China is one of the world’s most remarkable travel destinations for senior travelers given its thousand-old traditions and spell-binding history. You’ll be entranced by its 5000-year-old civilisation and the bigger-than-life famous sites such as the Great Wall, Terracotta Army and the classic gardens in Suzhou. In this article, we list 6 best things to do on the China tours for seniors.
Leisurely Beijing Forbidden City Tour
The Forbidden City is the imperial palace of the Ming and Qing dynasties, with a history of over 600 years. For older visitors on your Beijing tours, it is recommended to visit along the central axis: Noon Gate → Hall of Supreme Harmony → Qianqing Palace → Imperial Garden. It takes about 1.5 hours and you can avoid the crowded side halls. For seniors with weak legs, wheelchairs can be rented for free at Donghuamen, and some passages are accessible. Good news, admission is half price for seniors over 65.
Terracotta Warriors Senior-Friendly Visit
Terracotta Warriors is also one of the top things to do in China, it is recommended for senior visitors to take a golf cart from the entrance of the scenic spot to the Pit 1 Museum, saving 1 kilometer of walking. To avoid the crowded route, we recommend focusing on Pit 1 – the panoramic platform overlooking the Terracotta Army. Then head to the Bronze Chariots and Horses Hall for a closer look at the “Bronze Crown.” Admission is free for over 70s, so bring your passport.
Badaling Great Wall for Seniors
A Great Wall of China tour from Beijing is a must for seniors. But which section is the best? The Badaling Great Wall North calble car takes only 5 minutes to reach the North Fourth Floor (near the Haohan Slope), which makes the climb less strenuous. The south route is less crowded and has a gentle slope, which is suitable for senior tourists to enjoy the scenery on foot and take photos.
In addition, the Badaling Great Wall provides barrier-free facilities, including wheelchair access at the entrance, a rest area at the foot of the Great Wall, and an oxygen bar. For tourists who are 65 years old and over, admission is free, but the cable car requires a separate ticket.
Guilin Li River Cruise
The Li River, with its surreal karst landscape, is considered one of the most beautiful rivers in the world. Relax and enjoy the scenery on both sides of the river, such as Yellow Cloth Reflection, Nine Horses Painted Mountain and Xingping Ancient Town, on a luxury 4-hour cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo. Or choose the Yangdi Xingping 2-hour bamboo rafting tour.
Suzhou Classic Gardens
Suzhou’s classical gardens are the masterpieces of ancient Chinese garden art. It is recommended that senior travelers visit the Humble Administrator’s Garden and the Liouyuan Garden. The Humble Administrator’s Garden is the largest garden in Suzhou, and has a gentle walkway with no uphill or downhill slopes. The Liouyuan Garden, the most elaborate, has many resting pavilions and avoids the crowds. Please note that parts of the Neshi Garden and Canglang Pavilion are accessible and suitable for wheelchair users.