Reviews

We had the most amazing 3 weeks exploring China. We were lucky enough to be part of ‘George’s family’ and had a great group who were enthusiastic and punctual.
It’s a full-on trip with long days and quite a lot of walking/stairs so a reasonable level of fitness makes it easier to manage. Some places were very crowded but you just have to go with the flow and accept it as part of the experience.
Hotels were all fine - all air conditioned and had bottled water, toiletries (inc conditioner in most) and hairdryers in all rooms.
Food was generally good - lunch and dinner were ‘lazy Susan’ style with a good variety of dishes.
We opted for the upgraded amenity package on the cruise which gave access to a dining area with a menu and it was nice to choose a meal and be served for dinner. The drinks package was good and there was also access to a lounge with drinks and snacks.
There wasn’t the opportunity to shower/change before dinner most nights but this wasn’t really a problem - a lot depended on the traffic.
We did all the additional trips offered - would recommend them all apart from the Beijing opera (but that’s personal opinion). The night show in Yangzhou is not to be missed just for the setting alone.
Toilets - these definitely ranged from 5* to no stars!! Western style were available in most places but there was often a queue. Carrying tissues was essential and also hand sanitizer.
The trains were great - allocated seats with plenty of legroom. You had to go through airport style scanners and they randomly picked out issues. Eg. My husbands shaving gel was confiscated on the 3rd train but not the first 2 journeys. There were western toilets on the trains which were clean. It’s worth noting you have to take your suitcase on escalators to get to/from the platforms as well as carry them onto the train.
Overall it was a truly fantastic holiday with a great range of experiences and we’re glad we chose Wendy Wu.

The customised bespoke tour was great and we could not fault any of the staff. We enjoyed the company of our Beijing guide Kevin and his driver, Mr. Ho. Coco and Mr. Zhao in Datong were also exceptional people to deal with. All transfers went well and our transfer guides did their utmost to make sure we boarded the right train on time. Special thanks to Levia, who answered all my questions promptly and was extremely helpful in organising the trip. Customising allowed us the flexibility and freedom to enjoy features of a standard tour at a relaxed pace without the hustle and bustle of a standard tour. Also the advantage of staying in one hotel without changing location every day. Also good if you suffer from some disability, which can be catered to by a slower pace and more comfort!

This is a fully escorted tour, our national guide Andy was knowledgeable, helpful and ensured the tour run smoothly. We saw all the sights/ events as advertised. We enjoyed the food and individual requirements were catered for.
Ithe touris full on with not too much time for individual sightseeing. Starting in Shanghai with a finish in Beijing I think is the best way round. The major sights of Great Wall, forbidden city, Terracotta Army and pandas were all to look forward to in the final week.

We thoroughly enjoyed our Wonders of China tour. The organisation was excellent and our guide, Hoffman was superb as were the local guides. The tour gave us a great opportunity to see the principle sights around China which we thoroughly enjoyed.
The hotels, apart from the one in Beijing were excellent. The cruise accommodation was disappointing, our room smelt musty and the thermostat could not be adjusted. The food and staff on the cruise were excellent.
The food and choice of restaurants were very good and Hoffman went to great lengths to ensure my wife who is vegetarian was catered for. Thank you.

We thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience, and our group of 19 were lead by Jackie with great efficiency.
The local guides were excellent and provided us with historical and local information in great detail and, in most cases, humour.
Our accommodation throughout the tour was very good although we did have a few technical issues in Tibet. Lhasa Snow Paradise Hotel had recently been refurbished and has installed high tech systems in the rooms, including a toilet which automatically lifts the lid and self flushes, if it works properly that is! We had to get assistance twice during our stay. Also the lights, curtains and tv were voice activated through a smart speaker but only accepted Chinese commands.
We treated the Yangtze River cruise as a respite from the travel schedule and were pleased that we upgraded our on board package. It came at a good time in the tour. The à la cart menu was a change from the lazy Susan meals we had been given on a daily basis, although the quality of those meals were always first class.
If we were to advise people about this tour, we would certainly recommend it, but we would say to go to Beijing a day earlier than when it starts as you do hit the road running on day one!
We saw all the sights, had a proper introduction to China and its’ people and cultures and our group were a great bunch of people. All in all a great experience and there wasn’t a single hitch in the travel arrangements and accommodation.
Thank you Wendy Wu.

We were on the Majestic Yangtze tour with Wendy Wu Tours for 14 days in mid-September 2026 and what a trip it was!

All the way from Shanghai to Beijing and so much in-between from a night cruise in Shanghai to such "wonders of the world" as the Terracotta Warriors and Great Wall of China, the cities of Chengdu and Xian as we flew through China's vast countryside on bullet trains and sat in awe of how much and how fast this vast country has changed in the last thirty years. Cities of twenty million or more, sky high apartment buildings adorning every city skyline and hotels as classy as any western ones with the latest technology from robot room service to AI loos with handsets to warm them up or flush everything away. All top class- apart from one or two issues flights with Turkish Airlines and stopovers in Instanbul.



The real highlights however weren't the vast distances we travelled but the people we travelled them with-our multinational group from the UK, Australia and USA-and the entertainment we enjoyed on our gorgeous four night cruise on the Yangtze River sailing through the Three Gorges Dam with the staff providing the evening entertainment and even the Captain joining in, the tours of silk and jade factories, the Forbidden City & the gorgeous Sacred Garden by day and Xian's medieval City Walls lit up by night as well as delicious Chinese food every day served on our "Lazy Susan for all to share. We got a full-on taste of China, its rich medieval heritage and its people today not as we might portray them from western media but as a people as welcoming and friendly as anywhere else and apart from Tinnaman Square free to say-often in English and always very respectfully- what life is like in China today.



It was everything we hoped for -and more. But the Star of our Tour undoubtedly was our main guide Gary (all Chinese guides it appears have an English name) who not only kept us all on time and in line with phrases such as "Gary's Family", "Follow the flag", Sticky Rice (keep together) and "One Dollar" (someone is missing)/ "Two Dollar" (everyone's here) but with his "Chinglish", his inexhaustible good humour (at least one joke a day) and his genuine concern for and attention to detail with all 23 of us. This was more than a 'personal touch' or company training. This was Gary, knowledgeable, caring,funny and always smiling; one, if not, the best tour guide we have ever had and a huge compliment to Wendy Wu who it seems sets the standard as all the guides we met seem to know her personally. Gary and Wendy Wu made our tour of China both special and memorable and for that my wife and I are extremely grateful.

The Silk Road tour was good overall with our very good national guide Sophie Jin . We did the Grand Tour of China with Wendy Wu in 2024 . We have already been to Xian twice before the Silk Road tour and to Beijing quite a few times before. So , I would suggest to Wendy Wu tours to organise something different for those who have already been to Xian and Beijing. There were a few people in our group who were in the same situation as us and have already been to these cities before. Apart from Xian and Beijing, everything else was new and this is where it becomes interesting and where the real tour started for us.
Xinjiang is very interesting and different from the other parts of China. There is a lot of long travel by coach in Xinjiang and may I suggest to cut down on those by replacing them with a single airplane trip and cutting down on some of the nonessential towns.
One other issue is the midday meal which tends to affect the program of the day.
Most people in the group felt we were having too much food in the middle of the day. May I suggest cutting down on a full meal at lunch and bring a picnic or sandwiches for lunch which would give more flexibility to the day program.
Overall, I enjoyed the Silk Road tour . Our national guide Sophie Jin worked very hard to make sure we all have a good and safe tour and I am very grateful to her.

Although I really enjoyed my time- I did feel for me personally that this tour was really rushed and that you didn’t really get to experience China, it felt pretty westernised.
It felt pretty rushed and I feel I spent more time travelling then soaking up the local culture, I wish we had more time in Beijing, could have seen Xian at night all lit up. Also Yu gardens at night is also meant to be really pretty, I also felt the Yangtze River cruise was a bit long winded and felt that that could have been done in 2 days and could have spent an extra day in Chongqing. I also understand for practical/comfort reasons some out of way hotels were chosen, but I honestly felt we should have stayed in hotels more central, especially in Beijing and Shanghai. All the tour guides however were really amazing and helpful. However I do know for next time I think I will do a private tour, as I have lots of places I want to see that were not on this tour.
I do also feel that. The food was genuinely good, however I did sort of feel as the tour went on it became a bit repetitive, and honestly felt it could have been a bit more diverse (i.e regionally) experiencing hot pot would have also been a nice touch.
Overall I was satisfied with my experience but I do know that if I was to do this tour again I would make some changes- I would also rightly encourage your staff when people are enquiring about your tours to maybe ask what type of experience are they after.

Overall well plan itinerary. Room for improvement:
Too busy n full back to back schedule for the 9 days experience.
Suggestions:
Include 1 day free time for rest or self activity out of the 9 days.
Food:
Excellent 3 meals.
Observe that meals are cooked differently in Shanghai, Xian, Beijing. But is all similar. For example: eggplant nearly every day , but cook differently!

Peking duck is supposed to be the Highlight in Beijing.
But the skin is very ‘fatty’n not crispy at all. I did not enjoy the Peking duck dinner.
Excessive chillies added on the last dinner in Beijing will then lead to pple not enjoying the dinners due to over spicy taste.
Would be good to plan for 1 or 2 “no lunches”included days to reduce cost and allow for everyone to explore snacks and street food. Tour guides can recommend local foods like in Nanjing road as an example.

Too much detailed histories from some guides.On very hot days, show consideration to elderly people. Too detailed histories n information at ‘forbidden city’ n ‘Tiananmen’ on a day with high temperatures.
Terracotta Army visit was interesting and knowledgeable for me.

One recommendation:
Optional itinerary for foot or body massage to help with relaxation and promote western knowledge of Chinese ancient therapy on healing thru massages.

We had a great time on this tour. It met all our expectations as described in the intinerary. We were a group of 23 aged from 22 to mid 70s and we all got along well. Loved having Jesse, a national guide, throughout the tour who was informative about China and who was calm and organised with the travel arrangements.

The food was good but I felt it was spiced down for western tastes, I would have preferred more authentic local flavours with more spice. The food around Beijing after a couple of days felt bland.

We always had a wide range of food dishes/ choices. So we had a small amount of many dishes. I would have preferred more of fewer dishes.

Enjoyed the optional tours, especially the Romance of Three Kingdoms show on the Yangtze River cruise - a must see show.

China is a huge country, so some travel times are long.

Loved Tibet. Be aware of the impact of high altitude.

Overall a great tour and would highly recommend.

From Beijing to Shanghai and everything in between absolutely amazing holiday.
Tour size (16) was perfect & managed very well by Aaron our tour guide.
Hotel’s & restaurants chosen throughout the tour were very good, my only complaint would be that some of the hotels did not have a bar/lobby to relax & have a drink.
All additional tour guides were professional.
It was good to try different types of Chinese food as we visited different regions.
Overall China exceeded our expectations & would highly recommend this tour, well done Wendy Wu

Wendy Wu Tours are superb.
The Wonders of China tour encompasses all major attractions and ‘must sees’ in China.
A plus is all meals are included, and entrance fees.
There are some optional excursions at very reasonable prices.
From arrival in Beijing to departure from Shanghai, we were looked after every step of the way, by our guide Sean, plus local guides.
I cannot speak highly enough of Sean. His patience was limitless!
Was the tour value for money? Absolutely - I am amazed Wendy Wu can offer such a quality experience, with top class hotels, all meals, many excursions, for the price.
It was the holiday of a lifetime.

This was our first tour with Wendy Wu Tours and it was faultless in every way. The itinerary is amazing and it is complimented with great hotels and an abundance of quality food but most of all incredible tour guides.

The Winter Wonderland Tour includes Shanghai (Christmas Lunch, Dinner, Christmas Markets and the lights of Pudong and the Bund), Chengdu (Panda’s & Hot Pot), Xi’An (Terracotta Warriors & Tang Dynasty entertainment), Beijing (Palaces, History, The Great Wall day & night) & Harbin (Ice & Snow Festival).

Our tour leader Addison ensured that every aspect of our trip was perfect, the job he did for us is truly appreciated because there was nothing that could have been done better for us. The organisation was perfect and we were treated like VIP’s at every location we visited.

I would highly recommend this tour and especially Wendy Wu Tours for China, they will ensure you see the magic of China and come away with a true appreciation of this great Country and it’s people and history.

My highlight was walking different sections of the Great Wall both at night and the day. You will also meet other wonderful fellow travellers who became your family during the tour.

Thank you to Wendy Wu, Addison (the most handsome man in China), Troy (with his soft ears), Cindy (Spicy Lady), Summer (Warriors, changing face masters & Tang Dynasty fun), Jade (“so sorry head cut off” history expert) & Sherry (sub zero fun). You are all the special magic of the tour and did an amazing job for us.

If you want to see China but also experience the Winter Wonderland of the Harbin Ice Festival, this is the tour you must book, you will leave very satisfied.

Our recent tailor-made trip to China with Wendy Wu Tours was nothing short of extraordinary. From start to finish, the organisation was seamless—every transfer, hotel, experience, and connection flowed effortlessly, allowing us to fully enjoy the journey without a single worry. Their attention to detail and commitment to crafting a meaningful itinerary made the entire experience truly memorable.

What truly set Wendy Wu apart, however, were their exceptional local guides, whose depth of knowledge, warmth, and professionalism elevated every destination we visited.

Mina – our Beijing guide – set the bar incredibly high. Not only was she deeply knowledgeable, but she shared Beijing’s history and culture with such clarity and passion that every site became more meaningful.

In Xi’an, our guide Brittany was an absolute delight. Her enthusiasm was infectious—she brought the rich history of the city and the Terracotta Warriors to life with engaging storytelling and personal insights. Her energy and passion made each moment special.

In Zhangjiajie, our guide Oscar went above and beyond in every way. His hospitality was remarkable—genuine, thoughtful, and always attentive. He possessed an impressive combination of calm professionalism, impeccable coordination, and heartfelt care. From navigating the intricate national park routes to sharing fascinating regional perspectives, Oscar made us feel welcomed and truly looked after. His patience, humour, and ability to anticipate exactly what we needed made him stand out as an exceptional ambassador for the region.

Across the entire trip, every Wendy Wu representative we encountered was outstanding—deeply knowledgeable about local history, culture, and traditions, and clearly proud to share their heritage.

We cannot recommend Wendy Wu Tours highly enough. If you’re considering travelling to China, look no further. Their expertise, organisation, and extraordinary guides create a travel experience you’ll cherish for years to come.

From our arrival in Beijing to our departure from Shanghai this was an excellent holiday with our guide, Betty, going above and beyond to make sure we had a fabulous time.
There were quite a few early starts - this isn't a trip if your idea of a holiday is relaxing with a good book - but there was so much to see!
In Beijing we saw Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden Palace, the Temple of Heaven, the Summer Palace, the Great Wall and more.
We then took a bullet train to Xian (amazing experience - totally smooth journey travelling at up to 250mph). We explored the city including the Muslim food quarter and the restored city walls and then went to the Terracotta Warriors.
The next day we took an early flight to Yichang and made our way to Maoping docks near the Three Gorges on the Yangtze river where we boarded the almost brand new Victoria Isabella. The weather was dreadful for our 4 days on the boat but the facilities and staff were excellent and we did get a few excursions.
We left the boat at Chongqing and went to the zoo where we saw pandas (a real highlight) and many other animals. A second bullet train took us to Guilin where we spent a night in the Waterfall Hotel (at 2030 every day a massive waterfall cascades down the outside of the building).
The next day, the sun came out and we took a boat trip down the beautiful River Li to Yangshuo. After a night there, we made our way back through the countryside to Guilin, seeing local people and the rice harvest.
After a second night in Guilin (a small but beautiful city) we took a flight to Shanghai, arriving in the early evening. A boat trip on the river Huangpu lets you see the Bund area with the most amazing lights display.
Our final day was spent exploring the city of Shanghai including the beautiful Yu gardens.
China is spotlessly clean. There are reasonable, free public toilets everywhere and the people are friendly (several conversation attempts via Google translate). There are security cameras and police everywhere and you are constantly asked for your passport but it never felt oppressive.