11 Days China and Japan Discovery

Day 1Arrival Beijing

Meals: No Meals
Accommodation: Citadines Ritan Beijing or similar ★★★★

Arrive in Beijing, the capital city of China, you will be greeted by our local guide at the airport with TCT signboard. Then our guide will transfer you to check in hotel. Free at leisure for the rest of the day for you to get over the jet lag.


Beijing City View
 

Day 2Beijing

Meals: Hotel Breakfast, A la carte Chinese lunch
Accommodation: Citadines Ritan Beijing or similar ★★★★

TCT local guide will meet you at your hotel lobby at the appointed time. It will be an exciting day as we will explore the world well-known wonders today. The 1st stop is Temple of Heaven, the existing largest structure for sacrifice to heaven and a place where the emperors prayed for a year of abundance. In the visit of Temple of Heaven, you will be astonished by the exquisite ancient Chinese architectures. Besides, you will see local seniors doing morning exercises in the square and full of vigor. You will have chance to watch Chinese Kongfu, Taichi, square dancing, playing cards, playing chess etc.

Then our group will move to a less commercial Hutong nearby. A short walking along the authentic Beijing Hutong will give you a deep impression of the local residents’ live. A la carte lunch is served at a local restaurant to have a taste of the authentic Chinese food at noon time and have a break at the restaurant.

Then continue this Beijing city treasure city by a visit to Tian'anmen Square, the world's largest city center square, the locality of numerous major political and historical events. It is the witness of Chinese development. It is only a walking distance from Tian'anmen Square to Forbidden City, the world's existing largest and most complete ancient wooden structure buildings. You will explore the glorious palace halls and gardens for more than 2 hours in Forbidden City, learning the legendary story of the emperors and how the royal family lived there. You will be stunned by the numerous old art treasures exhibited in halls. Drive back to hotel, we will have a stop at pearl store en route. Please feel free to consult with your local guide about the evening activities in Beijing, such as the night shows of Beijing.


Forbidden City
 

Day 3 Beijing

Meals: Hotel Breakfast, A la Carte Lunch
Accommodation: Citadines Ritan Beijing or similar ★★★★

It will be an exciting day today. In the early morning, guide will pick you up from your hotel lobby. Today we will visit the must-visit spot in Beijing--- Mutianyu Great Wall, one of the famous sections of China Great Wall. It takes about 2 hours driving from the downtown of Beijing to Mutianyu Great Wall. Mutianyu Great Wall was first built in the mid-6th century during the Northern Qi, making it older than the Badaling section. (***Cable car and slideway are available at Mutianyu Great Wall. It is optional and excluded from our price***)

A la carte lunch is arranged at a good restaurant at the foot of Mutianyu. Drive back to downtown of Beijing. We will have a stop at a tea store en route. When we reach Beijing, we will have a photo stop outside the Bird Nest and Water Cube, which were the famous sites constructed for 2008 Beijing Olympic. The tour finishes by dropping off at your hotel. If you would like to try local specialty tonight, you could ask for some suggestion about Peking Roast Duck Restaurant.


Mutianyu Great Wall
 

Day 4BeijingXi'an

Meals: Hotel breakfast, A La Carte Lunch
Accommodation: Somerset Xindicheng Xi'an or similar ★★★★

In the morning, check out from hotel and start to visit the last spots in Beijing --- Summer Palace, the existing largest, best-preserved imperial garden in China. The Longevity Hill and Kunming Lake are regarded as the representative of Summer Palace. In the park, you could choose to take a boating trip on the lake, enjoying the beautiful royal garden view. Walk along the Long Corridor--- the longest corridor in the world, admiring the extremely rich and prestigious paintings on the beams of the corridor.

A la carte lunch will be arranged at a local restaurant on the way to Beijing West Railway Station to take high speed train (2nd class seat, duration: about 5-5.5 hours) from Beijing to Xi'an. TCT guide will wait at the exit of Xi'an train station with our signboard and transfer you to check in hotel. Free at leisure for the rest of the time.


Beijing Hutong
 

Day 5Xi'an

Meals: Hotel breakfast, A La Carte Lunch
Accommodation: Somerset Xindicheng Xi'an or similar ★★★★

Today we will have a full day to explore this historical and cultural city in China. Pick up from hotel in the morning, and then have a visit to the landmark of Xi'an---Xian City Wall. You could choose to have a bicycle riding on the city wall (***Bicycle riding is optional and excluded from our price***). An impressive Tai Chi Chuan course is arranged at the City Wall for you. Originating from the roots of classical Chinese culture, Tai Chi Chuan absorbed a variety of sources including the Book of Changes, Taoism and Buddhism. With a professional Tai Chi Master's teaching, you will understand Chinese culture better.

After that, we will drive to the highlights in Xi’an ---the Terracotta Warriors. On the way to Terracotta Warriors, we will have a stop at a pottery workshop, where you will have chance to learn how to make a pottery figure.  A la carte lunch is arranged at a local restaurant nearby Terracotta Warriors. In the afternoon, we will have enough time to visit this world wonder --- Terracotta Warriors, one of the world’s most important archaeological finds, with troops, horses and carriages in battle formation.

The tour finishes by dropping-off at the hotel lobby. You could ask your local guide for some information about evening entertainment or night show, such as Tang Dynasty Show.


Terracotta Warriors
 

Day 6Xi'anShanghai

Meals: Hotel breakfast, A La Carte Lunch
Accommodation: SSAW Boutique Hotel Shanghai Bund or similar ★★★★

You will have a leisure morning for your to walk around. We will check out at noon time and drive to have lunch directly. In the afternoon, Visit the Small Wild Goose Pagoda ,  one of the most well-preserved Tang Dynasty buddha temples. It is  reputed as the Tang Dynasty elaborate and valuable Buddhist architectural heritage. While visit the Small Wild Goose Pagoda, you will have chance to watch the traditional shadow play, visit Jianfu Temple as well as Xi'an Museum.

Take a flight to Shanghai, the local guide will meet you at Shanghai airport and transfer you to check in the hotel.


Shanghai city view
 

Day 7Shanghai

Meals: Hotel Breakfast, A La Carte Lunch
Accommodation: SSAW Boutique Hotel Shanghai Bund or similar ★★★★

The last day but still an inspiring day to explore the city of Shanghai,the largest and most modern city in mainland China. We will start the tour by walking into Nong Tang, the alleys in Shikumen, where you could witness the locals' relaxing and plain life. You will also find the unique architectural feature of Shanghai.

Then continue the day trip to Yuyuan Garden which is a Chinese classic garden in city downtown. Then continue to explore the Yuyuan Bazaar (Chenghuangmiao Old Street) nearby.

After a la carte lunch is served at a local restaurant, we continue our trip to Shanghai Silk Museum before moving to the foot of The Oriental Pearl TV Tower to visit Shanghai City History Museum(The Former Shanghai Wax Museum), where you will know more about the history and development of Shanghai. Then take the elevator up to the 2nd ball of the TV tower, from which you will have a bird-eye view of Shanghai. Go on driving through Lujiazui, the finance & trade zone in Pudong of Shanghai, where you will find many skyscrapers. We will have a view of the modern skyline of Shanghai.

Then back to the Bund, admire the illuminated buildings lining the Huangpu River. From the Bund, you could see the landmark of Shanghai--- The Oriental Pearl TV Tower as well as other high-rised buildings, just on the opposite of Huangpu River. 


The Bund
 

Day 8Shanghai Tokyo

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel Sunshine City Prince Ikebukuro or similar ★★★★

After a leisurely breakfast and check out of the hotel, our guide will escort you to the airport for your flight to Tokyo.

Upon arrival at Narita/Haneda International Airport, you will meet our English-speaking driver with a name board at the airport exit and transfer to your hotel.. After check-in, the rest of the day is free at leisure on your own.

Notes:
1. Pick-up service: 30 minutes after the flight's actual arrival time. The maximum waiting time is one hour.
2. Airport arrival time should be between 08:00-20:00

Tokyo City View
 

Day 9Tokyo

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel Sunshine City Prince Ikebukuro or similar ★★★★

Today is your time to explore Tokyo city.

After your early breakfast at the hotel, start a full day exploring Tokyo city.

The first stop is Tokyo Tower (approx. 30 mins), from which you could enjoy a panorama of Tokyo from the main observation platform. Then move to Meiji Shrine (approx. 40 mins). It takes a fine example of Japanese shrine architecture. It is nestled in a peaceful and picturesque area. Passing by the Akasaka Guest House and National Diet Building, we will go to visit Imperial Palace East Garden (approx. 40 mins), and enjoy a pleasant walk through the garden, which is a place of historical interest and scenic beauty. 

At noon time, our local driver or guide will advise you of a good place where we will have about 1 hour to enjoy a typical Japanese-style lunch.

In the afternoon,  visit Hama-rikyu Garden (approx. 40 mins), which is a typical daimyo (Japanese feudal lord) garden in the Edo period with a tidal pond. Then we will enjoy a boat ride on Sumida River from Hinode Pier to Asakusa to see a harmonious blend of old and new Tokyo. In the Asakusa area, we will visit Asakusa Kannon Temple which is a famous temple in the Asakusa district. 

Finish the tour and drop off at your hotel.

Notes:

The Imperial Palace East Garden is often closed on Monday and Friday. Whenever, it is closed, the group will be arranged to visit Imperial Palace Plaza, Double Bridge instead, seeing the inner moat, 15-foot thick walls and pine trees surrounding the 250-acre fortress, home of the Emperor and Empress.


Asakusa Kannon Temple
 

Day 10TokyoHakone

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel Sunshine City Prince Ikebukuro or similar ★★★★

After breakfast in your hotel, you will start a full-day tour to visit Mt. Fuji & Hakone. The motor-coach rides for about 150 minutes, and we arrive at Mt. Fuji 5th Station, from which we could enjoy a panoramic view for about half an hour and tourists will be amazed by the spectacular and breathtaking views from above the clouds. The tourist will enjoy their own lunch at a local restaurant in Gotemba.

After lunch, we will ride the Hakone Sky Gondola and visit Owakudani Valley. You will also have a chance to have a boat cruise on Lake Ashi, which is a crater lake along the southwest wall of the caldera of Mt. Hakone, formed by a powerful volcanic eruption about 3,000 years ago. It provides a postcard view of Mt. Fuji.

Then we will drive back to Tokyo.

Notes:

1. Hakone Sky Gondola, Owakudani Valley or Pirate Boat Cruise on Lake Ashi may be omitted or substituted due to weather conditions, heavy traffic, or other operational reasons. In such cases, a tour guide shall take you to one or two locations from among the following alternative sightseeing spots. Please note, however that the tours may not be canceled and the tour fare shall not be refunded. Alternative sightseeing spots: Hakone Komagatake Ropeway, the summit of Komagatake, Hakone Ashinoko (Lake Ashi) Boat Cruise, Hakone Shrine, Hakone Check Point, Hakone GeoMuseum, Narukawa Museum in Hakone, Boat Cruise on Lake Kawaguchi or Kawaguchi Ropeway. The tour guide shall finalize the best alternative under the circumstance.

2. You will drive up to the highest possible point when the road up to Mt.Fuji 5th station is closed due to snow or other reasons, if heavy traffic is expected or the tour is running late. Even under these circumstances, the tours may not be canceled and the tour fare shall not be refunded.


Mt Fuji
 

Day 11Departure Tokyo

Meals: Breakfast

Our local representative will meet you at the lobby of the hotel and transfer you to NRT/HRD airport for your flight to next destination.

Service Ends