Tours & Holidays to Panda Reserve Sanctuary

China and Panda

- Guaranteed Daily Departure

15/18 days from £1784 - privately escorted tour

Beijing (4), Xian (2), Mount Emei (1), Leshan (1), Bifengxia Panda Reserve (1), Chengdu Panda Base (1), Shanghai (3), Hong Kong (3)

Tours & holidays to the National Bifengxia Panda Reserve, part of the Wolong & Panda Reserve & sanctuary, tours & holidays to Chengdu Panda Base & centre, travel & visit Bifengxia Panda Reserve & Chengdu Panda base & centre, travel & visit Wolong & Panda Reserve.
The Bifengxia Panda Reserve, part of the Wolong Panda Nature Reserve & Sanctuary was established in 1963 in the mountains outside Chengdu. The Panda Reserve & Sanctuary is to protect the panda’s natural habitat therefore to ensure Pandas’ survival in the wild for the long term, as well as carry out Panda research and breeding programmes.
Other attractions in the areas includes the Giant Buddha in Leshan, which was carved from the rock face 1,200 years ago at the junction of two rivers with a height of 233 feet, and Mount Emei, one of the four sacred Buddhist mountains of China.

The giant Panda, one of the most recognised creatures on earth, is the universal symbol for the conservation of wildlife. The tour provides a rare opportunity to sight into the Panda Reserves and meet those individuals with the task of saving the unique animals from distinction. It also allows you to explore their natural habitat and discover the magnificent but often illusive animals in the wild. The tour will cover both Bifengxia Panda Reserve (BFX) and Chengdu Panda Base. Bifengxia, where the panda was first discovered in 1920s, is a part of the Wolong Panda Reserve and located about 100 miles southwest of Chengdu. Wolong Panda Centre had been badly damaged in the earthquake in May 2008 and most of the pandas at Wolong had been moved to the National Bifengxia Panda Reserve together with the research and breeding institutions. Chengdu Panda Base, located about 6 miles from Chengdu, is a creation of panda's habitat to rear and care for the captive pandas for their final release to the wild, combined with the research and breeding programmes.

Day 1 London

Direct flight from London Heathrow Airport to Beijing with Air China.

Day 2 Beijing

Arrive at Beijing, met by our tour representative and transfer to the 5 star standard hotel Four Points by Sheraton Beijing for 4 nights stay.

Day 3 Beijing

Tour the Imperial Winter Palace also called the Forbidden City in the heart of the Capital. Walk in the world’s largest public square the Tiananmen Square. The tour then takes you to the Summer Palace, a sprawling imperial encampment of temples, pavilions and halls set in a park around the vast Kunming lake. Take a boat ride on the Lake. (B, L)

Day 4 Beijing

Full day excursion to the Great Wall. Here you’ll have plenty time to walk along the historic ramparts and marvel at its size and grandeur. After that, stroll along “The Sacred Path” which leads to the Ming Tombs where 13 Emperors were buried, and visit the Emperor’s resting place through a series of under-ground passageways and chambers. On return, stop by the landmark 2008 Olympic venues the “Bird Nest” Stadium and “Water Cube” Aquatics Centre for viewing and picture takings. (B, L)

Day 5 Beijing

In the morning, visit the Temple of Heaven, a beautiful ornate wood structure built in 1420 and used by the Emperors to perform sacrificial rituals for good harvests. After lunch tour Yonghe Lamasery, which was built in 1694 and later occupied by Emperor Yongzheng as his official residence before he came to the throne. It’s the largest Lamasery in Beijing and served as the centre for the Imperial Court to administer the nation’s Lamaism affairs. It was also served as the official residence for the visiting Dalai Lama from Tibet and the Kings from Mongolia. (B, L)

Day 6 Beijing/Xian

Transfer to airport for morning flight to Xian, the city of eternal peace, once the flourishing capital of China of 11dynasties. Upon arrival, transfer to the 4 star Mercure Hotel on Renmin Square for 2 nights stay. Take a tour to the enormous city walls, sensing the immense scale and enduring impregnability, and then guided walk through the Muslim quarter of the Old Town and the local market. (B, L)

Day 7 Xi'an

Excursion to Qin Emperor’s Tomb, where 8,000 life-sized terracotta warriors and horses were unearthed in 1974. They were interred within the outer wall of the Emperor’s mausoleum as his eternal imperial guards. The scale of the endeavour is awe-inspiring and the image of warriors solemn and moving. Lunch at Terra Cotta Warriors Museum with noodle-making demonstration. The day also includes a visit to Xian History Museum and the Small Wild Goose Pagoda. (B, L)

Day 8 Xian/Chengdu

Free time at own leisure in the morning. In the afternoon, transfer to airport for flight to Chengdu, the capital city of Sichuan province, famous for its fine temple architecture, teahouse atmosphere and searing Sichuan cuisine. Met at the airport, visit Kuanzhai-Lanes, and then transfer to the 3 star Xinhua Hotel in the centre of Chengdu for overnight stay. (B)

Day 9 Chengdu/Bifengxia Panda Reserve

Transfer to Bifengxia Panda Reserve in Ya’an, where the first giant panda was discovered in the 1920s. Tour the Panda Reserve, explore the natural habitat of the giant pandas, visit the research and breeding centres, and discover the magnificent animals in the wild. In the evening, transfer to Mount Emei, one of the four sacred Buddhist mountains of China. 2-night stay at the 3 star Phoenix Hotel at the foothill. (B, L)

Day 10 Mount Emei

Take the cable car up to the top of Mount Emei, enjoying the spectacular landscape all the way. If you’re lucky you may see Buddha’s Glory, an ethereal light effect in the clouds below being regarded by the pilgrims as the appearance of Divine. Visit the highest summit, the Golden Summit of the mountain and the surrounding areas including Huazang Temple. (B, L)

Day 11 Mount Emei/Leshan

Car travel to Leshan, famous for its huge Buddha statue carved from the rock face 1,200 years ago at the junction of two rivers with a height of 233 feet. Tour the Giant Buddha and adjacent attractions including a boat ride to view the statue. In the evening, return to Chengdu and overnight stay at the 3 star Xinhua Hotel in the city centre of Chengdu. (B, L)

Day 12 Chengdu/Shanghai

Tour Chengdu Giant Panda base. After lunch, transfer to airport for flight to Shanghai. Upon arrival, transfer to the 4 star Greenland Jiulong Hotel for 3 nights stay. (B, L)

Day 13 Shanghai

Full day tour in Shanghai to include Nanjing Road, Jade Buddha Temple, Yu Yuan Garden, and the Children’s Palace. Stroll along the Bund, enjoying its elegant sweep of European architecture and landmarks, and immersing yourself in the location’s history and unique character. (B, L)

Day 14 Shanghai

Free time at own leisure. (B)

Day 15 Shanghai/London

Transfer to airport for direct flight from Shanghai to London with Virgin Atlantic Airways or Air China. The flight arrive London in the late afternoon. (B)

One Day Shanghai World Expo Tour (Optional):

Day 14 Shanghai World Expo

Full day visit to the 2010 World Expo with round trip transfers and admission tickets. (B)

Hong Kong Extension (Optional):

Day 15 Shanghai/Hong Kong

Transfer to airport for flight from Shanghai to Hong Kong. Upon arrival at Hong Kong, transfer to the 3 star Nathan Hotel in central Kowloon for 2 nights stay. (B)

Day 16 Hong Kong

Half-day Hong Kong Island tour – duration: 4 to 5 hours.

Pick up from the hotel. The tour starts with a Tram-ride up to the Victoria Peak (1, 810 ft above the sea level) for a panoramic view of the city's famous skyline, magnificent Victoria Harbour and the romantic South China Sea and the surrounding islands. Then travelling along the scenic coastline and visit the picturesque Repulse Bay and Deep Water Bay. Proceed next to the famous fishing village of Aberdeen and have a close look at the local fishermen and their boat community. An optional sampan ride can be arranged on site. A short visit to a prestigious jewellery factory and take a behind the scene look at the fine art that has made Hong Kong the best in Asia. The tour ends in the famous Stanley Market. (B)

Day 17 Hong Kong

Free time at own leisure during the day. In the evening, transfer to airport for late night direct flight to London with Virgin Atlantic Airways. (B)

Day 18 London

Flight arrive London in the early morning.

Flight with Emirates from the following UK airport and

Stopover at Dubai could be arranged:

London Heathrow, London Gatwick, Birmingham, Manchester, Newcastle, and Glasgow.

Price Includes:

Guaranteed daily departure; *International scheduled direct flights from London with Air China & Virgin Atlantic Airways; All internal flights and transfers; Airport tax throughout; Privately escorted tour and arrangement; Comprehensive sightseeing with English-speaking tour guides and all entrance fees en route; Twin sharing or double room accommodation in the designated hotels as shown below; Meal arrangement as shown (B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner);
*Flight from other UK airport could be arranged, please ask for details.

Not included

Tips and personal consumption; Travel insurance; Visa fee & service.

Optional Service

Travel insurance, visa service (please refer to the page "general info");

You could extend your stay in each area or add extra tours and extensions, please ask for details.

Dinner arrangement as following at an extra cost of £122 per person:
Day 3 – Chinese dinner at a local restaurant;
Day 4 – Chinese dinner at a local restaurant;
Day 5 - Chinese dinner at a local restaurant;
Day 6 – Western type of set dinner at a local restaurant;
Day 7 – Western type of set dinner at a local restaurant;
Day 8 – Chinese dinner at a local restaurant;
Day 9 – Chinese dinner at the hotel restaurant;
Day 10 - Chinese dinner at the hotel restaurant;
Day 11 – Chinese dinner at a local restaurant;
Day 12 – Western set dinner at the hotel restaurant;
Day 13 – Chinese dinner at a local restaurant;

Hotels Arranged

Beijing, Four Points by Sheraton Beijing 5 star standard;
Xian, Mercure Hotel on Renmin Square 4 star;
Shanghai, Greenland Jiulong Hotel 4 star;
Chengdu, Xinhua Hotel 3 star;
Mount Emei, Phoenix Hotel 3 star;
Hong Kong, Nathan Hotel 3 star;

What our clients say...

"Dear James, Here is some feedback from our Holiday…. It was EXCELLENT!!!! The country is full of beautiful scenery, buildings and history. The holiday did exactly what it said on the tin and more!!! As our group was small, the tour guides could meet all the needs for each couple and able to organise extra activities for the group/individuals to do. Our Beijing tour guide (Rocky) was excellent in his knowledge and support with translation. Due to the nature of our holiday, we were travelling around the country a lot, the tour guides and drivers made it easy and stress-free to transfer to the airport and checking in. China Tours Ltd is an excellent company if you want to personalise your holiday and is flexible to meet your needs. James Zhang and his staff have provided a helpful, faultless and prompt service which some large companies cannot produce. I have already recommended this company to friends who wish to travel to the country, as I believe this company ticks all the boxes for travellers wanting to see China. Thanks again "
Heidi & John, Birmingham (July 2009)

"We had the most amazing holiday. The organisation was fantastic, the guides were very informative, the hotels were brilliant and the food was great. We were always given a range of foods that both catered to our individual needs and tastes as a group. I have been very impressed with the service that we received from China Tours and the associated tour companies in China and will be recommending China Tours to my friends and family. Thanks again, "
Samantha Wakefield, Walsall (August 2009)

To book this Tour, please complete our online Booking Form by clicking below...

Alternatively you can speak directly to one of our travel consultants.

Telephone:

01932 828997