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China tours for seniors

With a 4,000 year-old history, a population of 1.4 billion people, and a total landmass of 9.6m square kilometres, China is truly one of the most amazing travel destinations on the planet. Featuring an endless variety of geographical locales and cultural spectacles, there is no shortage of things to see or do while on a China tour. Delve into the history of ancient China on a visit to the terracotta army of Xi’an city, or experience the intensity of contemporary China in the mega-cities of Beijing and Shanghai. Take in China‘s natural wonders: the rugged peaks of Huangshan and Lushan, the beautiful karst mountain landscape of Guilin Yangshuo and drift down the Yangtze River, lifeblood of the world’s most ancient civilization. Join Odyssey Traveller and uncover the natural and historic wonders of China with a knowledgeable tour guide on our small group tours  for senior or mature couples & the solo traveller. 

Tours for Mature Aged and Senior World Travellers.

China Tours

Transmongolian Transiberian
From $36,370 CAD

Singapore to Lisbon by train

A small group railway journey from Singapore to Lisbon. The longest in the world for senior couples and mature solo travellers. Explore over some 56 days, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, China, Mongolia, Russia, France, Spain and Portugal. Limited to 10 travelers on this escorted program.

65 days
China
Departing Mar, Jul, Feb
Silk Road specialist small group history tours for mature travellers
From $16,574 CAD

Travel on the Silk Road with Odyssey Traveller | Small Group Tour for Seniors

The Silk Road is an ancient trade route linking China and Imperial Rome through Central Asia. Few areas in the world remain as unexplored or offer such richness in terms of ancient and modern history, culture, and scenic diversity as Central Asia. Our Small group Silk road tours  itinerary explores the Road through remote deserts and mountainous environments as we visit key sites between Xi’an and Bukhara.

29 days
China, Kyrgyzstan
Departing Aug, May, Sep

Chinese history is long, unique, and truly remarkable, waiting to be discovered on your tour. A key impressive highlight is the terracotta warrior army, a super large collection of life-size terra cotta sculptures depicting the armies of Emperor Qin Shi Huang (221 – 210 BCE), the first Emperor of the first unified dynasty of China. Located at Xian city, the terra cotta warriors were buried with the Emperor as part of an elaborate mausoleum created to accompany and protect him in his afterlife. The underground vault contains the terracotta army, horses, and even a bronze chariot or few. On our Silk Road small group tours terracotta warriors in Xian are a popular site. They are explored with the help our tour guide who is vastly knowledgeable about the famous archaeological finds and history of the Qin dynasty. While in Xian we also explore the Ming-era city wall and Muslim bazaar that still stand.

Articles about China

Lushan National park

Lushan National Park, China

3 mins read AsiaChina

From steep wintry peaks, rising more than 1.4 kilometers above sea level, to ancient forests and river ways, the range of scenery around Mount Lushan is genuinely breathtaking. A relatively unknown spot for Western tourists,…

great wall of china

The Great Wall of China

5 mins read AsiaChina

The Great Wall of China is, first and foremost, a remarkable feat of human ingenuity, perseverance and construction. It offers a multi-dimensional insight into ancient Chinese history. From how the wall was constructed, to the…

The Bund

The Bund: The Definitive Guide for Travellers

7 mins read AsiaChina

Shanghai’s “The Bund” The Bund, a stretch of historical buildings lining the western bank of the Huangpu River in Shanghai, China (“bund” derives from the Hindustani word band which means “embankment”), was initially a British settlement that…

The need to know

Touring China

Getting around

Odyssey travels by coach and occasionally uses local transport, including trains and ferries. Specifics are always outlined in your tour itinerary. China has an extensive rail network, with a high speed rail network stretching across the country. Non-high speed rail services are also available, though are less fast and may be less comfortable. Most major cities have well-developed transport networks and have a variety of transport options, including subway trains, taxis and buses.

Taxis and buses are generally cheap and easy to find, though be advised taxi drivers don’t always speak English – having your destination written down for you in characters can be a big help.

Accommodation

In major cities in China, Odyssey typically stays in centrally located 4-5 star hotels, with easy access to public transport. In smaller towns or rural areas, we usually stay in clean family-run hotels or guesthouses in China.

 

Tour Guides

Odyssey always engages local guides with regional knowledge to ensure an authentic experience during which you can learn as much as possible about the history and culture of places you visit.

Geography, Environment & Weather

As the third largest country in the world, China’s geography is vast, varied, and diverse. China is divided into 22 provinces, 5 autonomous regions, 4 municipalities, and 2 special administrative regions. Physical landscapes greatly vary, from the mountains of Tibet, to the plains of northern China, and the deserts of Xinjiang in the west. Two major rivers flow across the country – the Yellow River to the north, and the Yangtze to the centre. Mountains and hills typify much of the southern and western regions of the country, while coastal flatlands and open plains feature in the east and north respectively.

Given the diversity of China’s geography, climate and temperature can vary considerably. The north often features hot summers and freezing winters, while the south is generally warm, subtropical and humid. Depending on the time of year and region you intend to travel to, be prepared to dress according to season and climate.

 

World heritage sites

China has more than  50 world heritage sites, the second most in the world. You can view the official list of the sites here https://whc.unesco.org/en/statesparties/cn.

Although every site is worth visiting, here are a few highlights:

  • The Grand Canal, a colossal waterway system completed in the 7th century AD
  • Temple of Heaven, a stunning complex of religious buildings located in Beijing
  • Sichuan Giant Panda Sanctuaries, home of China’s iconic national animal

Festivals and Events

With its ancient history and deeply ingrained cultural traditions, China is home to many colourful festivals and events. Chinese New Year, generally held at the end of January or the beginning of February is a time of celebration and excitement across the country, featuring fireworks, music and gift-giving. The Harbin International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival is the largest ice-sculpture in the world and attracts participants from across the country and the world, while the Duanwu Festival centres around the thrilling Dragon Boat races.

Reading list

  • A History of Chinese Civilization, by Jacques Gernet
  • The River at the Center of the World, by Simon Winchester
  • The Silk Road in World History, by Xinru Liu
  • China’s Lost Imperial Garden, by Guo Daiheng and Yawtsong Lee

Eating and Drinking

China’s cuisine is a central part of Chinese culture. Chinese cuisine draws from distinct regional flavours and cooking styles, including Sichuanese, Cantonese, Shandong and Jiangsu regional cuisines. Kungpao chicken, a dish native to Sichuan, showcases the region’s flair for spice and heat, while Peking duck is the signature dish of the nation’s capital. Tea remains an important part of Chinese culture, with many varieties consumed, including green, oolong, and white tea. Wherever you travel in China, you will always find a new and unique culinary experience.

Health and Safety

For most of the country, travel within China is usually safe. However, smartraveller.gov.au advises travellers to exercise a high degree of caution when travelling to Tibet or Xinjiang.

Electrical supply

Whenever you travel overseas, it’s always wise to take an appropriate travel adaptor. The electricity supply runs at 220V, and 50Hz. Chinese plugs will either have two vertical pins or three pins (either triangular or in a T-shape), depending on region, so make sure you have the right adapter with you before your trip.

FAQs

China has a single time zone, Beijing Time (UTC+8). China does not observe daylight savings.

If you’re on an Odyssey tour, we take care of tipping so you don’t need to give it a second thought. However, in your free time, or if travelling independently, it’s essential that you make sure you tip an appropriate amount for services. Generally speaking, it is not common practice in China to tip for services rendered, although there are some exceptions. Group tour guides, hotel bellhops and waiters in high-level western restaraunts may accept tips, though don’t feel pressured to do so.

Internet access is usually good in hotels, cafes, restaurants and bars. Be aware however that in China, the government censors certain internet content, and some websites, such as Facebook, Instagram, Google, Twitter, and YouTube are blocked in the country, as are certain news websites such as the BBC.

Check with your cell phone provider to see whether you’re able to make calls and use data while in China. Many providers will offer a daily fee that allows you to make calls and check the internet while only being charged your regular rates. However, be certain to inform your provider that you’re heading overseas, because just like a bank they can turn off your service as a result of unusual activity.

Articles about China published by Odyssey Traveller:

Terracotta Warriors: History and Latest Discoveries.

The History and Legacy of the Silk Road.

Xi’an: The Beginning of the Silk Road.

Silk Road Explorers: ‘Imperialist Villains’.

Books to Read About the Silk Road.

The History of the Bund, Shanghai.

Dinosaurs and Dinosaur Fossils.

Dinosaurs, Paleontology and Evolution: Ten Books to Read. 

Eight Amazing Rail Journeys.

For all the articles Odyssey Traveller has published for mature aged and senior travellers, click through on this link.

 

External articles to assist you on your visit to China:

40 Beautiful Places to Visit in China.

Beyond Beijing: Six Chinese Cities You Need to Know.

Guide to the Eight Regional Chinese Cuisines.

Responsible travel tips for China

  • Learn at least the local greetings to break the ice. Although many locals speak English, the more you know of the native language, the greater your experience of the country will be.
  • Carry a business card in your wallet or purse from your local hotel, to assist you with the return journey if you do become lost.
  • Always ensure that you are covered by travel insurance. If you need advice on this feel free to contact Odyssey and we’ll be able to help.
  • When travelling independently, make sure you check the opening hours of shops and museums so that you don’t miss out! Museums and galleries are often closed on Mondays. Also be certain to check whether your trip coincides with any public holidays, so you can plan accordingly.
  • Consider contacting your bank to inform them that you may be making purchases overseas. Otherwise, they may flag any activity on your account as suspicious. Also, check which ATMs and banks are compatible with your cards, to ensure you can withdraw cash with minimal fees.
  • Before departing, make sure you have a number of Yuan notes  in a range of denominations. You don’t want to be carrying around enormous amounts of cash, but take enough to make it easy to pay in locations that might not accept credit card. It will also help you avoid card transaction fees, and it makes tipping a breeze.

About Odyssey Traveller

We specialise in educational small group tours for seniors, typically groups between six to 12 people from Australia, New Zealand, USA, Canada  and Britain. Our maximum number of people on a tour is 18 mature aged travellers. We have some 150 tours and offer 300 scheduled departures on offer each year. Odyssey has been offering this style of adventure and educational programs since 1983.

Odyssey Traveller is committed to charitable activities that support the environment and cultural development of Australian and New Zealand communities.

Odyssey Traveller scholarship for Australia & New Zealand University students

We are also pleased to announce that since 2012, Odyssey has been awarding $10,000 Equity & Merit Cash Scholarships each year. We award scholarships on the basis of academic performance and demonstrated financial need. We award at least one scholarship per year. We’re supported through our educational travel programs, and your participation helps Odyssey achieve its goals. Students can apply for the scholarship by clicking on this link to find out more details. 

Join our loyalty program when you join an international small group tour.

Every International small group tour taken typically contributes to your membership level in our Loyalty Program for regular travellers. Membership of the alumni starts when you choose to take your first international small group tour with Odyssey Traveller, discounts in tour pricing for direct bookings accrue from your third tour with Odyssey Traveller. To see the discounts and benefits of being a Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Diamond alumni member with us, please see this page.

For more information on Odyssey Traveller and our educational small group tours, visit and explore our website., remember to visit these pages in particular

Alternatively, please call or send an email.

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