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Gems of China

15 days Fully Inclusive Classic Group Tour

Gems of China

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.

  • Fully Inclusive
    Touring with Guides and entrance fees
  • Included Meals
    Breakfasts: 14 , Lunches: 13 , Dinners: 14
  • Accommodation
    14 nights in 4 star accommodation
  • Cruise
    Yangtze River Cruise, Huangpu River Cruise
  • Group Tour
    Max Group Size: 28
  • Physical Rating 2
    A reasonable level of fitness is required, as you'll be spending time on your feet and doing a bit of walking to cover short distances during your daily sightseeing. There will also be some climbing of steps and climbing on and off of coaches and boats.
    Learn More
    Walking, some steps and extended time on your feet.
Classic Group Tour
15 DAYS
From USD $4,720PP
Towering peaks of Zhangjiajie The mighty Great Wall Chengdu's Giant Pandas Ancient Warriors in Xian Bustling Shanghai
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Tour Highlights

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.

Day by Day Itinerary

Beijing (3N) - Xian (2N) - Chengdu (1N) - Yangtze River Cruise (3N) - Zhangjiajie (3N) - Shanghai (2N)
  • Day 1
    Arrive Beijing
    Dinner
    Days 1: Arrive Beijing

    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.

    Dinner
  • Day 2
    Imperial Beijing
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    Day 2: Imperial Beijing

    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.

    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Day 3
    The Great Wall
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    Day 3: The Great Wall

    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.

    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Day 4
    Dine on Dumplings
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    Day 4: Dine on Dumplings

    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.

    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Day 5
    Terracotta Warriors
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    Day 5: Terracotta Warriors

    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.

    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Day 6
    Bullet Train to Chengdu
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    Day 6: Bullet Train to Chengdu

    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.

    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Day 7
    Giant Pandas
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    Day 7: Giant Pandas

    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.

    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Day 8
    Yangtze River Cruise
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    Day 8: Yangtze River Cruise

    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.

    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Day 9
    Yangtze River Cruise
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    Day 9: Yangtze River Cruise

    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.

    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Day 10
    Three Gorges Dam
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    Day 10: Three Gorges Dam

    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.

    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Day 11
    Discover Zhangjaijie
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    Day 11: Discover Zhangjaijie

    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.

    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Day 12
    Zhangjiajie's Glass Bridge
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    Day 12: Zhangjiajie's Glass Bridge

    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.

    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Day 13
    Tianmen Mountain
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    Day 13: Tianmen Mountain

    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.

    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Day 14
    Bustling Shanghai
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    Day 14: Bustling Shanghai

    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.

    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Day 15
    Depart Shanghai
    Breakfast
    Day 15: Depart Shanghai

    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.

    Breakfast
Gems of China map

Trip Notes

Book With Confidence

When to go

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.

City
Min
Average Temperate(°C)
Max
Monthly Rainfall(mm)
  • Beijing
  • -8
    2
    -3
  • 3
  • Chengdu
  • 3
    9
    6
  • 8
  • Shanghai
  • 2
    8
    5
  • 74
  • Xian
  • -4
    5
    0
  • 7
  • Zhangjiajie
  • 0
    7
    4
  • 35
City
Min
Average Temperate(°C)
Max
Monthly Rainfall(mm)
  • Beijing
  • -6
    5
    0
  • 5
  • Chengdu
  • 5
    11
    8
  • 12
  • Shanghai
  • 4
    10
    7
  • 59
  • Xian
  • -1
    8
    4
  • 10
  • Zhangjiajie
  • 2
    9
    6
  • 50
City
Min
Average Temperate(°C)
Max
Monthly Rainfall(mm)
  • Beijing
  • 0
    12
    6
  • 8
  • Chengdu
  • 8
    16
    12
  • 20
  • Shanghai
  • 7
    14
    10
  • 94
  • Xian
  • 4
    14
    9
  • 29
  • Zhangjiajie
  • 6
    14
    10
  • 92
City
Min
Average Temperate(°C)
Max
Monthly Rainfall(mm)
  • Beijing
  • 8
    20
    14
  • 21
  • Chengdu
  • 13
    22
    17
  • 44
  • Shanghai
  • 12
    20
    16
  • 74
  • Xian
  • 10
    21
    15
  • 43
  • Zhangjiajie
  • 11
    20
    16
  • 167
City
Min
Average Temperate(°C)
Max
Monthly Rainfall(mm)
  • Beijing
  • 14
    26
    20
  • 34
  • Chengdu
  • 17
    26
    22
  • 78
  • Shanghai
  • 17
    25
    21
  • 84
  • Xian
  • 14
    26
    20
  • 60
  • Zhangjiajie
  • 16
    24
    20
  • 218
City
Min
Average Temperate(°C)
Max
Monthly Rainfall(mm)
  • Beijing
  • 19
    30
    24
  • 78
  • Chengdu
  • 20
    28
    24
  • 107
  • Shanghai
  • 22
    28
    25
  • 182
  • Xian
  • 19
    31
    25
  • 54
  • Zhangjiajie
  • 20
    27
    24
  • 243
City
Min
Average Temperate(°C)
Max
Monthly Rainfall(mm)
  • Beijing
  • 22
    31
    26
  • 185
  • Chengdu
  • 22
    30
    26
  • 224
  • Shanghai
  • 26
    32
    29
  • 146
  • Xian
  • 22
    32
    27
  • 99
  • Zhangjiajie
  • 22
    31
    26
  • 193
City
Min
Average Temperate(°C)
Max
Monthly Rainfall(mm)
  • Beijing
  • 21
    30
    25
  • 160
  • Chengdu
  • 22
    30
    26
  • 201
  • Shanghai
  • 26
    32
    29
  • 214
  • Xian
  • 21
    31
    26
  • 71
  • Zhangjiajie
  • 22
    31
    26
  • 155
City
Min
Average Temperate(°C)
Max
Monthly Rainfall(mm)
  • Beijing
  • 15
    26
    20
  • 46
  • Chengdu
  • 19
    25
    22
  • 119
  • Shanghai
  • 22
    28
    25
  • 87
  • Xian
  • 16
    25
    21
  • 92
  • Zhangjiajie
  • 18
    26
    22
  • 108
City
Min
Average Temperate(°C)
Max
Monthly Rainfall(mm)
  • Beijing
  • 8
    19
    14
  • 22
  • Chengdu
  • 15
    21
    18
  • 35
  • Shanghai
  • 17
    23
    20
  • 56
  • Xian
  • 10
    20
    15
  • 60
  • Zhangjiajie
  • 13
    21
    17
  • 111
City
Min
Average Temperate(°C)
Max
Monthly Rainfall(mm)
  • Beijing
  • 0
    10
    5
  • 7
  • Chengdu
  • 10
    16
    13
  • 16
  • Shanghai
  • 11
    17
    14
  • 52
  • Xian
  • 3
    12
    8
  • 24
  • Zhangjiajie
  • 8
    15
    12
  • 69
City
Min
Average Temperate(°C)
Max
Monthly Rainfall(mm)
  • Beijing
  • -6
    4
    -1
  • 3
  • Chengdu
  • 4
    11
    8
  • 5
  • Shanghai
  • 5
    11
    8
  • 44
  • Xian
  • -2
    6
    2
  • 6
  • Zhangjiajie
  • 3
    10
    6
  • 35

Pricing & Availability

2025
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1 Room, 2 Guests
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    Additional Price Information

    • Land only: This tour price is based on land itinerary only. No international flights are included.
    • Visa: A visa may be required and is not included in the tour price.
    • Tipping kitty: Customary tipping amount of approximately RMB875pp is paid locally in China.
    • Transfers: Airport transfers are included when arriving on the first day and departing on that last day of the tour, or when booking the group tour additional nights’ accommodation through Wendy Wu Tours.
    • Early check-in and late check-out are not included but can be arranged at an additional price.
    • Price listed is based on new bookings only

    Group Tour includes

    • Meals as stated (refer to itinerary)
    • Domestic transportation
    • Touring with English-speaking guides & entrance fees
    • All accommodation

    Important Information For Your Tour

    Before Booking
    Travel Protection, Booking Conditions
    and more
    Before you go
    Passports & Visas, Travel Guides & Packing Lists, Holiday FAQ’s and more

    Extensions and Stopovers

    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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