Warriors & Pandas Extension
Great Wall Discovery
Day 9 - Day 13 of the itinerary
Day 9: Free day in Beijing and Board the Overnight Train to Xian
Today is at your leisure to take in more of the main sights of Beijing. Perhaps take an optional tour to the splendid Summer Palace on the outskirts of Beijing? Or simply visit one of the markets for a last chance to grab a few bargains and souvenirs? In the late afternoon, you will have an early dinner before transferring to the train station to catch your overnight train to Xian. You will sleep in comfortable cabins containing 4 berths each. All the beds come with sheets and pillows and the carriages are air conditioned. For a small fee, they will even bring you a choice of tea or coffee in the morning. (B, D)
Day 10: Arrive Xian. Visit Terracotta Warriors & Xian Grand Mosque
Transfer from the station in Xian to a nearby hotel for a delicious buffet breakfast. Once the largest city in the world and capital for 11 dynasties, Xian is a favourite destination for travellers to China, due, in no small part, to the 1974 discovery of 6000 life-sized terracotta soldiers, warriors and horses which were created over 2200 years ago to guard the tomb of the first emperor in China’s history Qin Shihuang. After breakfast, you will visit first the Grand Mosque in Xian city before your transfer to the Terracotta Warriors Museum. Lunch and dinner are included today and in the evening you get the chance to enjoy a Tang Dynasty cultural show. Overnight hotel. (B,L D)
Day 11: Visit Yangling Tomb. Fly to Chengdu, Sichuan Province
After breakfast visit to the Yangling Tomb of Han Dynasty dating back 2,000 years which is still an ongoing archaeological project. After lunch (not included), you will transfer to the airport for your short flight to Chengdu. Chengdu covers an area of 12.3 thousand square kilometres and is home to over 11 million people. However, it is a very laid back and relaxed city. It's history spans over 2400 years when the first emperor named it as his capital. Since then the city has flourished and the art of Bronze casting, so important to Chinese culture, originated here. It is now also centre for embroidery and brocades but most famously, however, it is home to the Giant Panda Breeding and Research Centre. On arrival, you will head straight out to dinner to sample the much more spicy dishes served in Sichuan Province. (B,D)
Day 12: Visit Pandas. Fly back to Beijing.
After an early breakfast, you will take a short car journey straight out to the Chengdu Giant Panda Breeding and Research Centre. This world renowned project is the only one of its kind in the world and about as close as you will ever get to seeing a giant panda in the wild. The giant pandas are not only a Chinese national treasure but are also loved by people the world over. They are found only in Sichuan, Shaanxi and Gansu provinces. In total there are fewer than 1000, of which 80% are distributed within the territory of Sichuan province. Set in grounds covering 92 acres, the Chengdu Panda Breeding Research Center has created and imitated the pandas' natural habitat to create the best possible environment for rearing and breeding, similar to those they woule experience if they were wild. The Center cares also for other rare and endangered wild animals. Giant pandas are joined by lesser pandas, black-necked cranes, white storks as well as over 20 other species of rare animals which are fed and bred there throughout the year. You will be guided around the centre (early morning is best to catch them at their most active) and you may see them in their large enclosures. The enclosure which houses several young pandas is a highlight as they are still very playfull with each other! You will spend approximately two to three hours at the centre before heading back into Chengdu city where you may have time for a little sightseeing and depending on the time, you may take a walk around the city park and observe many local people sitting in teahouses (common in this part of China), practicing martial arts or singing karaoke! you will then head off to the airport to catch your two and half hour flight back to Beijing where you spend the evening before returning to the UK the following day. (B, L)
Day 13 - Fly back to UK
This morning you will have a little spare time before transferring to Beijing International Airport for the return flight to London arriving later that day. (B)
Included:
- Overnight train to Xian
- All Internal flights
- All transfers
- Accommodation on twin share basis in Xian at the 4* Le Garden hotel, in Chengdu at the Yinhe Dynasty Hotel 4*and in Bejing at the 3* Holiday Inn Express Temple Of Heaven*
- All sightseeing, entrances and meals as mentioned in the above itinerary
Excluded:
- Additional optional sightseeing in Beijing on Day 9
- Personal expenses (ie: gifts, extra soft drinks or alcohol, laundry etc)
- Any tips for local team (guides, drivers etc.)
Please note that this extension is subject to minimum numbers and flight availability and should be booked no later than 14 weeks prior to departure. In some cases, a surcharge may need to be applied in which case we will inform you prior to confirming your booking. Full payment must be received no later than 8 weeks prior to departure or your place on the extension may be cancelled. All bookings will be confirmed no later than 6 weeks prior to departure.
The advertised costs for this extension are per person on twin sharing basis. If you are a solo passenger, We will accommodate you in a room with someone of the same sex.
*= Please note that we reserve the right to change accommodation. Where this is necessary, alternative accommodation will be of an equal or better standard.
