Intro
To say I was looking forward to setting off on this journey to China doesn’t quite capture it. China had long been a dream destination of mine so knowing I was actually going felt like a different kind of excitement. Having the chance to experience it all with Wendy Wu Tours was a real privilege and I felt so grateful for the opportunity.
Day One: Flying from London Heathrow to Chengdu
Our trip began at London Heathrow Airport, where the trade team from Wendy Wu Tours greeted us and helped us through check-in without any stress. Before I knew it, we were boarding our Air China flight and settling in for our overnight journey. I had a comfortable flight and enjoyed all the food and drinks they offered. I also really enjoyed meeting some of the amazing people in our group. Meeting at the airport and sharing our excitement made the start of the journey feel extra special. It was lovely meeting agents from other companies and exchanging stories about our past travel experiences.
Day Two: Arrival in Chengdu & Bullet Train to Chongqing
The overnight flight passed quicker than I expected and soon we were stepping into Chengdu. We transferred straight to Chengdu Dong Train Station and boarded the bullet train to Chongqing Shapingba Station. The train was impressive, very modern and incredibly fast. At one point it reached speeds of around 331 km/h. Shortly after, we checked into the Chongqing Ronghui Grand Hotel. The hotel was elegant with lovely staff who helped at every moment and after finding our rooms, we caught up on much needed rest before our early start the next day.
Day Three: Tongnan, Lemon Factory & Dazu Rock Carvings
After breakfast, we had a morning briefing outlining the day’s plans. Our local guides, Jeff and Louis, were engaging and always up for a laugh. Our first stop was the ancient town of Tongnan, where we were warmly welcomed with dancing and music. I was even able to try on one of the locals’ costume masks. Locals lined the streets smiling, creating such a memorable introduction to the district. We then visited a lemon factory and learned about its significance as one of the largest producers in the world. I even sampled some chewy lemon sweets. Lunch followed, featuring a large rotating table and individual hot pots. The options felt endless! There were plenty of meats and vegetables. My favourite additions to my hot pot were beef, mushrooms, and cabbage. We were also able to customise our sauces. I chose spice level 3 with soy sauce, oyster sauce, garlic, and chilli oil — very yummy. In the afternoon, we headed to the Dazu District to watch an 8K dome film about the famous Dazu Rock Carvings before visiting the site itself, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The carvings were fascinating and rich in detail, history, and cultural meaning. I couldn’t believe how large some of them were. They dated from the 9th to 13th century, and many showcased how Buddhism was adapted in China. After dinner, we enjoyed a traditional performance. The performers wore vibrant costumes and moved in time with fast, dramatic music. This was a wonderful way to end the day as we were able to watch Bian Lian — an ancient Chinese dramatic art form featuring rapid face changing masks.
Day Four: Pandas, Hot Pot Museum, City Views, Cable Car & Yangtze River Cruise
I was super excited for this morning because Giant Pandas are my favourite. I’d been fortunate enough to see two in Edinburgh a couple of years ago so seeing plenty more in China felt like a dream. We began the day at the Chongqing Panda Sanctuary, and the pandas did not disappoint. It was funny seeing them so active and practically saying hi to everyone. Next, we visited the Hot Pot Museum, where we learned about the origins of one of China’s most iconic dishes. They even demonstrated the ingredient packing process, which was fascinating to watch. Of course, I bought some magnets at the end! Lunch was a pleasant surprise — a banquet accompanied by short performances between courses. The dancers were so synchronised, and the interactive finale had everyone joining in. I even played along with the clapper instruments they handed out. This became one of my favourite moments of the whole trip. Later, we visited the Eye of the Clouds for a panoramic view of Chongqing’s skyline, followed by a cable car ride across the Yangtze River. I’m terrified of heights but conquering that fear allowed me to see one of the most impressive city views ever. In the evening, we boarded a beautiful Yangtze River cruise. The Chongqing skyline is indescribable. If you’ve seen photos online, imagine it being ten times better in person. All the buildings lit up and seeing Hongya Cave glowing with golden lights was incredible. The Chongqing drone show did not disappoint either, it was truly epic. The panda formation was my favourite!
Day Five: Conference, Ancient Town & Chongqing 1949 Show
This morning was dedicated to a travel agent conference with attendees from around the world. In the afternoon, we explored an ancient town filled with interesting sights and street vendors. Some stalls sold insects on sticks, which I did pass on but I ate plenty of fried dough sticks and even tried some of my colleague’s beer from a street beer tap. It was a solid 10/10. That evening, we attended the show Chongqing 1949, which featured a rotating a 360-degree seating area. The transitions and staging were incredibly well executed and unlike anything I’d seen before. This is a must see if you visit Chongqing. A few tears were shed from Karen (Stroud branch) and me because it was that incredible.
Day Six: Shizhu, Traditional Lunch & Pengshui
We woke up early to catch another bullet train, travelling over 300 km in just over an hour. Arriving in Shizhu, we were welcomed once again with a local performance before heading up into the mountains. The scenery at the top was beautiful with forests, rock formations, and endless natural landscapes. I had forgotten how much natural beauty China has to offer. Every moment offered something worth capturing. Lunch took place in a small village square, where we sat on low wooden stools and enjoyed a variety of dishes while performers entertained us. The singers had the most beautiful voices. Afterwards, we joined a traditional dance around a bonfire. I did my best to follow along even though I was very uncoordinated, but I made the most of it! In the evening, we travelled to Pengshui County. We took a second river cruise featuring a water and light show on a bridge, creating a gentle and calming display. We were even given lemon and vanilla biscuits.
Day Seven: Three Natural Bridges & Final Evening in Chongqing
Our final day in Chongqing began at the Wulong Three Natural Bridges — a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a filming location for part of Transformers 4. The natural bridges and the misty atmosphere were stunning. We also travelled up and down a glass elevator, which was both epic and terrifying for me. After the walk, I enjoyed some street food. This included a mix of noodles with Chinese sausage, fried rice, and potatoes. In the afternoon, our group spent time reflecting on the trip at dinner before enjoying a free evening to explore Chongqing one last time. I ate endless amounts of chilli prawns that evening.
Day Eight: Arrival in Shanghai & Huangpu River Cruise
We flew from Chongqing to Shanghai, arriving to a skyline filled with towering buildings. After checking into our hotel and enjoying dinner, we set off on a river cruise along the Huangpu River. I couldn’t believe how beautiful Shanghai looked at night. You couldn’t see the tops of some buildings because they disappeared into the clouds, but the Oriental Pearl TV Tower was lit up in purple and pink, which looked stunning.
Day Nine: Shanghai Tower & Jade Buddha Temple
We began the day by taking the world’s fastest elevator up the Shanghai Tower, the third-tallest building in the world. I was, of course, terrified of the height, but once I got over it, I really appreciated the incredible views stretching across the entire city. Walking along The Bund afterwards allowed us to look back across the river at the skyline, including the very building we had just visited. Seeing it from the ground felt quite funny. Next, we visited Yu Garden, a beautiful botanical garden with traditional Chinese buildings. We then explored busy Shanghai Chinatown, where I picked up lots of magnets and jewellery for my family. In the evening, I visited Flair — a rooftop bar and restaurant offering the best views of Shanghai at night. I went with some ladies from our group and Ellie from our Chepstow branch. It was a lovely way to wind down and have some drinks. I would recommend the “Sweet Departure.”
Day Ten: Maglev Train, French Quarter & Journey Home
We experienced the Maglev train this morning which covered 29 km in just 7 minutes. The speed was unbelievable, especially when passing another Maglev going in the opposite direction. The train can go even faster, reaching speeds of up to 600 km/h but for the short journey we did, it wouldn’t have been able to stop if it went that quick. We then headed to the French Quarter, which offered a quieter change of scenery with Western-style cafés and shops lining the streets. We had lunch around the corner, where we enjoyed traditional Chinese dishes. It was a nice way to catch up with the group before heading home. Later that night, it was time to say goodbye and begin our long journey home to London Gatwick.
Final Thoughts
China exceeded my expectations in countless ways. The culture, food, scenery, and people made the entire experience unforgettable. I was consistently impressed by how welcoming and organised everything was. Despite its enormous population, both Chongqing and Shanghai never felt overwhelming. I would absolutely recommend visiting China, especially with Wendy Wu Tours. I feel incredibly fortunate to have had this opportunity, and it’s a trip I will always look back on with a full heart.
