The Giant Panda is a noble and beautiful symbol of China. It's one of the world's most endangered species. To help protect and preserve them, we offer a very special tour in the company of the UK Ambassador for Sichuan Panda Tourism, John Craven. The Countryfile presenter was the first Western TV journalist to focus on the Giant Panda's threat of extinction, visiting the country in 1986 for John Craven's Newsround. In September 2014 he will return to spend time in Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan Province, to assist the famous Panda Conservation Centre. You can join him. Abbotts Travel, in partnership with Wendy Wu Tours, offer fully inclusive escorted holidays giving you a rare insight into China. A country 73 times the size of England, it has a depth of culture, history and wildlife encompassing the Great Wall, the Terracotta Warriors and the Giant Pandas in Chengdu. Your tour includes all of these elements and all flights, all domestic transport, all accommodation, all meals, award-winning guides, all touring and entrance fees and visa fees for UK and EU passport holders. Wendy Wu Tours are the UK’s leading operator to Asia, so you're in the hands of the experts.
Traveling independently or as a family are options too, with both tailor-made itineraries and curated tours.
10-Day Tour, including John Craven Panda Experience (from £2590pp fully inclusive from the UK) Days 1-2: Fly to Beijing Fly overnight to China’s capital city. Day 3: Forbidden City & Temple of Heaven Stroll through Tiananmen Square, past Chairman Mao’s Mausoleum to the treasure-filled Forbidden City, the largest and best-preserved collection of ancient buildings in China. We also visit the unique Temple of Heaven. Your evening meal includes the local delicacy, Peking Duck. Day 4: Great Wall of China & Summer Palace Dating back 2,000 years and stretching over 4,000 miles, the Great Wall is China's best-known attraction. You will experience it and tour the exquisite Summer Palace, witnessing a Chinese acrobatic show in the evening. Day 5: Fly to Xian Fly to Xian, the ancient former capital, and visit the Ancient City Walls. In the evening, enjoy a traditional Shui Jiao dumpling meal followed by a performance of Tang Dynasty dancing. Day 6: Terracotta Warriors Visit a key archaeological discovery of the 20th century: the Terracotta Warriors, created over 2,000 years ago to accompany Emperor Qin Shihuang into the afterlife. Later, you will fly to Chengdu. Day 7: Giant Pandas See the famous Panda Conservation Centre with its charismatic animals housed in wooded surroundings reminiscent of their natural habitat. Later, travel to Bifengxia Panda Reserve for two nights. Day 8: Bifengxia Panda Reserve Explore the forests, river and waterfalls housing the most important Giant Panda rescue centre in China. Take the opportunity to spend some time supporting the Panda Conservation Centre’s vital work in protecting these endangered creatures including feeding and washing the pandas. Day 9: Grand Buddha of Leshan Travel to Leshan to visit the Grand Buddha, the world’s largest stone-carved Buddhist statue. We take a short boat trip to view the statue from the river. Return to Chengdu via the old town of Huanglongxi. Sample a delicious Sichuan meal in the evening. Day 10: Fly Chengdu to UK Fly to the UK, arriving home the same or following day.
14-Day Tour: Majestic Yangtze (from £2390pp fully inclusive from the UK) Please note: does not include John Craven) Sail through the Three Gorges where vertical cliffs rise dramatically from the water and explore the unique cultures along the Yangtze River. Visit the Giant Panda Conservation Centre and walk along the Great Wall of China. Days 1-2: Fly to Shanghai Fly overnight to Shanghai, known as the ‘Paris of the East'. Day 3: Discover Shanghai Stroll through the beautiful Yu Gardens and the Old Town and visit the Shanghai Museum, which houses numerous treasures. See the famous Bund with its colonial architecture and explore the restored Xintiandi area with its unique 1920’s style Shikumen buildings. In the evening, enjoy a cruise on the panoramic Huangpu River before dining on Shanghai cuisine. Day 4: Fly to Yichang Visit the modern Pudong area and then fly to Yichang to board the Yangtze River Cruise vessel. Days 5-7: Yangtze River Cruise Tour the Three Gorges Dam before cruising upstream through some of the most dramatic scenery in the world. Over the next three days, we will take a side-trip to the striking Shennong Stream in a peapod boat or visit the Lesser Three Gorges. We also enjoy various shore excursions along the way, such as the 'Ghost City' of Fengdu. Day 8: Drive to Chengdu Transfer to Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan Province, where you will be welcomed with a delicious Sichuan meal. Day 9: Panda Conservation Centre Visit the famous Panda Conservation Centre to see these charismatic animals being reared in wooded surroundings reminiscent of their natural habitat, before flying to Xian, the ancient former capital. In the evening, enjoy a traditional Shui Jiao dumpling meal and a performance of Tang Dynasty dancing. Day 10: Terracotta Warriors, Xian Visit one of the most important archaeological discoveries of the 20th century – the Terracotta Warriors. The figures were created over 2,000 years ago to accompany Emperor Qin Shihuang into the afterlife. We also walk along the Ancient City Walls. Day 11: Explore Xian, fly to Beijing Visit the Little Wild Goose Pagoda and the priceless relics at the Shaanxi Museum. We also take in the lively Muslim Quarter and Islamic food markets. Later, fly to Beijing. Day 12: Forbidden City & Summer Palace See Tiananmen Square, past Chairman Mao’s Mausoleum to the treasure-filled Forbidden City, which is the largest and best preserved collection of Ming and Qing Dynasty treasures. Tour the exquisite Summer Palace and see a Chinese acrobatic show. Day 13: Great Wall & Temple of Heaven Appreciate 2,000 years of history whilst admiring the panoramic views as you walk The Great Wall, China's most iconic attraction. Visit the unique Temple of Heaven, ending the evening with a Peking Duck feast. Day 14: Fly Beijing to UK Fly to the UK, arriving home the same or following day.
For further details on these specific tours or any tailor made China experience, please contact us on 020 8989 9445, at info@abbottstravel.com or make an appointment to come in for a chat.