17 Days Japan & China Group Tour

Hotel: Hotel Metropolitan Ikebukuro or similar

Welcome to Japan! Upon arrival at Narita International Airport, met our local representative with a name board at the airport exit and transfer to your hotel. After check-in, you will be free at leisure on your own.

Please note:

1. Hotel check-in time is from 15:00. If you arrive at the hotel in the morning, luggage can be stored at the hotel when you explore the city on your own.
2. We suggest you fly to Tokyo Narita International Airport. If you fly to Tokyo Haneda Airport, it will cause a separate transfer fee. Please advise us in advance.
3. The airport pick-up will be arranged with only driver service.
4. If you are a solo traveler and can not share the transfer service with other tourists, an airport transfer supplement： US$100 per car per way will be charged.

Tokyo City View

Meals: Breakfast
Hotel:  Hotel Metropolitan Ikebukuro or similar 

Today is your time to explore Tokyo City. After your breakfast at the hotel, our local guide will meet you at the hotel to start a full day to explore Tokyo City through the convenient public transportation system. 

The first stop is Tokyo Tower (approx. 30 mins), from which you could enjoy a panorama of Tokyo from the main observation platform. Then we will move to Meiji Shrine. 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 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, your guide will lead you to visit Hama-rikyu Garden, 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 the 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. 

Tokyo city exploring tour will end by sending you back to the hotel by our local guide.

Note: Lunch is on your own arrangement. Your guide will make recommendations for your preference

Asakusa Kannon Temple

Meals: Breakfast
Hotel: Hotel The Hamanako or similar (hot spring ) 

After breakfast in your hotel, please check out and meet your guide at the hotel lobby.

you will start the exciting tour to visit Mt. Fuji & Lake Kawaguchi. 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 you will be amazed by the spectacular and breathtaking views from above the clouds. 

After lunch, we will ride the Lake Kawaguchi cruise You can enjoy the magnificent Mt. Fuji and the panoramic 360-degree view. Later drive down and coach to Hamanako (2.5hrs duration) for an overnight stay. 

Mt. Fuji

Meals: Breakfast,
Hotel: Hotel Vischio Kyoto by Granvia or similar

After breakfast at the hotel, we will drive to Kyoto for 2.5 hours and start a full-day Kyoto tour. The 1st stop is to visit Nijo-jo Castle (50 min), once Kyoto imperial castle with stunning Tamami rooms in which there are many beautiful paintings of the Edo period. Then visit Kinkaku-Ji Temple (45 min), the most well-known temple in Japan, which is considered a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The next stop is Kyoto Imperial Palace (40 min) before a Japanese-style lunch at a local restaurant.

In the afternoon, the guide will escort you to visit Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine (30 min), the head shrine of about 30,000 Inari shrines across Japan, and Sanjusangen-do Temple (30 min) first. Sanjusangendo is a unique and impressive temple in Kyoto. It dates back to 1164 and is famous for its 1001 golden statues of Kannon, goddess of mercy. Before going back to hotel, we will visit Kiyomizu-Dera Temple (70 min), which is the oldest temple in Kyoto, known for the "stage of the Kiyomizu". It was listed as one of the world's cultural heritage sites in 1994.

Finish the tour and drive to the hotel for check-in. Enjoy your free leisure evening exploring this ancient city. 

Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine

Meals: Breakfast
Hotel: Art Hotel Osaka Bay Tower or similar

Have a leisurely breakfast in the hotel. Today our guide will escort you to explore Nara, which is near Kyoto. Meet at the hotel and take a coach to Nara. The first stop in Nara is the Todaiji Temple through Nara Garden. Kasuga Tasha Shrine is another highlight in Nara, famous for its lanterns, which have been donated by worshipers. After a stop at Nara Nagomikan (a gift shop), where tourists could buy some souvenirs for their loved ones. 

After that, drive for half an hour to Osaka and overnight there. 

Note: 
1. Kyoto - Nara: 45km, 45 minutes drive
2. Nara - Osaka: 33km, 34 minutes drive

Nara Deer Park

Meals: Breakfast
Hotel: Art Hotel Osaka Bay Tower or similar

Enjoy your free leisure day in Osaka today to explore the city on your own. You may walk around for shopping some souvenirs as gifts for family or friends.

Or you can travel to Hiroshima or enjoy a leisure & happy time at Universal Stadio in Japan (NOT INCLUDED. If you are interested in , please tell your travel advisor to advise the price on private basis).

Osaka Castle

Meals: No Meals
Accommodation:  4 Star /4+Star Hotel in Beijing ★★★★

After hotel breakfast, free at leisure before transfer to Kansai International Airport on sharing basis for your flight to Beijing, the capital city of China, you will be greeted by our local guide at the airport with a TCT signboard. Then our driver will transfer you to the check-in hotel. Free at leisure for the rest of the day for you to get over the jet lag.

Please note:

1. We will arrange a transfer for the whole group together to Osaka Kansai Airport together at a certain time. Generally speaking, the transfer time is at 11:00 in the morning, which might be adjusted when we receive and consider all the tourist flights information
2. If you prefer a private transfer or the time is not suitable for your flight timing, please contact us to double-check the separate airport transfer supplement based on different vehicle types.

Beijing City View

Meals: Hotel Breakfast, A la carte Chinese lunch
Accommodation: 4 Star /4+Star Hotel in Beijing ★★★★
 

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 you will enjoy a Beijing Hutong tour by rickshaw with a local family visit, which will give you a deep impression of the local residents' live.  Then we will have a stop at a Chinese courtyard and take a Chinese culture experience - Peking opera facial mask painting.

A la carte lunch is served at a local restaurant to have a taste of authentic Chinese food at noon time and have a break at the restaurant.

Then continue this Beijing city treasure tour 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. The memorable Beijing city tour for the 1st day ends by dropping off at your hotel lobby. 

Notes:  At night, al ively and dramatic Chinese Kung Fu Show at the Red Theater or the Acrobatic Show can be your optional night entertainment.  

Forbidden City

Meals: Hotel Breakfast, A la Carte Lunch
Accommodation: 4 Star /4+Star Hotel in Beijing ★★★★
 

It will be an exciting day today. In the early morning, the 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's Great Wall. It takes about 2 hours to drive from 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. (*** Round-way cable cars are included at Mutianyu Great Wall***)

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

Mutianyu Great Wall

Meals: Hotel breakfast, A La Carte Lunch
Accommodation: 4 Star /4+Star Hotel in Xian ★★★★

In the morning, check out from the hotel and start to visit the last spot in Beijing --- Summer Palace, the existing largest, best-preserved imperial garden in China. Longevity Hill and Kunming Lake are regarded as 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.


Summer Palace

Meals: Hotel breakfast, A La Carte Lunch
Accommodation: 4 Star /4+Star Hotel in Xian ★★★★
 

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***). 
 

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 cave dwelling pottery workshop, where you will have chance to learn how to make a miniature terracotta warrior and discover the unique ancient housing style in north China.  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.
 

When you back to downtown, we will walk around Bell Tower Square and walk to the well-known Muslim Quarter, where you could enjoy your shopping time and challenge a variety of local snacks. The tour finishes by dropping-off at the hotel lobby.

Notes: You could ask your local guide for some information about evening entertainment or night show, such as Tang Dynasty Show.

Terracotta Warriors

Meals: Hotel breakfast, A La Carte Lunch
Accommodation: 4 Star /4+Star Hotel in Guilin ★★★★
 

You will have a leisure morning for your to walk around. Then our guide will meet you at hotel and help you with check-out. Continue to visit Gao's Courtyard, which is a wonderful choice for you to appreciate ancient residences and explore the local culture of shadow puppetry. Continue to our trip to the Big Wild Goose Pagoda North Plaza, from which you will have photo stop at this landmark of Xian and enjoy the magnificent and world top music fountain show at the plaza at 12:00 （depends on the availablity).
 

Take a night flight or late afternoon from Xi'an to Guilin, a small city in Southern China with the best natural beauty of China.


Guilin City View

Meals: Hotel breakfast, A La Carte Lunch
Accommodation: 4 Star /4+Star Hotel in Guilin ★★★★

We will have an exciting day to visit the ethnic group villages and the stunning rice terraces today. The local tour guide picks you up from the hotel lobby in the morning. It takes about 2 hours to drive from downtown Guilin to Longji Rice Terraces Scenic Area (Dragon's Back). The magnificent terraces are built into the hillsides and look like great steps cut into the slopes as they wind around the mountainsides.

Lunch will be arranged at a local restaurant in Ping'an Zhuang Village, which is just located on the rice terraces. You will have a chance to try the local food cooked in bamboo, such as bamboo rice, chicken, etc. It tastes with the light fragrance of bamboo, quite different from what we eat downtown.

After lunch, you will have enough free time to explore the ethnic villages, where the Yao and Zhuang people have been dwelling for generations in wooden houses. You will understand how the locals' life is, and you will see the locals working in the paddy fields, the women in their national costumes doing needlework by the village path or beneath her roof, ect. We will drive back to downtown of Guilin from Longji at around 15:00 and you may arrive at hotel about 17:00. A Four Lakes Night Cruise is recommended as an optional activity in Guilin.


Longji Rice Terraces

Meals: Hotel breakfast, A La Carte Lunch
Accommodation: 4 Star /4+Star Hotel in Guilin ★★★★

In the morning you will be driven to the Zhujiang Pier for the Li River Cruise (about 4 hours from Guilin to Yangshuo). Savour the fairy-tale scenery while cruising down the meandering river to Yangshuo. After disembarkation, you can have a walk along the famous West Street and enjoy the free leisure time there before driving back to overnight in Guilin. If you would like to stay in Yangshuo longer and know more about the night show or evening entertainment, do not hesitate to ask your local guide, who'd be very willing to help you. The Show of Impression Liusanjie is highly recommended as an optional activity in Yangshuo if you are interested in.


Li River Cruise

Meals: Hotel Breakfast, A La Carte Lunch
Accommodation: 4 Star /4+Star Hotel in Shanghai ★★★★

After breakfast, start to visit the Elephant Trunk Hill (1 hour) – the symbol of Guilin. After that, have a trip to Reed Flute Cave (1 hour) - the showcase of distinctly-colored stalactites and stalagmites. After a la carte lunch at local restaurant, transfer to airport to catch the flight for Shanghai.

The Shanghai local guide will meet you at Shanghai airport and transfer you to check in the hotel.


Elephant Trunk Hill

Meals: Hotel Breakfast, A La Carte Lunch
Accommodation: 4 Star /4+Star Hotel in Shanghai ★★★★
 

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 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

Meals: Breakfast
 

Your China Experience is over soon as you transfer to the airport by our driver and board the homebound international flight, bidding a fond farewell to this ancient land.

Service Ends
 

Please note: We generally arrange the free hotel-airport transfer on sharing basis according to all the travelers' departure flights. If a separate private transfer is required, it will cause a transfer supplement: US$75 per 5-seat car per way. Independent private transfer service will be required in advance.