Pandas, Palaces & Pagodas
10 Days
from
$3485 per person*
Highlights:
China
(Beijing, Pingyao, Xi'an, Chengdu)
Trip Start/End:
Beijing
/
Beijing
Take a step back through time & into a hauntingly beautiful world evocative of ancient dynasties, mystical legends & golden dragons with this tour of Beijing, Pingyao, Xi'an & Chengdu. Behold exotic wonders from this epic land`s past as you visit the Great Wall, Temple of Heaven, Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, Terracotta Warriors & more with private guide. Delve into the timeless treasures, artisan studios & cuisine of Pingyao before journeying into the foothills of the Himalayas to a celebrated panda reserve. Featuring charming hotels, internal flights & more.
Overview
| Day | Activities | Hotel |
- Day 1
- Beijing
| - Transfer - Airport - Vehicle/Guide/Driver
| Park Plaza Wangfujing (4*)
Standard Room (B)1 DBL (2 Adults)
|
- Day 2
- Beijing
| - Private - Great Wall Mutianyu with Lunch - Vehicle/Guide/Driver
- Lunch (included)
| Park Plaza Wangfujing (4*)
Standard Room (B)1 DBL (2 Adults)
|
- Day 3
- Beijing
| - Private - Tiananmen, Forbidden City, Summer Palace with Boat Ride with Lunch - Vehicle/Guide/Driver
- Lunch (included)
| Park Plaza Wangfujing (4*)
Standard Room (B)1 DBL (2 Adults)
|
- Day 4
- Beijing - Taiyuan - Pingyao
| - Transfer - Airport - Vehicle/Guide/Driver
- Air - Beijing - Taiyuan [Direct (1.25 hrs)] - Economy
- Transfer - Pingyao - Vehicle/Guide/Driver
| Jing`s Residence (5*)
Courtyard Room (B)1 DBL (2 Adults)
|
- Day 5
- Pingyao
| - Private - Old Town Tour - Vehicle/Guide/Driver1
- Lunch (included)
| Jing`s Residence (5*)
Courtyard Room (B)1 DBL (2 Adults)
|
- Day 6
- Pingyao - Taiyuan - Xi'an
| - Transfer - Private - JinCi Temple & Taiyuan airport with Lunch - Vehicle/Guide/Driver
- Air - Taiyuan - Xi`an [Direct] - Economy
- Transfer - Airport - Vehicle/Guide/Driver
| Sofitel on Renmin Square (4.5*)
Superior (B)1 DBL (2 Adults)
|
- Day 7
- Xi'an
| - Shared - Terracotta Warriors, City Wall & Pagoda - Vehicle/Driver/Guide
- Lunch (included)
| Sofitel on Renmin Square (4.5*)
Superior (B)1 DBL (2 Adults)
|
- Day 8
- Xi'an - Chengdu
| - Transfer - Airport - Vehicle/Guide/Driver
- Air - Xi`an - Chengdu [Direct (1,5 hrs)] - Economy
- Transfer - Airport - Vehicle/Guide/Driver
| Buddha Zen Hotel (3*)
Deluxe Room ()1 DBL (2 Adults)
|
- Day 9
- Chengdu
| - Private - Panda & Chengdu with Lunch - Vehicle/Guide/Driver
- Lunch (included)
| Buddha Zen Hotel (3*)
Deluxe Room ()1 DBL (2 Adults)
|
- Day 10
- Chengdu
| - Transfer - Airport - Vehicle/Guide/Driver
- Air - Chengdu - Beijing [Direct (2,5 hrs)] - Economy
| Depart (Int`l Airport)
|
| B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner, 1/2d = Half Day, Al = All Inclusive |
Trip Itinerary
Forbidden City
Park Plaza(Wangfujing)
Day 1: Beijing
A transfer by private car with an English-speaking guide between the airport and city of Beijing or your hotel is provided.
Accommodation: Park Plaza Wangfujing (4*) The Park Plaza Beijing Wangfujing is a modern oasis, right in the heart of Beijing's bustling cultural, commercial, business and entertainment center. With its superb location, spacious facilities and personalized service, the Park Plaza Beijing Wangfujing is the ideal choice for both business and leisure guests. The Lodging reflects the many changing facets of contemporary Chinese culture, where ancient cultural sites vie for space alongside high-rise buildings and an intricate freeway system. The Park Plaza Beijing Wangfujing is just minutes away from several popular attractions, such as Tiananmen Square, the National Museum of China and the Forbidden City.
Guests may also enjoy the complimentary high-speed Internet access, security safe box, meeting facilities and currency exchange center. All guestrooms feature Western décor and are furnished with lounge chairs in sandstone colors.
Great Wall at Mutianyu
Day 2: Beijing
Enjoy a full day private guided tour with lunch at the Great Wall at Mutianyu located 45 miles northeast of Beijing. This section winds along lofty, cragged mountains for 1.4 miles. Construction was started in the Northern Qi Dynasty (550 - 577) and was restored in the early Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644). Built mainly from granite with 8m walls and 5m wide at the top, it is notable for its 22 watchtowers. Lunch is included.
Accommodation: Park Plaza Wangfujing (4*) Day 3: Beijing
This full day tour of Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City and the Summer Palace offers a light schedule with time to explore and enjoy each site. Begin with the famous Tiananmen Square, built in 1417 during the Ming Dynasty and “ front door” of the Forbidden City. The present square stretches a vast 440,000 square meters and features Tiananmen Tower, Monument to the People's Heroes, Great Hall of the People, Mao Zedong Memorial Hall. The Forbidden City is the world's largest palace complex with 9,999 buildings across 74 hectares, surrounded by a six meter deep moat and a ten meter wall, and divided into two parts. The Outer Court was where the emperor exercised his supreme power over the nation. The Inner Court was where he lived with his royal family. Fourteen emperors of the Ming dynasty and ten emperors of the Qing dynasty reigned here until 1924. The Summer Palace occupies an area of 294 hectares (726.5 acres), three quarters of which is water. Classically designed as an archetypal Chinese garden, it is ranked amongst the most noted gardens of the world and was listed as a World Heritage Site in 1998. Lunch is included.
Accommodation: Park Plaza Wangfujing (4*) 
Pingyao
Jing's Residence
Day 4: Beijing - Taiyuan - Pingyao
A transfer by private car with an English-speaking guide between the airport and city of Beijing or your hotel is provided.
Direct flight from Beijing to Taiyuan
Airport transfer with private vehicle, driver, and English-speaking guide, en route visit JinCi & Family Qiao's Courtyard.
Accommodation: Jing`s Residence (5*) Jing's Residence has 19 rooms and is nestled amongst dusty curio shops and bustling restaurants in the old walled city of Pingyao, a small boutique hotel that is located in a nicely-renovated old mansion. The design of the hotel fits in harmoniously with the traditional surroundings of this ancient city. The Residence is ideally located in the heart of the old town and encompasses a series of grey-brick pavilions built around a set of four courtyards in the authentic architectural style of northern China. Tables and chairs are located outside each pavilion where guests can relax while reading, drinking tea, or soaking up the historical atmosphere. In addition to the luxurious accommodations, the Residence also features a dining room where guests can enjoy an extensive menu of international and local favorites. The Residence also provides an exclusive meeting space, a cozy library and a bar that make it the perfect home-away-from-home for discerning travelers.
Pingyao old town
Day 5: Pingyao
The ancient commerce town of Pingyao is said to be one of the best preserved traditional Chinese cities centred within perhaps the only completely intact (6km long) Ming dynasty wall in all of China. This Full day private guided tour of Pingyao Old Town includes Shuanglin Temple, family Wang's Courtyard, museums, learning about local handicrafts and a Deluxe Lunch.
Accommodation: Jing`s Residence (5*) 
Terracotta General
Sofitel Xi'an on Renmin Square
Day 6: Pingyao - Taiyuan - Xi'an
Airport transfer with private vehicle, driver, and English-speaking guide, en route visit JinJinCi Temple (with lunch).
Direct flight from Taiyuan to Xi'an.
An airport transfer by private car with an English-speaking guide is provided.
Accommodation: Sofitel on Renmin Square (4.5*) Built to meet the elaborate standards of China's new platinum five-star hotel rating, the Sofitel Xian on Renmin Square is the ultimate accommodation facility in the ancient city of Xian. Its design is of astounding contemporary concept. With a full range of spacious and well-appointed rooms, suites and apartments, state-of-the-art business facilities and exquisite dining and recreational options, the Sofitel Xian on Renmin Square is a perfect choice for the most astute of business and leisure travelers.
Big Wild Goose Pagoda
Day 7: Xi'an
The first stop is of this private guided bicycle tour is the Terra Cotta Army. Discovered accidentally in 1974, this incredible army of over 7000 soldiers, archers, horses and chariots in full battle array has guarded Emperor Qin's tomb since 210BC. Each figure is unique, and the painstaking repair and excavation continues in 3 pits which are protected inside huge hangars. The tour continues on to the imposing ancient city wall. The walls, ramparts, gates and watchtowers from one of the oldest and most complete city defences are still around. They were built in the 13th century on the foundations of the original Tang Forbidden City surrounding the city center. You can walk, rent a bike or take an electric cart around the full 14km circuit, with great views of the city on either side. The last leg of the tour is the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. A major Buddhist site, the simple, elegant brick Pagoda stands in the grounds of the attractive Da Ci'en Temple. The Pagoda was built in the 7th century to house the Buddhist materials that Xuanzang (Tripitaka) brought back from his epic journey to India. The Temple complex has several large halls with some great Buddhist statues and murals.
Accommodation: Sofitel on Renmin Square (4.5*) 
Panda
Buddha Zen Hotel
Day 8: Xi'an - Chengdu
An airport transfer by private car with an English-speaking guide is provided.
Relax on the flight from Xi'an to Chengdu. The travel time is approximately 1.5 hours.
A transfer with a private vehicle, English-speaking guide, and driver between the airport and your hotel or city is provided.
Accommodation: Buddha Zen Hotel (3*) Buddha Zen was named by Master Chishan and is the first hotel with the theme of Buddha Zen culture in China. The design of the hotel follows the spirit of Buddha Zen with the combination of traditional Chinese aesthetics. Its interior design is unique and there are a plenty of rare Tangkas, ancient temple paintings and antiques, which include the oldest man-made embroidery of Qing Dynasty in Sichuan.
Panda Mother and Child
Day 9: Chengdu
Enjoy a full day private guided Chengdu tour, starting with a half-day trip to the Panda Research Center. The Center has been designed to imitate the pandas' natural habitat in order to provide the best possible environment for rearing and breeding. After watching and observing the Pandas, travel to Chengdu's traditional Jinli Street for a local lunch. After your meal, you will visit a local teahouse to experience one of the most vibrant and ancient tea cultures in the world. Lunch is included.
Accommodation: Buddha Zen Hotel (3*) Day 10: Chengdu
A transfer with a private vehicle, English-speaking guide, and driver between the airport and your hotel or city is provided.
Fly from Chengdu to Beijing.
Accommodation: Depart (Int`l Airport)
Accommodations
Standard Room- Park Plaza Wangfujing
Park Plaza Wangfujing (4*) - Beijing
The Park Plaza Beijing Wangfujing is a modern oasis, right in the heart of Beijing's bustling cultural, commercial, business and entertainment center. With its superb location, spacious facilities and personalized service, the Park Plaza Beijing Wangfujing is the ideal choice for both business and leisure guests. The Lodging reflects the many changing facets of contemporary Chinese culture, where ancient cultural sites vie for space alongside high-rise buildings and an intricate freeway system. The Park Plaza Beijing Wangfujing is just minutes away from several popular attractions, such as Tiananmen Square, the National Museum of China and the Forbidden City.
Guests may also enjoy the complimentary high-speed Internet access, security safe box, meeting facilities and currency exchange center. All guestrooms feature Western décor and are furnished with lounge chairs in sandstone colors.
- Jing's Residence
Courtyard Room
Jing's Residence (5*) - Pingyao
Jing's Residence has 19 rooms and is nestled amongst dusty curio shops and bustling restaurants in the old walled city of Pingyao, a small boutique hotel that is located in a nicely-renovated old mansion. The design of the hotel fits in harmoniously with the traditional surroundings of this ancient city. The Residence is ideally located in the heart of the old town and encompasses a series of grey-brick pavilions built around a set of four courtyards in the authentic architectural style of northern China. Tables and chairs are located outside each pavilion where guests can relax while reading, drinking tea, or soaking up the historical atmosphere. In addition to the luxurious accommodations, the Residence also features a dining room where guests can enjoy an extensive menu of international and local favorites. The Residence also provides an exclusive meeting space, a cozy library and a bar that make it the perfect home-away-from-home for discerning travelers.
- Sofitel Xi'an on Renmin Square
Sofitel on Renmin Square (4.5*) - Xi'an
Built to meet the elaborate standards of China's new platinum five-star hotel rating, the Sofitel Xian on Renmin Square is the ultimate accommodation facility in the ancient city of Xian. Its design is of astounding contemporary concept. With a full range of spacious and well-appointed rooms, suites and apartments, state-of-the-art business facilities and exquisite dining and recreational options, the Sofitel Xian on Renmin Square is a perfect choice for the most astute of business and leisure travelers.
- Buddha Zen Hotel
Buddha Zen Hotel (3*) - Chengdu
Buddha Zen was named by Master Chishan and is the first hotel with the theme of Buddha Zen culture in China. The design of the hotel follows the spirit of Buddha Zen with the combination of traditional Chinese aesthetics. Its interior design is unique and there are a plenty of rare Tangkas, ancient temple paintings and antiques, which include the oldest man-made embroidery of Qing Dynasty in Sichuan.
Travel Info
Travel tips of China
VISA/PASSPORT
A valid passport and visa are required to enter and exit China for both US and Canadian citizens, and must be obtained from Chinese Embassies and Consulates before traveling to China. Visa processing generally takes 5 working days along with a visa processing fee of approximately $50 for a Single Entry Visa and $75 for a Multiple Entry Visa. Travelers arriving without valid passports and the appropriate Chinese visa are not permitted to enter and will be subject to a fine and immediate deportation at the traveler's expense. Travelers should not rely on Chinese host organizations claiming to be able to arrange a visa upon arrival. Chinese authorities have recently tightened their visa issuance policy, in some cases requiring personal interviews of American citizens. Although a bilateral United States-China agreement provides for issuance of multiple-entry visas with validity of up to one year for tourists and business visitors, Chinese consulates often limit visas to only one entry. Visas are not required of aliens who hold air tickets to the final destination, have booked seats on international airliners flying directly through China, and will stay in a transit city for less than 24 hours without leaving the airport. Persons transiting China on the way to and from Mongolia or North Korea or who plan to re-enter China from the Hong Kong or Macau Special Administrative Regions should be sure to obtain visas allowing more than one entry. Permits are required to visit Tibet as well as many remote areas not normally open to foreigners.
Please note obtaining a visa is your responsibility. These requirements change often and therefore it is best that you check with the Embassy of China for the most up to date visa information.
HEALTH
Health insurance is essential. Medical facilities outside of major cities are poor quality. We recommend that you see a health-care provider who specializes in Travel Medicine. The doctor or health-care provider will determine what vaccinations and medication you will need, depending on factors such as your health and immunization history, areas of the country you will be visiting, and planned activities. For more information on travel requirements, visit the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) website: http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/china.aspx
COUNTRY INFO
Capital: Beijing.
Government: People's Republic. China comprises 23 provinces, five autonomous regions, two special administrative regions and four municipalities directly under central government.
Language: The official language is Mandarin Chinese. Among the enormous number of local dialects, large groups speak Cantonese, Shanghaiese (also known as Shanghainese), Fuzhou, Hokkien-Taiwanese, Xiang, Gan and Hakka dialects in the south. Inner Mongolia, Tibet and Xinjiang, which are autonomous regions, have their own languages. English is spoken by many guides and in hotels. Many taxi drivers do not speak English, even in big cities.
Religion: China is officially Atheistic, but the stated religions and philosophies are Buddhism, Daoism and Confucianism. There are 100 million Buddhists and approximately 60 million Muslims, 5 million Protestants (including large numbers of Evangelicals) and 4 million Roman Catholics, largely independent of Vatican control.
Time: GMT + 8. Despite the vast size of the country, Beijing time is standard throughout China.
Electricity: 220 volts AC, 50Hz. Two-pin and three-pin sockets are generally in use. However, most 4 to 5 star hotels are also wired for the use of 110 volt appliances.
Telephone: Country code +86
Mobile Telephone: China has the most mobile phone users in the world, backed by a very sophisticated mobile communications system that now covers the entire country. Roaming agreements exist with most major international mobile phone companies. Alternatively, you can buy a prepaid GSM SIM card (from China Mobile stores) that allows you to use your mobile like a local phone with a new number. You'll need your passport to register.
Internet: The number of Internet users in China reached 253 million in 2008. Internet cafes can be found in most towns and cities, and Wi-Fi is increasingly available at hotels and cafes in Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Tianjin, Hangzhou and other major cities.
What's Included:
- Guaranteed departure - Accommodation, Activities, Transfers, Meals, Fees where indicated as per the itinerary - Local and international traveler assistance during your tour - Specialised and personalised services
What's not Included:
- Tips - Laundry - Soft drinks and alcoholic beverages unless explicitly noted - Optional activities/extras – Visas (unless noted) - Vacation insurance
Trip Terms & Conditions
- Your deposit is due immediately on booking (30% of program price, minimum $350). The balance is due 90 days prior to departure.
- Cancellations of confirmed bookings 90 days or more prior to departure will receive full refund minus a $350 (per person) administrative fee and any non-refundable paid fees (e.g. non-refundable airfare, cruise or hotel deposits). 60-89 days will be subject to loss of 30% of program price. 30-59 days will be subject to loss of 50% of program price. 29 days or less will be subject to loss of 100% of program price.
- Tour quotes do not include airfare to/from the trip start point unless noted on the itinerary
- Cost increases in currency exchange, government fees, taxes, surcharges or hotel/lodge tariff increases between quote date and start date are payable by the client.
- Availability cannot be guaranteed until booked. We will exercise best efforts to book hotels per the itinerary, however, in busy seasons and with client bookings made within 90 days of tour date we may be forced to offer substitutes.
- Payment of the program price constitutes your acceptance of the terms and conditions set out at www.kensingtontours.com/terms-and-conditions
- Living Standards and practices at destination may differ from those in North America with respect to provisions of utilities, services and accommodation.
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