Dreams of Nature

Physical Rating - Level4

Group Tour

Cruise

This tour is featured in the current issue of National Geographic Traveller!

Embark on an epic journey that encompasses some of China's most impressive UNESCO World Heritage sites and most incredible natural landscapes. Gaze over the mythical Zhangjiajie, whose mist-swathed, soaring peaks were the inspiration for the blockbuster film Avatar, cruise through the tranquil vistas of the Li and Yangtze rivers and walk the serpentine rice terraces of Longji.

Amongst the incredible scenery you’ll meet the people who call it home, from simple farmers tending their crops to the minority hilltribe communities who will invite you into their village, and stumble on ancient traditions in the most unlikely of places.

Tour Highlights

Zhangjiajie National Park

Giant Pandas

Li River

Longji Rice Terraces

Zhangjiajie National Park

Explore the moss-crowned sand pillars of this national park

Giant Pandas

Come face to face with these majestic creatures at Chengdu's Panda Reserve

Li River

Longji Rice Terraces

What's Included

22 Day Dreams of Nature Tour Itinerary

DAYS 1-2 FLY TO GUILIN

Fly overnight to Guilin. Depending on your time of arrival, the rest of the day is yours to start soaking up the local culture.

DAY 3 YANGSHUO'S LANDSCAPES

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. Later, take a walk through this idyllic wonderland and get an insight into life here. There's an option to take a rewarding hike to Moon Hill for beautiful views. (B,L,D)

DAY 4 TAI CHI & BAMBOO RAFTING

Start the day with a relaxing and invigorating session of Tai Chi, taking a class with a master to learn this ancient martial art. This afternoon, there is an option to go bamboo rafting on the Yulong River. Drift past verdant riverbanks and under ancient bridges as you paddle on the glass-like water. This evening, you have the option of enjoying the magical Liu Sanjie night show. (B,L)

DAY 5 REED FLUTE CAVE

Drive back to Guilin and spend the afternoon exploring Reed Flute Cave and learning about the South China pearling industry at the Pearl Factory. (B,L,D)

DAY 6 LONGJI RICE TERRACES

Travel to the iconic Longji Rice Terraces and head out for a three-hour walk through the traditional rural landscapes. There are several viewpoints boasting picture-postcard views of the extensive rice terraces that cover the hillside in intricate patterns. Drive back to Guilin. (B,L)

DAY 7 ZHANGJIAJIE

Take the bullet train to Changsha and drive to Zhangjiajie, located in Hunan Province. (B,L,D)

DAYS 8-9 ZHANGJIAJIE

A scenic area of over 3,000 sandstone pillars, rising from misty folds of subtropical forest and cloaked in vibrant green vegetation, Zhangjiajie's striking beauty is unforgettable. Ravines and gorges, streams and waterfalls and a plethora of endangered plants and animal species complete this idyllic scene. Enjoy some beautiful walks, take a cruise on Lake Baofeng and spend some time exploring Huanglong Cave, also known as 'Yellow Dragon Cave'. Also trek to Jinbian Stream and explore the Ten-Mile Natural Gallery. You will also see the famous Yuanjiajie Avatar Mountain and Emperor Mountain. (B,L,D)

DAY 10 YICHANG

Catch the train to Yichang and board your Yangtze Cruise vessel, home for the next four nights. (B,L,D)

DAYS 11-13 YANGTZE RIVER CRUISE

A man-made marvel, The Three Gorges Dam showcases this 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. A voyage along China's riverine treasure is a chance to relax and enjoy a slower pace, whilst absorbing extraordinary countryside. Over the next two days, take a side trip to Goddess or Shennong Stream and enjoy shore excursions to the Jade Emperor Scenic Area or Shibaozhai. (B,L,D)

DAY 14 HEISHAN VALLEY

Disembark in Chongqing and transfer to Wulong. Stop en-route at Heishan (Black Mountain) Valley, a scenic area enveloped by mysterious fog that is home to deep valleys, lush green forests, majestic waterfalls, rivers and streams, caves, and wildlife. (B,L,D)

DAY 15 THREE BRIDGES NATIONAL PARK AND LONGSHUIXIA

Today, visit Three Bridges National Park, a rare geological wonder consisting of three natural karst bridges: Tianlong Bridge, Qinglong Bridge and Heilong Bridge. Continue to Longshuixia Fissure, a narrow fault line that has been carved out by the river. (B,L,D)

DAY 16 WULONG NATIONAL PARK

Spend the day exploring the UNESCO World Heritage listed Wulong National Park – an area of stunning natural scenery with towering limestone karsts, deep gorges, caves and natural bridges. Its remote location has ensured that the park is relatively un-spoilt. Later, return to Chongqing. (B,L,D)

DAY 17 CHONGQING

Visit the ancient charming town of Ciqikou and see the pandas at Chongqing Zoo. Later, continue by road to Chengdu. (B,L)

DAY 18 LESHAN GRAND BUDDHA

Travel to Leshan to see the 71-metre high UNESCO listed Grand Buddha. Completed in the year 803, it is said that the Buddha's presence has calmed the turbulent waters of the river. View the Buddha from above before taking a short boat trip, which will give you an even better perspective from below. Continue to Emeishan. (B,L,D)

DAY 19 EXPLORE MOUNT EMEI

Mount Emei is the cradle of the Buddhist religion in China with the first temple built on its peak in the 1st Century. Pilgrims and tourists mix amongst the lush vegetation and inconspicuous old temples, all admiring the striking and diverse natural beauty of the mountain and its setting. Spend the day soaking up the ambience and exploring. (B,L,D)

DAY 20 PINGLE ANCIENT TOWN

Dating back to the Han Dynasty, Pingle was a stopping point on the Tea Horse Road. Take time to walk through its maze of teahouselined streets before seeing the bamboo forest from above on Jinji Suspended Rope Bridge. Drive back to Chengdu. (B,L)

DAY 21 CHENGDU PANDA BASE

Spend the morning visiting the Giant Pandas. This afternoon, absorb the culture at People's Park. People-watching here is an endless pleasure, from the lively locals playing mahjong to the singles looking for love in Matchmaker's Corner. In the evening, enjoy a delicious Sichuanese hot pot dinner and an optional 'face changing' show. (B,D)

DAY 22 FLY CHENGDU TO UK

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

2019/2020 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.

Want to fly direct to your destination? Choose Manchester, Heathrow or Gatwick for the biggest selection of direct flights.

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Additional Price Information

Based on London Heathrow departures

Land only from £2890pp (Guilin – Chengdu)

Regional UK departures available

Single room option from £760

Flight upgrades available on request

Tipping payable locally RMB1120pp

Price listed is based on new bookings only

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.

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. ...Read more

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. ...Read more

Jin Tian International Hotel

The Jin Tian International Hotel is situated at Wulingyuan Scenic Area and it enjoys good view and natural surroundings.

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. ...Read more