Wendy Wu China Delights

– Enjoy vibrant Shanghai
– Relax on a Li River Cruise
– Explore the peaceful Yangshuo countryside
– Marvel at the Grand Buddha
– Experience the spectacular Terracotta Warriors
– Walk on the Great Wall of China
– Discover the imperial treasures of Beijing

Days 1-2: Fly to Shanghai

Fly overnight to the cosmopolitan city of Shanghai. Depending on your time of arrival the rest of the day is yours to start soaking up the local culture.

Day 3-4: Discover Shanghai

Shanghai is China’s great metropolis, where east and west collide on streets lined with futuristic skyscrapers and 10th century temples. Visit the peaceful Yu Gardens and atmospheric old town before admiring the colonial architecture with a stroll along the Bund. Round off the day with a delicious meal of traditional Shanghai cuisine. The next day explore ultramodern Pudong and the arts and antiquities of the Shanghai Museum. This evening view the city from the Huangpu River on a panoramic cruise.

Day 5: Historic Suzhou

Suzhou’s centre has managed to retain a sense of quaint charm even as the city has grown up around it. Renowned for its gardens, visit two of the finest, the Humble Administrator’s Garden and the Master of the Nets Garden, both typical of the Chinese appreciation of balance and harmony. There will also be a visit to a local silk mill.

Day 6: Grand Canal & Wuzhen

Transfer to the water town of Wuzhen – a charming place of old-world timber buildings, cobbled streets and narrow waterways; it is an easy place to while away the day. Transfer to the city of Hangzhou.

Day 7: Hangzhou

A restful morning is spent wandering around the Temple of Inspired Seclusion, one of China’s most renowned Buddhist temples and home to the Buddhist carvings of Feilai Feng. Visit the Six Harmonies Pagoda before cruising on Hangzhou’s West Lake and admiring the gardens, pagodas and old bridges on its shores.

Day 8: Tea Plantations

Browse the bustling local markets and visit the plantations of Meijiawu to learn the tea-making process, from bush to brew. Enjoy a cup of organic green tea and decide which of the locally produced teas you might like to purchase. Fly to the attractive city of Guilin where the rest of the day will be at leisure.

Day 9: Li River Cruise

Take a relaxed cruise along the Li River to the charming village of Yangshuo. Around every river bend is a view to take your breath away as jagged karst peaks loom over rural scenes of lush greenery, grazing buffalo and local fishermen.

Day 10: Yangshou

Yangshuo sits in an exquisite rural location, surrounded by landscapes of paddy fields and limestone karsts. Spend the morning exploring the countryside before an afternoon at leisure. There are many activities available including cycling, rafting and walking. In the evening see the famous cormorant fishermen.

Day 11: Chengdu

Return to Guilin visiting Reed Flute Cave to admire the colourful stalagmites and stalactites. Fly to Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan Province. Once there, enjoy an optional performance of Sichuan opera.

Day 12: Grand Buddha of Leshan

Travel to Leshan to visit the Grand Buddha which, at 71 metres, is the world’s largest stone-carved Buddhist monument. A short boat trip will give excellent views from the river. Returning to Chengdu, there will be a stop at riverside Huanglongxi, where cobbled streets and rickety buildings retain the charms of the Qing Dynasty. Sample a delicious Sichuan meal this evening.

Day 13: Chengdu Panda Reserve

Visit Chengdu’s famous reserve to see and learn about China’s celebrated bears up close in surroundings that mirror their natural habitat. Fly to Xian, the ancient former capital.

Days 14: Terracotta Warriors

Visit the Terracotta Army of Emperor Qin Shihuang. The warriors have intrigued visitors ever since their fortuitous discovery in the 1970s – spend the morning viewing their enigmatic ranks. Later stroll on the beautifully preserved 14th century city walls that enclose Xian’s old town. Sit down in the evening for a delicious feast of Shui Jiao dumplings followed by a performance of Tang Dynasty dancing

Day 15: Beijing

Take a fascinating morning visit to the Little Wild Goose Pagoda and a walk through the atmospheric alleys of the Muslim Quarter. Then fly to Beijing.

Days 16: Temple of Heaven

Relax and soak up the harmonious ambience of the Temple of Heaven, an orderly oasis in a bustling urban landscape. Then head to Tiananmen Square and venture into the magnificence of the Forbidden City. A Chinese acrobatic show rounds off the day.

Day 17: Great Wall of China

This morning is dedicated to China’s most iconic sight – the Great Wall. Taking a walk on this incredible structure is the best way to appreciate both the sheer magnificence of the wall itself and the dramatic scenery that it crosses. Later on you’ll visit the Jade Museum.

Day 18: Fly Beijing to UK

Fly to the UK, arriving home the same or following day.

Your accommodation is selected for convenience of location, comfort or character, and can range from a business hotel in one city to a family run guesthouse in a smaller town. In more remote areas, accommodation may be of a lower standard and may not have all western amenities.

– Return international flights
– All Accommodation
– All meals: 16 breakfasts, 15 lunches and 16 dinners
– All transportation & transfers
– All sightseeing & entrance fees
– English speaking National Escort & local guides
– Visa fees for UK & EU passport holders

Please note, prices listed are guide prices only and are based on 2 people sharing and don’t include any additional supplements. Holiday prices are fluid and dynamic and may be changed at a moment’s notice, prior to booking, at which point they are confirmed. Please call the team free on 0800 707 6229 for more departure dates available and a quote.

Coaches: Coaches with air conditioning are used on our group tours for city sightseeing, short excursions to the countryside and longer transfers where necessary.

Classic

See the classic sights in the company of expert guides so you can really understand the history and culture of the destination. On our classic tours we take care of everything, leaving you to sit back and enjoy the experience to the full. The tours are fully inclusive with all meals and a comprehensive touring programme.

Most of our groups consist of 10 travellers or more and will be accompanied by both a National Escort and local guides. There will usually be no more than 28 travellers in each group although you may encounter other Wendy Wu tour groups while you are travelling.

This tour has a physical rating of 1. A reasonable level of fitness is required but it’s more about spending time on your feet rather than covering large distances. You’ll be getting on and off coaches and boats, walking around the sights and climbing some steps.

If you want to explore more of China or simply want more time in your destination, then you can add an extension or stop over.*

Choose from the following Extensions and Stopovers
Macao Special (Hong Kong)
Hong Kong Glimpses (Hong Kong)
Hong Kong in Focus (Hong Kong)
Macau (Hong Kong)
Hong Kong and Macau (Hong Kong)
Kunming & Lijiang (Kunming)
Nine Villages Valley (Chengdu)
Zhangjiajie (Zhangjiajie)
Chongqing, Dazu and Wulong (Chongqing)
Guilin and Yangshou (Guilin)
Mount Huang (Shanghai)
Lhasa (Lhasa)
Chengdu (Chengdu)
Beijing and Xi’an (Beijing)
Suzhou and Hangzhou (Shanghai)
Shanghai (Shanghai)
Guilin (Guilin)

*Available extensions and stopovers depend on your chosen airline