Pandas of China

From $/pax Pandas of China

Attraction:

Beijing - The Three Great Sights of Beijing - Xi'an - Terracotta Warriors - Chengdu - The Three Gorges Dam - Shanghai

Duration: 13 days / 12 nights

Country: 11

Code: CHC3

Theme:

Classic Highlights

This 13-day suggested itinerary covers different elements of China: the history, heritage sites, landscape, culture, and adorable giant pandas. It makes an ideal tour for first-time visitors who are panda fans or with children.Enjoy all the classic wonders in Beijing, Xi’an, and Shanghai; relax on board of th e Yangtze River cruise; treat yourself to the highlight of the tour — the one-day Panda Keeper Program at Dujiangyan Panda Base in Chengdu. Have a close encounter with the rare species rather than just taking a glance in a zoo.

Highlights

Discover forbidden city, home of 24 emperors and the imperial palace.
Explore the Great Wall and the Temple of Heaven.
Our one-day Panda Keeper Program at Dujiangyan Panda Base in Chengdu
Relax on the luxury Yangtze River cruise
See the Terracotta Warriors and learn how to make clay warriors from local craftsmen in their traditional cave dwellings
Explore the elegance of the Bund by entering old buildings that celebrities stayed in, e.g. Einstein.

Itinerary in brief :

Day 1: Arrival in Beijing
Day 2: Beijing – The Three Great Sights of Beijing (B,L)
Day 3: Beijing – The Great Wall and the Temple of Heaven (B,L)
Day 4: Beijing – Flight to Xi’an (B,L)
Day 5: Xi’An – Terracotta Warriors – Local Cave Dwelling (B,L)
Day 6: Xi’an – Flight to Chengdu (B,L)
Day 7: Chengdu – Panda Keeper Program (B,L)
Day 8: Chengdu and HSR to Chongqing (B,L)
Day 9: Yangtze River Cruise: Shibaozhai (B,L)
Day 10: Yangtze River: Gorges and Shennong Stream (B,L,D)
Day 11: The Three Gorges Dam – Flight to Shanghai (B,L)
Day 12: Shanghai (B,L)
Day 13: Shanghai- Departure (B,L)

Itinerary

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Day 1 : Arrival in Beijing

Arrival in the airport and pick up and transfer by comfortable private with an experienced driver will transfer you directly to your hotel. Your guide will help you to check-in.

Day 2 : Beijing - The Three Great Sights of Beijing (B,L)

Experiences on the day include the classic, epic sites of Beijing. The Forbidden City was home to 24 emperors and to the imperial palace where treasures are housed and history has occurred. Your expert guide will escort you for about 3 hours in the emperors' home, show you some interesting places you would never find by yourself and guide you away from the noise and crush of other tour groups. The grand Tian'anmen Square is the largest city square in the world and has been witness to many major historical events; and, after spending half a day walking around those two sites, you will get on a rickshaw to the hutongs to discover the traditional local lifestyle. Overnight in Beijing.

Day 3 : Beijing - The Great Wall and the Temple of Heaven (B,L)

Freshen up in the morning and start the day at the Temple of Heaven, which was the place for where the emperor prayed for good weather and a good harvest. Interact with the locals and join in with different morning exercise groups to experience their healthy lifestyle. Then continue to the Great Wall at Mutianyu, a less-crowded section of the Great Wall good for leisurely walks, passing through watchtowers and presenting a superb view as the wall snakes across hills and mountains. The autumn colors are especially good for photography, as is the winter snow

Day 4 : Beijing - Flight to Xi'an (B,L)

Walk around the tranquil Summer Palace at a leisurely pace, and enjoy the royal garden that was designed almost 300 years ago. Take a pleasant boat ride on the lake and have a stroll in the long corridors to view the exquisite paintings on the ceilings. Immerse yourself in traditional Chinese architecture. Then visit the colorful Yonghe Lama Temple, which is the largest and most famous Tibetan Buddhist temple outside Tibet. You can see the world's largest wooden statue (the Matreiya Buddha) and Tibetan exhibitions. In the afternoon, you will be driven to the airport and fly to Xi'an.

Day 5 : Xi’An - Terracotta Warriors - Local Cave Dwelling (B,L)

This day includes the must-see of Xi'an. The Terracotta Warriors and Horses, with each figure being unique, have guarded Emperor Qin's tomb since 210 BC. Have a silent conversation with these figures that are 2,200 years old. Then discover a local craftsman's cave dwelling, which has the raw materials and tools for terracotta model making, and learn how to make clay warriors from them. After lunch, return to the city area and visit the Ancient City Wall, which has been guarding the inner city for 600 years. Walking along the Ancient City Wall provides a good view of the city. You can also rent a bike to cycle around the wall.

Day 6 : Xi'an – Flight to Chengdu (B,L)

Discover more of Xi'an and China's ancient history at the Shaanxi History Museum then head to the Muslim Quarter and wander through the alleyways to explore and taste the local Muslim Cuisine, like Pita Bread Soaked in Lamb Soup, or Jiasan Steamed Soup Dumplings. Then visit the symbol of Xi'an city, the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, a simple, elegant brick pagoda built in the 7th century, stands in the grounds of the attractive Da Ci'en Temple. In the evening, you will be taken to the airport by your guide for the flight to Chengdu.

Day 7 : Chengdu - Panda Keeper Program (B,L)

Dujiangyan Panda Base is now the only base in China to offer the Panda Keeper Program and the opportunity to cuddle a panda for photos. It takes about 1 hour and a half by car to get there from the hotel. Under the guidance of English-speaking staff, you will clean the panda enclosures, feed the pandas from a very short distance away, watch panda movies, and make cakes for the treasured creatures. Have a Chinese lunch with staff in their canteen. This one-day close encounter with pandas makes for the memory of a lifetime.

Day 8 : Chengdu and HSR to Chongqing (B,L)

Feel relax at Wenshu Monastery. This large Zen Buddhist temple is a lively and attractive complex. The exquisitely decorated halls house a fascinating collection of artworks, statues and curios. Created by the internationally renowned artist Lawrence Argent, a gigantic panda sculpture weighs 13 tons and is 15 meters tall. Climbing on the wall of the Chengdu International Finance Square (Chengdu IFS) on Chunxi Road, this massive panda has become a trendy landmark of Chengdu. Try local snacks at Jinli Old Street, spicy and tongue-numbing food open your taste buds. In the afternoon, your guide and driver will transfer you to the railway station to catch the HSR (high-speed rail) to Chongqing. Your guide in Chongqing will meet you and help you to check-in at the luxury New Century Legend Ship that departs at 9:00pm. Overnight onboard

Day 9 : Yangtze River Cruise: Shibaozhai (B,L)

Enjoy the scenery of riverbanks passing by during the leisurely morning. In the afternoon, a short visit to Shibaozhai — a magnificent red pavilion providing a walkway to the top of a solitary hill — allows for spectacular views of the area. An optional tour to Fengdu Ghost City awaits those who are interested in mystical matters. A welcome banquet and party ends the day, while you glide along the glistening river. Overnight onboard

Day 10 : Yangtze River: Gorges and Shennong Stream (B,L,D)

Morning visit two of the magnificent three gorges, Qutang and Wu Gorge, so be ready with a camera. The majesty of nature presents itself to you as you sit back and relax. The afternoon is dedicated to visiting Shennong Stream, which has rushing waterfalls and an ancient plank path leading to suspended coffins in a cliff. You also have the option of visiting White Emperor City. In the evening, the ship's crew will present a performance for your entertainment. Overnight onboard

Day 11 : The Three Gorges Dam - Flight to Shanghai (B,L)

The Three Gorges Dam is the highlight of the day, and a visit to the top of the dam gives you some great photo opportunities. The vast ship locks are a wonder of engineering — seeing is believing. You will learn more about the world's biggest hydroelectric project, firsthand. After arriving in Yichang, you will be taken to the airport for a transfer flight to Shanghai. Overnight in hotel in Shanghai

Day 12 : Shanghai (B,L)

The 2-hour in-depth Bund culture discovery experience will take you back to the golden age of the Bund in the 1920s. Go into old buildings to have a look around them. Enter the room that Albert Einstein stayed in. To explore the traditional part, the charming Yu Garden presents exquisite examples of gardening and the Chinese people's philosophy of life. Located in the Former French Concession, Shanghai Propaganda Poster Art Centre is a collection that belongs to Mr. Yang Peiming. Hidden in the basement of an apartment building, it is dedicated to documenting the changes in modern Chinese dogma, as depicted on thousands of striking posters from 1910 to 1990.

Day 13 : Shanghai- Departure (B)

Your private car, driver, and guide will transport you to the airport and take you all the way to the security gate for your convenience. Relax all the way to the airplane with us.