China Encounters

Tour Highlights

Chengde

Xian

Yangtze River

Jade Dragon Snow Mountain

Chengde

Discover the former summer resort of the Manchu emperors

Xian

Come face to face with the amazing spectacle that is the Terracotta Warriors

Yangtze River

Cruise the dramatic Three Gorges along one of China's most famous rivers

Jade Dragon Snow Mountain

Admire the spectacular scenery of this awe inspiring mountain

Authentic Experiences

Our China Encounters Tour has been thoughtfully designed and thoroughly researched to bring you a range of once-in-a-lifetime experiences, many of which are entirely exclusive to us.

• Yunnan Province History Show

  Learn about the history of Yunnan Province and its many minority peoples in a spectacular show of traditional music, dancing and performance, called Dynamic Yunnan.

• Walk the Lesser-Visited Great Wall

  Walk on the magnificent Great Wall, discovering the lesser-visited Jinshanling, a section restored to its Ming Dynasty glory and which passes through magnificent surroundings.

• Tibetan Home-Cooked Meal

  Sit down to a delicious meal of home-cooked food, prepared for you by members of the Tibetan community in a charming, rural Yunnan village.

Tour Dates & Prices

All of our tour departures include international flights and taxes in the price. If the dates we have available for this tour don't suit your needs, or you are not sure travelling as part of a group is for you, maybe a Private Tour would be more ideal. If your tour departs in less than 30 days, please call our travel experts to book.

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Additional Price Information

Prices include airline fuel surcharge and taxes. Correct as of 12 August 2020, subject to change.

Depending on airline schedules, you may depart and/or arrive on Day 2. Extra nights' accommodation (pre or post tour) or stopovers may be required at an additional cost.

Customary tipping amount of approximately RMB1,090pp (AU$222pp) is paid locally in China.

Based on departures from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide or Perth

Departures from other cities and flight upgrades available upon request

Land only (Beijing - Kunming) 22 days from $6,090 per person, twin share

Single supplement from $1,690

Price listed is based on new bookings only

China Encounters - Tour Itinerary

DAY 1: FLY TO BEIJING

Fly to Beijing, China’s historic capital. Depending on your time of arrival, the rest of the day is yours to start soaking up the local culture.

DAY 2: IMPERIAL BEIJING

This morning, head to Beijing's symbolic heart, Tiananmen Square and stroll into the sprawling magnificence of the Forbidden City where you will find a complex full of imperial riches. Later, soak up the harmonious ambience of the Temple of Heaven, an orderly oasis in a bustling urban landscape. Here, mingle with the locals and watch or participate as they practise tai chi, dance or play cards. This evening, sit down to a traditional dinner of Peking duck and enjoy an acrobatics show.

DAY 3: SUMMER PALACE

In the morning, enjoy the idyllic gardens of the Summer Palace before visiting a jade factory, then travel to Chengde by road.

DAY 4: EXPLORE CHENGDE

The summer retreat of Manchu emperors, Chengde is home to a wealth of imperial architecture. Visit the magnificent Mountain Resort and sacred temples, including Puning and Puyuo.

DAY 5: THE GREAT WALL

Make the return journey back to Beijing. This morning is dedicated to China’s most iconic sight – the Great Wall, namely the Jinshanling section. 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 surrounds it.

DAY 6: TRAVEL TO XIAN

Take a bullet train to Xian and enjoy some time at leisure. Tonight, feast on traditional Shui Jiao dumplings followed by a performance of Tang Dynasty dancing.

DAY 7: TERRACOTTA WARRIORS

After their fortuitous discovery in the 1970s, the Terracotta Army of China’s first emperor, Qin Shi Huang, has intrigued visitors ever since. Spend the morning viewing the enigmatic ranks of life-sized warriors and horses. Also visit the Xian Art Ceramics and Lacquer Workshop to see where the warriors are intricately recreated. Later this afternoon, take a stroll on the beautifully preserved 14th-century city walls that enclose Xian's old town. Also explore the narrow and winding streets of the atmospheric Muslim Quarter, which are lined with Islamic food stalls. Here, you will gain an insight into the city’s fascinating culture.

DAY 8: BULLET TRAIN TO CHENGDU

Board the bullet train to Chengdu, capital of Sichuan Province.

DAY 9: CHENGDU GIANT PANDAS

Visit Chengdu's famous Panda Conservation Centre to see and learn about China's celebrated bears up close in surroundings that mirror their natural habitat. A look around the information museum gives an overview of the reserve's breeding programme. Next, stroll through the bustling People's Park to Matchmaker's Corner, where parents search for worthy suitors for their children, and wander through the Wide and Narrow Alleys.

DAY 10: BOARD YOUR CRUISE

Take the bullet train to Yichang and board your Yangtze River cruise vessel, where you will stay for the next four nights.

DAYS 11-13: YANGTZE RIVER CRUISE

Visit The Three Gorges Dam which showcases a massive feat of engineering. As you cruise upstream, nature takes over revealing some of the world’s most dramatic scenery including the Three Gorges themselves. Over the next few days prepare for one breathtaking panorama after another. Enjoy a side trip to the attractive Shennong or Goddess Stream, as well as various shore excursions.

DAY 14: FLY TO ZHONGDIAN

Disembark in Chongqing and then fly to the monastery town of Zhongdian, also known as Shangri-La. This afternoon is at leisure to acclimatise to the altitude.

DAY 15: SONGZANLIN MONASTERY

Spend the morning exploring the spectacular Songzanlin Monastery. Afterwards, make your way to a rural Tibetan-style village where you will learn about the villagers' way of life and taste home-cooked dishes. End the day with a tour of the old town and Dafo Temple.

DAY 16: TIGER LEAPING GORGE

Journey to the 3,000-metre-deep Tiger Leaping Gorge. With its stunning backdrop of snow-capped mountains, it is one of China's most extraordinary sights. The whole area is spectacular, with breathtaking views. Travel to Lijiang and discover the old quarter; the quintessential Chinese 'old town' and wander the jumble of cobbled streets, traditional wooden buildings and rustic stone bridges.

DAY 17: JADE DRAGON SNOW MOUNTAIN

A magnificent mountain, the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain comprises several peaks, the tallest of which soars 5,500 metres. Taking a cable car, explore one of the stunning high meadows and enjoy the amazing vistas. Visit Baisha Old Town to view the fascinating frescoes painted during the early Ming Dynasty and take a tour of the embroidery school.

DAY 18: BLACK DRAGON POOL

This morning, visit Black Dragon Pool Park where there are wonderful views of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. Later, travel to Dali and explore the lively Foreigners' Street.

DAYS 19-20: ENCHANTING DALI

The area surrounding Dali is extremely scenic. Explore the village of Xizhou to browse its local market. See the Yan family home and watch a tie-dying demonstration. Wander through Dali's ancient quarter and relax with a cruise on Erhai Lake. The next day, visit the Three Pagodas and take the bullet train to Kunming. This evening, dine on local dish Across the Bridge Noodles.

DAY 21: STONE FOREST

Explore the magnificent formations of the picturesque Stone Forest, where towering limestone pillars stand tree-like in a fascinating illusion of woodland, before taking your seats to see the impressive 'Dynamic Yunnan' show.

DAY 22-23: FLY KUNMING TO AUSTRALIA

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

Useful Information

Visas

Most nationalities require a visa when travelling to China. Travellers should arrange visas well in advance of departure. Unlike many other tour operators, we include your visa in the price of your tour. We handle the entire application process – all you need to do is complete the paperwork and send your passport to us eight weeks prior to departure. We are always on hand to help you with any queries you may have while completing the application form.

Communication

While travelling overseas, the Wendy Wu Tours contact number during business hours is +61 2 9224 8888. Emergency Assistance (24-hours) is 0044 1888 288 288. You will find mobile phone coverage to be quite high throughout Asia. We recommend contacting your mobile carrier if you intend to use international roaming during your holiday and ensure you investigate all associated call and data costs before you leave Australia. Some hotels may have Wi-Fi, which usually comes at a cost.

Tipping

Tipping is not commonplace in Australia. In Asia however, it is anticipated that a tip be given to reward good service. With that in mind, we have a tipping system for our group tours. Each passenger ‘tips’ a set amount to the National Escort at the start of the tour or on arrival in each country. They then distribute this as appropriate. The Yangtze River cruise service charge is paid when embarking. We advise tipping amounts in your final documentation. Tipping is appreciated for Private and Tailor-Made travel. In your final documents, we include guidelines for tipping when travelling independently.

Shopping

Shopping is a fun and entertaining component to any travel adventure. In keeping with most people’s interests while on holiday, your tour includes a reasonable number of opportunities to shop for local goods and souvenirs. Included are visits to establishments that provide locally produced goods, unique to your destination. Witness the creation of these products, and see first-hand how their production supports the local economy. As most travellers like to take home souvenirs, we ensure the shops you visit have a reputation for quality, honesty, and authenticity.

Food

The cost of meals is included in your group tour cost. Breakfast is served in the hotel and includes western dishes. As is traditional in China, lunch and dinner consist of small dishes of local cuisine which are placed on a ‘Lazy Susan’ for everyone to share. If you would like to drink beer, soft drink or bottled water with your meals, payment is to be made directly to the restaurant staff. If you have booked a tour that does not include all meals, your local guides will be able to recommend where to eat. Any food/diet requests MUST be specified at the time of booking.

Accommodation

Wendy Wu Tours inspects all hotels to ensure they meet the high levels of service, which we require for our guests. We pick the right hotel for the specific destination, meaning your accommodation can range from a smart business hotel in one city to a family-run guesthouse in a smaller town. Chosen hotels are also chosen for ease of navigation around tourist sights. Government laws in China require air conditioning be switched on nationally in May and central heating in November (this may vary slightly depending on the region).