Walls & Warriors, Pandas & South Korea Tour

Escorted Tour Highlights

• ● Chengdu Panda Research Base
• ● Bullet Train to Xian & Beijing
• ● Terracotta Army
• ● Xian Arts and Ceramics Exhibition
• ● 14th Century Ancient City Walls
• ● Muslim Quarter
• ● Tang Dynasty Show and Dumpling Banquet Dinner
• ● Tiananmen Square
• ● Forbidden City
• ● Gate of Supreme Harmony
• ● Temple of Heaven
• ● The Great Wall
• ● Jade Factory, The Sacred Way, and Ming Tombs
• ● Huangpu River Cruise
• ● Chinese Acrobatic Show
• ● Gwanghwamun Plaza
• ● National Folk Museum
• ● Namsangol Hanok Village

 Your Tour Itinerary in Detail

‣ Day 1: United Kingdom → Chengdu, China 

● Fly from the UK to Chengdu, China Overnight

‣ Day 2: Chengdu International Airport

● On arrival into Chengdu International airport, be met by an English-speaking guide and transfer to your hotel for check-in.

‣ Day 3: Chengdu | Xian

● After breakfast this morning, visit China’s most lovable resident, the Giant Panda, at the Chengdu Panda Research Base. A visit here allows you to see and learn about China’s celebrated bears up close in surroundings that mirror their natural habitat. A look around the informative museum gives an overview of the reserve’s breeding programme.

● Afterwards, transfer to Chengdu train station to board your onward bullet train to Xian. On arrival, transfer to your hotel for check-in.

 Info: Did you know that the iconic giant panda was once classified as a carnivore rather than a herbivore due to its lineage, and it only transitioned to a bamboo diet relatively recently in its evolutionary history?

♦ Tour Tip: An insider tip is to visit the base during feeding times, usually in the morning, to see the pandas energetically munching on bamboo, which is a delightful sight.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Included

‣ Day 4: Xian

● After their fortuitous discovery 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. Visit the Xian Arts and Ceramics Exhibition too see 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. Afterwards, take a walk on the beautifully preserved 14th Century Ancient City Walls and stroll around the atmospheric alleys of the Muslim Quarter, which are lined with Islamic food stalls.

● This evening, enjoy a fascinating Tang Dynasty Show and Dumpling Banquet dinner.

 Info: While the Terracotta Army is often linked to Emperor Qin Shi Huang, most people are unaware that the statues were originally painted in vibrant colours, which have sadly faded over the millennia due to exposure to air and moisture.

♦ Tour Tip: To gain a deeper appreciation of this historical marvel, take the time to explore the smaller pits as well; they offer fascinating insights into the army's construction and the stories behind individual warriors.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Included

‣ Day 5: Xian | Beijing

● Today, be met by an English-speaking assistant and transfer to Xian train station and take the bullet train to Beijing.

● On arrival, transfer to your hotel for check-in. Spend the remainder of the day at leisure.

 Info: Remarkably, China is home to the world's fastest commercial train service, with speeds reaching up to 350 km/h, which makes travelling by bullet train not only efficient but also incredibly thrilling.

♦ Tour Tip: For an optimal experience, choose to sit in the first car, where you'll experience a smooth ride and a fantastic view as you glide past picturesque countryside.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Included

‣ Day 6: Beijing

● Heading to Beijing’s symbolic heart, stroll across Tiananmen Square and into the sprawling magnificence of the Forbidden City. Entering through the Gate of Supreme Harmony, you will find a complex full of imperial riches.

● Next, soak up the harmonious ambience of the Temple of Heaven, an orderly oasis in bustling urban landscape, before viewing an inspiring Chinese acrobatic show.

 Info: This expansive square has been a site of profound historical events, not just as the site of the 1989 protests, but also as a stage for monumental national ceremonies since the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949.

♦ Tour Tip: To make the most of your visit, arrive early in the morning to witness the daily flag-raising ceremony, an inspiring ritual that pays tribute to the nation's heritage.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Included

‣ Day 7: Beijing

● This morning is dedicated to China’s most iconic sight – the Great Wall. Taking a walk on the Mutianyu section (Cable car included) of this incredible structure is the best way to appreciate both the sheer magnificence of the wall itself and the dramatic scenery that it crosses.

● In the afternoon, stop off at the Jade Factory, The Sacred Way, and Ming Tombs. This evening, dine on delicious Peking Duck, a local Beijing speciality, before returning to your hotel and spending the remainder of the day at leisure.

Info: Surprisingly, contrary to popular belief, the Great Wall is not a single continuous wall but rather a series of fortifications built by different dynasties over centuries, making it a patchwork of history.

♦ Tour Tip: For an extraordinary experience, explore less crowded sections such as Jinshanling, where you can hike and truly immerse yourself in the natural beauty and historical significance without the throngs of tourists.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Included

‣ Day 8: Beijing | Shanghai

●Today, be met by an English-speaking assistant and transfer to Beijing train station and take the bullet train to Shanghai.

● On arrival, transfer to take a stroll along the Bund before checking in to your hotel.

● This evening, view the city from the Huangpu River on a panoramic cruise, giving you a chance to see the city lit up at night before enjoying a traditional Shanghainese dinner.

Info: Beyond its picturesque views of the skyline, the Huangpu River has played a vital role in Shanghai's economic history, serving as a significant shipping route since the 19th century.

♦ Tour Tip: When on a Huangpu River cruise, consider sitting on the upper deck at sunrise to fully appreciate the ethereal beauty of the city’s skyline reflecting in the water, with the morning mist creating a serene atmosphere that's perfect for photography.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Included

‣ Day 9: Shanghai | Seoul

● After breakfast and check-out, you will be met by an English-speaking assistant and transferred to Shanghai airport to board your onward flight to Seoul.

● On arrival, transfer to your hotel and spend remainder of day at leisure.

Info: Did you know that in the late 19th century, Seoul was home to the world’s first underground electric tram system, which remarkably operated between 1899 and 1901 before it was overshadowed by more modern transport methods?

♦ Tour Tip: For a truly authentic experience, head to a traditional market like Gwangjang Market in the early morning to savour delicious street food delicacies such as bindaetteok (mung bean pancakes) while soaking in the vibrant atmosphere and mingling with local vendors.

Breakfast Included

‣ Day 10: Highlights of Seoul Tour

● Begin with a visit to Gwanghwamun Plaza to admire the statues of King Sejong and Admiral Yi SunSin. Continue through Gwanghwamun Gate to visit Gyeongbokgung (Gyeongbok) Palace, the main royal palace of the Joseon Dynasty. Originally built in 1395, it was expanded in 1867 to become the largest, and arguably most beautiful of Seoul’s five palaces, with 330 buildings in total. Return to the Gwanghwamun Gate to witness the ceremonial changing of the guard.

● Continue with a visit to the National Folk Museum. Located within the palace grounds, the museum contains interesting exhibits about the history of Korean people and their culture. The next stop on this Seoul city tour is Insadong Arts and Crafts Street, a renowned district in Seoul that serves as a vibrant hub for Korean traditional culture and craftsmanship.

● Next, visit the Namsangol Hanok Village, a recreated village that features five restored hanoks from the Joseon Dynasty. The village offers a glimpse into traditional Korean life as well as an educational experience for visitors of all ages. Final stop of the day is Gwangjang traditional market, one of the oldest and largest traditional markets in Korea. Previously known as Dongdaemun Market, it is famous for selling beautiful fabrics, especially those used for making traditional Korean dress, called hanbok.

Info: Did you know that Gyeongbokgung Palace, which translates to "Palace of Flourishing Happiness," was originally built in 1395 but has been reconstructed several times, with many structures destroyed during the Japanese occupation in the early 20th century?

♦ Tour Tip: To truly appreciate the grand scale and intricate architecture of the palace, take a leisurely stroll through the surrounding gardens, where you can often spot locals practising traditional calligraphy or enjoying a peaceful afternoon—it's a lovely way to immerse yourself in the culture while escaping the usual tourist paths.

Breakfast Included

‣ Day 11: Depart Seoul

● After breakfast and check-out, you will be met by an English-speaking assistant and transferred to Seoul cruise port to Board your 12 Night All Inclusive Celebrity Millennium Cruise.

Breakfast Included