8-Day Chengdu-Gulin-Zhangjiajie Tour
Highlights
Awaken your love of all things natural when you take this scenic 8 day tour visiting Chengdu, Guilin, and Zhangjiajie. Commence your adventure in Chengdu where you’ll have a memorable panda experience by visiting the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding. Travel from Chengdu to Guilin, home to some of China’s most recognizable scenery in the karst stone mountains that are local to the region. Enjoy a half day relaxing cruise along the Li River and then overnight in rustic Yangshuo, a welcome reprieve from China’s big city bustle. Fly from Guilin to Zhangjiajie where even more awe-inspiring landscapes await. Here you’ll feel like you’re touching the sky as you explore Zhangjiajie National Park and its natural wonders, the sky-high landforms. You’ll be in no doubt as to why this beautiful location formed the backdrop for the hugely successful Avatar film. Scale unprecedented heights when you ride the Bailong Elevator, walk through the Yuanjiajie Scenic Area, and explore Tianmen Cave. Including 7 days accommodation in four or five star hotels, transfers, daily breakfasts, the chance to experience some of the world’s most spectacular natural views and landscapes, and connect with gorgeous pandas, this is a truly special China tour for the traveler who wants an authentic encounter with nature they will treasure always.
Itinerary
Arrive in Chengdu, the world’s capital of pandas, where you’ll be greeted enthusiastically by your local guide. While the Giant Panda is the drawcard in Chengdu, there is so much more to this city. On the way to your hotel, be introduced to the aliveness of Chengdu and hear a little of what’s in store during your visit. Once checked in at your hotel, enjoy free time to relax or explore. Remember, if you’re wanting to get out and about, talk to your guide. They’re happy to help and point you in the right direction.
Meals included: None
Your driver and guide will pick you up from the hotel to travel to the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Pandas. There you will learn the origin and habits of these amazing bears, see baby pandas at play in the infant area and delivery room and gain an insight into the daily life of these amazing creatures. Wonderful photo opportunities abound to record your unique experience with such rare pandas. Be further amazed with a walk down Jinli Street. Savor 2,000 years of commerce in the market where you can try different kinds of Sichuan food and snacks, buy various local crafts and bargain like the locals. Take a leisurely stroll exploring the Wangjiang Pavilion Park with its cluster of centuries old pavilions and memorials and wander the bamboo groves cultivating a vast variety of species. Get a real taste of Chengdu style leisure when you relax in a teahouse with a cup of tea. The driver and guide will return you to your hotel.
Meals included: Breakfast
Commence the day by checking out of your hotel and then be accompanied by your guide to Chengdu Airport for the flight to Guilin. On arrival in Guilin, you’ll be met by your local guide and start your tour at Elephant Trunk Hill, a well-known natural landmark in Guilin that attracts locals and travelers alike for its uncanny resemblance to an elephant standing in the water. You’ll then be taken to to the beautifully eerie Reed Flute Cave, , famous for its ancient stalactite formations and modern clever lighting used to profile the unusual shapes which form the basis of clever imaginings from local people. Conclude the day with a visit to Seven Star Park, where you’ll view mural of significance highlighting the many inventions and creativity which have emerged from China over millenia. Once checked in to your hotel, you are free to relax for the remainder of the day.
Meals included: Breakfast
Today enjoy more of Guilin’s natural appeal with a leisurely cruise on the Li River after checking out from your hotel. Leave with your guide from Mopanshan Pier and wind back time as you float past the magical Guilin landscape of karst mountains until you reach Yangshuo. On arrival, appreciate the slower pace and rustic feel of this smaller rural town (by China’s standards). Enjoy a free night and dine with the locals on West Street.
Meals included: Breakfast and lunch
Note: Although lunch is included in the Li River cruise ticket, your local guide can help you arrange an alternative before boarding the boat if you’d prefer.
After breakfast, you will be driven back to the airport in Guilin to board your flight to Zhangjiajie. On arrival, you will be picked up and escorted to the hotel by your local guide. The rest of the day is free for you to explore and relax.
Meals included: Breakfast
Today you’ll discover why Zhangjiajie has inspired both modern and ancient poets and artists with your adventure here commencing when you visit the famous Zhangjiajie National Forest Park. Gain an eagle’s perspective when you ascend the Bailong Elevator, built into the side of a cliff and reaching 326 meters into the sky. Consider the highest and fastest elevator in the world, the Bailong Elevator is a highlight in every sense of the word. Dig deep and summon the courage to step up enjoy a unique and thrilling perspective that is enhanced further once you arrive at the the Yuanjiajie Scenic Area, located in the northwest of Zhangjiajie. This is glorious and inspiring landscape where many beautiful – and film-worthy – landmarks can be found. Here you’ll find the No. 1 Natural Bridge under Heaven, which was used for the design of Hallelujah Mountains in the famous film Avatar. During your visit you’ll also become familiar with other iconic karst landscapes that conjure up ancient tales of Chinese tragedy and triumph. Follow this exploration with further adventure when you’re driven to the Tianzi n Mountain Nature Reserve. It’s here you’ll find more of the region’s exquisite landscape and landmarks: Helong Park, Xihai Stone Forest, Fairy Offering Flowers, and the Imperial Brush Peak. For an altogether different experience, you’ll make the two kilometer journey down the mountain with a ride on the Tianzi Mountain Cable Car. Wrap up the day’s expedition with a small train ride that provides a memorable view of the misty karst landscape found at Ten-mile Gallery in the Suoxigu Valley. Unwind on the return trip to your hotel where you can relax and reflect on the beautiful travel memories you’ve made today.
Meals included: Breakfast
Note: Please be aware that if the cable car is not available, the Bailong Elevator will be taken to descend the mountain instead of the Tianzi Mountain Cable Car.
Discover more of the uniqueness synonymous with Zhangjiajie today when you visit Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon. After breakfast, you’ll be collected and driven 30 minutes to the canyon which is a natural landform museum combining mountains, valleys, streams, cliffs and forests. As with so many highlights in the area, the ability to get up close means either ascending or descending. The latter is necessary for today’s trek as you descend to the bottom of the canyon via the steep One Line Sky. Here you’ll take a walk to Shenquan Lake, where you may have a chance to enjoy a boat ride on the water and take in the exquisite scenery. One Line Sky is a narrow, steep path surrounded by cliffs from which the sky seems to become small. Enjoy the opportunity to touch the grand perpendicular cliffs and fantastic natural beauty of Zhangjiajie. For the adventurous, a walk on the transparent Glass Bridge makes for a thrilling experience. Located at 300 meters above the ground with a transparent glass bottom, a bridge walk here will provide ample material for travel stories on your return home. Giving that sense you are walking in the sky, the vantage point of the Glass Bridges means you can overlook the steep cliffs, lush mountains and clear waters of the Grand Canyon. Finish up the day’s touring when you return to your hotel and reflect on the sights you’ve seen.
Meals included: Breakfast
Note: For tourists with concerns about heights, we recommend avoiding the Glass Bridge walk.
The skyscraping theme continues today when you visit Tianmen Mountain. Breathtaking is the only way to describe the view you’ll absorb as scale the mountain traveling aboard the world’s longest cable car. Disembark and immediately feel the adrenaline of walking the glass Sky Walk – a glass bottomed walkway perched at 1430 meters above the ground – offering astonishing views. A truly heart-stopping experience, you’ll then take the escalator through the mountain to Tianmen Cave, a huge naturally formed hole crossing the cliff of the mountain. Here you’ll feel compelled to capture the memory by taking photos of the stunning natural landscape and the 999 steps leading to the foot of the Cave. Ride the escalator down to the resting area and finish the Tianmen Mountain trip with a shuttle bus ride to the parking lot. Today’s activities the tour conclude when you are transferred to the airport for your departure flight.
Meals included: Breakfast
Note: Alternative travel arrangements can be made for those preferring to travel by shuttle bus up the mountain and cable car down the mountain. Please liaise with your guide to make this change.
Travel Note: We love helping our customers make the most of their available travel time. Need assistance planning your next destination? We can help with that too. Our travel network spans every corner of China and South East Asia. With connections like that we can take care of every detail. Kindly note that assistance with travel arrangements will incur a surcharge.
Accommodation
Inclusions / Exclusions
Inclusions:
- Admission fees: to sightseeing spots and activities specified
- Accommodation: hotels based on double/twin occupancy as specified
- Meals: as specified in the itinerary
- Tour guide: excellent private English-speaking guide
- Transportation: Economy class domestic flights between Chengdu/Guilin/Zhangjiajie
- Transfers: land transfer with drivers as specified
- Travel Agency Liability Insurance during the tour
- Government taxes and fees.
Exclusions:
- International/domestic flights and trains to Chengdu/from Zhangjiajie
- China visa fees
- Gratuities to guides and drivers and any expense of a personal nature
- Our tour package does not include travel insurance. Please purchase travel insurance before your trip to protect for any unforeseen circumstances.
Important Information
- Important information – PRIVATE TOUR
- This is a private tour for your group of family or friends. There will be no other travellers in the group apart from you.It’s always available for your schedule!
- Smart casual dress and comfortable walking shoes are recommended
- Prices based on twin occupancy.
- The prices shown are not valid during China’s Official Holidays (such as National Day and Chinese Spring Festival).
- The tour guide may adjust the itinerary due to closure of the museums each Monday.
- Optional tours to Suzhou, Hangzhou or nearby Watertown, and other destinations are also available
- Any city not included in the existing tour package can be blended into as Private tour.
- Entering and exiting China from Hong Kong and Taipei are also available.
- Stays at entering and exiting cities (Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong and Taipei) can be extended.
Important information – FOR SMALL GROUP TOUR
- This is a small group tour with fixed itinerary and guaranteed departures.
You’ll travel with other like-minded people. - Smart casual dress and comfortable walking shoes are recommended.
- The tour guide may adjust the itinerary due to closure of the museums on each Monday
- A transfer from your hotel to Hongqiao or Pudong Airport in Shanghai is available upon request at a surcharge.
- Stays at entering and exiting cities (Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong and Taipei) can be extended.
- Prices based on twin occupancy.
- The prices shown are not valid during China’s Official Holidays (such as National Day and Chinese Spring Festival).
- The maximum number of passengers in a small group tour is 12 people.
OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Booking Information
After purchase, you will receive a receipt and a Purchase Confirmation email with a Passenger Information Form. The Passenger Information Form must be completed within 72 hours of the purchase.Any special requests, preferences and optional extras MUST be clearly stated in your Passenger Information Form. Any change requested after submitting your Passenger Information Form cannot be guaranteed, is strictly subject to availability and will incur surcharges as outlined in the Schedule of Fees below.
On purchasing this tour product, you are bound by the General Terms and Conditions, in addition to the specific terms and conditions outlined in this Important Information.
Surcharges
Please note: online credit card payment and PayPal payments incur surcharges.Tour Start Dates
Private and custom tours can be scheduled to commence on any day. Multi-day small group tours start on set dates as indicated in the booking calendar for the specific tour.Cities for Commencement of Tours
Beijing is the city in which multi-day small group tours start. Multi-day tours with set itineraries booked as a private tour, commence in Beijing, unless otherwise arranged with ChinaTours.com. Tours booked as custom tours can start in any destination listed on the ChinaTours.com website.Flights
Full service flights included, where applicable. For international flights: full service flights included only if tour includes travel to/from Hong Kong, Taiwan, North Korea, or as part of Indochina tour packages. Domestic flights included as part of a tour package are provided by select Chinese domestic airlines. Flight carrier will be specified in itinerary provided on finalization of booking. Note: the maximum baggage allowance for domestic in China is 20 kilograms for economy class domestic flights, 30 kilograms for business class, and 40 kilograms for first class. Flight class upgrades are available on request at an additional charge.High Speed Trains
First class seat for five star (Luxury) tour packages and second class seat for four star (Superior) tour packages.High Speed Train Seat Upgrades
Seat upgrades are available on high speed trains on request at an additional charge and subject to availability. A limited number of first class seats are available on high speed trains. ChinaTours.com cannot guarantee high speed train seat upgrades due to third party or supplier’s shortage.Destination Transfer
Transfers from airport to hotel provided as air-conditioned vehicle with driver.Post Tour Airport Transfer
At the completion of your tour, a transfer service from your hotel to Hongqiao or Pudong Airport can be arranged on request. Additional charges apply.Arrive Early
Accommodation options for early arrival prior to commencement of tour are available. Bookings can be made online prior to checkout or arrangements can be made with a ChinaTours.com travel consultant.Stay Behind
Accommodation options for stay behind after completion of tour are available. Bookings can be made online prior to checkout or arrangements can be made with a ChinaTours.com travel consultant.Tour Guide
All ChinaTours.com tour guides are bilingual speakers with intimate knowledge of an area/city, its culture, history, people, and food, which they will share on tour. ChinaTours.com does not operate commission-based shopping tours which means our tour guides do not receive commissions for commission-based shopping stops. Small group and private tour groups of 1-2 (<3) people will be provided with a guide/driver rather than a driver and a guide.Small Group Size
The maximum number of passengers in a multi-day small group tour is 12 people.Optional Tours/Activities
Optional tour activities are available on request. Please contact ChinaTours.com directly to customize your optional tour activities and destinations.Accommodation
ChinaTours.com selects international four star and five star hotels located in the inner city centre. In small, regional destinations, ChinaTours.com selects the best available hotel.Bedding Configuration
Bedding included in accommodation is double or twin bedding (subject to availability). Special arrangements available on request; additional charges may apply due to third party or hotel request.Adjoining/Interconnecting Rooms
Adjoining/Interconnecting rooms are available subject to passenger’s request. Additional charges may apply due to third party or hotel request.Child/Infant Policy
Pricing for child and infant can be quoted separately.
Infant price is valid for children 0 to 2 years. Child price is valid for children aged 2 to 11 years. Adult pricing apply for passengers aged 12 years and over. Children must be accompanied by a responsible adult aged 18 years or over. No unaccompanied minors allowed.Meals
All breakfast included. Lunch and dinner are excluded allowing passengers to make their own selection for lunch and dinner. Breakfast, lunch and dinner provided on the Yangtze River Cruise only. Lunch provided on the Li River Cruise. Local guides can be consulted to provide recommendations and assist with eating arrangements on request.Passport
Customers are required to provide valid passport details either at the time of purchase or within 72 hours of purchase. Failure to do so may result in cancellation of the booking. In this instance customers will be responsible for any costs and fees incurred.
Passport validity should be at least six months for entering China.Visas
A tourist visa for China is a strict requirement if travelling on a foreign passport.
Please make arrangements for your visa as soon as you receive your documentation to account for any delays due to consulate operating hours.Gratuities/Tipping
Gratuities (tips) for services of the tour guide and driver throughout the tour are not included in the tour package price.Insurance
ChinaTours.com tour packages do not include travel insurance. We strongly recommend purchase of comprehensive travel insurance prior to departure to provide for any unforeseen circumstances.Schedule of Fees
For changes to travel arrangements:- First change – No charge.
- For all subsequent changes – USD50.
- Any charges applied by a third party (for example, airline, cruise company, accommodation provider, other travel provider) cannot be waived.
Cancellation
For China tour Packages, ChinaTours.com charges cancellation fees at a percentage of the total tour package price, which are stated as follows:- More than 60 days prior to tour start date: 15 percent cancellation fee
- 45 – 59 days prior to tour start date: 20 percent cancellation fee
- 30 – 44 days prior to tour start date: 30 percent cancellation fee
- 15 – 29 days prior to tour start date: 50 percent cancellation fee
- Within 14 days prior to tour start date: 100 percent cancellation fee
Any charges applied by a third party (for example, airline, cruise company, accommodation provider, other travel provider, credit card fee, bank fee) cannot be waived.
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