Scenic Tours
1300 SCENIC (723 642)
Iconic China - Pandas, Warriors and the Great Wall
(15 days, Beijing - Shanghai, 2012)
This 15 day tour explores the best of China, from Beijing to Shanghai, including the Great Wall, Terracotta Warriors, Panda Research Centre and a Yangtze River Cruise.
Your 15 day tour begins in Beijing where you will visit Tiananmen Square and enter the Forbidden City, which will astound you with the beauty of the many imperial palaces, elegant gardens and pavilions. You will then travel to the legendary Great Wall of China and stand on the ancient ramparts, the only way to truly appreciate this magnificent man-made structure built more than 2,500 years ago.
You will next travel to Xi’an for a visit to its ancient city walls and the amazing Terracotta Warriors. Next you will travel to Chengdu, the laidback capital of Sichuan, which is surrounded by mountains and home to the Giant Panda Research and Breeding Centre where China’s national symbol, the giant pandas, are nursed from birth.
Your tour continues to the Yangtze River where you will board the luxurious Victoria Katarina for your three night cruise, witnessing the famous and spectacular series of limestone ridges known as the ‘Three Gorges’, including Qutang Gorge, the shortest, narrowest and most dramatic gorge. You’ll also see Shennong Stream from a sampan.
Your tour ends in Shanghai where you will spend a further three nights, plenty of time to explore this bustling cosmopolitan city, including visiting the Shanghai Museum, French Concession, Yu Yuan Gardens and a ride on Shanghai’s famous Maglev Train.
- 14 night tour
- 11 night land tour
- 3 night luxury Yangtze River cruise
- All-Inclusive Touring
- Authentic cultural experiences
- Four night stay at Sofitel Wanda, Beijing
- Two night stay at Shangri La, Xi’an
- Three night stay at the Westin Bund Centre, Shanghai
- Three night Luxury Yangtze River Cruise
- Executive Suite Cabin on Executive Deck
- Small Group Touring
- Fully Escorted including onboard cruise
- Domestic flights throughout
- Professional Tour Director
- Knowledgeable local guides
- Scenic FreeChoice activities INCLUDED
- Scenic Enrich - highlight experiences allowing you to live the destination not just
travel through - Airport Transfers
- ALL TIPPING, GRATUITIES and PORTERAGE INCLUDED
Included Scenic Enrich
- Rickshaw ride through Beijing’s atmospheric hutongs (alleyways) to witness traditional Chinese life
- Walk on the remarkable Great Wall of China and experience the vastness of the country
- A remarkable Key to the City Ceremony at Xi’an’s Ancient City Wall
- Observe the magnificent life size army of Terracotta Warriors from a special VIP platform
- Get close and personal to the Giant Pandas at the world famous Research and Breeding Centre in Chengdu
Included Scenic Free Choice
- In Beijing discover the past, present and future of some of the city’s architecture including the Water Cube and Birds Nest stadium; or explore the magnificent Summer Palace; or sample Chinese street foods on your walking food tour
- In Beijing, enjoy a performance of the Peking Opera; or the martial arts spectacular The Legend of Kung Fu
- In Shanghai travel to Suzhou and cruise the Grand Canal and visit some of the exquisite gardens; or explore the charming tree-lined avenues of the French Concession with its 19th and 20th century architecture; or partake in a market tour and demonstration of traditional Shanghai cuisine
Included Scenic Dining
- 29 superb meals including 14 Full Buffet Breakfasts (FB), 6 Lunches (L), 4 Highlight Dinners (HD) and 5 Dinners (D)
Included Scenic Special Stays
- The Regent Beijing is just a stone’s throw from such attraction as The Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square
- The Shangri-La Hotel Xi’an with floor to ceiling windows offer stunning views of the city
- Three night luxury cruise on the Yangtze River on board the Victoria Katarina in an Executive Suite
- The Fairmont Peace Hotel overlooks the Huangpu River and is positioned on the Bund, the social heart of Shanghai
Included Scenic Highlights
- Explore the intriguing Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square in Beijing
- Stroll the Old Quarter and Great Mosque in Xi’an
- Visit Wenshu Temple, one of the major temples of Zen Buddhism in China
- Enjoy a guided tour of the Three Gorges Dam Project
- Discover ancient treasures in the amazing Shanghai Museum
- Ride Shanghai’s Maglev train and travel at speeds above 300 kilometres per hour
- Uncover historic lanes and bustling markets in Old Shanghai and Yu Yuan Gardens
- Enjoy an evening performance by the energetic Shanghai Acrobats Troupe
Day 1: Beijing
(D)
Ni Hao and welcome to China! On arrival you will be met and transferred* to your hotel. Settle in, relax or take a stroll from your centrally located hotel. This evening meet your Tour Director and fellow travellers for a briefing followed by an Included welcome dinner, the perfect start to a wonderful trip.
Four Night Special Stay: Beijing
Four Night Special Stay: Beijing
Day 2: Beijing
(FB,L,HD)
This morning start with your Included visit to Tiananmen Square. Stroll around the massive square and then enter the Forbidden City with the towering portrait of Chairman Mao looming above. Home to the Imperial families during the Ming era, the Forbidden City will astound you with the beauty of the many Imperial Palaces, elegant gardens and pavilions. After your Included lunch your Included SCENIC ENRICH rickshaw ride through Beijing’s atmospheric hutongs (alleyways) to witness traditional Chinese life. This evening enjoy a sumptuous Included Peking Duck banquet, a wonderful Beijing experience.
Day 3: Great Wall at Mutianyu
(FB)
Journey to the legendary Great Wall of China for an Included SCENIC ENRICH experience. Standing on the ancient ramparts is the only way to fully appreciate this magnificent manmade structure, built more than 2,500, and to truly experience the vastness of China and the essence of the Chinese spirit. This evening Included SCENIC FREE CHOICE activities choose from: (1) enjoy the artistry of performers from the famed Peking Opera; or (2) witness the emotion and action of traditional martial arts combined with evocative dance, ballet and flying acrobatics at the Legend of Kung Fu show.
Day 4: Beijing
(FB)
This morning your Included visit to the Temple of Heaven and to experience the early morning atmosphere as locals gather to practice Tai Chi or ballroom dance at the park surrounding it. Included SCENIC FREE CHOICE activity choose from: (1) discover the past, present and future developments of Beijing City and view some of the city’s modern cutting edge architecture including the Water Cube and Birds Nest stadium; or (2) explore the magnificent Summer Palace with its magnificent lakeside grounds and temples; or (3) sample Chinese street foods from Hakka home cooking to Imperial Beijing custard on your walking food tour.
Day 5: Beijing - Xi’an
(FB,HD)
Transfer to the airport for your Included flight to Xi’an. Visit the magnificent Xi’an City wall for your SCENIC ENRICH experience where you will be greeted by a Tang Dynasty official and soldiers and presented with a key to the city. This evening enjoy your Included dinner and grand performance of traditional song, dance and colour from the Tang Dynasty period.
Two Night Special Stay: Xi’an
Two Night Special Stay: Xi’an
Day 6: Xi’an
(FB,L)
Included SCENIC ENRICH experience as you get up close to the army of more than 6000 life size horses and warriors of the amazing Terracotta Warriors at a special VIP platform. Although over 2,000 years old these amazing figures, which were created to protect the tomb of China’s first Emperor, were only discovered in 1974 by a farmer. Explore more of Xi’an, with an Included walk through the Old quarter and the Great Mosque.
Day 7: Xi’an - Chengdu
(FB,HD)
Transfer to the airport for your Included flight to Chengdu, the laid back and spicy capital of Sichuan. Surrounded by mountains, Chengdu is a fascinating place to explore and to discover quaint tea houses. This evening feast on your Included sumptuous banquet of Sichuan cuisine followed by a performance of the Sichuan Opera.
Two Night Stay: Chengdu
Two Night Stay: Chengdu
Day 8: Giant Panda Research Centre
(FB,L)
SCENIC ENRICH Visit the Giant Panda Research and Breeding Centre where, China’s National symbol the Giant Panda, are nursed from birth. These endangered animals live in a habitat as close to natural as possible and at this fascinating centre learn about the programs that are being implemented to protect them and their natural habitat. After your Included lunch, explore the tranquil halls of the Wenshu Temple, one of the major temples of Zen Buddhism in China. The temple gardens are a wonderful place to join the locals for a cup of tea in the open air tea houses.
Day 9: Chengdu - Yangtze River Cruise
(FB,D)
Depart Chengdu, the largest railway station in South West China on your Included fast train to Chongqing, the mountain city at the gateway to the Yangtze River. On arrival transfer to the port and embark on the luxurious Victoria Katarina for your Included luxury cruise down the Yangtze River. After settling into your Executive Suite, enjoy your Included Chinese buffet before the ship sets sail on its downstream course through the Three Gorges.
Three Night Special Stay: Victoria Katarina
Three Night Special Stay: Victoria Katarina
Day 10: Yangtze River Cruise
(FB,L,D)
Start you morning with an energising Tai Chi session on deck before your Included shore excursion to either the “Ghost City” of Fengdu or the new relocation village for families that have been relocated as a result of the dam. Fengdu has a number of temples and is an interesting place to learn some of the tenets of Taoism and the story behind the ghost city name.
Day 11: Yangtze River Cruise
(FB,L,D)
Included this morning travel through the most scenic stretch of the Yangtze as it makes its way through a spectacular series of limestone ridges, known as the ‘Three Gorges’. Sail through Qutang Gorge, the shortest, narrowest and most dramatic gorge and then cruise through Wu Gorge, known for its quiet beauty. Cruise Shennong Stream with your Included sampan trip. Later cruise through the longest of the gorges Xiling.
Day 12: Yangtze River Cruise - Shanghai
(FB,L)
This morning enjoy your Included shore excursion to the site of the Three Gorges Dam Project. Disembark at Yichang after your Included lunch and transfer to the airport for your Included flight to China’s commercial heart, the exciting metropolis of Shanghai.
Three Night Special Stay: Shanghai
Three Night Special Stay: Shanghai
Day 13: Shanghai
(FB,D)
Encounter amazing treasures and antiques on your Included visit to the Shanghai Museum, one of the best museums in China and wander the large public square adjacent to the museum, People’s Square. Explore the narrow historic lanes and bustling street markets on your Included tour of old Shanghai with a visit to the exquisite Yu Yuan Gardens. Take an Included ride on Shanghai’s famous Bullet Train (Maglev). Included this evening witness the energy and excitement of a performance by the world renowned Shanghai Acrobatic Troupe.
Day 14: Shanghai
(FB,HD)
Included SCENIC FREE CHOICE activity choose from: (1) venture to Suzhou and cruise a section of the Grand Canal and visit some of the exquisite gardens such as Lingering Garden and the Master of the Fishing Net, created by rich families; or (2) explore the charming tree-lined avenues of the French Concession with many fine examples of 19th and 20th century architecture; or (3) partake in a market tour and demonstration to learn traditional Shanghai dishes. This evening stroll along the magnificent historic riverfront Bund, with its European architecture and incredible view across the Huangpu River to the Oriental Tower and skyscrapers of Pudong. Your Included farewell dinner at one of the classiest restaurants overlooking the Bund is a perfect ending to remember all of the iconic sites that you have seen on your incredible journey.
Day 15: Shanghai
(FB)
After breakfast you will be transferred* to the airport for your onward or homebound flight (flight not included).
*Check transfer entitlements with your travel agent. For passengers who have already received documentation - refer to your booking summary.
*Check transfer entitlements with your travel agent. For passengers who have already received documentation - refer to your booking summary.
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