Kung Fu and Pandas – It has to be China

It’s kicked its way to the top of the US box office and now it’s set to do the same in the UK. Kung Fu Panda, the animated film about Po the Panda, a lowly waiter in a noodle restaurant who becomes a Kung Fu master, opens in UK cinemas on 4th July. With summertime set to become ‘Pandatime’, Peregrine Adventures offers a new all-action 10-day Kung Fu & Pandas family holiday in China, combining great sightseeing with kite flying, Kung Fu and panda spotting.

The first stop on Peregrine’s adventure is China’s most famous landmark, the Great Wall, choosing a quieter section of this mighty fortification to walk along. Back in Beijing, explore the courtyards, temples and residences of the huge Forbidden City built more than 500 years ago but off limits to commoners for most of that time, then do what the local kids do, fly kites in Tiananmen Square. Next, visit the Summer Palace, an amazing structure steeped in history, then in true Chinese tradition, cross Kunming Lake in a Dragon Boat.

From Beijing, transfer by overnight sleeper train to the beautiful city of Luoyang and the splendid UNESCO-listed Longman Grottoes housing 100,000 statues, including an impressive Buddha standing 17.2m in height. Travelling on to Shaolin, a day is spent exploring the area, including visiting the famous Shaolin Temple, where according to legend, Kung Fu originated. Here, children of all ages are trained in the art and there will be an opportunity to watch a demonstration of Kung Fu by the more gifted students.

The next tour highlight is a visit to the Giant Panda Breeding Research Base near Chengdu, dedicated to panda conservation and currently home to around 62 Giant Pandas. A final two days are spent in Shanghai, staying in a hotel close to the famous Bund or waterfront area, the best place to see the remnants of the city’s colonial past. There is plenty of time for shopping, sightseeing or to catch a performance during a special visit to the Children’s Palace of Shanghai, an arts school for gifted children.

The holiday costs £873 per adult and £764 per child (up to 11 years) including airport transfers, transport, accommodation, some meals, sightseeing as per itinerary and the services of a Peregrine tour leader.

Flights are not included but are available through Peregrine Adventures.

For more information, visit Peregrineadventures.co.uk.