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WorldWild Tours: China, Pandas, and the Yangtze River

For itineraries, brochures, and registration information for all WorldWild Tours call (619) 231-1515, ext. 4245, or contact us using our online form.

Itinerary

April 7-8 • San Diego – San Francisco – Beijing Depart San Diego in the morning. Arrive in San Francisco and connect to your non-stop flight to Beijing, arriving the next evening. Transfer directly to the Grand Hotel, located by the Forbidden City.

April 9 • Beijing
An optional early morning walk to Changpuhe Park offers an opportunity to observe local residents practicing tai chi and qigong. This morning, visit the Forbidden City, the abiding symbol of imperial China. Truly one of the great achievements of civilization, its construction employed hundreds of thousands of workers between 1406 and 1420. We’ll marvel at its expansive architecture, magnificent imperial gardens, and many museums of Chinese antiquities and treasures.

After lunch, visit the temple of Heaven, one of the finest creations of the Ming Dynasty. Built in the 15th Century, the stunning architecture of the Temple of Heaven represents the most advanced principles of mechanics and geometry available at the time. Later, stop by the Olympic Village to marvel at the new stadiums. Herzog & de Meuron designed the National Stadium, referred to as the “Bird’s nest,” and the firm PTW designed the National Swimming Center, better known as the “Water Cube.” This evening, enjoy a special Peking duck banquet.

April 10 • Beijing

Today is devoted to the Great Wall of China. We’ll encounter this extraordinary rampart at Mutianyu, a rugged section of the Wall that is less crowded and offers easy access by foot or cable car. The Great Wall of China presents a visual experience that consistently exceeds visitors’ expectations. Scholars estimate that the Wall once stretched for 3,700 miles, passing through 16 provinces. After dinner on your own, join the group for a Peking opera performance.

April 11 • Beijing

Today begins with a visit to Beijing’s picturesque Houhai district, where many old courtyard homes are preserved and the narrow hutong alleys border tree-lined lakes north of the Forbidden City. We tour the district by pedicab for a closer and more engaging perspective on traditional Chinese life. Later, dividing into small groups, enjoy lunch at a local family’s home. In the afternoon, visit the Beijing Zoo to see the giant pandas and golden monkeys. Then there is an optional tour to the Summer Palace. Explore the beautiful grounds, cruise the lovely Kunming Lake, and stroll through the royal gardens. Also, walk the Painted Gallery, the longest covered walkway in China, famous for its exquisite landscape paintings. Tonight, we enjoy a special banquet at the Shanglingyuan Restaurant in the lovely Beihai imperial garden.

April 12 • Xian

This morning we fly to the ancient Tang Dynasty capital of Xian. Upon arrival tour the extraordinary 2,300-year-old terra-cotta warriors, the tomb of China’s first emperor, Qinshihuang. The warriors still stand on the original site of the emperor’s burial complex, where farmers discovered them in 1974. After checking into the Sofitel Hotel in downtown Xian, we stroll Muslim Street and visit the grand mosque. Our day concludes with a Dumpling Banquet, featuring 20 varieties of traditional Chinese dumplings.

April 13 • Xian – Chengdu

In the morning we fly to Chengdu and visit the Chengdu Giant Panda Breeding Center, where we will learn the latest information about center researchers’ breeding efforts. Spend the night at the Crown Plaza Hotel. After dinner we attend a fascinating performance of the Sichuan opera.

April 14 • Chengdu – Bifengxia

The Bifengxia Panda Base & Wildlife Park is situated 95 miles southwest of Chengdu in the Bifengxia region, which is a two-hour drive. The Bifengxia Panda Center was opened in 2003 as a satellite base for the Wolong Giant Panda Breeding Center. Now, with the addition of giant pandas transferred from the earthquake-damaged Wolong Center – including San Diego Zoo-born Hua Mei and Mei Sheng – it is arguably the best place to see giant pandas in naturalistic environments. It is home to approximately 80 adult giant pandas and cubs—more than in any other breeding center in China! The Bifengxia Panda Center is now playing a new and important role in the conservation of giant pandas. When we visit the Panda Center, we will see our beloved Hua Mei, who has had three sets of twins, and Mei Sheng, as well as the other endearing black-and-white residents.

Also in the area is the Bifengxia Mountain Park, which extends over nearly 25 square miles. It has long been famous for its breathtaking canyon landscapes, forest coverage, rivers, and waterfalls. Bifengxia also has the largest wildlife park in China, where over 300 species live in expansive, open enclosures that can be visited by bus or on foot. Spend two nights at the new 4-star Hongzhu Hotel.

April 15 • Bifengxia

Today we will meet with resident scientists and researchers at the Panda Center and learn about their latest conservation programs. Each traveler will have an opportunity to spend playtime with the cubs. Later we will have the opportunity to explore the Bifengxia Panda Center and Wildlife Park at our leisure.

April 16 • Bifengxia – Chengdu – Chongqing

Spend the morning with the pandas, including an optional playtime with the cubs at an additional cost per person. Then we drive directly to Chongqing on the new freeway. After dinner, we board the Victoria Cruises ship.

April 17-18 • Yangtze Cruise

Travel downstream through the spectacular Three Gorges (Qutang, Wu, and Xiling Gorges), enjoying the dramatic scenery and beautiful vistas as they appear. Along the way, disembark the ship to enjoy activities offshore. Tour the ancient village of Fengdu and see the breathtaking lesser gorge, Danninghe. Visit the spectacular Three Gorges Dam construction site in Sandouping. Our ship will navigate through the new system of locks that is now in use. In addition, enjoy numerous cultural presentations and entertainment activities on board the ship throughout the voyage.

April 19 • Shanghai
We disembark the ship in Yichang and transfer directly to the airport for the flight to Shanghai. Upon arrival we check-in at the Garden Hotel, located downtown.

April 20 • Shanghai

We spend the morning at the Shanghai museum, viewing its wonderful collection of Chinese bronzes, jade, pottery, ceramics, paintings, and calligraphy. After lunch, visit Yuyuan Garden in old Shanghai and absorb the Chinese traditional garden ambience.

April 21 • Zhujiajiao – Shanghai
We begin the day with an excursion to Zhujiajiao, a lovely waterside town 40 minutes outside Shanghai. There are more than 30 stone bridges over the waterways, which pass by countless old residences and shops. Well-insulated from the last century’s modernization, Zhujiajiao still exudes a sense of southern history and charm.

Return to Shanghai to explore Xintiandi – a stylish restaurant and shopping district, in the old French Concession area in downtown Shanghai. Designed by MIT architect Ben Wood, Xintiandi is a $200 million two-block “entertainment environment” stuffed with modern restaurants, clubs, cafes, and boutiques but accessorized with old bricks, stone gates, and ornately carved wooden balconies from the dense warren of old courtyard houses that previously filled those blocks. We will have a walking tour through the alleys and courtyards of this area. Lunch is on our own. The rest of the afternoon is free.

This evening, enjoy a memorable farewell banquet at the Dingxiang Garden Restaurant, famous for Shanghai cuisine. After dinner, we’ll take a last stroll on the Bund, viewing the beautifully decorated colonial buildings along the Huangpu River.

April 22 • Shanghai – San Francisco – San Diego
After breakfast transfer to the airport for our return flight to San Diego via San Francisco. Arrive the same day.