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Essential China
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Length
11 Days
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Quality
This indicates the overall quality of the tour operator's products. A low rating does not mean it is not good - it just means that it does not include as much, or perhaps is of a more standard quality than the higher quality tours. For example, a 3 star quality rating means that it is a more standard/economical tour, while 5 stars is a very luxurious tour that often includes a lot of amenities. -
Starts in
Beijing (China)
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Ends in
Shanghai (China)
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Available Tour Start Dates
MAY 9, 2027 to OCT 15, 2028
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Activity Level
No Rating Provided
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Style
Fully-Guided
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Language
English
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Guaranteed Date(s)
Yes means that there is at least one tour date that the vendor guarantees will occur. No means that there is not at least one tour date that the vendor guarantees will occur, which usually means that the vendor wants a certain amount of reservations on each tour in order for each one to occur. Of course, the terms and conditions of the vendor do allow for the vendor to cancel guaranteed tour dates for certain reasons (for example, a natural disaster).No
From
Pricing listed is per person, based on double occupancy, and is the least expensive price for at least one departure date of this tour. Price is for the tour only. Additional items, including but not limited to, airfare (unless noted otherwise), travel insurance, and more, are additional.
$2,821.05
Includes $314.00 Intra-Air & Tax
This tour has flights that occur during the tour, and this is the per person price of those flights, which we have included in the "From" price listed above. Intra-Air flights are not flights that occur before or after the tour. Such flights may be available at an additional cost.
Overview
This value-minded tour traces China’s remarkable past and vibrant present. Begin in Beijing, where highlights include Tian’anmen Square, the Forbidden City, a traditional Peking duck dinner, and a walk along the legendary Great Wall. Travel by high speed train to Xi’an, once a major Silk Road capital, and uncover the awe inspiring Terracotta Warriors—one of the world’s greatest archaeological discoveries.Continue to Chengdu, home of the beloved giant panda, with a visit to the Wolong Giant Panda Nature Reserve and free time to experience the region’s bold cuisine and cultural traditions. Your journey concludes in Shanghai, China’s largest city, where classical gardens, historic neighborhoods, and the famed Bund showcase a fascinating blend of old and new. From ancient dynasties and remarkable wildlife to the neon-lit pulse of the modern world, it’s an unforgettable exploration of China!
Visited During Tour
Beijing (China) | Chengdu (China) | Shanghai (China) | Xi'an
Dates, Offers & Prices
Tour Itinerary
Accommodations
More Details
Dates, Offers & Prices
The following are Essential China tour dates available from Cosmos. Select a bonus offer graphic to view its details, including its terms.
There is at least one departure that the vendor is advising is Not Available for the selected year. Click here if you would like such tours to be included below.
Tour Itinerary
Cosmos Tour Code 2180
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Day
1BEIJING, CHINA
Welcome to China’s historic capital city. Hotel rooms are available for mid-afternoon check-in.
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Day
2BEIJING
Meet your Tour Director and travel companions prior to morning sightseeing in Beijing. Begin at vast Tian’anmen Square, one of the largest public squares in the world, followed by a guided visit inside the Forbidden City, the former imperial palace of China’s emperors for over 500 years. The afternoon is at your leisure; consider joining an optional excursion to the Temple of Heaven. This evening, enjoy a welcome Peking duck dinner, a signature dish of Beijing.
- Meals Included:
- Breakfast
- Dinner
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Day
3BEIJING
The Great Wall of China once stretched 4,000 miles across China’s barren northern terrain from the Bohai Sea to the Gobi Desert. Head north to a village where the Great Wall is well preserved and walk along this iconic landmark to enjoy sweeping vistas.
- Meals Included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
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Day
4BEIJING-XI’AN
Today, board a high-speed train to Xi’an, the former ancient capital. One of the largest and wealthiest cities in the world when China dominated the silk trade, Xi’an today is an archaeological treasure trove. The remainder of the day is at your leisure.
- Meals Included:
- Breakfast
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Day
5XI’AN
Sightseeing begins with one of the most extraordinary archaeological discoveries of the 20th century—the Terracotta Warriors. Accidentally uncovered by local farmers in 1974, this immense underground army was created to stand watch over the tomb of China’s first emperor, Qin Shi Huangdi. Marvel at the legion of life-size clay soldiers, horses, and chariots that have been guarding the burial site for 2,000 years.
- Meals Included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
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Day
6XI’AN-CHENGDU
Catch a bullet train to Chengdu, capital of Sichuan and home of the giant panda. Enjoy some time at leisure before dinner at your hotel.
- Meals Included:
- Breakfast
- Dinner
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Day
7CHENGDU
Journey through the mountainous scenery to the Wolong Giant Panda Nature Reserve, home to over 170 pandas. Learn how this area protects and rehabilitates these beautiful animals. This evening is yours to explore Chengdu, renowned for its bold, flavorful cuisine. Try a bite on an optional excursion featuring Sichuan hot pot, followed by a traditional face-changing performance, an iconic culinary and cultural experience of the city.
- Meals Included:
- Breakfast
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Day
8CHENGDU-SHANGHAI
Fly to Shanghai, China’s largest city and a global center of commerce and culture. The balance of the day is yours to explore this dynamic metropolis.
- Meals Included:
- Breakfast
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Day
9SHANGHAI
Sightseeing today includes a stroll through the Old Town and beautiful Yu Yuan Garden, a place of peace and tranquility in this bustling city. Walk along the famous Bund with its colonial architecture, then enjoy lunch at a local restaurant.
- Meals Included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
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Day
10SHANGHAI
Spend the day at your leisure, or join an optional excursion to Zhujiajiao Ancient Water Town. With a history of more than 1,700 years, this little town is the best-preserved among ancient towns in Shanghai, featuring graceful stone bridges over quiet canals, willow-lined waterways, and traditional courtyard homes. Tonight, join your Tour Director and traveling companions for a special farewell dinner featuring Shanghai’s famous xiaolongbao dumplings.
- Meals Included:
- Breakfast
- Dinner
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Day
11SHANGHAI
Your tour ends with breakfast this morning.
- Meals Included:
- Breakfast
Accommodations
Select a destination below to to view the hotel(s) included by Cosmos in their Essential China tour:
Peace Hotel Beijing
Hotel rating (by Cosmos): Moderate First-Class
Other Details
- Free Wifi
- Hotel as shown or similar (Cosmos may replace it with a similar Moderate First-Class property)
Grand Mercure on Renmin Square
Hotel rating (by Cosmos): First-Class
Other Details
- Free Wifi
- Hotel as shown or similar (Cosmos may replace it with a similar First-Class property)
Dorsett Chengdu Hotel
Hotel rating (by Cosmos): First-Class
Other Details
- Free Wifi
- Hotel as shown or similar (Cosmos may replace it with a similar First-Class property)
Jin Jiang Tower Shanghai
Hotel rating (by Cosmos): First-Class
Other Details
- Free Wifi
- Hotel as shown or similar (Cosmos may replace it with a similar First-Class property)
More Details
Cosmos is informing us of the following additional details regarding their Essential China tour:
Travelers Notes
The world is within reach with everything you need for perfectly affordable touring. Cosmos includes hand-selected accommodations, guided sightseeing, and seamless transportation between destinations—with value-minded travel lovers in mind. Explore with expert Cosmos Tour Directors and Local Guides, private, first-class, air-conditioned motorcoach with free Wi-Fi (where available). Enhance your free time to explore like a local with your CosmosGO mobile app!Your tour includes:• Guided city sightseeing of Beijing including visits to Tian’anmen Square and the Forbidden City• Welcome dinner featuring Peking duck• Guided visit to the Great Wall of China with lunch• Guided visit to the Terracotta Warriors with lunch• Admission to Shenshuping Panda Center• Guided city sightseeing of Shanghai including admission to Yu Garden and stroll along the Bund• Farewell dinner featuring xiaolongbao dumplings• High-speed trains from Beijing to Xi’an & Xi’an to Chengdu• Intra-vacation flight from Chendgu to Shanghai
Private Touring
Cosmos offers an optional paid upgrade if you would like to arrange for Essential China tour as a Private Tour. Here's a sample of the additional cost:
N/A
Note: Private Tours must be booked with one of our travel advisors over the phone. Please contact us for additional details.
* Supplement pricing is per person (USD), will be added to the standard published price for your given departure date, and is based on availability. Pricing is valid for select travel dates only. Some vendors reserve the right to operate optional activities and excursions with other guests, despite you being on a private tour. Additional restrictions may apply. This pricing may not be applicable to custom groups. Group allowances and promotions may not be available for private tours. Private touring may only be available on published itineraries. Blackout dates may exist, in which case private touring would not be available.
Pricing listed above for tours is per person, in US Dollars, and is based on double occupancy. Pricing may change for other occupancy types. Pricing is based on the last time the vendor electronically sent us pricing data, which varies by vendor (usually occurs overnight or multiple times throughout each day).
Pricing and availability are subject to change and must be confirmed by one of our travel advisors, who can contact the vendor to do so. Intra-vacation air (also referred to as internal air) is usually based on economy class seating (do not assume otherwise, unless explicity noted otherwise) and may be 100% non-refundable at time of final payment. Air quotes (including intra-vacation airfare) may be subject to change until final payment has been received by the vendor. Flight confirmation may be based on availability. Air reservations may not be able to be confirmed until a passport copy is received by the vendor. The following charges are not included in the vacation price unless otherwise noted: airfare to and from the start of your vacation; airline baggage fees including checked and/or excess baggage fees; Federal inspection fees for the Federal U.S. Customs and Immigrations; International Air Transportation tax; agricultural tax; other per person taxes imposed by government entities; airport taxes and fees, including the September 11th Security fee, passenger facility charges, Federal domestic flight segment fees, and U.S. and international arrival and departure and other government-imposed fees added by the airline and applicable at time of booking; port taxes; passports; visas and vaccinations; tips to your Cruise Director, Local Host, driver, Local Guides, and/or ship's crew; gratuities on ferries, trains, and cruise ships; laundry; telephone; minibar; alcohol, beverages, and food outside of the contracted menu as presented at a hotel or restaurant or onboard your vessel (these extra items will be billed to you before leaving the hotel, ship, or restaurant); airport transfers on non-qualifying flights; optional excursions; additional activities and excursions purchased online; porterage at airports and train stations; Travel Protection; and all other items of a personal nature. Itinerary details are provided by the vendor. Vendors may reserve the right to change itineraries, even on existing reservations. There may be instances where the name of a tour contains a tour length in it, but where there is a version of the tour that is a different number of days in length. You can check the true length of a tour by referring to the length value listed in association with that tour. Destination images displayed on this web page, some which are supplied by the related vendor and some which are not, are intended to simply give a general representation of the region of the world being visited during the tour. Such images are not necessarily of the exact areas being visited during the tour. Hotel details (including, but not limited to: rating/class, descriptions, images, amenities and addresses) are provided by Cosmos. Hotel amenities may be communicated in shorthand by Cosmos (for example, if "Laundry" is listed that may only mean that the hotel has an optional fee-based service that would allow for your laundry to be done by their staff). We reserve the right to correct errors.