While water quality is improving, drinking tap water still isn't recommended in China due to the presence of pollution and natural contamination of water supplies.
Bottled water is readily available in China and is usually very cheap, but for environmental reasons, consider other options to save on plastic waste. Bring a reusable bottle or canteen (we recommend at least a 1.5 litre capacity) that can be refilled as needed, or buy some water purifying tablets or a sterilising kit to treat your on water on the go. Some hotels you stay in may have drinking water available in large drums. Your local leader can tell you the best and most sustainable source of filtered water, and where to find it.
Click to read what to drink in China
Our tours in China
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From
1635
Travel between Shanghai and Beijing, visiting the Great Wall and Terracotta Warriors...
20 Days
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5100
Travel through Russia, China and Mongolia on this 20-day tour. Ride the Trans-Siberian...
23 Days
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5595
Explore China, Mongolia and Russia on a journey from Beijing to St Petersburg via...
12 Days
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1790
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Discover China and the tantalising sights, culture and food of Beijing, Chengdu, Xi'an...
Tailor-Made trips
Take two or more on an exclusive trip and tailor your itinerary
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4145
Travel to China, Mongolia and Russia on the Trans-Siberian Railway from Beijing to...
32 Days
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7875
Embark on an epic 32-day Silk Road adventure through China, Kyrgyzstan and into...
19 Days
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4310
Travel to China and tour Beijing, visit the Great Wall of China, see the Terracotta...
20 Days
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3175
Tour through Beijing, Xi’an, Shanghai and Hong Kong to experience the Great Wall of...
12 Days
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1960
Discover one of China's most culturally diverse provinces – Yunnan. Hike through jaw...
12 Days
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3715
Travel to the Land of the Dragon and explore Beijing, Xi'an, Yangshuo, Chengdu and Hong...
12 Days
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3665
Spend 12 days exploring northern China from Shanghai to Beijing, including Luoyang, the...
12 Days
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1593
From Great Wall to Terracotta Warriors, pandas to picturesque Yangshuo, this 12-day...
15 Days
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3700
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1290
See the best of South China with Lonely Planet and Intrepid on a nine-day adventure...
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1705
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10685
Embark on an epic 32-day Silk Road adventure through China, Kyrgyzstan and into...
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Experience the eclectic allure of China on this adventure from Hanoi to Kunming....
11 Days
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5210
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2920
Embark on a 12-day adventure from Beijing to Hong Kong, exploring key highlights...
15 Days
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5110
Cross from Beijing to Kathmandu on an epic overland journey, seeing the temples and...
5 Days
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1455
Brave the sub-zero temperatures of Harbin and you’ll be rewarded with the most...
16 Days
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4955
Take an active adventure hiking the Great Wall of China, cycling Old Beijing, learning...
9 Days
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2535
Enter a world of both natural wonder and big city glamour. Admire the majestic beauty...
29 Days
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4965
Embark on a 29-day natural escape to northern Vietnam and southwest China, passing...
20 Days
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3650
From the hundred-year old Hani people's rice terrace to the jaw-dropping Tiger Leaping...
18 Days
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2970
Explore the best of rural China and Vietnam on this 18-day adventure including Yuanyang...
13 Days
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3025
Get a taste of China on this cultural and ice-filled adventure.
