Cruise and Panda by Rail
Cruise and Panda by Rail
Iconic China with first-class rail travel
Unforgettable experiences with China’s most iconic animal, the Giant Panda, as well as a relaxing cruise meandering along the Yangtze River, combine on this 15 day tour. With the addition of time in the illustrious capital, Beijing and the historic city of Xian, as well as vibrant Shanghai with the convenience of the efficient bullet trains between destinations make for a holiday of a lifetime.
Locations you will be visiting
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Beijing, China
Discover the sights and traditions for Beijing with this handy destination guide.
3 Days
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Xian, China
Discover the sights and traditions for Xian with this handy destination guide.
2 Days
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Chengdu, China
Discover the sights and traditions for Chengdu with this handy destination guide.
2 Days
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The Yangtze River, China
Discover the sights and traditions for the Yangtze River with this handy destination guide.
3 Days
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Shanghai, China
Discover the sights and traditions for Shanghai with this handy destination guide.
2 Days
YOUR TOUR ITINERARY
Cruise and Panda by Rail
14 day Tour Itinerary
An overview of your trip
DAY 1 Fly to Beijing
Take your scheduled flight from London to Beijing. Alternatively, we can arrange departures from your local airport.
- Transport: Airplane
DAY 2 Arrive Beijing
Upon arrival, our representative will meet and arrange your transfer to your hotel to check in for a three night stay.
DAY 3 Beijing City Tour
Your tour begins after breakfast, with a visit to the Temple of Heaven – where the Ming and Qing emperors worshipped the god of heaven and prayed for good harvests for the year. Here you can witness the tradition of Tai Chi being practised in the courtyard, which is followed by a stroll through Tiananmen Square, and continues to the Forbidden City which served as the grand imperial palace for centuries. Your final stop of the day will be at the Hutongs. Here, you will gain a personal insight into the everyday life of traditional Beijing citizens.
- Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
DAY 4 Great Wall
Enjoy a good breakfast at the hotel before your visit to the Great Wall at Mutianyu, a post on the wall with breathtaking views in a less crowded atmosphere. Mutianyu was built in the mid-6th century and its rich history can be observed in its unique construction. Back to the city and Visit the Summer Palace, which includes a grand collection of lakes, gardens, palaces and scenic views. This is followed by a relaxing boat ride on beautiful Kunming Lake . In the evening, enjoy a fabulous Peking Duck Dinner, in the city that gave it its name!
- Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 5 Beijing to Xian
Transfer you to the station for you to take the first class bullet train to Xian (approx. 5 hours 30 minutes). Upon arrival, meet and transfer to the hotel and checking into your hotel for a two night stay.
- Meals included: Breakfast
- Transport: Bullet train
DAY 6 Terracotta Warriors
Today, your guide will take you to visit the Terracotta Warriors, a stunning collection of 10,000 life-size statues of the Chinese army, made over 2,000 years ago, yet preserved almost perfectly. This is followed by a visit to Xian’s ancient city wall, best enjoyed on a leisurely stroll or bike ride. The evening’s meal is a delicious dumpling dinner accompanied by a Tang Dynasty Show, a colourful performance of traditional music and dance.
- Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 7 Xian to Chengdu
Following breakfast, you’ll have free time to explore Xian yourself. You will transfer to the station to take a bullet train to Chengdu. It will take 3 hours and 10 minutes. On arrival, you will transfer to your hotel for a two night stay.
- Meals included: Breakfast
- Transport: Bullet train
DAY 8 Chengdu
Day at leisure to explore Chengdu independently. Perhaps explore the old town, or relax in the People’s Park watching the locals play mahjong or practising Tai Chi.
- Meals included: Breakfast
DAY 9 Giant Pandas and to Chongqing
After breakfast, the first stop will be the renowned Chengdu Panda Breeding and Research Centre. Here natural habitats have been created to provide the best possible environment for rearing and breeding the once endangered pandas. Afterwards you will be transferred to the Station and take a two-hour bullet train to Chongqing. Upon arrival, meet and transfer to the cruise ship for boarding and the start of your cruise along the majestic Yangtze River.
- Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
- Transport: Bullet train, Cruise
DAY 10 Mountain Shuanggui
Take a shore excursion to Mountain Shuanggui near Fengdu. Depending on river conditions, an alternate excursion may be substituted to Shibaozhai, with its impressive wooden pagoda.
- Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Transport: Cruise
DAY 11 Enter the Three Gorges/“Small Gorges”
Enter the Three Gorges, one of nature’s most extraordinary sculptures. Today you will pass through the first two—Qutang Gorge and Wu Gorge. Qutang Gorge is the shortest (5 miles), narrowest (500 feet), and most dramatic. The 25-mile long Wu Gorge is known for its quiet beauty, forest-covered mountains, and cliffs so sheer that the sun barely penetrates the precipices. Transfer to another vessel for a relaxing excursion through the attractive gorges of Goddess Stream. Depending on river conditions, an alternate excursion may be substituted to the gorges of Shennong Stream. Enter Xiling Gorge, the longest (41 miles), and deepest of the Three Gorges.
- Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Transport: Cruise
DAY 12 Yangtze River Cruise and to Shanghai
Disembark this morning and take a tour of the Three Gorges Dam, which spans the Yangtze River at Sandouping in Xiling Gorge. It is the world’s largest power station. Transfer you to the station for the train to Shanghai.
- Meals included: Breakfast
- Transport: Cruise, Bullet train
DAY 13 Shanghai City Tour
The first attraction of the day, after breakfast, will be the Yu Yuan Gardens, first constructed in 1559 during the Ming Dynasty by Pan Yunduan. The gardens occupy an area of 5 acres and are home to beautiful pavilions, walkways, rockeries, streams, ponds, courtyards and flowers. A horticulturist’s heaven. Next stop, the Jade Buddha Temple, where you can marvel at impressive temples, both ancient and modern, housing large, intricate sculptures of Buddha. Afterwards, you will spend time at the Shanghai Museum, followed by the opportunity to visit the impressive waterfront attraction of the Bund to admire Shanghai as a modern metropolis.
- Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
DAY 14 Fly to UK
Breakfast will be followed by your transfer to the airport for your flight back to the UK.
- Meals included: Breakfast
- Transport: Airplane
Optional Extras - Cultural Experiences
There is some free time in your itinerary for you to explore on your own, or treat yourself to an excursion. Use the links below to create a to-do list, or, if you’d prefer us to book you onto one of these or any other excursions, please let us know when booking your tour.
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China
China: Kung Fu Show in Beijing
A dynamic kung-fu show in Beijing
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View this packageChina
China: Volunteering at the Dujiangyan Panda Base
Enjoy a morning helping the staff with the pandas, at their base in Chengdu
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China
China: Night Cruise on the Huangpu River in Shanghai
Marvel at Shanghai's twinkling lights on a night cruise
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View this packageChina
China: Acrobatic Show in Shanghai
Watch a magical acrobatic show in Shanghai
Sample Accommodation
Your holiday details
Departures and Prices 2026 and 2027
Single supplement from £845
Land only from £2,755
(without international flights)
Prices and products are subject to availability at the time of booking.
This tour itinerary is also available as a Private Tour. Please ask for more details.
China: Cruise and Panda by Rail
from£3,855
What's included:
- International flights in economy class
- Bullet trains in first class,
- 4★ accommodation on twin share basis
- Transfers
- English speaking guides
- Meals as specified
- Entrance fees to the sites listed
- Airport taxes
- Local tips: RMB 715 (approx £80) per person
- Yangtze ruise tips: RMB150 (approx £18 ) per person
- Personal spending
- Travel insurance
- China visa and fees
When making an enquiry or reservation we will request your contact details, however no payment will be required at this stage. We will contact you for payment details and to confirm your booking, your details and the details of those travelling with you along with any extras you’d like to add.
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