| 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
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.
(includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
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
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.
(Includes:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner) 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
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. (Includes:
Breakfast, Lunch)
Day
6 Xian
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. (Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day
7
Xian to Wuhan
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. (Includes:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day
8 Wuhan
to Yichang
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. (Includes:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner) Day
9 Yangtze River
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. (Includes:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner) Day
10 Yangtze
River
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. (Includes:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner) Day
11 Yangtze
River
Shore excursion to Shibaozhai or Fengdu (depends
on sailing schedule). Entertainment
and organised activities on board, with the farewell dinner party
in the evening. (Includes:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner) Day
12 Yangtze
River - Tokyo
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.(Includes:
Breakfast) 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
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 (includes:
Lunch). 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 2009 (£)
|
Ref
|
Every
Monday
|
Twin
share
|
Single
supp
|
|
MCJ
|
July
|
3750
|
950
|
|
MCJ
|
August
|
3750
|
950
|
|
MCJ
|
September
|
3700
|
950
|
|
MCJ
|
October
|
3700
|
950
|
|
MCJ
|
November
|
3700
|
950
|
Departure
Dates & Price 2010 (£)
|
Ref
|
Every
Monday
|
Twin
share
|
Single
supp
|
|
MCJ
|
Feburary - mid March
|
3560
|
950
|
|
MCJ
|
mid
March - April
|
3690
|
950
|
|
MCJ
|
May
|
3690
|
950
|
|
MCJ
|
June
|
3590
|
950
|
|
MCJ
|
July
|
3790
|
950
|
|
MCJ
|
August
|
3790
|
950
|
|
MCJ
|
September
|
3730
|
950
|
|
MCJ
|
October
|
3730
|
950
|
|
MCJ
|
November
|
3730
|
950
|
|
Buy
your flight tickets Now
and save £££s
on your holiday! (Flight
Prices from £490pp incl TAX)
| The
price may be different around the bank holidays in the UK, and the festivals period
in China. 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. We
also arrange private tour or tailor made departure according to this itinerary,
please contact us to discuss your requirement. Price
Includes (The
prices shown above are 'per person') - All
flights including airport tax. We can also arrange your local airport departure
from £60. Please enquire at the time of your booking.
- All
airport/hotel transfers within China and Japan.
- Selections
of quality accommodation in well furnished rooms with private
facilities. In China it is 4 star hotels and 5 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 - Chinese
Visa fee (please go to Our
Visa Service for
details).
- Travel
Insurance.
- Optional
tour.
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 star hotels in China, 5 star cruise liner, 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.
Your
Breakfast at hotels in Japan can be booked in advance.
Alternatively, there are many places around the hotels where you
can buy meals. Breakfast at hotels in China is included.
Other
fact of our tour arrangement
Small
group tour in China, and seat in coach tour in Japan. The tour itineraries are
regularly checked and provides an ideal length of time to show you the sites,
with free time to explore according to own interests. Magical
Japan operates with top quality tour guide service. 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. Suitable
for all age travellers.
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.
| 
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