Magnificent China - with Wendy Wu Tours

On arrival in Beijing Daxing or Beijing Capital Airport, you will be met in the arrival hall by your local guide and/or National Escort from Wendy Wu Tours.
Together with all the other group members who may be arriving at a similar time, you will transfer approximately 1 hour to your hotel.
Early check-in is not included. Additional nights before and after your tour can be arranged. Please contact our Reservations team to book.
An informal Welcome Dinner will be held on Day 2. Late arrivals will receive a box dinner.
Destination Information
Beijing – The capital of the People’s Republic of China, with its unequalled wealth of history, Beijing served as the centre for the many different empires and cultures that ruled China. It has been the heart of politics and society throughout its long history. The ancient monuments, stories of days gone by, and the dynamic, modern city Beijing has become today, make it a destination not to be missed.

Meals: Dinner

Walk through Tiananmen Square and into the magnificent Forbidden City. Next, soak up the harmonious ambience of the Temple of Heaven.
Sightseeing here will involve approximately 3-4 hours on foot.
Enjoy a traditional Peking duck dinner this evening.
Please note: The Forbidden City is closed on Mondays. If this day of touring falls on a Monday, your touring in Beijing will be switched around so that the Forbidden City is visited on an alternative day.
Please note: In an effort to preserve the Forbidden City, the number of entry tickets per day has been significantly reduced.
Whilst every effort will be made to obtain the tickets, should this not be possible, then you will instead visit the Forbidden City from the outside and visit the nearby Prince Kung’s Palace Museum.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Rise early this morning and drive around 2-hours northwest of the city to the Juyongguan Pass. Here you can take a walk on the Great Wall of China, appreciating the wall itself and the dramatic scenery.
After walking from the coach to the first section, your group will receive an introduction to the Great Wall’s unique history and a briefing on the different walking routes available, depending on your level of fitness.
You will then have approximately 2.5 hours free time to explore at your own pace. Please note that there are many steps at the wall and certain sections are steeper than others. Later, visit a jade factory before taking a stroll through the exquisite Summer Palace.
Destination Information
Great Wall of China – Originally built under the first Emperor of China, Qin Shi Huang, The Great Wall of China is the country’s most iconic sight. Snaking through the northern countryside from the Gobi Desert in the west into the Bohai Sea in the east, the Great Wall of China is the longest wall in the world and was used as a fortification against northern nomadic tribes. The current structure dates to the Ming Dynasty - over 700 years old.
Jade Factory – Learn about one of China’s most symbolic and important materials: jade, at this comprehensive factory. Understand how to tell if jade is real or fake and watch artisans at work, carving this emerald stone into works of art.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

This morning, enjoy a leisurely stroll in the warren-like hutongs where you will meet a local family. There will be around 1 hour on foot here. Transfer to the train station and take the speedy bullet train to Xian, a journey of around 5.5 hours.
Please note you will need to carry your own luggage on and off the train.
Destination Information
Hutongs – The Mongol rulers of Beijing established this style of housing in the 13th century as tenancy for the growing population of the city. Hutongs were designed to reflect the Chinese system of Feng Shui with 4 hutongs joining together to make a courtyard in the middle, known as Siheyuan. In more recent times, the hutong suburbs were in jeopardy of disappearing, but a fierce debate between developers and those who fought to protect the architecture and the hutong way of life diminished the threat.
Xian – Xian has long played a pivotal role in China’s extensive history and has been a thriving hub for cultural exchange, economic trade as well as national politics for centuries. Home to some of China’s most ancient sights, diverse architecture and delicious fares, Xian is a must-see destination.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Spend the morning viewing the enigmatic ranks of the life-sized Terracotta Warriors. The Museum of the Terracotta Warriors and Horses is located approximately a 1-hour drive outside of Xian. From the bus park to the museum entrance there is a 15-minute walk. There are electric carts offered by private vendors which can be organised at your own cost. There is no electric cart available for the return from the museum exit to the bus park. Within the museum area the warriors can be seen in 3 different ‘pits’, which are active archaeological digs. The site is large and will take about 2 and a half hours to explore. After this, visit the Xian Art Ceramics and Lacquer Exhibition Workshop to see smaller models of the warriors being made.
Stop by a brewery to try a selection of local craft beers (non-alcoholic beverages also available) then enjoy a delicious feast of traditional Shui Jiao dumplings and a performance of Tang Dynasty dancing.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Start your day with a lesson in calligraphy, then stroll on the beautifully preserved 14th century city walls that enclose Xian’s old town.
The local guide will give you time to explore the ancient city walls at your own pace. There are options here to hire a bicycle or an electric cart to drive along the length of the wall. These are offered by private vendors and can be organised at your own expense.
End the day exploring the atmospheric Muslim Quarter. The Muslim Quarter can get crowded, so please be mindful of your belongings.
Later, an optional Tang Ever-bright City night tour may be offered (time permitting, payable locally).

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Board the bullet train for a 4 hour journey to Chengdu, capital of Sichuan Province. Tonight, there is an option to see a performance of Sichuan Opera, famous for ‘face-changing’ (time permitting, payable locally).
Please note you will need to carry your own luggage on and off the train.
Destination Information
Chengdu – China’s symbolic western capital and the residence of the country’s most lovable black and white bear, Chengdu has an abundance to offer. With a fast-paced economy that is dragging China’s west into the 21st century, it is no wonder that Chengdu’s appeal is growing year on year. As the gateway into Sichuan Province’s large collection of sights, as well as Chengdu being its own trove of historical and cultural treasures, Chengdu is a must-visit on any trip to China.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Today you will visit China’s most famous resident, the Giant Panda. Visit the Panda Conservation Centre where you can learn about China’s celebrated bear.
See these lovable creatures in surroundings that mirror their natural habitat. It is not guaranteed that you will be able to see the feeding of the younger pandas, as this only happens at the start and end of each day.
Sightseeing involves approximately 1 and a half hours on foot and there are electric carts offered by private vendors that can be organised at your own cost. Later, wander through Matchmaker’s Corner in People’s Park where parents search for suitable suitors for their children, and visit a traditional Tea House where you will try traditional Chinese tea.
Stroll down the Wide and Narrow Alley and in the evening, enjoy a delicious Sichuanese meal.
Destination Information
Panda Conservation Centre – With over 80 pandas holding residence, the Chengdu Panda Research Base is equipped with the latest technology and research materials to gain a further understanding in how we can protect the panda and maintain, if not increase, its numbers. The park is set up to resemble the mountain and forest regions in north Sichuan, the original home of the Giant Panda, with extensive bamboo trees and large green spaces. Red Pandas, the Giant Panda’s lovable cousin, and flamboyant peacocks too roam the park, making for an interesting mix.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Travel by bullet train approximately 6.5 hours to Yichang to board your Yangtze River cruise vessel, where you will stay for the next four nights.
Please note you will need to carry your own luggage on and off the train.
The cruise includes one daily shore excursion along with various onboard activities and entertainment.
Additional shore excursions (approx. RMB350 per person) are available, payable onboard, subject to local conditions. Please consult your guide about physical requirements, as some ports may involve many steps.
The Yangtze River cruise section of your itinerary will not be confirmed by the cruise operators until after you commence as it is subject to local river conditions and water levels.
Your local guide will do their utmost to keep you informed of any changes but cannot guarantee against delays or – in rare cases – cancellations of sections of your itinerary.
A detailed itinerary will be handed out on the vessel each day.
If you don’t take part in a shore excursion but wish to disembark, a port tax (approx. RMB250 per person) applies, though disembarkation may not always be possible due to security reasons.
Please be aware that embarking and disembarking the cruise ship may involve several steps, especially at low tide. Notify us in advance if this may be an issue.
There are amenities package (starting from Day 2), deck and cabin upgrades available to pre-book. Please enquire with our Reservations team.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Visit the Three Gorges Dam, the world’s largest hydroelectric dam, and marvel at this incredible feat of engineering.
Disembark the ship and take a scenic 45-minute drive (please note that the coach is not permitted to take photo stops) to the viewing area above the ship locks, where you will be able to appreciate the immense scale of this monumental project.
Explore a small museum and a lookout point for further insight into its construction and impact on the region. This excursion includes approximately one hour of walking. Return to the ship and cruise through Xiling Gorge, the longest and deepest of the Three Gorges.
Additional shore excursions may include the Three Gorges Dam Lift, visit to the Tribe of the Three Gorges or to the Hometown of Qu Yuan.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Transfer to smaller vessels for a relaxing 1.5-hour excursion through the Shennong Stream gorges. Though narrower than the Three Gorges, these dramatic waterways offer equally as impressive scenery.
There is no walking involved on this shore excursion, however you will need to get on and off the boat without assistance.
Later, as the cruise ship continues upstream, prepare for breathtaking vistas as you pass through Wu and Qutang gorges.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Continue cruising along the mighty Yangtze River. Relax onboard or disembark to explore the Xiaoguanshan Folk Culture Park, a reconstructed park featuring ancestral homes, the historic Tianfo Temple, and Huichuan Gate, all rescued from the submerged areas of the Three Gorges Dam. Sightseeing is on foot at a leisurely pace, taking approximately 1-2 hours.
Depending on local river conditions and the cruise programme, you may visit Shibaozhai or Mt Shuanggui instead.
Additional shore excursions may include Fengdu's "Ghost City".
Destination Information
Xiaoguanshan Folk Culture Park – Spanning 2,001 square meters, the park features the historic homes of the Qin, Zhou, Wang, and Lu families, as well as the ancient Tianfo Temple and Huichuan Gate, all originally located in the Three Gorges Dam's submerged areas of Gaojia and Mingshan towns. These valuable structures were painstakingly dismantled, with each piece meticulously numbered, and then transported to Xiaoguanshan. Over the course of five years, from 2002 to 2007, they were carefully reconstructed to preserve their historical integrity.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Check out of your cabin early this morning and disembark in Chongqing. There are around 200 steps from the coach parking to the cruise dock. Board the bullet train to the beautiful city of Guilin. The journey will be approximately 4 hours and 50 minutes.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Take a relaxed 4-hour cruise along the Li River to the charming village of Yangshuo, where you will spend 2 nights. Around every river bend is a view to take your breath away as jagged peaks loom over rural scenes of lush greenery, grazing buffalos and local fishermen.
These are small cruise boats usually holding approximately 100 passengers: with an enclosed dining area on the lower deck and an open viewing area on the upper deck. Usually, the boats depart at 9am from the dock located a 1-hour drive from your hotel.
However, when the river level is low, they depart further downstream, which would mean a longer drive and an earlier check-out from your hotel. Disembarking from the cruise, your Local Guide will walk with you to your hotel, approximately a 30-minute walk from the river. There are electric carts offered by private vendors which can be organised at your own cost.
In Yangshuo, visit the local markets. An optional Sanjie Liu Impression’s show is available this evening (time permitting, payable locally).

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Yangshuo sits in an exquisite rural location, surrounded by landscapes of jewel-green paddy fields and dramatic limestone karsts.
Begin your day with an invigorating Tai Chi class led by a local master, followed by a soothing Chinese reflexology massage.
Spend the rest of the morning exploring the countryside then enjoy the afternoon free at leisure.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Travel back to Guilin, stopping at a tea plantation to explore among the tea bushes, enjoy a tasting and learn about China’s rich tea heritage.
Then ride a scenic cable car up Yao Mountain for panoramic views of Guilin’s dramatic karst landscape.
Sightseeing today is leisurely with around 2 hours on foot.
Destination Information
Yao Mountain – Known for its rolling peaks and peaceful atmosphere just outside Guilin. A scenic cable car ride takes visitors to the summit, offering sweeping views of the karst landscape below. At the top, walking trails and traditional pavilions provide a tranquil escape surrounded by nature.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Today you will fly for 2 hours and 15 minutes to the exuberant city of Shanghai.
Later, spend some time in the city’s Xintiandi area, a vibrant entertainment district made up of traditional 19th century Shikumen architecture.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Travel approximately 2 hours to neighboring Suzhou, which is renowned for its gardens. Visit one of its finest, the Humble Administrator’s Garden.
Cruise the Grand Canal, before returning to Shanghai to dine on local Shanghainese cuisine. There will be 3-4 hours walking while sightseeing today.
Destination Information
Suzhou – Situated on the lower reaches of the Yangtze and close to Shanghai, Suzhou may be a modern city at first glance, but venture into the old centre and you’ll find a world of meticulously designed classical gardens, cobbled streets and picturesque waterways.
Humble Administrator’s Garden – Part of the UNESCO World Heritage site of classical gardens in Suzhou, the Humble Administrator’s Garden is the largest and is seen as one of the most iconic and beautiful in the area. Dating back to 1509, the Humble Administrator’s Garden was designed by the Ming Dynasty civil servant, Wang Xianchen, as a private garden residence.
Grand Canal – China’s Grand Canal is the longest artificial waterway in the world with some sections dating back to the 5th century BC. The section that passes through Suzhou makes for an interesting journey as the banks are lined with places of historical interest and crossed by elegant bridges.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Shanghai is China’s great metropolis, where east and west collide. Visit a silk mill, stroll through the classical Yu Garden and old town, then take in sweeping views from Jin Mao Tower.
Later, enjoy a cruise along the Huangpu River.
Sightseeing is approximately 3-4 hours on foot today.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Explore Nanjing Road and People’s Square before admiring the grand colonial architecture of the Bund. Round off the evening with the dazzling ERA acrobatic show. Sightseeing today involves touring the city for approximately 3-4 hours on foot.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Any time before your flight is at leisure. You will be transferred from your hotel to Shanghai Pudong or Shanghai Hongqiao Airport, according to the departure time of your international flight, arriving home either the same or following day.
Late check-out is not included. Additional nights before and after your tour can be arranged. Please contact our Reservations team to book.

Meals: Breakfast