At Imperial Tours we utilise a wide range of touring vehicles depending on the location, size of your group, or specific needs of the guests. We work only with suppliers that fulfil our stringent vetting process, and ensure that all vehicles are fully insured and licensed for tourism purposes. Vehicles are generally on the newer side of the age spectrum, with safety and comfort being our top priorities.
Luxury minibus in Beijing
By default, for smaller groups up to 3 people we would utilise 7-seater minivans (MPV). Note that 2 seats would be occupied by the driver and guide respectively, or 3 seats if including a China Host from our Ultimate China tours. For un-hosted China Escapades tours, a minivan may also be considered for families of 4 including smaller children. A separate van would typically be arranged for luggage.
For groups of 4 to 12 we would mostly typically arrange a minibus. The standard versions can seat between 23 to 28 people depending on the make and model. In some of the main cities, luxury minibus options are available with larger, reclining leather seats and other amenities, although the bus size is the same so they typically only seat 12-17 people. In Hong Kong and Macau only the standard minibus versions are available.
Larger groups would require a bus or coach, which range in size from 33 to 50 seats. These are generally less luxurious but more functional and include a luggage compartment underneath.
The Buick GL8 is the staple minivan in Mainland China. In some cities we can arrange a Mercedes V-Class. In South China, particularly in Hong Kong and Macau, the Toyota Alphard is popular. All of these are comfortable vehicle options for small groups.
In addition to our default vehicle choices, we also provide options to upgrade based on specific preferences. For example Rolls Royce, Mercedes Sprinters, Mercedes S-Class, or Bentleys can all be arranged subject to location.
The Toyota Coasters are locally manufactured in Sichuan and have long been the standard minibus choice in China, although in recent years we have seen a rise in locally manufactured options including those from Hyundai, Jinlong (King Long), or Yutong.
For larger buses, Chinese brands are mainstream with the likes of Jinlong or Yutong being popular. The Chinese automotive industry is extremely mature now, and in many cases we are seeing the quality of Chinese vehicles surpass those of their foreign counterparts.
Note that whereas Mainland China drive on the right, vehicles in Hong Kong and Macau drive on the left, which can influence the selection of vehicles imported and on offer.
China is at the forefront of EV technology with many of its electric vehicle models now exported overseas. The Maxus MPV for example is a 7-seater minivan with a battery range of 480km (300 miles). Many Chinese cities are in the process of transforming entire public transportation fleets (including both taxis and buses) towards electric vehicles, and charging networks are mature.
For touring purposes, we recognise the flexibility required for our guests such that ICE vehicles are still the preferred choice. Many of the buses and minibuses operate on hybrid technology. However, electric vehicles are an area of keen interest that we are constantly monitoring, and upon request EV options are available for smaller groups.
