21 days
China & Japan with Yangtze Cruise

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

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 can provide an optional afternoon tour to Lama Temple. Or, the rest of the day is at your leisure.

(Includes Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Today, we will visit the less touristy Mutianyu Section of the Great Wall. This section of the wall is also equipped with a cable car if you prefer ride, instead of walk (fee payable locally).

Take your time for breakfast, as we wait for the traffic to ease before setting off. We have allocated a full day to visit the Wall, so that we can have plenty time should you wish to enjoy a good walk.

In the evening enjoy a welcome dinner including Peking Duck.

(Includes Breakfast, Lunch)

Enjoy a full day city tour to soak up the atmosphere of Beijing. Our tour includes visiting the land marks such as Temple of Heaven, Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City.

Also, to have a glimpse of traditional Beijing people's life, we will take a Hutong Rickshaw tour, visit a local family and have lunch with them.

In the evening, book an (optional) local variety show, or you may wish to just relax and explore Beijing by yourselves.

(Includes Breakfast)

Morning at your leisure. Your hotel is in good location should you wish to explore the surrounding area by yourselves.

We also provide an optional morning tour to the Summer Palace and 2008 Bird's Nest Olympics Stadium (exteriors only).

Later, transfer to the train station for fast speed train to Pingyao, where you will meet our local guide.

The ancient city of Pingyao is China’s best-preserved walled city and home to the oldest bank in China. The laid-back small city has maintained its traditional charm with red-lanterns hung along quaint cobbled lanes and traditional architecture dating back to the Ming and Qing Dynasties. It is no surprise the entire town has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is a living museum providing a rare opportunity to see the vanishing culture of ancient China.

Train D2005 (leaving Beijing 15:29, arriving Pingyao 19:42)

(Includes Breakfast, Lunch)

After breakfast, we start our half-day tour of one of China's best preserved ancient walled Cities.

Pingyao was considered the financial centre of China during the Qing Empire and we visit the first and largest bank in China, which once controlled half of China's Silver trade.

Afterwards, we stroll around the ancient walled town, with fascinating streets lined with rows of 17th–19th century store fronts and residences. The majority of the buildings still retain their original appearance and we enjoy a view across the roof tops of the ancient buildings.

Later we drive for about an hour, to visit the Wang Family Courtyard residence. This was the luxurious home of a high ranking official's family and where generations of the family lived for over 300 years. The vast compound is one of the largest residential complexes built by opulent Merchants.

Lunch will be arranged in a local restaurant, where we enjoy some authentic local food.

Later, we transfer to the train station. You will be met upon arrival and transferred to your hotel for a good night rest.

(Includes Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

After breakfast we take a guided tour to see the Terracotta Warriors Archaeological Museum, Xian ancient Bell Tower and Drum Tower. Later we take a leisurely stroll on the ancient city walls.

Then we go to discover a local craftsman's cave dwelling and learn how to make clay warriors.

Evening entertainment includes: Tang Dynasty Show with dinner of dumplings.

(Includes Breakfast)

Our fast train to Chengdu is around mid afternoon, so the morning is free for you to explore Xian at leisure.

Alternatively, you can take a guided morning tour (optional), visiting the Muslim Quarter, Xian's Wooden Mosque and the Big Wild Goose Pagoda.

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

Our Optional evening variety style show is in one of the best theatres in Chengdu and includes the amazing face-changing performance.

(Includes Breakfast)

Today we visit the Giant Panda Breeding Research Base. We will visit in the morning, as this is the best time to watch the pandas enjoying their bamboo breakfast.

You will have plenty of time to watch the pandas and enjoy their playful antics. The Breeding Centre also usually sell a photo opportunity with a Panda (pay on the spot). Please be aware the fee is high and there is always a long queue, but it is a great souvenir.

* For guests who prefer to get an even closer to the lovely pandas, you can opt to take a full day volunteer programme at Dujiangyan Panda Base instead of the Breeding Centre. We can re-arrange the tour of Jin Li Street and Kuan Zhai Ally to day 8 in this case.*

Towards lunch time, our guide will drop you off at the popular Jin Li street and Kuan Zai Ally, where there are plenty of cafes, restaurants, tea houses and handicraft stalls to explore. You may choose to either lingering in this charming place for a leisurely enjoyable afternoon by yourselves, or take an optional tour to Leshan Giant Buddha Statue. The Leshan Buddha tour includes a pleasant boat ride, providing a great opportunity to photograph the huge statue carved into the hillside.

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(Includes Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Today 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.

(Includes 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.

(Includes 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.

(Includes 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.

(Includes Breakfast)

Our final free day in Shanghai allows you to explore this cosmopolitan city at your own leisure. Whether you want to relax or shop in Shanghai's incredible shopping malls, is up to you.

Alternatively, you can take an optional guided tour to the beautiful Water village of Zhu-jia-jiao, known as the 'Venice of China' and take a relaxing boat ride whilst being serenaded. 

(Includes Breakfast)

Today, you will be met at your hotel and transferred to the Maglev train station in Shanghai (during train 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 central Tokyo by Airport Limousine bus or train. 

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Morning city tour of Tokyo visiting Tokyo Tower and Meiji Shrine. Next we drive by the Akasaka Guest House and the National Diet Building, home to the Japanese House of Parliament. Our tour continues to the Imperial Palace East Gardens and a drive and stroll along Ginza high street.

Afternoon is free at leisure, or take an optional afternoon Tokyo city tour. Ask for details at time of booking.

Free day to explore Tokyo at your leisure, or purchase an optional full day tour to either Nikko, or Kamakura and Yokohama.

(Includes Lunch)

You will be picked up from your hotel and driven by deluxe motorcoach to Mount Fuji. 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 and afterwards take a boat cruise on Lake Ashi. 

After the tour take Bullet train to Kyoto.

For  your convenience and due to luggage restriction on the bullet train, we have arrange free luggage transfer to take your large luggage directly to Kyoto (1 bag per person).

Morning sight-seeing tour of Kyoto, including visiting Nijo Castle, former residence of the Tokugawa Shogun. Next we visit the Kinkakuji Temple (Golden Pavilion) and Kyoto Imperial Palace.

Optional Nara afternoon tour.

Free day at Leisure, or purchase our optional Kyoto afternoon tour.

You will be transferred to the futuristic Kansai International Airport in Osaka for your departure flight homeward.