Last month, ROL Cruise team members, Madison and Olivia, were given the amazing opportunity to join Wendy Wu Tours on a dream trip to China. Here, Madison shares the experience in detail:
Days 1 and 2 - Changsha
We set off on an overnight flight to Changsha, China and, upon arrival, were met by the incredible guides who transferred us to the beautiful Meixi Lake Hotel in the heart of the city centre. En route to the hotel, our guide Sam gave us insight into the city and even serenaded.
Upon arrival, we were greeted by the enthusiastic hotel team who presented each of us with a bouquet of flowers before checking us into our rooms. Wow, the hotel room was stunning! It boasted a king-size bed, a double sink, a walk-in shower, a vanity unit and a full-size bathtub that overlooked the city.
After settling in, I headed downstairs to the hotel restaurant for my first taste of authentic Chinese food before going to bed for some much-needed sleep.
Day 3 - Changsha
After a delicious buffet breakfast, we headed out to our first stop of the day: Hunan Museum.
The Hunan Museum is home to an incredible artefact: the preserved body of 2,000-year-old Lady Xin Zhui, who was the wife of the chancellor of the Changsha Kingdom during the Western Han Dynasty. Her body was found in 1972 at the Mawangdui Tombs and has since been moved to the museum. Thought to be the best-preserved human body ever discovered, it was utterly fascinating to listen to our expert guide as she taught us about the history of Lady Xin Zhui.
Later, we headed for dinner at the famous Wen He You. The restaurant is set within an 80’s style building which recreates a nostalgic neighbourhood. We knew we were in for a treat as we sat down at our table and were offered a feast of traditional Changsha dishes. From stinky tofu to spicy crayfish, the plates of food seemed endless.
With our bellies full, we were transferred to Orange Island, one of Changsha’s most famous attractions. We boarded a river boat for a tranquil evening cruise along the Xiangjiang River, where we had the opportunity to witness the light show that transformed the skyline into a canvas of light and colour.
After our cruise, we disembarked and headed to see the stone statue of Young Mao Zedong which was lit up brightly. The monument was magnificent, standing 32 meters tall.
Day 4 - Changsha - Zhangjiajie
After bidding farewell to the Meixi Lake Hotel, we embarked on our first stop of the day: the Yu Lu Academy. The Yu Lu Academy is the oldest university in China and the third oldest in the world. It’s set in a serene landscape with lush greenery and ponds aplenty. The buildings were temple-like and the atmosphere was peaceful.
Later, we transferred to Changsha City Museum where we were greeted by an orchestra that performed a small show, including songs that they had performed for royalty.
After looking around the museum, we headed to the train station to board the bullet train for our journey to Zhangjiajie. Reaching speeds of over 200 km/ph, we arrived in Zhangjiajie in just two hours and ten minutes. Upon arrival, we transferred to the Sunshine Hotel and Resort to check in for our four-night stay.
Day 5 - Zhangjiajie
I awoke today very excited for the day ahead as we were going to Zhangjiajie National Park to see the Hallelujah Mountains. The mountains inspired the award-winning film Avatar.
We boarded a shuttle bus that took us 450 metres above sea level around the winding roads, before getting into the Bailong Elevator, the world’s tallest outdoor lift, for the last part of the journey that would get us to the top of our first viewing platform. When we stepped out of the lift, I was mesmerised by the landscape in front of me. The unusual pillar-like rock formations looked to be floating amongst the dense forest below.
After a few needed photo opportunities, we found ourselves greeted by wild monkeys. They playfully interacted with each other whilst babies clung to their backs. We then headed for lunch before visiting a local art gallery where we had the opportunity to watch a local artist create his masterpiece.
That evening, we were treated to the classic show Charming Xhanxi which featured incredible dancers, signers and acrobatic displays - it was a great end to our first full day in Zhangjiajie.
Day 6 - Zhangjiajie
This morning, we transferred to the stunning Baofeng Lake, a man-made marvel, where we embarked on a serene boat cruise. As the boat gently glided through the turquoise-green water, the landscape around us was enthralling. Be sure to keep your eyes peeled as the lake is teeming with fish and you might even spot a giant salamander, a species that is native to this region.
At various points in the lake, there are huts from which locals serenade you with traditional folk songs - adding to the beauty of the experience. I can honestly say it was a highlight of the trip.
After a quick lunch stop, we headed to the Tianmen Mountain Cable Car which holds the title as the longest passenger cable car in the world, measuring a total length of 7,455 metres. Taking around 28 minutes, it’s the steepest cableway in the country and is rated one of the four wonders of Zhangjiajie Tainmen Mountain Forest Park. Once we arrived at the top, we were once again treated to spectacular views of not only the mountains but also the city below.
It was then time to face some fears as we headed towards the glass walkway. Suspended 1,429 metres above sea level and built onto the cliff face, the glass walkway is not for the faint-hearted. A top tip if you do have an aversion to heights - don’t look down!
Stepping out onto the glass panels, it was difficult to forget the sheer height of the walkway. When we finally reached the end, an overwhelming feeling of accomplishment engulfed me. We then found ourselves at the top of Heaven’s Gate, a circular void carved naturally through the mountain. Measuring 131.5 metres tall and 57 metres wide, it’s the world’s highest natural arch. We then had the choice to either walk down the Stairway to Heaven, comprised of 999 steps or take the escalator which is discretely hidden within the mountain’s foundations.
Day 7 - Zhangjiajie
Today was sure to be a thrilling day as we headed to Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon. We arrived early to cross the famous 430 metre glass bridge which connects two mountain cliffs. It hangs 300 metres over the canyon and provides breathtaking panoramic views.
We had the option to participate in some adrenaline-fuelled activities this day - a glass slide, a zip line or a bungee jump into the canyon. Whilst I played it safe and opted for the glass slide, some brave members of our group chose the 260-metre bungee jump. We watched with bated breath as they leapt off the platform, hurtling down towards the canyon floor before being sprung back into the sky above.
After an exhilarating morning, we headed back to our hotel for a banquet lunch. That evening, we returned to Tianmen Mountain to watch the spectacular Fox Tale show. The outdoor arena cleverly incorporates the natural elements of the area, with the colossal mountains and deep valleys as its backdrop. The show re-enacts the traditional Chinese legend - Love Between Man and Fox - with elements of folk music and modern art. The visual presentation was impressive and it concluded a riveting day.
Day 8 - Zhangjiajie - Changsha - Beijing
After breakfast, we checked out of the Sunshine Hotel and Resort and headed to the train station to board the bullet train back to the city of Changsha.
Upon arrival, we transferred to the local airport ready for our flight to Beijing. We passed through check-in and security seamlessly and, before we knew it, we were arriving in Beijing for the third and final part of our incredible trip.
After being met by our local guide Willow, we transferred to the luxurious 5★ Empark Prime Hotel in the bustling city centre where we checked in for the next three nights.
The room boasted modern decor with traditional Chinese charm and was equipped with all the required necessities including a king-size bed, safe, plush bathrobes, a TV, a minibar, a full-size bath and a separate walk-in shower.
Day 9 - Beijing
After waking up early, I knew today was going to be special as we were heading to one of the Seven Wonders of the World, the Great Wall of China. Being the largest man-made project in the world, we could see the wall snaking over the mountain tops for miles in the distance as our coach drove us to the section we would be navigating.
Stepping onto the Great Wall of China was like walking in the footsteps of the past. Only once we were standing on this remarkable piece of engineering did it really give a true sense of the scale of this phenomenon.
After a quick ice cream stop, we rejoined the coach to visit Summer Palace. Located in the western suburbs of Beijing, the Summer Palace is an imperial garden which was once used as a retreat by the Chinese royal family. There was an oasis of lakes and gardens and this provided a beautiful landscape.
After enjoying dinner, the final part of today’s itinerary was a relaxing boat cruise on the Liangma River. We boarded our small open-air boat and began our evening cruise whilst a saxophonist and violinist serenaded us. We enjoyed the incredible light show which took place around us, with the Beijing skyline ever present in the background.
Day 10 - Beijing
Today was our final full day in China. I had fallen in love with the country during my stay and couldn’t believe it was now nearly time to say goodbye.
We had a busy day planned which started with an early morning visit to the infamous Tiananmen Square before venturing to the Forbidden City. A must-visit tourist spot, the Forbidden City offers a glimpse into China’s rich cultural heritage.
Later, we enjoyed a rickshaw ride where we were able to explore the old streets of Beijing. Our rider took great care in ensuring we were always comfortable during our hour-long tour.
After enjoying our last lunch of the trip, we visited a local family who invited us into their house which was situated in one of the traditional Hutong neighbourhoods. We learned how it’s common for three generations to live together in China and how the home we visited had been in the family for over 100 years. It was great to get an insight into how different cultures live.
After, we visited the Temple of Heaven which is a complex of imperial religious buildings where locals would worship and pray for abundant harvests.
The next activity was one I was particularly looking forward to - a Tai Chi lesson. Our renowned local Tai Chi master taught us all the basic gestures as well as authentic methods to relax the soul. It’s safe to say that I left feeling relaxed and stress-free.
To conclude our incredible time in Beijing, we couldn’t leave without trying a traditional hot pot dinner. We were given an abundance of food, including meats, vegetables and seafood, in which we could cook in our individual hot pots. It was a fantastic way to end what had been a trip of a lifetime.
Thank you, Wendy Wu Tours!
