16 Days Treasures Of Japan & China Luxury Tour Package

Duration: 16 Days / 15 Nights
Priced From: $5,229 pp dbl. occ.
Dates: Apr - Jun, Aug, Sep 

Your incredible vacation begins in Tokyo, Japan’s capital city, with wonders that include the Meiji Shrine, a 20th-century Shinto monument set in a man-made forest, Imperial Palace Plaza, and Asakusa Kannon Temple. Your tour heads south for Hakone and a cable car ride with panoramic views of spectacular Mount Fuji (weather permitting). Then, a thrilling ride on Japan’s bullet train delivers you to Kyoto. In Kyoto, visit Nijo Castle, completed in 1603, Kinkakuji, the Temple of the Gold Pavilion, and the Heian Shrine & Garden. A full day of leisure gives you time to enjoy the many temples, shrines, palaces, and pagodas at your own pace. In Japan, you not only visit the famous sights, you also have an opportunity to try on a traditional kimono and enjoy a tea ceremony.

After Japan, the next part of your trip takes you to China. Fly to Shanghai, China’s most populous city and center of trade and industry. On your Shanghai sightseeing tour, experience the Shanghai Museum, Yu Yuan Gardens, and the Children’s Palace. On to Guilin for vistas of unique limestone mountains during a leisurely Li River cruise. After a short flight to Xi’an, enjoy “The Tang Dynasty” dinner show and see the enormous tomb of China’s first emperor with its legion of Terracotta Warriors. Fly to Beijing for a sightseeing tour that includes the Forbidden City’s Imperial Palace, Tian’anmen Square, the Beijing Zoo, the former Imperial Summer Palace, the Great Wall of China, and the Sacred Way of the Ming Tombs. Your adventurous vacation to China and Japan concludes with a delightful Peking duck dinner in Beijing.

Day 2 Arrive in Tokyo, Japan
Welcome to Japan’s capital city. Hotel rooms are available for mid-afternoon check-in.

Day 3 Tokyo
Meet your traveling companions prior to a sightseeing tour of Japan’s capital city, home to more than 8 million people. A Local Guide takes you to the MEIJI SHRINE, a magnificent 20th-century Shinto monument set in a man-made forest, followed by a drive to see the Imperial Palace Plaza. Next, visit an ARTIST’S STUDIO and enjoy demonstrations of a master calligrapher before trying it yourself. You’ll also have an opportunity to try on a traditional Kimono and enjoy a tea ceremony. Last stop is the ASAKUSA KANNON TEMPLE with the NAKAMISE SHOPPING ARCADE, where you can sample some local delicacies. The balance of the day is at leisure. Perhaps stroll through the famous Ginza area. Tonight, join your traveling companions at a welcome dinner hosted by your Tour Director. After dinner, join your Tour Director for a WALKING TOUR among the dazzling neon lights of Tokyo. (B,D)

Day 4 Tokyo–Hakone
This morning, head south for Hakone via Kamakura to see the Great Buddha. Upon arrival, take a CABLE CAR RIDE for panoramic views of spectacular Mount Fuji(weather permitting). This evening, enjoy a special Japanese-style dinner. (B,D)

Day 5 Hakone–Kyoto
Today, enjoy a thrilling ride on a bullet train to Kyoto. Established in 1964, Japan’s bullet trains, or Shinkansen, were the world’s first high-speed trains and now travel at speeds in excess of 185 miles per hour. Upon arrival in Kyoto, visit YUZEN HANDMADE CORNER to learn about the Yuzen dyeing technique used to decorate Kimonos by painting dye directly on cloth. You will be invited to participate in making your own souvenir using this traditional technique. (B,L)

Day 6 Kyoto
This morning’s city tour features the extraordinary NIJO CASTLE, built in 1603 as the official residence of Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu. Next, visit Kinkakuji, the TEMPLE OF THE GOLD PAVILION, and the HEIAN SHRINE and GARDEN. For lunch, participate in a special JAPANESE COOKING CLASS. Under the instruction of a local chef you will learn how to make a popular Japanese dish. Perhaps join the afternoon optional excursion to Nara, the oldest capital of Japan, where you will visit Todaiji Temple with its Great Buddha; Kasuga Shrine, famous for stone and bronze lanterns; and Kofuji Temple with its 5-story pagoda. (B,L,D)

Day 7 Kyoto
A full day at leisure for you to enjoy the many temples, shrines, palaces, and pagodas at your own pace. (B)

Day 8Kyoto–Shanghai
Transfer to the airport for your flight to Shanghai, China’s most populous city and center of trade and industry. Tonight there will be plenty of time to enjoy the city, and to shop some of the 400 stores on Nanjing Road and the famous Friendship Store on the Bund. (B,D)

Day 9 Shanghai
Full day of sightseeing. Stroll along the Bund, the city’s riverfront boulevard lined with historic buildings housing banks and trade houses. You’ll visit the SHANGHAI MUSEUM and experience the YU YUAN GARDENS. Enjoy lunch in a local restaurant and visit the CHILDREN’S PALACE, one of China’s famous kindergartens. This evening, consider joining an optional tour to see a spectacular acrobatic show. (B,L)

Day 10 Shanghai–Guilin
After a morning at leisure, transfer to the airport for your flight to Guilin, one of China’s most beautiful areas. (B)

Day 11 Guilin
Limestone mountains, their needle peaks hidden in mist, rise from the green plain surrounding Guilin. The scene conveys a sense of mystery that for centuries artists have tried to capture. Savor unique vistas during a leisurely CRUISE on the Li River , where you’ll enjoy a light lunch. Tonight, you may choose to join our optional trip to see trained cormorants dive for fish, the traditional Lijiangfishing method. (B,L,D)

Day 12 Guilin–Xi’an
A short flight brings you to the city of Xi’an in central China for an overnight stay. This evening, enjoy “The Tang Dynasty” DINNER SHOW featuring a colorful assemblage of classical performances. (B,D)

Day 13 Xi’an–Beijing
One of the largest and wealthiest cities in the world when China dominated the silk trade, Xi’an today is an archaeological treasure-trove. In 1974, the enormous tomb of China’s first emperor, Qin Shi Huangdi, was accidentally discovered by local farmers. Marvel at the legion of TERRACOTTA WARRIORS
that has been guarding the burial site for 2,000 years. During lunch, enjoy a NOODLE-MAKING DEMONSTRATION by a master chef and learn how Chinese noodles are made by hand. Later, fly to Beijing. (B,L)

Day 14 Beijing
Your full-day sightseeing includes a visit to the Forbidden City’s IMPERIAL PALACE, once the sacred home of China’s great emperors. Nearby is TIAN’ANMEN SQUARE , the largest public square in the world, where the People’s Republic of China was proclaimed in 1949. You’ll visit the BEIJING ZOO to see pandas, and will discover the former Imperial SUMMER PALACE, a complex of pavilions, temples, and galleries situated around Kunming Lake. (B,L)

Day 15 Beijing
The GREAT WALL OF CHINA once stretched for over 4,000 miles across northern China’s most barren terrain. The part that has been best preserved and restored lies 40 miles north of Beijing. A walk along the wall affords unforgettable vistas of this mammoth fortress spanning the countryside. Then, visit a CLOISONNÉ WORKSHOP and see local artisans use the techniques of this ancient art form to turn pieces of copper into colorful decorative items. After lunch in a local restaurant, take a leisurely walk down the SACRED WAY of the Ming Tombs and marvel at the impressive hand-carved stone statues. This evening is the perfect finale to a great adventure as you’re hosted to a special PEKING DUCK FAREWELL DINNER. (B,L,D)

Day 16
Your homebound flight arrives the same day. (B)

9/09