Classic Japan & China

Upon arrival at the airport, our representative will meet you and assist you to board your transfer to your hotel.

Explore Tokyo like a local would. 

Learn how to purify yourself at the entrance of Meiji-jingu shrine. Stroll down colorful Takeshita street in Harajuku with its youthful fashionable atmosphere and Kawaii culture. You may even run into some cosplayers all decked out as their favourite anime character. Next is the elegant tree lined Omotesando with its high style buildings and one of a kind architecture housing designer luxury boutiques.

The Asakusa traditional district in the northwest section of the city boasts the magnificent Senso-ji temple and its five story pagoda. Here, incense burning worshippers are oblivious to the selfie taking tourists. Let our guide help translate the good fortunes printed on your Omikuji and save as a souvenir of Tokyo. Some shopping time for souvenirs or Japanese rice crackers is in order along Nakamise shopping street which leads to the outer gate of the temple. 

Free day at leisure to explore on your own.

Free day at leisure to explore on your own.

This morning our guide will meet you at your hotel and you will board the Odakyu Romancecar at Shinjuku station and head west of Tokyo by train for about 100km to Hakone, part of the Fuji, Hakone, Izu National Park.

Mount Fuji is the tallest mountain in Japan and is known for its graceful conical form. It is the country’s sacred symbol with temples and shrines located around and on the mountain. Hakone is famous amongst the locals for its hot springs and magnificent views of Mount Fuji.

From Hakone-Yumoto station, board the scenic Hakone Tozan train which climbs the steep mountainside through numerous switchbacks. The tracks end at Gora station where you now switch to a cable car to continue the climb to the highest point at Sounzan. Here you will hop onto the Hakone Ropeway gondola traversing the Okuwadani valley with views of the active sulphuric hotsprings below. The 30 minute gondola ride ends at Togendai station on the shores of lake Ashinoko. You continue to explore the area on a boat ride across Lake Ashinoko with spectacular views of Mount Fuji (weather permitting). 

On arrival at your ryokan, you will be warmly welcomed by the staff. You will experience the deeply rooted Japanese custom of Ometenashi (to whole heartedly look after guests). Your stay here will be a most unique Japanese experience from how you dress, sleep and bathe. Relax and embrace the experience and do as the locals do. 

Travel by bullet train / local train from Hakone to Kyoto (~2 hours 10 minutes).

Upon meeting our guide, you will head to the south of Kyoto to Fushimi Inari Taisha. This shrine dedicated to the Shinto God of rice is famous for its thousands of vermillion colored torii gates leading through the wooded forest to Mount Inari.  Next, you will visit Kiyomizudera (pure water) temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1994. Make your way up to the wooden stage of the main hall with beautiful views of city of Kyoto and the surrounding mountains.

The tour ends in Gion, the most famous Geisha neighborhood of Kyoto. Here you will see the many well preserved traditional wooden houses (machiya) of old Japan, many of which are tea houses where Geishas entertain their well to do clientele. 

The  way of tea includes many elements of Japanese culture and has influenced the aesthetic sense of Japan. At a traditional Kyoto townhouse, we’d like to provide you with a tranquil moment to get acquainted with the world of tea ceremony and enjoy a cup of tea. It would be an unforgettable memory in Kyoto. Learn the heart of Japanese hospitality through the tea ceremony.

Free day at leisure to explore on your own.

Transfer by airport limousine bus from hotel to the airport for your flight to Beijing (not included).

Upon arrival in Beijing, meet our representative and transfer to your hotel.

Discover the rich tapestry of Beijing’s imperial past with a captivating tour that begins at the iconic Tian’anmen Square, one of the largest public squares in the world and a symbol of modern China. From there, step into the grandeur of the Forbidden City, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and former residence of Ming and Qing emperors. As you wander through its majestic halls and intricate courtyards, you’ll be immersed in centuries of royal history and architectural splendor.

In the afternoon, enjoy a tranquil escape to the enchanting Summer Palace, a stunning example of Chinese landscape garden design. Stroll along the scenic Kunming Lake, explore the intricately painted Long Corridor, and marvel at the grandeur of the Marble Boat.

As the day draws to a close, indulge in a traditional Peking Duck dinner at a local restaurant, savoring the crispy, flavorful delicacy that has become a hallmark of Beijing cuisine.

Begin your day with a visit to the Temple of Heaven, a masterpiece of Ming dynasty architecture and a spiritual symbol of harmony between heaven and earth. Wander through the vast ceremonial grounds where emperors once prayed for good harvests, and admire the stunning Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, renowned for its exquisite blue-tiled roof and precise symmetry. The surrounding park offers a glimpse into local life, with morning tai chi sessions and traditional music adding to the cultural ambiance.

In the afternoon, embark on an unforgettable excursion to the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall, one of the best-preserved and less crowded stretches of this world wonder. Take a scenic round-trip cable car ride that offers breathtaking views of the wall snaking across forested hills. Once on the Wall, stroll along its ancient stone paths, explore watchtowers, and absorb the grandeur of this monumental feat of engineering.

Take the High Speed train to Shanghai (about 4.5 hours). Arrive in Shanghai and transfer to your hotel.

Start your day with a journey into the heart of Shanghai’s heritage at the enchanting Yu Garden and Old Town. This classical Chinese garden, dating back to the Ming Dynasty, offers a peaceful retreat with its delicate pavilions, koi-filled ponds, and intricately carved rockeries. Just outside, the bustling Old Town invites you to explore its lively streets lined with traditional shops, tea houses, and vibrant markets, offering a perfect blend of culture and local flavor.

For lunch, delight in one of Shanghai’s most beloved culinary traditions with a serving of steaming soup dumplings at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, transition from the old to the new with a visit to the iconic Bund, where colonial-era buildings stand proudly along the Huangpu River. Then, ascend the futuristic Shanghai Tower, China’s tallest building, for panoramic views of the city’s ever-evolving skyline. This tour offers a seamless blend of ancient charm and modern marvels, showcasing the dynamic spirit of Shanghai.

Departure transfer to airport for your onward flight.