• Beijing: Great Wall, Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven (3 nights)
• Xian: Terracotta Warriors (2 nights)
• Chengdu: Panda Breeding Reserve, Giant Buddha Statue (optional) (2 nights)
• Giant Panda Reserve
• Yangtze 5* Cruise & Chongqing: (3n)
• Shanghai: city tour (2nights)
• Tokyo: morning tour (3 nights)
• Mount Fuji & Lake Ashi: full day tour
• Bullet train
• Kyoto: morning tour (3 night)
• Optional Nikko and Nara tour

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 Being met at airport and transfer to hotel
Upon arrival in Beijing, you will be greeted at the airport by our English speaking guide and transferred to your hotel.

If your flight arrives in the morning, we provide optional afternoon tour to Lama Temple. Or, the rest of the day is at your leisure to recover from jet lag and get ready for the adventures awaiting you.

Day 3 Beijing Walk along the Great Wall of China (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
We start off your China holiday with a bang - the highlight of today is a visit to the Great Wall of China.

We visit the Mutianyu Section of the wall, which is quieter and less touristy. This section is also equipped with a cable car for those who prefer an easier way up (fee payable at local ticket office, approx £8).

After a full overnight sleep to rest our jetlegs, a full breakfast, and traffic peak hour, we then set off from our hotel.

* Walking on the Great Wall is often one of the most important highlights for our guests. We make sure this experience is as magical as it can be. So, we allowed for a full day and you can stay on the wall as long as you wanted, or short if prefered. A simple pack lunch is provided as there is no restaurant on or around the Wall, but we will celebrate this occasion in style, with a glass of wine with photos time!

Afterwards we return to our hotel, for a blissful rest. This might also be the opportunity for you to refresh and change for your welcome evening dinner. Your guide will come to take you at an agreed time, for a delightful selection of Beijing style dishes, including Peking Duck.

Optional Evening live show.

Day 4 Beijing Visiting must-see historical sites (Breakfast, Lunch)
Today, enjoy a full day city tour to soak up the atmosphere of Beijing, includes the Temple of Heaven, Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City.

After a full day of touring, your tour disband at the last stop and we leave you to enjoy a relaxing evening on your own. Our guide will happy to make recommendations as where to eat etc so please feel free to ask them. For travellers who wish to come back to hotel with the guide and driver, they will be happy to do so.

Many restaurants in Beijing have English menus. A good dinner of your choice (with a beer/drink) should be around £10 per person, but it can vary depending on your choice.

Day 5 Beijing to Xian Free time or joining optional tour (Breakfast)
Our flight to Xian is around mid afternoon so the morning is free for you to explore Beijing with leisure. Or you may wish to take a guided morning tour with us, visiting the Summer Palace. You may wish to try Rickshaw ride (pay fee on the spot) through the 'Hutong' traditional residential area of Beijing. Then continues to see the 2008 Bird's Nest Olympics Stadium (exteriors only). Time permitting, we will have a stroll in the large Olympic square and see the Water Cube (exteriors only).

Later on, your guide will accompany you to airport for checking in, and bid you farewell as you take a flight to Xian, the former capital of China and starting point of the ancient Silk Road.

*For travellers who wish to experience overnight train from Beijing to Xian, we can arrange transfer to train station and train ticket (1 ticket per person for a soft-sleeper beth). Please note the train journey is about 12 hours overnight.

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).

Afterwards our guide will take you 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.

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.

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 Chengdu Free time or joining optional tour (Breakfast)
Our flight to Chengdu is around mid to late afternoon so the morning is free for you to explore Xian with leisure. Or you may wish to take a guided morning tour with us, visiting Muslim Quarter, Xian's Wooden Mosque and the Big Wild Goose Pagoda.

Late afternoon, take a flight to Chengdu, the home of China's most famous residents, the Giant Panda.

Day 8 Chengdu, Giant Panda Breeding Research Base (Breakfast)
In the morning, as it is the best time to watch pandas when they having breakfast, we will take you to visit the Giant Panda Breeding Research Base. Once again, we will allow plenty of time to watch the Panda's enjoying their playful activities and Bamboo meals. The Breeding Centre provides photo opportunity (pay by yourselves on the spot) and please be patient as there is always a cue.

After this, which will approach lunch time, our guide will drop you off at the popular food street Jin li Street and Kuan zai Ally where there are plenty local cafes, restaurants, tea houses and handicraft stalls.

You may choose either lingering in this charming place for a leisurely enjoyable afternoon by yourselves, or come with us for an optional tour to Leshan Giant Buddha Statue. Upon arrival we will take a pleasant boat ride, during which there will be great opportunities to photo the huge statue carved into the hillside.

Optional evening entertainment* Enjoy a variety style show in one of the best theatres in Chengdu, which includes the famous face-changing performance. Ask for prices & details at time of booking.

Day 9 Chengdu to Chongqing (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
After check out hotel , we take the fast train to Chongqing, the most populated city in China Upon arrival, we have a city tour before boarding our Yangtze cruise ship in the evening.

Day 10 Yangtze River (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Enjoy magnificent views as our ship sails along the mighty Yangtze River. After breakfast, there is a scenic shore excursion to Zhangfeimiao or Fengdu (depends on sailing schedule). Entertainment and organised activities are available on board and you are invited to the Captain's welcome evening dinner in the evening.

Day 11 Yangtze River (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Todays shore excursion is to either the Shennong Stream or Lesser 3 Gorges (depends on sailing schedule). Our cruise today sails through the spectacular Qutang Gorge and Wu Gorge. Entertainment and organised activities on board, with a farewell dinner party in the evening.

Day 12 Yangtze River / Yichang to Shanghai (Breakfast, Lunch)
After breakfast we take a special shore excursion to see the Three Gorges Dam project and our cruise ship passes through the beautiful Xiling Gorge.

Arrive at Yichang around noon, where you disembark and meet your guide. We then proceed to the airport for the flight to Shanghai and meet our local guide upon arrival.

City tour of Shanghai includes visiting Yu Garden, famous for its rock gardens, pavilions, halls and ponds. We then explore the famous promenade and marvel at the futuristic landscape of magnificent towers and building situated along the Bund and Nanjing Road. Finally our tour takes us to the historic districts of Shanghai and we visit the former colonial French quarters, known locally as 'Heaven on Earth'.

Optional evening entertainment *Martial art show, dance show etc.

Day 13 Shanghai - Free at leisure or Water village tour (optional) (Breakfast)
We leave this final full day for you to explore this cosmopolitan city at your own leisure, to relax, and perhaps do some last minute shopping in Shanghai's incredible shopping malls.

Or you may wish to take an optional tour to the Water village of Zhu-jia-jiao, known as the 'Venice of China' and unspoiled for hundreds of years. Upon arrival we take a pleasant stroll through the village and you have the opportunity to take a relaxing boat ride whilst being serenaded. Drive back to hotel.

Day 14 Shanghai to Tokyo - JAPAN (Breakfast)
Today, you will be taken to the Maglev train station in Shanghai (during service hours). Our local guide will assist you to board the futuristic and super fast Maglev train with a top speed of 267mph. The train will take you to the airport in time for your flight to Japan. Upon arriving at Narita Airport in Tokyo, you are met by our tour assistant and transferred to your Hotel.

Day 15 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 16 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 17 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 18 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 19 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 Japanese traditional Breakfast & full course Evening Dinner).

Optional extension of 2 nights to Hiroshima & Miyajima, or 1 full day tour available - Contact us for details.

Day 20 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 - 2019 Departure Dates & Prices (£)

Guaranteed Departure EVERY Saturdays

* To avoid the extreme busy period during Chinese national holidays, no tour is operated between 1-7 May and 1-8 October. The price may be different around the bank holidays in the UK, and the festival period in China & Japan.

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

• All international flights.
• 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, in Japan it is 3/4 star hotels. Upgrade options available.
• Sightseeing tours by professional qualified English-speaking tour guides.
• Meals as specified in the itinerary.
• Free luggage transfer from hotel to hotel between Tokyo & Kyoto.

Price Does Not Include

• Travel Insurance.
• Tips for guides and drivers in China - recommend £3 for guide and £2 for driver per day but not compulsory. No tipping is expected in Japan.
• Chinese visa - we can provide service, currently £180/person. No visa is required to Japan.
• 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 all reputable airlines. Please let us know you prefered airline at booking stage.

Your Accommodation for this tour Carefully selected very good 4 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. Alternatively, there are many places around the hotels where you can buy meals far more reasonably. Breakfast at hotels in China is included.

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.

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.