China Experience 2015

China continues to amaze, fascinate and thrill our passengers, many of whom have travelled to one country in Asia with us, then another, year after year. We urge you to keep in mind all the rewards, as well as challenges of travelling in a country with a history, culture and attitude so unlike your own.

A typical day’s sightseeing may include the bustle and noise of a city street, sights and smells of a local market and interacting with the locals. Travelling in China requires patience and potential delays are to be expected due to standards of service. There is a low level of English spoken throughout China, so your local guides or National Escort will be indispensable during your trip.

Almost everything will be different to what you may be used to. We have found that our passengers who embark with a sense of humour and adventure, who accept that things do not always go to plan, are those who find their experience most rewarding. It is essential that all passengers recognize the demands of factors such as basic facilities and cultural differences they may encounter in some areas.

A China Experience - Comfortable Paced Tour

These tours are accessible to most people with an average level of fitness and normal mobility. They involve sightseeing on foot and some climbing of stairs. This is the easiest pace of tour which Wendy Wu Tours offers in China. Anyone with a reasonable level of fitness should be able to complete this itinerary. Of course, our local guides always endeavour to provide the highest level of service and assistance, but they cannot be expected to cater for customers who are unfit to complete the itinerary.

Days 1-2: UK/Shanghai You will be met at Pudong Airport in the arrivals hall by your local guide and/or National Escort from Wendy Wu Tours. Together with all other group members who may be arriving at a similar time, you will transfer (approx. 1hr drive) to your hotel.

Day 3: Shanghai –Zhujiajiao This morning a tour introduction will either be held in the hotel or on the coach. This is simply an opportunity for your group to meet and learn more about travelling in China. You’ll then drive one hour to the water canal town of Zhujiajiao. Sightseeing here is leisurely and involves several hours exploring on foot. Return to Shanghai in the afternoon and visit the Shanghai Museum and dine on Shanghainese cuisine.

Day 4: Shanghai Sightseeing today involves a full day of touring around the centre of the city including 3-4hrs on foot, including visits to the Yu Gardens, the Old Town, Xintiandi and a stroll on the Bund. Be mindful of your valuables while in the Old Town (Yuan Bazaar) as it is very crowded.

Day 5: Shanghai to Xian Any time before your airport transfer this morning is at leisure. Your group will transfer to Shanghai Hongqiao airport and fly to Xian (flight approx. 2.5hrs). Transfer to your hotel (1hr drive) and check-in. Enjoy a traditional Shui Jiao dumpling meal and a Tang Dynasty dumpling meal.

Day 6: Xian The Museum of the Terracotta Warriors and Horses is located more than a 1hr drive outside of Xian. From the bus park to the museum entrance is a 15min walk. There are electric carts offered by private vendors which can be organised at your own cost. There is no electric cart available for the return from the museum exit to the bus park. Within the museum area the warriors can be seen in three different ‘pits’, which are active archaeological digs. The site is large and, towards the summer months, can be hot outside. Sightseeing here involves approx. 2.5hrs on foot. This afternoon you will visit the City Wall. The local guide will give you time to explore at your own pace. There are options here to hire a bicycle or an electric cart to drive along the length of the wall. These are offered by private vendors and can be organised at your own expense.

Day 7: Xian to Beijing Sightseeing at the Little Wild Goose Pagoda - 1.5hrs walking. Be mindful of your valuables while in the Muslim Quarter’s alley market stalls. In the late afternoon you will transfer to the airport and fly to Beijing (flight duration 1hr, 40mins). From Beijing airport, transfer (1hr drive) to your hotel for check-in.

Day 8: Beijing Sightseeing around the centre of Beijing involves 3-4hrs walking during the morning to see Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City. This afternoon, visit the Temple of Heaven where there will be at least 1hr on foot.

Day 9: Beijing You’ll rise early this morning to drive two hours (60km) northwest of the city to the Juyongguan Pass section of the Great Wall. The aim of this is to avoid the crowds of tourists who will arrive later in the morning, and the heat of the day. Your visit here involves walking from the bus to the first section. After your group has been given an introduction to the Great Wall’s unique history you will have free time to explore the rest at your own pace. After lunch, drive 1.5hrs to the Summer Palace in the north of the city. The palace is set over an extensive park and man-made lake complex and there is 1.5-2hrs on foot involved at this site.

Day 10: Depart Beijing Any time before your flight is at leisure. You will be transferred from your hotel to the airport, according to the departure time of your international flight.