Classic China & Chengdu - 12 day tour

Today you will set out on a guided tour of the nation's capital, starting with Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City. Tiananmen Square - home to the Monument of the People's Heroes and many important events in Chinese history - most notably the 1989 Student Protests. The Forbidden CIty - so called as it was only visited by people on Imperial business up until 1911 - is a vision in grandeur with yellow roofs, vermilion walls and the innermost sanctum of Beijing. This afternoon you will walk through the city's many temples, grand halls and courtyards before visiting the Temple of Heaven later today.
Overnight: Beijing  |  Breakfast, Dinner

This morning is free to further explore Beijing, shop till you drop or take a leisurely walk to the Temple of Heaven and join in some Tai Chi in a local park. This afternoon you head over to the Summer Palace with its UNESCO listed imperial gardens on Kunming Lake. Tonight you'll be transferred to the train station for your overnight sleeper train to Xi'an.
Overnight: Sleeper Train  |  Breakfast

Xi'an - Chengdu. Home to the world famous Terracotta Warriors, which were discovered in 1974 by local farmers who were digging for a well. These soldiers are over 2200 years old and no two warriors are the same - it is believed they are a self portrait of the individual soldiers. After an informative look around this battle ready army you'll visit local crafts people who make clay warrior replicas which you can purchase. This evening you head for the station and board another overnight sleeper train - this time to Chengdu - land of the Giant Pandas!
Overnight: Sleeper Train  |  Breakfast

Awaken this morning in Chengdu - capital of Sichuan province - famed for its outstanding natural beauty, fiery cuisine and China’s first, largest and best known Panda research and breeding center. On arrival into the station you'll be transferred to your hotel. Afterwards, visit Wenshu Monastery and Kuan-zhai Lane . Also known as China's Lane the protected historical and cultural area is the place to try delicious local food or buy handmade clay figurines and Shu embroidery.

The evening is spent at leisure. If you are interested, most nights Sichuan Opera is performed at the Shufengyayun Theater. Tickets can be booked locally or in advance.
Overnight: Chengdu

A short drive out of town takes you to the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding. China’s Giant Pandas are considered the most endangered mammal on the planet. Due to a loss of habitat in the Sichuan, Shaanxi, and Gansu Provinces it is estimated that there are less than 1500 giant pandas remaining in the wild - 80% of which are located in Sichuan Provence.

The center opened in 1993 and for the purpose of breeding, research and education. A team of 46 collaborating with researchers from 8 different countries and 15 guest experts work within the facility. Covering an area of over 92 acres, there is plenty of space for the Giant Pandas and several species of rare and endangered animals to freely roam. Visiting the Panda nursery is a must, here you can get relatively close to the center’s infant population.

The Breeding Center has achieved breakthroughs in captive breeding, has set up the largest semen and cell bank for the Giant Pandas in the world and created the first Giant Panda stud book! Afterwards you head to Renmin park to drink some tea as the locals love to do. The evening is spent at leisure.
Overnight: Chengdu  |  Breakfast, Lunch

Driving to Leshan your morning is spent exploring the UNESCO World Heritage Listed Dafo (Great Buddha), which is carved into the red sandstone face of Lingyun Hill overlooking the treacherous confluence of the Min, Qingyi and Dadu rivers below it. It is standing at Dafo's huge 8m feet that you can really appreciate the scale of one of the world's largest Buddhas. Talking numbers, his ears droop 7m, his shoulders span 28m and his nose measures a whopping 5.6m!

Later you return to the city and to the airport for your flight to Shanghai. Arriving there our friendly local rep awaits for you in arrivals and transfers you to your hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure - why not head out into the city and explore?
Overnight: Shanghai  |  Breakfast

Today, you journey to an oriental Venice – ancient Zhujiajiao interwoven by a series of canals and pretty waterways. Enjoy the day with your guide taking in the scenic town and having a wander along it’s many pretty streets. Return for an evening at leisure in Shanghai. Tonight you can have a booking made at one of the many cities revolving rooftop restaurants and enjoy a dinner overlooking the stunning city lights - a great way to spend your final night!
Overnight: Shanghai  |  Breakfast, Lunch