CHINA ADVENTURE CLUB JOURNEYS
Discover Pandas in Xi’an with Former WWF Panda Conservation Program Director
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About this Journey
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Tick off two China bucket list items in one trip: the formidable Terracotta Warriors and the adorable Giant Panda. Expand your China knowledge and horizons as you explore one of the greatest finds of modern archaeology and a present day success in wildlife conservation.
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Dive deeper into understanding China’s “national treasure”, the giant panda. Beyond the cuddly facades that have allured and transfixed admirers far and wide, these pandas have an array of social, biological and environmental complexities to be explored. To explain everything you could ever want to know about pandas, we have arranged for former WWF panda conservation program manager, Wan Hui, to join the excursion to Research Center for the Qinling Giant Panda as an expert guide.
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Meet China Adventure Club Expert, Wan Hui:
Having initially studied Environmental Ecology at the prestigious Peking University, picking up a master’s degree in geography immediately after, Wan Hui began her corporate career in Shanghai’s concrete jungle. Luckily for China’s wildlife, after four years in the city, Wan Hui shifted back to nature conservation and worked within World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) for ten years, focusing on landscape conservation for giant pandas in western China. In 2019, she left her post as the director of WWF’s panda conservation program to head up her own consulting firm to share her knowledge with visitors and research centers the world over.
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During the tour, make sure you keep the questions coming, as there’s little that doesn’t fall within Wan Hui’s expertise. Whether it’s explaining the nuances of China’s biodiversity and ecosystem, or the effects of local populations on the distribution of China’s pandas – she’s got you covered (and then some).
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Tour Highlights
- Gazing at one of the world's greatest recent-history finds: the 8,000-strong Terracotta Warriors
- Learning about China's national treasure, the giant panda, with an expert at the lesser-known Research Center for the Qinling Giant Panda
- Experiencing the living history of the Silk Road at the Great Mosque and Muslim Quarter in Xi'an
Itinerary
Day 1 Arrival in Xi'an
Arrive in Xi’an, China’s ancient capital, home to the Terracotta warriors, and eastern Silk Road terminus • Explore the Great Mosque, a unique architectural blend where Islam flourished for over a millennium, its evening prayers still echoing • In the evening, discover the vibrant Muslim Quarter, a sensory feast of neon signs, exotic spices, and mouthwatering barbecue.
Day 2 Xi'an
After enjoying breakfast, take a 2 hour ride from Xi’an downtown to Louguantai • Visit the Research Center for the Qinling Giant Panda and see pandas in their natural environment, learning about their habits, relationships, diets, and struggles from former WWF panda conservation program director, Wan Hui • After learning about the cuddly pandas, journey to the Lou Guan Tai temple, the birthplace of Taoism, and delve into its history in the company of a modern Tao philosopher.
Day 3 Depart from Xi'an
Begin the day with visiting the legendary discovery made in 1974, a chamber of 8,000 soldiers, now known globally as the Terracotta Warriors • After a morning of discovery, your local guide will escort you to the airport for your departure from Xi’an.
Hotels
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Sofitel Legend People's Grand Hotel Xi'an 5 Star The Sofitel Legend People’s Grand Hotel Xi’an is a modern escape inside the city walls, boasting luxurious art deco flair and landscaped gardens.
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Details
What’s Included
- Services of an English-speaking local English-speaking guide
- Accommodation based on double occupancy with breakfasts included
- All overland transfers with private chauffeur and in-transport refreshments
- Private chauffeur service to and from airport at start and end of your trip
- All admission fees and activity expenses, as noted in the itinerary
- Meals as noted in the itinerary with complimentary drinking water
What’s Excluded
- International and domestic flights, domestic trains, plus relevant taxes
- Chinese tourist visa, which is required for most foreign passport holders
- Travel and medical insurance
- Meals, apart from those included in the itinerary, and alcohol
- Expenses of a personal nature
- Excursions and activities not included in the itinerary
- Discretionary gratuities for guides and drivers
TAILOR-MADE TRAVEL
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