Essential Plus Panda
Pandas, the most essential Chinese experience
The perfect 12 day tour for the first time traveller to China, wanting to observe and spend time with China’s most recognised and adorable animal, the Giant Panda, as well as travelling to China’s most significant cities. These include the illustrious capital, Beijing, the modern and vibrant city of Shanghai and the historic city of Xian. There is also an opportunity to visit the ancient canal town of Zhujiajiao.
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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Shanghai, China
Discover the sights and traditions for Shanghai with this handy destination guide.
3 Days
YOUR TOUR ITINERARY
Essential Plus Panda
12 day Tour Itinerary
An overview of your trip
DAY 1 Fly to Beijing
Take your scheduled flight from London Heathrow to Beijing. If you prefer, we can arrange departures from your local airport.
- Transport: Airplane
DAY 2 Arrive Beijing
Upon arrival in Beijing, you will be met by your guide and transferred to your hotel for a three night stay. The afternoon is at your leisure, to relax or explore the area. Your guide will be pleased to advise you on what to do. In the early evening your guide will escort you for dinner where you will meet your fellow travellers
- Meals included: Dinner
DAY 3 Beijing City Tour
Your day starts 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. This is followed by a stroll through Tiananmen Square, and continues on to the Forbidden City which served as the grand imperial palace for centuries. Your final stop of the day will be at the Hutongs, for a personal insight into the everyday life of traditional Beijing citizens.
- Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
DAY 4 Great Wall
Today visit the Great Wall at Mutianyu, a post along the wall offering 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. This will be followed by an opportunity for photographs at the Birds Nest Stadium and Water Cube, venues for the memorable 2008 Olympics. This evening is your opportunity to sample a tasty Peking Duck Dinner.
- Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 5 Beijing to Xian
This morning visit the Summer Palace, which encompasses a marvellous collection of lakes, gardens, palaces and scenic views, followed by a relaxing boat ride on the beautiful Kunming Lake. You will be transferred to the station for your bullet train to Xian, which will take approx. 5 hours 30 minutes. On arrival check into your hotel for a two night stay
- Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
- Transport: Bullet train
DAY 6 Terracotta Warriors
Today your guide will take you to visit the Terracotta Warriors, a mesmerising collection of 10,000, almost perfectly preserved, life size statues of Chinese warriors, made over 2,000 years ago. This will be followed, in the afternoon, by a visit to Xian’s ancient city wall, which is best explored on foot or by bike. It is the most complete city wall surviving in China today, and is one of the largest military defensive systems in the world. For this evening’s meal, you will be offered an array of delicious dumplings to eat whilst being entertained by the Tang Dynasty Show, a colourful
performance of traditional music and dance.
- Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 7 Xian to Chengdu
The Shaanxi Museum is today’s first stop, with over a quarter of a million artefacts on display. This will be followed by a trip to the Small Wild Goose Pagoda, to discover China’s unique architectural style, and a visit to the Muslim Quarter to see local life in the community. Finally, you will be transferred to the station to take a bullet train to Chengdu. On arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel for a two night stay.
- Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
- 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 Shanghai
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 airport for a flight to the vibrant metropolis of Shanghai, where you will check into your hotel for a three night stay.
- Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
- Transport: Airplane
DAY 10 Shanghai City Tour
The first attraction of the day will be the Yu Yuan Gardens, a century’s old area filled with beautiful pavilions, walkways, streams, courtyards and flowers. This will be followed by the Jade Buddha Temple, and the Shanghai Museum. There will be an opportunity to visit the Bund, Shanghai’s modern waterfront area, and you can enjoy a breathtaking bird’s eye view of the whole city from the top of the Shanghai World Financial Centre.
- Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
DAY 11 Zhujiajiao
Today will start with a visit to Zhujiajiao, known as the Pearl Stream, an ancient water town dating back over 1,700 years. Here you can expect to see the Ming and Qing Dynasty bridges, two ancient and historic buildings and the Ma family Garden before heading back to Shanghai for an afternoon at leisure and a chance to pick up those last minute souvenirs.
- Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
DAY 12 Fly to UK
Following breakfast in the hotel, you will be transferred 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.bei
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View this packageChina
China: Beijing Opera
Delight at a performance of traditional Beijing Opera
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View this packageChina
China: Tea Tasting
Appreciate the varying blends of Chinese tea at a tasting
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View this packageChina
China: Tai Chi Lesson
Practise this ancient martial art with a Tai Chi lesson
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View this packageChina
China: Calligraphy Lesson
Create your own piece with a class in Chinese caligraphy
Sample Accommodation
Your holiday details
Departures and Prices 2024 and 2025
Single supplement from £497
Land only from £2,295
(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: Essential Plus Panda
from£3,245
What's included:
- International departing from London Heathrow with British Airways in economy class
- Domestic flights in economy class
- Bullet train in first class
- 4★accommodation based on twin share
- Transfers
- English speaking guides
- Meals as stated
- Entrance fees to the sites listed
- Airport taxes
- Local tips: RMB715 (approx. £80) 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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