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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4480
Take a small group Premium adventure that weaves together some of China’s most famous...
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1385
Travel between Shanghai and Beijing, visiting the Great Wall and Terracotta Warriors...
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4320
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1515
Discover China’s northern hotspots with Intrepid on a 12-day Lonely Planet Experience...
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2560
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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3510
Travel to China, Mongolia and Russia on the Trans-Siberian Railway from Beijing to...
23 Days
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5360
Explore China, Mongolia and Russia on a journey from Beijing to St Petersburg via...
32 Days
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6670
Embark on an epic 32-day Silk Road adventure through China, Kyrgyzstan and into...
19 Days
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3655
Travel to China and tour Beijing, visit the Great Wall of China, see the Terracotta...
12 Days
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3185
Travel to the Land of the Dragon and explore Beijing, Xi'an, Yangshuo, Chengdu and Hong...
12 Days
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3110
Spend 12 days exploring northern China from Shanghai to Beijing, including Luoyang, the...
12 Days
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1500
From Great Wall to Terracotta Warriors, pandas to picturesque Yangshuo, this 12-day...
15 Days
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3135
Retrace the path of the ancient Silk Road from Beijing to Xi'an, Zhangye and Turpan...
7 Days
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1445
Come on an active adventure that takes you to hiking the Great Wall of China, cycling...
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9055
Embark on an epic 32-day Silk Road adventure through China, Kyrgyzstan and into...
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4205
Traverse through the mountainous beauty of Tibet. Beginning in Kathmandu, explore Lhasa...
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2480
Embark on a 12-day adventure from Beijing to Hong Kong, exploring key highlights...
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4330
Cross from Beijing to Kathmandu on an epic overland journey, seeing the temples and...
