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Operated by G Adventures
Highlights of East Asia: Japan, South Korea, and China
From
Price on request
Duration
24 days
Countries
Japan, South Korea, China
Activity
moderate
Group size
Max 15
The adventure
Hit all the hot spots of East Asia on this 24-day tour through Japan, South Korea, and China. Start with stunning mountain temples, shrines, and torii gates before heading to the Demilitarized Zone between South and North Korea and venturing to Beijing's monumental highlights (Great Wall, Forbidden City). Along the way, you'll experience destinations like the locals do — overnights in a Japanese Ryokan (complete with onsen baths and tatami floors), a local temple in Busan, and indulging in street eats to get a true understanding of day-to-day life in China.
Arrive at any time.
Depart early and travel to the centre of Buddhism in Japan and sleep in a temple atop the 800m Mt Koya. Savour a traditional dinner of shojin ryori (Buddhist vegetarian cuisine). Watch the monks pray in the morning.
Watch the monks pray in the morning and enjoy a traditional breakfast before travelling to Hiroshima. This afternoon, visit the Peace Park and Memorial Museum commemorating the events of 1945.
Take a ferry ride over to the sacred island of Miyajima to see the famous floating Torii Gate. Opt to hike around Mt Misen.
Travel to Kyoto and start exploring. Visit the impressive Nijo Castle and gardens, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In the evening, explore the geisha district of Gion on a CEO-led walking tour.
Enjoy a visit to the beautiful Fushimi Inari Taisha shrine and walk under the bright torii gates. Opt to shop, stroll along the riverbank, or explore another of Kyoto's many temples with free time.
Take a boat ride on Lake Ashino-ko, and hopefully catch a glimpse of majestic Mt Fuji. Enjoy a feast on a traditional Japanese kaiseki meal then soak in the natural hot springs.
Head to Tokyo with time to do some last-minute shopping.
Explore this exciting day with a free day.
Catch a flight to Seoul, South Korea's capital city.
Enjoy a walking tour in the bustling metropolis where modern skyscrapers, high-tech subways and pop culture meet Buddhist temples and street markets. Visit Gyengbokgung Palace, the National Folklore Museum, Jogyesa Temple, Bukchon Hanok Village and Insadong alley.
Visit the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) between North and South Korea. With over a million soldiers on watch each day, it is one of the last remnants of the Cold War.
Travel to Gyeongju and visit the UNESCO-listed sites of Seokguram Grotto and Bulguksa Temple on an included tour.
Take a day trip to Yangdong Folk Village, a UNESCO site, before continuing to Busan to visit the Haedong Yonggungsa Temple and relaxing with a trip to Haeundae Beach and Dongbaek Island (APEC House).
Visit the bustling Jagalchi fish market, Gukjesijang market, and Yongdusan Park, before an overnight in a local temple.
Enjoy a final morning in Busan before returning to Seoul by train. Visit the Namdaemun Market and N Seoul Tower in the afternoon, then have some free time for your final evening in Seoul.
Board a flight to Beijing, China.
Enjoy an included visit to the Great Wall.
Take the Beijing metro to visit the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square. Later, board a fast train to Xi'an.
Visit one of China’s greatest archaeological treasures—the Terracotta Warriors. After, the day is yours to explore as you wish.
Say goodbye to Xi'an this morning and hop on the fast train to the bustling city of Shanghai.
Train to Suzhou today for a day exploring in the city. Admire Suzhou's classical gardens, canals, bridges and museums.
After an orientation walk along Shanghai's famous Bund, you are free to explore the delights of this modern Chinese city. In the evening, head to the theatre for an intense acrobatic performance that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
Depart at any time.
At a glance
Duration
24 days
Route
Osaka → Shanghai
Countries
Japan, South Korea, China
Activity level
moderate
Style
Beach & Islands, Culture & History, Food & Drink, Multi-Country / Grand Tour, Rail Journeys, Trekking & Hiking
Group size
Max 15
Ages
12+
Flights
Not included
Solo travellers
Welcome
Where you'll go
Day by day
Your journey through
Japan, South Korea & China
Showing Days 1-7
24-day itinerary
Day 1Arrival dayArrivalWe highly recommend booking pre-accommodation to fully experience this lively city.
We highly recommend booking pre-accommodation to fully experience this lively city.
Day 2Depart early and travel to the centre…Journey to Mt Koya, a religious centre founded in 816 by the Buddhist monk Kobo Daishi. The train ride up the mountain is possibly one of the finest rail journeys in Japan. For the final steep ascent, switch to funicular and then hop on a bus to reach the monastery. In the evening, dine on shojin-ryori, typical vegetarian cuisine, and relax in a yukata, or kimono.
Journey to Mt Koya, a religious centre founded in 816 by the Buddhist monk Kobo Daishi. The train ride up the mountain is possibly one of the finest rail journeys in Japan. For the final steep ascent, switch to funicular and then hop on a bus to reach the monastery. In the evening, dine on shojin-ryori, typical vegetarian cuisine, and relax in a yukata, or kimono.
Day 3Watch the monks pray in the morning…Early morning offers the chance to observe the monks praying. Breathe in some fresh mountain air before a vegetarian breakfast, then start the journey back down the mountain via bus, train and funicular. Later, board a train to Hiroshima, a historically significant city, marked by the explosion of the first atomic bomb in 1945.
Early morning offers the chance to observe the monks praying. Breathe in some fresh mountain air before a vegetarian breakfast, then start the journey back down the mountain via bus, train and funicular. Later, board a train to Hiroshima, a historically significant city, marked by the explosion of the first atomic bomb in 1945.
Day 4Take a ferry ride over to the sacred…
Take a ferry ride over to the sacred island of Miyajima to see the famous floating Torii Gate. Opt to hike around Mt Misen.
Day 5Travel to Kyoto and start exploring
Travel to Kyoto and start exploring. Visit the impressive Nijo Castle and gardens, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In the evening, explore the geisha district of Gion on a CEO-led walking tour.
Day 6Enjoy a visit to the beautiful Fushimi Inari…
Enjoy a visit to the beautiful Fushimi Inari Taisha shrine and walk under the bright torii gates. Opt to shop, stroll along the riverbank, or explore another of Kyoto's many temples with free time.
Day 7Take a boat ride on Lake Ashino-koTravel to Hakone, a town in the hills famous for its onsens, or natural hot springs. In the evening, enjoy savouring a complex meal of traditional Japanese foods, followed by a recommended soak in the onsen.
Travel to Hakone, a town in the hills famous for its onsens, or natural hot springs. In the evening, enjoy savouring a complex meal of traditional Japanese foods, followed by a recommended soak in the onsen.
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Discover Japan
A glimpse of the destination you'll explore.
Operated by G Adventures
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