Terracotta Warriors

Completed the "China Experience" tour with Wendy Wu this May visiting Shanghai, Xi'An, and Beijing. This was led by National Guide, Grace Gao, and local guides Felicity (Shanghai), May (Xi'An) and Lee/Li (Beijing). This was first trip with the company and as a solo-traveller on the tour. Met for the first day in Shanghai, as total strangers, and discovered I was the youngest (Late 30s) of a group of 16, ages on average ranged around 50–70 years old for the others.
The tour was fast-faced with a lot to see, which could make it physically demanding. Up first thing in the morning, back late at night, no real down-time or taking things at a casual pace others may entertain outside a tour company.
The tour guides were very knowledgeable, and it was good to hear their personal perspectives and experiences which shaped things for them and the changes that have advanced in modern China. It gave a very real element to the world beyond the facade of simply seeing what is in front of you. Felicity sharing as she watched the skyscrapers go up as a young girl in Shanghai, Grace's experience of when she first went to Xi'An to study before they redeveloped the city, and Lee coming in from the villages to Beijing.
The thing I found from China was that my perspective of 'big' changed. The country is so populous and so built up, it made everything back home just feeling small. The souvenir 'town' outside the Terracotta Warriors alone felt like it was the size of my hometown. Downside, you had to walk through it to get back to the bus.
That was the downside of China, the tourism felt over-commercialized and this really seemed to take a lot of authenticity away from the experience. You couldn't simply enjoy something without it being 10 trinket stalls around it, and 2 inside of it.
Though the tour allowed for some very good opportunities to witness things like the Tang Dynasty dancing, Chinese Acrobatics, and an optional Xi'an night tour which included dress up, and went to a festival filled with other domestic tourists to have a good time and lots of pictures taken of/with (Highlight event of the trip).
Wendy Wu were clearly very experienced on when and where to go to the different venues. Seeing other Wendy Wu tour groups at the same exact places shows they have a formula on how to deliver this, which is used for their other tours they host. The timings also allowed you to experience things before the crowds hit, so when you are leaving, you turn around to see a mass of people, and think "good thing we came when we did". I think that goes to sum up how these tours work, they have everything packaged in a neat box, and you pay to experience it. Wendy Wu tours are certainly not cheap in price, but it is fully inclusive, so you don't need to worry as everything is taken care for you, and they have a high calibre when it came to quality of the tour guides, hotel rooms, and choices they select. They know what they are doing to deliver the experience, from the start to finish.
I thoroughly enjoyed the trip, and the biggest cons were down to the lack of flexibility in format which is to be expected.

Our motive for going to China was to visit family, but we also wanted to see the country. Not having visited before, making our own travel arrangements was daunting, and we decided to go on an organised tour.

We chose Wendy Wu’s Gems of China tour as it gave us the opportunity to visit areas such as the Zhangjiajie National Park which weren’t covered by other tours, and we were very happy with our choice.

From the first moment of booking we were very satisfied with the attention to detail and level of support we received from the company. When it was decided (the day after we applied) that British visitors no longer needed a visa, the staff were very helpful, and processed our refund quickly. The information we received before the tour was very comprehensive and answered all our questions.

The quality of the hotels where we stayed, and the transport (including coaches, trains and internal flights) were all excellent.

In an unfamiliar country such as China the quality of the local guides is extremely important, and our main guide, Sophie Jin was fantastic! Her English was great, she was very knowledgeable and friendly, and managed the conflicting demands of a diverse group with tact and kindness. We were very well looked after, and I can’t praise her highly enough. Different guides with more local knowledge were employed in the different places we visited, and they were all excellent.

The tour covered all the main areas of tourist interest, such as Beijing, the Great Wall, Terracotta warriors etc, and included a relaxing Yangtze cruise. We had many opportunities to go on voluntary evening entertainments, and I can honestly say that these were some of the highlights of the tour, and gave us experiences we would never have had elsewhere.

My only (minor) criticism would be that the tour was very fast-paced; it would have been nice to have longer stays in the places visited, and more free time, but this would have added to the cost, which was quite high. All in all the tour was a brilliant introduction to a country little visited by western tourists, and one which challenged previously held ideas. We thoroughly enjoyed it, and would recommend Wendy Wu tours highly.

I had an amazing 2 week trip to China in April 2026 with Wendy Wu Tours where I managed to visit all the highlights guided by Yang Tao who is a very experienced and knowledgeable guide. His vast experience was evident as he knew the right times to go to the main attractions like the Terracotta Warriors and the Great Wall to avoid the vast crowds. He also provided support throughout the trip and nothing was too much trouble for him. This was my first escorted group tour and the whole process with Wendy Wu Tours was seamless. On returning home I immediately booked another tour with them to India. I can’t speak highly enough of Yang and Wendy Wu Tours.

Our Majestic Yangtze tour was awesome, and packed a great deal into a short space of time (2 weeks).

We did all the must see and must do activities in China such as visiting Shanghai, travelling by bullet train, cruising on the Yangtze River, seeing the Chengdu Pandas and Xian Terracotta Warriors up close and of course walking the Great Chinese Wall early in the morning with beautiful blue skies above.

In addition, on one of the optional tours, we visited the Tribe of the Three Gorges. The scenery was spectacular, the tribe guide, costumes, ships, monkeys and crying marriage show were spectacular, such a memorable highlight for us.

What a fantastic tour and experience, thank you to all at Wendy Wu!

Our recent tailor-made trip to China with Wendy Wu Tours was nothing short of extraordinary. From start to finish, the organisation was seamless—every transfer, hotel, experience, and connection flowed effortlessly, allowing us to fully enjoy the journey without a single worry. Their attention to detail and commitment to crafting a meaningful itinerary made the entire experience truly memorable.

What truly set Wendy Wu apart, however, were their exceptional local guides, whose depth of knowledge, warmth, and professionalism elevated every destination we visited.

Mina – our Beijing guide – set the bar incredibly high. Not only was she deeply knowledgeable, but she shared Beijing’s history and culture with such clarity and passion that every site became more meaningful.

In Xi’an, our guide Brittany was an absolute delight. Her enthusiasm was infectious—she brought the rich history of the city and the Terracotta Warriors to life with engaging storytelling and personal insights. Her energy and passion made each moment special.

In Zhangjiajie, our guide Oscar went above and beyond in every way. His hospitality was remarkable—genuine, thoughtful, and always attentive. He possessed an impressive combination of calm professionalism, impeccable coordination, and heartfelt care. From navigating the intricate national park routes to sharing fascinating regional perspectives, Oscar made us feel welcomed and truly looked after. His patience, humour, and ability to anticipate exactly what we needed made him stand out as an exceptional ambassador for the region.

Across the entire trip, every Wendy Wu representative we encountered was outstanding—deeply knowledgeable about local history, culture, and traditions, and clearly proud to share their heritage.

We cannot recommend Wendy Wu Tours highly enough. If you’re considering travelling to China, look no further. Their expertise, organisation, and extraordinary guides create a travel experience you’ll cherish for years to come.

Jason, the National guide, was an absolute gem himself. Wendy Wu are so fortunate to have him as part of the team.
The tour was everything I hoped it would be and more. The Forbidden Palace was a delight, especially with so many in national costumes. The Terracotta Warriors were a dream come true and my main reason for travelling to China. However, the pandas of Chengdu were a very close second and hold a special place in my heart. There were so many memorable experiences that I will treasure and I am so very happy that I chose Wendy Wu as my tour operator.
My only constructive feedback is that the trip should have been rated as a 3 level difficulty. It was very full on and quite exhausting. Also it would be good to have more detail about the additional shows and excursions, as I felt 'all showed out' before the end of the trip and unsure whether I had seen the best on offer. The inability to switch off the announcements on the cruise was an annoyance as I had specifically booked this trip to have 3 days of rest and this was not made possible by such early and repeated announcements.
Thank you

We did a 16 Wonder of China tour with a beautiful ****** Britney (Zhang Ru). Britney was organized, attentive, care, patient, knowledgeable in Chinese new and old histories and culture, above all she was lively and fun which made the tour full of laughter and joy. The Great Wall of China is magnificent, terracotta warriors in Xi’an is unbelievable til you see it, cruising on Yangtze River was beautiful with classic and optional shore tour, cruising from Guilin to Yangshuo on Li river was WOW factor, it took our breath away. We have already thinking of coming back to Guilin again just to sit back and enjoy the most beautiful scenery on earth. Shanghai the Bund is jaw dropping.

Our first time on vacation with Wendy Wu, it exceeded expectations and we would not hesitate in travelling with them again or recommending them.
The Legends of the Silk Road, travelling the Northwest of China was a truly exciting and fascinating adventure. Visiting cities that were part of the age old journey brought history to life. The Western part of the Great Wall of China and viewing one of the most significant discoveries namely the Terracotta Warriors including their horses in life size form was magnificent.

Incredible First Tour Experience – Highly Recommend Wendy Wu!

I called Wendy Wu office to book directly was very easy and quick. All my questions answered.

I joined the Wendy Wu tour of China from 9 May to 19 May, I added 2 extra days in Beijing which I was pleased as had free time to get over travelling. I honestly couldn’t have asked for a better first tour experience!

From start to finish, everything was seamless and exceptionally well organized. Our main tour guide, Susan, was absolutely fantastic—so caring, knowledgeable, and efficient. We were also lucky to have amazing local guides: in Beijing and Chengdu, who added local insight and personality to the trip.

We had a small group of just 13 people, which made the experience feel more personal, relaxed, and enjoyable.

Our itinerary included:
• 3 days in Beijing, where we visited iconic sites such as Tiananmen Square, the Great Wall, and the Summer Palace
• 1 day in Xi’an, featuring the unforgettable Terracotta Warriors and a stay in a fantastic hotel
• 3 days in Chengdu, home of the adorable giant pandas and vibrant local culture

We traveled between cities on two high-speed bullet trains, which were smooth and efficient. I also received a free business class upgrade on one of the flights, and paid to upgrade another leg—absolutely worth the additional cost for the extra comfort.

One of the highlights of the tour was the food. All meals were included, and we dined together as a group in traditional Chinese family-style, sharing a variety of delicious local dishes at each meal. It was a fantastic way to experience the cuisine and bond with the group.

What made the trip even more memorable was the wonderful group of fellow travelers. We shared great moments, plenty of laughs, and created memories I’ll treasure for a lifetime.

If you’re considering a trip to China, I highly recommend Wendy Wu Tours. This was an unforgettable journey, and I wouldn’t hesitate to travel with them again!

An amazing full on experience that surpassed my expectations.
We travelled from Beijing to Shanghai escorted by our national guide Louis and a series of local guides. Our group of 14 (from Australia, New Zealand and UK) travelled by coach, boat, bullet train, high speed train and internal flights. Our hotels were of a very good standard, the food was plentiful and excellent but limited in choice for vegetarians.
Bucket lists were ticked at the Forbidden City, The Great Wall, the Terracotta Warriors and let's not forget the Pandas.
Particularly memorable were a Drone spectacular by the river in Chongquin, a lakeside show in Guilin overlooked by the amazing illuminated Karst rock formations and the walled city of Xi'an as beautiful by night as it is by day.
China is an enormous country in the tiny bit we saw a country that although proud of it's heritage and ancient buildings does not dwell in the past. Parts of Shanghai resemble sets from a science fiction film - ultra modern, clean lines and very high tech.
My lasting memories will be of an amazing country with gracious, welcoming people. Would I go again - definitely if it wasn't quite so far away.
I ❤️ China

We have wanted to visit and see China for many years. Wendy Wu's Majestic Yangtze fitted the bill, it was an escorted tour, it covered some of the major cities of China and took us to the must-see sites such as the great pandas, the terracotta warriors and the Great Wall. Our tour guide, Jackie, was knowledgeable and took care of us throughout the trip. We thoroughly enjoyed it.

This was the holiday of a lifetime and proved to be excellent value. Everything was perfectly planned and managed by Wendy Wu Tours, from booking onwards. The schedule was jam-packed and we were able to see so many different aspects of China and its long history, accompanied by local guides in each main region who put our experiences in context for us, and our national guide who was with us from start to finish and became a valued friend. I was truly sad to leave this wonderful country.
Photos:
Nothing can prepare you for the immensity of the Terracotta Warriors display near Xi'an.
Our evening river cruise in Shanghai was unforgettable.
A peaceful afternoon by the lake at the Summer Palace in Beijing.