Beijing, Xi'an, Tokyo, and Kyoto are all ancient capitals of China and Japan, two Asian nations steeped in rich history. Particularly, Tokyo and Kyoto owe a significant architectural debt to China's Tang Dynasty, dating back about a thousand years. These four cities share striking similarities yet are profoundly distinct, each exuding its unique charm. They are all incredibly beautiful and captivating in their own right. Let's embark on this exploration journey together and uncover the enchanting tapestry of these historic metropolises.
Auckland – Departure
Make your own way to airport and go to Auckland International Airport for flight CA784(19:30-05:30+1)
Beijing – Xi'an
Dinner
Flight arrive in Beijing, then transfer to Xi’an on your own by domestic flight. Upon arrival, visit the Shaanxi History Museum. Today you will sample the Xi’an dumpling dinner.
Hotel Accommodation: Grand Dynasty Culture Hotel or similar 4 Star Hotel
Xi'an
Breakfast
Dinner
Morning tour to the greatest archaeological discovery of the century, more than 2,000 year-old Terracotta Warriors interred with the Emperor Qin Shi Huang. Included are the Circle Vision Movie and Bronze Chariot.
In the afternoon, we walk through the lively Muslim Quarter and market, visit to the Great Mosque, a best-preserved Islamic mosque in China and focus for the 30,000 Chinese Muslims of Xi’an.Afterwards, you will enjoy the Tang Dynasty Show.
Hotel Accommodation: Grand Dynasty Culture Hotel or similar 4 Star Hotel
Xi'an – Beijing
Breakfast
Lunch
Morning visit the City Wall. The Wall has been built in the 7th Century A.D., and renovated in 14th century.
After lunch, transfer to the railway station to take the G58 1426/1837 to Beijing. Upon arrival, you will meet your guide and then transfer to the hotel.
Hotel Accommodation: Holiday Inn Express Beijing Temple of Heaven or similar 4 Star Hotel
Beijing
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Tour the Tian’anmen Square, the biggest public square in the world. You will also be able to have a photo stop at The National Centre for the Performing Arts, formerly known as the National Grand Theatre, and colloquially described as The Egg.
Afterwards, visit to Forbidden City, the vast complex of palaces, which was home to successive Emperors for more than 500 years. Included is admission to the living quarters, museum and jewellery sections.
Later visit Beihai Park and then visit the pearl store. Tonight you will experience the famous Beijing Duck banquet for your welcome dinner.
Hotel Accommodation: Holiday Inn Express Beijing Temple of Heaven or similar 4 Star Hotel
Beijing
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Morning tour to the Great Wall at Juyongguan section, stretching almost 4,000 miles from the Pacific Ocean to the sands of Central Asia and befittingly crowned one of the ten wonders of the world. Along the way, you will stopover at a jade carving factory where you can watch artisans at work.
After lunch, continue to the Summer Palace, the largest and the best preserved of all imperial palace gardens, which boasts such delights as the famous Marble Boat and the ornately painted ‘Long Corridor’, and take a boat ride on its Lake Kunming if the weather permits.
After dinner, you will witness the amazing Beijing Acrobatic Show.
Hotel Accommodation: Holiday Inn Express Beijing Temple of Heaven or similar 4 Star Hotel
Beijing – Tokyo
Breakfast
Dinner
Morning, transfer to the airport for a flight to Tokyo. Upon arrival, your tour guide will meet you at the airport ,then take to Sensoji Temple, the oldest and most famous temple in Tokyo, and a symbol of Japan and the Asakusa area.
Next, we will travel to Shinjukuz where we will see the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, which is the headquarters of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government. We will then walk to Shinjuku Kabukicho, one of Tokyo's entertainment centers, which features movie theaters, arcades, bars, and more. The area is bustling with people from dusk till dawn.
Hotel Accommodation: 4 Star Hotel
Tokyo
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
After breakfast, We will visit Meiji-jingu Shrine which is surrounded by a lush green forest right in the heart of Tokyo. This Shinto shrine is dedicated to Emperor Meiji (1852-1912) and Empress Shoken, who led Japan to become a modernized nation.
Next, we will go to the Imperial Palace Outer Garden and visit the Nijubashi Bridge, which is also known as the Imperial Palace Front Plaza. It is a large area surrounded by moats, including the Kitanomaru Park and Hibiya Park. The Outer Garden is covered with fine gravel and planted with pine trees, making it one of the few green spaces in Tokyo.
We will then head to Ginza, a major commercial district in central Tokyo that is known as "the most expensive place in Asia" and symbolizes Japan's prosperity. It is famous for its high-end shopping stores that offer a wide range of luxury goods from around the world. Ginza is a shopper's paradise with giant malls lining the streets and fashionable and unique clothing everywhere you look.
Hotel Accommodation: Hot Spring Hotel
Tokyo – Kyoto
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
After breakfast, we will take the Shinkansen to Kyoto to visit Fushimi Inari Taisha, a shrine founded in the 8th century dedicated to Inari, the god of agriculture and commerce. It is one of the most popular shrines in Kyoto and attracts many visitors who come to pray for good harvests, business prosperity, and traffic safety.
We will then visit Kiyomizu-dera Temple and Sannen-zaka and Ninen-zaka, which are traditional streets in Kyoto. Kiyomizu-dera is the oldest temple in Kyoto and has been destroyed and rebuilt several times. The temple's main hall features the famous Kiyomizu stage, which is a National Treasure of Japan and is known for its stunning views of cherry blossoms in the spring and autumn foliage. Sannen-zaka and Ninen-zaka are both sloping streets that are considered important traditional buildings in Japan. The streets are lined with old-fashioned Japanese buildings and many shops selling traditional souvenirs. It's not uncommon to see women dressed in traditional clothing walking along these streets.
Hotel Accommodation: 4 Star Hotel
Kyoto
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
After breakfast, we will visit Kinkaku-ji, also known as the Golden Pavilion. It is a iconic attraction in Kyoto and an important architectural site recognized as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage. The exterior of Kinkaku-ji is adorned with gold leaf, creating a dazzling visual impact when illuminated by sunlight. It is a grand and magnificent sight to behold. Inside the temple, there is a precious relic of the Buddha's ashes, which attracts devout worshippers every year.
Next, we will proceed to the Arashiyama Scenic Area to visit the Togetsukyo Bridge. Spanning 155 meters across the Katsura River, which flows gently through the scenic Arashiyama area, the bridge is a famous landmark in Kyoto. From there, you can enjoy the beautiful views of the western hills. The elegant design of the bridge embodies the essence of traditional Japanese aesthetics. Take a leisurely stroll along the bamboo grove path and explore the peaceful surroundings of the Kameyama Park.
Hotel Accommodation: 4 Star Hotel
Kyoto – Osaka
Breakfast
Lunch
After breakfast, we will visit the famous Gion Hanami-kōji street, a historic street that retains the old-fashioned appearance of Kyoto. It stretches about 1km from Sanjo-dori in the north to Kennin-ji Temple in the south, passing through four major streets in between. The street is paved with cobblestones and lined with traditional tea houses, restaurants, and old-style townhouses. It is a must-visit attraction in Kyoto and a designated historical preservation district.
Next, we will proceed to Yasaka Shrine, which has a history dating back to at least 876 AD. At that time, a priest named Enshu invited the god of disease prevention, Gozu Tenno, to the shrine to stop the epidemics and disasters that were plaguing the people of Kyoto. This event marked the beginning of the famous Gion Matsuri festival, which features gorgeous floats and people dressed in traditional clothing parading around Yasaka Shrine. It has now become one of the three major festivals in Kyoto and attracts visitors from all over the world.
Afterwards, we will visit the Kuromon Ichiba Market, a nearly 600-meter-long market with 170 shops selling various types of food and goods. The market specializes in selling seasonings and cooking ingredients that are not easily found elsewhere in Japan.We will then head to Osaka and check into our hotel after dinner.
Hotel Accommodation: 4 Star Hotel
Osaka – Beijing – Auckland
Breakfast
Lunch
After breakfast, we will visit Osaka Castle Park, which is one of the famous landmarks of Osaka and was built to commemorate the enthronement ceremony of Emperor Showa. The park is a historical site with a large area and various trees, and it is a popular spot for cherry blossom and plum blossom viewing during the flowering season.
After lunch, we will be transferred to Osaka Kansai Airport to catch a flight via Beijing to Auckland.
Auckland Arrival
Upon arrival in Auckland, our enjoyable journey comes to an end!
| Twin Share | Single | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost per person* AKL - AKL | $7,899 | +$1555 |
| Land only price | $4,999 |
*Itinerary and costs subject to change. Airline, fuel charges and currency fluctuations prior to final payment
