- Highlights
- Itinerary
- Accommodation
- Inclusions/Exclusions
- Important Info
Highlights
Journey to Chengdu for a special adventure working as a panda keeper, then cruise the Yangtze River in style.
If you think pandas are cute, wait until you meet them in person working as a panda keeper at the world renowned Dujiangyan Panda Base. Follow the daily routine of the pandas and learn why people travel the world over to be with these beautiful creatures. Add to your Chengdu experience with a walk down local food and craft precinct, Jinli Street before traveling to Chongqing where you’ll embark on a relaxing three day river cruise along the Yangtze. Be impressed by the natural wonder of magnificent gorges, ancient ruins, idyllic mountainous countryside, and resilience of local people whose lives centre around the river. Finish your tour in Yichang where you can learn about the way the Three Gorges Dam has changed the significance of the Yangtze to so many. Including all accommodation (including onboard), English-speaking guides, all onboard meals and daily breakfasts in Chengdu, and the opportunity to experience two very special China experiences, you’ll appreciate the thoughtful way this tour has been curated. Ready to embark on a journey of a lifetime? Let’s take you there!
Itinerary
Day 1 – Arrive in Chengdu
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
Day 2 - Chengdu - Dujiangyan Panda Base - Chengdu 
Kick off your Chengdu adventure with a fantastic panda volunteer experience. Your guide will take you to the world-renowned Dujiangyan Panda Base where you’ll work as a panda keeper for the day. You will clean the working area, prepare bamboos, make panda’s favorite food of “Wowotou” (steamed corn buns), learn scientific facts about the pandas, and closely watch the keepers feeding and training the pandas. The panda keepers are very experienced and supervise your activities, with translation provided by your local guide. Of course you’ll want to take plenty of photos, especially with the certificate awarded to you as a memento from this very special experience. Take time to savor it all on the return trip to your Chengdu hotel.
Meals included: Breakfast
Tips:
1. Panda Keeper Program has an age limit from 8 years to 70 years. For children under 8 years who are accompanied by an adult, they can take the standard panda tour in the panda base, but not be able to be the panda volunteers due to the age restriction.
2. As a maximum of 60 keepers are allowed each day, it is advisable that you book the program at least two weeks before your departure. You will appreciate that sometimes adjustments may be made to the program due to pandas’ health condition. Accurate information about the program will be provided to you by our travel consultants as soon as we are advised.
3. Each Panda Keeper Program applicant must provide a Physical Examination Record prior to the commencement of the day’s activities.
4. Panda keepers are strongly advised to be guided by their supervisors and should approach the animals with extreme caution and only under supervision. Though pandas look gentle, they are animals and their behaviors can be unpredictable.
5. On the day working as the panda keepers, wear the pants and comfortable shoes with good traction. And should not apply perfume, nail polish, strong fragranced skincare, sunscreen, and insect repellent, because the pandas are very sensitive to smell.
Day 3 - Chengdu – Chongqing 
Check out of your hotel and be taken by your guide to Jinli Street. Lined with unique regional street food and artisans, you’ll find yourself immersed in typical local culture and have the opportunity to sample traditional food snacks and meet local craftsmen. The final stop for today allows you to enjoy some leisure time in Wangjiang Pavilion Park where you can amble among the rare bamboo groves and drink fragrant teas.
Then board the high speed train to travel from Chengdu to Chongqing. Upon arrival in Chongqing your local guide will meet you and take you through the Ciqikou Old Town if the travel schedule permits. Time to relax as you embark on your Yangtze River cruise, which weighs anchor at 9.30pm. With your safety foremost in mind, attendance at a safety, orientation and river briefing is required when you board the ship. For your first evening on board, enjoy watching the night lights of Chongqing go by from the ship’s deck.
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 4 - Yangtze River Cruise
A relaxed cruise is the ideal way to enjoy the scenery and history found on both sides of the river. Take advantage of the ship crew’s hospitality and learn about China’s longest river, which has inspired poets and peasants alike. The cruise has optional shore excursions at various sights of historical significance and today you can visit Fengdu Ghost City or Shibaozhai, depending on the water level and cruise company you are traveling with. The evening is the time to connect with other travelers and join the crew at the Captain's Welcome Party. Sit back and enjoy the Chinese folk dancing and music performance – or get up and be part of it!
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Note: Shore excursions may vary depending on different cruise lines. Please note that some are optional tours and not included in the total cruise price.
Day 5 - Yangtze River Cruise
Apart from its fame as the one of the world’s great rivers, the Yangtze is also famous for its magnificent gorges. With today’s cruising you’ll see Qutang Gorge and Wu Gorge. For those interested in getting even closer to the gorges, there is the chance to enjoy a small wooden boat trip on Shennv Stream. It’s the kind of experience which allows you to reflect on the strength and resilience of the local people who call the region home. Return to the ship and enter the western section of the Xiling Gorge, the last of the famous Three Gorges. In the evening, the cruise ship may pass through the massive ship locks if weather permits.
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 6 – Yichang and Departure
On your final day of cruising, you’ll disembark from the cruise boat at Maoping Pier in Yichang. A guided bus trip will educate you about the largest hydroelectric project in the world, the Three Gorges Dam. Locals are extremely proud of the design, construction, and industry which is now fundamental to their life and region. After the tour, you’ll be transferred by shuttle bus to the Yichang Three Gorges Tourism Center. Our guide will meet you here and together you’ll drive to the airport/train station for your departure flight or train.
Meals included: Breakfast
Note: Guests may also choose the optional tour when disembarking at Maoping Pier. Board a ferry and sail through TGP ship's elevator where you can enjoy a tour of the Three Gorges Dam, whlile your departure flight should be no earlier than 3pm to guarantee the optional tour. Arrangements for this tour are to be made onboard the cruise prior to disembarking.
Travel Note: We love helping our customers make the most of their available travel time. Need helping planning your next destination? We can help. With a network that extends all over China, we can take care of every detail and arrange your departure train or flight from Yichang – or anywhere else while you’re in China. Kindly note a surcharge will apply.
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: high speed train of Chengdu/Chongqing (First class seat for Luxury tours; second class seat for Superior tours) and Yangtze River cruise ship.
- 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 Yichang
- 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
FOR 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.
- Any city not included in the existing tour package can be blended into as Custom tour.
OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION
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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 and visa processing times.
From November 30, 2024 to December 31, 2025, ordinary passport holders from 38 countries can be exempted from Visa to enter China and stay for no more than 30 days for business, tourism, family visit, exchange visit and transit purposes. Those who do not meet the purposes of visit and time limit for visa free policy are still required to apply for Visas to China.
List of 38 countries: France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, Malaysia, Switzerland, Ireland, Hungary, Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg, New Zealand, Australia, Poland, Portugal, Greece, Cyprus, Slovenia, Slovakia, Norway, Finland, Denmark, Iceland, Andorra, Monaco, Liechtenstein, Republic of Korea, Bulgaria, Romania, Croatia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Malta, Estonia, Latvia, Japan and Negara Brunei Darussalam.
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.
Mervyn with China Tours was a fabulous tour guide.
