There are no fixed-date bus departures and no shared group seats. Every trip is built for your own party, whether that is a couple, a multi-generation family or a group of colleagues. Your first message does not commit you to anything.
How do I start?
- Reach out. Use WhatsApp, WeChat or the contact form. WhatsApp and WeChat are staffed around the clock, before and during your trip.
- Send the basics. See the list below.
- Get a first draft. Your specialist returns a day-by-day route, hotel suggestions, high-speed train segments and a price breakdown.
- Refine it. Ask for a different pace, other hotels or extra experiences.
- Approve and pay the deposit. Once you approve the written proposal and pay the deposit stated in it, your reservations are confirmed in writing and we prepare your pre-departure briefing, including the roadbook, meeting points and payment notes.
What should I send when I enquire?
You do not need a city-by-city spreadsheet. If you are still deciding between regions, your arrival window and who is travelling are enough to start.
- Dates. Calendar dates, or a target month and length, for example 12 to 14 days in October. Train ticket windows, national holiday crowds (early May and early October) and museum ticket rules all depend on them.
- Who is travelling. The number of adults, teens, children or seniors, with ages, and any mobility needs. Multi-generational trips can also use our China Family Tours page.
- Cities or interests. For example Beijing, Xi'an and Shanghai, or gardens, architecture and regional food.
- Your lean. Independent, Private Guided, a mix, or undecided.
- Must-haves. Diets (vegetarian, celiac, allergies), hotel needs, or a rest day after a long flight.
- Budget range. A rough comfort range per person, excluding international flights, which we can book for you on request.
- Chat app. WhatsApp or WeChat.
Should I choose Independent or Private Guided?
You do not have to decide before you start. You can state a lean, ask for a comparison, or choose a mix.
- Independent. You explore on your own with our app and 24/7 backup, moving between cities mostly by high-speed rail. Airport pickup, a private car and driver, or a local guide are optional add-ons.
- Private Guided. A private guide and a driver are with you each touring day, in a private car, with first-class or business-class high-speed rail between hubs. It suits families with young children or seniors, and guests who want door-to-door comfort.
Many travellers mix the two: Independent for walkable cities such as Shanghai and Suzhou, Private Guided for large hubs such as Beijing and for mountain excursions where a private car is far more practical. For a closer comparison, see Independent vs Private Guided private China tours. Every route is quoted individually, based on hotel choices, party size and season; see private China tour costs.
What does LocalKey book, and what do I handle?
| LocalKey books | You keep |
|---|---|
| Customised daily itinerary design | International flights: optional. We can book them with your trip (quoted separately), or you can book your own |
| Hotel reservations and coordination | Travel and medical insurance |
| High-speed rail tickets | Passports and visa / transit formalities |
| Domestic flights, and airport and station transfers where booked | Personal shopping and meals outside the confirmed plan |
| Licensed private cars and drivers (standard on Private Guided; optional add-on for Independent) | Discretionary gratuities |
| Vetted bilingual local guides (standard on Private Guided; optional add-on for Independent) | |
| Timed monument and museum tickets | |
| App roadbook access | |
| 7×24 WeChat or WhatsApp support |
Take comprehensive travel insurance that covers international medical evacuation, trip cancellation and luggage.
Make sure your passport is valid for your entry route. We suggest six months beyond your travel dates as a safe margin, because a visa application wants more than six months left (Chinese Embassy in the U.S.). You also handle any visa application, or check that you qualify for China's visa-free entry or 240-hour visa-free transit. LocalKey provides hotel confirmation letters and itinerary documents to support visa applications whenever required. For a line-by-line list, see what is included in a private China tour.
How far ahead should I book?
For a first-time private route of seven to ten days, start several weeks to a few months ahead. Start earlier for Chinese New Year, National Day and summer school holidays, when train tickets, hotels, guides and cars come under pressure. Private Guided often needs earlier coordination than Independent, because it holds more cars, guides and room categories around your group. Last-minute trips are sometimes possible; the limit is usually capacity, not route design.
After approval, passport names must match the names used for rail tickets and other bookings, so check the spelling, name order and passport validity before tickets are issued. If a preferred train or hotel is unavailable, we explain the alternative and confirm any material change in writing before it is final. Say your firm limits early, such as no early departures or a lift-accessible hotel. Changing the route or hotel tier at the proposal stage is easier than after rail and hotels are confirmed.
LocalKey Travel is a licensed China travel agency since 2009. Our team works in mainland China, so we deal directly with local suppliers, train ticketing and monument reservation systems.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is booking a private China tour the same as joining a group coach tour?
No. LocalKey does not operate fixed-date bus departures, nor do we combine separate booking parties into shared tour groups. Every booking under our Private China Tours umbrella is completely private. Your daily schedule, and any car or guide in your plan, belong exclusively to you and your travelling companions.
Do I need to choose between Independent and Private Guided before I reach out?
No. You do not need a definitive choice before your first message. You can express an initial preference, ask for a comparison, or request a hybrid plan. Both options share our 1:1 specialist design process, verified hotel standards, and 7×24 on-ground support.
When do I pay the deposit?
After you approve the written proposal, on the terms stated in that proposal. There is no general percentage or fixed amount; the terms depend on the confirmed trip.
Which channel is best for planning: WeChat or WhatsApp?
Both channels are actively staffed by our bilingual specialists around the clock. If you already use WeChat, it lets you test the exact app you will use for day-to-day communication and payments inside China. If you prefer WhatsApp, our desk provides the same 7×24 coverage.
