China: The Big One

Tour Highlights

Beijing

Xian

Jade Dragon Snow Mountain

Shanghai

Beijing

Visit the imperial treasures as well as the hutongs of China's capital city

Xian

Come face to face with the enigmatic Terracotta Warriors

Jade Dragon Snow Mountain

Climb the heights of this magnificent mountain enjoying high meadows and amazing vistas

Shanghai

Sample delicious cuisine during an exciting breakfast tour incorporating local delicacies

Authentic Experiences

Our China: The Big One Tour has been thoughtfully designed and thoroughly researched to bring you a range of once-in-a-lifetime experiences, many of which are entirely exclusive to us.

• Visit Shaxi Ancient Town

  Shaxi ancient town is not only a charming place to explore but, as the heart of an area that is home to a number of China's minority people, is the perfect place to delve into a timeless, rich culture and meet the friendly communities for yourself.

• Meet with a Taoist priest

  At Weibaoshan, meet with a Taoist priest to learn about the principles of this native philosophy and take part in a guided meditation session amongst these peaceful surroundings.

• Explore the Huanghuacheng section of the Great Wall

  Surrounded by tranquil lakes and most picturesquely reached by boat, explore the Huanghuacheng section of the Great Wall and marvel at the spectacular views over the surrounding countryside.

Tour 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. If your tour departs in less than 30 days, please call our travel experts to book.

Our Price Match Promise

Find a tour with the same inclusion cheaper and we will match it AND give you a reward. We will match the price of any Wendy Wu Tour quoted elsewhere. The price of your tour will never rise after you've paid. See full terms and conditions.

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Additional Price Information

Based on London Heathrow departures

Land only from £3590pp (Beijing – Shanghai)

Regional UK departures available

Single room option from £990

Flight upgrades available on request

Tipping payable locally RMB1250pp

Price listed is based on new bookings only

China: The Big One - Tour Itinerary

DAYS 1-2: FLY OVERNIGHT TO BEIJING

Fly overnight to Beijing, China’s historic capital. Depending on your time of arrival, the rest of the day is at leisure.

DAY 3: FORBIDDEN CITY

Stroll across Tiananmen Square and into the sprawling magnificence of the Forbidden City. Next, visit Yandaixiejie Street where there’s time to wander the hutongs. These narrow alleys offer a glimpse of old Beijing. (B,L)

DAY 4: HUANGHUACHENG GREAT WALL

Visit Huanghuacheng, a particularly scenic section of the Great Wall. Reached by boat it boasts particularly spectacular views from the top. Spend the afternoon at leisure exploring colourful Wangfujing Street. In the evening, enjoy an optional Peking duck dinner. (B,L)

DAY 5: IMPERIAL SUMMER PALACE

Explore the beautifully designed grounds of the Summer Palace, including the Long Corridor and the Marble Boat. Spend time strolling along pretty Kunming Lake and walk up wooded Longevity Hill. Make a photo stop at the Olympic Park. (B,L)

DAY 6: TEMPLE OF HEAVEN

Visit the Temple of Heaven and mingle with the locals as they start their day with Tai Chi, dancing and cards in a flurry of sociable activity. Take the overnight train to Xian. (B,L)

DAY 7: CYCLING IN XIAN

Start your day with a gentle cycle ride that will take you nine miles around the city wall that enclose Xian’s old town. Also visit the Little Wild Goose Pagoda and Xian Museum. (B,L)

DAY 8: TERRACOTTA WARRIORS

Spend the morning gazing over the ranks of warriors and horses, while you are introduced to these life-like soldiers’ fascinating story. Take a walking tour of the Muslim Quarter and enjoy the evening at leisure. (B,L)

DAY 9: BEAUTIFUL GUILIN

Fly to Guilin. Walk around the lakes before enjoying the evening at leisure – you may wish to stroll down Zhengyang Street. (B)

DAY 10: HIKING IN LONGJI (OPTIONAL)

Today, there is an option to take a four-hour hike in the stunning rice terraces of Longji. Otherwise, spend more time in Guilin. (B)

DAY 11: LI RIVER CRUISE

Take a gentle cruise along the Li River to Yangshuo. Lined with dramatic limestone cliffs, the serenity of life on the riverbanks is a wonderful sight. Take a walk through this idyllic wonderland and get an insight into life here. There’s an option to hike to the top of Moon Hill for epic views. (B,L)

DAY 12: YANGSHUO TAI CHI

Start the day with an invigorating session of Tai Chi, taking a class with a master to learn this ancient martial art. Enjoy the afternoon at leisure or take part in an optional activity. (B)

DAY 13: KUNMING AT LEISURE

Transfer to Guilin and visit Reed Flute Cave before flying to Kunming. (B)

DAY 14: STONE FOREST

Meander through the formations of the UNESCO-listed Stone Forest. Return to Kunming to visit Green Lake Park and have an evening at leisure, perhaps enjoying the vibrant Wenhua Alley district. (B,L)

DAY 15: DALI’S ANCIENT TOWN

Drive to Dali and visit the Three Pagodas and the Old Town. Also stroll along Foreigner’s Street and enjoy time at leisure. (B,L)

DAY 16: WEIBAOSHAN (OPTIONAL)

Enjoy the day at leisure or take an optional visit to Weibaoshan, one of the fourteen sacred Taoist mountains. Steeped in legend, the mountain features 20 Taoist temples nestled on its forested slopes. Walk up the hillside to see a handful of intricately decorated temples and meet a Taoist priest for a meditation session. (B)

DAY 17: SHAXI ANCIENT TOWN

Drive to the ancient town of Shaxi, nestled deep in the Himalayan foothills. Learn about the fascinating minority people that reside in the area and enjoy a local lunch. In the afternoon, continue to Lijiang and spend the evening in the historic old town. (B,L)

DAY 18: JADE DRAGON SNOW MOUNTAIN

Take a cable car to one of the high meadows and enjoy the vistas. Visit the minority Naxi village and admire the fascinating Baisha frescoes painted during the Ming Dynasty. (B,L)

DAY 19: TIGER LEAPING GORGE (OPTIONAL)

Enjoy the day at leisure or trek to Tiger Leaping Gorge, through dramatic cliffs and down into the gorge itself. (B)

DAY 20: CHENGDU LIKE A LOCAL

Fly to Chengdu and walk around People’s Park. Visit a local teahouse and most interesting of all, Matchmaker’s Corner. (B,L)

DAY 21: GIANT PANDAS

Visit the Chengdu Panda Conservation Centre and see these adorably charming bears up close. The rest of the day is at leisure. Enjoy an optional hot pot dinner and a ‘face-changing’ show. (B,L)

DAY 22: ANCIENT CIQIKOU

Take the bullet train to Chongqing. Enjoy free time in the charming old town of Ciqikou then board your Yangtze Cruise vessel. (B,D)

DAYS 23-25: YANGTZE CRUISE

A cruise down the Yangtze reveals some of the world’s most dramatic scenery. Over the next few days, visit the Three Gorges Dam and enjoy various side trips and shore excursions. Disembark your cruise vessel, travel to Yichang and then fly to Hangzhou before continuing by road to Shanghai. (B,L,D)

DAY 26: SHANGHAINESE SHANGHAI

Wake up to the buzz of Shanghai and take a breakfast walking tour between shimmering skyscrapers and traditional streets. Visit Yu Garden, the old town, a silk factory, stroll along the Bund and cruise along Huangpu River. (B,L)

DAY 27: ZHUJIAJIAO (OPTIONAL)

Join the optional day tour to delightful Zhujiajiao, or spend time at leisure in Shanghai. This evening, enjoy the ERA show and a delicious farewell dinner. (B,D)

DAY 28: FLY SHANGHAI TO UK

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

Weather Information

Useful Information

Visas

Everyone needs a visa to travel to China, and this visa should be arranged before you travel. Your visa is included in the price of your holiday, and when it comes to organising it, our visa team will be on hand to help you with any questions or queries. Our step-by-step guide on completing your visa form is available on our website and we will comprehensively check your visa application form to make sure it meets the embassy guidelines. For those passengers travelling to the London visa centre, you will be met and assisted by a member of the Wendy Wu Tours team.

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).

Sample Tour 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.

• Super House International Hotel

  The 4 star Super House International Hotel combines traditional Chinese culture with contemporary comforts. All of the rooms feature air conditioning, satellite television, a minibar and a safety deposit box. Facilities include a restaurant serving authentic Chinese cuisine, a coffee shop, lobby bar and tea room. There is also a fitness centre with sauna and a small boutique.

• YuLong International Hotel

  Located 5 kilometers from the city downtown, Yulong International Hotel ,combines elegance and sophistication with first-class service. Facilities include three restaurants, a lobby bar, games room, beauty salon, fitness room and business centre. The 258 beautifully decorated and well-equipped rooms have air-conditioning, satellite LCD flatscreen TV, tea/coffee making facilities, telephone, mini-bar, hairdryer and a safe deposit box.

• Jin-Tone Hotel

  Guilin Jin-Tone Hotel is a great base from which to explore this vibrant city and its local attractions. Each of its air conditioned, modern en-suite rooms include satellite television, a minibar, Wifi and tea making facilities. There is an onsite spa that offers Chinese massage, and the hotel’s restaurant serves Chinese and Western dishes.

• Jasper International Hotel

  Yangshuo Jasper International Hotel is located a 5 minute complimentary shuttle ride to the centre of Yangshuo’s pedestrianised market streets. Each of its 400 air conditioned, modern en-suite rooms include satellite television, safety deposit boxes and tea making facilities. There are 2 onsite restaurants offering local southern Chinese cuisine as well as Western cuisine. The outdoor pool is a highlight.

• Jinjiang Hotel

  Jin Jiang Hotel is located close to Kunming’s main sttractions. Each of its air conditioned, modern en-suite rooms include satellite television, a minibar, complimentary toiletries and tea making facilities. The hotel includes the Shanghai and the Lily restaurant, which serve local Huaiyan and Yunnan specialties. The onsite fitness centre and spa is a highlight.

• Asia Hotel

  Backed by the snow-capped Cangshan Mountain range and facing Erhai Lake, the four-star Asian Star Hotel offers a unique opportunity to appreciate the natural scenery of this area. The hotel offers an onsite restaurant, fitness room and currency exchange facilities. All of the rooms feature air conditioning, a telephone and a view of the mountain or lake.

• Adange Hotel

  Located in the city centre of Lijiang, the Adange 4 star hotel offers 283 elegantly furnished en-suite rooms equipped with air conditioning, satellite television, safety deposit box and refrigerator. The onsite restaurant offers local Chinese and Western dishes. A swimming pool and gym are also available.

• Chengdu Tianfu Sunshine Hotel

  The Chengdu Tianfu Sunshine Hotel is located a ten minute walk from the centre of Chengdu. All of its air conditioned, en-suite rooms have a safety deposit box, tea making facilities and a flat screen satellite television. There are also complimentary toiletries. The hotel also boasts a swimming pool, a fitness centre and an onsite restaurant featuring Chinese and Korean cuisine.

• 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.

• Muong Thanh Saigon Centre

  Muong Thanh Saigon Centre Hotel is situated in District 1. Rooms are equipped with a flat-screen TV and have a private bathroom fitted with a bath or shower. For your comfort, you will find bath robes, slippers and a hairdryer. Guests can enjoy the on-site bar, indoor swimming pool and free WiFi.

• Mondial Hotel

  Excellently located close to the Perfume River and Hue’s Imperial Citadel, the Mondial Hotel has 106 rooms and plenty of facilities. Make use of the swimming pool and three dining options before relaxing in the Lobby Lounge with a drink. Rooms offer city, pool or mountain views, have large, modern bathrooms with shower and/or bath and robe and slippers.

• Muong Thanh Hanoi Centre

  In the atmospheric area around Hoan Kiem Lake, the Muong Thanh offers stylish and comfortable accommodation in a great location. Surrounded by shops, restaurants and street food, the hotel has free Wi-Fi, a spa, bar and restaurant serving local dishes. Bright and spacious rooms come with city views, an en suite bathroom with bath or shower, plus air-conditioning, safe, television, minibar and tea and coffee making facilities.