Giant Panda Homeland Tour

The panda is acclaimed in China. It was mentioned in dictionaries more than 2,000 years ago and the imperial garden is said to have housed one. Today, the endangered species can only be found in remote mountains in China’s Sichuan, Shaanxi, and Gansu Provinces. This tour will offer you an up-close encounter with these treasures of China and also a five star voyage on the mighty Yangtze River.

Daily Itinerary

Day 1

Arrive Beijing: Attend a welcome party with an introduction of the tour and local culture.

Day 2

Drum Tower, Hutong tour, Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, Wang Fujing Street:’starting from the ancient landmark of Beijing the Drum Tower, you will have a traditional Beijing breakfast at the famous Yao’s Restaurant. The driver of a manpowered tricycle will take you through old Hutongs and tell you stories about each of them. You are welcome to stop and meet local families to experience their daily life. In the afternoon, visit the Forbidden City while being accompanied by a certified Chinese history teacher. The guide will tell you about the life of Chinese emperors, their historical legacies, and their secrets. South of the Forbidden City is Tiananmen Square, the largest public square in the world. Not far from Tiananmen’square is Wang Fujing Street, the commercial center of Beijing and home to a myriad of shops and restaurants. Take the opportunity to try Quanjude Roast Duck, Dong Laishun Hotpot, stop by China Photo Studio, Hengdeli Watch and Clock Shop. Each of these stores has been a landmark during the rapid development of this city. In the evening, enjoy nightly entertainment at the Beijing Opera, an acrobatic show and a Kung Fu demonstration.

Day 3

Huailai Great Wall, Summer Palace: Beijing is adjacent to different portions of the Great Wall like Badaling, Juyongguan and Mutianyu, but what you will visit is better preserved than any of those. This portion was built during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) and used to protect China from Mongrel raids. On the way to the Great Wall, there are many villages and towns which have several hundred years of history and have yet to be developed as tourist attractions. Every antiquated house harkens back to a simpler times. You will have excellent views to take photos of the Great Wall and because this area is more remote, you may examine the wall or sit on the beacon tower before heading back to lunch. In the afternoon, you will visit the most protected royal garden in Beijing the Summer Palace. At sunset, sailing on Kunming Lake followed by a royal feast to complete your day of travel. After dinner, you ll be treated to a Chinese medical massage.

Day 4

Beijing?Chengdu: After breakfast fly to Chengdu. Stroll through the Jinli Old Street and Kuan Zhai Alley, a historic preserve district of modern villas and gardens and consisting of 45 courtyards in Qing and Ming Dynasty style. Have a hot and spicy pot and watch the Chuan Opera which is famous for its stunning skill of Bianlian. The master can change 14 face masks in 25 seconds.

Day 5

Bifengxia Panda Reserve (Bus): The Bifengxia Giant Panda Base is now home to the largest concentration of giant pandas in the world. It currently is home to nearly 75 giant pandas. During your visit, you will be educated about these trademark creatures and get to know the daily routine and life of a panda.

Day 6

Chengdu to Chongqing by bullet train: After having a hot pot at the Liberation Stele, the commercial heart of Chongqing, we will visit the Chaotianmen Dock and view the merging of the Yangtze and Jialing Rivers. Then embark on a 5-star cruise ship down the river and through the Three Gorges.

Day 7-9

Cruise on the Yangtze River

Day 10

Disembark from the cruise in Yichang and transfer to Shanghai by air.

Day 11

Fly to Shanghai after breakfast.

Day 12

Shanghai?Wu Zhen: Begin your morning by strolling through the old streets in downtown Shanghai on your way to admire the beauty of Yuyuan Garden, and taste various local delicacies in the Old Town district. In the evening, you will arrive in Wu Zhen, a beautiful and quiet water town near Hangzhou. After dinner, take a boat ride through the water city and immerse yourself in the calm river town while decompressing from the hustle of the big city.

Day 13

Wu Zhen?Hangzhou: When you wake up in Wu Zhen, you will be greeted by elderly women washing clothes in the river, as old men do their morning exercises in the alleys throughout the city. Enjoy a simple breakfast and relax in the peace and quiet of a small water town before being transported to Hangzhou. Hangzhou is the birthplace of the Legend of White Snake, a beautiful love’story of a snake fairy and a young scholar. In the afternoon, you will visit a Longjing Tea garden and have the chance to bake tea leaves and drink tea with local artisans.

Day 14

Suzhou?Shanghai: Start the day in Suzhou’s Chinese gardens and silk factories. In the past, it was the national silk center. Many silk masterpieces for the royal family were produced here. You ll have the chance to see the whole process of making silk at the Suzhou First Silk Mill, which has been in operation for than 80 years. Visit the Humble Administrator’s Garden, one of the finest Chinese gardens in the country.

You will return to Shanghai in the evening and enjoy the flickering lights on the Bund and the winding Huangpu River.

Day 15

Departure