In Pursuit of Pandas Private Tour

2020 / 2021 Tour Dates & Prices

Private itineraries can run on any day of the week. To book this tour, please call us on 0808 274 8594

In Pursuit of Pandas Private Tour - Tour Itinerary

Days 1-2 Fly to Beijing

Fly overnight to Beijing, China's capital city.

Day 3 Forbidden City & Temple of Heaven

Soak up the harmonious ambience of the Temple of Heaven, an orderly oasis in a bustling urban landscape, where you can watch, or participate in an outdoor dance class. Later, stroll through Tiananmen Square, past Chairman Mao's Mausoleum, to the treasure-filled Forbidden City. This evening, sit down to a traditional dinner of Peking duck. (B,L,D)

Day 4 Great Wall & Summer Palace

This morning is dedicated to China’s most iconic sight – the Great Wall. Taking a walk on this incredible structure is the best way to appreciate both the sheer magnificence of the wall itself and the dramatic scenery that it crosses. Visit the Jade Factory, and later tour the exquisite Summer Palace. Watch a fascinating Chinese Acrobatic show in the evening. (B,L)

Day 5 Fly to Xian

Fly to Xian, the former ancient capital. Take a leisurely stroll on the beautifully preserved 14th-century city walls that enclose Xian’s old town, before a delicious feast of traditional Shui Jiao dumplings and a performance of Tang Dynasty dancing. (B,L,D)

Day 6 Terracotta Warriors

After their fortuitous discovery by local farmers 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-like warriors who stand in their original formations at the exact location they were excavated. Visit the workshop of the craftsmen who recreate Terracotta Warriors in the style of their ancient counterparts. Later, take the bullet train to Chengdu. (B,L)

Day 7 Dujiangyan Panda Base

Today, meet the Giant Pandas at Dujiangyan Panda Base. Located in the forested Sichuanese countryside, Dujiangyan offers refuge to Giant Pandas with the aim to reintroduce them into the wild. Later, return to Chengdu and soak up the atmosphere on lively Jinli Street and wander through Nanjiao Park. In the evening, enjoy a typical Sichuanese meal. (B,L,D)

Day 8 Giant Pandas

This morning, visit the famous Panda Conservation Centre. A look around the informative museum gives an overview of the Reserve’s breeding programme. Visit Matchmaker’s Corner in People’s Park, where you can watch parents search for suitable suitors for their children, and visit a traditional tea house (at your own expense). (B,L)

Day 9 Fly Chengdu to UK

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

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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.