13 Days Grand China with Pandas

Tour Type:Private/ Small Group
Destination:Beijing, Xi’an, Chengdu, Chongqing, Shanghai
Duration:13 Days

Create beautiful travel memories experiencing the grandeur of China’s history, culture, natural wonders, and giant pandas

If you’re looking for an opportunity to know China, you’ll want to savor every moment of this perfectly paced tour. Incorporating the very best highlights in must-see destinations Beijing, Xian and Shanghai, you’ll appreciate the balance of big city bustle with some of China’s most appealing natural wonders in Yangtze River cruising and a close encounter with the national treasure, the famous giant pandas.

The adventure begins in bustling Beijing. Imposing, stately, and sophisticated, it’s easy to see why Beijing has retained its place as China’s capital. In your exploration of iconic landmarks like the Forbidden City, Summer Palace, and the Great Wall, you’ll discover that awe, wonder, and respect are justified. Travel by bullet train to Xian, the perfect contrast to Beijing. With its melting pot of cultures and food, and its history as the Silk Road starting point, Xian offers much for the curious. In Chengdu, enjoy Sichuan hospitality and try a traditional Shaanxi hotpot, but not before spending some quality time with the gorgeous giant pandas at the Dujiangyan Panda Base. Work as a panda keeper, and yes, even feed these famous locals. Spend three incredible days cruising the Yangtze River aboard a stylish river boat and sense the enchantment of the impressive gorges, mountains, and surrounding terrain that has inspired poets, philosophers and artists for millennia. Explore Shanghai old and new, walking The Bund, exploring Yuyuan Garden, Shikumen Museum, and Sinan Road in the Former French Concession.

This is an exceptional tour that includes all 12 nights four and five star hotel and onboard accommodation; in country transfers; daily breakfasts and other meals as specified; local guides in every destination, and much more. Looking for once-in-a-lifetime? Discover it here.

Inclusions

  • Admission fees: to sightseeing spots and activities specified.
  • Activities specified in the itinerary.
  • Cable car ride at Mutianyu Great Wall.
  • Excellent professional English-speaking guide.
  • Ground transport in an air-conditioned vehicle with licensed driver as specified.
  • Accommodation: 4-Star or 5-Star hotel with breakfast based on double/twin occupancy as specified.
  • Travel agency liability insurance during the tour.
  • Government taxes and fees.

Exclusions

  • International/domestic flights and trains to/from Beijing.
  • China visa.
  • Gratuities to guides & drivers and any expense of personal nature.
  • Boat trip at the Summer Palace.
  • Meals: lunches and dinner are excluded allowing you flexibility around meal choices. Your guide will make recommendations and order for you, if required.
  • Our tour package does not include Travel Insurance. Please purchase the Travel Insurance before your trip to protect for any unforeseen circumstance.

Tour specific important information – FOR PRIVATE TOUR

  • This is a private tour for your group of family or friends. No other travelers will join you. It’s always available for your schedule.
  • Smart casual dress and comfortable walking shoes are recommended.
  • Prices based on twin occupancy.
  • The prices shown above are not valid during China’s Official Holidays (such as National Day and Chinese Spring Festival etc.).

Day 1 - Arrive in Beijing

On arrival into Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) or Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX), you will be met by your dedicated tour guide outside the baggage claim area. On the way to your pre-booked four or five star inner city hotel, your guide will point out the highlights and history of Beijing. Spend the rest of the day exploring this incredible city.

Meals included: None

Day 2 - Beijing

After breakfast today explore Beijing with your guide who will collect you from your hotel. Visit the world’s largest city square, Tiananmen Square. Make your way across the road to the magnificent Forbidden City, a culturally historic landmark in China, which was the former residence of Chinese royalty for five centuries. After the Forbidden City tour, exploration continues with a visit to the Summer Palace. Appreciate the beautiful gardens and imagine the lifestyle of royalty who enjoyed this summer resort during imperial times. A stopover at Beijing’s stadium and pool – the Bird’s Nest and Water Cube – built for the 2008 Summer Olympics and Paralympics – provides a modern contrast to China’s ancient history. Return to the hotel.

Meals included: Breakfast

Note: Your tour guide may adjust your itinerary due to closure of the Forbidden City each Monday.

Day 3 - Beijing

Before heading to the Mutianyu Great Wall, sample the famous local food market Sanyuanli where you can stock up on fruit and snacks for your today’s trip. Continue to explore the Mutianyu Great Wall, a less frequented part of China’s 1,400-year-old iconic landmark located approximately 70 kilometres from Beijing. Take a pleasant and comfortable round-trip cable car transfer over the picturesque scenery, then walk the wall to take in the Ming dynasty guard towers and sensational views. On return to the city in the afternoon, exploration continues with a visit to the Confucius Temple and Imperial College Museum. Stroll through Wudaoying Hutong and experience local life as you wander through quaint shops, enjoy a coffee, and gain an insider’s view of a real Beijing community.

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 4 - Beijing - Xi'an (High Speed Train)

Start today with a visit to the remarkable Temple of Heaven, where emperors from the Ming and Qing Dynasties performed ceremonies and rituals to pray for good harvests and blessings for the country. Transfer to the Beijing West railway station and be checked in by your guide to travel by high speed rail train to Xian. Approximately a five hour trip, travelling at 300 kilometres per hour, you can relax and absorb the diverse landscape along the way. On arrival at the Xian North Station, your local tour guide will meet and escort you to your inner city four or five star hotel.

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 5 - Xi'an

Today’s tour highlight is the world-renowned Terracotta Army. Recognized as the largest underground military base in the world, take in this extraordinary archeological discovery, which houses thousands of unique life-sized figures. Return to the city and explore Xian’s ancient City Wall, currently the largest and best-preserved wall of its type in China. Enclosing China’s former capital city and almost 14 kilometres long, enjoy your free time by exploring on foot or bicycle. For a change of pace, take in the quiet of Xian’s Great Mosque, located in the middle of the city’s old block. Built mid seventh century, the Great Mosque is the oldest and largest Islamic mosque in China. Mix with locals and find food of every flavor in Muslim Street, which is bustling with authentic eateries and travel souvenirs. Today’s final destination is Xian’s famous Bell Tower and Drum Tower Square. Return to your hotel for a relaxed evening or book a dinner, show, or both for an evening of entertainment.

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 6 - Xi'an - Chengdu (High Speed Train)

After breakfast and check out from your hotel, the tour guide will take you to Shaanxi History Museum where you’ll discover over 370,000 relics of Chinese history. Take in the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, one of two iconic Buddhist pagodas in Xian. There may be an opportunity to explore the top of the pagoda and look out over Xian’s 1,400 years of history, before enjoying a contemplative walk through the temple and gardens. Following on from the morning’s activities, you’ll be driven to the railway station for your bullet train to Chengdu. On arrival in Chengdu, your local guide will meet and transfer you to your hotel, providing a brief introduction to Chengdu on the way.

Meals included: Breakfast

Note: Your tour guide may alter your itinerary as the Shaanxi History Museum is closed on Mondays.

Day 7 - Chengdu

Today, you will work as a panda volunteer when you visit the Dunjiangyan Panda Base. In your role, you will clean the indoor and outdoor enclosure, prepare food and feed pandas. Panda keepers will supervise your activities, with translation provided by your guide. A certificate will be provided as a memento from this very special day. At the conclusion of today’s excursion, you will be returned to your Chengdu Hotel.

Meals included: Breakfast

Tips:
1. Panda Keeper Program has an age restriction from between 5 years to 80 years. For children under five years who are accompanied by an adult can take the standard panda tour in panda base, but due to restrictions they are not able to be a panda volunteer.

2. As a maximum of 30 keepers are allowed each day, it is advisable that you book the program at least two weeks before departure. You will appreciate that sometimes adjustments may be made to the program due to pandas’ health condition. Accurate information about the program will be provided to you by our travel as soon as we are advised.

3. Each volunteer panda keep applicant must provide a Physical Examination Record prior to commencement of the day’s activities.

4. Panda keepers are strongly advised to be guided by their supervisors and should approach the animals with extreme caution and only under supervision. Though pandas look gentle, they are animals and their behaviour can be unpredictable.

5. Panda keepers are not allowed to clean enclosures for panda mothers and babies but can help supervisors.

Day 8 - Chengdu-Chongqing (High Speed Train)

Check out of your hotel and be taken by your guide to Jinli Street. Lined with unique regional street food and artisans, you’ll find yourself immersed in typical local culture and have the opportunity to sample traditional food snacks and meet local craftsmen. The final stop for today allows you to enjoy some leisure time in Wangjiang Pavilion Park.

Then boarding the high speed train from Chengdu to Chongqing. Upon arrival, your local guide will meet you and take you through the Ciqikou Old Town if the travel schedule permits. You’ll then be escorted to embark your Yangtze River cruise ship, which finally weighs anchor at 9:30 pm. Watch the spectacular Chongqing city lights go by from the deck as you cruise on by.

Meals included: Breakfast

Note: Attend a safety, orientation and river briefing when you board the ship.

Day 9 - Yangtze River (Cruise)

Sail along the Yangtze today and soak in the relaxing pace of traveling this magnificent river, which has inspired poets and peasants alike. Go ashore for an excursion to the Fengdu Ghost City or Shibaozhai (will depend on water level and cruise company). Join the crew at the Captain’s Welcome Party held in the evening. Sit back and enjoy the Chinese folk dancing and music performance – or get up and be part of it!

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Note: Shore excursions may vary due to different cruise lines and some are optional tours.

Scenic spots along the way: In Chinese mythology, Fengdu Ghost City is considered the final resting place for all souls. Visit this ancient ghost town while on your Yangtze River Cruise. Shibaozhai is a tower nearly 56 metres in height leaning against the Yuyin Hill and is now encircled by a moat after completion of the Three Gorges Dam project in 2003.

Check out of your hotel and be taken by your guide to Jinli Street. Lined with unique regional street food and artisans, you’ll find yourself immersed in typical local culture and have the opportunity to sample traditional food snacks and meet local craftsmen. The final stop for today allows you to enjoy some leisure time in Wangjiang Pavilion Park.

Then boarding the high speed train from Chengdu to Chongqing. Upon arrival, your local guide will meet you and take you through the Ciqikou Old Town if the travel schedule permits. You’ll then be escorted to embark your Yangtze River cruise ship, which finally weighs anchor at 9:30 pm. Watch the spectacular Chongqing city lights go by from the deck as you cruise on by.

Meals included: Breakfast

Note: Attend a safety, orientation and river briefing when you board the ship.

Day 10 - Yangtze River (Cruise)

Continue sailing past the beautiful river scenery and admire, the impressive view of the Qutang Gorge and Wu Gorge. Following this stretch of the river, take an excursion to Badong and experience a small wooden boat trip on the magnificent Shennong Stream or Goddess Stream (Shennv Stream). Return to the ship and enter the western section of the Xiling Gorge. Enjoy a relaxing evening on board the river boat by taking advantage of the entertainment or enjoy the view from the deck.

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 11 - Yangtze River (Cruise)

Continue sailing past the beautiful river scenery and admire, the impressive view of the Qutang Gorge and Wu Gorge. Following this stretch of the river, take an excursion to Badong and experience a small wooden boat trip on the magnificent Shennong Stream or Goddess Stream (Shennv Stream). Return to the ship and enter the western section of the Xiling Gorge. Enjoy a relaxing evening on board the river boat by taking advantage of the entertainment or enjoy the view from the deck.

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 12 - Shanghai

Commence your tour of Shanghai with a visit to the Shanghai Museum, a massive museum housing over 140,000 artifacts, presenting the full history and culture of this cosmopolitan city. Enjoy a walk along The Bund, iconic and prestigious, one of the most well-preserved examples of old Shanghai glamour. Walk Nanjing Road, the busiest shopping precinct in China. Change tempo and visit Yuyuan Garden, where you can marvel at the artistically designed traditional Chinese gardens; then stroll around the nearby Chenghuangmiao bazaars and make a worthwhile detour and visit the Shikumen Museum in New Spot (XinTianDi) for a true taste of old world Shanghai. Make the most of your afternoon by wandering the quieter streets of Dongping Road or Sinan Road in the Former French Concession, where you will find the essence of classic Shanghai.

Meals included: Breakfast

Note: As the Shanghai Museum is closed to public on Mondays, a visit to the Shanghai History Museum is arranged as an alternative.

Day 13 - Depart from Shanghai

Your tour guide will collect you at the hotel and drive you to the airport for your flight home.

For small group tour travelers, a transfer service from your hotel to Hongqiao or Pudong Airport can be arranged on request.

Meals included: Breakfast

What are you waiting for?

ABOUT US

Business cooperation
Join us
Latest news

TRAVEL

American tours
China tours
Tibet tours

EDUCATION

Study abroad
Language learning
Exchanging program

CAMP

Summer camp
Winter camp

CONTACT US

Tell:86-400-635-6555 (China)
         267-437-9735 (USA)
E-mail:info@chinausaint.com
Address:7043 Frankford Ave,
Philadelphia, PA 19135
COPYRIGHT © 2015-2020 CHINAUSINT.COM CHINAUSA INT 中美国际 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.