China by Land, Japan by Sea

Day 1  Beijing  
On arrival in Beijing Daxing or Beijing Capital Airport, you will be met in the arrival hall by your local guide and/or National Escort from Wendy Wu Tours. Together with all other group members who may be arriving at a similar time, you will transfer approximately 1 hour to your hotel.  

Day 2  Beijing  
Today you will be met by your guide, where you will walk through Tiananmen Square and into the sprawling magnificent Forbidden City, the former residence of the Ming and Qing emperors. Entering through the Gate of Supreme Harmony, you will find a complex full of imperial riches. Later, soak up the harmonious ambience of the Temple of Heaven, an orderly oasis in a bustling urban landscape, before enjoying a traditional Peking duck dinner.    

Day 3  Beijing  
Rise early this morning to avoid the crowds and drive approximately 2 hours northwest of the city to the Juyongguan Pass to take a walk on the Great Wall of China, appreciating the wall itself and the dramatic scenery. Your visit involves walking from the bus to the first section. Once your group has been given an introduction to the Great Wall’s unique history, you will have free time to explore at your own pace. Later, visit the Jade Factory where there will be an opportunity to buy your own handcrafted piece, before, heading to the Sacred Way and Ming Tombs, the final resting place of 13 of the Ming emperors. Drive approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes back to Beijing, where this evening, you will experience a thrilling acrobatic show before returning to your hotel.    

Day 4  Beijing to Pingyao    
After breakfast, transfer to Beijing train station where you will board your 4-hour bullet train to Pingyao. On arrival, embark on an ancient city tour with your English-speaking guide around the cobbled streets for spectacular views of the city walls of Pingyao, dating back to the Zhou Dynasty. Next, visit the Rishengchang Financial House Museum. There will also be some time to visit the Yamen, a former government building from the Qing Dynasty, before transferring to your hotel for check-in.           

Day 5  Pingyao to Xian            
After breakfast, you will have the chance to enjoy a hands-on noodle making demonstration (optional, payable locally) before transferring to the Pingyao train station to board your 3-hour bullet train to Xian, the former ancient capital. On arrival, transfer to your hotel for check-in.    

Day 6  Xian            
Spend the morning viewing the enigmatic ranks of the life size Terracotta Warriors. The Museum of the Terracotta Warriors and Horses is located approximately a 1-hour drive outside of Xian. From the bus park to the museum entrance there is a 15-minute walk. There are electric carts offered by private vendors which can be organised at your own expense. There is no electric cart available for the return from the museum exit to the bus park. Within the museum area the warriors can be seen in three different ‘pits’, which are active archaeological digs. The site is large and will take about 2 and a half hours to explore. After this, visit the Xian Art Ceramics and Lacquer Exhibition Workshop to see smaller models of the warriors being made. Later, stroll on the beautifully preserved 14th century city walls that enclose Xian’s old town. The local guide will give you time to explore the ancient city walls at your own pace. There are options here to hire a bicycle or an electric cart to drive along the length of the wall. These are offered by private vendors and can be organised at your own expense. Tonight, enjoy a dumpling demonstration, followed by a Shui Jiao Dumpling banquet and a Tang Dynasty show.    

Day 7  Xian to Chengdu  
After breakfast, enjoy a stroll around the atmospheric alleys of the Muslim Quarter, which are lined with Islamic food stalls. Later, transfer with your English-speaking assistant to Xian train station to board your bullet train to Chengdu, a journey of approximately 3-hours and 40- minutes. On arrival, transfer to your hotel before enjoying an evening of the local specialty Sichuan hot pot and a face changing show.  

Day 8  Chengdu              
This morning you will visit China’s most loveable resident, the Giant Panda. Visit the Panda Conservation Centre where you can learn about China’s celebrated bear. See these lovable creatures in surroundings that mirror their natural habitat. It is not guaranteed that you will be able to see the feeding of the younger pandas, as this only happens at the start and end of each day. Sightseeing involves approximately 1 and a half hours on foot and there are electric carts offered by private vendors that can be organised at your own cost. There will be the opportunity to volunteer at the Panda base here before returning to your hotel and spend the remainder of the day at leisure.

Day 9  Chengdu to Shanghai  
Check-out after breakfast, and transfer to Chengdu airport to board your 2-hour and 45-minute flight to Shanghai. On arrival into Shanghai, you will be met by an English-speaking assistant and transfer to your hotel. Later, admire the magnificent colonial architecture along the Huangpu River with a stroll along the Bund followed by a cruise on the mighty Huangpu River for stunning views of the Shanghai skyline.    

Day 10  Shanghai        
After breakfast, be met by an English-speaking assistant and transfer from your hotel to the Baoshan cruise port and board your Royal Caribbean cruise ship - Spectrum of the Seas, ready to embark on your journey through Japan.  

Day 11  Shanghai to Kobe  
Spend today at sea and take the time to recharge before the next adventure. Enjoy a day at your own leisure, until arriving at Kobe, your next destination.

Day 12  Kobe  
Today you will be docked in Kobe, a prominent port city renowned for its scenic harbor, Kobe beef and devastating earthquake history. Here you can enjoy a range of excursions at your own expense, bookable on your cruise reservation.  

Day 13  Kyoto          
Today you will be docked in Kyoto, Japan’s former capital for 1000 years. It is a treasure trove of culture and history, making it a city bursting with tranquil temples, geishas and sublime gardens. Here you can enjoy a range of excursions at your own expense, bookable on your cruise reservation.  

Day 14  Tokyo  
Today you will be docked in the striking modern metropolis of Tokyo (Yokohama), Japan’s capital. Here you can enjoy a range of excursions at your own expense, bookable on your cruise reservation.  

Days 15-16  Tokyo to Shanghai  
Spend today and tomorrow at sea, taking time to recharge before the next adventure. Enjoy a couple of days at your own leisure, until arriving at Shanghai, your next destination.  

Day 17  Shanghai  
Cruise into the port of Shanghai, where on arrival you will be met by your English-speaking guide and new National Escort or Local Guide. From here transfer to your hotel and spend the remainder of the day at leisure to soak up the local culture of Shanghai, and its vibrant atmosphere.    

Day 18  Shanghai  
Today’s explorations include the peaceful Yu Garden, the atmospheric alleys of the old town and the Xintiandi area, an affluent pedestrianised eating and shopping district. Admire the magnificent colonial architecture along the Huangpu River with a stroll along the Bund before visiting a silk factory where you will follow the age-old silk production process from the cultivation of silkworms up to creating the final piece. This evening, enjoy a traditional Shanghainese meal before returning back your hotel.  

Day 19  Shanghai  
Anytime before your flight is at leisure. You will be transferred from your hotel to Shanghai Pudong or Shanghai Hongqiao Airport, according to the departure time of your international flight.