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WorldWild Tours: China, Tibet, and
the Pandas

For itineraries, brochures, and registration information for all WorldWild Tours call (619) 619-685-3247, or contact us using our online form.

Itinerary

May 10–11 • San Diego – Beijing
Depart San Diego in the morning. Arrive in San Francisco and connect to your nonstop flight to Beijing, arriving the next evening. Transfer directly to the Grand Hotel located by the Forbidden City.

May 12 • Beijing
An optional early morning walk to Changpuhe Park offers an opportunity to observe local residents practicing tai chi and qigong. This morning, visit the Forbidden City, the abiding symbol of imperial China. After lunch, visit the Temple of Heaven, one of the finest creations of the Ming Dynasty. Later, tour the Olympic Village to marvel at the new stadiums. Herzog & de Meuron designed the National Stadium, referred to as the “Bird’s Nest,” and the firm PTW designed the National Swimming Center, better known as the “Water Cube.”

May 13 • Beijing
Today begins with a visit to Beijing’s picturesque Houhai District, where many old courtyard homes are preserved and the narrow hutong alleys border tree-lined lakes north of the Forbidden City. We tour the district by “pedicab” for a closer and more engaging perspective on traditional Chinese life. In the afternoon, we drive to the Great Wall of China.

May 14 • Lhasa
This morning, fly to Gongga Airport in Tibet. Upon arrival, meet our Tibetan guide, drive to Lhasa and transfer to the Xinding Hotel. Lhasa is located at an altitude of approximately 12,000 feet, one of the highest cities in the world. After adjusting to the altitude, enjoy an optional walk around Barkhor Street, the marketplace of old Lhasa and still amazingly evocative of old Tibet.

May 15 • Lhasa
A full day of sightseeing includes the Potala Palace, once the seat of government and the winter residence of the Dalai Lama. We take a short drive to Norbulingka, the Dalai Lama’s former summer residence. Visit Jokhang Temple, Tibet’s holiest shrine, filled with altars, halls, and galleries.

May 16 • Lhasa
Traveling outside Lhasa, we visit Sera Monastery, one of the three great monasteries of the Gelugpa sect and founded in 1416 by a disciple of Tsongkhapa. Drive to Drepung Monastery, the largest monastic complex in Tibet. We will also inspect a traditional Tibetan hospital and observe the treatment of patients with a combination of herbs and Tibetan Buddhist meditative techniques.

May 17 • Lhasa – Chengdu
In the morning, we fly to Chengdu and visit the Chengdu Giant Panda Breeding Center and the Small Red Panda Center, where we will learn the latest information about the center’s giant panda breeding efforts.

May 18–19 • Chengdu – Bifengxia
The Bifengxia Panda Base & Wild Life Park is situated 95 miles southwest of Chengdu in the Bifengxia region, which is a two-hour drive. When we visit the Panda Center, we will see our beloved Hua Mei, who has had three sets of twins and a single cub, and Mei Sheng as well as the other endearing black-and-white residents. We meet with resident scientists and researchers at the Panda Center and learn about their latest conservation programs. Each traveler will have an opportunity to spend play time with the cubs (cost is included).

Later we go on safari in the Bifengxia Wildlife Park, the largest wildlife park in China, where over 300 species live in expansive, open enclosures. We’ll have the opportunity to see many animals from aboard the tour bus that drives through the enclosures.

May 20 • Bifengxia – Shanghai
After breakfast we drive back to Chengdu and fly to Shanghai where we check into the Crowne Plaza Hotel. We visit the famous Shanghai Children’s Palace. Here many talented Shanghai youngsters learn art, music, science and gymnastics after school. Interact with some of China’s most brilliant children who have been selected for special training here.

May 21 • Shanghai
Spend the morning at the Shanghai Museum, viewing its collection of Chinese bronzes, jade, pottery, ceramics, paintings and calligraphy. The afternoon is free for shopping and museum- going. This evening, enjoy a memorable farewell banquet at the Dingxiang Garden Restaurant, famous for its Shanghai cuisine.

May 22 • Shanghai – San Diego
After breakfast transfer to the airport for our return flight to San Diego via San Francisco. Arrive the same day.