Capitales de Japón y Gran China

Welcome to Japan! Transfer by coach (SHUTTLE BUS) to hotel.
18H30.- Meeting with guide. Late in the afternoon, we will pay a visit to this fascinating country by taking a trip on the metro (tickets included) to the Shinjuku district and see the crowds of people who use this modern and efficient collective transport system. Then we will take a walk around an hour to the restaurant. Shinjuku is one of the most important nightlife districts. Dinner included and return to hotel by metro with our guide.

08.00 hrs.- In the morning, we take part in a 5-hour trip with our guide to see this amazing city, with its hustle and bustle and extremely modern districts that coexist with quiet, peaceful areas. Brief stop at the Zojoji Temple to make a beautiful photograph of the Tokyo Tower. Pay attention to the hundred of Jizos, stone traditional protecting deities who guide us on our travels, give power to those who are weak (such children) and those in dangerous places, and who are dressed including hats, robes and windmills. Then we head to the junction of Shibuya , a junction that is said to be the most crowded in the world. The Meiji Temple is dedicated to the Emperor Meiji, his wife, and their spirits. We continue on our bus along the elegant street of Omotesando . We will edge the most beautiful part of the Imperial Palace and the gardens. Stop to visit the famous Nijubashi Bridge . We will pass through the district of Akihabara, the “electric town” with icons from the popular Japanese Manga and Anime culture and then see Kokugikan , the Sumo stadium, home of this Japanese sport. We will also visit the Buddhist temple of Sensoji , the oldest and most important temple in Tokyo, with its 55-metre high pagoda. Then we will have some free time to visit the traditional commercial street of Nakamise in the district of Asakusa. Lunch included in a local restaurant. Return to hotel.
Free time in the afternoon.
NOTE: With 5 passengers or less than 5 passengers, the city tour will be done by a tourist bus "Hop On-Hop Off" bus that passes through the most interesting parts of Tokyo, in which passengers can hop off, visit the site of their choice and then hop on the next bus

After breakfast transfer to the station to take the BULLET TRAIN to KYOTO . Arrival to Kyoto after almost 500 km in just over two hours, more or less. We spend the whole day in the city, which was the capital of Japan between 794 and 1868 and home to the Imperial Court. During World War II the city was the only major Japanese to escape the bombardments, and so it still preserves its wealth of artistic heritage; the famous protocol restricting greenhouse gas emissions was signed in Kyoto in 1997. The visit includes a trip to one of the most important parts of the city. We will see the marvellous Shinto Shrine of Fushimi Inari , the Imperial Palace and Kinkakuji temple , “the golden pavilion” and its wonderful gardens. Free time before visiting GION , a busy traditional quarter famous for its Geisha. Free time.

Total distance: 125km
08.00hrs- Kyoto. Departure.
09.00hrs- NARA , we visit Todaiji, a magnificent Buddhist temple built in 752, which has a giant Buddha and where passengers can take photos and touch and feed the deer that wander through the park.
10.30hrs.- Todaiji Temple departure.
11.15hrs- HORYUJI Buddhist temple, a World Heritage Site. Time to discover its seminary, monasteries and temples. Its main pagoda temple is one of the oldest wooden buildings in the world and is the oldest Buddhist temple in Japan and an important place of worship.
12.45hrs- Horyuji Departure. Lunch included in a local restaurant. We continue to OSAKA. 14.30hrs.- OSAKA, Arrival. Accommodation in this modern city (Japan’s second city) and free time. In the evening we will visit Dotonbori , a colourful district filled with nightlife.

Desayuno. Traslado incluido en transporte público hacia el aeropuerto para tomar el vuelo hacia PEKIN (vuelo incluido). Llegada a Pekín, Capital de la República Popular China. Traslado al hotel.     
18.30 hrs.-  Nos encontraremos con nuestro guía y los restantes participantes del grupo en la recepción del hotel. Incluimos un traslado a la famosa calle de Wangfujing. Esta calle es una arteria peatonal y comercial llena de vida con muchas tiendas y restaurantes. Cena incluida. Posteriormente, regreso al hotel (llegada sobre las 20.30)

07.30hrs- An exciting day awaits us. We will discover the main points of interest in the Chinese capital. We will have a full day visit with a local guide in which we will visit some of the main points in the city. We will start walking through the immense Tiananmen Square one of the largest squares in the world, and from them, we will appreciate the Great National Theater, Beijing Opera House. Then, the Great Chinese Imperial Palace, better known as "The Forbidden City", the most majestic architectural complex in China from where 24 emperors ruled for almost 500 years. We will also have the opportunity to visit Jingshan Park where the Coal Hill is located, one of the best preserved imperial gardens in Beijing. We ascend to the top of the hill to have the best views (if the day is clear) on the Forbidden City. Lunch is included. In the afternoon we include a tricycle ride through the traditional neigbourhood of Beijing, known as Hutong. In this area we can see the typical life style in these popular neighborhood, visit typical shops and even a traditional house, a Siheyuan, with all its lounges around a courtyard. We will finish our visit knowing the SUMMER PALACE, the Imperial House of the Qing Dynasty with its beautiful gardens and lakes.
We finish the visit around 18.30 hrs..- You can return to the hotel with the bus or stay in the center (in this case, return to the hotel will be by your means. We always recommend you to bring the hotel card written in Chinese to explain to the taxi driver where do you want to go).
*Note: For reasons of heritage protection and increased visitor safety, the governing body of the Imperial Palace or Forbidden City has reduced the daily capacity of visitors for an indeterminate period of time. For this reason, we cannot guarantee that such a visit will take place. If it cannot be carried out, it would be replaced by a visit to the Confucius Temple and also the Lama Temple, both also emblematic of Chinese history and culture.

Total distance travelled: 190 km
Note: Sometimes there is a large number of tourists in the Great Wall and it may be advisable to go walking avoiding the delays that may exist in the climb by funicular
Landscapes: Great metropolis of Beijing leaving the city, green mountains area around the wall.
07.30hrs.- Beijing, departure. Today’s programme includes an excursion to the Great Wall. 09.30 hrs.- GREAT WALL OF CHINA (section Mutianyu). Arrival to this spectacular architectural work. Its history covers more than 2000 years. The day will include a cable car ride up and down to one of the most scenic areas. Free time to have lunch and enjoy the comercial area and the Exhibition Center on the Wall.
Returning to Beijing, we will stop in the 798 th district, with its contemporary art located in an old military factory. We will also visit the TEMPLE OF HEAVEN , one of the country’s largest sacred complexes and a World Heritage Site. Before returning to the hotel, and as a way to rest from this intense day, we will take a Tai Chi class and enjoy a foot massage. We will bid farewell to Beijing with a lacquered duck dinner included. Return to the hotel at 21.00hrs.

Total distance travelled: 560 km (470 on the high-speed train) Scenery: Interesting landscapes from the train. Fantastic in the Taishan mountain.
Notes: Wear comfortable shoes, we climb one of the sacred mountains of China. - The indicated schedule of the train can be modified. Every traveler must carry their own luggage on the train.
06.30hrs.- After breakfast, we go to the train station. We take one of China´s high speed trains. Expected train departure at 08.35 hrs from Beijing. At 300 km/hour, in two hours we arrive at TAIAN, situated at the foot of Mount Taishan, which is considered the most sacred mountain in China. We will visit the DAI Temple, a magnificent complex of Taoist temples from the 11th century. From here, the pilgrimage route begins. Lunch included. After this, our visit will include the cable car that ascends to the “gates of heaven” of the sacred mountain. The last phase has to be done walking on foot up its steep staircase among hundreds of pilgrims.
17.45 hrs- Taian- Departure. We travel by bus on the excellent Chinese highways.
19.15hrs.- QUFU , arrival to the city of Confucius, chinese thinker of the fifth century BC initiator of Confucianism, a small city in which it will not be difficult to walk through its historic center that offers a lot of tourist life. We recommend you a stroll.

Total distance travelled: 185 km Scenery: Green landscapes, hills and wide agricultural plains.
07.30hrs.- We visit the city of Confucius, We will enjoy the opening ceremony of the temple, musical and colorful (on some dates it may not be done). Our trip will include a visit and entrance to the Mansion and the Confucius Temple.
10.30hrs.- Qufu- Departure. We will continue our trip by coach.
13.00hrs.- XUZHOU . Arrival. Lunch included. We will discover the impressive underground Mausoleum of the Han Emperor, and we will be surprised by the sight of the terracotta army in the museum (similar, but smaller in size, to the extremely famous ones in Xian). After that, in the bus, we will pass by the beautiful Lake Yunlong, which is located in the centre of the city.
About 17:00hrs we arrived at our hotel. Accommodation. The city of Xuzhou is commercial and pleasant, you can take a walk on your own.

Total distance travelled: 320 km
Scenery: Great agricultural plains. Beautiful entrance in Nanjing taking the suspension bridge over the Yangtze River.
08.00hrs.- Xuzhou- Departure. We travel through large agricultural areas. We enter Nanjing across the Yangtze River, the longest river in Asia.
13.15 hrs.- , we arrive in NANJING, a city of eight million people and considered by many to be the most pleasant in China. We will be amazed by the activity and commercial life of this modern metropolis. We will visit the Purple Mountain , where we will look round the SUN YATSEN mausoleum and the picturesque Lingu Temple.
About 18.00 hrs accommodation at the hotel. We suggest you to stroll in the city, modern, pleasant and full of commercial life and restaurants. Free time later on. Overnight.

Total distance travelled: 350 km.
Scenery: Plain and lakes
Note: We can first visit Suzhou and then Tongli.
07.30hrs.- Nanjing- Departure. We continue our route to the south of China. 10.45hrs.- SUZHOU , arrival to the city which has wonderful gardens that are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Lunch is included. This city was the main silk producer in the world, and was always associated with beauty and elegance. We include entrance tickets to the garden of the humble administrator. We will have free time to stroll along the very picturesque Pingjian road.
15.15hrs.- Suzhou- Departure. We soon enter the immense megalopolis of almost 25 million inhabitants.
16.00hrs.- TONGLI, arrival to this charming lake town with its small houses next to the canals and their gondolas. We included a nice boat ride.
18.00hrs.- Tongli- Departure.
20.00hrs.- SHANGHAI. Arrival.

08.30hrs.- In the morning, our trip i ncludes a visit round this impressive city. We will know the area of Pudong, located across the Huangpu River, is now the financial district, with its skyscrapers as the Pearl Tower. We will walk around the elevated walkways with a spectacular view of the modern towers and take a local ferry to cross the river to get a view of the scenery from the water and see the city life. We come to the Bund, with its 19th-century European style buildings. Then we will go to the Old City and the Yuyuan Garden, a private garden that was built during the Ming Dynasty. We will enjoy a demonstration of the Tea ceremony, traditional drink that plays an important cultural role in China. We will pass by one of the most fashionable neighborhoods of the capital, Xintiandi. Lunch included. Then, visit Tianzifang , a former residential area known for its narrow, labyrinthine traditional streets with its small craft shops and art galleries. We finish the visit along the Bund with its old buildings that remind us of the influence of European trade.
We finish the visit around 18.30 hrs..- You can return to the hotel with the bus or stay in the center (in this case, return to the hotel will be by your means. We always recommend you to bring the hotel card written in Chinese to explain to the taxi driver where do you want to go).

Distance travelled by high-speed train: 1020 km Scenery: Plains, mountains, a variety of scenery seen from our comfortable train.
Note: The train timetable may be changed. Each passenger must carry their luggage on the trip. Do not carry sprays/aerosols larger than 100ml in your suitcase as they may be removed by the security checkpoint.
05.30 hrs.- Departure from the hotel. Picnic type breakfast. Transfer to the railway station. We take one of the fantastic Chinese high-speed trains. The train is expected to leave at 07.17 hrs.- Enjoy your railway trip, scenery of inland China, large plains, rice paddies, mountainous areas and greenery.
13.10 hrs.- LUOYANG – LONGMEN - Arrival -. Lunch included. After this we will see the LONGMEN CAVES- . The impressive Buddhist caves over a kilometre long. In the rocky wall of the river, more than 100,000 images of Buddha were cut. We will walk along its base and visit the most spectacular of them, including a boat trip to see them from the water.
NOTE: The boat ride may be suspended due to adverse weather conditions or river flooding.
17:30 Departure from Longmen
18:15 Arrival to Luoyang and and are transferred to the old city, going in through its impressive wall and where we can enjoy the great traditional activity and its lit up streets. We are shown the life of a small provincial capital of inland China. Return to the hotel.

Distance travelled: 410 KM
Scenery: Pleasant scenery.
07:20 Hrs. Departure from the hotel
08:10 Hrs.- Arrival at the WHITE HORSE BUDDHIST MONASTERY , a huge monastery and place of study where Buddhists from all countries of the world.
09:30 hrs.- Departure from the monastery.
11:30 Hrs.- Arrival to SANMEXIA , in this historical city bathed by the waters of the Yellow River, we will visit the Baoulon temple with its high pagoda and visit one of the best museums in China: the Guo museum with the funeral carts of the ancient state of Guo. Lunch included.
14:30 Hrs.- Departure. We continue to the east, we will see Mount Hua, a sacred mountain.
18:30 Hrs.- XIAN, arrival and overnight.

Total distance travelled: 105 km.

Important Note: You must present your passport for entry to the Terracotta Army Museum.
08.00hrs.- First thing in the morning, we will go to see the TERRACOTA ARMY, with its thousands of life size clay soldiers that were found underground. This fantastic archaeological site is less than an hour from the center of Xian.
Free time for lunch.
13.50hrs.- Terracota Army. Departure.
14.50 hrs.- XIAN. We will visit the Small Wild Goose Pagoda where we will enjoy a brief Chinese calligraphy course. Later, we go across through the walled centre. We will cross the Muslim quarter there and we will enter the mosque, where we will be able to see the multiple cultures and religions that have left their mark on this country. Our tour will also include entry tickets to the Drum Tower where we will enjoy a short show of traditional instrument playing . Free time.- We will then take a walk through its Muslim quarter and enter the mosque, where we can think about how the different cultures and religions that have populated the scenery have left their mark.
Note: The school of the Chinese calligraphy course has been closed, so this activity cannot be carried out at this time. At around 18:30 p.m. we finish our visit. You can return to the hotel or walk around on your own in the active historic center.

Total distance travelled: 530 km (365 on the high-speed train)
Scenery: Some mountainous areas, beautiful landscapes from the train.
Note: The indicated train schedule can be modified. In the train journey each passenger must carry their luggage.
06.45hrs.- Hotel departure. Transfer to the train station. We leave from Xian in a very modern high speed train and in less than three hours we will arrive in Lingfen (e xpected train departure at 08.08hrs from Xian). From here, we continue our route in our coach.
11.30hrs.- MANSION OF THE WANG CLAN, arrival.- The Mansion was built by a wealthy family between the seventeenth and nineteenth centuries. Lunch is included.
13.00hrs.- Mansion of the Wang Clan- Departure.
15.00 hrs.- PINGYAO , arrival to the China´s best preserved historical city, which has 4,000 ancient buildings and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We will enjoy this charming traditional city. Our tour will include entry tickets that allow visitors access to all the temples, mansions and city walls.

Total distance travelled: 330 km
Scenery: Changing scenery, green landscapes, small towns, forests and mountains as we approach Wutai.
Note: Wutai Mountain is a sacred place for many pilgrims; We ask you to wear appropriate clothes and maximum respect towards those believers who travel to this place.
08.30hrs.- Pingyao- Departure.- Entry procedures to the area of the Wutai Mountain National Park. Magnificent landscapes and succession of monasteries.- We travel to one of the most exciting spiritual places in China.
13.00hrs.- WUTAI MOUNTAIN. Arrival. This place, situated between green mountains and forests, is one of the centres of the Lamaism form of Buddhism. There are more than 40 ancient monasteries (and a similar number of monasteries have been built in more recent years), which are home to a large community of monks. We will visit Nanshan Temple with our guide, and later we will leave time free for you to look for less visited temples, where you can respectfully observe the monks.
17.30hrs.- We will go to our hotel, located outside the sacred precinct, near the entrance to the National Park.
18.00 hrs.- arrival at the hotel. Dinner included .

Distance travelled: 440 KM Scenery: Interesting scenery, rather mountainous areas with few inhabitants.
Notes: Wear good footwear to walk on the Great Wall and to climb up to the hanging temple. We do not recommend climbing to this temple if you suffer from vertigo, cluster phobia or have health problems.
07.30 hrs.- Wutai – Departure -.
10.30 hrs.- YANMENGUAN – Arrival -. Not far from the border with Mongolia, on a mountain walk, we will see part of the GREAT WALL, we can walk calmly as this is an area with very few tourists.
12.15 hrs.- Yanmenguan – departure -.
13.30 hrs.- YINGXIAN. We stop for lunch (included) in this peaceful picturesque village with an outstanding wooden pagoda.
14.45 hrs.- Yingxian – Departure -.
16.00 hrs.- Xuancong Temple. HANGING TEMPLE, an impressive temple built on the side of a very tall cliff, a feat of architecture.
17.30 hrs.-Xuancong – Departure -.
19.00 hrs.- DATONG – Arrival -. In the coach we will see its impressive walls from outside and its interesting rebuilt historic centre.

Distance travelled: 390 KM.
08.00 hrs.- Datong – Departure -. In the outskirts of the city there are
08.30 hrs.- YUNGANG CAVES – Arrival - the most impressive complex of cave art in China, with more than 51,000 statues in its 252 caves dug out in the fifth century.
10.15 hrs.- Yungang Caves – Departure. We travel to Peking. Stop in a service area for lunch (not included).
14.00 hrs.- JIMING POST – Arrival -. The small traditional Chinese town that maintains its peaceful provincial life, it was created as a rest place for the mail that the Emperor sent, and is protected by powerful walls. A sensation of “another China”, one that is agricultural, less-developed, more anchored in the past when strolling through its streets.
15:30 H Jiming Post -Departure -. We have around a hundred kilometres to the beginning of the metropolis that is the capital of China.
18.30 hrs.- BEIJING – Arrival -.

End of our services. Please, check the time of your flight in case you might need an additional night.
Important Note: In case you have to book an external service (plane/train...) on the day of the end of your tour with activities included, please remember that the schedules of the detailed itineraries are the "planned" ones but may be affected by different circumstances (traffic density, customer delays, breakdowns...). Do not book a flight/train with a tight schedule without taking this into account.
Always leave a margin in the schedule for unforeseen events.