14 Days China Tour with Naadam Fair: Inner Mongolia-Chengdu-Yangtze River cruise-Shanghai
The 14-day tour covers some of the highlights and ‘must-sees’ in China, the adorable giant pandas, the relaxing Yangtze River cruise and the Bund in Shanghai. Most importantly, you will have the chance to attend the Nadam Fair in Inner Mongolia, when wrestling, horseracing, archery, artist performance; track and field events are held.
Nadam Fair Time: July 11th to 13th every year
Trip Highlights
- Attend Nadam Fair in Inner Mongolia
- Close encounter with the adorable creatures – pandas
- Relaxing Yangtze River cruise from Chongqing to Yichang
- Shopping at Nanjing Shopping Road
Customizable Tour Itinerary
Day 1 Arrival in Hohhot, private transfer from the airport to the hotel in Hohhot
After your flight arrives at Hohhot Airport, and you have claimed your luggage, you will meet your local guide at the arrival hall. The driver will convey you to the hotel and assist you with hotel check-in. The rest of the day is free for you to arrange.
Meals: No meal, advice freely available
- Hotels: Shangri-La Hotel Huhhot, Angel Garden Hotel
Day 2 Five-Pagoda Temple, The Inner Mongolia Museum, Dazhao Lamasery, Zhaojun Tomb
Watch the remaining pagoda in the Five-Pagoda Temple. There are five square stupas on the tower base, so it is called Wuta Temple. Get to know the grassland culture of Inner Mongolia by visiting the Inner Mongolia Museum.
As the largest and well preserved lamasery in Hohhot, Dazhao Lamasery boasted of its grandeur palace, vivid sculpture, fancy frescos, numerous scriptures, mystic dance and Buddhism music.
Zhaojun Tomb is similar to the imperial tombs of the Han Dynasty built in the central plain of the kingdom. There are pavilions around the tomb in which visitors can rest. Cultural relics commemorating Zhaojun are on display in an exhibition room nearby.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch in the local restaurant with a la carte menu
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,
- Hotels: Shangri-La Hotel Huhhot, Angel Garden Hotel
Day 3 Huitengxile Grassland, Opening Ceremony of Nadam Fair (three skills all Mongolian men should master: wrestling, horseracing, and archery, artist performance, track and field events, Economic and cultural exhibition, specialties tasting, bonfire)
"Huitengxile" is a Mongolian word which means "the cold plateau". There are 99 natural lakes interspersing the grassland, called the "99 springs". The water in the lakes neither increases nor decreases with the weather.
Nadam Fair is a traditional Mongolian festival with a long history and occupies an important position in the life of the Mongolian people. There are thrilling horse racing, wrestling, admirable archery, chess, and fascinating singing and dancing. Feel the holiday atmosphere of this nationality by attending one of their most important festivals.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch in the local restaurant with a la carte menu
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,
- Hotels: Shangri-La Hotel Huhhot, Angel Garden Hotel
Day 4 Private transfer to Odors, Xiangshawan Resonant Sand Bay
After breakfast, go to Odors by private transfer. Xiangshawan Resonant Sand Bay is your destination. On a clear day the sand glides down from the top of the sand dune, which produces fantastic buzz, just like the sand’s whisper. Horse-riding, camel-riding, sand-surfing riding, desert paraglider, bonfires parties and desert camping trips as well as amazing "space-balls" are available here for visitors to explore the desert.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch in the local restaurant with a la carte menu
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,
- Hotels: Crowne Plaza Ordos, Jinxia International Hotel
Day 5 Genghis Khan's Mausoleum, Kangbashi District
Genghis Khan's Mausoleum is made up of four magnificent palaces in the shape of Mongolian yurts. With rounded roofs and glazed tiles inlayed with golden eaves, they are ornate and imposing.
Kangbashi District is the new political and cultural center, financial center, scientific research and education center, equipment manufacturing base and car manufacturing base of Ordos. It is a good place to view the development of Odors.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch in the local restaurant with a la carte menu
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,
- Hotels: Crowne Plaza Ordos, Jinxia International Hotel
Day 6 Private transfer from the hotel to the airport in Odors. Private transfer from the airport to the hotel in Chengdu
This is your last day in Inner Mongolia. Today you will take the flight from Odors to Chengdu, the hometown of the cute pandas.
Meals: Breakfast
- Meals: Breakfast,
- Hotels: The Ritz-Carlton, Chengdu, Chengdu Xijinge All Suites Apartment
Day 7 One-day Panda Keeper Program in Dujiangyan Panda Base
Get up earlier today to have a one-day date with the pandas. Prepare food, like panda breads with the teachers’ instruction; feed them with bamboo and apples. Besides, you may also need to do some cleaning duties in the enclosure, or collect and weigh the panda poop.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch in the panda base
Feature Dinner option: Lao Ma Tou Hotpot, Huang Cheng Lao Ma
Optional evening activity: Face changing show and taste the local tea in Shufengyayun Theater
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,
- Hotels: The Ritz-Carlton, Chengdu, Chengdu Xijinge All Suites Apartment
Day 8 People’s Park, Tea tasting Local Tea House, Jinli Ancient Street, Wuhou Ancestral Hall, private transfer from the hotel to the train station in Chengdu. Private transfer from the train station to the dock, Yangtze River cruise
Visit the largest green area in the downtown Chengdu, People’s Park. Here you can row on a lake, taste the tea in a local teahouse, watch people dance, sing, write calligraphy, play chess or work out.
Continue your tour to the commercial district and Pedestrian Street, Jinli Ancient Street. The street showcases the culture of Shuhan (one of the Three Kingdoms from 221 to 263). Close to it, it is the Wuhou Ancestral Hall, which is an ancestral temple in memory of Zhuge Liang, Liu Bei and other heroes in Shu of Three Kingdom.
You will be driven to the train station after the tour. Direct afternoon train is arranged. Be met by the Chongqing guide at the train station and escorted to the pier upon arrival.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch in the local hot pot restaurant with a la carte menu
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,
- Hotels: Century Legend
Day 9 Yangtze River cruise
Today you will have a free morning to enjoy the scenery along the river on your own. You will take a shore excursion to Shibaozhai in the afternoon, a red pavilion which leans against the side of the hill providing a walkway to the temple at the top of the hill. At night, there will be a welcoming Banquet and dancing party, (2:00–4:00pm). If you do not want a free morning, you can book the optional tour to Fengdu Ghost City with the cruise company (RMB 280 per person).
Meals: Breakfast, Buffet lunch on the ship, welcome dinner on the ship
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner,
- Hotels: Century Legend
Day 10 Yangtze River cruise
Be ready with your camera today as you will pass two of the 3 spectacular gorgers, Qutang and Wu Gorge, like a scroll painting spreading in front of you. Just sit back and enjoy the present of the nature.
Afternoon is arranged to visit the Shennong Stream, where you will change to the small boat for the sightseeing.
Meals: Breakfast, Buffet lunch on the ship, farewell dinner on the ship
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner,
- Hotels: Century Legend
Day 11 Yangtze River cruise, private transfer from Yichang Sanxia Tourist Center to the airport in Yichang; Private transfer from the airport to the hotel in Shanghai.
Today comes to the Highlights of your Yangtze River cruise tour, the Three Gorges Dam. You will be surprised how big this project is and how great the wisdom of humans. Find a good point for photography as there will be big crowds. Fly to Shanghai after the tour.
Notes: On your departure day from the Yangtze Cruise tour, you need to prepare to check out and disembark in Maoping Port before 8:00am. The cruise company will take care of your luggage transfer from Maoping to the Yichang Sanxia Tourist Center (No. 9 dock, face to Wal-Mart). The cruise company will provide the luggage voucher which you need to show later when you can collect your luggage in Yichang. You will take a bus from Maoping Port to visit the famous Three Gorges Dam Site at 08:00am-10:30am, and then take the bus (90mins) to Yichang Sanxia Tourist Center (No. 9 dock, face to Wal-Mart). Bus fee is included.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch in the local restaurant with a la carte menu
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,
- Hotels: Shanghai Fairmont Peace Hotel, Grand Central Hotel Shanghai, Century Legend
Day 12 Fuxing Park, Yuyuan Garden (close on every Monday), City God Temple, Shanghai Tower, the Bund
Welcome to Shanghai for the sightseeing. Do some morning exercises, Taichi, badminton, singing or dancing in Fuxing Park in the morning. Go to Yuyuan Garden for its classical Chinese architecture, exquisite sculptures and carvings, and the busy Yuyuan bazaar. Adjoining Yu Garden in the north is the City God Temple. Nowadays, when mentioning the City God Temple, it is not just referred to the temple, but also the surrounding commercial areas. You may search for some local snacks here.
After lunch, you will visit Currently China's tallest building (and the second tallest in the world), Shanghai Tower. It is a great place to overview Shanghai city and the Bund from its top floor. Today’s tour will end with a leisure walk along the Bund.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch at Din Tai Fung with a la carte menu
Feature Dinner Option: Nan Xiang Mantou Dian, Green Wave Gallery, Lost Heaven-Yunnan Restaurant Bund Branch
Optional evening activity: Era Time or Shangcheng Acrobatic Show
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,
- Hotels: Shanghai Fairmont Peace Hotel, Grand Central Hotel Shanghai, Central Hotel Shanghai
Day 13 A free day in Shanghai
A free day is left for you to arrange.
Meals: Breakfast
- Meals: Breakfast,
- Hotels: Shanghai Fairmont Peace Hotel, Grand Central Hotel Shanghai, Central Hotel Shanghai
Day 14 Private transfer from the hotel to the airport in Shanghai, exit China
As your China trip comes to end, your tour guide and driver will collect you from your hotel and transfer you to Shanghai Pudong International Airport for your flight home.
Meals: Breakfast
- Meals: Breakfast,
- Hotels: Shanghai Fairmont Peace Hotel, Grand Central Hotel Shanghai, Central Hotel Shanghai
Price Includes
- In-country transportationas noted in the itinerary.
- Admission fees and activity expenses as noted in the itinerary.
- Luxury or boutique hotels centrally located.
- Meals in local restaurants as noted in the itinerary with complimentary drinking water.
- Your own English-speaking guide service.
- Your own chauffeur and vehicle service.
Price Excludes
- International transportation.
- Chinese tourist visa. (which enquired for most foreign passport holders)
- Travel and medical insurance.
- Meals, snacks, alcohol, etc. apart from those included in the itinerary.
- Excess baggage charges.
- Personal expenses.
- Sights, excursions and activities not included in the itinerary.
- Gratuities to guide and driver.
ANY QUESTIONS?
This tour is tailor-made and we can tailor to meet your reqeusts. Your personal travel consultant will contact you within 24 working hours!
GREAT FAMILY CHINA TOUR
JULY 2024 We wanted to thank Grace at China Culture tour for organizing a great tour of China. We enjoyed our Beijing - Xian-Chengdu -Guilin -Yangshuo - Shanghai trip. Our local guides Bruce in Beijing, Susan in Xian, Jane in Chengdu, Mike in Guilin and Mary in Shanghai took care of us…read more details »
Teng Han L from SINGAPORE
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