Best of Japan & China
Experience the highlights of Japan and China on this private luxury journey through two of Asia’s most fascinating destinations. From Tokyo’s modern energy and Kyoto’s timeless traditions to China’s ancient capitals and dramatic landscapes, this itinerary blends culture, history, food, and luxury travel throughout.
Begin in Tokyo, where futuristic city life meets historic temples and vibrant local neighborhoods. Continue to Hakone for hot springs, mountain scenery, and views of Mount Fuji before traveling by bullet train to Kyoto, the cultural heart of Japan known for its temples, bamboo forests, tea houses, and geisha districts.
In China, discover Beijing’s imperial landmarks including the Forbidden City and Great Wall, explore the Silk Road history of Xian and its famous Terracotta Warriors, then cruise through the stunning limestone landscapes of Guilin and Yangshuo.
Conclude in Shanghai, China’s most stylish and modern city, where historic architecture, local culture, and contemporary design come together.
At Absolute Asia Tours, we create private journeys that combine iconic highlights with authentic local experiences across Asia.
- Asia Cruises
- Bali (Indonesia)
- Bhutan Tours
- Cambodia
- China
- India
- Indonesia
- Japan
- Laos
- Malaysia
- Maldives
- Myanmar
- Nepal
- North Korea
- Philippines
- Singapore
- South Korea
- Sri Lanka
- Taiwan
- Thailand
- Vietnam
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Best of Japan & China Gallery
Whats Included:
• Private airport transfers
• Private vehicle throughout tours
• English-speaking guides
• Entrance fees as mentioned
• Hotel accommodation with breakfast
• High-speed train or domestic flights between cities (as required)
Whats Excluded:
• International flights
• Optional activities and experiences not specified in the itinerary
• Any services not explicitly mentioned above
• Single room supplement (if applicable)
• Gratuities for guides, drivers, and other service staff
• China travel insurance
Itinerary idea
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1
After arriving, you will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. After check-in, enjoy the rest of the day at leisure to relax after your flight. If you wish to explore, consider taking a stroll around the Imperial Gardens.
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Meet your guide in the hotel lobby this morning to go over your trip and receive helpful local tips for traveling in Japan. Your guide can also help activate your Japan Rail Pass if needed.
Later, explore some of Tokyo’s highlights, including Hamarikyu Gardens and a scenic river cruise to Asakusa, home to the famous Sensoji Temple.
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Private transfer to the station for your first-class shinkansen (bullet train) journey. Upon arrival, enjoy a private tour before continuing to your luxury ryokan for an overnight stay, including a traditional kaiseki dinner and hot spring experience.
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Private transfer to the train station for your first-class shinkansen journey. Upon arrival, transfer privately to your hotel for a three-night stay. Later, enjoy a private afternoon tour.
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5
Enjoy a full-day private tour of Kyoto, Japan’s cultural heart and one of the country’s most beautiful cities. Visit historic temples, peaceful gardens, and traditional neighborhoods while learning about Kyoto’s rich history and timeless traditions.
During the day, experience a traditional Japanese tea ceremony and enjoy a vegetarian lunch at a local temple. You may also explore famous areas such as Gion, known for its preserved wooden streets and geisha culture, along with scenic bamboo groves, shrines, and local markets throughout the city.
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Enjoy another day exploring Kyoto with your private guide, or choose from several optional excursions outside the city. Visit the striking Miho Museum set in the forested hills, discover the ancient temples and friendly deer of Nara, or travel to Hiroshima and nearby Miyajima Island, famous for its floating torii gate and peaceful shrine setting.
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Private transfer to Kansai International Airport for your flight to Beijing (flight not included). Upon arrival, meet your private guide and transfer to your hotel for a three-night stay. Later, enjoy a private afternoon tour to begin exploring China’s historic capital.
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Enjoy a full-day private tour of Beijing, visiting some of the city’s most important cultural and historic landmarks. Explore imperial sites, traditional neighborhoods, and local markets while discovering the rich history of China’s capital.
In the evening, attend a traditional Peking Opera performance, one of China’s most famous cultural arts known for its colorful costumes, music, and storytelling.
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Enjoy a private excursion to the Great Wall, one of China’s most iconic landmarks. Walk along the ancient stone pathways while taking in sweeping mountain views and learning about the history of this remarkable UNESCO World Heritage Site.
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Private transfer to the airport for your flight to Xian. Upon arrival, meet your guide and transfer to your hotel for an overnight stay. Later, enjoy a private afternoon tour featuring the famous Terracotta Warriors, one of China’s greatest archaeological discoveries.
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Enjoy a private morning tour in Xian before transferring to the airport for your flight to Guilin. Upon arrival, meet your guide and transfer to your hotel for a two-night stay. Later, explore Guilin on a private afternoon tour surrounded by the region’s famous limestone landscapes.
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Enjoy a scenic cruise along the Li River, passing dramatic limestone mountains, rice fields, and traditional riverside villages. Later, continue with a private tour of the local countryside and nearby villages to experience the quieter side of rural China.
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Private transfer to the airport for your flight to Shanghai. Upon arrival, meet your guide and transfer to your hotel for a two-night stay in China’s most modern and cosmopolitan city.
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Enjoy a full-day private tour of Shanghai, exploring the city’s mix of historic charm and modern energy. Visit famous areas such as the Bund, the French Concession, and local markets while discovering Shanghai’s unique blend of old and new China.
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Private transfer to the airport for your departing flight.
Accommodation options
While the itinerary pricing is based on our recommended luxury accommodations, every journey with Absolute Asia Tours is completely tailor-made. Our travel specialists will personally customize each experience to reflect your individual interests, preferred travel style, and level of luxury.
What our clients say about us
Peter
20 March 2025 ★★★★★We had a wonderful 12-day trip across Thailand, beautifully arranged by Mr. Stephen from Absolute Asia. Every detail was taken care of, from comfortable stays to fully organized vegetarian meals throughout the journey. Our itinerary covered Bangkok, Ayutthaya, Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai, then we spent five blissful days in Koh Samui. There, we relaxed on palm-fringed beaches, explored Ang Thong Marine Park by boat, and savored fresh tropical fruits at sunset. A big shoutout to our lovely guide, Mr Krit who made the experience even more special with him warmth and knowledge. We’re heading home with unforgettable memories of Thailand’s hospitality and charm. Thank you, Absolute Asia Tours.
Gari
22 May 2024 ★★★★★Our recent trip to China and Mongolia was a great success. Overall we found Absolute Asia Tours services to be excellent throughout the two weeks we were in Asia. For us, Mongolia was definitely the highlight. We thoroughly enjoyed or local guides and drives and they were unfailingly knowledgeable, helpful and amusing. Their languages skills were excellent and we felt that we recieved real insight into this fascinating country. We were intinially drawn to the idea of this trip by the reports of the world class fihing and we were absolutely not disappointed. The fishing guide was first rate and we caught more fish than we could have hoped for - more than 25 each day - with the added bonus of being the only other people in sight for miles arround. AAT created a private ger camp for us on the Onon River and we enjoyed delicious food prepared by our chef in a beautiful unspoled atmosphere. They alo arranged for us to visit a nomadic family and spend time with them at home and organized a dinner with an anthropologist with expert knowledge of the region. AAT fullfilled their promise to tkae us to us to one of the world's best fishing destinations in comfort and style. We would be happy to travel with AAT again and will definitely recommend them to our friends.
Cherry
16 May 2024 ★★★★★We've had two "A+" experience with Absolute Asia Tours. It is a pleasure to work with an organization where I feel confident that what you say will happen, happens. This was true with our complicated China itinerary six years ago, and was true with our recent itinerary in Vietnam. your on the ground guides and logistics were top - notch, and I would recommend you to anyone to visit Asia.
James
17 January 2024 ★★★★★Absolute Asia tours gave us a wonderful tour of Southeast Asia (working with sister-agency My Way Travel based in Vietnam). For our Siem Reap/Angkor Wat journey, our party of two had a private driver and guide named Jak, who was a cheerful and knowledgeable companion, explaining the history, culture, architecture and religious significance of the sites while keeping it always fun. We moved efficiently from site to site, and finished with a boat tour of the fishing village on stilts at Kampong Pluk on the Tonle Sap Lake. During most of our trip we stayed at top-notch locally-owned hotels, but in Siem Reap we were at the excellent local Hyatt hotel. Absolute Asia and My Way Travel our outstanding local providers, less expensive than name-brand group tours, and customized to our interests and schedule.
Hope
2 January 2024 ★★★★★We had an awesome time on cycling tour with AAT! It was incredible, filled with good vibes, laughs & a fantastic way to explore Vietnam & Cambodia. Tony our guide made it special by introducing us to locals and showing us the real charm of these countries. The whole tour was well-organized & the way they took care of us awesome. It's an unforgettable trip and I'll definitely recommend it to anyone who wants to experience the beauty of Southeast Asia.
Nas
1 January 2024 ★★★★★My group of six completed a 30 day cycling tour in Asia with AAT. We traveled form Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket & Saigon to Siem Reap. Every day we pedaled through stunning countryside views, passing villages, fields & limestone karsts. Our guide Tony was fantastic-interesting, friendly & personable. This experience stood out as the highlight of our Asia trip.
