15 days Fully Inclusive Classic Group Tour
Uncover the ancient, modern, and natural gems on this all-encompassing tour of China's must-see sights and unforgettable experiences.
Marvel at China’s most incredible landscapes, from the sweeping views atop the mighty Great Wall, to the impressive Three Gorges onboard your 3-night Yangtze River cruise, and the soaring peaks that inspired the blockbuster film 'Avatar' at Zhangjiajie National Park. Immerse yourself in the local culture of Xian's Muslim Quarter, feast your eyes and taste buds on dumplings with a side of Tang Dynasty dancing, and get to know the nation's favourite bear at Chengdu's Panda Conservation Centre.
Our Gems of China tour will see you exploring the most iconic sites, delving into deep-rooted culture and dining on delicious cuisine and thoroughly researched to bring you a range of once-in-a-lifetime experiences, many of which are entirely exclusive to us.
Walk along this incredible wall, one of the modern wonders of the world
Discover the striking beauty of Zhangjiajie's sandstone pillars and dramatic landscapes
Come face to face with these majestic creatures at Chengdu's Panda Reserve
Take a 3-night voyage on China's most famous river and see the magnificent Three Gorges
Venture into Beijing's atmospheric old neighbourhoods, the hutongs, exploring the narrow alleyways and visiting the traditional courtyard house of a family, who will give you a glimpse into their daily life.
Spend Boxing Day morning at a cooking class, learning to cook traditional Thai cuisine and enjoy your creations for lunch.
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 other group members who may be arriving at a similar time, you will transfer approximately 1 hour to your hotel. An informal Welcome Dinner will be held on Day 2. Late arrivals will receive a box dinner. Early check-in is not included. Additional nights before and after your tour can be arranged. Please contact our Reservations team to book.
Walk through Tiananmen Square and into the magnificent Forbidden City. Sightseeing at Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City will involve approximately 3-4 hours on foot. Enjoy a leisurely stroll in the warren-like hutongs where you will meet a local family. Later, soak up the harmonious ambience of the Temple of Heaven, an orderly oasis in a bustling urban landscape, before enjoying a traditional Peking duck dinner. 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 round so that the Forbidden City is visited on an alternative day.
Rise early this morning to avoid the crowds and drive approximately 2 hours northwest of the city to the Juyongguan Pass to take a walk on the Great Wall of China, appreciating the wall itself and the dramatic scenery. Your visit involves walking from the bus to the first section. Once your group has been given an introduction to the Great Wall's unique history, you will have free time to explore at your own pace. Later, visit the Jade Factory where there will be an opportunity to buy your own handcrafted piece, before strolling through the exquisite Summer Palace. Here, you can enjoy a leisurely afternoon wandering through the idyllic gardens of the Summer Palace and its myriad of temples and bridges, taking time to admire the exquisite Chinese landscapes and architecture. Tonight, there is an optional tour (time permitting, payable locally) of the Beijing Acrobat Show.
This morning transfer to the train station and board your bullet train to Xian, with a journey time of 5-hours. Wander through the Muslim Quarter before enjoying a delicious feast of traditional Shui Jiao dumplings and a performance of Tang Dynasty dancing in the evening.
Spend the morning viewing the enigmatic ranks of the life size 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 expense. 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 three 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. Later, 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. Tonight, there is an optional tour (time permitting, payable locally) of the Tang Ever-bright City Night, which vividly showcases the Tang culture through exciting illuminations and immersive experiences and performances.
This morning travel by bullet train to Chengdu, a journey of approximately 3-hours and 40-minutes. Wander through the vibrant People's Park to see the fascinating Matchmaker's Corner, where parents search for suitable partners for their children.
Today you will visit Chinas 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, drive to Chongqing, and board your Yangtze River Cruise, where you will stay for the next three nights.
Today, visit Mt. ShuangGui, also known as “Luming Mountain”. Disembark from the ship to the dock and take a short bus transfer to the area. Sightseeing here involves climbing some steps. You will be off the ship for around 2 and a half hours. Depending on river conditions, you may visit the Shibaozhai Temple or Fengdu Ghost City instead.
Prepare for breathtaking vistas as the ship passes through Wu and Qutang gorges. Switching to smaller vessels, take a relaxing trip on the Goddess Stream cruising through the beautiful and narrow gorges for approximately 15 kilometres. Many protected species make the stunning peaks their home, including monkeys, mountain goats, deer and wild boar. Depending on local conditions, you may travel along the Shennong Stream instead of the Goddess Stream.
Visit the Three Gorges Dam, the largest hydroelectric dam in the world. Disembark the ship and drive approximately 30 minutes through the surrounding areas (the coach is not permitted to stop for photos) to the viewing area above the ship locks where you can truly appreciate the scale of this hydroelectric project. There is a small museum and a lookout point here. The sightseeing will involve around 1 hour on foot. Later, drive 4 hours to Zhangjiajie where you will spend the next three days exploring the mysterious landscapes and remarkable scenery of the UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site, home to over 3,000 striking sandstone pillars amongst the deep valleys, caves and forests. This evening, discover the 72 strange and spectacular buildings of Zhangjiajie 72 Qilou.
Enjoy a full day of exploring Zhangjiajie National Park. Begin at the Yuanjianie Scenic Area, and ride the remarkable Bailong glass elevator, the highest and fastest outdoor elevator in the world. Embedded into the mountain, the elevator soars up the mountain side to a towering height of 326 metres in as little as two minutes! This impressive elevator will transport you to Mihun Stage, where you will enjoy amazing views of the majestic peaks, including the 'First Bridge under the Sun' and Hallelujah Mountain. Continue to Emperor Mountain and visit Helong Park before taking a cable car down. Explore the Ten-Mile Natural Gallery before enjoying a scenic sampan cruise on Lake Baofeng, a turquoise expanse of water amongst picturesque karst scenery. Sightseeing today will involve around 3-4 hours of walking, including wooden and stone steps.
Discover the colourful stalagmites and stalactites of the Huanglong Cave, stretching across 120-acres. Then, brace yourself for an exhilarating walk across Zhangjiajie’s Glass Bridge, the world’s longest and highest glass-bottomed bridge spanning 430-metres over the Grand Canyon. Sightseeing today will involve around 3-4 hours of walking, including 2 hours of walking at the Huanglong Cave, up and down stone steps. This evening, there is an optional Fairy Fox Outdoor Music & Dancing Show (time and weather permitting, payable locally), a musical drama of a Chinese tale told against the stage backdrop of the mountains.
Soar up the heights of Tianmen Mountain in the world’s longest cable car, a 7-kilometre journey taking approximately 40-minutes. Atop the mountain, marvel at Tianmen Cave, nicknamed 'Heaven's Door', standing proudly at the top of 999 steep steps. Next, take a thrilling walk along a glass skywalk, aptly named the “Walk of Faith” as though you’re walking on air. If time permits, you may also walk across the Cliff-Hanging Walkway or Coiled Dragon Cliff. Return down the mountain by cable car and to Jun Sheng Sandstone painting gallery before transferring to the airport for your 2-hour flight to Shanghai. Sightseeing today will involve around 3-4 hours of walking, including wooden and stone steps. Please note: The 999 step walk up to Tianmen Cave and the glass skywalk is optional. The steps can take around 40 – 60 minutes. Alternatively, there is an escalator on the other side of the mountain leading up to Tianmen Cave. There is also a small platform at the foot of the steps where you can soak up the spectacular views and wait for the group.
Shanghai is China’s great metropolis, where east and west collide on streets lined with futuristic skyscrapers and 10th century temples. Today’s explorations include 3-4 hours of sightseeing on foot, visiting the peaceful Yu Garden and the atmospheric alleys of the old town. Admire the magnificent colonial architecture with a stroll along the historical waterfront Bund, before visiting the Silk Factory. This evening, view the city from the Huangpu River on a panoramic cruise, before sampling some traditional Shanghai cuisine. There is an optional visit to the Jin Mao tower and ride on the Maglev train (time permitting, payable locally), or in the late evening, there is the option to see the fascinating ERA acrobatic show.
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. Late check-out is not included. Additional nights before and after your tour can be arranged. Please contact our Reservations team to book.
The best times to visit China are in spring, April to May and autumn, September to October, when the days are warm and rainfall and humidity low.
We have a selection of dedicated departures for solo travellers. These departures feature a maximum group size of 18 and a single room throughout your tour.
Extend your holiday or break up your journey with one of our extensions and stopovers. Choose from city breaks or some beach time, or spend more time in your chosen destination.
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I am optimistic, easy going and dedicated. I know China and I am excited to share my knowledge with you; you are part of my family when you come to China. To know more about the fast-developing country, China and its super long history and tradition, come and join us Wendy Wu Tours. I promise you will reach home culturally fully loaded and ready to go again.
George was exceptional in his care of us all, nothing was too much trouble, he genuinely cared that we were having a great holiday. His knowledge and that of the local guides at each province gave us great insight into the history of the location and various sightseeing spectacles we were there to see.Mr and Mrs Brown
"Happiness can be infectious". As a friendly, caring and easy-going guide I can ensure you will have a worry-free and most rewarding trip, with a knowledgeable, professional and light-hearted guide.
Our National Guide, Alice, was excellent and very caring and thoughtful for all the group. Our local guides were also very good and provided lots of information and were flexible to allow us enough time to see everything and even arrange extra trips.Mr Andrew Charles
From my passion and knowledge of my country, you will experience a cross-cultural charm, full of stories and laughter on tour with me. You will be left with great memories and knowledge of China.
The success of this tour was due largely to our wonderful National Escort, Amanda, who guided our small “family” throughout and made this trip a "holiday of a lifetime". If you have the opportunity, try to arrange for Amanda to be your Tour Manager!Mr Edward Ayling
This is an experience of a lifetime. If I am your guide, you will have my knowledge, experience and enthusiasm to make this an unforgettable journey.
Our tour guide Jason was brilliant & a credit to your company. He was funny, intelligent, informative, always available and would go the extra mile when neededMrs Carrick
Relax, enjoy and leave the rest to me. See the different, touch the culture and explore the beautiful, wonderful and real China with me. "Do what you love, and love what you do!" This is my slogan, and I am Tony Li, come and join the Wendy Wu Tours with me!
Our National Escort Tony we couldn't speak highly enough. He was very well conversant with the English language and very knowledgeable in the history of the great country of China. Tony catered to our every need which made our holiday stress free.Mrs Diane Foley
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