kabarsula From Beijing to Shanghai, Trafalgar’s new small group tour makes it easy to tick off a China bucket list bandar SLOT INDONESIA

From Beijing to Xi’an and finishing in Shanghai, ticking off all the iconic sights without the logistical chaos and impersonal nature of conventional large-scale group tours, Trafalgar Trailblazers new Small Group Tour makes it easy to tick off your China bucket list without the constraints of a 50-plus-person tour.

You still get to connect with your guide and fellow travellers, while experiencing the best of China without the burden of organising it all yourself.

Launched in July 2026, Trafalgar Trailblazers is an advisor advocacy program that gives select travel professionals exclusive early access to new itineraries before their first public departures.

Side note: I inadvertently put both my guide and the entire concept of group travel to the ultimate test when I left my passport on a domestic flight in Shanghai. If anything, it highlighted just how much stress and effort travelling with a group can save you (particularly when you’re the one responsible for the chaos). Read here for how my group tour really is a good option for us type b travellers. (P.S. I got my passport back within 48 hours despite it flying across China.)

The Icons

Now, we all want to see the ICONS of China. Whether it’s ticking off one of the Seven Wonders of the World or witnessing something truly extraordinary, these places inevitably come with crowds. And I mean SERIOUS crowds.

The Forbidden City

Being able to gather in a little circle and listen to the vast history, fascinating anecdotes and centuries-old superstitions made the experience all the more memorable. From the belief that the cats roaming the Forbidden City carry the spirits of former palace workers to tales of hauntings that supposedly left people terrified to work at night.

Exploring the Forbidden City in a small group is genuinely the ONLY way to do it. All the history, knowledge and storytelling, minus the 50 other people competing to hear your guide. You can actually stop, take it all in and ask whatever questions come to mind. Including some slightly morbid questions about the fate of the Dragon Empress…

The Great Wall

After hearing the history and stories behind the Great Wall from our guide, we were given the freedom to explore at our own pace. No rigid group itinerary, just time to climb the seemingly endless stairs (much easier said than done), take in the extraordinary views and experience one of the Seven Wonders of the World for ourselves.

Terracotta warriors

Now, this one is a next-level experience, but an incredibly busy one at that. The beauty of travelling in a small group meant we could stick together, with our guide knowing exactly where to lead us through the crowds, witnessing 6,000 buried clay warriors without having to compete with another 6,000 people to see them.

The sheer scale of the site, combined with the intricate details of each individual warrior, makes it almost impossible to comprehend that they’re real. Every warrior has its own distinct features, and seeing them all lined up in front of you is genuinely extraordinary.

The Bund

And not to forget Xi’an’s ancient City Wall, another impressive piece of history to add to the ever-growing list.

Now, beyond the extraordinary historical icons, I had a personal endeavour of my own: eating my way through China. Arguably just as important as the sightseeing.

Beyond the Icons 

The Food

Throughout the entire trip, we were absolutely spoiled with good food. Thanks to the smaller group size, we got to enjoy traditional Chinese lazy Susan-style dining, with an abundance of dishes spread across the table for everyone to share. Arguably one of the best ways to experience Chinese cuisine.

As well as ticking off ancient relics, we got to sample local delicacies in the very cities they’re famous for. From Peking duck in Beijing and Biangbiang noodles in Xi’an to the infamous xiao long bao (soup dumplings) in Shanghai, and even a Chinese hamburger. Every meal was quite literally a feast, with Lazy Susans spinning under an abundance of mouth-watering dishes and our eyes lighting up at every turn. This also allowed us to bond as a small group trying the various of dishes together.

Exploring markets in almost every city, collecting little treasures along the way and indulging in an endless assortment of sweet treats. From candied strawberries to mochi, I made it my personal mission to try just about everything.

The Stays

Five-star hotels really do add an extra layer of luxe to the small-group travel experience. Think fluffy white robes, bathtubs, incredible views and exceptional service at every stop. Not to mention complimentary self-service laundry facilities (an underrated luxury and an absolute win).

After a busy day of wandering through markets, shopping, exploring ancient relics and clocking up 10,000-plus steps, returning to a beautifully appointed room feels like a treat in itself.

The Transport?

Now, the bus rides…

We each had our own row. No squishing into seats, plenty of room to spread out and the added convenience of leaving our bags, extra jackets and whatever else we didn’t need on the bus while we explored each iconic site.

And the flights? Everything was organised for us. As a Type B traveller, I considered this an absolute treat. Simply turn up at the airport, have your boarding pass handed to you and off you go. Rocky, our guide, essentially became our designated airport dad, leaving us free to relax, grab a bite to eat and board the plane without a single logistical concern.

The Guide

As mentioned in article, we had the best tour guide – Rocky.

The writer was a guest of Trafalgar Trailblazers, 7-day Small Group Tour, The Best of China.