16 Days Japan and China Discovery Private Guide

What's Included

Meeting and pickup

Itinerary

Day 1
Arrival in Tokyo; Airport-hotel Transfer
1 stop
1
When your flight lands in Tokyo, our service ensures a seamless and stress-free arrival. An English-speaking assistant will greet you at the airport, ready to guide you to a comfortable shared car running directly to the hotel carefully selected by our experts. Unwind and settle in, or if you arrive early, venture out on your own to get a first impression of this metropolitan capital of Japan.
1 hour • Admission ticket free
Day 2
Tokyo Highlights: Meiji Jingu Shrine, Senso-ji Temple, Skytree
3 stops
2
In the morning, our private guide will greet you in the hotel lobby, and accompany you on the eco-friendly public transport to start our Tokyo adventure. First, immerse yourself in the serenity of the Meiji Jingu Shrine dedicated to Emperor Meiji (1852 – 1912 AD). In addition to architecture and religious culture, it also features a holy venue for traditional Shinto weddings.
1 hour 30 minutes • Admission ticket included
3
Next, let’s explore the Senso-ji Temple and Asakusa area, a popular Edo-style resort. Seeing the imposing Kaminarimon Gate, which leads to the lively Nakamise-dori Street, we are approaching the temple. What would impress you is not only the antique architecture with a history of 1,400 years, but also the atmosphere very different from your stereotype of a Buddhist temple – Buddhism was introduced to Japan from China, but Japanese temples are not the same as traditional temples with contemplative ambiance, and Japanese Buddhist monks are free to consume alcohol and meat, and can even get married!
1 hour 30 minutes • Admission ticket included
4
From Senso-ji, you can see the landmark Tokyo Skytree, the world’s tallest broadcasting tower. Our guide will take you to the foot of Skytree and show you the best spots to take photos. Prepare to be awestruck by its sheer scale and grandeur. Ascend the tower to the Tembo Deck at a height of 350 meters (1,148 feet) and take in the marvelous scenery from a 360-degree viewing gallery. Stay here as long as you like, watching the sunset over the gleaming skyscrapers, verdant parks and bustling urban life. Finally, our guide will escort you back to your hotel.
1 hour • Admission ticket included
Day 3
Tokyo to Mt. Fuji: Pirate Ship & Ropeway
1 stop
5
Meet our guide at the hotel lobby, and then we’ll get to the Shinjuku Expressway Bus Terminal to take an express bus for 2 hours to the Lake Kawaguchi, right at the foot of Mt. Fuji. You will take the Lake Kawaguchi cruise and Mount Fuji Panorama Ropeway to see the mountain from different angles, and the guide will arrange the specific order according to the flow of people and waiting time. Board a corsair-style ship and embark on a 20-minute cruise, breathing in the cool, fresh air while taking in the elegant Mount Fuji from an unobstructed perspective. Take the ropeway to ascend the slopes of Mount Tenjo, which offers a platform with thrilling panoramic views of Mount Fuji and Lake Kawaguchi. If time permits, we would add the Arakurayama Sengen Park for you during cherry blossom season or red leaf season. Completing the visit, our guide will escort you to return by express bus to Tokyo for the night.
3 hours • Admission ticket included
Day 4
Tokyo to Kyoto; Visit Pure Water Temple & Gion Geisha District
3 stops
6
Tokyo-Kyoto Train Travel on Your Own (tickets reserved and included): To maximize your sightseeing time in Kyoto, we’ll book an early train for you, departing at approximately 8:30. Please let us know if you prefer a later departure time. Upon arrival, our Kyoto guide will meet you at the railway station and escort you to the hotel to drop off your luggage. Embrace the grandeur of the Kyoto Tower, standing tall just beyond the bustling railway station.
Admission ticket free
7
Then we’ll head to the Pure Water Temple, a timeless emblem of Kyoto’s millennium-old history and culture. Follow our guide to capture a cherished photograph in front of the iconic bright red Three-storied Pagoda and drink water from the Otowa Waterfall to bless your study, health and marriage.
1 hour • Admission ticket included
8
Next, the guide will accompany you on a leisurely stroll down the gentle ramps of Sannenzaka and Ninenzaka. In the grocery stores that flanked the road, feast your eyes on a variety of intriguing handicrafts and gadgets. Take a commemorative photo before the five-story Yasaka Pagoda of the Hokan-ji Temple, and we’ll then step into the Yasaka Shrine, where you can ring the bell and pray for good luck for your career and family. The Bigozensha Shrine inside, dedicated to three goddesses of beauty, is not to be missed. On the doorstep of the Yasaka Shrine lies the captivating Gion and Hanamikoji Street, the famous geisha district of Kyoto. The mesmerizing ambiance here would take you back in time as you wander through the antique alleys, witness the graceful ladies in kimonos walking back and forth, and the occasional geishas in exquisite costumes and white oshiroi make-up.
1 hour 30 minutes • Admission ticket free
Day 5
Kyoto: Golden Pavilion, Nijo Castle, Kyoto Gyoen & Fushimi Inari Shrine
5 stops
9
Today is for us to unveil the classical essence of Kyoto. After breakfast, our guide will lead you to visit the Temple of the Golden Pavilion. The name of this temple exudes an aura of nobility, as it contains a pavilion with solid gold leaves covering the eaves and walls. Emerging from the ashes of a devastating fire in 1950, the Golden Pavilion was reconstructed in 1955, surpassing its original grandeur with an even more golden resplendence, unlike the somber hues of the average Buddhist temples you might have visited.
1 hour • Admission ticket included
10
Today is for us to unveil the classical essence of Kyoto. After breakfast, our guide will lead you to visit the Temple of the Golden Pavilion. The name of this temple exudes an aura of nobility, as it contains a pavilion with solid gold leaves covering the eaves and walls. Emerging from the ashes of a devastating fire in 1950, the Golden Pavilion was reconstructed in 1955, surpassing its original grandeur with an even more golden resplendence, unlike the somber hues of the average Buddhist temples you might have visited.
2 hours • Admission ticket included
11
Around noon, delve into the 400-year-old Nishiki Market, and your taste buds will unconsciously become active and the saliva will moisten your mouth, because it is an utter foodies’ heaven!
30 minutes • Admission ticket free
12
In the afternoon, check out the Kyoto Gyoen National Garden to relax with a walk in the tranquil landscaped grounds while admiring the former imperial palace
1 hour • Admission ticket free
13
Next, head to the Fushimi Inari Shrine, where you can learn about Shinto, Japan’s indigenous religion. Follow our guide to ascend through the channel formed by thousands of torii gates, and take great photos that will give you enough to brag about on social media for a while.
1 hour • Admission ticket included
Day 6
Kyoto - Nara - Osaka: Visit Nara Park & Naramachi Lattice House
5 stops
14
Check out after breakfast, and our guide will accompany you on a 40-minute train ride to Nara. Store your luggage at the train station, and we’ll then spend a leisurely morning in the Nara Park, exploring the World Heritage sites and playing with deer that have roamed the park for over 1,400 years, living in harmony with humans.
1 hour • Admission ticket free
15
Step into the Kofuku-ji Temple to see the Five-Story Pagoda, Southern Round Hall and National Treasure Hall.
30 minutes • Admission ticket included
16
Venture onward to the Great Eastern Temple, and be struck by its colossal bronze Buddha statue, standing an astonishing 15 meters (49 feet) tall.
1 hour • Admission ticket included
17
Next, stroll along the tranquil gravel path winding to the Kasuga Taisha Shrine. Admire the approximately 3,000 stone lanterns lining the path, once offered by nobles and generals in Japanese history, testifying to the past glory of this esteemed shrine.
30 minutes • Admission ticket free
18
Take an afternoon exploration into Naramachi, where the true local life unfolds. You’ll see well-preserved traditional residences, some with small gardens in the front while some with quaint shops selling hand-made snacks. Pass the Gango-ji Temple and Goryo Shrine to understand the harmonious integration of diverse faiths within the local community, and visit the Naramachi Lattice House, a quintessential Japanese residence of humble width but remarkable length. Go inside and feel the proper layout and depth of the house. Sit down in the front lobby characterized by latticed façade and imagine the host drinking tea here, pass the small but delicate patio, and look at the rear living space. Finally, the guide will escort you back to Kintetsu-Nara Station to retrieve your luggage, where you will take a half-hour train to Osaka on your own (tickets included). After arriving at Kintetsu-Nippombashi Station, walk 6 minutes southwest to your hotel.
1 hour • Admission ticket free
Day 7
Fly from Osaka to Shanghai, China; Airport Pick-up
1 stop
19
► Transfer to Osaka Airport by Yourself: Please leave according to the departure time of your flight. Take a taxi for 45 minutes to the Osaka Kansai International Airport at a cost of USD 130; or walk 5 minutes south from the hotel to Namba Station, and take the train Nankai Line to the airport in 45 minutes. ► Flight from Osaka to Shanghai, Pick-up by Private Car: Take a break on the easy 2.5-hour flight (tickets reserved and airfare included). Upon landing, you will be met at the airport by our Shanghai guide, who will escort you to your hotel in our special car with private chauffeur.
1 hour • Admission ticket free
Day 8
Shanghai City Tour: Shanghai Museum, Yu Garden, Bund & Huangpu River Cruise
4 stops
20
Today, go straight to the People’s Square in the heart of Shanghai, where we’ll start to experience the city’s blend of rich heritage and modern vibrancy. Visit the Shanghai Museum and you'll encounter numerous masterpieces that you've never seen in Japan. Marvel at the vast collection of ancient Chinese art dating back to the 21st century BC, including bronze ware, sculptures, jade carvings, ceramics, calligraphy works, paintings, and coins.
1 hour 30 minutes • Admission ticket included
21
Next, the guide will show you around the 400-year-old Yu Garden, a testament to the enduring elegance of classical Chinese garden. Visit the pavilions artfully arranged amidst the man-made landscapes, and you’ll be amazed at the garden’s scale, versatility, and luxurious ornamentation, which make it hard to believe that this was ever a private garden. Afterwards, wander through the Yuyuan Bazaar outside the garden, brimming with specialty souvenirs, snacks and local life vibe, before heading for lunch. ★ A La Carte Lunch At noon, savor a la carte lunch at our carefully chosen local restaurant, the value of which is raised to CNY 150 per person (in contrast to the standard CNY 50 per person offered by other travel agencies). Consult our guide to curate a personalized dining experience, selecting dishes that tantalize your taste buds and introduce you to authentic Chinese cuisine.
1 hour 30 minutes • Admission ticket included
22
In the afternoon, ascend to the Shanghai Tower for a panoramic view of the city from the Duo Yun Bookstore on the 52nd floor - the winding Huangpu River divides the city into two distinct yet interconnected halves.
30 minutes • Admission ticket included
23
After descending, follow the guide to stroll along the Bund, Shanghai’s most visited waterfront promenade, and take a one-hour Huangpu River cruise. On the west bank, the Western-style colonial buildings on the Bund take on a golden hue in the setting sun, while to the east, the skyscrapers of Pudong, including the Oriental Pearl TV Tower, Shanghai Tower, Jinmao Tower, and World Financial Center, piercing the skyline, would impress you with the vitality of the most developed city in a developing country. Finally, our guide will escort you back to your hotel.
1 hour 30 minutes • Admission ticket included
Day 9
Fly from Shanghai to Guilin, Visit Reed Flute Cave & Elephant Trunk Hill
2 stops
24
In the morning, our guide and the driver will escort you to the airport for a 2-hour flight to Guilin (tickets reserved and included). Our Guilin guide and the local driver will greet upon arrival. Settle into the comfort of your private car and enjoy a hassle-free transfer to your hotel. Later, the guide will accompany you to explore Guilin city, renowned for its stunning karst landscape. Let’s begin by savoring two iconic ‘appetizers’ of the city’s natural wonders. The first is the Reed Flute Cave, a natural limestone cave formed more than 180 million years ago. Bathing in the glow of multicolored illumination, the stalagmites and stalactites make the cave look like a gorgeous crystal palace.
1 hour • Admission ticket included
25
Next, we’ll head to the city emblem site, Elephant Trunk Hill, named for its shape resembling a giant elephant drawing water from the Li River. Our smartly crafted itinerary places the visit to the hill in the golden hour of the late afternoon, ensuring that you can experience its grandeur in the most flattering light and take great photos. Get beneath the hollow of the elephant’s trunk for a look, or if you like, spend a few minutes climbing to the top of the hill, where a breathtaking vista of the Li River awaits. Have a short escorted ride back to the hotel.
1 hour • Admission ticket included
Day 10
Li River Cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo
2 stops
26
Your journey will culminate in an unforgettable Li River cruise. In the early morning, our guide and the driver will pick you up from the hotel and escort you to the pier for a 4-hour cruise to Yangshuo.
4 hours • Admission ticket included
27
When the cruise arrives in Yangshuo around 14:00, our guide will accompany you on an afternoon adventure deep into the local countryside. You can choose to take a private car or ride a bicycle along the renowned Ten-mile Gallery, a scenic road that will unveil a breathtaking tapestry of rural charm. Gaze upon the bamboo rafts floating on the mirror-like Yulong River, feel flanked by the rolling hills along your biking route, meet farmers tending to their rice paddies with their trusty water buffalo, and discover a magic hill with a natural arch like the moon hanging in the sky. We’ll offer a unique opportunity for you to visit a local villager’s house and gain firsthand insights into the Chinese rural life. In stark contrast to the affluent urban life you might see in metropolitan Shanghai, there are many poor places in Chinese countryside where people live a simple life.
3 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 11
Fly from Guilin to Xi’an, Shaanxi History Museum & Tang Dynasty Dance Show
1 stop
28
Today, our guide and the driver will escort you from the hotel to the airport for a 2-hour morning flight to Xi’an, one of China’s most revered ancient capitals. Upon landing, our Xi’an guide will be ready to accompany you on a seamless private car transfer to your hotel. The afternoon will be spent at the Shaanxi Provincial History Museum, a vast treasure trove that systematically displays the achievements of Chinese civilization from prehistoric times to 19th century. ★ Tang Dynasty Music & Dance Show with Dumpling Dinner In the evening, prepare to be satiated by a sumptuous dumpling banquet at the Tang Dynasty Palace, the most prestigious theater restaurant in Xi’an, and taste China’s beloved holiday food, dumplings, enhanced by traditional music and dance performances, transporting you to a time of emperors and empresses.
2 hours • Admission ticket included
Day 12
Xian: Terracotta Army, Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, Great Tang All Day Mall
4 stops
29
An adventure to the BC era awaits you. This morning, we’ll visit the Terracotta Army, a massive ancient military museum built on the site of the excavation and one of China’s first World Heritage sites. Qin Shi Huang (259-210 BC), the first emperor of China’s feudal dynasties, ordered the construction of an army of terracotta sculptures to guard his tomb. ★ Special Experiences: 1. Visit Discoverer of Terracotta Army: Go to the discoverer’s home and chat with this octogenarian or his family to learn more about the details of his discovery of pottery fragments while digging a well in 1974. 2. Craft a Mini Terracotta Warrior: With the guidance of a local artisan, you can create your own miniature terracotta warrior, using the same clay as the originals. Engrave your unique insignia and bring it home.
2 hours • Admission ticket included
30
In the afternoon, a mere hour’s drive back to the downtown will transport you over a millennium back as we arrive at the Da Ci'en Temple, which was established in 648AD by Emperor Gaozong of Tang in memory of his beloved mother, Empress Zhangsun, who passed away during his childhood.
40 minutes • Admission ticket included
31
Visit the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda inside, erected by the eminent monk Xuanzang, who dedicated himself to translating Buddhist sutras and spreading Dharma here. After an arduous pilgrimage to India, Xuanzang brought back eight Buddha statues, hundreds of pattra-leaf Sanskrit sutras, and tens of thousands of sariras. But where are these treasures? It is said that they are hidden in an underground palace that has yet to be excavated.
1 day • Admission ticket included
32
Next, we’ll explore the Great Tang All Day Mall. Immerse in the Tang Dynasty atmosphere when strolling among the red antique buildings and seeing people in traditional Hanfu dresses. Enjoy the live performances here and there. The Tang Dynasty’s prosperity and cultural influence inspired many Asian countries. At that time, Japan sent delegations to China many times and brought back advanced technologies, culture and customs. That’s why in Japan you can see architecture similar to China. Finally, the guide will escort you back to the hotel.
1 hour • Admission ticket free
Day 13
Xi’an City Wall and Muslim Quarter, High Speed Train to Beijing
3 stops
33
Today, we’ll first visit the 600-year-old Xi’an City Wall of the Ming Dynasty. Its colossal scale, with a circumference eight times that of Japan’s Nijo Castle, is sure to leave you in awe. Walk through the City Wall Park surrounding the wall, where you can see locals practicing tai chi, dancing, and playing table tennis. Ascend the wall and let our guide unravel the secrets of the ingenious design of the fortifications – the moat, gate towers, arrow towers, and enemy towers combine to form a sophisticated defense system.
2 hours • Admission ticket included
34
Next, head to the very center of the city, where you’ll see the ancient Bell Tower and Drum Tower from outside, and then enter the nearby Muslim Quarter, the largest Muslim community in a Chinese city.
1 hour • Admission ticket free
35
Visit the Great Mosque, a hidden gem tucked away in a narrow alley. Unlike the mosques you have seen in other countries, this mosque harmonizes Han Chinese architectural features with Islamic traditions. Despite the architectural blending, the Muslim faith remains deeply respected and preserved. After that, the guide and the driver will escort you to the train station for a 5-hour high-speed train to Beijing. When you arrive, it will be dark. Don’t worry, and our Beijing guide and driver will meet you and escort you to the hotel.
30 minutes • Admission ticket included
Day 14
Beijing: Tian'anmen Square, Forbidden City, Yonghe Temple, Temple of Heaven
4 stops
36
Today, we’ll explore the historical heritage of the Beijing, China’s capital for over 800 years. Begin with a morning walk at the Tiananmen Square, the heart of Beijing, and the venue for state ceremonies, parades, and rallies. Admire the monuments around the square, including the Tiananmen Tower, Great Hall of the People, and Memorial Hall of Chairman Mao.
30 minutes • Admission ticket free
37
Forbidden City-The Palace Museum
Next, journey back 600 years to the Forbidden City, the largest imperial palace complex in China with rigorous layout and lavish decor, and once home to over 20 emperors and their families from the 15th to the early 20th century.
2 hours • Admission ticket included
38
At noon, an a la carte lunch is waiting for you in a highly-rated restaurant. After lunch, the guide will lead you to visit the Yonghe Temple built in the early 17th century, a lamasery adorned with red walls and golden tiles, the same color scheme as the Forbidden City. Originally a prince residence, it became an imperial temple to handle the Tibetan Buddhism affairs.
1 hour • Admission ticket included
39
Afterwards, visit the Temple of Heaven, an ancient royal sacrifice site where emperors once performed ceremonies to worship the deities of heaven, earth, and grains, praying for good weather, harvest, and national peace and security. Finally, you will be escorted back to the hotel.
1 hour • Admission ticket included
Day 15
Beijing: Visit Mutianyu Great Wall, Bird’s Nest, Hutong
3 stops
40
In the morning, meet our guide in the hotel lobby and relax on a 1.5-hour private car ride to the Mutianyu Great Wall. In ancient China, the central regime built a super-long defensive wall on the mountains to resist the harassment of nomadic tribes in the north. The wall is said to be the only human-made structure visible from space. The initiator of this huge project was Emperor Qin Shi Huang, the owner of the Terracotta Army we encountered in Xi’an, while the Great Wall we see today in Beijing is mostly built by the Ming Dynasty in the 14th century. We’ll arrange a round-trip cable car for you to easily get on the wall to enjoy the scenery. Then stretch your legs for a short hike to explore some watchtowers. Overlook the walls winding through the distant mountains, like a majestic dragon.
3 hours • Admission ticket included
41
In the afternoon, return to the downtown, passing through the Olympic Park, giving you a glimpse into the city’s multifaceted soul. Here, we’ll take a photo stop and admire the modern sports venues of the Bird's Nest (National Stadium) and the Water Cube (National Aquatics Center) from outside.
Admission ticket free
42
Finally, follow our guide into the old Beijing residential area, the Hutongs. Take a rickshaw ride through the maze of Hutong alleys to experience the real folk life. ★ Special Experiences: Visit a Local Family in Hutong Unlike Japanese neighborhoods, the Hutongs are crowded, with more convenience and vitality, yet lacking tranquility and leisurely pace. As you navigate the alleyways, you can see many traditional courtyards – some demolished, some preserved, some converted into guesthouses or bars, some may conceal opulent mansions, while others are small and humble.
1 hour 30 minutes • Admission ticket included
Day 16
Visit Summer Palace, Beijing Airport See-off
1 stop
43
Pack your luggage and check out, and our guide and driver will pick you up. First, we will head to the Summer Palace, a large imperial garden for ancient emperors to rest or escape the heat of summer. Visit the halls where the emperors conducted government affairs and rested, and then immerse yourself in the breathtaking vistas of the Longevity Hill, Kunming Lake, and Seventeen-Arch Bridge, just like the emperors once did. The vast expanse of water here moderates the temperature, making it more agreeable than the Forbidden City in the summer. Then, you will be escorted to the airport for your homebound flight. We hope you've had a memorable and enriching experience. Farewell, and thank you for your trust!
1 hour 30 minutes • Admission ticket included

Additional info

• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels

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