Cruise and Panda by Rail
Cruise and Panda by Rail
Iconic China with first-class rail travel
Unforgettable experiences with China’s most iconic animal, the Giant Panda, as well as a relaxing cruise meandering along the Yangtze River, combine on this 15 day tour. With the addition of time in the illustrious capital, Beijing and the historic city of Xian, as well as vibrant Shanghai with the convenience of the efficient bullet trains between destinations make for a holiday of a lifetime.
Locations you will be visiting
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Beijing, China
Beijing is the capital city of China and is the nation’s political and cultural centre.
3 Days
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Xian, China
Xian, the eastern starting point of the Silk Road, capital of Shaanxi province and one of China’s ...
2 Days
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Chengdu, China
Chengdu, home to the Giant Panda, is the capital of Sichuan province
2 Days
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The Yangtze River, China
Winding about 3,964 miles, the Yangtze River is the largest in China and the third largest in the wo...
3 Days
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Shanghai, China
A vibrant financial city where tradition meets innovation
2 Days
YOUR TOUR ITINERARY
Cruise and Panda by Rail
15 day Tour Itinerary
An overview of your trip
DAY 1 Fly to Beijing
Take a scheduled flight from London Heathrow to Beijing, or we can arrange departures from your local airport.
- Transport: Airplane
DAY 2 Arrive Beijing
Upon arrival in Beijing, you will be met by your guide and transferred to your hotel for a three night stay. In the afternoon you will have time to relax or explore the surrounding area, and in the evening your guide will escort you to dinner where you will meet your fellow travellers.
- Meals included: Dinner
DAY 3 Beijing City Tour
The Beijing City Tour starts after breakfast, and visits the Temple of Heaven, where the Ming and Qing emperors prayed for good harvests, and is a tranquil oasis in a bustling city. Then it’s on to Tiananmen Square, the world’s largest public square, and the Forbidden City which served as the grand imperial palace for centuries. Your final stop of the day is the Hutongs, a network of alleys and traditional dwellings, still inhabited today.
- Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 4 Great Wall
Following breakfast, visit the Great Wall at Mutianyu, a less-busy post along the wall offering breathtaking views. This will be followed by an opportunity for photographs at the Birds Nest Stadium and Water Cube, architectural marvels built for the 2008 Olympics. In the evening, enjoy a sumptuous Peking Duck Dinner, a traditional treat and a culinary must.
- Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 5 Beijing to Xian
A trip to the Summer Palace, an impressive collection of lakes, gardens, and imperial buildings, followed by a relaxing boat ride on stunning Kunming Lake, get the day off to a great start. After lunch, catch your bullet train to Xian, and check-in for a two night stay.
- Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
- Transport: Bullet train
DAY 6 Terracotta Warriors
Xian is home to the Terracotta Warriors, which is today’s main attraction. A stunning collection of 10,000 life size statues made over 2,000 years ago, and only discovered in 1974, are amazing to see. This will be followed, in the afternoon, by a visit to Xian’s ancient city wall, which is best explored by bike or on foot. This evening, try a tasty dumpling dinner while enjoying a Tang Dynasty Show, a colourful performance of traditional music and dance.
- Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 7 Xian to Chengdu
After breakfast, admire some of the many treasures in the Shaanxi Museum before moving on to the UNESCO-listed Small Wild Goose Pagoda, and the bustling Muslim Quarter to see local life in the community. Finally, you will be transferred to the station to take a bullet train to Chengdu and a two night stay.
- Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
- Transport: Bullet train
DAY 8 Chengdu
Day at leisure to explore Chengdu. Perhaps explore the old town, or relax in the People’s Park watching the locals play mahjong or practising Tai Chi.
- Meals included: Breakfast
DAY 9 Giant Pandas and Yangtze River Cruise
Today you get to see the endearing Giant Panda’s at the Chengdu Panda Breeding and Research Centre, where natural habitats have been created to provide a safe and protected environment for them. Afterwards transfer to the train station for your bullet train to Chongqing. Upon arrival, enjoy dinner at a local restaurant then transfer to the 5* Victoria Cruise.
- Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Transport: Bullet train, Cruise
DAY 10 Yangtze River Cruise
Relax and enjoy the scenic vistas, as your vessel meanders along the Yangtze River. There is plenty to keep you occupied including excursions to Shibaozhai, with its impressive wooden pagoda, known as “The Pearl of the Yangtze”. All meals are served on board.
- Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Transport: Cruise
DAY 11 Yangtze River Cruise
Watch the countryside drift by, as you enjoy breakfast on board your vessel. A journey through the tranquil Goddess Stream, marvelling at the soaring limestone cliffs rising sheer from the water, is today’s main highlight, before returning to the ship for the rest of the day.
- Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Transport: Cruise
DAY 12 Yangtze River Cruise and to Shanghai
The engineering marvel, Three Gorges Dam, is your final stop before you disembark at Yichang. Here, our guide will escort you to the station for a bullet train to Shanghai, where you will check-in for a three night stay.
- Meals included: Breakfast
- Transport: Cruise, Bullet train
DAY 13 Shanghai City Tour
An enjoyable breakfast at your hotel is followed by today’s Shanghai City Tour. Starting at the exquisite Yu Yuan Gardens, a horticulturalists dream, and continuing to the remarkable statues housed at the Jade Buddha Temple. The many exhibits at the Shanghai Museum, is followed by a walk along the promenade at the Bund, and later, from the top of the Shanghai World Financial Centre, you can enjoy a breathtaking bird’s eye view of the city.
- Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 14 Zhujiajiao
Zhujiajiao, todays destination, is an ancient water town known as the ‘Pearl Stream’. Here you can see Ming and Qing Dynasty bridges, ancient buildings and the Ma Family Garden before returning to Shanghai.
- Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
DAY 15 Fly to UK
Transfer to the airport after breakfast, for your return flight back to the UK.
- Meals included: Breakfast
- Transport: Airplane
Optional Extras - Cultural Experiences
There is some free time in your itinerary for you to explore on your own, or treat yourself to an excursion. Use the links below to create a to-do list, or, if you’d prefer us to book you onto one of these or any other excursions, please let us know when booking your tour.
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View this packageChina
China: Kung Fu Show in Beijing
A dynamic kung-fu show in Beijing
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View this packageChina
China: Volunteering at the Dujiangyan Panda Base
Enjoy a morning helping the staff with the pandas, at their base in Chengdu
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View this packageChina
China: Night Cruise on the Huangpu River in Shanghai
Marvel at Shanghai's twinkling lights on a night cruise
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View this packageChina
China: Acrobatic Show in Shanghai
Watch a magical acrobatic show in Shanghai
Sample Accommodation
Your holiday details
Departures and Prices 2020 / 21
Single supplement from £578
Land only from £2,198
(without international flights)
Prices and products are subject to availability at the time of booking.
The deposit for these arrangements is £300 per person. Balance is due 10 weeks before departure.
This tour itinerary is also available as a Private Tour. Please ask for more details.
China: Cruise and Panda by Rail
from£2,898
What's included:
- International flights in economy class
- Bullet trains in first class,
- 4★ accommodation on twin share basis
- Transfers
- English speaking guides
- Meals as specified
- Entrance fees to the sites listed
- Airport taxes
- Local tips: RMB 500 (approx £58) per person
- Yangtze ruise tips: RMB150 (approx £18 ) per person
- Personal spending
- Travel insurance
- China visa and fees
When making an enquiry or reservation we will request your contact details, however no payment will be required at this stage. We will contact you for payment details and to confirm your booking, your details and the details of those travelling with you along with any extras you’d like to add.
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