China by Land, Japan by Sea

China by Land, Japan by Sea

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20 Days From

$5187

China by Land, Japan by Sea

20 Days Starting in Beijing, China and ending in Shanghai, China

Visiting: Beijing, Great Wall of China, Pingyao, Xian, Chengdu, Shanghai, Kobe, Osaka, Tokyo

Tour operator:

Wendy Wu

Tour code:

2576

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Group size:

12 - 28

Physical rating:

Level1

Age range:

12-99

Tour operated in:

English

Trip Styles:

Cruise

Activities:

Sightseeing

From: $5187

NB: Prices correct on 22-Nov-2024 but subject to change.

Tour Overview

Embark on an unforgettable journey with the "China by Land, Japan by Sea" tour, a captivating blend of cultural exploration and scenic cruising. Begin your adventure in Beijing, where you'll delve into the city's rich history with visits to iconic sites like Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City. Experience the awe of the Great Wall and the ancient city of Pingyao before heading to Xian to meet the legendary Terracotta Warriors. In Chengdu, encounter the adorable giant pandas, then fly to Shanghai to marvel at its vibrant skyline. Transition from land to sea as you board the Royal Caribbean Spectrum of the Seas, setting sail across the East China Sea. Discover the culinary delights of Kobe, the historical treasures of Kyoto, and the bustling energy of Tokyo. Conclude your journey back in Shanghai, enriched by the diverse experiences of two fascinating countries.

Highlights

  • Explore the symbolic heart of Beijing at Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City.

  • Walk along the magnificent Great Wall of China and visit the Sacred Way and Ming Tombs.

  • Discover the ancient city walls of Pingyao and the Rishengchang Financial House Museum.

  • Encounter the Terracotta Warriors in Xian and enjoy a Tang Dynasty show.

  • Visit the Chengdu Panda Research Base to see giant pandas in their natural habitat.

  • Stroll along the Bund in Shanghai and enjoy a Huangpu River cruise.

  • Experience the vibrant city of Kobe and taste the world-renowned Kobe beef.

  • Explore the historical and cultural treasures of Kyoto, Japan's former capital.

Itinerary

Expand All

Day 1 - 2 : Days 1-2: Arrive In Beijing

Location: Beijing, Beijing

Accommodation Name: hotel

Meals Included: Dinner

Fly overnight to Beijing, China's historical capital. On arrival at the airport, you will be met by an English-speaking guide and transferred to the hotel. Depending on your time of arrival the rest of the day is yours to start soaking up the local culture.

Day 1 - 2 : Days 1-2: Arrive In Beijing

Location: Beijing, Beijing

Accommodation Name: hotel

Meals Included: Dinner

Fly overnight to Beijing, China's historical capital. On arrival at the airport, you will be met by an English-speaking guide and transferred to the hotel. Depending on your time of arrival the rest of the day is yours to start soaking up the local culture.

Day 3: Explore Beijing

Location: Beijing

Accommodation Name: hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Walk through Beijing's symbolic heart, Tiananmen Square and into the sprawling magnificence of the Forbidden City, a complex full of imperial riches. Then, find harmony in the symmetry of the Temple of Heaven. This evening, dine on local delicacy, Peking Duck.

Day 4: The Great Wall

Location: Great Wall of China

Accommodation Name: hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Travel out of the city to the magnificent Great Wall of China, learning a little about its long history before taking a short walk to fully appreciate this world-famous structure. Stop off at a jade factory before visiting the Sacred Way and Ming Tombs. This evening, enjoy a thrilling acrobatic show.

Day 5: Travel To Pingyao

Location: Pingyao

Accommodation Name: hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Transfer to the train station and board a bullet train to Pingyao. A living museum and home to China's best preserved ancient city walls, walk the characterful streets to see the Yamen and the Rishengchang Financial House Museum.

Day 6: Travel To Xian

Location: Xian

Accommodation Name: hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

This morning is at leisure (additional option: hands-on noodle making demonstration) before travelling to Xian by bullet train.

Day 7: Explore Xian

Location: Xian

Accommodation Name: hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

This morning, come face to face with the Terracotta Warriors, an army created to protect China's first emperor, Qin Shi Huang, in the afterlife. Later, stroll Xian's beautifully preserved 14th-century city walls, before a dumpling demonstration, a delicious dumpling banquet and a Tang Dynasty show.

Day 8: Travel To Chengdu

Location: Chengdu

Accommodation Name: hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast, walk through the atmospheric alleyways of the Muslim Quarter, lined with delicious street food stalls. Then, transfer to the station and board a bullet train to Chengdu. This evening, dine on a Sichuan hot pot, a local speciality, and watch a fascinating face changing show.

Day 9: Explore Chengdu

Location: Chengdu

Accommodation Name: Royal Caribbean Spectrum of the Seas

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

This morning is dedicated to Chengdu's most famous resident, the lovable giant panda. Visit the Chengdu Panda Research Base to learn all about them and see them relaxing, play and chomping on bamboo. The rest of the day is at leisure (additional option: volunteer at the Panda Base).

Day 10: Travel To Shanghai

Location: Shanghai

Accommodation Name: Royal Caribbean Spectrum of the Seas

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Fly from Chengdu to Shanghai. Transfer to your hotel then begin your explorations, strolling along the Bund to admire the Art Deco architecture and enjoying panoramic views of the city on a Huangpu River cruise.

Day 11: Board The Royal Caribbean Spectrum Of The Seas

Location: Shanghai

Accommodation Name: Royal Caribbean Spectrum of the Seas

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast you will be met by an English-speaking guide and transferred to Shanghai's cruise terminal, Baoshan, to board your cruise. The rest of the day is free to explore the ship's facilities and settle in. Throughout your cruise, when your ship comes into port, there will be a range of excursions available to help you explore each destination. These excursions are at your own expense and are bookable on your cruise reservation.

Day 12: Cruise - At Sea

Accommodation Name: Royal Caribbean Spectrum of the Seas

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Relax and enjoy everything that your cruise ship has to offer as you sail across the East China Sea towards Japan.

Day 13: Cruise - Explore Kobe

Location: Kobe

Accommodation Name: Royal Caribbean Spectrum of the Seas

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Arrive in Kobe, a port city nestled between mountains and sea, and the first place in Japan to open up to foreign trade after the collapse of the shogunate in 1868. The city is perhaps best known for its world-renowned Kobe beef – where better to try it?

Day 14: Cruise - Explore Osaka/Kyoto

たけほがら

Location: Osaka

Accommodation Name: Royal Caribbean Spectrum of the Seas

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Arrive in Osaka, a brash, lively city that has earned the nickname 'Japan's kitchen' for its spectacular food. Easily reachable from Osaka is Kyoto; Japan's capital for over 1,000 years, it is a treasure trove of history and timeless culture. A perfect balance of old and new, it's in exploring Kyoto that you can glimpse Japan's traditional soul.

Day 15: Cruise - Explore Tokyo

Location: Tokyo

Accommodation Name: hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Tokyo, Japan's capital since 1868 and one of the world's largest cities, may seem a thoroughly modern cityscape at first glance, but look beyond the soaring towers and neon signs and find deeply rooted tradition and peaceful pockets of the past.

Day 18: Arrive In Shanghai

Location: Shanghai

Accommodation Name: hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast

Relax and enjoy everything that your cruise ship has to offer as you sail across the East China Sea back towards China.

Day 19: Explore Shanghai

Location: Shanghai

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Continue exploring the city today, visiting the peaceful Yu Garden, the quaint Old Town and the Xintiandi area, then learn all about silk production from silkworm to loom at a silk factory. This evening, dine on a traditional Shanghainese meal.

Day 20: Fly Shanghai To Uk

Location: Shanghai

Meals Included: Breakfast

Fly to the UK, arriving home the same or the following day.

What's Included

  • Arrival Transfer

    On arrival at the airport in Beijing, you will be met by an English-speaking guide and transferred to the hotel.

  • Guided Tours

    Explore Beijing, Xian, Chengdu, and Shanghai with guided tours including visits to Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, the Great Wall, and the Terracotta Warriors.

  • Meals

    Enjoy meals including local delicacies such as Peking Duck, Sichuan hot pot, and a dumpling banquet.

  • Accommodation

    Accommodation is provided throughout the tour in various cities including Beijing, Pingyao, Xian, Chengdu, and Shanghai.

  • Cruise

    Board the Royal Caribbean Spectrum of the Seas for a cruise exploring Kobe, Osaka/Kyoto, and Tokyo.

  • Train Travel

    Travel by bullet train between cities such as Beijing to Pingyao, Pingyao to Xian, and Xian to Chengdu.

  • Cultural Experiences

    Participate in cultural experiences such as a dumpling demonstration, a Tang Dynasty show, and a face-changing show.

What's Not Included

  • Optional Excursions

    Excursions available during the cruise are at your own expense and are bookable on your cruise reservation.

  • Personal Expenses

    Personal expenses such as souvenirs, additional meals, and drinks are not included.

  • Travel Insurance

    Travel insurance is not included and is recommended for all travelers.

  • International Flights

    Flights to and from the UK are not included in the tour package.

Mode of Transport

The tour includes transportation by bullet train to various cities in China and a cruise on the Royal Caribbean Spectrum of the Seas to explore Japan.

Accommodation

Accommodation details are not provided in the tour information.

Experiences

Dine on Shui Jiao Dumplings

Dine on delicious, doughy Shui Jiao dumplings, a Xian speciality, before getting swept away in the sights and sounds of the Tang Dynasty with a spectacular show of traditional music, dancing and performance.


Beijing Acrobatics

Gasp at the athletic abilities of the artists who perform in Beijing's must-see Chinese acrobatic spectacular! The show features all sorts of stunts and acts such as contortionism, juggling, plate spinning and much, much more. All the action will keep you firmly on the edge of your seat.


Sizzling Sichuan hot pot

A Sichuan hot pot is the perfect introduction to the food of China's west. A big bubbling pot of flavourful oil is placed in the centre of the table, with a variety of raw meat and vegetables, in small pieces, which diners skewer and cook in the oil. A delicious, and fun experience!


Check out our Q&As

  • What can I expect upon arrival in Beijing?

    Upon arrival in Beijing, you will be met by an English-speaking guide and transferred to your hotel. Depending on your time of arrival, the rest of the day is yours to start soaking up the local culture.

  • What activities are planned for the first day in Beijing?

    On the first day in Beijing, you will have the opportunity to walk through Tiananmen Square and explore the Forbidden City. You will also visit the Temple of Heaven and enjoy a dinner featuring the local delicacy, Peking Duck.

  • Will there be an opportunity to see the Great Wall of China?

    Yes, on Day 4, you will travel out of the city to visit the Great Wall of China, where you will learn about its history and take a short walk to appreciate the structure. You will also visit a jade factory and the Ming Tombs.

  • What unique experiences are included in Xian?

    In Xian, you will visit the Terracotta Warriors, stroll along the 14th-century city walls, participate in a dumpling demonstration, enjoy a dumpling banquet, and watch a Tang Dynasty show.

  • What can I do in Chengdu?

    In Chengdu, you will visit the Chengdu Panda Research Base to learn about and see giant pandas. The rest of the day is at leisure, with an option to volunteer at the Panda Base.

  • What is included in the cruise portion of the tour?

    The cruise portion includes boarding the Royal Caribbean Spectrum of the Seas in Shanghai, with opportunities to explore the ship's facilities. Excursions are available at each port, such as Kobe, Osaka/Kyoto, and Tokyo, but these are at your own expense.

  • What will I experience in Shanghai after the cruise?

    After the cruise, you will explore Shanghai, visiting Yu Garden, the Old Town, and the Xintiandi area. You will also learn about silk production at a silk factory and enjoy a traditional Shanghainese meal.

  • What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?

    If, after our confirmation invoice has been issued, you wish to change your travel arrangements in any way, we will endeavour to make these changes, but it may not always be possible. Any changes to confirmed bookings need to be sent to us in writing via your travel agent. Please refer to our booking conditions for further information and fees.

  • Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?

    Customers booking to travel solo can choose our ‘Happy to Share’ option, which may enable them to share a twin room with other solo customers of the same gender who also request Happy to Share, thus avoiding the need to pay single room supplements. Note that ‘Happy to Share’ requests can be received when you make your booking with us but will not be confirmed until your final payment due date.

  • What documents will I receive before I travel?

    Your Final Travel Documents are usually sent to you 2-3 weeks prior to your departure. Your travel pack will include your tour itinerary, hotel details, flight e-tickets and a travel guide. If you have booked with a travel agent, your tickets will be dispatched to your travel agent unless we have been otherwise informed.

  • Will I be travelling with passengers from other countries?

    Our passengers generally enjoy the mixture of British, Australian and American clients on tour. Occasionally we are joined by English-speaking passengers from other countries.

  • What is 'Happy to Share'?

    Customers booking to travel solo can choose our ‘Happy to Share’ option, which may enable them to share a twin room with other solo customers of the same gender who also request Happy to Share, thus avoiding the need to pay single room supplements. Note that ‘Happy to Share’ requests can be received when you make your booking with us but will not be confirmed until your final payment due date. If a share partner is found, the Single Supplement will be removed from your booking. If a share partner is not found, the Single Supplement will remain and is payable with your final balance in line with our normal booking conditions. Either way, our Operations Team will contact you around 75 days before departure to let you know whether a share partner has been found or not. We regret that Happy to Share requests cannot be accepted within 75 days of departure. Wendy Wu Tours reserves the right to change or withdraw this arrangement at any time.

  • Do you allow children on your tours?

    We allow children 12 years and over on our group tours. We recommend that families with children of any age take advantage of our private or tailormade tours. This will give you more flexibility while on tour.

Reviews of this operator

Feefo Rated Customer  

Colours of Costa Rica

26-Mar-2020

This was our first tour with you and from start to finish we were guided by Isaac who made sure everything went smoothly. He was laid back - but on the ball - always available and very informative.

Excellent
Feefo Rated Customer  

Ultimate South America

21-Mar-2020

We were hoping this tour would be the holiday of a lifetime and it certainly was. Our guide, Corina, was fantastic and evry country we visited had something special. FANTASTIC

Excellent
William  

Japan Uncovered

12-Nov-2022

A superb trip which ticked all our boxes and covered all the main experiences you would wish for on a trip to Japan! We were looked after by excellent local guides. All of our accommodation was very good. With all meals included we got the chance to experience the local cuisine

Alastair  

Christmas in Vietnam

06-Jan-2023

Vietnam at Christmas, Excellent Experience From start to finish Vietnam at Christmas was amazing, The tour group, Local Guide Loc, we must have been blessed as the weather was excellent only one day of rain. Tour Group 11/10 Guide 11/10 Hotels 8/10 Food 8/10 Itineary10/10 Faboulous experience on Christmas in Vietnam

Feefo Rated Customer  

Highlights of Sri Lanka

24-Mar-2020

Great Country. Good range of different things to do and places to see - temples to beaches to wildlife. Hotels ranged from adequate to excellent. Food quality and variety was better than we expected A really good tour guide and our fellow travellers were excellent company. Would recommend despite the impact of Corona Virus cutting out a few later trips but that was beyond anyone's ability to control..

Excellent

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1 Select your preferred date

Thursday - Tuesday

Sep 04, 2025 - Sep 23, 2025
$5250

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Sep 04, 2025 - Sep 23, 2025
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Including UK Flights

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Mar 11, 2026 - Mar 30, 2026
$5187

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Mar 11, 2026 - Mar 30, 2026
$5877

Including UK Flights

Book with Confidence

  • Low Deposit

    Barrhead Travel requires a minimum deposit of 200 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 98 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of barrhead travel charges.

    Up to 98 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.

    At 97 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.

    At 74 days before tour starts: Forfeit 75% of booking price.

    At 28 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.

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