TRIPS

Great Cities of East Asia

Day 1 Arrive in Beijing • Day 2-4 Visit Beijing • Day 5 Beijing Bullet train to Shanghai • Day 6-7 Visit Shanghai • Day 8 Flight to Hong Kong • Day 9-10 Visit Hong Kong • Day 11 Flight to Tokyo • Day 12-13 Tokyo • Day 14 Flight home from Tokyo

Description

Day 1 Arrive Beijing
Upon arrival, an English speaking representative will meet and greet you at the arrival hall.
You will then be attended to your hotel in Beijing.
Accommodation: Brickyard Retreat at Mutianyu Great Wall or similar

Day 2 Beijing (B/L)
Depending on the availability of activities, you may:
1. Participate at the Community Service event in the village.
Help out the local villagers by donating a day of labour. Lunch proceeds will be fully donated to the elderly in the village and township.

2. Enjoy a short walk or bike ride through Mutianyu Village. Then walk along the magnificent Great Wall. For lunch, visit the Schoolhouse and enjoy a different lunch menu where everything is homemade from scratch from fresh local ingredients. Visit the Schoolhouse Orchard in the afternoon to learn about our organic farming principles.

Day 3 Beijing (B/L)
Pack up your bags as we leave Mutianyu to west Beijing’s village of Cuandixia for a visit with lunch.
Cuandixia is a village dating back from the Ming Dynasty located in the west end of Beijing. Cuandixia Village has been gaining popularity as a tourist attraction in recent years known for its well preserved courtyard homes and natural beauty.
Lunch is served at local restaurant.
Proceed to Beijing city centre for overnight.
Accommodation: Regent Beijing or similar

Day 4 Beijing (B/L/D)
After breakfast, enjoy a full day guided tour of Beijing including Tiananmen Square, the largest public plaza in the world. After a stroll in the historic Tiananmen Square, we access to the Forbidden City via the Gate of Heavenly Peace. The Imperial Palace, lying inside the Forbidden City and surrounded by a high wall and broad moat, is probably China’s greatest surviving historical site. Dating from the 15th century, the Palace was home to a total of 24 emperors and, today, its fabulous halls, palaces and gardens house a huge collection of priceless relics from various dynasties. In the afternoon, visit the lavish Summer Palace, a former retreat for the imperial family.

Tonight, enjoy a Peking Duck Dinner.

Day 5 Beijing – Shanghai (B/L)
This morning, visit the Temple of Heaven and watch locals doing all kinds of morning exercise, including Tai Chi.
Transfer to the railway station and travel by high speed train at a maximum speed of 380 km/h to Shanghai. The journey covers 1,305 kilometers (811 mi) in around 4.5 hours.
Upon arrival, meet and transfer to your hotel.
Accommodation: Renaissance Yuyuan Garden Hotel Shanghai or similar

Day 6 Shanghai (B/L)
Today’s sightseeing tour showcases some of Shanghai’s well known highlights.
Morning visit brings you to the Yuyuan Garden and the old town area.
After a light lunch, take a walk on the promenade of Shanghai’s famous waterfront – Bund, and the near by Nanjing Road walking street.
Finish your day by visiting Shanghai’s world-renown museum which houses the finest collection of Chinese art including calligraphy, scroll paintings, bronzes and ceramics.

Day 7 Shanghai (B/L)
French concession and West Bund artistic area.
Start your day by visiting the Cathy Theatre to learn about China’s golden film era. Walk down the street to reach Jinjiang Hotel, formerly owned by Sir Victor Sassoon. And Right across the street, visit the Okura Garden Hotel (formerly known as Cercle Sportif Francais, a once private palace of Mao Zedong). Right around the corner, you will then visit Shanghai Lanxin Theatre.
Proceed to visit Orthodox Cathedral Shanghai (outside only) – a former Russian Orthodox church also known as Saint Nicholas Church. Donghu Hotel, the former Du Yuesheng Residence, is nearby. Du Yuesheng, aka Big Eared Du, was an infamous mob boss who spent much of his life in Shanghai.
You will then proceed to Moller Villa – a major historical and cultural site protected at the national level built over 100 years ago by British Swedish businessman Eric Moller.
Finish your tour in Wukang Road area visiting Cai Yuanpei Former Residence, Shanghai Lilac Garden and etc.

After lunch, travel south to reach the West Bund artistic area. Wander through the many museums and galleries and you may find some Chinese and international masterpieces such as Chen Yifei and Modigliani.

Day 8 Shanghai – Hong Kong (B)
Your day is free at leisure in Shanghai until time to transfer to the airport for your flight to Hong Kong.
Upon arrival in Hong Kong, transfer to your hotel for overnight.
Accommodation: Royal Garden Hotel or similar

Day 9 Hong Kong(B/L)
One of the most pleasant and satisfying ways to get to know Hong Kong is to explore it on foot. After breakfast, you will meet your guide and take a 10-minute walk along the promenade to the Star Ferry Pier where you will enjoy a ferry ride across the Victoria Harbour to Central District of Hong Kong Island.
This guided walking tour will let you learn much about the fascinating city of Hong Kong, from glittering Central District, through the local wet markets and temple, to the oldest residential area in Western District.

Take the Peak Tram up to the Victoria Peak for a panoramic view of Hong Kong and enjoy a dim sum lunch at Lu Feng Restaurant on Victoria Peak Tower.

After lunch, travel to ‘Aberdeen’ fishing village, enjoy a sampan ride, and then to the well-known Stanley markets where you can pick up some great bargains at just a fraction of the price in town.

Day 10 Hong Kong (B)
Take a day trip away from the hustle and bustle on Hong Kong island and travel to Lantau Island for its unspoilt countryside, lush green valleys and giant outdoor Buddha statue. This tour includes a visit to Ngong Ping 360, Hong Kong’s spectacular tourism attraction that features a stunning cable car ride up a mountainside with breathtaking panoramic views of the airport, the South China Sea, lush mountains and the approaching Buddha statue. You’ll step off the cable car into the culturally themed Ngong Ping Village, which incorporates three major attractions: Motion 360, Stage 360 and Walking with Buddha, along with a diverse array of eateries and shops. You’ll also visit the famous Po Lin Monastery nearby and view the world’s tallest seated outdoor bronze Buddha, which rests contentedly atop 268 steps. Just a short walk away is Wisdom Path, where an ancient prayer is inscribed on a series of wooden steles. Another highlight is a visit to the historical fishing village at Tai O where Tanka boat people still live in their stilt houses, while some tours offer a vegetarian lunch prepared by monks or a stop at the beautiful white sands of Cheung Sha beach.
Finish your day by savouring a sunset dinner in Tai O village.

Day 11 Hong Kong – Tokyo (B)
Fly out from Hong Kong and arrive in the never sleeping city of Tokyo.
Upon arrival, met and transfer to your hotel.
Accommodation: Hotel Niwa Tokyo or similar

Day 12 Tokyo (B)
After breakfast, enjoy a walking tour of Tokyo with private guide using public transportation.

You will start with a pleasant stroll in Yanaka near Ueno, a hilly area lucky for much of it survived the bombing of WWII and considered as the core of Shitamachi Tokyo (the old “downtown”). You will find here the essential coziness of the old style of Japanese urban living, with a lively street life, public baths that serve as neighborhood social clubs and shopkeepers who make a habit of setting aside something for their best customers. Visit Asakura Choso Museum which really isn’t a museum in the ordinary sense, but the studio and house of Fumio Asakura, one of Japan’s best known sculptors of the early 20th Century. One of the highlights of your visit is the garden, designed by the sculptor, around which the whole house was built. This exquisite Japanese landscape garden incorporates spring water and huge rocks set to represent Confucianist precepts, the kind of place poets would have brushed bold black kanji depicting the delicacies of nature and the fragility of life. Trees and plants are sparingly placed among the rocks which gently overflow with water while huge carp swim laconically about in the still waters. You will also be amazed at Asakura’s private collection including ancient ceramics, his extensive art library, old silk kimono etc.

In the afternoon, continue to Ueno Park, home to Tokyo Cultural Hall, Ueno Zoo, Tokyo National Museum and numerous shrines, cultural and historical points of interest. Besides spending some quality time at Tokyo National Museum, the largest museum in Japan with over 88,500 collections associated with the fine arts and history of Japan and neighboring countries, you’ll want to be sure to visit a few key attractions inside the Tokyo’s largest park. It is specifically beautiful during the cherry blossom season in early April.

Day 13 Tokyo (B)
Discover Shibuya, the most popular youth culture destination in Tokyo with the most populated metro station in the world! Explore this iconic area with a walking tour.

First stop will be the famous Shibuya scramble crossing. See this notorious Tokyo area that was featured in the “Lost In Translation” starring Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansson. Pay a visit to the statue of Hachiko. Hachiko was an extremely loyal dog who kept up his daily routine of waiting for his owner, Professor Ueno, in front of Shibuya Station even after the Professor’s death.

Check out some fashion and art trendsetting shops along three main streets including Takeshita St., Harajuku St. and Cat street between Harajuku and Shibuya. You may encounter many who dress up in various costumes.

For the ultimate “Kawai” destination, we will drop into the Cat Café or Maid Café. “Kawaii” is the Japanese word for cute, and you haven’t experienced cute quite like this café. Play with some of the most adorable kittens and enjoy a beverage of choice.

The rest of your day is free at leisure to explore Tokyo on your own.

Day 14 Tokyo (B)
Transfer to the Airport for your homeward flight.



Connoisseurs Signature Package
On Request
minimum 2 guests

Additional information

OVERVIEW

This tour takes you on a quest off the beaten path and shows you what makes these East Asian cities so great. Beijing – Shanghai – Hong Kong – Tokyo

START / END

Day 1 Arrive in Beijing • Day 2-4 Visit Beijing • Day 5 Beijing Bullet train to Shanghai • Day 6-7 Visit Shanghai • Day 8 Flight to Hong Kong • Day 9-10 Visit Hong Kong • Day 11 Flight to Tokyo • Day 12-13 Tokyo • Day 14 Flight home from Tokyo

DEPARTURE

Guaranteed departure for minimum 2 travelers

HOTELS

Beijing suburb – Brickyard Retreat at Mutianyu Great Wall or similar
Beijing city – Regent Hotel Beijing or simliar
Shanghai – Renaissance Yuyuan Garden Hotel Shanghai or similar
Hong Kong – Royal Garden Hotel or similar
Tokyo – Hotel Niwa Tokyo or similar

INCLUSIONS

Hotel Accommodation with daily breakfast as listed in the itinerary
Meal specified in the itinerary (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner)
Arrival and departure transfer services from Airport/hotel/airport
Transfer and ground transportation during the tours by air-conditioned vehicles
Sightseeing as specified in the itinerary with English speaking local guide(s)
Entrance fees at sites/monuments (one time)
Intra-tour air/rail transportation based on coach class
Present applicable VAT/taxes.

EXCLUSIONS

International flights – Call 1-888-887-1688 to get a quote from your home city
Tourist visa to the country visited in the itinerary
Insurance you may wish (which we urge you to purchase)
Personal expenses and gratuities.
Any other item not specified

QUESTIONS

Should you have any further questions, please call 1888-887-1688 for assistance.

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