CHINA

Wonders of China

From ZAR28 960 - 17 Days, Fully Inclusive From Johannesburg

Combining China’s best sites, this great value itinerary offers a brief overview of the most popular cities and attractions China has to offer, such as Beijing and the Great Wall and Xian and the World Heritage listed Terracotta Warriors. There is also the added benefit of a four night cruise on the Yangtze River to Chongqing where we visit the rare Giant Pandas at the new Panda House in Chongqing Zoo. From here we travel to the incredible landscape of Guilin and Yangshuo and enjoy a cruise down the Li River between these towns. Our journey culminates in the cosmopolitan city of Shanghai which has a dynamic blend of the old and the new. If you have only limited time, capture the true wonders of China on this incredible and well paced tour.

TOUR ITINERARY

Days 1-2: Johannesburg to Beijing

Travel on an overnight flight to Beijing. Upon arrival we are met by our National Escort and transferred to our hotel for 3 nights.

Day 3: Beijing

As the capital of the People’s Republic of China, Beijing is the nation’s political, economic, and cultural centre as well as being the most important centre in China for international trade and communications. Start touring with a stroll along Tiananmen Square, past Chairman Mao’s Mausoleum, before walking through the treasure filled Forbidden City. This afternoon visit the unique Temple of Heaven built in the 15th Century. Our welcoming banquet includes a sample of the delicacy ‘Peking Duck’.

Day 4: Beijing

An often quoted saying in Beijing goes ‘You have not been to China until you have climbed the Great Wall’. Begun over two thousand years ago, it stretches all the way from the Shanhaiguan Pass on the east coast to the Gobi Desert in the west, more than 5,000km away. Walk along the wall admiring the panoramic views and reflect on the enormity of the material and labour required for its construction. It is estimated that a million people were used at different stages during the construction periods and that thousands died building it. This afternoon we will also wander through the landscaped beauty of the Summer Palace and then see a fascinating Chinese Acrobatic show in the evening.

Day 5: Beijing to Xian

Depart to the former imperial capital of Xian for a 2 night stay. Xian (which means Western Peace) is located on the banks of the Yellow River and has a history dating back to 1000BC. The city served as the capital for many of China’s dynasties and once rivalled great cities such as Constantinople and Rome in size, culture and development. Xian was also the starting point of the Silk Road – a caravan trading route which carried not only silks, ceramics and spices but also led to an exchange of cultures, technologies and ideas. Upon arrival visit the Shaanxi Provincial Museum before enjoying a traditional Shui Jiao dumpling banquet this evening.

Day 6: Xian

We visit the most important archaeological discovery of the 20th Century, the life-size Terracotta Warriors, before stopping at the Ancient City Wall, one of the few remaining in all of China. We stroll through the lively Muslim Quarter to visit the Great Mosque and explore the Islamic food markets. This evening enjoy a performance of Tang Dynasty Dancing.

Day 7: Xian to Wuhan (Yangtze Cruise)

Fly to Wuhan and transfer by coach (approx 6 hours) to board our Yangtze River Cruise vessel for the next 4 nights. The Yangtze River is undeniably one of the world’s great and legendary waterways, originating from a trickling spring on the high Qinghai Plateau in Tibet and travelling over 6,300km to pour into the ocean at Shanghai.

Days 8-10: Yangtze River Cruise

Enjoy a tour to the Three Gorges Dam before cruising on the mighty Yangtze River. Along the way we will cruise through some of the most beautiful scenery in the world, the Three Gorges and take some shore excursions to explore the fascinating history and tranquil landscapes of the tributary streams (subject to change). Visit the captivating temples and legendary statues of the ‘Ghost City’ in Fengdu.

Day 11: Chongqing to Guilin

We disembark from our cruise in Chongqing this morning and visit the new Panda House at Chongqing Zoo, home to some of the most adored animals in China, who are now also the cute and memorable mascot for the Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF). Transfer to the airport and fly to the beautiful city of Guilin, one of China’s greener and more picturesque cities, where we will stay overnight.

Day 12: Guilin (Li River Cruise) to Yangshuo

Relax on the Li River Cruise to Yangshuo. Our boat journey takes us past tranquil farming and fishing scenes and picturesque villages. The main attraction however, is the limestone karsts that tower above the river creating a magical landscape of mountains and water. The unique and natural beauty of this region has for centuries been an inspiration to Chinese artists and poets alike. Upon arrival we transfer to tonight’s hotel. The small town of Yangshuo is set in the lush green rice paddies of southern China, surrounded by meandering river ways and limestone peaks. Spend the evening walking the cobblestone streets or relax in a street side café and enjoy the colourful atmosphere of this enchanting town.

Day 13: Yangshuo to Guilin

Enjoy a morning visit to the colourful local markets and wander through the charming town before returning to Guilin. Upon arrival in Guilin we will visit the stunning Reed Flute Caves, these dramatic limestone caves are so named because clumps of slender reed, which the locals used to make musical instruments, were once commonly found around the entrances.

Day 14: Guilin to Shanghai

Fly to the cosmopolitan city of Shanghai for 2 nights, often referred to as the ‘Paris of the East’. Later we will visit the superb antiquities and fine arts of the Shanghai Museum and wander the surrounds of neighbouring People’s Square.

Day 15: Shanghai

Further explore the city with sightseeing tours to the Yu Gardens and the Old Town, the famous Bund and its impressive collection of 1920’s neo classical buildings, the Pudong area and explore the Xintiandi precinct with its collection of 1920’s style ‘shikumen’ buildings unique to Shanghai. This evening enjoy a cruise on the panoramic Huangpu River.

Day 16: Depart Shanghai

Enjoy the morning at leisure before boarding our overnight flight to South Africa.

Day 17: Arrive Johannesburg

Arrive home this morning.

Price Guide

From ZAR28 960 per person 17 Days, Fully Inclusive - Departing Johannesburg
From ZAR3 965 Single Hotel Supplement
From ZAR3 400 Single Cruise cabin Supplement
From ZAR21 365 per person Land Only
Approx $60 per person Compulsory Tipping (See Booking Conditions)

 

Tour
Code
Depart
SA
Arrive
SA
 
2010 
 
T22050
07 Mar
23 Mar
T22051
14 Mar
30 Mar
T22052
21 Mar
06 Apr
T22053
28 Mar
13 Apr
T22054
04 Apr
20 Apr
T22055
11 Apr
27 Apr
T22058
25 Apr
11 May
T22059
05 May
21 May
T220510
09 May
25 May
T220511
16 May
01 Jun
T220512
19 May
04 Jun
T220513
23 May
08 Jun
T220514
26 May
11 Jun
T220515
06 Jun
22 Jun
T220516
13 Jun
29 Jun
T200517
27 Jun
13 Jul
T220518
07 Jul
23 Jul
T220519
11 Jul
27 Jul
T220520
18 Jul
03 Aug
T220521
25 Jul
10 Aug
T220522
08 Aug
24 Aug
T220523
15 Aug
31 Aug
T220524
29 Aug
14 Sep
T220525
05 Sep
21 Sep
T220526
08 Sep
24 Sep
T220527
12 Sep
28 Sep
T220528
19 Sep
05 Oct
T220529
22 Sep
08 Oct
T220530
26 Sep
12 OctT
T220531
06 Oct
22 Oct
T220532
10 Oct
26 Oct
T220533
17 Oct
02 Nov
T220534
24 Oct
09 Nov
T220535
31 Oct
16 Nov
T220536
07 Nov
23 Nov
T220537
14 Nov
30 Nov
 
2011 
 
T22060
06 Mar
22 Mar
T22061
13 Mar
29 Mar
T22062
20 Mar
05 Apr
T22063
27 Mar
12 Apr
T22064
03 Apr
19 Apr
T22065
10 Apr
26 Apr
T22066
24 Apr
10 May
T22067
04 May
20 May
T22068
08 May
24 May
T22069
15 May
31 May
T220610
18 May
03 Jun

Travel Info

Country Info

Inclusions

  • Return international economy class airfares
  • Domestic flights within China
  • All meals and accommodation
  • All transportation, daily tours and entrance fees
  • National Tour Escort accompanying you throughout your destination with a minimum of 10 passengers and/or English speaking local guides in each city.
  • Visa fees for South Africa passport holders
  • Domestic taxes
  • An impressive Wendy Wu Tours travel wallet 

Exclusions

  • Airline fuel surcharges
  • Personal expenditure such as drinks, laundry service and souvenirs
  • Compulsory Tipping
  • Arrangements and taxes in Hong Kong if required
  • Land Only package excludes visa fees and arrival and departure transfers
  • Prices do not include camera and video charges
  • Local airport taxes if applicable
  • Insurance 

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