Holiday Special: Full and Splendid Avatar Mountains and Grand China Tour Route

4 March 2027 – 14 March 2027 | 10 Nights, 11 Days
Tour details

EXAMPLE (etc.) HOTELS

Beijing

Howard Johnson Paragon 4* etc.

Xi'an

Jian Guo Hotel 4* etc.

Chengdu

Chengdu Tianfu Sunshine Hotel 4* etc.

Zhangjiajie

Zhangjiajie Qinghe International Hotel 5* etc.

Shanghai

Pagoda Baixia Hotel 5* etc.

Participation Condition

This tour is organized with a minimum participation requirement of 30 people. If sufficient participation is not achieved, the final cancellation notification date is 20 days prior to the tour start. Tours cancelled due to insufficient participation will be notified to you through your agency.

Visa

PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA

The VISA PROCEDURE for our China tours is as follows:

Documents to be submitted to us

IT IS REQUESTED THAT THESE DOCUMENTS BE DIRECTLY REQUESTED FROM OUR GUESTS AT THE TIME OF REGISTRATION AND SENT TO US.

- You must scan and send us a full-page image of each traveler's passport. There should be no glare, reflections, or cut-off edges.

- A current Multi-Language Criminal Record Certificate must be obtained (Guests with any criminal record cannot obtain a Chinese visa).

After submitting these two documents to us, we request an invitation document from our local agency in China. This takes approximately 7 days.

Once the invitation document arrives with us, we forward the passenger's passport, criminal record certificate, invitation text, and a few other relevant documents along with the passenger's contact information to Ligarba Tourism.

Subsequently, Ligarba Tourism contacts passengers individually to collect the required documents (including passports) and applies for a group visa. The process takes approximately 3 weeks and costs 200 USD per person. Visa fees are paid directly by the guests to Ligarba Tourism.

Passengers applying for a Chinese visa cannot use their passports to travel to another country during the application period; their passports will remain at the consulate throughout the application process. After the visa is issued, they can collect them from Ligarba Tourism, or Ligarba Tourism can mail them to the guests.

We need to start the procedures at least 65 days before the tour departure; otherwise, visas may be at risk.

Ordinary Passport                -            Visa Required                         

Citizens holding Ordinary Passports (Bordo Passports) of the People's Republic of China are subject to visa requirements. Holders of Special Passports (Green Passports), Service Passports, and Diplomatic Passports are exempt from visas for stays of up to 30 days.

Health

Those taking regular medication should bring more than needed, as certain medications may not be available everywhere. Additionally, if there is a serious health issue (heart condition, high blood pressure, diabetes, etc.), it is advisable to carry a signed medical document. We also recommend drinking bottled water rather than tap water and only opening sealed bottles yourself.

Flight Durations

Istanbul                           Beijing                    10 hours 15 minutes

Shanghai                           Istanbul                10 hours 25 minutes

Optional Tours & Activities

Optional tours and activities are organized by the local agency via the service center with a minimum requirement of 10 participants. Participation is not guaranteed. If the required number is not met, tours may not take place, or the price, content, or vehicle type of a single tour/activity may be changed. Furthermore, guides may modify the schedule, locations (museums, historical sites, venues), open/closed status, or timing based on annual schedules, weather conditions, or other factors.

Meals

During periods such as fairs, congresses, concerts, events, or sports tournaments, distances may exceed several kilometers. While efforts are made to accommodate third-person occupancy where possible, beds provided for the third person may be smaller than standard beds. A triple room consists of one large bed and one additional bed. Additional beds may be foldable or sofa beds. In third-person or child reservations, guests acknowledge that local limitations regarding bed types and availability may occur. Child discounts apply only to one child (under the specified age groups mentioned in the section) accompanying two adults. Breakfasts included in the tour program are typically continental style, consisting of limited items such as bread, tea, or coffee, and may be served in a separate hall reserved for the group.

Currency

The currency of the People's Republic of China is the Yuan. It is recommended that you bring USD and its denominations.

Time Zone

There is a 5-hour time difference between Turkey and China. When it is 12:00 in Turkey, it is 17:00 in China.

Clothing and Necessary Items

We recommend bringing t-shirts that are easy to put on and take off, short-sleeved and long-sleeved shirts, various cotton pants, and comfortable walking shoes suitable for activities and evenings. Additionally, you may bring an umbrella, hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, earplugs for potential noise, cameras, video cameras, their chargers, and spare memory cards. Given China's vast size, climates vary regionally, but it is generally a country with four distinct seasons. Summers are extremely humid, making temperatures feel higher. Spring and autumn are mild.

Food Culture

China boasts an extremely rich cuisine reflecting its diverse regions. Peking Duck, dumplings ("mantı") prepared with various fillings and sauces, and mustard-based dishes are characteristic features of the local cuisine. Please note that Chinese cuisine differs significantly from Turkish cuisine.

Shopping

China is a true shopping paradise. You can find a wide range of products, from electronics to textiles, meeting all your needs.

Important Notes

Having a passport and/or obtaining a visa (i.e., meeting destination/passport requirements) does not guarantee entry into the country. Immigration officers have the authority to deny entry. This situation is not the responsibility of Papua Tur; the responsibility lies with the traveler. Papua Tur acts as an intermediary between the airline and the passenger and is subject to the Hague Protocol of September 28, 1955. Delays may occur in scheduled and special flights, or flight times prior to the tour may change. Papua Tur ensures that any changes are reported as soon as possible. Passengers acknowledge that flight details may change and accept this upon purchasing the tour. Children aged 0-2 years do not pay for seat allocation or related services. Panoramic city tours included in the tour package are general introductions to cities, conducted from the vehicle with guide commentary, and involve visits to historical sites with intervals of no more than 2-3 hours. Panoramic tours, including other tours specified in the program, may not be accessible due to local authorities' restrictions, closures, or unforeseen events. If weather conditions make a tour impossible, Papua Tur is not responsible for conducting such tours. Some tours may be conducted using public transport or on foot if vehicle access is restricted or roads are closed.

What's included
  • Round-trip economy class air tickets on Turkish Airlines routes Istanbul (IST) – Beijing (PEK) // Shanghai (PVG) – Istanbul (IST)
  • Airport taxes
  • 4-star hotel accommodation with breakfast: 3 nights in Beijing, 1 night in Xi'an, and 1 night in Chengdu
  • 5-star hotel accommodation with breakfast: 2 nights in Zhangjiajie and 2 nights in Shanghai
  • Shanghai City Tour
  • 7 lunches to be taken during the tours
  • Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City & Temple of Heaven tour with lunch, valued at 140 USD
  • Great Wall & Summer Palace tour with lunch, valued at 110 USD
  • Terra Cotta Warriors Museum tour with lunch, valued at 100 USD
  • Jade Buddha Temple & Yu Garden tour with lunch (including tea ceremony), valued at 100 USD
  • Panoramic Chengdu city tour with lunch (including tea tasting)
  • Chengdu Panda Base tour, valued at 70 USD
  • Zhangjiajie National Forest Park and Avatar Mountains tour with lunch, valued at 95 USD
  • Grand Canyon and Baofeng Lake tour with lunch, valued at 85 USD
  • High-speed train ticket and taxes between Beijing and Xi'an
  • High-speed train ticket and taxes between Chengdu and Zhangjiajie
  • High-speed train ticket and taxes between Xi'an and Chengdu
  • Scheduled domestic flight and airport taxes between Zhangjiajie and Shanghai via local airline
  • Transfers between airport, hotel, and airport
  • All transfers required for the program
  • Professional Turkish-speaking guide and assistant services
  • Hotel and tourist city taxes
  • Travel and health insurance (surcharge applies for ages over 65)
Not included
  • Fees for personal and official items such as exit stamps, visas, etc.
  • All types of personal expenses and hotel extras
  • All services not explicitly specified in the program and included services
  • Entrance fees to museums and historical sites not explicitly stated as "visited" in the program
  • Optional tours and activities, if any, in the program
  • Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages consumed during included meals, if any, in the program
  • Domestic connecting flights and domestic transportation fees
  • Driver tips and gratuities are excluded
Tour Program
Istanbul - Beijing
We will meet at the Istanbul Airport International Departures Terminal, proceed with ticketing, baggage check-in, and boarding procedures, then depart for Beijing on a scheduled Turkish Airlines flight. Upon arrival in Beijing in the late afternoon, we will be met by our private vehicle and transferred to our hotel. The remainder of the day is free time. Overnight stay at our hotel.
Beijing - Tiananmen Square - Forbidden City - Temple of Heaven - Beijing
After breakfast at our hotel, we depart for a full-day tour of Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, and the Temple of Heaven, including lunch. Our first stop is Tiananmen Square, one of the world's largest urban squares and one of China's most significant political and historical landmarks. Within the square, we will view panoramic sights including the Mausoleum of Mao Zedong, where the founder of the People's Republic of China is enshrined; the Great Hall of the People, the monumental state building that hosts sessions of the National People's Congress; and the National Museum of China, located on the eastern side of the square, which is among the world's largest museums and showcases thousands of years of Chinese history. Next, we visit the Forbidden City, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the largest and best-preserved palace complexes in the world. For nearly 500 years during the Ming and Qing dynasties, it served as the imperial residence. Surrounded by towering red walls and golden-tiled roofs, this vast complex was the center of imperial power and remained closed to ordinary citizens for centuries, hence its name "Forbidden City." We will have the opportunity to explore its hundreds of palace halls, courtyards, and imperial gardens. Following our visit to the Forbidden City, we proceed to the Temple of Heaven, another UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most important religious complexes where emperors prayed for bountiful harvests and celestial blessings during past dynastic eras. Regarded as one of the finest examples of Chinese architecture, this sacred site is encircled by expansive parklands and ceremonial structures, having once been a central venue for imperial rituals. After the tour, we transfer back to our hotel for overnight accommodation.
Beijing - Great Wall of China - Summer Palace - Beijing
After breakfast at the hotel, we will depart for the Great Wall and Summer Palace tour, which includes lunch. Our first stop will be the Great Wall, a UNESCO World Heritage Site originally constructed in 220 BC to defend against northern invasions by Central Asian Turkic tribes. Following our visit, we will enjoy lunch and then explore the magnificent Summer Palace located on the shores of Kunming Lake. Situated in northwest Beijing, the Summer Palace is China's best-preserved imperial garden and palace complex. Its history dates back to the Jin Dynasty in the 12th century, though its current form was shaped during the Qing Dynasty under Emperor Qianlong in the 18th century. The emperor commissioned this retreat as an escape from the stifling atmosphere of the main palace, offering a place to relax amidst nature. The palace suffered damage during the Second Opium War in 1860 but was later restored by Empress Dowager Cixi using funds diverted from the navy budget. Although controversial, this anecdote highlights that the palace's present elegance is the result of meticulous restoration work from that era. Next, we will view the Bird's Nest, Beijing's Olympic Stadium, from the outside. Lunch will be served at a local restaurant during the tour. Afterward, we will transfer back to the hotel and spend the night there.
Beijing - Xi'an - Terracotta Warriors Museum - Xi'an
After breakfast at the hotel, we will transfer to Xi'an via high-speed train. Upon arrival, we will check into our hotel and then depart for a lunch-included tour of the Terracotta Warriors Museum. This museum houses the "Underground Army," one of the most significant archaeological discoveries of the 20th century, built to protect the tomb of China's first emperor, Shi Huang. Accidentally discovered in 1974 by a local farmer, this army consists of 8,000 life-sized terracotta soldiers, each with unique facial expressions and postures. These figures were created as a spiritual army believed to guard the emperor even after his death. During our visit, we will gain insight into the emperor's power and the remarkable craftsmanship of that era. After the tour, we will return to Xi'an, enjoying lunch at a local restaurant along the way. Following the conclusion of the tour, we will transfer back to the hotel to rest before spending the night there.
Xi'an – Chengdu
After breakfast at the hotel, we will transfer to the train station and take a high-speed train to Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan province in southwestern China. Renowned for its millennia-old history, world-famous spicy cuisine, and vibrant modern urban life, Chengdu is one of the most distinctive metropolises of the Far East. Upon arrival, we will embark on a brief panoramic city tour of Chengdu with lunch included (tea tasting included). During the tour, we will visit People's Park, where locals gather in traditional teahouses to sip tea from bamboo chairs and savor the leisurely pace of daily life, featuring lotus-filled ponds, stone bridges, and the century-old Heming Teahouse that authentically reflects the city's everyday culture. We will also explore Kuanzhai Xiangzi (Wide and Narrow Alleys), a historic district dating back to the Qing Dynasty, characterized by courtyard houses, gray brick architecture, traditional teahouses, restaurants serving authentic Sichuan flavors, and shops offering local handicrafts—a place where Chengdu's past and present converge in a single atmosphere. Following this, we will enjoy a tea-tasting session at a local teahouse and have lunch at a restaurant. Afterward, we will transfer back to our hotel and have free time. Overnight stay at the hotel.
Chengdu - Zhangjiajie
After breakfast at our hotel, we depart for the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding. This world-renowned landmark in Chengdu is dedicated to the conservation, breeding, and scientific research of these endangered yet adorable creatures. The center features modern care facilities, a panda museum, and special observation areas where you can get up close with giant pandas, cubs, and red pandas amidst vast natural habitats reminiscent of lush bamboo forests. Following this visit, we will have free time for shopping in Chunxi until our high-speed train transfer to Zhangjiajie. At the end of our free time, we head to the train station and travel to Zhangjiajie. Upon arrival in Zhangjiajie, located in Hunan Province, China—a region renowned as one of the world's most extraordinary natural landscapes, featuring thousands of quartz-sandstone pillars rising through mist, deep valleys, verdant forests, and breathtaking mountain vistas above the clouds—we will be transferred to our hotel and enjoy some free time. Overnight stay at our hotel.
Zhangjiajie – Avatar Mountains – Zhangjiajie
After breakfast at our hotel, we depart for the Zhangjiajie National Forest Park and Avatar Mountains tour with lunch included. First, we will ascend to the Yuanjiajie area via the Bailong Elevator, one of the world's highest outdoor elevators. Here, we will visit several highlights: the Back Garden, known for its lush vegetation and striking natural rock formations; Mihun Terrace, offering panoramic views of cliffs and misty valleys; the First Bridge of the World, a natural stone bridge connecting two massive rock pillars and considered one of the highest in the world; and the Hallelujah Mountains, believed to have inspired the floating mountains in the Avatar film. Next, we will transfer by vehicle to the Tianzi Mountain Scenic Area. Notable sites here include He Long Park, dedicated to the memory of Chinese military leader and statesman He Long; breathtaking panoramic vistas formed by hundreds of towering rock pillars rising through the mist; and the Fairy Girl Offering Flowers rock formation, shaped with remarkable artistry by nature. After our visit, we will descend to the mountain base via cable car. Then, we will explore the On-Mile Gallery, one of Zhangjiajie's most captivating areas, featuring a valley stretching approximately five kilometers, steep rock pillars, and vibrant greenery, using a miniature train. Along the way, we will see natural formations such as the Old Man Gathering Herbs, resembling an elderly man carrying a basket of plants on his back, and the Three Sisters Peaks, composed of three elegant rock pillars standing side by side. Following our tour, we will enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. Upon completion of the day's activities, we will return to our hotel and have free time. Overnight stay at our hotel.
Zhangjiajie - Grand Canyon - Baofeng Lake - Shanghai
After breakfast at our hotel in the morning, we will depart for a full-day tour of Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon and Baofeng Lake, including lunch. We will explore Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon, one of the region's most breathtaking natural areas, featuring lush forests, deep valleys, waterfalls, and dramatic rock formations. Following this excursion, we will proceed to Baofeng Lake, renowned for its serene mountain-surrounded atmosphere and crystal-clear waters. During a boat ride on the lake, we will enjoy a unique perspective of the steep cliffs encircling the lake, dense vegetation, and the enchanting natural scenery of Zhangjiajie. After the visit, we will have lunch at a local restaurant. Post-lunch, we will transfer to the airport and board a scheduled domestic flight to Shanghai. Upon arrival in Shanghai, we will meet our private vehicle and be transferred to our hotel. Overnight stay at the hotel.
Shanghai - Jade Buddha Temple - Yu Garden - Shanghai
After breakfast at the hotel, we will depart for the Jade Buddha Temple & Yu Garden Tour (including a Tea Ceremony), with lunch provided. Our first stop is the Yu Garden, a traditional Chinese garden dating back to the Ming Dynasty, which reflects classic Chinese architecture through its ponds, stone bridges, and pavilions. After exploring the Yu Garden, we will have the opportunity to participate in a Tea Ceremony, offering a deeper immersion into Chinese culture. Next, we will visit the Jade Buddha Temple, located in the heart of Shanghai and considered one of China's most sacred Buddhist sites. Built in 1882 to house two magnificent Buddhist statues brought from Myanmar, the temple showcases the most elegant details of classical Song Dynasty architecture. During our visit, we will have the chance to see the world-famous seated and reclining Buddha statues, carved from a single piece of white jade and adorned with precious stones, symbolizing inner peace. Lunch will be served at a local restaurant during the tour. Following the tour, we will transfer back to the hotel and enjoy free time. Overnight stay at our hotel.
Shanghai - Istanbul
After breakfast at the hotel, we depart for our Shanghai tour. Our first stop will be the French Concession, known for its narrow streets lined with plane trees and European-style villas, where we will explore this part of the city bearing Western influences. Next, we will visit Xintiandi, one of Shanghai's most stylish attractions, where traditional "Shikumen" architecture has been revitalized with modern restaurants and galleries. The tour continues to Tianzifang, an area filled with hidden art studios, boutiques, and secret cafes winding through a maze-like network of alleys. Afterward, we have free time on Nanjing Road, one of the world's most famous shopping avenues. Following the tour, we enjoy additional free time until the time set by our guide, after which we transfer to Shanghai Pudong International Airport for our flight back to Istanbul. After completing baggage check-in, ticket procedures, and customs formalities, we board our Turkish Airlines scheduled flight to Istanbul. We will spend the night on board the aircraft.
Istanbul
With our arrival in Istanbul early in the morning, our tour and transportation services come to an end.