Alex's China & South Korea Adventure

Alex’s China & South Korea Adventure

Join Alex as she explores the Great Wall, the Terracotta Army and South Korea on an unforgettable Wendy Wu Tours adventure.

I was lucky enough to be invited on a Wendy Wu Tours Cruise & Tour educational trip to China and South Korea recently, and it was an amazing experience.

Over 10 nights, I travelled with a group of 20 travel agents, exploring Beijing, Xian and Shanghai before boarding Royal Caribbean’s Spectrum of the Seas and sailing to South Korea.

I’d heard great things about Wendy Wu before travelling, but experiencing one of their tours first-hand gave me a real insight into why they’re so popular.

What Impressed Me Most

China is an incredible destination, but it can feel a little overwhelming when you think about the language, the size of the cities and travelling around such a huge country.

What stood out from the start was how smoothly everything was organised. From airport arrivals and transfers to hotels, trains, flights and sightseeing, everything was taken care of, so all we had to do was enjoy the trip.

The tour guides were brilliant. Not only were they incredibly knowledgeable, but they were also some of the friendliest and most helpful people I’ve travelled with. They always had time for questions and really helped bring each destination to life.

One thing I particularly liked was how they planned our visits to the major attractions. They knew exactly when to take us, so they weren’t overcrowded, which made a huge difference to the experience.

Another great touch was the use of “Whispers” – a small earpiece connected to the guide’s microphone. Even if you stopped to take photos or drifted a little behind the group, you could still hear everything the guide was saying.

My Highlights

Walking on the Great Wall of China was every bit as amazing as I hoped it would be. It’s one of those places you’ve seen in pictures your whole life, but standing there and seeing it stretch across the mountains is something completely different.

The Terracotta Army was another huge highlight. Seeing thousands of life-sized warriors standing before you is incredible and one of those bucket-list experiences.

I also loved Xian. Out of all the cities we visited, it was probably my favourite. The ancient city walls, beautiful streets and relaxed atmosphere gave it a charm that really surprised me.

Another part of the trip I really enjoyed was travelling on China’s high-speed bullet train from Beijing to Xian. It was incredibly smooth, comfortable and a great way to see another side of the country.

Cruising with Royal Caribbean

After our time exploring China, we boarded Royal Caribbean’s Spectrum of the Seas for the cruise part of the trip.

I really enjoyed this part of the holiday as it gave us a chance to relax after a few busy days of sightseeing. It was nice to unpack, enjoy the ship and have a slower pace for a few days while travelling to South Korea.

The ship was amazing and there was always something to do, whether that was trying one of the restaurants, watching the entertainment, relaxing with a drink or simply enjoying the sea views.

I also think the cruise and tour combination works really well. You get to experience some of the most famous sights in China with expert guides, but then you also get the chance to relax and enjoy everything a cruise holiday has to offer.

The cruise took us to Busan and Yeosu in South Korea, giving us the opportunity to experience another country during the same trip.

One of my favourite experiences in South Korea was visiting Hwaeomsa Temple near Yeosu. The setting was beautiful and we enjoyed a cooking class as well as tea with a Buddhist monk, which was something completely different and very memorable.

For anyone who enjoys escorted tours but also loves cruising, I think this type of holiday is a fantastic option.

More Than Just China

As well as China and South Korea, Wendy Wu Tours operate throughout the Far East, Southeast Asia, Central Asia, the Indian Subcontinent, Africa and Latin America.

There are lots of different ways to travel too. Their Classic Tours have a maximum of 28 guests, while their Go Beyond Tours are limited to just 18 guests and allow more time to explore and experience local culture. They also offer Cruise & Tour holidays, beach extensions and tailor-made itineraries.

Final Thoughts

This trip exceeded my expectations.

The destinations were amazing, but what really stood out was the quality of the overall experience. The organisation, attention to detail, fantastic guides and thoughtful touches all helped make the trip run smoothly from start to finish.

I came home with some amazing memories, especially of the Great Wall, the Terracotta Army and beautiful Xian, and a much better understanding of what makes Wendy Wu Tours so popular.

If you’re interested in visiting China, South Korea or any of the other incredible destinations Wendy Wu offers, please get in touch. Myself or a member of our team would be delighted to help you find an adventure of your own.