Japan and China
Japan and China
Cultural highlights of two fascinating countries
An incredible twin-centre tour that takes you from the breathtaking views of Mount Fuji to the incredible Great Wall of China. Experience the cultures and traditions of two nations that boast a fascinating history. Start the tour in Japan’s capital, Tokyo and enjoy five days exploring the essential attractions of Tokyo, Hakone, Kyoto and Nara. Visit the illustrious capital of China, Beijing, and the vibrant city of Xian, giving you a wonderful taste of China’s most historic attractions. This tour provides a wonderful insight into the culture and history of both Japan and China.
Locations you will be visiting
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Tokyo, Japan
Tokyo, Japan’s busy capital, mixes the ultramodern and the traditional
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Kyoto, Japan
Kyoto, Japan's former capital, is home to 17 UNESCO World Heritage sites
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Beijing, China
Beijing is the capital city of China and is the nation’s political and cultural centre.
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Xian, China
Xian, the eastern starting point of the Silk Road, capital of Shaanxi province and one of China’s ...
YOUR TOUR ITINERARY
Japan and China
15 day Tour Itinerary
An overview of your trip
DAY 1 UK to Tokyo
Take your scheduled flight from the UK to Tokyo.
- Meals included: Breakfast
- Transport: Airplane
DAY 2 Arrive Tokyo
Upon arrival you will be met and transferred by shuttle bus to your accommodation. The rest of the day is at leisure.
- Meals included: Breakfast
DAY 3 Tokyo Morning Tour
Today, you will be picked up from your hotel to join Tokyo Morning Tour. Visit Meiji Shrine, the Imperial Palace Plaza and Double Bridge, and drive through Asakusa shopping district. Tour ends at Tokyo Station approx. 1 pm. The tour guide will inform you how to go back to your hotel. The rest of the day is free at leisure.
- Meals included: Breakfast
DAY 4 Tokyo to Mt. Fuji and Hakone
Please leave your main suitcase with the porter desk by 7:30 am, but keep an overnight bag with you for the night in Hakone. After breakfast, you will be picked up from your hotel to join the day tour to Mt. Fuji and Hakone. Visit Mt. Fuji’s 5th station in the morning and take the Hakone Ropeway, followed by a cruise on Lake Ashi. After the tour you will be transferred to your accommodation in Hakone by taxi.
- Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
- Transport: Ropeway, Cruise
DAY 5 Hakone to Kyoto and Nara Afternoon Walking Tour
After breakfast, journey to the station by private car for your bullet train to Kyoto, where you will be met by an English speaking assistant, who will transfer you to your accommodation. In the afternoon join the tour to Nara, where you will visit the Todaiji Temple with Great Buddha, and Nara Park, home to over 1,200 wild shika deer. Visitors may feed the deer with Shika-senbei, a special snack for the deer, which you can buy in the park. Your final stop, before returning to Kyoto, will be the spiritual Kofuku-ji Temple.
- Meals included: Breakfast
- Transport: Bullet Train
DAY 6 Full Day Kyoto Tour
Following breakfast, join a full day tour of Kyoto. Visit the impressive Kiyomizu-dera Temple, for a panoramic view of Kyoto. Continue to Sanjusangendo Temple, a Buddhist temple filled with 1001 statues of Kannon, the Goddess of mercy, and the intriguing Fushimi Inari Shrine, with its brightly coloured Torii gates. Your next stop is Arashiyama, for the Tenryu-ji Temple, one of Kyoto’s best Zen temples with a beautiful landscaped garden. Walk through the enchanting Sagano Bamboo Grove, where the plants tower above and either side of you, forming a picturesque walkway. The last stop of the day will be at the beautiful Kinkaku-ji Temple (Golden Pavilion), a zen temple where the top two floors are completely covered in gold leaf.
- Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
DAY 7 Fly to Beijing
Transfer to Kansai Airport by shuttle bus for your flight to Beijing. Upon arrival, you will be met by your guide and transferred to your hotel for a three night stay. In the afternoon there will be time to relax or take a walk in the surrounding area. Your guide will be pleased to advise you on what you can do. In the early evening, enjoy dinner with your fellow group members.
- Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
- Transport: Airplane
DAY 8 Beijing City Tour
This morning, visit the Temple of Heaven, where the Ming and Qing emperors worshipped the God of heaven, and you should see the tradition of Tai Chi practised in the courtyard. This will be followed by a stroll through Tiananmen Square, the largest square in the world, and the Forbidden City which served as the grand imperial palace for centuries. Your final stop of the day will be at the Hutongs, for an insight into the everyday life of traditional Beijing people.
- Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 9 Great Wall
Your day starts with a visit to the Great Wall at Mutianyu, a less-crowded post with breathtaking views. Mutianyu was built in the mid-6th century and its rich history can be observed in its well-preserved structure. This will be followed by an opportunity for photographs at the Birds Nest Stadium and Water Cube, venues for the memorable 2008 Olympics and 2015 World Championships. In the evening, enjoy a flavoursome Peking Duck Dinner, a local delicacy and a culinary must!
- Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 10 Bullet Train to Xian
In the morning take a trip to the Summer Palace, a magnificent collection of lakes, gardens, palaces in picturesque surroundings. Afterwards, relax on a boat ride on the beautiful Kunming Lake, before catching a bullet train to Xian (approx. 5 ½ hours).
- Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
- Transport: Bullet Train
DAY 11 Terracotta Warriors
Your guide will escort you to the Terracotta Warriors, an amazing collection of 10,000 life size statues of the Chinese army made over 2,000 years ago. This will be followed by a visit to Xian’s ancient city wall, which is best enjoyed on foot or by bike. This evening be entertained by a Tang Dynasty Show, whilst you enjoy a delicious dumpling dinner.
- Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 12 Xian City Tour and to Shanghai
Visit the Shaanxi Museum, home to over a quarter of a million artefacts on display, including treasures from many periods of China’s history. At the next destination, the Small Wild Goose Pagoda, you will discover China’s unique architectural style, and at your last stop, the Muslim Quarter, you will see local life in the community. Finally, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Shanghai.
- Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
- Transport: Airplane
DAY 13 Shanghai City Tour
The first attraction of the day will be the Yu Yuan Gardens, first designed in 1559 during the Ming Dynasty by Pan Yunduan. The Yu Yuan Gardens occupies an area of 5 acres and is home to beautiful pavilions, walkways, rockeries, streams, ponds, courtyards and flowers. Continue to the Jade Buddha Temple, which was built to house two large, intricate sculptures of Buddha. Afterwards you will spend time at the Shanghai Museum, followed by time at the Bund, the main waterfront attraction of this modern metropolis. Later, from the top of the Shanghai world financial centre, you can enjoy a breathtaking bird’s eye view of the whole city.
- Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 14 Zhujiajiao
Today will start with a visit to Zhujiajiao, an ancient water town with a 1,700 year history, known as the Pearl Stream. You should see the Ming and Qing Dynasty bridges, two ancient and historic buildings, and the Ma family Garden before heading back to Shanghai for an afternoon at leisure for last minute shopping.
- Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
DAY 15 Shanghai to UK
Transfer to the airport for your flight to the UK.
- Meals included: Breakfast
- Transport: Airplane
Optional Extras - Cultural Experiences
There is some free time in your itinerary for you to explore on your own, or treat yourself to an excursion. Use the links below to create a to-do list, or, if you’d prefer us to book you onto one of these or any other excursions, please let us know when booking your tour.
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View this packageJapan
Japan: Gion Kimono Tour, Kyoto
Walk around Gion like a real Japanese in Kimono!
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View this packageJapan
Japan: Traditional Crafts
Join a workshop to make different Japanese traditional crafts, e.g. Ikebana flower arranging, Origami, Calligraphy, Japanese sweet making and Japanese pottery.
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View this packageChina
China: Tai Chi Lesson
Practise this ancient martial art with a Tai Chi lesson
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View this packageChina
China: Tea Tasting
Appreciate the varying blends of Chinese tea at a tasting
Sample Accommodation
Your holiday details
Departures and Prices 2019/20
Single supplement from £898
Prices and products are subject to availability at the time of booking.
The deposit for these arrangements is £300 per person. Balance is due 10 weeks before departure.
Japan: Japan and China
from£3,898
What's included:
- International and domestic flights in economy class
- Bullet train
- 3★ and 4★ accommodation
- Transfers
- English speaking guides
- Meals as specified
- Entrance fees to the sites listed
- Airport taxes
- Visa fees
- Local tips in China: RMB380 (approx £44) per person
- Personal spending
- Travel insurance
When making an enquiry or reservation we will request your contact details, however no payment will be required at this stage. We will contact you for payment details and to confirm your booking, your details and the details of those travelling with you along with any extras you’d like to add.
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