Wendy Wu Tours - Japan is Open
New 2024/25 brochures out now!

Your quintessential guides to Japan, Southeast Asia and India.

Start Exploring

The Award-Winning Tour Specialist

China: The Big One

28 days Go Beyond Group Tour

China: The Big One

This Flexible, slower-paced tour has time set aside for independent exploration. as well as vibrant cities, discover the charms of beautiful Yangshuo, delightful Dali and quaint Lijang. Please note - there is some altitude on this tour.

  • Included Meals
    Breakfasts: 26 , Lunches: 17 , Dinners: 5
  • Flights
    International flights and current taxes
  • Accommodation
    26 nights in 4 star accommodation
  • Cruise
    Yangtze River Cruise, Li River Cruise, Huangpu River Cruise
  • Group Tour
    Max Group Size: 18
  • Physical Rating 2
    A reasonable level of fitness is required, as you'll be spending time on your feet and doing a bit of walking to cover short distances during your daily sightseeing. There will also be some climbing of steps and climbing on and off of coaches and boats.
    Learn More
    Walking, some steps and extended time on your feet.
Go Beyond Group Tour
28 DAYS
From $8,380PP
Beijing (4N) - Overnight Train (1N) - Xian (2N) - Guilin (2N) - Yangshuo (2N) - Kunming (2N) - Dali (2N) - Lijiang (3N) - Chengdu (2N) - Yangtze River Cruise (3N) - Shanghai (3N)
2 Reviews
Check Availability

Tour Highlights

Our China: The Big One tour will see you exploring the most iconic sites, delving into deep-rooted culture and dining on delicious cuisine and thoroughly researched to bring you a range of once-in-a-lifetime experiences, many of which are entirely exclusive to us.

Breaking News!

China has announced it will reopen to visitors with a valid visa from 15 March 2023. After three long years we can finally experience China's unique wonders like the Great Wall, the Terracotta Army, the Forbidden City and pandas!

Day by Day Itinerary

Beijing (4N) - Overnight Train (1N) - Xian (2N) - Guilin (2N) - Yangshuo (2N) - Kunming (2N) - Dali (2N) - Lijiang (3N) - Chengdu (2N) - Yangtze River Cruise (3N) - Shanghai (3N)
  • Day 1
    Fly To Beijing
    DAY 1: Fly To Beijing

    Fly to Beijing, China's historic capital. Depending on your time of arrival, the rest of the day is at leisure.

  • Day 2
    Forbidden City
    Breakfast, Lunch
    DAY 2: Forbidden City

    Stroll across Tiananmen Square and into the sprawling magnificence of the Forbidden City. Next, visit Yandaixiejie Street where there's time to wander the hutongs. These narrow alleys offer a glimpse of old Beijing.

    Breakfast, Lunch
  • Day 3
    Huanghuacheng Great Wall
    Breakfast, Lunch
    DAY 3: Huanghuacheng Great Wall

    Visit Huanghuacheng, a particularly scenic section of the Great Wall. Reached by boat it boasts particularly spectacular views from the top. Spend the afternoon at leisure exploring colourful Wangfujing Street. In the evening, enjoy an optional Peking duck dinner.

    Breakfast, Lunch
  • Day 4
    Imperial Summer Palace
    Breakfast, Lunch
    DAY 4: Imperial Summer Palace

    Explore the beautifully designed grounds of the Summer Palace, including the Long Corridor and the Marble Boat. Spend time strolling along pretty Kunming Lake and walk up wooded Longevity Hill. Make a photo stop at the Olympic Park.

    Breakfast, Lunch
  • Day 5
    Temple Of Heaven
    Breakfast, Lunch
    DAY 5: Temple Of Heaven

    Visit the Temple of Heaven and mingle with the locals as they start their day with tai chi, dancing and cards in a flurry of sociable activity. Take the overnight train to Xian.

    Breakfast, Lunch
  • Day 6
    Cycling In Xian
    Breakfast, Lunch
    DAY 6: Cycling In Xian

    Start your day with a gentle cycle ride that will take you nine miles around the city wall that enclose Xian’s old town. Also visit the Little Wild Goose Pagoda and Xian Museum.

    Breakfast, Lunch
  • Day 7
    Terracotta Warriors
    Breakfast, Lunch
    DAY 7: Terracotta Warriors

    Spend the morning gazing over the ranks of warriors and horses, while you are introduced to these life-like soldiers' fascinating story. Take a walking tour of the Muslim Quarter and enjoy the evening at leisure.

    Breakfast, Lunch
  • Day 8
    Beautiful Guilin
    Breakfast
    DAY 8: Beautiful Guilin

    Fly to Guilin. This afternoon is at leisure – you may wish to stroll around Zhengyang Street.

    Breakfast
  • Day 9
    Hiking In Longji (Optional)
    Breakfast
    DAY 9: Hiking In Longji (Optional)

    Today, there is an option to take a four-hour hike in the stunning rice terraces of Longji. Otherwise, spend more time in Guilin.

    Breakfast
  • Day 10
    Li River Cruise
    Breakfast, Lunch
    DAY 10: Li River Cruise

    Take a gentle cruise along the Li River to Yangshuo. Lined with dramatic limestone cliffs, the serenity of life on the riverbanks is a wonderful sight. Take a walk through this idyllic wonderland and get an insight into life here. There's an option to hike to the top of Moon Hill for epic views.

    Breakfast, Lunch
  • Day 11
    Yangshuo Tai Chi
    Breakfast
    DAY 11: Yangshuo Tai Chi

    Start the day with an invigorating session of tai chi, taking a class with a master to learn this ancient martial art. Enjoy the afternoon at leisure or take part in an optional activity.

    Breakfast
  • Day 12
    Kunming At Leisure
    Breakfast
    DAY 12: Kunming At Leisure

    Transfer to Guilin and visit Reed Flute Cave before flying to Kunming.

    Breakfast
  • Day 13
    Stone Forest
    Breakfast, Lunch
    DAY 13: Stone Forest

    Meander through the formations of the UNESCO-listed Stone Forest. Return to Kunming to visit Green Lake Park and have an evening at leisure, perhaps enjoying the vibrant Wenhua Alley district.

    Breakfast, Lunch
  • Day 14
    Dali's Ancient Town
    Breakfast, Lunch
    DAY 14: Dali's Ancient Town

    Drive to Dali and visit the Three Pagodas and the Old Town. Also stroll along Foreigner's Street and enjoy time at leisure.

    Breakfast, Lunch
  • Day 15
    Weibaoshan (Optional)
    Breakfast
    DAY 15: Weibaoshan (Optional)

    Enjoy the day at leisure or take an optional visit to Weibaoshan, one of the fourteen sacred Taoist mountains. Steeped in legend, the mountain features 20 Taoist temples nestled on its forested slopes. Walk up the hillside to see a handful of intricately decorated temples and meet a Taoist priest for a meditation session.

    Breakfast
  • Day 16
    Shaxi Ancient Town
    Breakfast, Lunch
    DAY 16: Shaxi Ancient Town

    Drive to the ancient town of Shaxi, nestled deep in the Himalayan foothills. Learn about the fascinating minority people that reside in the area and enjoy a local lunch. In the afternoon, continue to Lijiang and spend the evening in the historic old town.

    Breakfast, Lunch
  • Day 17
    Jade dragon Snow Mountain
    Breakfast, Lunch
    DAY 17: Jade dragon Snow Mountain

    Take a cable car to one of the high meadows and enjoy the vistas. Visit the minority Naxi village and admire the fascinating Baisha frescoes painted during the Ming Dynasty.

    Breakfast, Lunch
  • Day 18
    Tiger Leaping Gorge (Optional)
    Breakfast
    DAY 18: Tiger Leaping Gorge (Optional)

    Enjoy the day at leisure or trek to Tiger Leaping Gorge, through dramatic cliffs and down into the gorge itself.

    Breakfast
  • Day 19
    Chengdu Like A Local
    Breakfast, Lunch
    DAY 19: Chengdu Like A Local

    Fly to Chengdu and walk around People's Park. Visit a local tea-house and most interesting of all, Matchmaker's Corner.

    Breakfast, Lunch
  • Day 20
    Giant Pandas
    Breakfast, Lunch
    DAY 20: Giant Pandas

    Visit the Chengdu Panda Conservation Centre and see these adorably charming bears up close. The rest of the day is at leisure. Enjoy an optional hot pot dinner and a 'face-changing' show.

    Breakfast, Lunch
  • Day 21
    Ancient Ciqikou
    Breakfast, Dinner
    DAY 21: Ancient Ciqikou

    Take the bullet train to Chongqing. Enjoy free time in the charming old town of Ciqikou then board your Yangtze cruise vessel.

    Breakfast, Dinner
  • Days 22-24
    Yangtze River
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    DAYS 22-24: Yangtze River

    A cruise down the Yangtze reveals some of the world's most dramatic scenery. Over the next few days, visit the Three Gorges Dam and enjoy various side trips and shore excursions. Disembark your cruise vessel, travel to Yichang and then fly to Shanghai.

    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Day 25
    Shanghainese Shanghai
    Breakfast, Lunch
    DAY 25: Shanghainese Shanghai

    Wake up to the buzz of Shanghai and take a breakfast walking tour between shimmering skyscrapers and traditional streets. Visit Yu Garden, the old town, a silk factory, stroll along the Bund and cruise along Huangpu River.

    Breakfast, Lunch
  • Day 26
    Zhujiajiao (Optional)
    Breakfast, Dinner
    DAY 26: Zhujiajiao (Optional)

    Join the optional day tour to delightful Zhujiajiao, or spend time at leisure in Shanghai. This evening, enjoy the ERA show and a delicious farewell dinner.

    Breakfast, Dinner
  • Days 27-28
    Fly Shanghai To Australia
    Breakfast
    DAYS 27-28: Fly Shanghai To Australia

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

    Breakfast
China: The Big One map

Download Tour Dossier & Trip Notes

Accommodation

We draw from a wide range of hotels on our holidays, each one is chosen to suit the tour you are travelling on meaning your accommodation can range from a smart business hotel in one city to a family run guesthouse in a smaller town. Here are some examples of the type of hotel you can expect to find on this tour.

Book With Confidence

When to go

The best times to visit China are in spring, April to May and autumn, September to October, when the days are warm and rainfall and humidity low.

City Average Temperate(°C) Monthly Rainfall(mm)
  • Beijing
  • -3
  • 3
  • Chengdu
  • 6
  • 8
  • Dali
  • 8
  • 14
  • Guilin
  • 8
  • 63
  • Kunming
  • 9
  • 16
  • Lijiang
  • 6
  • 2
  • Shanghai
  • 5
  • 74
  • Xian
  • 0
  • 7
  • Yangshuo
  • 10
  • 53
City Average Temperate(°C) Monthly Rainfall(mm)
  • Beijing
  • 0
  • 5
  • Chengdu
  • 8
  • 12
  • Dali
  • 9
  • 23
  • Guilin
  • 10
  • 97
  • Kunming
  • 10
  • 16
  • Lijiang
  • 8
  • 6
  • Shanghai
  • 7
  • 59
  • Xian
  • 4
  • 10
  • Yangshuo
  • 10
  • 81
City Average Temperate(°C) Monthly Rainfall(mm)
  • Beijing
  • 6
  • 8
  • Chengdu
  • 12
  • 20
  • Dali
  • 12
  • 28
  • Guilin
  • 13
  • 137
  • Kunming
  • 14
  • 20
  • Lijiang
  • 10
  • 17
  • Shanghai
  • 10
  • 94
  • Xian
  • 9
  • 29
  • Yangshuo
  • 14
  • 114
City Average Temperate(°C) Monthly Rainfall(mm)
  • Beijing
  • 14
  • 21
  • Chengdu
  • 17
  • 44
  • Dali
  • 14
  • 24
  • Guilin
  • 19
  • 247
  • Kunming
  • 17
  • 24
  • Lijiang
  • 13
  • 21
  • Shanghai
  • 16
  • 74
  • Xian
  • 15
  • 43
  • Yangshuo
  • 20
  • 224
City Average Temperate(°C) Monthly Rainfall(mm)
  • Beijing
  • 20
  • 34
  • Chengdu
  • 22
  • 78
  • Dali
  • 18
  • 66
  • Guilin
  • 24
  • 352
  • Kunming
  • 19
  • 97
  • Lijiang
  • 17
  • 56
  • Shanghai
  • 21
  • 84
  • Xian
  • 20
  • 60
  • Yangshuo
  • 24
  • 312
City Average Temperate(°C) Monthly Rainfall(mm)
  • Beijing
  • 24
  • 78
  • Chengdu
  • 24
  • 107
  • Dali
  • 20
  • 178
  • Guilin
  • 27
  • 347
  • Kunming
  • 20
  • 181
  • Lijiang
  • 18
  • 167
  • Shanghai
  • 25
  • 182
  • Xian
  • 25
  • 54
  • Yangshuo
  • 26
  • 293
City Average Temperate(°C) Monthly Rainfall(mm)
  • Beijing
  • 26
  • 185
  • Chengdu
  • 26
  • 224
  • Dali
  • 20
  • 186
  • Guilin
  • 29
  • 231
  • Kunming
  • 20
  • 202
  • Lijiang
  • 18
  • 242
  • Shanghai
  • 29
  • 146
  • Xian
  • 27
  • 99
  • Yangshuo
  • 28
  • 200
City Average Temperate(°C) Monthly Rainfall(mm)
  • Beijing
  • 25
  • 160
  • Chengdu
  • 26
  • 201
  • Dali
  • 19
  • 219
  • Guilin
  • 29
  • 173
  • Kunming
  • 20
  • 204
  • Lijiang
  • 17
  • 207
  • Shanghai
  • 29
  • 214
  • Xian
  • 26
  • 71
  • Yangshuo
  • 28
  • 186
City Average Temperate(°C) Monthly Rainfall(mm)
  • Beijing
  • 20
  • 46
  • Chengdu
  • 22
  • 119
  • Dali
  • 18
  • 158
  • Guilin
  • 26
  • 82
  • Kunming
  • 19
  • 119
  • Lijiang
  • 16
  • 161
  • Shanghai
  • 25
  • 87
  • Xian
  • 21
  • 92
  • Yangshuo
  • 26
  • 83
City Average Temperate(°C) Monthly Rainfall(mm)
  • Beijing
  • 14
  • 22
  • Chengdu
  • 18
  • 35
  • Dali
  • 15
  • 104
  • Guilin
  • 21
  • 66
  • Kunming
  • 16
  • 79
  • Lijiang
  • 13
  • 70
  • Shanghai
  • 20
  • 56
  • Xian
  • 15
  • 60
  • Yangshuo
  • 22
  • 85
City Average Temperate(°C) Monthly Rainfall(mm)
  • Beijing
  • 5
  • 7
  • Chengdu
  • 13
  • 16
  • Dali
  • 11
  • 33
  • Guilin
  • 16
  • 64
  • Kunming
  • 12
  • 42
  • Lijiang
  • 9
  • 16
  • Shanghai
  • 14
  • 52
  • Xian
  • 8
  • 24
  • Yangshuo
  • 16
  • 69
City Average Temperate(°C) Monthly Rainfall(mm)
  • Beijing
  • -1
  • 3
  • Chengdu
  • 8
  • 5
  • Dali
  • 8
  • 15
  • Guilin
  • 11
  • 43
  • Kunming
  • 9
  • 11
  • Lijiang
  • 6
  • 4
  • Shanghai
  • 8
  • 44
  • Xian
  • 2
  • 6
  • Yangshuo
  • 12
  • 44

Pricing & Availability

All of our tour departures include international flights and taxes in the price unless a land only option is selected

2023
  • Select Year
  • Select Month
Departure: All
  • Departure: All
1 Room, 2 Guests
  • 1 Room, 2 Guests
  • 1 Room, 1 Guest
    Depart AUStart Date
    Return DateEnd Date
    Price
    Availability

    Additional Price Information

    • Flight Inclusive rates only: These include airline fuel surcharge and taxes. Correct as of 1 June 2022. Please note supplements may apply if lead in economy rates are not available.
    • Customary tipping amount of approximately RMB1,250pp (AU$278pp) is paid locally in China.
    • 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.
    • Flight Inclusive rates only: Based on departures from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide & Perth. Departures from other cities and flight upgrades available on request.
    • Price listed is based on new bookings only

    Group Tour includes

    • International flights and current taxes (excluded if a land only option is selected)
    • Most Meals (refer to itinerary)
    • Domestic transportation
    • Touring with guides and entrance fees
    • 4-star accommodation
    • Visa fees for Australian passport holders

    Important Information For Your Tour

    Before Booking
    Travel Protection, Booking Conditions, Covid Requirements and more
    Before you go
    Passports & Visas, Travel Guides & Packing Lists, Holiday FAQ’s and more

    What our Customers Say

    Rated 4.7 out of 5 based on 4722 reviews

    Our Award-Winning Guides

    China Travel Blog

    Read our latest articles or travel inspiration, exciting news about our destinations and all things Wendy Wu Tours

    13
    Jun

    Famous movie sets in Asia

    Did you know that some of the most loved movies in the world were filmed in Asia? Asia has long...
    16
    Feb

    A Guide to the Chinese New Year of the Dog

    As we dust ourselves off from the Western festivities to welcome 2018, a quarter of the world is...
    21
    Dec

    Asian-inspired Christmas leftovers

    Turn your Christmas leftovers into an Asian-inspired festive feast! Christmas Day is the day for...

    How many are travelling?
    Choose your flights
    Special Offers Available:
    $