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Gems of China

16 days Fully Inclusive Classic Group Tour

China Visa Free

Gems of China

Uncover the ancient, modern, and natural gems on this all-encompassing tour of China's must-see sights and unforgettable experiences.

Marvel at China’s most incredible landscapes, from the sweeping views atop the mighty Great Wall, to the impressive Three Gorges onboard your 3-night Yangtze River cruise, and the soaring peaks that inspired the blockbuster film 'Avatar' at Zhangjiajie National Park. Immerse yourself in the local culture of Xian's Muslim Quarter, feast your eyes and taste buds on dumplings with a side of Tang Dynasty dancing, and get to know the nation's favourite bear at Chengdu's Panda Conservation Centre.

  • Fully Inclusive
    Touring with Guides and entrance fees
  • Included Meals
    Breakfasts: 14 , Lunches: 13 , Dinners: 14
  • Flights
    International flights and current taxes
  • Accommodation
    14 nights in 4 star accommodation
  • Cruise
    Yangtze River Cruise, Huangpu River Cruise
  • Group Tour
    Max Group Size: 28
  • Physical Rating 2
    A reasonable level of fitness is required, as you'll be spending time on your feet and doing a bit of walking to cover short distances during your daily sightseeing. There will also be some climbing of steps and climbing on and off of coaches and boats.
    Learn More
    Walking, some steps and extended time on your feet.
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Classic Group Tour
16 DAYS
From $7,280PP
Beijing (3N) - Xian (2N) - Chengdu (1N) - Yangtze River Cruise (3N) - Zhangjiajie (2N) - Shanghai (2N)
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Tour Highlights

Our Gems of China tour will see you exploring the most iconic sites, delving into deep-rooted culture and dining on delicious cuisine and thoroughly researched to bring you a range of once-in-a-lifetime experiences, many of which are entirely exclusive to us.

Upgrade your flight to a Business Class experience
on this tour on selected 2025 departures
 
One way from just $399pp
Return from $1,399pp

Day by Day Itinerary

Beijing (3N) - Xian (2N) - Chengdu (1N) - Yangtze River Cruise (3N) - Zhangjiajie (2N) - Shanghai (2N)
  • Day 1
    Fly to Beijing
    Dinner
    Day 1: Fly to Beijing

    Fly to to Beijing, China's historical capital. Depending on your time of arrival, the rest of the day is yours to start soaking up the local culture.

    Dinner
  • Day 2
    Beijing
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    Day 2: Beijing

    This morning head to Beijing's symbolic heart, Tiananmen Square, where you will discover the magnificence of the Forbidden City and find a complex full of imperial treasures. Take a leisurely stroll through the narrow alleys of the warren-like hutongs and learn more about living in this traditional area. Later, soak up the harmonious ambience of the Temple of Heaven. In the evening, sit down to enjoy the local delicacy, Peking duck.

    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Day 3
    Beijing
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    Day 3: Beijing

    This morning is dedicated to China's most iconic sight – the Great Wall. Taking a walk on this incredible structure is the best way to appreciate the sheer magnificence of the wall and the dramatic scenery that surrounds it. Visit a jade factory, where you will be able to buy a small handcrafted piece. Jade is revered throughout China and is said to bring fortune and prosperity to those who wear it. Spend the afternoon at the idyllic Summer Palace, strolling through traditional Chinese gardens and seeing the exquisite architecture.

    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Day 4
    Beijing - Xian
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    Day 4: Beijing - Xian

    Travel by bullet train to Xian, China's ancient former capital. Take a walking tour of the narrow and winding streets of the lively Muslim Quarter and gain an insight into the city's fascinating culture and significance as the start of the Silk Road. In the evening, enjoy a dumpling feast and an exuberant Tang Dynasty dancing show.

    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Day 5
    Xian
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    Day 5: Xian

    After their fortuitous discovery in the 1970s, the Terracotta Army of China's first emperor, Qin Shi Huang, has intrigued visitors ever since. Spend the morning viewing the enigmatic ranks of these life-size warriors and visit the Xian Art Ceramics and Lacquer Workshop. Later, take a stroll on the beautifully preserved ancient city walls that enclose Xian's old town.

    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Day 6
    Xian - Chengdu
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    Day 6: Xian - Chengdu

    Board the bullet train to Chengdu, the capital of the Sichuan province. Take a stroll through People's Park to see Matchmaker's Corner, where parents search for suitable partners for their children.

    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Day 7
    Chengdu - Yangtze River Cruise
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    Day 7: Chengdu - Yangtze River Cruise

    Visit Chengdu's famous Panda Conservation Centre to see and learn about China's celebrated bears up close in surroundings that mirror their natural habitat. A look around the informative museum gives an overview of the reserve's breeding programme. Later, drive to Chongqing where you will board your Yangtze River Cruise.

    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Days 8-9
    Yangtze River Cruise
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    Day 8-9: Yangtze River Cruise

    As you cruise downstream, nature takes over, revealing some of the world's most dramatic scenery including the Three Gorges themselves. Over the next two days, prepare for one breathtaking panorama after another. Enjoy various shore excursions as well as a side trip to Goddess or Shennong Stream. This is a chance to get a glimpse of life on the river banks.

    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Day 10
    Three Gorges Dam - Zhangjiajie
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    Day 10: Three Gorges Dam - Zhangjiajie

    Visit the Three Gorges Dam, the largest hydroelectric dam in the world. Appreciate the scale of this hydroelectric project from the viewing area and visit the small museum. Disembark your Yangtze River Cruise and drive to Zhangjiajie, a scenic area of over 3,000 sandstone pillars, rising from misty folds of subtropical forest and cloaked in vibrant green vegetation.

    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Day 11
    Zhangjaijie
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    Day 11: Zhangjaijie

    A scenic area of over 3,000 sandstone pillars, rising from misty folds of subtropical forest and cloaked in vibrant green vegetation, Zhangjiajie is a triumph of nature. Begin your explorations with a ride up the remarkable Bailong glass elevator. Embedded into the mountain, the elevator soars up the mountain side to a towering height of 326 metres in just two minutes. Soak up the amazing views from the top before taking a cable car back down to earth. Later, visit the Ten-Mile Natural Gallery with a ride on the scenic train. End the day with a scenic sampan cruise on Lake Baofeng, a turquoise expanse of water amongst picturesques karst scenery.

    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Day 12
    Zhangjiajie
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    Day 12: Zhangjiajie

    Explore the colourful stalagmites and stalactites of the Huanglong Cave. Then brace yourself for an exhilarating walk across Zhangjiajie's Glass Bridge, the world's longest glass-bottomed bridge stretching 430-metres over the Grand Canyon.

    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Day 13
    Zhangjiajie - Shanghai
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    Day 13: Zhangjiajie - Shanghai

    Soar up the heights of Tianmen Mountain by cable car which, at seven kilometres, is China's longest. At the summit, marvel at Tianmen Cave, nicknamed 'Heaven's Door', reached b y 999 steep steps, and take a thrilling walk along a glass skywalk, aptly named the 'Walk of Faith'. Transfer to the airport for your evening flight to Shanghai.

    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Day 14
    Shanghai
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    Day 14: Shanghai

    Today we visit the peaceful Yu Gardens and the atmospheric alleys of the old town. Admire the magnificent colonial architecture with a stroll along the historical waterfront Bund, before visiting the Silk Factory. This evening, view the city from the Huangpu River on a panoramic cruise, before sampling some traditional Shanghainese cuisine.

    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Days 15-16
    Depart Shanghai
    Breakfast
    Day 15-16: Depart Shanghai

    Fly to Australia, arriving home the same or following day.

    Breakfast
Gems of China map

Download Tour Dossier & Trip Notes

Accommodation

We draw from a wide range of hotels on our holidays, each one is chosen to suit the tour you are travelling on meaning your accommodation can range from a smart business hotel in one city to a family run guesthouse in a smaller town. Here are some examples of the type of hotel you can expect to find on this tour.

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When to go

The best times to visit China are in spring, April to May and autumn, September to October, when the days are warm and rainfall and humidity low.

City
Min
Average Temperate(°C)
Max
Monthly Rainfall(mm)
  • Beijing
  • -8
    2
    -3
  • 3
  • Chengdu
  • 3
    9
    6
  • 8
  • Shanghai
  • 2
    8
    5
  • 74
  • Xian
  • -4
    5
    0
  • 7
  • Zhangjiajie
  • 0
    7
    4
  • 35
City
Min
Average Temperate(°C)
Max
Monthly Rainfall(mm)
  • Beijing
  • -6
    5
    0
  • 5
  • Chengdu
  • 5
    11
    8
  • 12
  • Shanghai
  • 4
    10
    7
  • 59
  • Xian
  • -1
    8
    4
  • 10
  • Zhangjiajie
  • 2
    9
    6
  • 50
City
Min
Average Temperate(°C)
Max
Monthly Rainfall(mm)
  • Beijing
  • 0
    12
    6
  • 8
  • Chengdu
  • 8
    16
    12
  • 20
  • Shanghai
  • 7
    14
    10
  • 94
  • Xian
  • 4
    14
    9
  • 29
  • Zhangjiajie
  • 6
    14
    10
  • 92
City
Min
Average Temperate(°C)
Max
Monthly Rainfall(mm)
  • Beijing
  • 8
    20
    14
  • 21
  • Chengdu
  • 13
    22
    17
  • 44
  • Shanghai
  • 12
    20
    16
  • 74
  • Xian
  • 10
    21
    15
  • 43
  • Zhangjiajie
  • 11
    20
    16
  • 167
City
Min
Average Temperate(°C)
Max
Monthly Rainfall(mm)
  • Beijing
  • 14
    26
    20
  • 34
  • Chengdu
  • 17
    26
    22
  • 78
  • Shanghai
  • 17
    25
    21
  • 84
  • Xian
  • 14
    26
    20
  • 60
  • Zhangjiajie
  • 16
    24
    20
  • 218
City
Min
Average Temperate(°C)
Max
Monthly Rainfall(mm)
  • Beijing
  • 19
    30
    24
  • 78
  • Chengdu
  • 20
    28
    24
  • 107
  • Shanghai
  • 22
    28
    25
  • 182
  • Xian
  • 19
    31
    25
  • 54
  • Zhangjiajie
  • 20
    27
    24
  • 243
City
Min
Average Temperate(°C)
Max
Monthly Rainfall(mm)
  • Beijing
  • 22
    31
    26
  • 185
  • Chengdu
  • 22
    30
    26
  • 224
  • Shanghai
  • 26
    32
    29
  • 146
  • Xian
  • 22
    32
    27
  • 99
  • Zhangjiajie
  • 22
    31
    26
  • 193
City
Min
Average Temperate(°C)
Max
Monthly Rainfall(mm)
  • Beijing
  • 21
    30
    25
  • 160
  • Chengdu
  • 22
    30
    26
  • 201
  • Shanghai
  • 26
    32
    29
  • 214
  • Xian
  • 21
    31
    26
  • 71
  • Zhangjiajie
  • 22
    31
    26
  • 155
City
Min
Average Temperate(°C)
Max
Monthly Rainfall(mm)
  • Beijing
  • 15
    26
    20
  • 46
  • Chengdu
  • 19
    25
    22
  • 119
  • Shanghai
  • 22
    28
    25
  • 87
  • Xian
  • 16
    25
    21
  • 92
  • Zhangjiajie
  • 18
    26
    22
  • 108
City
Min
Average Temperate(°C)
Max
Monthly Rainfall(mm)
  • Beijing
  • 8
    19
    14
  • 22
  • Chengdu
  • 15
    21
    18
  • 35
  • Shanghai
  • 17
    23
    20
  • 56
  • Xian
  • 10
    20
    15
  • 60
  • Zhangjiajie
  • 13
    21
    17
  • 111
City
Min
Average Temperate(°C)
Max
Monthly Rainfall(mm)
  • Beijing
  • 0
    10
    5
  • 7
  • Chengdu
  • 10
    16
    13
  • 16
  • Shanghai
  • 11
    17
    14
  • 52
  • Xian
  • 3
    12
    8
  • 24
  • Zhangjiajie
  • 8
    15
    12
  • 69
City
Min
Average Temperate(°C)
Max
Monthly Rainfall(mm)
  • Beijing
  • -6
    4
    -1
  • 3
  • Chengdu
  • 4
    11
    8
  • 5
  • Shanghai
  • 5
    11
    8
  • 44
  • Xian
  • -2
    6
    2
  • 6
  • Zhangjiajie
  • 3
    10
    6
  • 35

Pricing & Availability

All of our tour departures include international flights and taxes in the price unless a land only option is selected

2024
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Departure: All
  • Departure: All
1 Room, 2 Guests
  • 1 Room, 2 Guests
  • 1 Room, 1 Guest
    Depart AUStart Date
    Return DateEnd Date
    Price
    Availability

    Additional Price Information

    • Flight Inclusive rates only: These include airline fuel surcharge and taxes. Correct as of 1 June 2024. Please note supplements may apply if lead in economy rates are not available.
    • Customary tipping amount of approximately RMB875pp (AU$190pp) is paid locally in China.
    • Extra nights' accommodation (pre or post tour) or stopovers may be required at an additional cost.
    • Flight Inclusive rates only: Based on departures from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide & Perth. Departures from other cities and flight upgrades available on request.
    • Price listed is based on new bookings only

    Group Tour includes

    • International flights and current taxes
    • 4* accommodation
    • Domestic transportation
    • Touring with guides and entrance fees
    • All meals

    Important Information For Your Tour

    Before Booking
    Travel Protection, Booking Conditions
    and more
    Before you go
    Passports & Visas, Travel Guides & Packing Lists, Holiday FAQ’s and more

    What our Customers Say

    Rated 4.6 out of 5 based on 5462 reviews

    Booking Experience for Gems of China
    The booking experience online was very simple and easy to do. I haven't been on the tour yet but hope that goes just as smoothly!
    Aug 11, 2024
    Booking Experience for Gems of China , Japan Uncovered
    Excellent service when we booked our 2nd holiday with you[ a back to back tour ].
    We booked with Arti Gondola.
    Jul 12, 2024
    Booking Experience for Gems of China , Japan Uncovered
    Excellent service when we booked our 2nd holiday with you[ a back to back tour ].
    We booked with Arti Gondola.
    Jul 12, 2024

    Our Award-Winning Guides

    Meet George
    Meet George

    I am optimistic, easy going and dedicated. I know China and I am excited to share my knowledge with you; you are part of my family when you come to China. To know more about the fast-developing country, China and its super long history and tradition, come and join us Wendy Wu Tours. I promise you will reach home culturally fully loaded and ready to go again.

    George was exceptional in his care of us all, nothing was too much trouble, he genuinely cared that we were having a great holiday. His knowledge and that of the local guides at each province gave us great insight into the history of the location and various sightseeing spectacles we were there to see.
    Mr and Mrs Brown
    Meet Alice
    Meet Alice

    "Happiness can be infectious". As a friendly, caring and easy-going guide I can ensure you will have a worry-free and most rewarding trip, with a knowledgeable, professional and light-hearted guide.

    Our National Guide, Alice, was excellent and very caring and thoughtful for all the group. Our local guides were also very good and provided lots of information and were flexible to allow us enough time to see everything and even arrange extra trips.
    Mr Andrew Charles
    Meet Amanda
    Meet Amanda

    From my passion and knowledge of my country, you will experience a cross-cultural charm, full of stories and laughter on tour with me. You will be left with great memories and knowledge of China.

    The success of this tour was due largely to our wonderful National Escort, Amanda, who guided our small “family” throughout and made this trip a "holiday of a lifetime". If you have the opportunity, try to arrange for Amanda to be your Tour Manager!
    Mr Edward Ayling
    Meet Jason
    Meet Jason

    This is an experience of a lifetime. If I am your guide, you will have my knowledge, experience and enthusiasm to make this an unforgettable journey.

    Our tour guide Jason was brilliant & a credit to your company. He was funny, intelligent, informative, always available and would go the extra mile when needed
    Mrs Carrick
    Meet Tony
    Meet Tony

    Relax, enjoy and leave the rest to me. See the different, touch the culture and explore the beautiful, wonderful and real China with me. "Do what you love, and love what you do!" This is my slogan, and I am Tony Li, come and join the Wendy Wu Tours with me!

    Our National Escort Tony we couldn't speak highly enough. He was very well conversant with the English language and very knowledgeable in the history of the great country of China. Tony catered to our every need which made our holiday stress free.
    Mrs Diane Foley

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