Wild Frontiers expands China collection following easing of travel restrictions

May 2026: Award-winning B Corp adventure travel company Wild Frontiers has launched three new small-group tours across China, as the destination experiences a strong rebound in tourism driven by expanded visa-free policies.

Announced early this year, UK nationals are now able to travel to mainland China for up to 30 days without a visa until 31 December 2026. China’s foreign ministry said visa-free entry would be permitted for tourism, business, and visits to family and friends - contributing to a 14.7% year-on-year rise in visa-free arrivals during this year’s May Day holiday (1). 

Spanning Beijing, Xi'an, Zhangjiajie and Eastern China, as well as a combination tour including Taiwan, the new itineraries combine iconic landmarks with immersive local experiences and lesser-visited regions. Experiences range from hiking the Jinshanling section of the Great Wall and cruising the Li River to visiting tea plantations and exploring ancient archaeological sites.

The launch includes three new itineraries: China: From Imperial Capitals to Wild Sichuan, focusing on the history and culture of northern and western China; Southern China Explorer: From Megacities to Mountain Realms, showcasing dramatic landscapes and regional traditions; and East China & Taiwan: Shared Traditions and Distinct Cultures Across The Strait, combining China’s historic eastern cities with Taiwan’s natural beauty and celebrated food scene. 

The three new trips complement Wild Frontiers’ existing Chinese Silk Road Taklamakan Adventure and The Great Silk Road Adventure: Xi'an to Istanbul tour offering, and answers a long-time request from avid adventure travellers for more in-depth exploration of this fascinating country. 

Wild Frontiers’ Director of Product and Operations, Marc Leaderman comments: “China offers an extraordinary diversity of travel experiences, from the historic cities and ancient archaeological sites of Sichuan to the landscapes of Zhangjiajie and the regional food cultures found across the country. As travel to China becomes more accessible again, we’re seeing growing interest from travellers looking for more immersive and culturally focused experiences. These new itineraries have been designed to combine the iconic highlights with scenic rail journeys, local cuisine, hiking and lesser-visited regions that many travellers don’t typically get the chance to explore.” 

China: From Imperial Capitals to Wild Sichuan

Travelling from Beijing and Xi’an into Sichuan Province, the first itinerary combines China’s iconic sights with lesser-visited historical and cultural destinations. Highlights include hiking the quieter Jinshanling section of the Great Wall and joining a hutong breakfast walking tour in Beijing. In Xi’an, travellers can take part in a calligraphy lesson and tea tasting, before continuing overland to Sichuan to visit the ancient archaeological site of Sanxingdui and the Dujiangyan Panda Base. The itinerary also includes a Sichuan cooking class in Chengdu and a boat ride to see the giant Leshan Buddha. 

Duration: 16 days

Departures: March, April, May, Jun, Sep, Oct (2027/2028)

Prices from: £4,590 per person

Southern China Explorer: From Megacities to Mountain Realms

Exploring Chongqing, Hunan, Guangxi, Guizhou and Yunnan, the second itinerary showcases some of China’s most dramatic natural scenery and regional traditions. Experiences include travelling on China’s high-speed bullet trains, visiting the striking landscapes of Zhangjiajie National Park, cruising the Li River between Guilin and Yangshuo and cycling through villages surrounded by karst mountains. Travellers will also visit tea plantations, minority communities and the Huangguoshu Waterfalls, one of the largest waterfall systems in East Asia.

Duration: 18 days

Departures: Apr, May, Jun, Sep, Oct (2027, 2028)

Prices from: £4,640 per person 

East China & Taiwan: Shared Tradition and Distinct Cultures Across The Strait

Combining eastern China’s historic cities with Taiwan’s natural beauty and renowned food culture, the third itinerary takes travellers from Nanjing, Hangzhou and Shanghai to Taipei, Sun Moon Lake and Alishan. Highlights include hiking on Yellow Mountain, cruising Hangzhou’s West Lake, exploring Suzhou’s classical gardens and discovering Shanghai’s historic French Quarter. In Taiwan, travellers will enjoy street food tours, visits to indigenous communities, cycling around Sun Moon Lake and journeys on the scenic Alishan forest railway.

Duration: 18 days

Departures: April, May, Sep, Oct 2027/2028

Prices from: £5,995 per person 

Prices are based on two sharing and excludes international flights. To find all tours to China, visit Wild Frontiers China Tours & Holidays.

Ends

Editors notes

Source: https://english.www.gov.cn/archive/statistics/202605/06/content_WS69fae6c0c6d00ca5f9a0ac8e.html?utm

Imagery:

Classic China – can be found here.

Southern China – can be found here.

East China and Taiwan – can be found here.

About Wild Frontiers:  

Wild Frontiers is a B Corp award-winning adventure travel company, founded in 1998 by travel writer Jonny Bealby. They specialise in immersive small group tours and unique tailor-made trips worldwide. Wild Frontiers believes sustainable and community-focused travel can be a powerful force for good; breaking down barriers, dispelling myths and bringing people from different cultures and communities together.   

From the ancient heritage of the Silk Road to the foothills of Pakistan, Wild Frontiers are experts in off-the-beaten-track travel and draw on their extensive local knowledge and array of contacts to give travellers the best experience possible. They are firm believers that travelling is all about the experience, and the beauty is in the details – the places you stay, the transport and route that gets you there, and the people you meet along the way. 

Press contact: wildfrontiers@lemongrassmarketing.com