14 days - China & Japan Highlights

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

View Itinerary

Price & Departure dates

Day 1
Depart from Heathrow or your preferred airport for a 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 jetlegs 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. 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)
As the ancient capital of China for many dynasties, Xian has a lot historical sites to offer. We will take 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 Bell Tower where you can overlook the entire city. Our tour guide will also escort you to Fanggu Street in the city centre, where the shops have all been reconstructed to resemble ancient times of China.

Day 7 Xian (Breakfast, Lunch)
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. Overnight in Xian.

Day 8 Xian to Tokyo (Breakfast)
Being transfered to Xian Airport for flight from Xian via Beijing or Shanghai to 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.

If you wish to explore further of China such as a visit to Shanghai or Yangtze Cruise or both, please check out our 15 day Grand China & Japan tour, and 18 day Magical China & Japan tour.

Day 9 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 10 Tokyo
Free day to explore Tokyo at your leisure or take an optional tour excursion (ask for details at time of booking). We recommend you take the leisurely 30 minute Sumida river cruise to the famous Asakusa Kannon Temple, or why not visit Ueno amusement & shopping district & Akihabara shopping district famous for selling all kinds of electronic products where bargaining is expected.

Day 11 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 12 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 13 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 14 Osaka to UK
Transfer to the futuristic Kansai International Airport in Osaka for departure to UK. Extra night in Kyoto and optional full day tour to Hiroshima can also be arranged.

Magical China Japan Holidays 2012 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. The single supplement is based on 3 people in 1 group.

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')

• 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.
• 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, 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 (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.