Explore Japan & China’s Cultural Icons, Heritage and Cities

Tokyo

Arrive in Tokyo and transfer privately to your hotel for a 2-night stay. Tokyo blends old and new — from the buzzing streets of Shibuya to quiet temples like Meiji Jingu and Senso-ji. If you have time, explore stylish areas like Ginza and Harajuku, and sample local favourites and delicious cuisine such as crispy banh mi and sushi. Visit the Tsukiji Fish Market or Kappabashi Street for unique shopping. Many train stations in Tokyo are attractions in their own right, and if you travel by bullet train, you can enjoy free wi-fi onboard for a comfortable journey. You might choose to learn a traditional craft, watch a sumo match, or join a martial arts class. With endless contrasts and experiences, Tokyo offers a vibrant introduction to Japanese culture, design, and daily life.

Tokyo

Enjoy a full-day private city tour, tailored to your interests. Visit museums like the Tokyo National Museum or Mori Art Museum, where you can Japan learn about the country's rich history and culture, or dive into Japanese pop culture. Explore neighbourhoods such as Asakusa, Shibuya, and Omotesando. Try street food to sample local favourites and experience delicious cuisine, explore art galleries, and enjoy time in tranquil gardens. Your guide can arrange unique experiences like watching sumo training, sake tasting, or dining at one of Tokyo’s top restaurants to further sample local favourites. You’ll see a mix of history, culture, and modern creativity that makes Tokyo one of the world’s most exciting cities.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Tokyo

Hakone

Take a private transfer and first-class bullet train to Hakone. This beautiful national park is known for hot springs, forests, and stunning vistas, including breathtaking views of Mt Fuji and the Miho Peninsula. Check into a luxurious ryokan, where you can enjoy a private onsen bath and a multi-course kaiseki dinner. In the afternoon, explore Hakone’s natural and cultural sights. Take a scenic cruise on Lake Ashinoko, visit an art museum, or stroll along quiet forest paths. For a more active day, hike or drive closer to Mt Fuji. Hakone offers peace, beauty, and a deep connection to Japanese tradition and nature.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Kyoto

Travel by first-class bullet train to fascinating Kyoto. After a private transfer to your hotel, begin your cultural journey in Japan’s old capital. Visit temples, shrines, and quiet gardens, where you can discover intriguing mythology and connect with Japan's past. You may explore Katsura Imperial Villa or the Moss Temple, both known for their beauty and calm. Kyoto feels slower and more graceful than Tokyo, with traditional wooden houses and peaceful streets. In the afternoon, start your guided tour of Kyoto’s historical heart. It’s a place where tradition lives on — from elegant tea rituals to carefully tended gardens, offering you the chance to Japan immerse in authentic culture. You’ll stay here for three nights.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Kyoto

Spend the day exploring fascinating Kyoto with your private guide. Begin with a traditional tea ceremony, followed by a Buddhist vegetarian lunch at a temple. Learn about Zen ideas through simple meals and mindful experiences, offering a chance to Japan discover Japan's history. Walk through the bamboo groves of Arashiyama, and visit food markets that showcase Kyoto’s delicious cuisine. Stroll through Gion, where you might spot a geisha or see traditional performances. Every part of Kyoto shows the city’s attention to detail and deep respect for heritage. From ancient rituals to refined dishes, this day brings you closer to Kyoto’s gentle way of life and lets you experience the historical depth of fascinating Kyoto.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Kyoto

Kyoto

Today, you can choose from several unique experiences. Visit the Miho Museum, known for its architecture and peaceful location. Travel to Nara to see the Great Buddha and ancient temples, and learn about Buddhism's spread in Japan during the 6th century. Or take a longer trip to Hiroshima, a forward-looking city renowned for its resilience after World War II. Explore resilient Hiroshima’s decades-long restoration following the devastation of the atomic bomb, and visit the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, a key landmark that commemorates the 1945 atomic bombing and symbolizes peace and remembrance. The Peace Memorial Park stands as a testament to the city's recovery and vision for the future. You can also visit Miyajima’s floating torii gate. If you prefer to stay in Kyoto, enjoy special experiences like private dinners with geisha, Zen meditation, or local craft workshops. Whether you choose art, history, or spiritual insight, the day will offer a deep connection to Japan’s culture and values.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Beijing

Begin your China visit by flying to Beijing, where a private transfer takes you to your hotel. Start your time in China’s capital with an afternoon tour. Visit lively markets and historic neighbourhoods, or enjoy a quiet walk through Beijing’s ancient hutongs. Your guide will share stories about Beijing's imperial history, its significance as a trading center since the 13th century, and how the city has grown. In the evening, enjoy local dishes at a recommended restaurant. Beijing offers both grandeur and charm — from its massive palaces to narrow alleyways. This first taste of the city shows how old and new sit side by side.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Beijing

Begin your full-day China visit in Beijing with the Forbidden City, a magnificent symbol of imperial history and once home to China’s emperors. Then visit the peaceful Temple of Heaven and the Summer Palace, known for its lakes and pavilions. Take a rickshaw ride through old hutongs to see daily life. For lunch and dinner, savour Beijing’s delicious cuisine — maybe even Peking duck, along with other local specialties that showcase the city’s rich culinary culture. In the evening, watch the colourful Peking Opera, a unique blend of music, costumes, and storytelling. From royal buildings to folk traditions, today offers a complete picture of Beijing’s cultural richness.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Beijing

Beijing

A private day trip to the Great Wall of China is an essential part of any comprehensive China visit. Walk along a well-preserved section with sweeping views of mountains and countryside. Experience the power of this ancient structure, which played a crucial role in China's imperial history as a formidable defence for past dynasties. This is a highlight of your journey and a chance to connect with China’s deep past. Enjoy a packed lunch or eat at a local restaurant nearby. Return to Beijing in the evening with time to relax or take a stroll. The Great Wall is a memory that will stay with you forever.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Beijing

Xian

Fly to Xi’an, one of China’s oldest cities, as part of your comprehensive China visit. After a private transfer to your hotel, begin your tour with a visit to the Terracotta Warriors — thousands of life-sized clay soldiers made over 2,000 years ago, a remarkable testament to China’s imperial history. See how each figure is unique and learn about the emperor who had them built. This extraordinary site shows the skill and vision of ancient China. Back in the city, explore Xi’an’s old walls, lively food markets, and historic streets, where you can experience the unique culture and local customs that define this region. It’s a day full of discovery and insight into China’s powerful past.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Guilin & Yangshuo

Enjoy a morning tour of Xi’an before flying to Guilin, a beautiful city known for its stunning landscapes. After arrival and transfer to your hotel, spend the afternoon exploring. Visit scenic spots with dramatic karst hills, green rivers, and caves. Take a gentle walk or short boat ride to admire the natural beauty. Guilin offers a slower pace and a fresh connection to nature after the busy cities. This peaceful setting is the perfect place to relax and prepare for more adventures. Your guide will introduce you to the unique culture of the region and show you the best views, as well as opportunities to sample local favourites.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Guilin & Yangshuo

Cruise along the Li River to Yangshuo, one of China’s most scenic journeys. Glide past misty peaks, bamboo groves, and tiny villages, all while taking in the stunning vistas that make this region famous. Along the way, watch fishermen with trained cormorants and farmers tending rice fields. After arriving in Yangshuo, explore nearby villages and enjoy local hospitality as you experience the unique culture of the area. Learn about rural life, join a cooking class to sample local favorites, or just relax in the beautiful countryside. The day combines gentle exploration with time to take in the peaceful views. Return to Guilin or stay in Yangshuo overnight, depending on your preferences.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Guilin & Yangshuo

Shanghai

Fly to Shanghai, China’s most modern and international city. Known as both a modern city and a garden city, Shanghai impresses with its contemporary skyline, vibrant urban life, and extensive green spaces. After a private transfer to your hotel, enjoy the rest of the day at leisure. You may wish to explore the nearby shopping streets or enjoy a rooftop view of the skyline. Shanghai is full of energy, with soaring buildings, designer shops, and lively cafés. But you’ll also find pockets of history — old temples, art deco buildings, and quiet gardens, all reflecting Shanghai's heritage. Notable attractions include the Jewish Refugees Museum, which highlights the city’s important role in Jewish immigrant history. This city sets the stage for a memorable finale to your journey across China.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Shanghai

Take a private tour of Shanghai, beginning at the Bund, where European-style buildings face the futuristic skyline of Pudong. Explore shanghai's heritage by visiting the Shanghai Museum to see ancient Chinese art and artefacts, and don't miss the Jewish Refugees Museum, a significant site highlighting the city's role in Jewish history. Walk through the peaceful Yuyuan Garden and old town’s winding alleys, experiencing why Shanghai is known as a garden city with its lush green spaces and traditional landscapes. Sip tea in one of the city’s oldest teahouses and immerse yourself in the unique culture that sets Shanghai apart, from its local traditions to its vibrant street life. Discover the trendy side of Shanghai in creative districts filled with galleries and boutiques. Whether old or new, every part of Shanghai tells a story. This final full day ties together your journey, showing the pace and pulse of modern China.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Shanghai

Your journey ends with a private transfer to the airport. After two incredible weeks across Japan and China, you return home with memories of ancient temples, grand cities, peaceful gardens, and stunning natural beauty. In Shanghai, you experienced a modern city that is also known as a garden city, blending vibrant urban life with lush green spaces. Reflecting on Shanghai's heritage, you witnessed how its rich cultural history and transformation have shaped its unique identity. From Tokyo’s fast pace to Guilin’s calm rivers, this trip has shown the best of both countries in a thoughtful and luxurious way.

Meals Included: Breakfast