Uncovering the Timeless China

TravelExperienceAsia
Written By Karen Mcmahon

Imagine standing atop the Great Wall as it snakes across northern hills or watching over 5,000 glowing drones light up the night sky above Chongqing’s futuristic skyline. China is a land of fascinating contrasts, where ancient imperial treasures and dramatic landscapes seamlessly meet cutting-edge modern life.

On Wendy Wu’s 21-day China Uncovered classic group tour, you will experience the ultimate cross-section of this diverse nation on a fully inclusive itinerary. Accompanied by expert National Escorts, your journey spans from Beijing’s Forbidden City and Xian’s Terracotta Warriors to the surreal, towering sandstone pillars of Zhangjiajie, where you'll walk across the famous Glass Bridge. You'll glide along the scenic Li River, meet giant pandas, unwind in natural hot springs, and cruise the spectacular Three Gorges on a three-night Yangtze River journey. Travelling alongside like-minded companions, you will savour authentic regional flavours, from traditional Peking duck to local dumpling feasts—with every transfer, entrance fee, and detail effortlessly taken care of.

Step outside the familiar, embrace the extraordinary, and let the captivating spirit of China create memories that will stay with you forever.

21 Days Fully Inclusive Classic Group Tour from Beijing to Shanghai

Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon and Glass Bridge

What Your Journey Looks Like

  • Li River Cruise Drift peacefully along calm waters past dramatic limestone karst peaks, lush green bamboo groves, and timeless countryside scenes

  • Chongqing Night Skyline Experience a striking clash of ancient and modern as thousands of glowing drones light up the night sky above Chongqing's futuristic, illuminated metropolis

  • Zhangjiajie Sandstone Pillars Discover otherworldly peaks, deep valleys, and dramatic, mist-shrouded landscapes, before testing your courage high above the canyon floor on the famous Glass Bridge

  • Hot Springs & Regional Feasts Unwind in soothing natural hot springs after a day of sightseeing, and savour iconic culinary experiences ranging from traditional Peking duck to authentic local dumpling feasts

Your Tour Itinerary

  • Your journey begins with an overnight flight to China’s capital city. Upon arrival at Beijing airport, you will be met by your local guide and transferred to your hotel. Take time to relax and settle in before joining the group for a welcome dinner.

    • Group transfer from Beijing Airport to your hotel

    • Relaxed evening at leisure

    • Welcome group dinner

    Meals Included Dinner

    An informal Welcome Dinner will be held on Day 1. Late arrivals will receive a box dinner.

  • Discover the historic heart of Beijing today. Walk through Tiananmen Square and step inside the expansive Forbidden City. In the afternoon, tour the tranquil gardens of the Summer Palace and explore a local jade workshop before sitting down to a classic Peking duck feast.

    • Guided tour of Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City

    • Cultural demonstration at a local jade craft centre

    • Guided tour of the lakeside Summer Palace

    • Traditional Peking Duck Dinner

    Included Meals Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

    Please note The Forbidden City is closed on Mondays. If this day of touring falls on a Monday, your touring in Beijing will be switched round so that the Forbidden City is visited on an alternative day. In an effort to preserve the Forbidden City, the number of entry tickets has been significantly reduced. Whilst every effort will be made to get the tickets, should this not be possible, then you will instead visit the Forbidden City from the outside and visit the nearby Prince Kung’s Palace Museum.

  • Travel northwest out of the city to Juyongguan Pass to walk along the iconic Great Wall of China. Take in the sweeping views from the ramparts, then return to Beijing to wander through the ancient, narrow alleyways (hutongs) of the old quarter.

    • Scenic walk on the Great Wall at Juyongguan Pass

    • Stroll through Beijing’s traditional hutongs

    • Optional Experience: Evening Beijing Acrobat Show at an additional cost (time permitting, payable locally)

    Included Meals Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  • Board a high-speed bullet train for the smooth five-hour journey across the countryside to Xian. Upon arrival, check in to your hotel before taking a stroll through the lively Muslim Quarter. In the evening, enjoy a traditional Shui Jiao dumpling feast followed by a colourful Tang Dynasty music and dance performance.

    • High-speed bullet train journey to Xian

    • Walking tour through the vibrant Muslim Quarter

    • Traditional Shui Jiao dumpling dinner

    • Tang Dynasty music and dance performance

    Included Meals Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

    Please note you will need to carry your own luggage on and off the train.

  • Visit one of the world's most incredible historical discoveries: the Terracotta Warriors. Tour the vast excavation pits, visit a ceramics and lacquer workshop, and then take a walk along Xian's 14th-century Ancient City Walls, finishing with a craft beer tasting at a local brewery.

    • Guided Exploration of the UNESCO-Listed Terracotta Warriors

    • Replicating Antiquity Tour at a Ceramics & Lacquer Workshop

    • Panoramic Walk or Bike Ride Along Xi'an's Ancient City Walls

    • Local Craft Beer Tasting Session. Non-alcoholic drinks are also available.

    • Optional Experience: Tang Ever-Bright City Illuminated Night Tour at an additional cost (time permitting, payable locally)

    Included Meals Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  • Fly south from Xian to the scenic city of Guilin. After checking in, explore the brilliantly illuminated subterranean rock formations inside the Reed Flute Caves.

    • Flight from Xian to Guilin

    • Guided tour through the colourful Reed Flute Caves

    Included Meals Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  • Embark on a picturesque four-hour boat cruise along the Li River from Guilin to Yangshuo, drifting past dramatic limestone karst mountains and rural riverside villages. Upon arrival in Yangshuo, check in to your hotel and spend the rest of the day exploring the area.

    • 4-hour scenic Li River cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo

    • Afternoon to explore Yangshuo's town centre or rural surroundings

    • Optional After-hours experience of Sanjie Liu Night Show may be available at your own expense (time and weather permitting, payable locally)

    Included Meals Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

    Cruises usually depart at 9:00 am from a dock about an hour from the hotel. If river levels are low, departure may be from a downstream dock, requiring an earlier check out and longer transfer. Your luggage will be transferred by road. At the end of the cruise, your Local Guide will walk with you to the hotel, around 30 minutes from the riverfront. Private electric carts are often available to hire at your own expense.

  • Start your day with an outdoor Tai Chi lesson led by a local master amidst Yangshuo’s dramatic karst scenery. Enjoy the rest of the day taking in the gentle pace of the countryside.

    • Morning Tai Chi lesson led by a local master

    • Countryside exploration and relaxed free time

    Included Meals Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  • Transfer back to the main station and board a bullet train to Chongqing. Depending on arrival time, enjoy a stroll along Jiefangbei Pedestrian Street or spend time relaxing at a local hot spring resort.

    • Bullet train journey to Chongqing

    • Relaxing afternoon at a hot spring resort or walk along Jiefangbei Street, the heart of downtown Chongqing

    Included Meals Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

    Water and specialty teas are provided in the local hot spring resort. Swimwear and treatments are also available for an extra cost.

  • Take a day excursion outside Chongqing to inspect the magnificent, UNESCO World Heritage-listed Dazu Rock Carvings. Return to the city in the evening to visit the illuminated Hongya Cave complex and view a vibrant drone light show over the riverfront (subject to local weather).

    • Excursion to the UNESCO World Heritage Dazu Rock Carvings

    • Evening visit to Hongya Cave

    • Watch a spectacular Saturday night drone show in Chongqing

    Included Meals Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

    Note the drone show may be cancelled due to poor weather or other unforeseen circumstances, as advised by the Chongqing local authorities.

  • Visit the Pandas at Chongqing Zoo and walk through the historic cobbled streets of Ciqikou Old Town. In the evening, board your Yangtze River cruise vessel to begin your three-night journey along China’s grandest waterway.

    • Morning visit to the Chongqing Zoo Panda House

    • Guided walk through historic Ciqikou Old Town

    • Evening embarkation onto the Yangtze River cruise ship

    Included Meals Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

    The cruise includes one daily shore excursion plus onboard activities and entertainment. Optional shore excursions are available to book onboard. Some excursions and embarkation points involve steps. The Yangtze River cruise itinerary is subject to river conditions and may change. Your Local Guide will keep you informed, and a daily itinerary will be provided onboard. If you choose to disembark independently, a port tax may apply. Amenity, deck, or cabin upgrades are available to pre-book.

    Contact your Wanderlust Travel Expert if you need any further assistance.

  • Sail along the Yangtze River and disembark for a land excursion to Mount Shuanggui, an area famous for its historic temples, ancient calligraphic carvings, and scenic hillside nature trails.

    • Shore excursion to historic Mount Shuanggui

    • Relaxed afternoon sailing along the Yangtze River

    • Additional shore excursions may include Fengdu’s “Ghost City” and Fengyan Sanguo “Romance of the Three Kingdoms” evening show (river conditions permitting)

    Included Meals Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

    Depending on local conditions, you may visit Shibaozhai Temple or Xiaoguanshan Folk Culture Park instead.

  • Marvel at the soaring limestone cliffs as your ship sails through the dramatic Wu and Qutang Gorges. Board smaller motorized boats for an excursion down the narrow, green canyons of Goddess Stream.

    • Scenic cruising through majestic Wu Gorge and Qutang Gorge

    • Small-vessel excursion along Goddess Stream

    • Additional shore excursions may include White Emperor City.

    Included Meals Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

    Depending on local river conditions, you may visit Shennong Stream instead of Goddess Stream.

  • Disembark the ship to tour the Three Gorges Dam site and learn about this monumental engineering feat. Afterwards, transfer by road to the natural wonderland of Zhangjiajie.

    • Guided tour of the Three Gorges Dam project and viewing area

    • Overland transfer to Zhangjiajie

    Included Meals Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  • Spend the day exploring the Avatar-like sandstone pillars of Zhangjiajie National Park. Ride the soaring Bailong Glass Elevator up to the Yuanjiajie Scenic Area to view the Mihun Stage and the Natural Bridge under Heaven.

    • Ride on the Bailong Glass Elevator

    • Exploration of Yuanjiajie Scenic Area, more commonly known as the Avatar Mountain

    • Guided walk through the mountain peak trails

    Included Meals Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  • Walk across the famous Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon Glass Bridge, suspended high above the valley floor. Afterward, descend into the canyon for a gentle walk and a boat ride across Rainbow Lake.

    • Walk across the Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon Glass Bridge

    • Scenic walk through the canyon and boat cruise on Rainbow Lake

    • Optional experience of Fairy Fox Outdoor Music & Dancing Show at your own expense (time and weather permitting, payable locally)

    Included Meals Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  • Take the long cable car up Tianmen Mountain to walk along the Glass Skywalk and view the natural rock arch known as Tianmen Cave ("Heaven's Door"). Later today, transfer to the airport for your flight to Shanghai.

    • Cable car ride up Tianmen Mountain

    • Walk on the Glass Skywalk and view Tianmen Cave

    • Return down the mountain by cable car and transfer to the airport for your flight to Shanghai.

    Included Meals Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

    Note Visiting Tianmen Cave via the 999 steps is optional and takes around 40 to 60 minutes. An escalator provides an alternative route, or you can enjoy the views from the platform at the base while waiting for the group.

  • Discover the mix of ancient tradition and modern architecture in Shanghai. Tour the serene Yu Garden, stroll through Old Town, visit a working silk mill, and take in panoramic city views from the Jin Mao Tower. End your evening with a Huangpu River skyline cruise.

    • Guided tour of Yu Garden and Shanghai Old Town

    • Educational tour at a local silk mill

    • Panoramic views from the Jin Mao Tower observation deck (weather permitting)

    • Evening Huangpu River skyline cruise

    Included Meals Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

    The Yu Garden is closed on Mondays. If this day of touring falls on a Monday, you will visit the City God Temple instead.

  • Enjoy your final day at leisure in Shanghai for last-minute sightseeing or shopping along the waterfront. Later, meet your guide for your transfer to the airport for your overnight flight home, arriving back the following day.

    • Morning at leisure for independent exploration

    • Airport transfer for your return international flight

    Meals Included Breakfast

    Late check-out is not included. Additional nights before and after your tour can be arranged.

The Li River, Yangshuo County

Tour Inclusions

  • Fully Inclusive Touring with Guides and entrance fees

  • Included Meals Breakfasts 18, Lunches 17, Dinners 18

  • International flights and current taxes

  • Accommodation 18 nights in 4 star accommodation

  • Cruise Yangtze River Cruise, Li River Cruise, Huangpu River Cruise

  • Max Group Size 28

  • Physical Rating 2 Walking, some steps and extended time on your feet.

From $10,980* per person share twin based on departure dates 17 March & 03 November 2027

 

Terms & Conditions *Prices and services are subject to availability of tour, airline, and specific economy airfare. Prices may differ once a preferred booking class is sold out. Prices stated are in New Zealand Dollars ($NZD) and are current at the time of publication. The price includes international flights, accommodation, transportation, and other inclusions as per the published itinerary. We also reserve the right to correct any obvious errors in rates quoted or calculated, or any omissions made at any time during your booking. Any verbal quote given is an indication only of the final price and is subject to confirmation in writing.

Travel agent service & credit cards fees are additional. All tours subject to availability at time of boking. For full terms & conditions contact Wanderlust Travel Experts.

 

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Karen Mcmahon
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