Highlights of East Asia: Japan, South Korea, and China - Japan

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.

Day 1 Osaka
Arrive at any time.

Day 2 Osaka/Kōyasan
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.

Day 3 Kōyasan/Hiroshima
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.

Day 4 Hiroshima
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 5 Hiroshima/Kyoto
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 6 Kyoto
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 7 Kyoto/Hakone
Take a boat ride on Lake Ashino-ko, and hopefully catch a glimpse of majestic Mt Fuji. Enjoy a feast on a Japanese multi-course kaiseki meal then soak in the natural hot springs.

Day 8 Hakone/Tokyo
Head to Tokyo with time to do some last-minute shopping.

Day 9 Tokyo
Explore this exciting day with a free day.

Day 10 Tokyo/Seoul
Catch a flight to Seoul, South Korea's capital city.

Day 11 Seoul
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.

Day 12 Seoul
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.

Day 13 Seoul/Gyeongju-si
Travel to Gyeongju and visit the UNESCO-listed sites of Seokguram Grotto and Bulguksa Temple on an included tour.

Day 14 Gyeongju-si/Busan
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).

Day 15 Busan
Visit the bustling Jagalchi fish market, Gukjesijang market, and Yongdusan Park, before an overnight in a local temple.

Day 16 Busan/Seoul
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.

Day 17 Seoul/Beijing
Board a flight to Beijing, China.

Day 18 Beijing
Enjoy an included visit to the Great Wall.

Day 19 Beijing/Xi'an
Take the Beijing metro to visit the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square. Later, board a fast train to Xi'an.

Day 20 Xi'an
Visit one of China’s greatest archaeological treasures—the Terracotta Warriors. After, the day is yours to explore as you wish.

Day 21 Xi'an/Shanghai
Say goodbye to Xi'an this morning and hop on the fast train to the bustling city of Shanghai.

Day 22 Shanghai
Train to Suzhou today for a day exploring in the city. Admire Suzhou's classical gardens, canals, bridges and museums.

Day 23 Shanghai
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.

Day 24 Shanghai
Depart at any time.