Itinerary
- Day 1
Arrival in Tokyo
Your guide meets you at Tokyo airport and you're driven to your hotel in a private vehicle. An English-speaking guide stays with you throughout the trip to help with questions and logistics.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (OMO5 Tokyo Gotanda by Hoshino Resorts)
- Day 2
Tokyo
Start at Senso-Ji, Tokyo's oldest temple, then head up the 634-meter Tokyo Skytree to the Tembo Deck for views across the city. Later, you'll take a scenic water bus through Tokyo Bay, passing under the Rainbow Bridge on your way to Odaiba Marine Park where you can explore the waterfront and grab photos.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (OMO5 Tokyo Gotanda by Hoshino Resorts)
Included Activities
- Visit Senso-Ji Temple
- Visit Tokyo Skytree Tembo Deck (350m)
- Ride Tokyo Mizube Line water bus (Asakusa to Odaiba route)
- Explore Odaiba Marine Park
Optional Activities
- Explore Tokyo Skytree shopping complex
- Visit Tokyo Skytree aquarium
Landmarks Senso-Ji Tokyo Skytree Rainbow Bridge Odaiba Marine Park - Day 3
Tokyo to Kyoto
Spend your morning at Sanrio Puroland meeting Hello Kitty and enjoying the rides and character shows. After that, wander through Harajuku's street fashion scene and kawaii culture shops. By afternoon, you're on the Shinkansen bullet train heading to Kyoto (about 2 hours 21 minutes), then check into your hotel there.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (OMO5 Tokyo Gotanda by Hoshino Resorts)
Included Activities
- Visit Sanrio Puroland
- Explore Harajuku
Landmarks Sanrio Puroland Harajuku Station - Day 4
Kyoto to Osaka
Board the bullet train to Osaka, which takes roughly 2.5 hours. Once you arrive, you can relax at your hotel or walk around and see what the city has to offer on your own.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hotel Keihan Tenmabashi Ekimae)
Optional Activities
- Explore Osaka
- Day 5
Osaka
Start at Fushimi Inari Taisha and walk through its network of around 30,000 shrines. Later, head to Nara Park where you'll encounter the roughly 1,000 deer roaming freely. Then visit Todai-Ji Temple to see the Great Buddha Hall and its massive statue. Finish by strolling through Kasuga Taisha Shrine, where thousands of stone and bronze lanterns line the pathways.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hotel Keihan Tenmabashi Ekimae)
Included Activities
- Visit Fushimi Inari Taisha
- Visit Nara Park
- Feed deer in Nara Park
- Visit Todai-Ji Temple
- Visit Kasuga Taisha Shrine
Landmarks Fushimi Inari Taisha Nara Park Todai-Ji Temple Kasuga Taisha Shrine - Day 6
Osaka
Begin at Osaka Castle Park to get a feel for shogunate-era life. Next, check out Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan in Tempozan Harbor Village, which has Pacific Rim marine life including a large whale shark in a nine-meter tank. Then explore teamLab's 'Digitized Nature' installation, where nature transforms into interactive digital art.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hotel Keihan Tenmabashi Ekimae)
Included Activities
- Visit Osaka Castle Park
- Visit Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan
- Experience teamLab 'Digitized Nature' art installation
Landmarks Osaka Castle Park Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan - Day 7
Osaka to Chengdu
A private transfer takes you from Osaka to Kix airport for your flight to Chengdu. When you land, your guide meets you in the arrival hall and drives you to your hotel by private car, helping with your luggage and check-in.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Dorsett Chengdu)
- Day 8
Chengdu to Chongqing
Begin at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding to watch pandas and learn about conservation. Then explore Wenshu Temple's Buddhist halls and gardens. After lunch, browse Jinli Old Street for traditional shops and street food, then walk through Kuanzhai Alley to see Qing Dynasty architecture alongside modern boutiques. In the late afternoon, board a 1.5-hour bullet train to Chongqing and check into your hotel there.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Berth / Cabin (Yangtze River Cruise)
Included Activities
- Visit Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding
- Visit Wenshu Temple
- Explore Jinli Old Street
- Stroll Kuanzhai Alley
Landmarks Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding Wenshu Temple Jinli Old Street Kuanzhai Alley - Day 9
Yangtze River Cruise Downstream Day 1
You board the Victoria Cruise Lines vessel at the Chongqing dock to start your Yangtze River journey. After a safety briefing, the ship departs and you begin cruising through China's river landscapes.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Berth / Cabin (Yangtze River Cruise)
Included Activities
- Safety briefing at cruise boarding
- Day 10
Yangtze River Cruise Downstream Day 2
Wake early for coffee or tea as you approach Fengdu and Shuang Gui Mt, where you'll see ancient sites and scenic views. Later, attend the Captain's Welcome Reception in the evening for drinks, camaraderie, and dinner on the river.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Berth / Cabin (Yangtze River Cruise)
Included Activities
- Explore Fengdu Shuang Gui Mt
- Captain's Welcome Reception
Optional Activities
- Shore excursion to Fengdu 'Ghost City' (daytime, river conditions permitting)
- Evening excursion to Fengyan Sanguo 'Romance of the Three Kingdoms' show
Landmarks Fengdu Shuang Gui Mt - Day 11
Yangtze River Cruise Downstream Day 3
Cruise through the Three Gorges starting with Qutang Gorge, the shortest and most dramatic section. Pass through Wu Gorge, known for its quiet beauty and forest-covered cliffs. You'll transfer to another vessel for an excursion through Goddess Stream. Then continue into Xiling Gorge, the longest and deepest section, seeing some of nature's most striking formations.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Kingtown Hotel Plaza Shanghai)
Included Activities
- Pass through Qutang Gorge
- Pass through Wu Gorge
- Excursion through Goddess Stream
- Pass through Xiling Gorge
Optional Activities
- Shore excursion to White Emperor City overlooking Qutang Gorge (morning, river conditions permitting)
- Shore excursion to Peak of the Three Gorges (morning)
- Alternate excursion to Shennong Stream gorges (depending on river conditions)
Landmarks Qutang Gorge Wu Gorge Goddess Stream Xiling Gorge 
- Day 12
Yangtze River Cruise Downstream Day 4 & Yichang to Shanghai
Disembark and tour the Three Gorges Dam at Sandouping in Xiling Gorge, the world's largest power station. Then travel by coach to Yichang and board a high-speed train to Shanghai (about 6.5 hours). Your guide meets you at Shanghai station and transfers you to your hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Kingtown Hotel Plaza Shanghai)
Included Activities
- Tour Three Gorges Dam
Optional Activities
- Shore excursion through unique ship lock with ship lift—the world's largest (available before Three Gorges Dam tour)
- Shore excursion to hometown of Qu Yuan
Landmarks Three Gorges Dam - Day 13
Shanghai
Start at Yuyuan Garden with its classical landscaping and pavilions. Then visit City God Temple to see local religious culture and market energy. Wander through historic nongtang alleyways to see everyday Shanghai life. Head to The Bund for views of colonial buildings and the modern skyline. Walk Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street for shopping. After grabbing lunch at a local restaurant, explore Xintiandi with its traditional shikumen houses and trendy cafes. End your day at Shanghai Museum East to see Chinese art and artifacts.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Yuyuan Garden
- Visit City God Temple
- Explore historic Shanghai alleyways (nongtang)
- Walk The Bund
- Walk Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street
- Explore Xintiandi district
- Visit Shanghai Museum East
Landmarks Yuyuan Garden City God Temple The Bund Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street Xintiandi Shanghai Museum East
