13 days - China & Japan Highlights from £2260pp

• Beijing: Small group tours (3 nights)
• The Great Wall & Forbidden City
• Birds Nest Olympic Stadium
• Xian: Small group tours (2 nights)
• Terracotta Warriors
• Tokyo: morning tour (3 nights)
• Optional Nikko tour
• Mount Fuji: tour
• Hakone - Lake Ashi: full day tour
• Bullet train
• Kyoto: morning tour (3 nights)
• Optional Nikko and Nara tour
• Optional Hiroshima Extension

View Itinerary

Price & Departure dates

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

Day 2 Beijing
Upon arrival in Beijing, you will be 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 jet lag and get ready for the adventures awaiting you! (China is 8 hours ahead of UK GMT)

Day 3 Beijing (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Today, enjoy a full day city tour to soak up the atmosphere of Beijing. This includes visiting must-see historical sites such as the Temple of Heaven, Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City.

Our welcome evening dinner in the evening provides an opportunity to sample a delightful selection of Beijing style dishes, including Peking Duck.

Optional Evening entertainment * Acrobatic show.

Day 4 Beijing (Breakfast, Lunch)
The highlight of today's tour is a walk on the Great Wall of China. We visit the Mutianyu Section of the wall, which is quieter and less touristy, compare with many other access points. This section is also equipped with a cable car for those who prefer an easier way up (fee payable at local ticket office, approx £5). We allow plenty of time for you to walk along the wall and enjoy the unforgettable views.

Our memorable day continues with a trip to see the 2008 Bird's Nest Olympics Stadium and enjoy great photo opportunities. Time permitting, we will have a stroll in the large Olympic square and see the Water Cube (exteriors only).

After a full day visiting the many highlights of Beijing, enjoy a relaxing evening with free time for dinner on your own. This will give you a better opportunity to sample various dishes to your own liking. Our guide will be happy to make recommendations according to your requirement. A good dinner of your choice (with a beer/drink) should be no more than £10 per person.

Day 5 Beijing to Xian (Breakfast, Lunch)
After breakfast, we visit the stunning 12th century Summer Palace, Kunming Lake and the Garden of Harmony. Next we take the ferry alongside the famous Marble Boat and enjoy a fascinating Rickshaw ride through the 'Hutong' traditional residential area of Beijing. For a great place to experience shopping in China and purchase some unique souvenirs, we can take you to the popular Xiushui Silk Market and shopping mall.

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)
An exciting day awaits, as we head to the Terracotta Warriors Archaeological Museum, home to over 6,000 life-size Terracotta Warriors and their horses. The warriors are meant to be the after life protectors of the first emperor Qinshihuang, who united China (221BC-206BC).

Enjoy a selection of Xian's speciality dishes for lunch and afterwards we visit the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, built as a Buddhist Monastery during the Tang Dynasty. We enjoy the jovial atmosphere around the beautiful Pagoda and picturesque boulevards, where Xian residents come to socialise & relax.

Evening entertainment includes: 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 Tokyo ( Breakfast, Lunch)
After breakfast we explore Xian's historic Muslim Quarter, home to a large Chinese Muslim community who have lived in the city since the silk road was first established.

Enjoy walking through Muslim Square, along narrow winding streets crammed with shop stalls selling an array of interesting handcrafts and local food specialities. We also have opportunity to visit Xian's Wooden Mosque. Afterwards we walk to the majestic Bell Tower (exterior only) for a great photo opportunity. On the opposite side of the square we visit the famous Drum Tower, which provides fantastic views across the city.

In the afternoon we enjoy a leisurely walk & optional cycle ride along the ancient city walls. The smooth & well preserved walls provide an ideal and safe walking & cycling route around the entire historic city centre. This is a charming way to enjoy the local lifestyle of Xian.

Later on take a flight to Tokyo, where you are met upon arrival and transferred to your Hotel.

Day 8 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 panoramic views across the city from the observation tower. We proceed to the peaceful picturesque setting of the Meiji Shrine, set in thick woodland and considered to be one of the finest examples of Shinto Architecture. Next we drive by 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 Gardens. 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 & when the garden is closed, we will visit the Imperial Palace plaza and famous Double bridge instead). Our tour will continue with a drive and stroll along Ginza high street, the famous shopping area of Tokyo. The tour disbands in Ginza, giving you a great opportunity for shopping. We highly recommend you visit the Sony Centre building to see the futuristic electronics on display. Ginza is also convenient for the subway to explore further areas of Tokyo.

Afternoon is free at leisure, or take an optional afternoon Tokyo city tour. The optional tour includes visiting the beautiful Hama-Rikyu garden, enjoying our Sumida River Cruise and visiting the Asakusa Kannon Temple & Nakamise shopping street. We then drive through Kappabashi, Ueno and Akihabara districts of Tokyo before finishing the tour. Ask for details at time of booking.

Day 9 Tokyo - (Optional Nikko tour)
Free day to explore Tokyo at your leisure or purchase an optional full day tour to Nikko.

The optional professionally guided tour involves taking a Deluxe motor coach to Nikko National park, a designated World Cultural Heritage site. Nikko is a gem of natural beauty and home to some of the most spectacular examples of ancient 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 also visit the stunning Tamozawa Imperial Villa, constructed in 1899 and which served as the Tokyo residence of the Tokugawa family and later a summer retreat for the Imperial Family. Afterwards we visit the spectacular Kirifuri waterfall. Japanese style Lunch included. The tour disbands on arrival in Ginza & Shinjuku at around 7-8pm, where you will have ample restaurants and bars to choose from for your evening meal and entertainment. If you prefer, you can return to your hotel and our tour guide will be happy to provide you with information on return transportation/directions. Overnight in Tokyo.

Day 10 Tokyo - MT Fuji - Hakone - Kyoto (Includes Lunch)
You will be picked up from your hotel and driven by deluxe motorcoach to Mount Fuji. Along the way you will enjoy the 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 sulphurous fumes and clouds of steam spiralling 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 11 Kyoto - (Optional Nara tour)
Morning sight seeing tour of Kyoto including a visit to Nijo Castle, former 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. Next we visit the Kinkakuji Temple (Golden Pavilion) centred around one of the best examples of a Japanese Zen gardens in the world. We then travel to Kyoto Imperial Palace, the impressive former residence of the Imperial family. Tour ends around 1:00pm.

Afternoon is free at leisure, or take an optional tour to Nara. The optional tour includes visiting Nara Deer Park and the Todaiji temple housing the Great Buddha in the worlds largest wooden building. Next we visit the Kasuga Taisha Shinto Shrine which features 3,000 stone and bronze lanterns. Finally enjoy Nara Nagomikan before retuning to Kyoto. (Optional tour includes buffet lunch). Enquire at time of booking to include the Nara tour in your itinerary)

Day 12 Kyoto
Day free at Leisure to explore the fascinating city of Kyoto, or purchase our optional Kyoto afternoon tour.

The option tour includes visiting the colourful Heian Jingu Shrine and inner garden and ponds. Next we explore Sanjusangendo Hall, a renowned long wooden hall housing all of 1,001 statues that date back to the 13th century. Finally we visit the magnificent Kiyomizu Temple with spectacular views across the entire city. (This highly recommended afternoon tour can be included at time of booking).

Optional overnight stay in a traditional Japanese Ryokan is available (inc Breakfast & Evening Dinner) - Contact us for details.

Day 13 Osaka to UK
You will be met at your hotel and transferred to the futuristic Kansai International Airport in Osaka for your departure flight homeward.

Magical China & Japan - Departure Dates & Prices (£)

The price may be different around the bank holidays in the UK, and the festivals period in China and/or Japan. Please contact us for confirmation.

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

• Internal Flights in China.
• All airport/hotel transfers within China and Japan.
• Selections of quality accommodation in well furnished rooms with private facilities.
• Sightseeing tours by professional English-speaking tour guide.
• Meals as specified in the itinerary.

Price Does Not Include

• International Flights to Beijing, Shanghai or Beijing - Tokyo, Osaka to home. 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.
• Optional: luggage transfer from hotel to hotel between Tokyo & Kyoto.

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, 4 star cruise liner, and 3 to 4 stars in Japan. Hotel and Yangtze cruise 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 (every Tuesday in Jan, July, Aug & Dec), therefore if your tour falls on these dates, we will visit Ryoanji Temple instead. Kyoto Imperial Palace is closed at weekends and on national holidays, we will visit Kitano Tenmangu instead. Hiroshima & Miyajima optional tour usually operates Mon - Wed, Frid -Sunday

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.