Chendgu Panda's, Walls & Warriors & Shanghai 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

 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 Chengdu Panda Research Base is home to over 80 giant pandas and is actively involved in breeding programmes aimed at preserving this adorable species?

♦ Tour Tip: For an immersive experience, visit early in the morning when the pandas are most active and playful, making for perfect photo opportunities!

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: Discovered in 1974 by local farmers, the Terracotta Army consists of over 8,000 life-size soldiers, horses, and chariots buried to guard the tomb of China's first emperor, Qin Shi Huang.

♦ Tour Tip: When you visit, be sure to take time to explore the less crowded pits, where you can see the stunning details of the warriors without the hustle and bustle of larger crowds nearby.

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: China’s bullet train network is the fastest in the world, with trains reaching speeds of up to 350 km/h, allowing you to effortlessly connect between cities like Xian and Beijing in just a few hours.

♦ Tour Tip: While onboard, keep an eye out for the stunning landscapes rolling past; the views are particularly delightful in the early morning when the mist dances over the fields.

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: As one of the largest public squares in the world, Tiananmen Square has been a site of numerous significant historical events, including the founding ceremony of the People's Republic of China in 1949.

♦ Tour Tip: A great tip for visiting is to arrive for the flag-raising ceremony at dawn, which offers a captivating and serene experience amidst the city’s hustle and bustle.

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: The Great Wall of China, a UNESCO World Heritage site, spans over 13,000 miles and showcases incredible engineering feats that have defended the nation for centuries.

♦ Tour Tip: Choose a less crowded section, like Jinshanling or Simatai, for a more tranquil experience and unforgettable views of the wall snaking over the rugged landscape.

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: The Huangpu River, which flows through Shanghai, has been a vital waterway since the 19th century, playing a crucial role in the city’s role as a trading hub during the Opium Wars.

♦ Tour Tip: For a delightful experience, consider taking a leisurely stroll along the waterfront promenade known as the Bund, where you can enjoy stunning views of both the historic colonial architecture and the modern skyline.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Included

‣ Day 9: Depart Shanghai

● After breakfast, you will be met by an English-speaking assistant and transferred to Shanghai cruise port to board Spectrum of the Seas for your 5 Night Cruise.