Wonders of China
Wonders of China
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Tour Overview
This amazing 16 day, 14 night tour journeys across one of the world's largest and most interesting countries, seeped in ancient history and brimming with world-renowned sights. Cruise down the Yangtze River, experience Shanghai and Beijing, visit the Pandas in Chengdu and absorb the wonders of the Great Wall of China and the Terracotta Army all in one fantastic tour.
Highlights
- City tours of Shanghai, Xi'an & Beijing
- 4-night Yangtze River Cruise
- See the Giant Pandas of Chengdu Panda Breeding Centre
- Marvel at the Terracotta Warriors
- See the Great Wall of China
- Visit the Forbidden City & Tiananmen Square
Itinerary
Depart London on your scheduled, overnight flight to Shanghai International Airport.
Day 2 - Shanghai
On arrival in Shanghai you will be met by your local guide and transferred to your hotel before going out for dinner. Time permitting, after dinner you will experience your first taste of the city with a visit to the magnificent Bund, then a walk along Nanjing Road, the main shopping area in Shanghai.
Day 3 - Shanghai
Following breakfast, you will embark on a full day tour of the city, taking in the delights of the famous classical Yuyuan Garden, the French Concession and Tianzifang, the arts and crafts enclave in the French neighbourhood. After lunch you can saunter around Xintiandi - 'The City's Living Room', a multifunctional entertainment district with unique 1920's style stone gate buildings known as 'shikumen'.
Day 4 - Shanghai to Yangtze River
After breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Wuhan, where you will continue to Yichang to board your ship for the four-night Yangtze River Cruise which will tour the Three Gorges Dam and breath-taking scenery along the way as you cruise upstream.
Day 5 - Yangtze River
The cruise will set sail to reach your first shore excursion the Three Gorges Dam itself and the Five Stage Ship Lock viewing platform, from where you can see the impressive giant ship elevator capable of lifting a 14,000 ton passenger liner! * In the afternoon, you'll sail past the Xiling Gorge, the largest and most famous of the Three Gorges. *A ride in the elevator can be booked locally at an additional charge.
Day 6 - Yangtze River
Following breakfast you will take a tour of the Shennong Stream, a zigzagging watercourse where local inhabitants line the shore. You will then sail to Wu Gorge, the prettiest of the Three Gorges followed by Qu Tang Gorge, the shortest. In the afternoon there is the option to take a tour of the White Emperor City, an ancient temple perched at the top of an island in the middle of the river.
Day 7 - Yangtze River
On the final day of the cruise the ship will sail to the Fengdu Ghost City, thought to have been the place where souls must go to pass three tests to enter the afterlife.
Day 8 - Yangtze River to Chengdu
Disembarking the ship at Chongqing you will travel to the capital of the Sichuan Province, Chengdu. Your guide will show you around the People's Park, where locals relax, mingle and exercise, then enjoy a stroll through the ancient streets of the Wide and Narrow Alleys which have been renovated to their former architectural glory.
Day 9 - Chengdu
Today takes you to Leshan, famous for its magnificent riverside cliff-carving of a giant Buddha which is the largest stone-carved Buddhist statue in the world, viewed from a boat on the river. Continue in the afternoon to the old town of Huanglongxi, a 1700 year old settlement restored to retain its old-world charm. In the evening enjoy a delicious Sichuan meal.
Optional excursion (payable locally): Sichuan Culture Evening Show - Special dance and culture show highlighting China from the 14th Century onwards.
Day 10 - Chengdu to Xi'an
Perhaps a highlight of the tour, today takes you to experience a once in a lifetime trip to the Chengdu Panda Breeding and Research Centre, home to one of China's largest habitat of pandas. Strolling around a variety of enclosures, you can even pay an extra fee to be photographed next to one of these beautiful animals. Have your photo taken with the Pandas at the Chengdu Breeding Centre - CNY3000 cash - please note you must advise the guide on arrival into Shanghai if you wish to take this optional excursion. In the afternoon board the bullet train to Xian.
Day 11 - Xi'an
Known to many as the 'Eighth Wonder of the World', a visit to the spectacular Terracotta Warriors is an unforgettable experience. Taking nearly four decades to complete and over 700,000 workers, this incredible tomb was built to protect China's first emperor in his afterlife. Continue to the Muslim Quarter- a labyrinth of market stalls and shops, then in the evening travel back in time whilst you watch the colourful Tang Dynasty dancing show.
Day 12 - Xi'an to Beijing
A morning tour of Xi'an incorporates a visit to the historic City Wall, then the Wild Goose Pagoda, built in 652 to hold sacred Buddhist figurines. In the afternoon, transfer to the airport for your flight to Beijing where you will arrive in the early evening and spend the night at your hotel.
Day 13 - Beijing
Begin your day with a visit to the unique Temple of Heaven, China's largest existing masterpiece of ancient sacrificial buildings. The afternoon is left at leisure to relax and explore the city in your own time.
Day 14 - Beijing
Following a stroll around the impressive Summer Palace, China's largest & best-preserved royal park, the tour will continue to the iconic Great Wall. Winding across deserts, grasslands & mountains & stretching over 5,500 miles, it was constructed over 2,000 years ago to guard the Chinese Empire against the Mongol invaders from the North. We've included a cable car trip to a viewing point to avoid the arduous steps. In the evening enjoy a mesmerising Chinese acrobatics performance.
Day 15 - Beijing
Following breakfast on your last full day you will visit one of China's most important political landmarks, Tiananmen Square. It is the world's largest city centre square & gateway to the Forbidden City, which houses the wondrous Imperial Palace. Conclude your trip with a traditional Peking duck dinner, a delicious way to end your tour.
Day 16 - Beijing to the UK
Transfer to Beijing Airport for your flight back to the UK via Shanghai
What's Included
- Fully Escorted Tour with local English Speaking Guides throughout
- Scheduled Flights from the UK
- All internal travel including air-conditioned/heated transportation
- Accommodation, meals as specified and entry fees to all sights
- All airport taxes and security charges
Check out our Q&As
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Can I book airport assistance?
If you need assistance at the airport and haven't made these arrangements at the time of booking, you'll need to let us know before you travel. Please message to arrange this.
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I have particular special requirements - can these be arranged?
We are happy to welcome travellers with disabilities on many of our holidays but regret that in some cases we are unable to do so, due to the travel arrangements and/or the hotels which are featured. The suitability of any holiday will depend on the nature of a disability and in some cases whether the person with the disability is accompanied by an able-bodied companion. In order to ensure the comfort, safety and enjoyment of your holiday if you or any member of your party has any medical problem or disability which may affect your holiday, please tell us before you confirm your booking so that we can advise as to the suitability of the chosen arrangements & where necessary, instruct our representatives accordingly.
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Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend that you and all members of your party are suitably insured as soon as you book your holiday. It is a condition of booking that you must have suitable travel insurance. It is important that you purchase travel insurance that suitably covers your participation in whatever activities you may undertake at the time that you make your booking. Please ensure you provide us with the name of your insurer, policy number and their 24 hour emergency contact number once you have confirmed your trip. Mercury Holidays will not be liable for any costs incurred by you due to your failure to take out suitable travel insurance from the date of booking.
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Low Deposit
Mercury Holidays requires a minimum deposit of 295 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 84 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of mercury holidays charges.
Up to 84 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 43 days before tour starts: Forfeit 70% of booking price.
At 29 days before tour starts: Forfeit 80% of booking price.
At 15 days before tour starts: Forfeit 90% of booking price.
At 0 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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