Hello Momo,
Thank you very much for sending the itinerary, it looks really good. I like it that there is enough free time for us to explore on our own, we don’t want to stay in the hotel a lot.
Language and currency
Private China Tours
China in depth, planned by locals.
Not a group tour that rushes past the sights. A private trip built around your interests, planned by specialists in China, on a budget you set.
Why travel with locals
Private, not a group tour.
No shared coach, no fixed departure, no shopping stops. Only your party, at the pace you like, for the budget you set.
Your interests, in depth
Food, history, tea, hiking or photography: the route is built around them, not around a coach timetable.
Local people on the ground
Specialists who live in China, backed by the guide, driver and hotel network our agency has built since 2009.
A budget you control
You set the hotel level and the budget; we plan to it and put every confirmed item in writing before you pay.
Routes with reference prices
Start from a route.
27 private routes. Your specialist changes the cities, hotels and pace to fit you.
The full library27private routes, each with two reference prices.See all routes
The full library27private routes, each with two reference prices.See all routes
The full library27private routes, each with two reference prices.See all routes
The full library27private routes, each with two reference prices.See all routes
Reference prices for 2027 trips · 2 travellers sharing · excluding international flights. Season, hotel level and group size change the price; your written quote is the final figure.
Two ways to travel
Both private. Both planned for you.
The difference is support on the ground. Many trips mix the two: on your own in Shanghai, with a guide in Xi'an.
On your ownIndependent
On your own with the LocalKey App in your pocket, and our team on call 24/7.
- Hotels, high-speed rail and transfers booked for you
- Attraction tickets and timed entries booked in advance
- Add a guide, a driver or an airport pickup on the days you choose
With your own guidePrivate Guided
Your own guide, driver and car across the trip, with our team on call 24/7.
- A private guide who leads each day on the ground
- A private car and driver for every transfer
- Hotels, trains and tickets booked, as on Independent
Both: one specialist, 1:1
Both: the LocalKey App
Both: 24/7 backup
What the price covers
Everything in writing.
Every trip is quoted from your route, hotel level, season, party size and how much guiding you want. Your proposal lists exactly what is confirmed.
Your route, designed
Around your dates, interests and comfort level, by one specialist.
Hotels booked
A shortlist at the level you choose, then booked and confirmed.
Guides and drivers
Private, and only where you want them.
Trains, flights, transfers
High-speed rail, domestic flights and transfers handled in advance.
Tickets and meals
Major entrance tickets, restaurant planning and key meal bookings.
Live support
Your own trip chat on WeChat or WhatsApp, open 24/7.
Not includedInternational flights (quoted on request)Insurance, visas and documentsMeals outside the planPersonal spending and upgrades
Step 1A written quote
Your specialist sends the proposal and price. Nothing is booked yet.
Step 225% deposit
Due within 7 days of approval; it starts confirmation work and is non-refundable.
Step 3Balance, then documents
The balance is due 60 days before departure; final documents and support contacts follow before travel.
US dollars · card through a secure payment link, or bank transfer
Your specialist
One person, start to finish.
A specialist replies by email within 24 hours. The same person plans, books and stays with you while you travel.
On Slow Jiangnan, 8 days
“I recommend leaving heavy luggage down in Tangkou before taking the cable car up Huangshan. The stone steps are demanding, and travelling light makes the ridge walk far easier.”Serena · Route note
- Mandarin
- English
On Sichuan with Kids, 7 days
“I always suggest starting early at the panda bases when pandas are active, and taking the Leshan river boat instead of the cliff stairs to save little legs.”Kiri Yang · Route note
- Mandarin
- English
- Italian
On First Time China, 9 days
“I suggest leaving for the Terracotta Warriors early, before the main wave of visitors arrives, and keeping your Shanghai free day open until you see how much energy Beijing and Xi'an have left you.”Momo · Route note
- Mandarin
- English
On Kung Fu & Ancient Capitals, 8 days
“At Shaolin, I arrange an early start from Luoyang so you reach the temple halls before the tour buses, leaving the afternoon for the Pagoda Forest.”Bing · Route note
- Mandarin
- Korean
- English
On First Time China, 10 days
“In Yangshuo I suggest the Yulong River raft in the morning, before the day warms up and the jetties fill, then keep the afternoon free. After Beijing and Xi'an, that slower half-day helps.”Darys Ding · Route note
- Mandarin
- English
Words from our travellers
Real messages. Every step of the journey.
Before you go
Dear Serena,
Thank you very much for preparing such a detailed and beautiful proposal!
We really like the itinerary, especially the hotel you selected, the Li River experience, and the sunrise visit to Xianggong Mountain. Everything looks very well aligned with what we had in mind.
Ok got it, we are just very appreciative of all the work you have put into it. The schedule looks so good!!
Along the way
The LocalKey app, plus a 24/7 WhatsApp / WeChat support group.
Hi Momo! Is it possible to go to Chongqing with an earlier train? We have just finished with the park…
Momo, tomorrow we will have meetings from 3 pm until the game. Since we were not able to see the Yellow Crane Tower could you recommend some sightseeing (shopping in some nice streets) within walking distance from the Yellow Crane Tower? We are thinking of spending 3–4 hours there and then skip the East Lake (unfotunately)
Can we leave 7:15 so we can have a quick breakfast before we go? Then we are almost 3 hours before departure at the airport
The vegetarian restaurant was so good! We loved it!
Yes, everything is just as good as we have expected it. We are really enjoying ourselves 🥰
After you return
Thank a lot, especially Momo for making this an unforgettable trip! We already know we will go back at some point 🇨🇳
Thankyou very much. Momo you were awesome!
Thank you, Momo! The trip was perfect, I got some good shots.
Next time we come we will Definetely choose your company again!
Since 2009A licensed China travel agency, planning private trips for overseas travellers.
L-GD-CJ00271Our travel agency licence number.
No shoppingNo shopping stops and no forced spending.24/7Backup on WhatsApp or WeChat from the day you land.Before you book
Frequently asked before booking.
Cost, payment, visas, and what happens after you send a request.
There is no fixed price: every trip is quoted individually, from your route, hotel level, season, party size and how much guiding you want. Private means only your party, not luxury. You set the hotel level and the budget, and we plan to it. Your specialist sends a written quote before anything is booked. See what sets the quote.
After you approve the written proposal, a 25% deposit is due within 7 days and starts confirmation work; the deposit is non-refundable. The balance is due 60 days before departure unless your proposal says otherwise. Both are paid by card through a secure payment link, or by bank transfer. Final documents and support contacts follow before travel. See how payment works.
A specialist replies by email within 24 hours. The first reply comes from a person and covers the questions we need answered before we design a route. See how planning works.
Independent: you travel on your own, with everything booked, the LocalKey app and 24/7 backup, and you can add an airport pickup, a private car and driver, or a local guide for the days you choose. Private Guided: private guides, a driver and a car across the whole trip. Both are planned 1:1 by the same specialist, and many trips mix the two. Compare the two styles in full.
No. A LocalKey trip has no shopping stops and no forced spending. We only recommend shops if you ask. About LocalKey.
Private route design around your dates, interests, and comfort level. Hotel shortlist and booking coordination. Private guides and drivers where you want them, rail, domestic flights, transfers, and major entrance tickets, plus international flights on request (quoted separately). Restaurant planning and key meal bookings. Daily travel documents, payment and app setup notes, and live support on WeChat or WhatsApp. Your proposal lists exactly what is confirmed. See what is included at each level.
Travel insurance and personal documents, personal spending, shopping, optional upgrades, and meals outside the confirmed plan. Supplier-only access and special permits are treated as requests until confirmed in writing. See what is included at each level.
Many nationalities can enter China visa-free for up to 240 hours on a qualifying transit itinerary; outside that window, a visa applies. Confirm your specific eligibility before booking. Check 240-hour visa-free eligibility.
Most visitors find China's cities safe, orderly and easy to get around. Most places take Alipay or WeChat Pay, and both accept international cards. Tencent's TenPayGo app lets visitors pay at Weixin Pay merchants with an international bank card, Apple Pay or an overseas e-wallet, with no Chinese phone number or Weixin account required. We send setup notes before you fly. See how TenPayGo works.
Until you approve the written proposal and pay the deposit, nothing is booked. After booking, date, hotel and route changes depend on supplier rules and availability, and price differences or supplier fees may apply. The deposit is non-refundable, and cancellation charges follow the dates in our booking conditions. Read the booking conditions.
It is a trip for your party only, designed around your dates, not a fixed group departure with strangers on a shared schedule. We plan the route, book the hotels, trains, transfers and tickets, give you the LocalKey app, and stay on call 24/7 while you travel. You choose to travel Independent, Private Guided, or a mix of both. Read the Private China Tours guide.
Your trip gets its own group chat, mainly on WeChat, or WhatsApp if you prefer, open 24/7 for the whole trip. Your specialist and our on-trip service team are in it, plus your guide, driver and any local service staff on the days you have them, alongside the day-by-day roadbook in the LocalKey app. Contact LocalKey directly.