasa building by dMz

Expedition to Tibet’s West

21 Days
Availability : Spring, Summer, Fall
This National Geographic "Tour of a Lifetime" spirits travelers through the heart of Tibet, from Lhasa's mighty Potala Palace to the hallowed slopes of Mount […]

Sacred Buddhist Land

8 Days
Availability : Spring, Summer, Fall
Be enchanted by China's lesser-known Tibetan regions of Qinghai and Gansu, where elderly monks create intricate thangka artworks to the flicker of yak-butter candles, and […]
sichuan panda

Sichuan’s Natural Wonders

9 Days
Availability : Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Get close up to China's most elusive wildlife on this animal adventure. You'll discover rare moon bears at a rescue center, go in search of […]

Tibetan Camping Retreat

4 Days
Indulge in conscious, sustainable luxury in the Tibetan area of Gansu. You'll stay in a camp staffed by local nomads, surrounded by summer flowers and […]
Zhangjiajie: Avatar Mountains by lnain336

China’s Avatar Mountains Zhangjiajie

4 Days
Availability : Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Walk amidst the otherworldly sandstone pillars that inspired the mythical world of Pandora in James Cameron's Avatar. These remarkable stone columns stand in proud defiance […]
Guizhou Miao village by lin2015

Hidden Guizhou

7 Days
Availability : Spring, Summer, Fall
Discover hidden Guizhou, where minorities preserve their customs and traditional ways of life amidst a backdrop of karst mountains, rice terraces, and wooded hillsides. Explore […]
West Lake Hangzhou by Haoran Deng

Hangzhou & Suzhou: Heaven on Earth

3 Days
Availability : Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Step into the shoes of dynastic high society as you discover Marco Polo's 'Heaven on Earth'. From the shores of the emperor's beloved ancient lake, […]
Songzanlin Temple in Shangri-la

Finding Fabled Yunnan: Journey along the Tea Horse Road

8 Days
Availability : Spring, Summer, Autumn
Journey above the clouds to discover the history, culture, and traditions that converged along China's ancient trade route. Together with LUX* Tea Horse Road and […]

Gansu: Origins of the Silk Road

7 Days
Availability : Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter
For centuries, the winding province of Gansu marked the eastern edge of the exotic Silk Road. On this adventurous twist on a classic Silk Road […]
(2 Reviews)
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Editor's Choice
Guizhou Rice Terraces

Inside Guizhou: A Discovery of Miao, Buyi, and Dong Traditions

7 Days
We're excited to partner with Global Heritage Fund to bring you this exclusive journey into the heart of Guizhou. Join us as we explore the rich cultural […]

Dreaming of Shangri-La: Yunnan’s Tibetan Valleys

7 Days
Availability : Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Venture into to the heart of fabled ‘Shangri-La’ on a journey of spiritual and cultural discovery through Yunnan’s Tibetan plateau. Along this southeastern tip of […]
Yunnan: A Journey Into The Hani Rice Terraces And Jianshui

Southern Yunnan: Honghe and Jianshui

6 Days
Availability : Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Discover the world’s largest rice terraces and explore the traditions, history, and backcountry of the Red River Valley, home to the Hani people and their […]
Tea leaves Harvest Fujian

A Tea Journey Through Fujian

6 Days
Availability : Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Journey with us to Fujian, one of China’s most important tea-producing hubs and home to dramatic gorges, a sprinkling of atmospheric temple and monasteries.
People's Choice

Sichuan: A Foodie Journey Through China’s Spice Capital

5 Days
Availability : Spring, Summer, Winter, Fall
Five days, three cities, countless flavors — this is Sichuan served the local way. In Chengdu, Leshan, and Luzhou, hot pot bubbles, qiaojiao beef simmers, […]
Spring Departure
Jingdezhen

Jingdezhen: China’s Porcelain Capital

4 Days
Availability : March 16th - 19th, 2022
Known as the “Porcelain City”, Jingdezhen was the designated source for all porcelain goods in the Imperial household for over 900 years. It has a […]
Designed by WildChina founder
dali-ham-banner

Travels Through Dali With a Leg of Ham

7 Days
Availability : Spring, Summer, Fall
Chronicled in her award-winning book Travels Through Dali With a Leg of Ham, this is a journey of cultural and culinary discovery designed by WildChina […]
Spring Departure
The Missionary Trail

The Missionary Trail: Catholic Footprints in Northwestern Yunnan

8 Days
Availability : May 16th - 23rd, 2022
Led by Michelle Mope Andersson, this journey traces the Missionary Trail, uncovering the spiritual and historical legacy of pioneers who ventured here nearly two centuries […]
Karst landscape around Mingshi, Chongzuo

Chongzuo: Toeing the China-Vietnam Border Line

4 Days
Availability : Spring, Summer, Fall
Chongzuo's greatest strength lies in its well-placed location for forays into the dreamland of karst mountains, rivers and waterfalls nearby, but it is also the […]
Featured Experience

Origins of the Yangtze: Trekking the Jinsha River Valley

5 Days
Availability : Spring, Fall
Lace up your hiking boots for a trek along the remote mountain trails north of Lijiang, where bucolic villages perch in splendor above the young […]
Summer Departure

Garze Grasslands: Sichuan’s Tibetan Plateau 

7 Days
In western Sichuan, the Garze grasslands unfold in vast open spaces framed by snow-capped peaks. Scattered across the plateau, traditional Tibetan villages, nomadic camps, and […]

Ningxia Wine Tour: Through the Vineyards

4 Days
Availability : Spring, Summer, Fall
With local wine expert Kiki leading the way, uncover Ningxia’s flourishing wine scene through private tastings, vineyard visits, and stories from the people shaping this […]
Kaiyuan Temple in the old town of Quzhou

Zayton Rediscovered: A Weekend in Historic Quanzhou

3 Days
Availability : Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Embark on a voyage of legend and philosophy in the place where faraway lands meet, at the entrance of the ancient Maritime Silk Road: Quanzhou.
Dali Food Tour: Artisanal Eats and Traditional Drinks

Dali Food Tour: Artisanal Eats and Traditional Drinks

7 Days
Availability : Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Yunnan Province is a cradle of ethnic, cultural, and culinary richness. On this Dali Food Tour, explore a region celebrated for its vibrant flavors, time-honored […]
Big Golden Pagoda in Jinghong, Xishuangbanna

Xishuangbanna

5 Days
Availability : Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Immerse in Xishuangbanna where gnarled tea trees dot the sides of flora-encrusted mountains and the footprints of China's wild elephants are waiting to be found
A Herpetological Expedition in China

A Herpetological Expedition in China

12 Days
Availability : August 11-22, 2024
WildChina and Serpentine Expeditions are partnering up to launch an expert-led herpetological expedition in China, featuring a quest for the Mangshan Pit Viper.

Echoes of Wukong: A Journey of Living Archaeology in Shanxi

7 Days
Trace the footsteps of ancient caravans, traders, scholars, and other itinerant adventurers on a trek that penetrates some of the remotest reaches of the ancient […]
New for 2025

GUDAO (Yunnan Ancient Trail): Hiking the Missionary Trail Across Biluo Snow Mountain

7 Days
Availability : September - November
Located in the southeastern Tibetan Plateau, the Lancang (Mekong), Jinsha (Yangtze), and Nu (Salween) Rivers—three of Asia’s mightiest waterways—flow side by side, carving through some […]
New for 2025
Explore GUDAO's Ancient Tea Horse Trail with WildChina -Arulaka View

GUDAO (Yunnan Ancient Trail): Hiking the Tea Horse Road

7 Days
Availability : November - May
Step into a world of adventure along the historic trails of the legendary Tea Horse Road, once traversed by mule caravans carrying tea and treasures. […]

Jigsaw City: An Exploration of Hong Kong’s Architecture

1 Day
A our exploring Hong Kong’s architecture, from historic temples and colonial landmarks to modern skyscrapers and vibrant residential spaces. Discover how the city’s design reflects […]
Penguin China Exclusive

WildBeijing Experience: Midnight in Peking Walking Tour

~4hrs
Step back in time to the enigmatic streets of 1930s Peking, where history, mystery, and intrigue collide. Inspired by Paul French's bestselling true-crime novel, Midnight […]
From$58
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WildBeijing Experience

WildBeijing Experience: Wine Tasting in Premier Vineyards

~6 hours
Availability : Any day
Uncover the "Napa Valley of the East" in Huailai, where world-class wineries like Canaan crafts bold reds and crisp whites against a backdrop of vine-covered […]
New for 2025

GUDAO (Zhejiang Ancient Trail): Hiking the Old Tea Trails of Southern China

4 Days
Availability : January - June | October - December
Discover Songyang’s ancient trails, where tea fields and centuries-old villages reveal a rich cultural heritage. Home to China’s largest tea market, this serene region blends […]
New for 2025
GUDAO Jingxi - Trace Beijing’s Roots on Ancient Paths - WildChina

GUDAO (Beijing Ancient Trail): Hiking the Jingxi Route, from Beijing toward Mongolia

2 Days
Availability : January - June | October - December
Discover a hidden side of Beijing through its ancient trails, which have shaped the city’s history for thousands of years. While modern highways now dominate, […]
New for 2025
tiger leaping gorge yunnan china

GUDAO (Yunnan Ancient Trail): Hiking the Legendary Tiger Leaping Gorge

6 Days
Availability : January - June | September - December
Embark on a legendary adventure deep into Yunnan, conquering Asia's most dramatic gorge: the legendary Tiger Leaping Gorge. Here, the raging Jinsha River carves its […]
Drone on the Great Wall

Innovation in China: A High-Tech Tour

8 days
From Maglev trains to drone-delivered lattes, this is today’s China at the speed of tomorrow. Experience history first-hand through XR lenses, explore China’s smart equipment […]
People's Choice

Luxury Yangtze River Cruise: From Chongqing to Yichang

4 Days
Cruise downstream the Yangtze River on this 4-day journey, from the bustling city of Chongqing to the serene landscapes of Yichang aboard the Yangzi Explorer.
Chongqing Hongya Cave

Chongqing: Vertical Living and Historic Hideaways

Discover Chongqing’s soul through the narratives that shaped it. The city’s layered identity reflects its wartime legacy, its Buddhist heritage, and its dramatic landscape of […]
New for 2027
luxury train tour china

Luxury Train Travel: Imperial China

12 Days
Availability : April 16th - 27th, 2027
Discover the ancient wonders of the Silk Road on a journey that begins in Beijing and ventures through historic Xi’an, the legendary Terracotta Army, and […]
New for 2026
luxury train tour golden eagle

Luxury Train Travel: The Grand Silk Road

22 Days
Availability : Sep 21st - Oct 12th, 2026 (Beijing to Tashkent) | Aug 30th - Sep 20th, 2027 (Tashkent to Beijing)
Discover the ancient wonders of the Silk Road on a journey that begins in Beijing and ventures through historic Xi’an, the legendary Terracotta Army, and […]
New for 2026
ancient china silk road train tour

Luxury Train Travel: Ancient China

22 Days
Availability : Sep 22nd - Oct 2nd, 2026 (Beijing to Urumqi), Mar 28th - Apr 9th, 2027 (Urumqi to Beijing)
Discover the ancient wonders of the Silk Road on a journey that begins in Beijing and ventures through historic Xi’an, the legendary Terracotta Army, and […]
New for 2026

Allied Victory: The Doolittle Raid & The Battle of Shanghai in WWII China

6 Days
Availability : Oct 12th - 17th, 2026
Embark on a journey to the heart of the Doolittle Raid, a daring air operation during World War II. Explore the sites and stories that […]
From$2,900
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Gastronomic Tour of China with Fuchsia Dunlop

12 Days
Availability : May 5th - May 16th, 2026
Ready your chopsticks for a China foodie adventure with award-winning author Fuchsia Dunlop. On this National Geographic 'Tour of a Lifetime', you will taste your […]
From$9,630
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Huangang Dong Village in Guizhou

A National Geographic Trip to Guizhou

4 Days
Deep in the mountains of Guizhou, Huanggang Dong Village prepares for its most sacred celebration. As the Hantian Festival approaches, the village transforms—families craft ritual […]

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