Embark on a 10-night, four-city tour of China -- including a full day at the world's only giant panda breeding and research base -- for $1998 per person.

Experience Beijing, Shanghai and the lakeside city of Hangzhou, along with the add-on trip to Chengdu, for this discounted price. Piecing such a complex itinerary together, including the 4- and 5-star hotels, would be up to $900 more per person.

This trip includes:

• Roundtrip direct airfare to Beijing from Los Angeles
• All transfers with bag handling
• Four nights in a Beijing hotel listed as 4-5 stars on travel websites
• Four nights in a 4-star Shanghai hotel
• Two nights in a 5-star Chengdu hotel
• Breakfast daily and three lunches
• Flight from Beijing to Shanghai
• Roundtrip flight to Chengdu
• All tours & services of guides

During this trip, tour the Great Wall of China, a jade factory, the Ming Tombs where 13 emperors are buried, Tiananmen Square, the modern city of Shanghai and a Chinese tea plantation in Hangzhou.

In Chengdu, spend a full day at the Giant Panda Research Center -- feeding, bathing and caring for China's most recognized animal alongside the staff. A tour and lunch at the panda reserve also are included in the price.

Depart on these dates: Dec. 29 (ringing in 2012 in China); Jan. 12; Jan. 26 or Feb. 9. Other dates September-March are $100-$200 more per person.

Note: You can opt to book an eight-night escorted trip -- without the two-night panda reserve extension -- for $1299 per person.