Good questions, straight answers

All of our guides are full-time employees of Locals in China with a national tour-guide licence, each based in the city they guide. We do not use agencies or freelancers, and every guide profile on this site is a real colleague you can message before booking.

Yes. Every tour is for your party only. Prices are shown per group, not per person, for up to the group size listed on the tour.

Every tour is a starting point. Tell your guide what you care about and what you would rather skip; start times, pace, restaurants and stops can all be adjusted at no extra cost before the tour.

Your licensed guide for the stated hours, transport as described (private car with driver, or public transport fares with the guide), bottled water and ticket booking. Entrance tickets, meals and tips are listed separately on each tour page.

A 20% deposit by card confirms the date; the balance is due 15 days before the tour. Cancel free of charge up to 15 days before; after that the deposit is kept and the balance refunded.

We recommend areas and book restaurants as part of the tour. We do not sell hotel rooms and take no hotel commission; our Stays pages tell you where we would stay in each city and why.

Citizens of about fifty countries, including the UK, most of the EU, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, can enter visa-free for up to 30 days. US passport holders still need a visa or the 240-hour transit exemption. See our travel guide for the current rules.

Your passport (required for most tickets in China), comfortable shoes, and a phone with Alipay or WeChat Pay set up. Your guide brings water and handles the rest.

Most are, and each tour page lists the effort level and a children note. Tell your guide who is coming and the day is paced for them; private cars can be added to any walking tour.

We go unless it is unsafe. Palaces, museums and food streets are good rainy-day plans, and your guide will suggest a swap the evening before if the forecast is bad. Mountain days are moved or refunded if the park closes.

No. Every tour is private to your party. That is why prices are per group.

Tips are never expected and always appreciated. There is no service charge hidden in our prices.

Articles show the date of the last check. Rules on visas and payments change; where there is an official source we link to it and ask you to confirm before you travel.