Compare China – Panda Conservation Adventure by Discover Corps vs Follow Pandas' Footprint by Travel China Guide
Compare details and see what other travelers are saying.
| Trip |
5 | Excellent
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5 | Excellent
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| Duration | 6 days | 9 days |
| Price From | $ 2,995 | $ 1,179 |
| Price Per Day | $ 499 | $ 131 |
| Highlights |
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| Trip Style | Small group tour | Group tour |
| Lodging Level | Standard | Premium |
| Physical Level |
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| Travel Themes |
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| Countries Visited | ||
| Cities and Attractions |
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| Flights & Transport | Ground transport included | Internal airfare and ground transport included |
| Activities |
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| Meals Included |
5 Breakfasts, 4 Lunches and 5 Dinners |
8 Breakfasts, 4 Lunches and 1 Dinners |
| Description |
China’s 1.3 billion people have witnessed an extraordinary change of pace as the face of their country has seen rapid economic expansion. However, the pull of tradition remains strong. We’ll bring you together with residents of the bustling capital city of Beijing and go beyond the city boundaries to share a homemade meal with a welcoming local family. You'll also see China from two completely different points of view - the bustling metropolis of Chengdu and the conservation hub of Dujiangyan. |
An ideal holiday package to get the most from your China trip to the iconic cities of Beijing and Xi'an, as well as Chengdu, the hometown of lovely giant pandas. The tour takes 9 days to cover the best travel destinations including the Forbidden City, the Great Wall, the Terracotta Warriors and the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding. |
Day 1: Arrive and Enjoy a Sichuan Hotpot
Meals: Dinner
A warm welcome awaits at Chengdu International Airport where we’ll introduce you to your Discover Corps group. We’ll then whisk you away to your four-star hotel in Dujiangyan for a traditional welcome dinner. Enjoy a free evening to recharge before the morning's activities.
Day 2: Visit the Dujiangyan Panda Breeding Research Center to Begin Volunteering
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Your hands-on experience with the pandas begins today! We’ll introduce you to the conservationists at the Dujiangyan Panda Research Center who will introduce you to the pandas before your work begins. Your first task will be to help feed the pandas their bamboo breakfasts – an incredible way to start the day. After your own lunch, you will clean the fencing of the pandas gardens, clean their enclosures, break bamboo shoots for the pandas, and more to help the center. After volunteering, walk around the neighborhood before a local meal for dinner.
Day 3: Continue Lending a Hand at the Dujiangyan Panda Research Center
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
On your second day of volunteering, you’ll have the choice to help clean the enclosures before experiencing the magic of hand-feeding the pandas for a second time. These friendly animals will be familiar faces by now as you learn how to make special cakes for them and continue to provide the special care they need. Today, you’ll receive a certificate of recognition of your efforts.
In the late afternoon, head to the bustling city of Chengdu and enjoy dinner before a free night to explore the lively atmosphere of the city or relax in your hotel.
Day 4: Experience a Cooking Class with a Local Family
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Spend today joining a local family in the nearby markets gathering ingredients before a cooking class in their home. Learn how to make a number of Sichuan favorites before enjoying your lunch together. In the evening, watch a performance of a traditional Sichuan act of face changing, as well as other local performances.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 5: Visit the Unforgettable Terracotta Warriors
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Hit the road this morning for the 1.5 hour drive to the Terracotta Warriors. Marvel at the over 6,000 warrior sculptures, each with a different face, and learn more about their importance in teaching us about ancient China. For lunch, sample the unique flavores of Hui Muslim food before a bike ride around the top of Xi'an's ancient city walls.
Day 6: Depart from Xi'an or Continue on to The Great Wall of China Optional Extension
Meals: Breakfast
It's time for those on the six-day trip to say their goodbyes before being transfered to the airport for their flight home. If you're staying with us for The Great Wall of China extension, you'll hop on a flight to Beijing for your first adventure.
Day 1: Arrival in Beijing
Accommodation: The Great Wall Hotel Beijing - the former Sheraton
Upon your arrival, our guide will be expecting you outside the customs of the airport and transfer you to the already reserved hotel in a comfortable and clean car. For the remainder of the day, you can have a good rest to release the jet lag.
Day 2: Beijing
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
Your escorted China tour starts form the center of the city - Tiananmen Square. Walking northward across the square, you will reach the Forbidden City. As the world's largest and best preserved ancient architectural complex of wooden structure, it has over 8,000 pavilions and houses thousands of time-honored treasures.
For today's lunch, you will enjoy our special offer - the a la carte Chinese food with Peking Roast Duck at one of the best local restaurants (valued at CNY150.00 per person and included in our price)
In the afternoon, you will continue to visit the Temple of Heaven, the royal altar of the Ming and Qing dynasties. A fantastic Chinese Kung Fu Show at the Red Theatre will be tonight's highlight and you will be impressed by the excellent performance.
Day 3: Beijing
Meals: Breakfast
Your guide will pick you up in the early morning for the trip to Mutianyu Great Wall. It is one of the most splendid and the most representative parts of China Great Wall. The round-trip cable car will take you up and down, which allows you more sightseeing time on the wall. The restaurants nearby the site are in low quality, so we do not arrange the lunch today. It may be the best that you have a big breakfast at the hotel and have some fast food for lunch by yourself.
After lunch, you will be driven back to the urban area. When passing by the Olympic National Stadium, you will have a chance to take photos of this large Bird's Nest. The whole day's sightseeing will come to an end after spending some leisure time at a traditional local market.
Day 4: Beijing - Xi'an
Meals: Breakfast and lunch
Accommodation: Sheraton Hotel
This morning you will visit the Summer Palace, a summer resort for the imperial royalty in Qing dynasty. Then, following your guide to trace the old Beijing by walking along the narrow but original Hutong alleys. You will feel excited to learn to make Chinese Paper Cutting with a folk artist in Hutong.
We will serve you an a la carte lunch (valued at CNY150.00 per person and included in our price) at a fancy restaurant with delicious food and great atmosphere. Then fly to the ancient capital city Xi'an. A local guide will pick you up and help you check in at the hotel.
Day 5: Xi'an
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Today you will go to one of the highlights of your 9 days China tour package, the Terracotta Army. The museum not only displays the world-known delicate figures of Qin Terracotta Warriors and Horses, but also shows visitors an array of precious ancient weapons.
At lunch time, you will visit a local family and have an a la carte lunch (valued at CNY120.00 per person and included in our price) in the family, where you can enjoy authentic home made Chinese dishes. A short cooking class is also prepared so that you can enjoy not only the gourmet food but also the fun of cooking them.
After that, visit Xi'an Museum and the Small Wild Goose Pagoda. The pagoda was built in the Tang Dynasty (618 - 907) to store the Buddhist scriptures and statues. At night, after enjoying Dumpling Dinner you will be entertained at the Tang Dynasty Music and Dance Show.
Day 6: Xi'an
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
Today you will begin your visit to the City Wall Park. Encircling the old City Wall, the park is the most popular place for local people to relax, especially in the morning time. You will see people are attending different kinds of activities for fun. It is true that the park has brought the old wall live. Also in this park, you will learn to practice Tai Chi with the master. From the park, we head to the best-preserved Ming Dynasty City Wall. It will be a memorable experience to ride a bicycle on the wall. If feel interested, you can rent the bike at your own expense.
After an a la carte lunch (valued at CNY120.00 per person and included in our price), you will first visit Shaanxi Provincial History Museum. The large storage of precious cultural relics from the Shang Dynasty (17th - 11th Century BC) to the Qing Dynasty unfold the glorious Chinese history and culture in front of you. Then visit the Great Mosque. You can also have a taste of the local snacks on the Muslim Street when finishing the visit to the mosque.
Day 7: Xi'an – Chengdu
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Holiday Inn Chengdu Oriental Plaza
This morning you will take a high-speed train for about 4 hours to Chengdu. Upon your arrival, our guide will pick you up and transfer you to the hotel, and then help you check in for a 2-night stay. The rest of the day is free for you to have a rest at the hotel or look around the city on your own.
Day 8 Chengdu
Meals: Breakfast
Today you will pay a visit to the lovely giant pandas in Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding. Giant Panda only inhabits in China, so it is regarded as the national treasure. Then our guide will escort you to explore the Broad and Narrow Alleys of Chengdu. Lunch is arranged on your own, so you might try some local snacks in the alley or choose a courtyard restaurant to enjoy your lunch.
In the afternoon, you will proceed to visit Jinsha Site Museum. Covering an area of 5 square kilometers, it is the historical remains of the Shang and Zhou dynasties (1700BC-221BC) focusing on the cultural relics' exhibit and the sacrificial site. Then come to the last stop of your tour, Renmin Park, to experience the casual lifestyle of Chengdu people. Have a pot of tea and enjoy a relaxing time.
Day 9: Departure from Chengdu
Meals: Breakfast
After breakfast, please check out the hotel before 12:00 and find your own way to the airport for your flight. You can take a taxi to Chengdu airport directly, at costing about CNY100. Wish you a pleasant journey!
For your reference, we also offer extension private tours after this 9 days China itinerary. There are many highlights and famous sites in Sichuan worth your visiting, such as Leshan Giant Buddha and Mt. Emei, Jiuzhaigou Valley and Huanglong. Please drop us an email freely to let us know your preference, and we will be glad to be helpful with your vacation to China.
