14 Days China's Wild Giant Panda Explorer
Beijing - Xian - Foping - Chengdu or Shanghai

• Beijing: Great Wall, Temple of Heaven, Forbidden City, Olympics Stadium (3 nights)

• Overnight soft Sleeper trains

• Xian: Terra-cotta Warriors, Wild Goose Pagoda, Cycle the Ancient city Walls, Bell & Drum Towers (2 nights)

• Foping Nature Reserve (4 nights)

• Trekking to see Wild Giant Panda's

• Dapingyu Nature Walk - Wild Golden Monkey

• Chengdu or Shanghai: (3 nights)

Trekking Wild Giant Panda's in the Foping nature reserve. A great tour to explore the rural, historic and cultural sights across China.

View Itinerary

Price & Departure dates

Day 1: Beijing

Upon arrival in Beijing, you will be greeted at the airport by our English speaking guide and transferred to your hotel by private transport. The rest of the day is at your leisure to recover from jet lag and get ready for the adventure to come! (China is 8 hours ahead of UK GMT)

Day 2 Beijing (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

A full day city tour to soak up the atmosphere of Beijing. This includes visiting historical sites such as Temple of Heaven, Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City.

Our welcome dinner in the evening provides an opportunity to sample various type of Chinese cuisine.

Day 3 Beijing (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

The highlights of today's visit is to the Great Wall (Mutianyu Section), the quieter and less commercial section compare with some others. You will have plenty of time to walk along the wall and enjoy unforgettable views. For those who prefer an easier way up to the wall, a cable car is available (payment required locally approx £10).

Our memorable day continues with a trip to the Beijing Bird's Nest Olympics Stadia & the Water Cube swimming stadium (exteriors only). Have a stroll in the large Olympic square and enjoy great photo opportunities. Later we experience the famous Peking Roasted Duck dinner to conclude this unforgettable day.

Day 4 Beijing to Xian (Breakfast)

Free day at your own leisure until your sleeper train departure in the evening. Alternatively we can arrange either of the following optional guided tours. (Ask for prices at time of booking).

Optional tours:

1) Visit the 12th century Summer Palace, Kunming Lake and the Garden of Harmony before taking the ferry next to the famous Marble Boat. In the next part of the tour enjoy a fascinating Rickshaw ride through the 'Hutong' residential area of Beijing to see how local people live. Our guide will then escort you to Houhai, a popular relaxing eating out place for both Western and Chinese tourists. For travellers who would like to experience shopping in China, we can take you to the popular shopping street - Xiushui Silk Market. Lunch not included.

2) Visit the fascinating 'Yonghe' Lama Temple built in 1694. The Tibetan Buddhism temple is one of the largest and most important Tibetan Buddhist monasteries in the world. Lama Temple is unique as its architecture and artworks combines both Chinese and Tibetan styles. Then we visit Temple of Confucius, built in 1302, the second largest Confucian Temple in China, after the one in Confucius' hometown. Later enjoy lunch in one of the many nice restaurants located near the temple area. (Our guide can make some recommendations if you require). Lunch not included.

In the evening our guide will take you to the train station, where you will board the overnight train to Xian (soft sleeper cabin).

Day 5 Xian (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Arrive in Xian early morning and transfer to your hotel for breakfast.

After breakfast we explore Xian and visit the old Muslim Quarter of the City which is home to large Ethnic Muslim Chinese community, who have lived in the city since the silk road was established. Our tour including visiting Muslim square, the Wooden Mosque and later we will have great photos opportunities of the Bell and Drum Towers.

In the afternoon we enjoy a leisurely walk & cycle ride on the ancient city walls. The smooth & well preserved walls make for an ideal and safe cycling route around the inner historic city centre and are a charming way to enjoy the local lifestyle of Xian.

Afterwards we drive to see the Wild Goose Pagoda built in the Tang dynasty and we enjoy the jovial atmosphere around the beautiful Pagoda and picturesque boulevard where Xian residents come to meet & relax.

Day 6 Xian (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Today we visit the Terra-cotta Warriors and Shaanxi Historical Museum. Marvel at the immense grandeur & scale of the unearthed terracotta Army. The warriors are positioned in battalion formation includes 6,000 life-size Terracotta Warriors and their war horses. The warriors were created as the after life protectors of the powerful first Emperor Qinshihuang, who was the Emperor that united the whole of China. (221BC-206BC).

Day 7 Xian - Foping Nature Reserve (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

We take a scenic journey into the mountainous countryside on our way to Foping (approx 4 hrs). Upon arrival in Foping, we visit the Nature Museum to familiarise ourselves with the different variety of plants and animals that live in this rural location.

Later we drive into the Foping Nature Reserve, where we then proceed on foot to walk to the conservation station (8 kms/ approx 3 hrs hike).

Day 8 Foping Nature Reserve (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Today we will begin our adventure to visit wild Giant Panda's in their natural habitat with our experienced guide.

A tasty Lunch box will be provided for a picnic lunch and all other time will be spent tracking and searching for the Giant Panda which live in the bamboo mountains. Approx six hrs panda trekking and later have a dinner at a local family home.

Day 9 Foping Nature Reserve (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

We spend another day trekking to see wild Giant Panda's in their natural habitat with our experienced guide. Sighting of Panda's are expected, however as the Panda's are wild, this can not be categorically guaranteed.

Lunch box will be provided for a picnic lunch and all other time will be spent tracking and searching for the Giant Panda which live in the bamboo mountains. Approx six hrs panda trekking and later have a dinner at a local family home.

Day 10 Foping Nature Reserve (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Today we enjoy a three hour trek in the Nature Reserve before driving back to Foping where we freshen up in our hotel and have lunch at a local restaurant. The rest of the day we enjoy a well earned rest.

Day 11 Foping Nature Reserve - Dapingyu - Xian (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

This morning we drive to Dapingyu and take a nature walk into scenic valley to visit the wild Golden Monkeys. After a few hours in the valley, we begin our drive back to Xian (4 hrs). Lunch will be provided by a local family in their home along the way to Xian. Dinner is in a local restaurant in Xian before boarding the overnight train to Chengdu in the evening.

Chengdu Option

Day 12 Chengdu ( Lunch)

Today our train arrives in Chengdu in the morning, where you meet our local guide upon arrival and transfer to your hotel.

In the afternoon we explore Chengdu and after lunch visit the enjoyable Ji Li Street for a pleasant walk around this historic area.

Day 13 Chengdu (Breakfast, Lunch)

After breakfast we drive to the Chengdu Panda Breeding Centre to see more about the care and conditions this world leading breeding centre provides.

Later we travel to Wensu Monastery where we visit a local tea house and enjoy activities in the nice garden inside the monastery.

Alternative option is to visit the Bi-Feng-Xia Panda breeding centre at the Wolong nature reserve, if you wish to volunteer to work at the centre. Extra days may be required (Ask for prices and details at booking stage).

Day 14 Chengdu - Onward Destination

Our guide will meet you at your hotel for your transfer to the airport for your onward flight home, or extend your stay in China. There are frequent flights from Chengdu to Hong Kong, Macau, Beijing, Shanghai etc, we can assist in arranging out sections of the tours if required, please ask.

Shanghai Option (same price)

Day 12 Shanghai

Please buy your own breakfast for the next day before boarding the train. The train will arrive in Shanghai in the late morning and meet your guide at the station for the transfer to your hotel.

The afternoon is free for you to explore Shanghai on your own, or take an optional guided afternoon tour to visit the Yu Gardens and the Bund. (as for prices & details at time of booking).

Day 13 Shanghai (Breakfast)

Free day to explore the cosmopolitan city of Shanghai.

Day 14 Shanghai - Onward Destination (Breakfast)

Check out of the hotel after breakfast and transfer to Pu Dong International Airport for your flight home.

Departure Dates & Price (£)

Our Price will Include.

• Train Station/hotel transfers within Mainland China.
• Sleeper train tickets in soft sleeper cabin (4 person cabin).
• Sightseeing tours by professional English-speaking tour guide.
• Hotel accommodation.
• Meals as specified in the itinerary.

Price Does Not Include.

• Flights - can be provided upon your request.
• Visa fee - We can arrange Visa's subject to your request.
• Travel Insurance.

Flights: we can assist in obtaining flight tickets. Some of our programmes can also be combined for a longer tour, please enquire at the time of booking.

Your Accommodation for this tour: Carefully selected good hotels & guesthouse accommodations. 4 star hotels for Gold package, 3 star hotels for Silver package. In some remote areas the standard can be lower but we will provide you with one of the best available in the area.

Your Meals: As specified in the itinerary. Dishes are using local cooking style with on-season fresh ingredients and vegetables when possible.

Other fact of our tour arrangement: Our itineraries are regularly checked and updated to provide ideal and latest sightseeing spots for our travellers, and we organise our own special activities to try to introduce the real China to you, and connect closer to local people.

Small group travel with like minded people. Normal group size 6 to 9 people. Group booking for more than 10 people will enjoy a discount. Suitable for active travellers.

The itinerary is designed according to the most updated information of flights available, although on rare occasions the sequence in which cities are visited, duration of time spent can change due to local conditions which are out of our control. The above itinerary highlights the main attractions that are to be visited each day. Further places of interest may be visited during your stay, which will provide unique ethnic and cultural handcraft shopping opportunities. We reserve the right to change, amend or alter the itinerary, although we will act in your best interests to handle any amendments. Please refer to the booking form for detailed terms & conditions.