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The 15 Day Kung Fu Panda- Beijing to Hong Kong highlights include Beijing, Forbidden City, Great Wall, Shaolin Temple, Longmen Grottoes, Xi’an, Terracotta Warriors, Chengdu, Panda, Yangshuo, Bike ride and Hong Kong.

Days 1-4 Beijing
Your trip starts today with your arrival in Beijing. No activities are planned, so arrive early if you can, as there is plenty to see. There will be a pre-tour briefing with your tour leader late in the afternoon. Please note that your Tour Leader will collect the Local Payment during your group meeting so be sure to take the 250 US dollars to the meeting along with your travel insurance details. Please bring new USD notes/bills in large denominations. Please see the noticeboard in the hotel reception for details.

Beijing is abundant in cultural and historical sites. The vast Forbidden City, built nearly 600 years ago and off limits to citizens for almost all that time, is a truly amazing place. The size might surprise you (it is huge!), but what makes it fascinating is that every square metre is interesting, ranging from intricately carved walkways to colourful, painted ceilings. A visit to China is not complete without walking along the Great Wall. We will travel to Simatai Great Wall, a largely unrestored and, as such, more authentic section of the famous wall, not crowded with hordes of other tourists. Climbing up this incredible man-made engineer and surveying the spectacular surrounding countryside is an unforgettable experience. There is also ample free time in the itinerary, allowing you to make your own discoveries and explorations. Temple of Heaven and Summer Palace are two other fine examples of extraordinary workmanship and architecture. In the evening, you have the chance to enjoy a performance of the unique Beijing Opera or Kongfu Show (optional).

We leave Beijing on the overnight train in Day 4, travelling in the sleeper train to Zhengzhou. You can either purchase dinner on the train or buy some food prior to boarding. We stay in six-berth air-conditioned cabins that have an open and relaxed feel about them. A blanket, sheets and a pillow are provided, although some people may wish to bring their own inner sheet. The 8-hour trip is a great opportunity for our group to get to know each other and is a great way to mix with the locals and practise your Chinese-language skills.

Day 5-7 Shaolin
We will arrive at Zhengzhou in the early morning, and then catch the bus to Shaolin Temple, home to the famous Kungfu schools and ancient Buddhist temple with very powerful monks. We will stay at the guesthouse of the Kongfu school nearby, and have the opportunity to watch the practice of the Kongfu students. At night we can take a leisurely walk in the surrounding mountains with a local guide to tell us about the area.

We will take the bus to Luoyang in the morning of Day 6. We will go to visit Longmen Grottoes in the afternoon. Longmen Grottoes is one of the top three Buddhist grottoes in China with more than 2,300 caves and 100,000 statues. Originally it was carved during the Norther Wei Dynasty, and it came to its climax during the Tang Dynasty when Queen Wuzetian believed in Buddhism and promoted Buddhism in the country.

Day 7 in the morning we take the train heading to Xi’an.

Days 8-9 Xi’an
Xian topped the other ancient capital cities in China. Many wonderful places are on your exploration list. Food options are excellent here as well, ranging from delicious Muslim fare to great little dumplings in local restaurants. Widely known as the first capital of a united China in 221 BC, the city is the deep root of Chinese history. A half-day tour to the renowned Terracotta Warriors shows us to these unearthed pottery statues, considered one of the most important archaeological finds of the 20th Century. Over 6,000 of them were individually sculpted from clay, each having a different costume, height, even facial expression. They are standing in battle formation, facing east in order to protect the tomb of China's first Emperor, the great Qin Shi Huang Di. These soldiers were accidentally discovered by local farmers in 1974. A free day can easily be spent wandering the narrow streets among the Muslim quarter where we find quaint shops, lively markets, groups of white-bearded men in skull caps sipping tea in dingy cafes. For those who are interested in history, please do not miss Shaanxi History Museum, which introduces you the total history of Chinese civilization. Other places you may visit include Bell Tower, Drum Tower, City Wall and Big Wild Goose Pagoda, a famous Buddhist temple.

On day 9 we leave Xi'an mid-afternoon on an overnight train bound for the capital of Sichuan Province, Chengdu (approximately 16 hours).

Days 10-11 Chengdu-Yangshuo
Chengdu is the capital of south-west Sichuan Province. Sichuan is known for its hot, spicy dishes, considered by the Chinese as the best cuisine within China. After our overnight train journey, this afternoon is an opportunity to relax and an appropriate way of doing this is to simply sit on a bamboo chair at the teahouse in Renmin Park, sipping tea and watching the world go by. There is often an ear-picker with cotton buds wandering around, if you feel the need! A stroll to Wenshu Temple will take you past beggars, children, tourists, fortune-tellers and fireworks sellers. This is an active and noisy place of worship.

We depart Chengdu in the morning of Day 11 and visit the Giant Panda Breeding Research Base situated near the city. The giant panda is one of the world’s most endangered species and has become Chinese national treasures and an icon for conservation movements everywhere. It is still found in parts of the Sichuan province, but is very difficult to spot in the wild. We take the afternoon flight to Guilin, then bus to Yangshuo.

Days 12-13 Yangshuo
Yangshuo, a place nestled amongst the imposing limestone karst formations that have inspired poets and painters for centuries. This small town is a haven for back-packers and here we stay in a delightful local style hotel.

Day 12 we take a half-day bike ride through the surrounding countryside to gain an insight into rural life in South China and have a scrumptious lunch in a local restaurant at the foot of Moon Hill. It is also a wonderful area for exploring individually, as every turn in the road brings you to another picture-postcard location- this is why Yangshuo is the favorite with PANDA travellers. A boat trip on the Li River to the surrounding town is an option to consider in your free time.

Day 13 we bus to Guilin to the overnight train to Guangzhou.

Days 14-15 Hong Kong
Arriving in Guangzhou in the morning, we head to the ferry terminal and catch the hydrofoil to Hong Kong. There is just so much to see and do in Hong Kong. You can take a funicular ride up to Victoria Peak and enjoy magnificent views over the city, wander through the Stanley Market or just shop until you drop! On our last night we can get together for a group dinner or go out and enjoy some of the many bars and nightclubs around town. Every evening there is a spectacular Sound and Light Show on the skyscrapers of Hong Kong Island - 8:00 to 8:20pm. Check with your hotel reception for details. Be warned - after Mainland China, you will not find Hong Kong a cheap city!

Our trip ends in Hong Kong on Day 15. Checkout time is usually around 12 Noon; however you are free to leave at any time in the morning. If you are a first-time visitor to Hong Kong, it is recommended that you extend your stay to further explore this exciting city. A journey up to the top of Victoria Peak on the famous Peak Tram is a good introduction to Hong Kong. Additional accommodation can be arranged on request. The hotel staff will be on hand to advise you how to get to the airport.