Great Wall to Tokyo Delights

Welcome to China. On arrival in Beijing we transfer you to your hotel. In the early evening we stroll along Wangfujing Street – a lively pedestrian avenue of shops and eateries – an ideal first taste of the city. Dinner is included before we return to the hotel.
Please note: This tour may have travellers joining or departing at various points along the route, meaning group composition can change during the tour. Please also be aware that depending on group composition, guiding may be in additional languages as well as English.

Today we travel to the Great Wall at Mutianyu – an unforgettable stretch set among dramatic mountains. We ride the cable car up and down to take in sweeping views. We then visit the Temple of Heaven, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where emperors once prayed for good harvests. To unwind, we join a short Tai Chi session and enjoy a relaxing foot massage. We round off the day with a traditional Peking duck dinner – included – before returning to the hotel.

A full day of discovery in the capital. We begin in Tiananmen Square, then enter the Forbidden City, the vast former imperial palace where 24 emperors ruled for nearly five centuries. We continue to Jingshan Park to climb Coal Hill for panoramic views of the Forbidden City – weather permitting. Lunch is included. In the afternoon we experience local life on a tricycle ride through the hutongs, pausing at small shops and stepping inside a traditional siheyuan courtyard house. We finish at the Summer Palace, famed for its lakes and gardens. 6:30 p.m. – the tour ends. You may return to the hotel by bus or choose to remain in the city centre – if so, the return will be at your own expense; we recommend carrying the hotel address written in Chinese for a taxi. Please note – due to conservation and safety measures, daily visitor numbers at the Forbidden City are currently reduced, so entry cannot be guaranteed; if unavailable, we will visit the Confucius Temple and the Lama Temple instead.

After breakfast we head to the station for a high speed train to Nanjing, reaching almost 300 km/h and covering close to 1,000 kilometres in under four hours. On arrival we explore Purple Mountain, visiting the Sun Yat–sen Mausoleum and the tranquil Linggu Temple, set amid leafy parkland. You then have free time to continue exploring at your own pace. Overnight in Nanjing.

We depart for Suzhou, celebrated for its classical gardens – a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We visit the Garden of the Humble Administrator, a masterpiece of ponds, pavilions and winding paths. You then have free time along historic Pingjiang Road with its canals, teahouses and artisan shops. Lunch is included. In the afternoon we continue to Tongli, a charming water town of narrow canals, stone bridges and traditional houses, where we enjoy a peaceful boat ride. We then travel on to Shanghai for check in and overnight.

We begin in Pudong, the modern financial district of soaring skyscrapers including the distinctive Pearl Tower. We then take a scenic ferry across the river for views of both historic and contemporary Shanghai. In the Old City we visit Yuyuan Garden and enjoy an introduction to traditional tea. We continue to fashionable Xintiandi. Lunch is included. In the afternoon we explore Tianzifang’s maze of lanes, craft studios and galleries, before a stroll along the Bund, lined with grand waterfront architecture. You have the afternoon free – if you wish, you can take an evening boat trip to see the city illuminated.

After breakfast we transfer to the airport for the included flight to Tokyo. On arrival, and after border formalities, an assistant – usually Spanish speaking, sometimes English speaking – will be waiting to accompany us to a shared shuttle for the transfer to the hotel. You then have free time.

In the morning we set out on a guided tour of around seven hours, showcasing Tokyo’s contrasts of energy and calm. We pause at Zojoji Temple for a superb view of Tokyo Tower and to see rows of Jizo statues adorned with knitted hats, bibs and pinwheels. We pass the famous Shibuya Crossing – viewed from the bus – and visit Meiji Shrine. We then ascend Tokyo Skytree – admission included to the Tembo Deck at 350 metres – for far reaching views. We finish in Asakusa to explore Sensoji Temple and Nakamise Street, then return to the hotel via Akihabara, the Electric City, and Ginza. 6:30 p.m. – we meet our guide in the hotel lobby and take the metro to Shinjuku for a walk through this lively district, followed by dinner at a local restaurant – included. We return to the hotel by metro with our guide. Note – the order of visits may vary depending on Skytree admission times. In the event of bad weather or exceptional circumstances, access to Skytree may be limited and an alternative viewpoint will be offered.

After breakfast our journey concludes, leaving you with wonderful memories.