Day 01: Entry Beijing
Welcome to join our China Japan tours to explore these two countries in East Asia sharing some cultural similarities meanwhile preserving their unique shinning points. Today, when you arrive in Beijing, the capital of China, our English-speaking guide will hold a welcome sign waiting for you outside the customs of the airport and then transfer you to the 4-star Holiday Inn Central Plaza. Relax during the remainder of the day.
Accommodation: Holiday Inn Central Plaza (4 stars)
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Pingyao Ancient City Wall
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Day 02: Beijing
You will spend the whole morning to explore the famous world heritage, Badaling Great Wall. Located about 60 km (37 miles) northwest of downtown area, Badaling Great Wall is the most famous part of China Great Wall. It is worthwhile to make an effort to climb the steps, though a little exhausted, because you will see the majestic walls, solid beacon towers and gorgeous landscape around. To avoid shopping site restaurants near the site, a spicy Sichuan cuisine lunch is served at a delicate local restaurant for you to recruit energy. This afternoon, head for the Ming Tomb where you will take a stroll along the Sacred Way which is lined with animal and human statues on both sides. As the Sacred Way is believed to be the divine road for the emperors reaching the heaven, so the statues are considered the royal guardians. The Ming Tomb is the largest imperial graveyard where 13 emperors and their wives of the Ming Dynasty (from 14th to 17th century) were buried. Then the car will take you back to downtown Bejing. On the way, you will have a short stop near the Bird's Nest which is the major venue of the 2008 Olympic Games and take some photos with this huge nest. (B+L)
Accommodation: Holiday Inn Central Plaza (4 stars)
Day 03: Beijing - Datong
You will stroll around on the famous Tiananmen Square, the largest city square in the world, and then reach the Forbidden City. As the largest complete complex of imperial palace in China, Forbidden City covers an area of 725,000 square meters (179 acres), holding 8,704 houses and vast historical items. Walking among the majestic imperial buildings, you will be taken back to the prosperous Ming and Qing dynasties (14th to the 20th century). To avoid the low-quality tourist food arranged by most agencies, we will offer you an a la carte lunch of authentic Chinese food at a noted local restaurant. Then you will take a soft sleeper train to Datong, where your local guide will pick you up at the railway station and transfer you to the hotel for a one-night stay. (B+L)
Accommodation: Datong Hotel (4 stars)
Day 04: Datong - Mt. Wutaishan
After breakfast, you will visit one of the four greatest grottoes in China, Yungang Grottoes. Situated to the west of Datong City, Yungang Grottoes were carved on the southern foot of the mountain, stretching for about one kilometer (0.6 miles) from the east to the west. There are altogether 252 niches and 51,000 vivid Buddha statues, representing the splendid Buddhist grotto art of China between the 5th and 6th century. Then you will visit another amazing attraction, the Hanging Monastery. Constructed about 1,500 years ago during the late Northern Wei Dynasty, the Hanging Monastery, as the name suggests, was enchased in the cliff of the mountain. Although 1,500 years has passed, 40 halls of the monastery stand there solidly and firmly. Later, you will get to Yingxian County, where you will visit the Wooden Pagoda. After that, continue driving to Mt. Wutaishan and stay overnight in Taihuai County. (B+L)
Accommodation: Huahui Hotel
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Qiao's Compound, Pingyao
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Day 05: Mt. Wutaishan - Pingyao
You will visit the temples in Mt. Wutaishan, Pusading Temple, Xiantong Temple and Tayuan Temple. Then we will drive you for about 5 hours to Pingyao ancient city. Pinyao was originally built 2,700 years ago and expanded about 600 years ago in the Ming Dynasty, keeping a complete city wall, the old street layout and a group of featured buildings. (B+L)
Accommodation: Yide Guest House
Day 06: Pingyao
The essence of Pingyao could be found while you are wandering along the Ancient Ming-Qing Street, namely the South Street of the ancient town. Here, you will find about one hundred various kinds of shops opened in old buildings, revealing the prosperous commercial atmosphere created by local merchants hundreds of years ago. Besides, you should focus on the Temple of the City God, Rishengchang Exchange Shop and Tongxinggong Ancient Bank Safeguard. It is worth to be mentioned that Rishengchang is one of the earliest exchange shops in China. Finally, you could climb up the well-preserved Pingyao City Wall which looks like a giant turtle. (B+L)
Accommodation: Yide Guest House
Day 07: Pingyao - Taiyuan - Beijing
Driving out southwest from Pingyao, you will reach Shuanglin Temple this morning. Praised as the ‘ancient painted sculptures museum’, it is one of the three treasures of Pingyao, having been included in the World Heritage List by UNESCO in 1997. Later, the car will drive you to visit the Qiao’s Compound in Qixian County. It is a castellar ancient residence complex in north China constructed by the local Qiao’s family from 1756. The compound covering an area of 4,175 square meters was built with 313 rooms and blocked from outside world. Nowadays, it is treasure house to research the local residence, various kinds of brick and wood carvings as well as delicate murals. On the way driving to Taiyuan City, you will drop off at the Jinci Temple. Consisting of tens of splendid ancient halls, this temple also boasts charming natural scenery and superior painted sculptures. While the tour ends, you will take a late afternoon train to Beijing and check in the hotel again. (B+L)
Accommodation: Holiday Inn Central Plaza (4 stars)
Day 08: Beijing - Osaka
You will take a morning excursion to the Summer Palace which is the existing largest and best-preserved royal garden in China. Constructed some 200 years ago during the Qing Dynasty, the Summer Palace was built on the basis of Wanshou Mountain and Kunming Lake, where the imperial palaces, halls, pavilions are connected by bridges and zigzagging corridors. Afterwards, a private transfer will take you to the airport for your onward flight to next destination, Japan.
As an island country to the east of China, Japan has been greatly influenced by China in history. Many of its historical relics have the traces of China. Yet, it has some of its own characteristics. After the memorable tour in China, our elaborately made Japan tours will help you find the differences between the two East Asia countries.
We recommend you to take a flight to Osaka for relatively lower flight ticket price. When arriving at Osaka Kansai Airport, you will be welcomed by our locally based English speaking assistant, who will instruct you to take shuttle bus to our well selected hotel. Check in the hotel on your own and have a good rest. (B)
Accommodation: Rihga Royal Hotel Kyoto (4 stars)
Day 09: Kyoto City Highlights Tour
Today, your exploration in Japan will officially start from Kyoto, a famous ancient city abounding in historical architecture. First, the guide will accompany you to the famous Kinkaku-ji. It is an ancient temple can be seen only from outside but still a must-see tourist attraction for most travelers. Next is Nijo Castle, which displays the paintings, carvings and architectures features in Momoyama Period. It is one of the world's cultural heritages in Kyoto. Then the ancient Kiyomizu Temple, which was listed as the world's cultural heritage in 1994. It attracts numerous travelers to appreciate the sakura in spring and maples in autumn. The last stop today is the most popular shrine in Japan – Fushimi Inari Shrine which is famous for the thousands of vermilion torii gates. At the end of the day, you will be escorted to the subway station and please go back to the hotel on your own. (B)
Accommodation: Rihga Royal Hotel Kyoto (4 stars)
Day 10: Take shinkansen (bullet Train) to visit Hiroshima
In today's Japan tour from UK, we will visit the Hiroshima and Miyajima. After the breakfast, please take the bullet train (around 1.5 hours) to Hiroshima by yourself. Upon arrival, you will meet our English speaking driver at the station and then head to the port for the ferry to Miyajima together. After getting off, go to visit the world's heritage Itsukushima Shrine. Built in 6th century, it is one of the best shrines in Japan and is famous for its beautiful Shinden-zukuri style structure. Then return to Hiroshima by ferry to visit the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park & Museum. This large-scale park was built after the Pacific War in 1949 and visited by plenty of tourists due to its symbolic meaning of peace. The museum inside is constructed to remind the following generations of horrible scenes resulted by the atomic bomb. The Atomic Bomb Dome is the symbol of the disastrous atomic bomb explosion in the Second World War. It is to promote the world peace and eliminate the atomic weapons. Afterwards, the guide will help you check in the hotel Hiroshima and say good-bye to you. (B)
Accommodation: Rihga Royal Hotel Hiroshima (4 stars)
Day 11: Bullet train to Hakata, Hakata day tour
After enjoying a breakfast in the hotel, please take the bullet train to Hakata on your own, which takes about 1 hour. When arriving there, our English speaking guide will greet you at the station and then start Hakata/Fukuoka Day tour by public transportation. The scenic spots today include Fukuoka Tower, Dazaifu Temman-gu, Kushida Shrine and Canal City Hakata.
Fukuoka Tower is Japan's highest seaside tower and the landmark of the city. Its body covered with more than 8,000 mirrors is designed as a towering triangular prism. No matter daytime or nighttime, this magnificent building shines brightly. Dazaifu Tenman-gu and KitanoTenmangu in Kyoto are regarded as the main shrines of Japan's Tenmangu. It enshrines the God of Academics. So when visiting it, do not forget to pray for good grades if you are a student. Kushida Shrine is an important shrine in Hakata and the religious center of local people. In July every year, Gion Yamakasa Festival, the most well-known sacrificial ceremony in Hakata, starts here. Canal City Kakata is a representative comprehensive shopping area in Hakata. No matter the first-class clothes or bags, different home appliances or various cosmeceuticals, all can be found here. Besides shopping, it is also a food paradise. The Ramen Museum on the fifth floor has 8 famous Ramen restaurants from different places, and surely the local specialty Hakata Ramen is provided here. In the evening, stay overnight in Hakata. (Notes: Fukuoka used to be called Hakata. The largest station in the city is Hakata Station. (B)
Accommodation: Mitsui Garden Hotel Fukuoka Gion (4 stars)
Day 12: Take train to Kobe, Stop at Himeji Castle
In the morning, please go to Himeji by the bullet train by yourself, taking about 2.5 hours. The local guide will pick you up at the train station and lead you to visit Himeij Castle. Difference from other Japan castles, Himeiji Castle with a history of more than 400 years is not ruined in the wars or fires disasters and preserved as its original appearance. It is the national treasure, as well as the world heritage. Himeji Castle looks like a white heron ready to fly, so it is also called White Heron Castle. You need to take off your shoes before entering for a visit. Next stop is Koukoen Garden to the west of the castle. It is composed of 9 completely different courtyards to show the scenery in Edo Period. Plenty of movies and TV series have chosen it as the shooting place. Then, take the local train to Kobe in 1 hour. After arrival, check in the hotel by yourself. (B)
Accommodation: Candeo Hotels Kobe Tor Road (4 stars)
Day 13: Kobe city tour, Local train to Osaka
Today, explore Kobe, a port city by public transportation under the companion of the guide. Kobe is the number one production place of Japanese sake. Let's tour Hakutsuru Sake Brewery Museum to see its production process. The whole museum is arranged according to its brewery steps. Then follow the guide to Nunobiki Herb Garden to appreciate the grass and flowers and overlook the splendid scenery of the city. You will take the ropeway at the entrance of the garden and see the large waterfall in the midway. At noon, taste the top ingredient in Japanese cuisines - Kobe Beef. It will definitely be an unforgettable dish in your Japan tour package from UK. The guide will recommend you some nice restaurants(lunch fee is excluded). After the lunch, head to Kobe Port. There, you can not only learn about the Japan's heavy industry and modernization, but also climb to the top of Port Tower with a height of more than 100 meters (328 feet) to have a bird view the whole city. The Maritime Museum is the next stop. In the end, tour the Meriken Park near the Kobe Port Tower and Maritime Museum. It is a seaside park with a good view to appreciate Kobe Port. At the end of the day, the guide will send you to the local train to Osaka. Arriving about 1 hour later, please finish the check-in procedures of the hotel on your own. (B)
Accommodation: Hotel New Hankyu Osaka (4 stars)
Day 14: Osaka city highlights tour
In the morning, the guide will pick you up at the hotel and start today's tour to the popular scenic spots in Osaka by public transportation. The first stop is the landmark of the city, Osaka Castle where you will know the Shogun history and then the Floating Garden Observatory at the Umeda Sky Building, where you can enjoy a panoramic view of the city. Afterwards, head to the Nakanoshima Isle to watch the Twin Towers and City Hall from outside. Then board the Aqua Liner to feast your eyes with the spectacular scenery for 1 hour. After the voyage, you can take the bus back to the hotel or have a dinner at your favored restaurant under the help of the guide. (B)
Accommodation: Hotel New Hankyu Osaka (4 stars)
Day 15: Nara day tour from Osaka
After breakfast, the guide will meet you at the hotel and then accompany you to take the bullet train to Nara, taking 30 minutes on the way. Upon arrival, go to visit Kofukuji Temple and the vast Nara Park which are linked with each other. After go sightseeing the architectures in the temple, you can play with the deer in the park. Then walk to Todaiji Temple; the Great Buddha Hall there is the largest wooden architecture in the world where enshrines a 16-meter-high (52.5-feet-high), also the world's biggest bronze Buddha. The last scenic spot we tour today is Kasuga Shrine. The shrine is full of pure and solemn atmosphere, thus making tourists feel the vast power and grace of the god. When the visit ends, return to Osaka by bullet train. (B)
Accommodation: Hotel New Hankyu Osaka (4 stars)
Day 16: Departure from Osaka
After checking out the hotel, please take the shuttle bus to Osaka Kansai Airport by yourself. Hope you are satisfied with our service and wish you a pleasant journey home! (B)
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