• Beijing: Small group tours (3 nights)
• The Great Wall & Forbidden City
• Xian: Small group tours (2 nights)
• Terracotta Warriors
• Yangtze River Cruise: (5 nights)
• Tokyo: morning tour (3 nights)
• Mount Fuji tour
• Hakone & Lake Ashi: full day tour
• Bullet train
• Kyoto: morning tour (3 night)

Oriental extravaganza, visiting the must-see locations & spectacular scenery of these two great countries.....

View Itinerary

Price & Departure dates

Day 1
Depart from Heathrow or your preferred airport for scheduled flight to Beijing. Meals on board.

Day 2 Beijing
Upon arrival in Beijing, you are greeted at the airport by our English speaking guide and transferred to your hotel by private transport. The rest of the day is at your leisure to recover from jetlag and get ready for the adventure to come! (China is 8 hours ahead of UK)

Day 3 Beijing (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
A full day city tour to soak up the atmosphere of Beijing. This includes visiting historical sites such as Temple of Heaven, Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City. Then we will go to watch an entertaining acrobat show.

Our welcome dinner in the evening provides an opportunity to sample special Chinese cuisine combined with live music, singing and dancing entertainment.

Day 4 Beijing (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
The highlights of today's tour include a visit to the Great Wall, the only man-made wonder on earth visible from the moon. We travel to the Ming Tombs and walk on the Sacred Way to see the resting place of thirteen Chinese Emperors of the Ming Dynasty. Our memorable date continues with a trip to the Beijing Olympics Stadia (Bird's Nest & Water Cube)(exterior) for picture opportunities. Enjoy the famous Peking Roasted Duck dinner upon your return.

We will visit Juyongguan section of the Great Wall, which was originally constructed in the 5th century and is regarded as the most strategic section of the Wall. The section is quieter and less commercial than some other areas and it provides the opportunity to visit the Sacred Way, another highlight of the Great Wall heritage.

Day 5 Beijing to Xian (Breakfast, Lunch)
Today, our tours includes a visit to the Summer Palace (Yiheyuan), which dates back to the 12th century when the Jin ruler built his Gold Mountain Travelling Palace. We walk along the Long Corridor beside Kunming Lake and take a detour to the Garden of Harmony before taking the ferry next to the Marble Boat. In the next part of our tour we take a fascinating Rickshaw ride and visit an old residential area and see how local people live. Our guide will then escort you to Houhai, a popular relaxing and eating out place for both Western and Chinese tourists. For travelers who would like to experience shopping in China, we can take you to the popular shopping street - Xiushui Silk Market. In the evening, we take a flight to Xian, the former capital of China and starting point of the ancient Silk Road.

Day 6 Xian (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Today, the highlights include Terra-cotta Warriors. You will visit the luxury underground palace of Emperor Qinshihuang, The Archaeological Museum of 6,000 life-size Terracotta Warriors and their horses. The warriors were the after life protectors the first emperor who united China (221BC-206BC). Following this we will visit the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, built as a Buddhist Monastery during the Tang Dynasty. If time allows we will also visit the Muslin Square. In the evening we attend a re-enactment of the royal arts performance of a 7th century Tang Dynasty Show, with a special Dinner of dumplings included.

Day 7 Xian to Wuhan (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
A city tour which includes visiting Xian's well preserved Ancient City Walls, built in the early Ming Dynasty (about 600 years ago) and the historic Bell Tower where you can overlook the entire city. Take a flight to Wuhan, one of China’s largest cities, a surprisingly vibrant city with a lovely mixture of old and new, a real opportunity to discover the real China. Our tour will take you to Hubei Provincial Museum which houses a vast and precious display of ancient Chinese items, including a large collection of artefacts from the Zenghouyi Tomb, dates from around 433 BC, well worth your time.

Day 8 Wuhan to Yichang (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
In the morning, we will visit famous Chinese landmark pagoda Huanghelou which is described by many Chinese poets. Drive to Yichang (approx. 2.5 hrs). Board the cruise in the evening.

Day 9 Yangtze River (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Shore excursion to the 3 Gorges Dam project in the morning. Sail through Xiling Gorge. Entertainment and organised activities on board, with Captain's welcome dinner to attend.

Day 10 Yangtze River (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Shore excursion to Shennong Stream or Lesser 3 Gorges (depends on sailing schedule), cruise sails through Wu Gorge and Qutang Gorge. Entertainment and organised activities on board.

Day 11 Yangtze River (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Shore excursion to Shibaozhai or Fengdu (depends on sailing schedule). Entertainment and organised activities on board, with the farewell dinner party in the evening.

Day 12 Yangtze River - Tokyo (Breakfast)
Arrive at Chongqing. We will take a flight to Beijing or Shanghai to catch the flight to Tokyo. Upon arriving at Narita Airport in Tokyo, you are met by English speaking staff and transferred to your Hotel. The rest of the day is at your leisure.

Day 13 Tokyo
Morning City tour of Tokyo visiting a number of the main highlights of this magnificent City. The tour includes a visit to the Tokyo Tower where you can enjoy panorama views across the city from the observation tower. We proceed to the peaceful picturesque setting of the Meiji Shrine considered to be one of the finest example of Shinto Architecture set in thick woodland. Next we visit the 'Akasaka Guest House' for a photo opportunity. The Guest House is a magnificent 'Western Style Palace' built in the Baroque Architectural style. We then drive alongside the imposing National Diet Building, which is home to the Japanese House of Parliament. Our tour continues across Tokyo to the Imperial Palace East Garden, where we enjoy a pleasant walk in the East Garden of the Imperial Palace, which is filled with scenic and historic beauty. (Alternatively for tours on Monday & Friday we will visit the Imperial Palace plaza and famous Double bridge instead of the East Garden, including a visit to the inner moat and towering Palace walls surrounded by pine trees). Our tour will continue with a drive and stroll along Ginza high street, the famous shopping area of Tokyo. Our tour will disband at Ginza giving you the opportunity for shopping (we also recommend you visit the Sony Centre building to see the futuristic electronics on display. Ginza is also convenient for the subway to explore further.

Afternoon - free at leisure or take optional afternoon city tour, which includes Asakusa Kannon Temple and Sumida river cruise. (ask for details at time of booking).

Day 14 Tokyo - (Nikko optional tour)
Free day to explore Tokyo at your leisure or purchase an optional full day tour excursion to Nikko (ask for details at time of booking). The optional tour involves taking a Deluxe motorcoach to Nikko National park, a designated World Cultural Heritage site and home to some of the most spectacular examples of ancient 17th-century Architecture in Japan. The tour includes a visit to the magnificent Toshogu shrine, which houses the Mausoleum of the founder of the Tokugawa Shogunate. We will see the Five-Story Pagoda, Niomon Gate, Three Monkeys, Yomeimon Gate and Main Sacred Hall. We then travel along the scenic Irohazaka hairpin driveway for Japanese style lunch at a local restaurant. After lunch we travel to the spectacular Kegon waterfall which is 100 meters in height. We continue our tour with a scenic drive alongside Lake Chuzenji (reported to be 161.5 meters deep) and MT Nantai.

Day 15 Tokyo - MT Fuji - Hakone - Kyoto (includes: Lunch)
You shall be picked up from your hotel and driven by deluxe motorcoach to the the 5th station on Mount Fuji. Along the way you will enjoy scenery of rural Japan, panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean and mountainous peaks. From our vantage point on the 5th station on Mt Fuji, we will enjoy spectacular views (weather permitting). Lunch will be provided at a Hotel/Restaurant in Hakone. In the afternoon we proceed to the Hakone National Park where we will take a cable car ride with the opportunity to see the magnificent volcanic Hakone mountain range below. We will then travel to the Owakudani Boiling Valley where you will see ancient volcanic craters with sulfurous fumes and clouds of steam spiraling from crevasses across the mountain side giving a truly mystical image. We then proceed with our tour for a boat cruise on Lake Ashi, which is set in serene natural beauty, where weather permitting spectacular views of Mount Fuji can be seen silhouetted in the lake. Proceed to Odawara and take the Shinkansen (Bullet train) to Kyoto. Accommodation at the New Miyako hotel or similar.

Day 16 Kyoto
Morning site seeing tour of Kyoto including a visit to the Kinkakuji temple (Golden Pavilion) centred around one of the best examples of a Japanese Zen gardens in the world, Nijo Castle residence of the Tokugawa Shogun built in 1603, Nijo Castle is noted for its Ornate interior and 'nightingale floor' designed to sing when stepped upon to warn of Ninja assassins.(When closed visit Ryoanji temple). We then travel to the Old Kyoto Imperial Palace (on Sat/Sun & national holidays visit Kitano Tenmangu Shrine or Hagashi Honganji temple instead). Finally we explore the Kyoto Handicraft Center where we enjoy demonstrations of Japanese traditional arts and crafts. Tour ends at the handycraft centre who provide an optional free return to your hotel in Kyoto or take optional tour to Nara (enquire at time of booking to include this tour in your itinerary). The optional afternoon tour included lunch at the Kyoto handicraft centre, visit to the Todaiji temple housing the Great Buddha, Kasuga Shinto Shrine with 3,000 lanterns and Nara Deer Park.

Day 17 Kyoto
Day free at Leisure to explore the fascinating city of Kyoto or purchase an optional afternoon tour to the colourful Heian Shrine and inner garden and ponds, Sanjusangendo Hall, a renowned long wooden hall housing all of 1,001 statues that date back to the 13th century and magnificent Kiyomizu Temple with spectacular views across the entire city. (This highly recommended afternoon tour can be prearranged at time of booking).

Day 18 Osaka to UK
Transfer to the futuristic Kansai International Airport in Osaka for departure to UK.

Departure Dates & Price from (£)

The price may be different around the bank holidays in the UK, and the festivals period in China & Japan. Please contact us for confirmation. The single supplement is based on 3 people in 1 group. The hotel upgrade price is based on twin share, for single room upgrade please contact us.

Price Includes (The prices shown above are 'per person')

• All airport/hotel transfers within China and Japan.
• Internal Flights in China.
• Selections of quality accommodation in well furnished rooms with private facilities. In China it is 4 & 5 star hotels and 4 star cruise. In Japan it is 3 star hotels with upgrade options available.
• Sightseeing tours by professional English-speaking tour guide.
• Meals as specified in the itinerary.
• Free luggage transfer from hotel to hotel between Tokyo & Kyoto.

Price Does Not Include

• International Flights: We are happy to provide flights with full ATOL Protection.
• Chinese Visa fee (please go to Our Visa Service for details).
• Travel Insurance.
• Optional tour.

Your tour arrangements Small group guided tour in China and guided city coach day tours in Japan (excluding free days). The tour includes airport greeting and transfer service in each destination, entrance fees, transfers between destinations, internal flights in China, luggage transfer in Japan and transport included whilst on all guided tours. Tours in China & Japan are all with professional English speaking local guides. This tour is suitable for all ages of travellers.

Flights As agent of many airline consolidators, we can obtain flights in various class, with reputable airlines such as BA, Air China, Virgin, Air France, KLM, Lufthansa, Finnair etc. We will book airline ticket according to availability unless you specify at the booking stage. We can also provide land-only tours if you prefer to organise your own flights and save airmiles.

Your Accommodation for this tour Carefully selected very good 4 and 5 star hotels in China and 3 to 4 stars in Japan. Hotel upgrade option available at a good rate. Please enquire at the time of your booking. For details of our hotel collection, please visit our China hotels and Japan hotels web pages.

Meals : Breakfasts are included in China each day and lunches and dinners are as shown in the itinerary. Breakfast is not included at the hotels in Japan, but can be booked in advance or payable locally directly to the hotel (approx £20 per person/breakfast). Alternatively, there are many places around the hotels where you can buy meals far more reasonably. Breakfast at hotels in China is included.

Other tour details: This tour is Guaranteed departure from 4 people. In the unlikely situation where the number is less than 4, we will offer an alternative date which is as close to the original departure date as possible. Add on tours and city extension available, for details visit Optional tours page.

Nijo Castle (Kyoto) is closed (Tue in Jul & Aug), therefore if your tour falls on these dates, we will visit Ryoanji Temple instead. Kyoto Imperial Palace is closed on weekends and national holidays, we will visit Kitano Tenmangu, or Ryoanji Temple instead.

The itinerary is designed according to the most updated information of flights schedules available, although occasionally the sequence in which cities are visited and duration of time spent in each city can change due to local conditions which are out of our control. The above itinerary highlights the main attractions that are to be visited each day. MT Fuji - Hakone - We reserve the right to change or amend our tour itinerary due to heavy traffic conditions or bad weather.We reserve the right to change, amend or alter the itinerary, although we will act in your best interests to handle any amendments. Please refer to the booking form for detailed terms & conditions.