China Expedition: Great Wall, Kungfu & Panda

Itinerary

• Day 1: Beijing, Arrival

  After touching down in Beijing, your guide happily greets you at the airport. A short ride brings you to your comfortable hotel. As you settle in, feel the excitement build for your first adventure in China - a journey of discovery and wonder awaits!

  • D
  • Beijing

• Day 2: Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, Hutong with Calligraphy Class

  Step into the glorious Tiananmen Square, perfect for photos with your companions. Pass through the Forbidden City's immense complex decorated with ornate halls and marble courtyards where emperors once lived. As fascinating histories are shared, you gaze in wonder at centuries of royal culture preserved within.

  Then, enjoy a unique rickshaw ride through Beijing's ancient Hutongs, weaving down alleyways lined with courtyard homes that offer intimate views of traditional life. Afterward, a calligraphy class under an instructor's guidance will teach you the art of brushwork.

  Next, prepare your taste buds for a real feast. The roast duck you'll savor tonight is so wonderfully tender, with its crispy skin and succulent meat creating a unique flavor you'll dream of long after the final bite!

  • B L D
  • Beijing

• Day 3: Temple of Heaven, Mutianyu Great Wall

  Find serenity at the tranquil Temple of Heaven. Here, among immaculate gardens, you'll learn basic tai chi movements alongside local practitioners. Refueled, your journey continues north to the awe-inspiring Mutianyu Great Wall. From the cable car, breathtaking panoramas emerge as you take in rugged peaks and verdant valleys stretching across the horizon.

  Stepping up further on the Wall itself, you admire up close its impressive construction - wide passages, sturdy brickwork, and imposing watchtowers standing guard all along its winding dragon-like form.

  After taking in spectacular views, an exhilarating toboggan ride awaits. Control your speed as a rush of mountain air sends your hair flying as the sled-like vehicle swiftly descends along winding tracks.

  • B L D
  • Beijing

• Day 4: China National Museum, High-Speed Train to Luoyang

  Anticipate a fascinating morning at the colossal China National Museum. Wandering grand marble halls packed with artifacts illuminating China's colorful past, you feel history come alive.

  After exploring the museum, travel by high-speed rail to Luoyang. Known for its rich Buddhist heritage and as the birthplace of Chinese martial arts, Luoyang is home to iconic sites like the Shaolin Temple and stunning Longmen Grottoes. Upon arrival, a private vehicle will take you to the hotel to rest for explorations tomorrow.

  • B L D
  • Luoyang

• Day 5: Shaolin Temple, Songyang Academy, Kung Fu Performance

  Get ready for an adrenaline rush at the Shaolin Temple, the birthplace of Chinese kung fu, where you'll witness an incredible martial arts display. Novice monks break bricks and bend steel beams with their bare hands - it's jaw-dropping!

  Nearby, wander through the serene Pagoda Forest dotted with over 200 brick towers. Visit the ancient Songyang Academy, established in the 5th century. Renowned for unique learning and as a premier Northern Song dynasty institution, it shaped Chinese education.

  The day culminates in Luoyang's charming Old Town. Wander the narrow lanes lined with restaurants, shops, and historic homes. For an authentic experience, dress in traditional Han clothing is optional and recommended- it's fun to dress as locals did in days past.

  • B L D
  • Luoyang

• Day 6: Longmen Grottoes, High-Speed Train to Chengdu

  Your visit to Luoyang ends at the awe-inspiring Longmen Grottoes. Scattered across cliffs along the Yi River are over 2,300 caves housing iconic Buddhist sculptures dating back over 1,000 years. Marvel at the delicate stonework imagining devout monks within these hallowed halls, where figures seem to leap from the rock.

  After exploring its artistry and history, board a high-speed rail west to Chengdu, the vibrant capital city of Sichuan Province. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel. The metropolitan energy awakens around you as anticipation builds for delving into this new location on the morrow.

  • B L D
  • Chengdu

• Day 7: Giant Panda Breeding Research Base, Sanxingdui Museum

  Your morning unfolds with a visit to Chengdu's Giant Panda Breeding Research Base, where the iconic bear cats munch on bamboo and roll playful tumbleweed somersaults. Their goofy, chilled-out demeanor is instantly charming.

  Next, the Sanxingdui Museum beckons, with its colossal bronze masks and intricate gold artifacts over 4,000 years old from the ancient Shu Kingdom leaving you breathless. Your imagination runs wild with questions about the long-lost Shu Kingdom.

  This evening, savor a Sichuan hotpot as your dinner.

  • B L D
  • Chengdu

• Day 8: Leshan Giant Buddha, Ceramic Painting

  Hit the open road and drive to Leshan for an unforgettable adventure of the Giant Buddha!On arrival, board a boat cruising along the scenic waters near this impressive riverside Buddha's looming form. As you drift past, admire the Buddha's towering form, rising majestically from towering cliffs.

  Next, ascend thousands of steps to encounter this UNESCO wonder up close. Carved from mountainside over centuries, the imposing Grand Buddha emanates a spiritual calm. Pause amongst its enormity, reflecting on its millennia of overlook upon the confluence below.

  Wrap up your day with a ceramic painting experience, where you'll explore the art of traditional Chinese ceramics and unleash your creativity. After that, drive back to Chengdu for the night.

  • B L D
  • Chengdu

• Day 9: Chengdu, Departure

  Conclude an educational voyage today and bid farewell to Chengdu as your local guide and driver escort you to the airport for your departure.

  • B