ARRIVE IN SHANGHAI. Welcome to Shanghai, China's most populous city and centre of trade and industry. Hotel rooms are available for mid-afternoon check-in.
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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. This evening, meet your travelling companions for a welcome dinner. Afterward, consider joining an optional tour to see a spectacular acrobatic show. (B,L,D)
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SHANGHAI - GUILIN. After a morning at leisure, transfer to the airport for your flight to Guilin, one of China's most beautiful areas. (B)
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GUILIN. Limestone mountains, their needle peaks hidden in mist, rise from the green plain surrounding Guilin. The scene conveys a sense of mystery that artists have tried to capture for centuries. Savour unique vistas during a leisurely CRUISE on the Li River, where you'll enjoy a light lunch. Tonight, consider joining our optional trip to see trained cormorants dive for fish, the traditional Lijiang fishing method. (B,L,D)
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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 colourful assemblage of classical performances. (B,D)
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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 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)
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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 also discover the former Imperial SUMMER PALACE, a complex of pavilions, temples, and galleries situated around Kunming Lake. Tonight you may decide on the optional tour of the Peking Opera with its various forms of drama and music tracing back to the 13th century. (B,L)
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BEIJING. GREAT WALL EXCURSION. The GREAT WALL OF CHINA once stretched 6,437 kilometres (4000 miles) across China's barren northern terrain from the Bohai Sea to the Gobi Desert. Head north to a village where the Great Wall is well preserved and walk along the wall to enjoy sweeping vistas of this mammoth fortress. Then, visit a CLOISONNE WORKSHOP and see local artisans use the techniques of this ancient art form to turn pieces of copper into colourful decorative items. After lunch at 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 you're hosted to a special PEKING DUCK DINNER. (B,L,D)
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BEIJING - TOKYO, JAPAN. Today, fly to Tokyo, Japan's capital city. (B)
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TOKYO. Today's sightseeing tour 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 by 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 local delicacies. The balance of the day is at leisure. Perhaps stroll through the famous Ginza area. Dinner tonight is in a local restaurant opposite your hotel. As you take in the great city views from the 51st floor you will enjoy a sampling of local specialties, including yakitori (grilled chicken skewers), spring rolls, Japanese-style salad, and rice balls. After dinner, join your Tour Director for a WALKING TOUR among the dazzling neon lights of Tokyo. (B,D)
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TOKYO - HAKONE - ODAWARA. This morning, head south for Hakone via Kamakura to see the Great Buddha. Enjoy a CRUISE on Lake Ashi followed by a CABLE CAR RIDE for panoramic views of spectacular Mount Fuji (weather permitting). Continue on to Odawara. (B,D)
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ODAWARA - KYOTO. Today, enjoy a thrilling ride on a BULLET TRAIN to Kyoto. Established in 1964, Japan's Shinkansen (bullet trains) were the world's first high-speed trains and now travel at speeds in excess of 297 kilometres (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. Next, visit Kinkakuji, the TEMPLE OF THE GOLD PAVILION, and the HEIAN SHRINE & GARDEN. (B,L)
PLEASE NOTE: Space is limited and should be requested at the time of booking
Traditional Ryokan Stay:
Immerse yourself in the Japanese culture and hospitality in a ryokan (Japanese Inn) in Kyoto. Your ryokan features traditional touches - tatami mat floors, a thin sleeping mattress on the floor, and the chance to experience a Japanese-style bath - as well as the modern convenience of a private bathroom. Includes: Transfers to/from ryokan from/to hotel in Kyoto; traditional Japanese dinner and breakfast.
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KYOTO. This morning's city tour features the extraordinary NIJO CASTLE, built in 1603 as the official residence of Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu. For lunch, participate in a special JAPANESE COOKING CLASS. Under the instruction of a local chef you will learn how to make miso soup, teriyaki chicken, and makizushi, more commonly known as a sushi roll. 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 Nara Park. (B,L)
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KYOTO. A full day at leisure to enjoy this historically rich city at your own pace. You may want to consider a full-day tour to Hiroshima and Miyajima, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Or, for an authentic taste of Japan, visit a sake brewery for a tasting and to learn about the brewing tradition that has been passed down through the generations. This evening, join your travelling companions for a farewell dinner. (B,D)
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KYOTO. Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. Homebound flights from Kansai International Airport in Osaka should not be booked prior to 3 pm. (B)
SHANGHAI: Sightseeing with a Local Guide including headsets; visit the Shanghai Museum and Yu Yuan Gardens; stroll along the Bund; welcome dinner
GUILIN: Sightseeing with a Local Guide; Li River cruise
XI'AN: Enjoy the "Tang Dynasty" dinner show; sightseeing with a Local Guide including headsets; visit the Terracotta Warriors; noodle-making demonstration
BEIJING: Sightseeing with a Local Guide including headsets; visit the Forbidden City, Imperial Palace, Tian'anmen Square, Beijing Zoo, Summer Palace, Great Wall, cloisonne workshop, and Sacred Way of the Ming Tombs; Peking Duck dinner
TOKYO: City sightseeing; visit the Meiji Shrine, calligraphy demonstration, kimono fitting, tea ceremony, Asakusa Kannon Temple, and Nakamise Shopping Arcade; night walking tour
HAKONE: Cruise on Lake Ashi; cable-car ride to view Mount Fuji (weather permitting)
ODAWARA-KYOTO: By high-speed bullet train
KYOTO: Visit Yuzen Handmade Corner, the Temple of the Gold Pavilion, Heian Shrine & Garden, and Nijo Castle; Japanese cooking class; farewell dinner
ALL INTRA-TOUR FLIGHTS
MEALS: American breakfast daily (B), 7 lunches (L), 7 dinners (D) including a welcome dinner in Shanghai, a special Peking Duck dinner in Beijing, a yakitori dinner in Tokyo, and a farewell dinner in Kyoto
Inside visits and special features are shown in UPPERCASE in the tour description, including admission charges where applicable
Meals Breakfast - 14 Lunch - 7 Dinner - 7
Optional Excursions
To help plan your leisure time, as well as your pre-tour budgeting, here is a list of optional excursions that may be offered on this tour.
Availability is subject to sufficient participation, weather conditions, seasonal suitability, group interests, and general feasibility for your tour. Please note prices may be based on the previous year and are subject to change. Full terms and conditions are contained in the important travel documents.
Optional Excursions
