Home > China Tours > 12-day Close-up to the Pandas

12-Day Close-up to the Pandas

Destinations: Beijing, Xian, Chengdu, Chongqing, Yangtze, Yichang, Shanghai

Tour Type: Private Tour

Tour Code: ct-pd-01s

Overview: Getting close to the cute giant pandas, this China tour takes you to Chengdu, Beijing, Xi'an and Shanghai. Relax on a Yangtze River Cruise.

Itinerary
Dates & Prices
Terms & Conditions

Day 1

Beijing Arrival (Flight not Included)

Destinations & activities: Airport - hotel transfer

Beijing is kinda an important signature of China. Upon your arrival at the airport, you will be immersed in its hospitality and vigor.

Free time after check-in your hotel.

Meals: None

Forbidden City

Day 2

Beijing

Destinations & activities: Morning walk on the Tian'anmen Square, Forbidden City, Guozijian (Imperial College) and a pearl store

In the morning, your Beijing tour guide will first take you for a walk on the largest public square in the world: Tian'anmen Square. Later, get into the Forbidden City to see what the long history China holds has to offer you.

A hot meal is served in a traditional noodle house. Afterwards, stop by an old and famous pearl store.

In the afternoon, you will visit Guozijian, aka the Imperial College back in the Ming and Qing Dynasty. Free time to do some solo adventure after the tour.

- Smart Tips:

Famous Hutongs scatter about near the area of Guozijian, here you can find the namesake of the Imperial College: Guozijian Hutong, Nan Luogu Xiang, Wudaoying Hutong. A few legs away, you can get to the Confucian Temple. Have your own Hutong exploration here!

Heading south from Guozijian, you can find Huajia Yiyuan, or Hua's Restaurant, an exquisite restaurant serving imperial food including Peking Duck.

Kung Fu Show at the Red Theatre creates a cinematic visual experience for you.

Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch at Jing Mian Da Wang Restaurant

Mutianyu Section of the Great Wall

Day 3

Beijing

Destinations & activities: The Bird's Nest and Water Cube, Great Wall at Mutianyu Section, a cloisonné factory and free time in Beijing

The funkily-shaped Bird's Nest and Water Cube have become Beijing's new landmarks after the year 2008. This morning you will take a free walk around the two.

Later, your Beijing tour guide will escort you to the Great Wall at Mutianyu Section. A round-way cable car ride will save you time and enegry, enabling you to take in marvelous views. Have lunch and stop by at a cloisonné factory.

- Smart Tips:

Rubbing your fatigue away, a foot massage is a treat for legs after the Great Wall. Ask your Beijing tour guide for tips and advice, or even great discount.

Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch at Xinshuangquan Restaurant

Temple of Heaven

Day 4

Beijing to Xi'an (Overnight Train No.Z19)

Destinations & activities: Free time in Beijing, transfer to the train station

Got ideas for your free day in Beijing?

At the evening, your Beijing tour guide will escort you to the train station. Enjoy the ride to Xi'an!

- Smart Tips:

Try something different today! We offer vintage side-car rides in downtown Beijing and its outskirts with great discount, which is highly recommend by our clients and Trip Advisor.

Beijing has a great deal of parks. For a morning visit, Beihai Park and Temple of Heaven are both excellent; a boat trip in the Summer Palace can be pleasant; the Old Summer Palace, or Yuanmingyuan is ideal for history buffs.

For art, shopping, free walk and dining, the 798 Art District has it all. You can find a cool restaurant, 1949 The Hidden City nearby.

Meals: Breakfast

Try some Halal snack at the Muslim Quarter.

Day 5

Xi'an

Destinations & activities: Train station - hotel transfer, Big Wild Goose Pagoda, Ancient City Wall and free time in Xi'an

The overnight train breaks into Xi'an's morning. Your Xi'an tour guide will take you to hotel for breakfast and check-in.

You will have some time to unpack, fresh up and rest before your Xi'an tour guide takes you to the famous Big Wild Goose Pagoda inside Ci'en Temple. Have lunch in a nearby restaurant.

Later, you will walk on the Ancient City Wall. Free time afterwards.

- Smart Tips:

You can delve into the lanes of the Muslim Quarter, where you will find authentic Halal food, local snacks and special souvenirs back in the Muslim Market. Also, you can pay a visit at the Great Mosque.

Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch at Qianzhou Restaurant

Terracotta Army

Day 6

Xi'an to Chengdu (Flight No.TBA)

Destinations & activities: The Terracotta Army, an art center, hotel - airport transfer

Firstly discovered in 1974, the massive site of Terracotta Warriors and Horses has been standing as an important symbol of China's history and culture. Today you will spend some hours at this wonderful site.

After lunch in a Sichuan-style restaurant, you will stop by an art center.

Later today, your Xi'an tour guide will escort you to the airport. Fly to Chengdu. Check in upon arrival.

- Smart Tips:

Do something fun to know about Chengdu lifestyle in night. You can choose a teahouse with drinks, food, Sichuan Opera (featuring Face-changing show) and authentic a Chengdu moment.

Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch at A Wa Shan Zhai Restaurant

Are you looking at me?

Day 7

Chengdu to Chongqing

Destinations & activities: Bifeng Valley Panda Center, land transfer to Chongqing, transfer to the pier

Located in Ya'an County, 150km outside of Chengdu, Bifeng Valley Panda Center offers a natural, safe and perfect environment for the giant pandas. The valley strecthing out to over 7km is home to over 100 giant pandas. Today your Chengdu tour guide will escort you to this center.

Have lunch in a nearby restaurant before driving to Chongqing (taking about 3 hours).

Later at night, you will be taken to the pier. Board on your Yangtze River Cruise and enjoy the night!

- Smart Tips:

The center offers wonderful chance to get close toch with the cute friends. Extra fee applies, please request with your travel advisor.

Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch

Yangtze River Cruise

Day 8

Yangtze River Cruise

Destinations & activities: Crusing the Yangtze River

The Yangtze River Cruise takes you on a dreamy journey to Yichang.

Today you will take a land excursion to Shibaozhai, a remote village established on the cliff on the north bank of the Yangtze River.

Getting back on board, you will enjoy the amazing views.

- Smart Tips:

Fengdu Ghost City is an optional tour for today, extra fee applies (RMB 260 / Person). The city is filled with spocky atmosphere, only for real adventurers. Please request with the crew.

Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch and Chinese Dinner on the Cruise

Sunset at Wu Gorge

Day 9

Yangtze River Cruise

Destinations & activities: Crusing the Yangtze River

Today you will cruise through two major gorges in the Yangtze River: Qutang Gorge and Wu Gorge.

After lunch, you will take a land excursion to the Shennong Stream, where you will take a sampan into the deep of the gorge. Back to your cruise and carry on the journey.

- Smart Tips:

For an option, you can visit the White Emperor City, with extra fee RMB 260 / Person. Please request with the crew.

Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch and Chinese Dinner on the Cruise

Three Gorges Dam

Day 10

Yichang to Shanghai (Flight No.TBA)

Destinations & activities: Three Gorges Dam Site, airport - hotel transfer

Enjoy a fresh morning breeze on the deck.

Today you will arrive in Yichang. Visit the world-famous Three Gorges Dam Site.

Later today, you will fly to Shanghai. Check in upon arrival.

- Smart Tips:

Although Yichang might not be a surprise for foodies, one can find something nice to eat. Baisha Fat Fish, Pearl Soup, Sanyou Chicken and Lianpeng Egg. Walk down the riverbank to find a place for lunch.

Meals: Breakfast

Shanghai Lilong is the real deal for daily life of the locals.

Day 11

Shanghai

Destinations & activities: The Bund, Oriental Pearl TV Tower, Shanghai History Museum, Lilong visit and a silk store

In the morning, you will walk along Shanghai's icon: The Bund, where you can get a deja vu of Chicago or Paris with all the elegant European-style buildings. A ferry will take you to the otherside of the Huangpu River, where you will get on the top of the Oriental Pearl TV Tower and visit the Shanghai History Museum. Have lunch in a gracefully-decorated restaurant.

In the afternoon, you will walk into the old lanes of Shanghai, aka Lilong or Shanghai's Hutong. Visit a local family and enjoy a cup of tea. A silk store will be our last stop for today.

- Smart Tips:

Highly ranked as the No.4 attraction on Trip Advisor, ERA Time Acrobatic Show brings you an awesome night. Ask your Shanghai tour guide for ticket booking with great price.

As a memento from the good old days, Jazz Bar at Peace Hotel is a place to be after a free walk along The Bund.

For more insight of Shanghai, you can take a night walk around the Former French Concession. You can find the famous Tianzifang and Xintiandi around the neighborhood, ideal for lounging, dining and shopping.

Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch at Home's Restaurant

Day 12

Shanghai Departure (Flight not Included)

Destinations & activities: Hotel - airport transfer

Thanks for taking this China tour with China Travel. Hopefully we've created a beautiful memory for you. Today your Shanghai tour guide will take you to the airport. See you again before long!

Meals: Breakfast

Hotels and Accommodation

Dates and Prices

Terms & Conditions

Price Inclusion

Entrance fees.
Meals listed in the itinerary.
Private transfers.
Private English-speaking guide and driver.
Hotels listed in the itinerary.
Service Charge & Taxes.
China Life Tourist Accident/Casualty Insurance.
Luggage Transfers.

Price Exclusion

International Airfare or Train Tickets to enter or leave China.
China Entry Visa Fees.
Excess Baggage Charges.
Personal Expenses.
Any meals that are not mentioned in the tour itinerary.
Single Room Supplement.

Special Terms

Price may change during some Chinese festivals.
Price is subject to change based on exchange rate.
We accept both on-line payment (by Paypal® and Moneybookers®) and wire transfer.
A deposit of 10% ot the total cost is required when you confirm your booking.
For Cancellation Refunds, please click here.