China Splendour

Moderate

Group Tour

Fully Inclusive

Uncover the Nine Villages Valley, a part of China with turquoise lakes and cascading waterfalls. Rarely seen by western visitors, this delightful scenery is one of China’s real treasures. Combined with the most popular sights of Beijing, Xian and Shanghai this tour really provides the best of both worlds.

Tour Highlights

Forbidden City

Xian

Nine Villages Valley

Giant Pandas

Forbidden City

Trace the history of the emperors at one of Beijing’s biggest attractions

Xian

Admire thousands of relics at the Shaanxi History Museum

Nine Villages Valley

Stand in awe amongst the colourful beauty of this natural wonderland

Giant Pandas

Come face to face with these cuddly creatures at Chengdu's Panda Conservation Centre

What's Included

14 Day China Splendour Tour Itinerary

Our China Splendour itinerary has been intricately designed for those who wish to see iconic sites and magnificent treasures. You'll travel with the assurance that all your arrangements are taken care of, with international flights, accommodation and all the touring listed below. You will be accompanied by our industry-leading National Escorts whose unparalleled knowledge and talent will turn your tour into an unforgettable experience.

Days 1-2 Fly to Shanghai

Fly overnight to the exuberant city of Shanghai, called ‘the Paris of the East’. Depending on your time of arrival the rest of the day is yours to start soaking up the local culture.

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. Explore the fine arts and antiquities of the Shanghai Museum, visit the Yu Gardens and admire the magnificent colonial architecture with a stroll along the Bund. Follow the age-old silk production process at the Silk Museum, from the cultivation of silkworms up to creating the final piece. This evening view the city from the Huangpu River on a panoramic cruise and enjoy a delicious meal of traditional Shanghai cuisine.

Day 4 Fly to Beijing

Fly to Beijing, China’s fascinating capital. Soak up the harmonious ambience of the Temple of Heaven, an orderly oasis in a bustling urban landscape. This evening savour Beijing’s best known delicacy – Peking Duck.

Day 5 Forbiden City

Heading to Beijing’s symbolic heart, stroll across Tiananmen Square and into the sprawling magnificence of the Forbidden City – a monument to China’s dynastic past. Entering through the Gate of Supreme Harmony, you will find a complex full of imperial riches. An evening of Chinese acrobatics rounds off the day.

Day 6 Great Wall & Summer Palace

This morning is dedicated to China’s most iconic sight – the Great Wall. An astounding feat of construction, there is no better way to appreciate both the sheer magnificence of the wall and the dramatic scenery that it crosses than a fascinating walk along it. Relax in the idyllic landscapes of the Summer Palace as you explore traditional Chinese gardens and view exquisite architecture.

Day 7 Explore Xian

Fly to Xian, historic former capital. Later stroll on the beautifully preserved 14th century city walls that enclose Xian’s old town. Tonight feast on traditional Shui Jiao dumplings before a performance of Tang Dynasty dancing.

Day 8 Terracotta Warriors

After their fortuitous discovery in the 1970s, the Terracotta Army of China’s first Emperor Qin Shihuang has intrigued visitors ever since. Spend the morning viewing the enigmatic ranks of lifelike warriors. Visit the workshop of the craftsmen who recreate Terracotta Warriors in the style of their ancient counterparts. Watch the skilled production process and choose to purchase your own little warrior to take home. Later visit the lovely Little Wild Goose Pagoda and soak up the atmosphere in the narrow alleyways of the Muslim Quarter.

Days 9-10 Nine Villages Valley

A national park of ragged peaks, sapphire lakes, abundant forests and rushing waterfalls, the Nine Villages Valley (Jiuzhaigou National Park) is considered one of China’s most beautiful areas. Named after the nine typical Tibetan settlements scattered throughout the valley, the park is a World Biosphere Reserve, full of endemic flora and 140 species of birds. Whilst the scenery transforms with the seasons it is always spectacular and you will spend time in the depths of it, reveling in your arresting surroundings.

Day 11 Huanglong Pools, fly to Chengdu

Hundreds of vivid pools in striking colours, formed by thousands of years of mineral deposits, tumble gently down through the bright green forests of the Huanglong Valley. The whole area is studded with waterfalls and hot springs and, as it is relatively undiscovered, is a pleasure to explore. There is an option to take the chair lift up to Huanglong Temple (3,500m) at the head of the valley for excellent views over the whole valley. Later, fly to Chengdu.

Day 12 Giant Pandas

Visit Chengdu’s famous Panda Conservation Centre where you can get up close to China’s celebrated bears as they chomp through piles of bamboo in surroundings that mirror their natural habitat.

Day 13 Grand Buddha of Leshan

Travel to Leshan to visit the Grand Buddha which, at 71 metres, is the world’s largest stone-carved Buddhist monument and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A short boat trip on the river will give even better views of the statue. Next head to Buddha Park on top of the Buddha for panoramic views over the river below. There is an option to venture down to the Buddha's feet. Return to Chengdu.

Days 14 Fly Chengdu to UK

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

TOUR HOTELS

Wendy Wu Tours inspect all of our hotels to ensure they meet the high levels of service which we require for our guests. We pick the right hotel for the specific destination, meaning your accommodation can range from a smart business hotel in one city to a family run guesthouse in a smaller town. If the hotels listed below for your tour are not available on your chosen departure date, hotels of a similar standard will be used.

Holiday Inn Downtown Shanghai

Holiday Inn Shanghai Downtown is located in central Shanghai, with easy reach of a large shopping centre, local resaturants and the metro. Each air conditioned, modern en-suite room includes satellite television, a minibar and tea making facilities. The onsite Chinese restaurant offers Dim Sum and seasonal Hairy Crab for those wishing to try the local flavours. ...Read more

Jiangxi Grand Hotel

Located in the Fentai District, the Jiangxi Grand Hotel is close to many of Beijing’s sites and attractions. Facilities at the hotel include a restaurant serving Chinese and Western cuisine, a coffee shop, a bar, a tea house and a fitness centre. The 322 rooms and suites are traditionally furnished with air conditioning, satellite television, tea making facilities, a minibar and a safety deposit box....Read more

Elegance Hotel

The Elegance Hotel is located in the Zhangzha Town of Jiuzhaigou and it enjoys stunning landscapes.

Jin-Tone Hotel

Jin-Tone Hotel is a four-star hotel located in the core business area of Chengdu, close to CBD, Tianfu Square and Wide and Narrow Alleys. ...Read more

Dates & Prices

All of our tour departures include international flights and taxes in the price. If the dates we have available for this tour don't suit your needs, or you are not sure travelling as part of a group is for you, maybe a Private Tour would be more ideal.

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Additional Price Information

Based on London Heathrow departures

Flight upgrades available on request

Land only from £2,490pp (Beijing - Chengdu)

Single room option from £520 (no supplement if you are willing to share)

Tipping payable locally RMB480pp

Useful Information

Visas

A visa is required by all nationalities. A visa should be arranged in advance of travel. Unlike many other tour operators, we include your entry visas in the price of our tour. We handle the entire visa process – all you need to do is fill out the form and send your passport to us. We are always on hand to help you with any questions or queries you might have when completing the form.

Communication

To call the UK the international access code is 0044. Out of hours is 0044 1888 288 288. Mobile phones are quite popular in China and you will find high quality coverage. SMS and call rates can be expensive: we recommend that you contact your mobile supplier for more details. Some of our hotels have WIFI in the rooms and some will only have it in the lobby. There may be additional charges. Many websites, including Google, Facebook and Twitter are banned and inaccessible in China. If you need to access your email via Gmail whilst in China, please use an alternative email account whilst in the country.

Tipping

Tipping while on holiday is common in most parts of the world and China is no exception. In order to avoid any inconvenience Wendy Wu Tours operates a tipping policy where a stated amount is given to your national escort at the beginning of your tour and tips are distributed to local guides and drivers throughout your tour. Yangtze cruise companies operate a service charge policy and this is paid separately when boarding the vessel. We indicate tipping amounts in your final documents for guidance.

Shopping

Shopping can be a fun and entertaining component to any travel adventure, and China has a vast array of shopping opportunities for those who love to seek out a bargain. In keeping with most people’s interests whilst on holiday, your tour will include a reasonable number of opportunities to shop for local goods and souvenirs. We have included visits to establishments that not only provide an opportunity to purchase a locally produced, great-value souvenir; but you’ll witness first-hand how these local products are made, their history and how they support the local economy.

Food

The cost of meals is included in your group tour cost. Breakfast is served in the hotel and includes western dishes. As is traditional in China, lunch and dinner consist of small dishes of local cuisine which are placed on a ‘Lazy Susan’ for everyone to share. If you would like to drink beer, soft drink or bottled water with your meals, payment is to be made directly to the restaurant staff. If you have booked a tour that does not include all meals, your local guides will be able to recommend where to eat. Any food/diet requests MUST be specified at the time of booking.

Accommodation

Wendy Wu Tours inspect all of our hotels to ensure they meet the high levels of service which we require for our guests. We pick the right hotel for the specific destination, meaning your accommodation can range from a smart business hotel in one city to a family run guesthouse in a smaller town. Hotels in China are bound by Government laws which mean that air conditioning is switched on nationally in May and the central heating in November (this may vary slightly depending on the region).