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The Award-Winning Tour Specialist
Majestic Yangtze Private Tour
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Pandas & Yangtze Cruise

  • Duration
    14 days
  • Tour Type
    Private Tour
  • Price From
    £4,190pp
The next few months offer the opportunity of a lifetime for visitors to China. Beating other tourists to the punch you'll get to see the iconic attractions without the crowds and experience travel in China like it was over 30 years ago.

Whichever part of the country you visit, China has a wonderful reputation for hospitality – but never more so than now, when its people are hungry to reconnect with the wider world. Visitors have been sorely missed by the guides, restaurants, and hotel workers who work hard to showcase the wonders of their beautiful country so you can be sure that you'll be welcomed with open arms.

On this private tour, savour the natural grandeur of the Three Gorges on a relaxing Yangtze River Cruise – just one part of a wonderful tour that also includes China's enthralling cities of Shanghai, Xian, Beijing, and of course the unforgettable Giant Pandas of Chengdu.

Due to the Yangtze Cruise sailing schedules in 2024 & 2025, this private tour can only depart UK on Sunday, Monday and Wednesday from mid-March to mid-November. Please call our reservations team to find out more.

What's Included

  • International flights and current taxes
  • Domestic transportation
  • Accommodation and Meals as stated
  • Touring with guides and entrance fees
  • Visa fees for UK passport holders
  • Excludes tipping
This adventure is ideal for travellers with less time to spend and who want to see the very best bits of this incredibly diverse destination. We have designed the tour to make the most of the time available to showcase the key highlights and cities of China. This tour is also idea for those looking for a Yangtze River cruise.

Why Choose a Wendy Wu Private Tour?

Complete flexibility

Travel on any day you wish

Expertly crafted itineraries

Tailored for parties as small as two.

You Choose who you travel with

A private trip just for you and your chosen travel party.

Personalised guiding

Enjoy the undivided attention of your knowledgable private guide.

Small is beautiful

Enjoy a more intimate and authentic travel experience.

Private Tour Highlights

Our Pandas & Yangtze Cruise tour will see you exploring the most iconic sites, delving into deep-rooted culture and dining on delicious cuisine.

Shanghai

Marvel at this sparkling city on a Huangpu river cruise

Yangtze River Cruise

Enjoy a 4 night cruise alone the majestic Yangtze River

Chengdu

Admire China's most laid back city and the home of the Giant Pandas

Xian

Come face to face with the awesome spectacle that is the Terracotta Warriors

The Great Wall

Don't just walk along this incredible ancient wonder of the world, enjoy a toboggan ride down it too!

Authentic Experience

Walk on Xi'an's City Walls

Take a relaxed walk above Xi'an's old town, strolling on the magnificent city walls that encircle it and taking in the views as you go.

Authentic Experience

Marvel at the Three Gorges

Cruise through Qutang, Wu and Xiling gorges, otherwise known as the Three Gorges, admiring the magnificent scenery from the comfort of your Yangtze River cruise vesseland learning about its epic history from your onboard expert.

Authentic Experience

Indulge in a feast of Peking Duck

Tuck into a delicious feast of Beijing's best known dish, Peking Duck, a food that offers a true taste of imperial China and a long-time favourite of locals and visitors alike!

Private Tour Itinerary

B = Breakfast L = Lunch D = Dinner

  • Days 1-2
    Fly to Shanghai
    Days 1-2 Fly to Shanghai

    Fly overnight to the cosmopolitan city of Shanghai, also known as the Paris of the East.

  • Day 3
    Discover Shanghai B L
    Day 3 Discover Shanghai

    Shanghai is China’s great metropolis, where east and west collide on streets lined with futuristic skyscrapers and 10th-century temples. Today’s explorations include the classical Yu Garden, a stop in the old town and learning about the age-old silk production process at a silk factory. Later admire the magnificent colonial architecture with a stroll along the Bund and Xintiandi area before viewing the city from the Huangpu River on a panoramic cruise. The skyscrapers and glimmering lights are a sight to behold and make Shanghai unlike any other city in the world.

  • Day 4
    Modern Pudong B L
    DAY 4 Modern Pudong

    Spend the morning seeing the sights of the ultramodern Pudong area, also known as the financial district of the city with its skyscraper buildings. Later, fly to Yichang where you will board the Yangtze River cruise vessel.

  • Days 5-7
    Yangtze River Cruise B L D
    Day 5-7 Yangtze River Cruise

    A man-made marvel, the Three Gorges Dam showcases a massive feat of engineering. But as you cruise upstream nature takes over, revealing some of the world's most dramatic scenery including the Three Gorges themselves. Over the next three days, take a side trip to the attractive Shennong or Goddess Stream and enjoy various shore excursions.

  • Day 8
    Train to Chengdu B D
    Day 8 Train to Chengdu

    Disembark the cruise vessel in Chongqing, explore old Ciqikou, a district known for its porcelain production during the Ming and Qing dynasties. Ciqikou's narrow streets are perfect for a morning stroll to admire the historical, traditional architecture. Later, board a bullet train to Chengdu, capital of Sichuan province.

  • Day 9
    Panda Reserve B L
    Day 9 Panda Reserve

    Begin this morning with a visit to Chengdu's famous Panda Conservation Centre, which allows you to see and learn about China's celebrated bears up close in surroundings that mirror their natural habitat. A look around the informative museum gives an overview of the reserve's breeding programme. Later, take a bullet train to the former imperial capital of Xian.

  • Day 10
    Terracotta Warriors B L D
    Day 10 Terracotta Warriors

    After their fortuitous discovery in the 1970s, the Terracotta Army of China’s first Emperor, Qin Shi Huang, has intrigued visitors ever since. Spend the morning viewing the enigmatic ranks of life-sized warriors. Visit the workshop of the craftsmen who recreate Terracotta Warriors in the style of their ancient counterparts. Later, stroll on the beautifully preserved 14th century city walls that enclose Xian’s old town. This evening, enjoy a traditional Shui Jiao dumpling meal and a performance of Tang Dynasty dancing.

  • Day 11
    Little Wild Goose Pagoda B L
    Day 11 Little Wild Goose Pagoda

    Visit the lovely Little Wild Goose Pagoda and the Xian Museum. Stroll through the lively Muslim Quarter which are lined with Islamic food stalls. Later, take the bullet train to Beijing.

  • Day 12
    Imperial Beijing B L
    Days 12 Imperial Beijing

    In the morning, visit the Temple of Heaven, an orderly oasis in a bustling urban landscape. Later, head to Tiananmen Square, Beijing's symbolic heart, and into the sprawling magnificence of the Forbidden City. End the day watching an exciting Chinese acrobatic show.

  • Day 13
    The Great Wall B L D
    Day 13 The Great Wall

    This morning is dedicated to China's most iconic sight – the Great Wall. Soar up to the summit on a scenic chairlift or cable car ride before strolling atop the wall, admiring the magnificence of its construction and the dramatic scenery it passes through. Descend back down to the ground via thrilling toboggan ride or opt for the more serene cable car. In the afternoon, visit a jade factory then enjoy the idyllic landscapes of the Summer Palace as you wander through traditional Chinese gardens and view the exquisite architecture. This evening, savour Beijing's best-known delicacy-Peking duck.

  • Day 14
    Fly Beijing to UK B
    Day 14 Fly Beijing to UK

    Fly to the UK, arriving home the same or following day. (B)

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Pandas & Yangtze Cruise map

Places Visited: UK - Shanghai (2N) - Yangtze River Cruise (4N) - Chengdu (1N) - Xian (2N) - Beijing (3N) - UK

Download Detailed Itinerary

Tour Dates & Prices

Depart UK
Return Date
Price
Offer
Booking Options
Depart UK: Monday 18 Mar 2024
Return UK: Sunday 31 Mar 2024
Price: £4,190pp
Offer:
Depart UK: Monday 01 Apr 2024
Return UK: Sunday 14 Apr 2024
Price: £4,490pp
Offer:
Depart UK: Monday 15 Apr 2024
Return UK: Sunday 28 Apr 2024
Price: £4,490pp
Offer:
Depart UK: Wednesday 08 May 2024
Return UK: Tuesday 21 May 2024
Price: £4,490pp
Offer:
Depart UK: Monday 27 May 2024
Return UK: Sunday 09 Jun 2024
Price: £4,490pp
Offer:
Depart UK: Monday 10 Jun 2024
Return UK: Sunday 23 Jun 2024
Price: £4,490pp
Offer:
Depart UK: Monday 15 Jul 2024
Return UK: Sunday 28 Jul 2024
Price: £4,690pp
Offer:
Depart UK: Monday 05 Aug 2024
Return UK: Sunday 18 Aug 2024
Price: £4,690pp
Offer:
Depart UK: Monday 02 Sep 2024
Return UK: Sunday 15 Sep 2024
Price: £4,590pp
Offer:
Depart UK: Monday 16 Sep 2024
Return UK: Sunday 29 Sep 2024
Price: £4,590pp
Offer:
Depart UK: Wednesday 09 Oct 2024
Return UK: Tuesday 22 Oct 2024
Price: £4,590pp
Offer:
Depart UK: Sunday 27 Oct 2024
Return UK: Sunday 03 Nov 2024
Price: £4,590pp
Offer:
Depart UK: Monday 11 Nov 2024
Return UK: Sunday 24 Nov 2024
Price: £4,490pp
Offer:

Sample Hotels

We draw from a wide range of hotels on our holidays, each one is chosen to suit the tour you are travelling on meaning your accommodation can range from a smart business hotel in one city to a family run guesthouse in a smaller town. Here are some examples of the type of hotel you can expect to find on this tour.

Best time to go

The best times to visit China are in spring (April to May) and autumn, (September to October) when temperatures are warm and humidity low.

Yangtze River cruising commences from mid-March to mid-November.

City Average Temperate Monthly Rainfall
Beijing
-3°c
3mm
Chengdu
6°c
8mm
Shanghai
5°c
74mm
Xian
0°c
7mm
City Average Temperate Monthly Rainfall
Beijing
0°c
5mm
Chengdu
8°c
12mm
Shanghai
7°c
59mm
Xian
4°c
10mm
City Average Temperate Monthly Rainfall
Beijing
6°c
8mm
Chengdu
12°c
20mm
Shanghai
10°c
94mm
Xian
9°c
29mm
City Average Temperate Monthly Rainfall
Beijing
14°c
21mm
Chengdu
17°c
44mm
Shanghai
16°c
74mm
Xian
15°c
43mm
City Average Temperate Monthly Rainfall
Beijing
20°c
34mm
Chengdu
22°c
78mm
Shanghai
21°c
84mm
Xian
20°c
60mm
City Average Temperate Monthly Rainfall
Beijing
24°c
78mm
Chengdu
24°c
107mm
Shanghai
25°c
182mm
Xian
25°c
54mm
City Average Temperate Monthly Rainfall
Beijing
26°c
185mm
Chengdu
26°c
224mm
Shanghai
29°c
146mm
Xian
27°c
99mm
City Average Temperate Monthly Rainfall
Beijing
25°c
160mm
Chengdu
26°c
201mm
Shanghai
29°c
214mm
Xian
26°c
71mm
City Average Temperate Monthly Rainfall
Beijing
20°c
46mm
Chengdu
22°c
119mm
Shanghai
25°c
87mm
Xian
21°c
92mm
City Average Temperate Monthly Rainfall
Beijing
14°c
22mm
Chengdu
18°c
35mm
Shanghai
20°c
56mm
Xian
15°c
60mm
City Average Temperate Monthly Rainfall
Beijing
5°c
7mm
Chengdu
13°c
16mm
Shanghai
14°c
52mm
Xian
8°c
24mm
City Average Temperate Monthly Rainfall
Beijing
-1°c
3mm
Chengdu
8°c
5mm
Shanghai
8°c
44mm
Xian
2°c
6mm