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Journey from the imperial treasures of Beijing through atmospheric Xian with its enigmatic legions of Terracotta Warriors to reach the charming city of Chengdu, where you will meet its most famous residents – the captivating Giant Pandas.
From 2026, the In Pursuit of Pandas tour will be extended to 10 days, with an additional night spent exploring Xian. As one of China’s four great ancient capitals, with a history spanning over 3,100 years, we’re excited to offer even more time to experience the depth and heritage of this remarkable city.
Our In Pursuit of Pandas tour will see you exploring the most iconic sites, delving into deep-rooted culture and dining on delicious cuisine.
Walk along this incredible wall, one of the modern wonders of the world
Step back into China's dynastic past at the Imperial Forbidden City
Come face to face with the Terracotta Warriors
Visit the world famous Panda Conservation Centre in Chengdu
Our In Pursuit of Pandas 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.
At the heart of a huge tea-producing region and once a stop on the Tea Horse Road, drinking tea is an essential element of life in Chengdu. Visit a traditional tea house to experience the history, customs and taste the perfect brew.
At the heart of Sichuan's province, the native land of the giant panda, visit the excellent Dujiangyan Panda Base where you'll learn all about China's iconic bear, the conservation projects in action to increase their numbers and, of course, see these beautiful animals for yourself.
Be immersed in the opulence of the Tang Dynasty through a vibrant dancing show, capturing the elegance and cultural richness of ancient China, and dine on traditional Shui Jiao dumplings – a Chinese culinary delight with savoury fillings.
As it is so huge, China is a country made for train travel. With the world’s biggest and busiest rail networks, and the longest high-speed network, AND the world’s highest rail line, trains are a simple and fast way to deliver you right into the hidden corners of this vast nation. Modern and comfortable, travelling by train here gives more opportunity to see some of the huge variety of landscapes that China boasts and to interact with locals and fellow travellers alike.
China’s high-speed rail network runs to about 45,000 kilometres of track, with trains speeding along at a top speed of 350 kilometres per hour (217 mph). Sleek and sophisticated in appearance and nearly always on time, these bullet trains connect over 200 cities all over the country, and come in three categories, G, D and C.
G trains are the fastest, running during the day, while D is second-fastest and offers overnight facilities like soft sleeper carriages. C trains run between neighbouring cities. All of these trains are air-conditioned, provide free boiled and cold water, have both Western and squat toilets available and have a dining car and café/bar for drinks.
Seats are all forward facing and are wider, softer and plusher with more legroom than your average airline seat. They are also reclinable so you can sit back and watch the landscapes fly by the window or if you’re on one of the newer trains (G category) browse the internet with the train’s Wi-Fi.We take several journeys onboard high-speed trains on our China by Rail and Silk Road Explorer tours.
Although they don’t reach the speeds of their high-speed counterparts, China’s regular train services are just as effective of moving people around the country but tend to be older and with lower quality facilities which is reflected in the price.
Generally air-conditioned, washbasins and boiled water is available at the end of each coach and there is a dining car serving freshly cooked food. There are toilets onboard, but they tend to be squat only. They also come in three categories – Z, T and K – Z being non-stop express trains that operate long distances between cities, running up to 160 kph (99mph), T being express trains with limited tops and K being fast trains that make the most stops of the three.
Regular trains are more likely to offer sleeper services with two classes, soft and hard. Soft sleepers offer compartments with a closing door, with four berths, two on each side, with a pillow and sheet provided, plus an individual reading light – we use this class of carriage on our Tibetan Railroad tour.
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.
Fly overnight to Beijing, China's historical capital. Depending on your time of arrival, the rest of the day is yours to start soaking up the local culture.
Begin in Beijing's symbolic heart with a stroll across vast Tiananmen Square, flanked by grand government buildings and Mao's mausoleum. Step into the Forbidden City, a maze of golden rooftops, serene courtyards and imperial treasures, once home to China's emperors. Later, wander through the Temple of Heaven, a vision of Ming design and harmony, then savour a dinner of Peking duck, Beijing's cherished local delicacy.
This morning is dedicated to China's most iconic sight – the Great Wall. Stretching thousands of miles from the Yellow Sea to the Gobi Desert, over all sorts of dramatic landscapes, it is one of the world’s most impressive feats of engineering. Taking a walk on this incredible structure is the best way to appreciate both the wall itself and the magnificent scenery that it crosses. Drive back to Beijing and enjoy a relaxed afternoon in the idyllic gardens of the Summer Palace. You will also have an opportunity to visit a jade factory, where you will be able to buy a small handcrafted piece. A thrilling fusion of athleticism and artistry at a Chinese acrobatic show rounds off the day.
Take the bullet train to Xian. An illustrious and age-old city, Xian is one of the four great ancient capitals of China. It is also the capital of Shaanxi province and the starting point of the fabled Silk Road with a history spanning 3,100 years. Tonight, enjoy a delicious feast of traditional Shui Jiao dumplings and a performance of Tang Dynasty dancing.
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-sized warriors and horses 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. Watch the skilled production process and perhaps buy a souvenir warrior to take home. Later, enjoy a leisurely stroll along the beautifully preserved 14th-century city walls that encircle Xian's old town and stop at a local brewery for a refreshing beer tasting.
Step back in time with a visit to Yuanjia Village, a beautifully restored heritage village offering a glimpse into Qing Dynasty architecture, traditional crafts, and authentic local flavours. Later, board a bullet train to Chengdu, the vibrant capital of Sichuan province.
This morning visit Dujiangyan Panda Base for your first panda encounter! Located 1.5 hours outside of Chengdu, this centre is dedicated to the study of disease control and the rescue of wild pandas – the perfect place to gain insight into the hard work that goes into caring for and boosting the population of this endangered species. Later, enjoy the atmosphere of Jinli Street – a lively street lined with antique shops and restaurants before sampling a delicious Sichuanese meal.
Your second panda experience will take place at Chengdu's famous Panda Conservation Centre, located right in the city. An education centre and breeding facility, here you'll see both pandas and red pandas up close as they chomp through piles of bamboo, sleep and play, and learn all about their physiology and conservation. Back in Chengdu, enjoy a cup of tea at a traditional teahouse, then visit Matchmaker's Corner, where parents search for worthy suitors for their children.
Fly to the UK, arriving home the same or following day.
Our tours feature hand-picked properties selected for their comfort, modern amenities and convenient location for sightseeing. We occasionally include a stay in a guesthouse or lodge where we feel the character of the property will enhance your tour, or to allow access to a more unique and memorable location. Here is a taster of the type of hotels you will be staying in on your tour.
The best times to visit China are in spring (April to May) and autumn, (September to October) when temperatures are warm and humidity low.
If your tour departs in less than 30 days, please call our travel experts to book. Read our Price Match Promise
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Dedicated Solo departures are available on selected dates for this tour.
These solos-only departures feature smaller group sizes of up to 18, along with free airport lounge access.
There are no dedicated Solo departures for this year. You can enjoy any of our tours with no Single Supplement on our Happy to Share option or explore the solo departures in other years.
The same great Wendy Wu tour - just with an extra level of comfort. Enjoy relaxed 5-star city hotels, unique properties, and overnight cruises, each selected to deliver an elevated experience. See Upgraded Tour Hotels above for more details.
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