In Pursuit of Pandas

Comfortable

Group Tour

Fully Inclusive

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.

Tour Highlights

The Great Wall

Beijing

Xian

Giant Pandas

The Great Wall

Walk along this incredible wall, one of the modern wonders of the world

Beijing

Step back into China's dynastic past at the Imperial Forbidden City

Xian

Come face to face with the Terracotta Warriors

Giant Pandas

Visit the world famous Panda Conservation Centre in Chengdu

What's Included

9 Day In Pursuit of Pandas Tour Itinerary

Our In Pursuit of Pandas 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 Beijing

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.

Day 3 Temple of Heaven

We begin with a stroll across Tiananmen Square, flanked by imposing government buildings and the mausoleum of Chairman Mao. At the head of the square the sprawling magnificence of the Forbidden City is a monument to dynasties past. Entering through the Gate of Supreme Harmony, you will find a complex of a thousand rooms and many imperial treasures. Later soak up the ambiance of the Temple of Heaven, an orderly oasis in an urban landscape, where you can watch, or participate in, a dance class. This evening sit down to a traditional dinner of Peking Duck.

Day 4 Great Wall of China

This morning is dedicated to the iconic Great Wall. Stretching thousands of miles, taking a walk on this incredible structure is the best way to appreciate both the wall itself and the magnificent scenery that it crosses. Savour a relaxed afternoon in the idyllic landscapes of the Summer Palace as you wander through traditional gardens and admire exquisite architecture. Jade is revered throughout China, it is said to bring fortune and prosperity to those who wear it - you will have an opportunity to learn more at a jade museum. A Chinese acrobatic show rounds off the day.

Day 5 Fly to Xian

Fly 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. Take a leisurely stroll on the beautifully preserved 14th century city walls that enclose Xian’s old town to get your bearings, before a delicious feast of traditional Shui Jiao dumplings and a performance of Tang Dynasty dancing.

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. Watch the skilled production process and buy a souvenir warrior to take home. Fly to Chengdu.

Day 7 Grand Buddha of Leshan

Travel to Leshan to see the Grand Buddha, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, at 71 metres, this is the world’s largest stone-carved Buddhist monument. A short boat trip on the river will give even better views of the statue. Returning to Chengdu, there will be a stop at the riverside village of Huanglongxi, where cobbled streets and rickety wooden buildings retain the charms of the Qing Dynasty. Sample a delicious Sichuan meal this evening.

Day 8 Giant Pandas

A visit to Chengdu’s famous Panda Conservation Centre allows you to see and learn about China’s celebrated bears. See them up close in surroundings that mirror their natural habitat as they chomp through piles of bamboo. A look around the informative museum gives an overview of the Reserve’s breeding programme. Also, visit the Shu Brocade Embroidery Museum, then enjoy a hot beverage in a traditional tea house before visiting Matchmakers Corner where parents search for worthy suitors for their children.

Day 9 Fly Chengdu to UK

Return flight 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.

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

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. ...Read more

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

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 £1390pp (Beijing - Chengdu)

Single room option from £280

Tipping payable locally RMB320pp

Price listed is based on new bookings only

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).