Itinerary
- Day 1
Shanghai
You'll land in Shanghai and head to your hotel to get settled. The city sprawls across the landscape with over 15 million people, and it's home to China's biggest commercial port. Take some time this afternoon to walk around your neighborhood and get your bearings in this cosmopolitan place.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Novotel Shanghai Atlantis)
- Day 2
Shanghai
Start your morning in Pudong's financial district and see the Pearl Tower, then take a ferry across the Huangpu River for views of the cityscape. You'll spend time at Yuyuan Garden and participate in a traditional tea ceremony. After grabbing lunch, browse through Xintiandi's trendy shops and wander around Tianzifang's art galleries and craft shops. Finish by walking the Bund's historic waterfront, and the rest of your evening is free to do as you please.
- Meals
- Lunch
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Novotel Shanghai Atlantis)
Included Activities
- Visit Yuyuan Garden
- Traditional tea ceremony demonstration
- Scenic ferry ride across Huangpu River
- Explore Pudong financial district
- Stroll through Xintiandi
- Explore Tianzifang art galleries and craft shops
- Walk along the Bund
Optional Activities
- Boat trip to see Shanghai at night
Landmarks/POIs Pearl Tower (Oriental Pearl Tower) Yuyuan Garden Xintiandi Tianzifang The Bund - Day 3
Shanghai to Luoyang
Board a high-speed train at 7:17 a.m. heading to Luoyang, traveling through the countryside for just over five hours across 1,000 km. Lunch comes with your ticket. You'll see the Longmen Buddhist Caves with over 100,000 Buddha statues carved into rocky cliffs, plus take a scenic boat ride along the river. By evening, check out Luoyang's ancient walled city and its illuminated streets lined with traditional architecture.
- Meals
- Lunch
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Mercure Luoyang), Hotel (Ramada By Wyndham Downtown)
Included Activities
- Visit Longmen Buddhist Caves
- Scenic boat ride along the river
Landmarks/POIs Longmen Grottoes (Longmen Buddhist Caves) 
- Day 4
Luoyang to Xian
Start early and visit the White Horse Buddhist Monastery just outside Luoyang. Head to Sanmenxia to see the Yellow River, then stop at Baolun Temple to see its striking pagoda. After checking out the Guo Museum with its collection of ancient funeral carriages, you'll have lunch included. The drive east passes Mount Hua before you arrive in Xian by late afternoon, having covered some serious ground.
- Meals
- Lunch
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Novotel Xian Scpg), Hotel (Delta By Marriott Xian)
Included Activities
- Visit White Horse Buddhist Monastery
- Visit Baolun Temple
- Visit Guo Museum
Landmarks/POIs White Horse Temple Baolun Temple Guo Museum Mount Hua 
- Day 5
Xian
Xian is where the ancient Silk Road began, and you're starting with the Terracotta Army, thousands of life-sized clay soldiers guarding the tomb of China's first emperor. See the Small Wild Goose Pagoda, a Buddhist structure standing for over a thousand years. Walk through the historic walled city center and the Muslim Quarter to visit the Great Mosque. Catch a traditional Chinese music performance at the Drum Tower, then you'll have free time to explore on your own.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Novotel Xian Scpg), Hotel (Delta By Marriott Xian)
Included Activities
- Visit Terracotta Army
- Visit Small Wild Goose Pagoda
- Visit Great Mosque
- Drum Tower performance of traditional Chinese music
Landmarks/POIs Terracotta Army Small Wild Goose Pagoda Great Mosque Drum Tower 
- Day 6
Xian to Pingyao
Take a high-speed train to Linfen, then continue by coach to the Mansion of the Wang Clan, an impressive estate showcasing traditional Chinese architecture built across the 17th through 19th centuries. Lunch is included before you head to Pingyao, the best-preserved historical city in China with over 4,000 ancient buildings. Your entry to all temples, mansions, and city walls is covered, so you'll get a full picture of this UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Meals
- Lunch
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Kylin Hotel Pingyao)
Included Activities
- Visit Mansion of the Wang Clan
- Entry to temples in Pingyao
- Entry to mansions in Pingyao
- Access to Pingyao city walls
Landmarks/POIs Mansion of the Wang Clan Pingyao Ancient City 
- Day 7
Pingyao to Wutai Mountain
You're heading to Wutai Mountain, one of China's most spiritually significant places and a major center of Lamaism surrounded by green mountains and dense forests. Over 40 ancient monasteries call this sacred site home, along with many newer ones. Your guide will take you through Nanshan Temple, and then you can explore lesser-visited temples on your own where you'll see monks going about their daily routines. Dinner is included.
- Meals
- Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Friendship Hotel Wutai), Hotel (Xinzhou Fanhua)
Included Activities
- Visit Nanshan Temple
Optional Activities
- Explore lesser-visited temples
Landmarks/POIs Wutai Mountain Nanshan Temple 
- Day 8
Wutai Mountain to Datong
After breakfast, travel through scenic mountain roads to Yanmen Pass near the Mongolian border and walk a quieter section of the Great Wall away from crowds. Next, you'll stop at Yingxian village to see its remarkable wooden pagoda. Lunch is included before heading to the Hanging Temple of Xuankong built into a clifftop. By day's end, settle into Datong where you can stroll through its historic center and check out the impressive city walls.
- Meals
- Lunch
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Datong Yungang Meigao), Hotel (Yungang Meigao Hotel)
Included Activities
- Walk section of Great Wall of China near Yanmen Pass
- Visit Hanging Temple of Xuankong
Landmarks/POIs Great Wall of China (Yanmen Pass section) Hanging Temple of Xuankong Yingxian Wooden Pagoda 
- Day 9
Datong to Beijing
Start your morning at the Yungang Caves, China's most significant cave art complex from the 5th century. This UNESCO World Heritage Site holds 252 caves with over 51,000 intricately carved Buddhist statues. Continue to Jiming Post, a small traditional settlement that's kept its peaceful provincial charm from when imperial couriers used it as a rest stop. Then travel onward to Beijing, arriving by mid-afternoon.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Mercure Beijing Downtown), Hotel (Grand Concordia), Hotel (Grand Mercure Beijing Central)
Included Activities
- Visit Yungang Grottoes
Landmarks/POIs Yungang Grottoes Jiming Post 
- Day 10
Beijing
Spend your day touring Beijing's main attractions. Visit the Forbidden City, the most impressive architectural complex in China where 24 emperors ruled for nearly 500 years. Head up to Jingshan Park and Coal Hill if the weather cooperates for panoramic views back at the Forbidden City. Stroll through Tiananmen Square, one of the largest public squares in the world with views of the Beijing Opera House. Lunch is included before you see the Summer Palace, the Qing Dynasty imperial retreat famous for its gardens and tranquil lakes. A tricycle ride through historic Hutong neighborhoods lets you experience traditional Beijing life, visiting shops and a classic courtyard house before returning to your hotel.
- Meals
- Lunch
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Mercure Beijing Downtown), Hotel (Grand Concordia), Hotel (Grand Mercure Beijing Central)
Included Activities
- Visit Forbidden City
- Visit Jingshan Park and Coal Hill
- Stroll through Tiananmen Square
- Visit Summer Palace
- Tricycle ride through Hutong neighborhoods
- Visit Siheyuan courtyard house
Landmarks/POIs Forbidden City Jingshan Park Tiananmen Square Beijing Opera House (National Centre for the Performing Arts) Summer Palace 
- Day 11
Beijing
Take a cable car up and down the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall of China, one of the most scenic stretches winding through mountain landscapes. Visit the 798 Art District, a former military factory transformed into a contemporary art hub filled with galleries and studios. See the Temple of Heaven, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where emperors once prayed for good harvests. Later, unwind with a foot massage and Tai Chi class. Your evening concludes with a lacquered duck dinner, a local Beijing tradition.
- Meals
- Dinner (Lacquered duck dinner)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Mercure Beijing Downtown), Hotel (Grand Concordia), Hotel (Grand Mercure Beijing Central)
Included Activities
- Great Wall of China Mutianyu section with cable car
- Visit 798 Art District
- Visit Temple of Heaven
- Foot massage
- Tai Chi class
- Lacquered duck dinner
Landmarks/POIs Great Wall of China (Mutianyu) 798 Art District Temple of Heaven - Day 12
Beijing to Seoul
After breakfast, head to the airport for your flight to Seoul. You'll arrive, meet your guide, and check into your hotel. This evening, start exploring the city at City Hall, a striking building shaped like a tsunami wave. See Deoksugung Palace beautifully lit across the street, showing Korea's blend of tradition and modernity. Take the efficient subway to Myeongdong, the largest shopping district, then have dinner at a local restaurant included with your tour.
- Meals
- Dinner (Dinner at a local restaurant)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Mercure Ambassador Hongdae)
Included Activities
- Subway orientation and travel
- Visit City Hall
- View Deoksugung Palace
- Explore Myeongdong neighborhood
Landmarks/POIs City Hall Deoksugung Palace Myeongdong 
- Day 13
Seoul
You're spending five hours touring Seoul today. Visit Changdeokgung Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site within a large park containing multiple palaces. Pass by Bukchon Hanok Village, a traditional neighborhood with historic homes. Learn about Korea's history at the War Memorial of Korea, an impressive museum with insights into various conflicts including the Korean War. Lunch is included before heading to the Gangnam District, one of the busiest areas known for shopping and entertainment. Stop at Lotte World Tower, a 550-meter skyscraper where you can explore the surrounding park and luxury shopping malls, or pay to go up the tower. Return to your hotel with free time remaining.
- Meals
- Lunch (Lunch at a local restaurant)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Mercure Ambassador Hongdae)
Included Activities
- Visit Changdeokgung Palace
- Pass by Bukchon Hanok Village
- Visit War Memorial of Korea
Optional Activities
- Lotte World Tower visit (ticket not included)
Landmarks/POIs Changdeokgung Palace Bukchon Hanok Village War Memorial of Korea Gangnam District Lotte World Tower 
- Day 14
Seoul to Jeonju
Visit Gyeongbokgung Palace, a palace with over 600 years of history where you might see the ceremonial changing of the guard. Then head south to Suwon, the former capital of Korea, known for its impressive UNESCO World Heritage fortress walls. See the remarkable fortifications and visit Hwaseong Haenggung, the summer palace. Lunch is included before continuing to Jeonju to discover its historic center, Hanok Village, filled with traditional houses, shops, and art galleries.
- Meals
- Lunch
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Best Western Plus Jeonju), Hotel (Gloucester)
Included Activities
- Visit Gyeongbokgung Palace
- Visit Suwon fortress walls
- Visit Hwaseong Haenggung summer palace
- Explore Jeonju Hanok Village
Optional Activities
- Observe ceremonial changing of the guard at Gyeongbokgung Palace (if scheduled at that time)
Landmarks/POIs Gyeongbokgung Palace Suwon Hwaseong Fortress Hwaseong Haenggung Jeonju Hanok Village 
- Day 15
Jeonju to Busan
Depart for Sunchang Gochujang Village at the base of Mount Amisan, where traditional hanok houses and courtyards display clay pots for making gochujang. Master artisans will teach you how to prepare Korean chili paste using traditional methods. Next, head to Damyang and walk through the Juknokwon Bamboo Forest with paths perfect for meditation, plus see the Bamboo Museum showing various bamboo products. Lunch features rice cooked and served inside a bamboo stalk, a local specialty. Surrounded by stunning mountain landscapes, you'll arrive at Haeinsa, one of Korea's most important Buddhist temples and a UNESCO World Heritage Site built in 802. It houses the Tripitaka, the world's most complete collection of Buddhist scriptures carved on 80,000 wooden tablets. Later, continue to Busan, Korea's second-largest city known for its vibrant atmosphere.
- Meals
- Lunch (Local specialty rice cooked and served inside a bamboo stalk)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Crown Harbor), Hotel (Ramada Encore Busan Station)
Included Activities
- Hands-on experience learning how to make gochujang
- Visit Juknokwon Bamboo Forest
- Visit Bamboo Museum
- Visit Haeinsa Buddhist Temple
Landmarks/POIs Sunchang Gochujang Village Juknokwon Bamboo Forest Bamboo Museum Haeinsa Temple Mount Amisan 
- Day 16
Busan
Depart Busan in the morning to visit Haedong Yonggung, a 14th-century Buddhist temple located beautifully by the sea. Return to Busan and explore the UN Memorial Cemetery, a resting place for people from many nations. Check out the country's largest fish market by Nampo Port, then enjoy included lunch. Walk to Yongdusan Park, home to a 120-meter pagoda, then head to Songdo Beach where you can ride Korea's first marine cable car (ticket included, weather permitting) with striking bay views. Finish at the Gamcheon Culture Village, known for vibrant colorful buildings, maze-like alleys, art galleries, pottery workshops, and charming cafes. Return to Busan for the night.
- Meals
- Lunch
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Crown Harbor), Hotel (Ramada Encore Busan Station)
Included Activities
- Visit Haedong Yonggung Temple
- Visit UN Memorial Cemetery
- Visit fish market at Nampo Port
- Visit Yongdusan Park
- Ride marine cable car at Songdo Beach
- Visit Gamcheon Culture Village
Landmarks/POIs Haedong Yonggung Temple UN Memorial Cemetery Nampo Port Yongdusan Park Songdo Beach Gamcheon Culture Village - Day 17
Departure
After breakfast, your tour ends here. You'll depart with lasting memories of your journey through China and Korea, having seen everything from ancient temples to modern cities and everything in between.
