Blend Culture With Nature On Wendy Wu Tours’ Exciting New China Itinerary For 2025

Written By: Sara Alhariri

Sara Alhariri

I was a dedicated journalist to The US Sun, the Sun UK, the Irish Sun, and the Scottish Sun and a producer for Fox News Media for some time, too.My value is in sharing this content with my network on LinkedIn, Instagram, etc.—it will get the eyes of media executives who handle travel reporting on it immediately. It will bring more visibility to the brand for sure. Like reporting and PR in one.

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June 3, 2024 12:03 GMT+5:30

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Blend culture with nature on Wendy Wu Tours’ new 16-day Go Beyond tour, exploring China’s lesser-known marvels with exclusive discounts.

Over 100 travel agents from Australia, New Zealand, and the UK have just concluded Wendy Wu Tours’ inaugural ‘megafam’ trip to Changsha and Hunan Provinces in China, returning with a fresh zeal and deeper understanding of some of the area’s hidden gems.

During the six-day trip, the agents discovered a blend of urban settings and scenic rural areas, with a special emphasis on the enchanting Zhangjiajie National Park, offering a unique immersion into Chinese culture and less-traveled paths for sightseeing.

Wendy Wu, the company’s founder, led the expedition alongside Belinda “Wardy” Ward, the Australian Head of Sales, and Sonia Orrego, Australia’s Head of Product. In a delightful twist, Wendy Wu took on the role of a tour manager at various stages of the trip, sharing her insights and experiences with the agents, enhancing the overall engagement of the journey.

You heard it here first – China is back, and interest is building

Belinda said the overall objective of the famil was to reignite awareness and inspire travel to China. “Our message was clear – it’s back, and better than ever,” she said. “China is a fascinating place, and we made sure everyone had a wide variety of experiences to ensure their product knowledge is on point for clients considering this destination for their next trip.”

Belinda mentioned that some of the highlights for the agents included a thrilling cross-country journey on a bullet train and a captivating nighttime tour of Orange Island Park. This long, slender island, situated in the Xiangjiang River, is renowned as the largest inland island in China and has been celebrated for centuries for its succulent oranges.

Chasing a Natural High at China’s ‘Grand Canyon’

Adventure lovers and nature aficionados found their paradise at Zhangjiajie National Park in Hunan Province, a site renowned for its connection to the movie “Avatar” through the iconic Avatar Mountain and the world’s highest outdoor elevator, the Bailong. The park’s Tianmen Mountain, soaring to 1,519 meters, offered breathtaking views of Heaven’s Gate, sheer cliffs, and the winding 99 Bends. The agents relished activities such as the exhilarating cliffside walkway, ziplining, and a 430-meter glass skywalk, alongside the world’s longest cable car journey, affirming Tianmen Mountain as one of China’s top mountain attractions.

The group’s journey also included a serene cruise on Baofeng Lake’s crystal waters within the Wulingyuan Scenic Area, where they immersed themselves in the culture of the local Tujia ethnic minority through traditional customs and performances.

Upon returning to Zhangjiajie city, the travel group explored the 72 Strange Buildings Scenic Area, a new cultural attraction opened in 2022. Standing at 109.9 meters, this site boasts the world’s tallest Tujia stilted building and hosted a memorable bonfire night. Here, the agents also savored the region’s famed culinary specialty, the giant salamander, marking a gastronomic highlight of their visit.

The outlook? Demand for ‘nature’ holidays leads to new itineraries and bookings

Simon Bell, the Managing Director of Wendy Wu Tours Australia, has reported a steady month-over-month increase in bookings as more travelers discover the vast array of experiences available in China.

“There is certainly an emerging interest in National Parks and regional destinations from our clients which is interesting. It’s also been a catalyst for increased demand for our Go Beyond range, which typically sees our guests venturing off the well-trodden tourist path for a deeper experience in the destination. This is often paired with more physical activity to reach some of the awe-inspiring locations they visit. A highlight for many of our guests is their time spent in different kinds of local accommodation that encourage more genuine and personal encounters with local communities and culture.”

Simon added that in support of this interest, Wendy Wu Tours has introduced two brand new tour itineraries in China for 2024 and 2025 – Gems of China, and National Treasures of China – which both take in Zhangjiajie as part of their itineraries.”

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Gems of China

This 16-day classic tour is fully inclusive and priced from $6,980 pp twin share from $8,360pp for solo travellers. This represents a saving of $600 as part of the Wonderlust Sale – selected departures*. Travellers will visit Beijing, Xian, Chengdu, take a Yangtze River Cruise, visit Zhangjiajie, and Shanghai. It is billed as being perfect for first time travellers that can handle some days with heavier walking of up to 4-5 hours required. Simon says, “The first departure is scheduled for October 2024 and we’re taking bookings now.”

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Natural Treasures of China

This Go Beyond tour, lasting 16 days, starts at $7,980 per person for twin sharing and $9,060 for solo travelers. These prices include a $600 discount as part of the Wonderlust Sale, applicable to selected departures. The package covers accommodation and most meals, with some dinners excluded to allow travelers to explore local night markets at their own pace. The tour itinerary features less-explored destinations in China including Changsha, Zhangjiajie, Fenghuang, Chengdu, Nine Villages Valley, and Chongqing. Designed to synchronize with Wendy Wu Tours’ ‘China Experience’ in 2025, this tour offers a blend of China’s popular attractions and more nature-centric locales.