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Day-By-Day Itinerary |
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This itinerary can be fully customized; to tailor this package to your specific requirements please call one of our travel specialists at 1-800-22-SWAIN. |
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Day 1 Fly USA to Tokyo Day 2 Arrive Tokyo One of the world's main economic centers – as well as its most populous metropolitan agglomeration – Tokyo is a city that presents a different view of itself at every turn. Starkly modern, it becomes a jewel box at night with a glittering display of neon and fluorescent lights. But you can retreat to quiet residential back streets and sculpted gardens and still find the harmony, scale and simplicity the Japanese have prized for centuries. Look down one street and you'll see nothing but neon and concrete, but around the corner, you may find yourself in the bonsai-lined courtyard of a traditional inn. Several times in history, Tokyo has been almost totally destroyed – by fires, earthquakes, floods or war-but it has always rebuilt itself. That might explain why it retains only vestiges of Old Day 3 Cityrama Tokyo Morning Heading to the center of the city now you will stop at the large plaza in front of the Imperial Continue to the northeast of the city and drive by the National Diet Building (or Parliament). Return to the central Tokyo again with a drive through the famous Ginza, Tokyo's Fifth Avenue, where this tour concludes between 12:30 and 1:30 pm. Your tour guide will give instructions and assist in returning you to your hotel, which will be is at your own expense. Day 4 Kamakura Walking Tour Surrounded by mountains on three sides and the open water of Sagami Bay on the fourth, Kamakura is now mainly known for its temples and shrines. Visit Kotoku-in, with the monumental outdoor bronze statue of Amida Buddha, the most famous of these. A 15th Century tsunami destroyed the temple that once housed the Great Buddha, but the statue survived and has remained outdoors ever since. Visit Hase Temple, a temple most famous for its statue of Kannon, the goddess of mercy. The statue shows Kannon with eleven heads, each representing a characteristic of the goddess. Visit Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine, which features include the symbol of the first Shogun Walk back to Kamakura Station via Komachi Shopping Street with time to browse the art and craft shops. Your tour disbands on arrival at JR Tokyo Station between 5:00 - 6:00 pm and the tour conductor will give you directions back to each hotel or taxi instructions in Japanese and English. Day 5 Travel Tokyo to Kyoto The Shinkansen is a network of high-speed railway lines in Japan operated by Japan Railways. Since the initial Tokaido Shinkansen opened in 1964 running at 210 km/h (130 mph), the network (2,459 km or 1528 miles) has expanded to link most major cities on the islands of Honshi and Kyushu with running speeds of up to 300 km/h (186 mph). Travel westbound from Tokyo 319 miles to Kyoto on the Tokaido or Sanyo Shinkansen line. The Hikari or Kodama services cover the distance in approximately 2 hours 40 minutes, while the Nozomi service takes 2 hours 15 minutes. On arrival into Kyoto Station, an English-speaking driver will be holding a sign with your last name on it and greet you at your train platform. You will be taken to your vehicle nearby and transferred to your hotel. If you can visit only one city in Japan, Kyoto is the one. This ancient city (home to almost 1.5 million people) was the capital of Japan for more than a thousand years and still is considered the country's spiritual capital. Kyoto is graced with an abundance of temples, palaces, gardens and museums. Three must see sights are the Golden Pavilion, Nijo Castle and the Kiyomizu Temple. The Golden Pavilion (Kinkakuji) is impressive: Each of its three stories reflects a different architectural style, but what most people remember is that it's covered in gold leaf. The small lake nearby adds to the glimmer. At the 17th-century Nijo Castle, you can see the architecture change as you go from the most public spaces to the private chambers of the shogun. Kiyomizu Temple, on a hillside at the east edge of the city, is famous both for its waterfall and for the stunning view from its vast wooden terrace. The temple is particularly beautiful in April, when cherry blossoms abound, and in November, when maple leaves show their autumn colors. After your visit, stroll through the narrow lanes of traditional houses, boutiques and stores below the temple-the area is famed for its pottery shops. At night, stroll through Pontocho, the traditional nighttime entertainment spot. This narrow little street may be the most romantic street in Japan. You might even see a geisha (or a maiko – a young apprentice) scurrying to a theatrical performance or an assignation at a local bar. Fans of Arthur Golden's novel Memoirs of a Geisha might like to stroll around the Gion neighborhood, where the story was set. 30 mi/50 km northeast of Osaka. Nara Afternoon (From Kyoto) Your first stop today will be Todaiji Temple, constructed in the 8th century, is one of Japan's most famous and historically significant temples. In it's huge precincts are various national treasures of Japan. The Daibutsuden (Great Buddha Hall) is one of the world's largest wooden buildings. Once of Japan's best-known temples, it enshrines a gigantic bronze statue of Buddha. In between the temples, over 1,000 tame deer roam freely in the verdant 1,250 acres peaceful park. If you wish to feed the deer, they will gladly eat from your hand. Special food is sold in the park grounds. Conclude your afternoon with a visit to Kasuga Shine which was established in 768 A.D. and rebuilt several times over the centuries. The interior is famous for its many bronze lanterns, as well as the many stone lanterns that lead up the shrine. Day 6 Kyoto Full Day Your third stop is to Kyoto Imperial Palace, the residence of the Imperial family until the capital was relocated to Tokyo in 1868. Closed on Saturdays, Sundays, national holidays so a visit to Kitano Tenmangu will be arranged instead. A buffet-style lunch will be served at Kyoto Handicraft Center, where demonstrations of Japanese traditional arts and crafts take place. This afternoon's first stop is Heian Shrine, brightly colored with its vermilion pillars and green roof, and its enchanting inner gardens and ponds, reflects the elegance of life in the ancient Japanese court. From there visit Sanjusangendo, a renowned long wooden hall housing all of 1,001 statues of Kannon or Bodhisattva (Goddess of Mercy), that date back to the 13th century. Continue on to Kiyomizu-dera, a grouping of several Buddhist temples in Eastern Kyoto, and one of the best known sights of the city with its main pavilion commanding an exalted spot on a steep hill with a sweeping view over Kyoto. The pathway leading to the shrine is lined with pottery and souvenir shops. Day 7 Fly Osaka to Xian (Via Beijing) Fly a same day Osaka to Beijing non-stop service. Traveling time is approximately 3 hours 20 minutes covering a distance of 1,092 miles. The flight duration between Beijing and Xian is approximately 1 hour 50 minutes and distance traveled is 585 miles. On arrival, an English-speaking representative will be holding a sign with your last name on it and greet you as you enter the public Airport Arrivals Hall. You will be taken to your vehicle nearby and transferred to your hotel. Except for its old city wall, some 8 mi/12 km around, Xian (pronounced she-on; pop. 2,911,000) looks like any other large industrial city. However, it holds several important treasures: Foremost is the Qin Army Vault Museum, home to the army of 2,200-year-old terra-cotta soldiers unearthed 25 mi/40 km east of town. In Xian itself, look for the Great Mosque (behind a long wall in a residential area). Used by Xian's large Islamic population, its buildings look mostly Asian, but with obvious Arabic influence. Also visit the Shaanxi Provincial History Museum (artifacts, relics and murals from the Tang and Qing Dynasties) and the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. (Built in AD 625, it is one of China's most-famous pagodas-it has a great view from the top.) Finally, take some time to stroll around the night markets, where you can sample and take in the sights, sounds and tastes of the city's prevalent Muslim Hui minority. 550 mi/885 km southwest of Beijing. Day 8 Half Day City Wall, Drum Tower and Goose Pagoda Xian's city wall is the largest and best-preserved city wall in China. The pieces of the wall have recently been reconnected so that you can do the 8 3/4-mile loop around it by foot or bicycle. The walls were built during the early Ming dynasty, on the remains of Tang palace walls. Next visit the exquisite Drum Tower, the outside of which is ringed with enormous drums. Inside the tower you'll see the museum-quality collection of percussion instruments from all around the region. Conclude at the Great Goose Pagoda, which commenced in 652 during the Tang Dynasty and originally had five stories. The pagoda was built to hold sutras and figurines of Buddha that were brought to China by the Buddhist translator and traveler Xuanzang. Early in the 8th century under the ruling of Empress Wu Zetian five more stories were added; however, later wars damaged the pagoda reducing it to its current height of seven stories. It stands 64 meters tall and from the top it offers great views over the city of Xian. At the conclusion of today's touring you will be transferred to your hotel. Half Day Terracotta Museum The statues remain where they were uncovered, protected by a large (3.7-acre/1.5-hectare) hangar-like hall. Individual soldiers can be studied more closely in a museum exhibit in an adjacent building. Following your visit you will be returned back to your hotel. Day 9 Fly Xian to Beijing The flight duration between Xian and Beijing is approximately 1 hour 40 minutes and distance traveled is 585 miles. On arrival, an English-speaking representative will be holding a sign with your last name on it and greet you as you enter the public Airport Arrivals Hall. You will be taken to your vehicle nearby and transferred to your hotel. For centuries, Beijing has played a major role in China's imperial rule. It was Kublai Khan, a grandson of Genghis Khan, who reunified the Chinese territories and transferred the capital to Beijing during the 13th century. Beijing was not only a lasting imperial city, but also a thriving trading city that served as the easternmost terminus of the caravan routes of the Silk Road. Today, Beijing remains as it was centuries ago-a great center of power and commerce. It is a bustling metropolis of soaring high-rises, gaudy billboards, teeming highways and a growing international stature. Although a number of Beijing's historical sites are slowly being preserved, many of the city's ancient neighborhoods have been razed in recent years to make way for glitzy commercial skyscrapers and apartment blocks. Nevertheless, Kublai Khan's imperial spirit remains in the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, the Great Wall and the Summer Palace. En route from the airport to city, stop at the Olympic Green, to view two of the world’s most recent architectural marvels, the National Stadium and National Aquatics Center. An eye-catching design even from a distance, the stadium proves to be a mind-bogglingly complex artifact as you get up close, and it is just as dizzying on the inside. The Chinese named it the Bird's Nest as soon as its creators unveiled their design five years ago. It measures 320 m by 297 m, and is 69 m high. Its mesmeric steel frame, 41,875 tons in all, loops, swoops and swirls over and around the great, red, concrete 91,000-seat arena. What had seemed to be a solid structure from a distance proves to be a filigree Chinese puzzle close up. The Bird's Nest sits near the second of the major Beijing Olympic venues, the Water Cube; or, to give it its official name, the National Aquatics Centre. In essence, the Water Cube is a big, steel and concrete box containing a huge swimming pool flanked by 17,000 seats. The pattern of the structure has been designed to hold huge pillows lightweight glass substitute. The pattern is based on the natural formation of soap bubbles to give a random, organic appearance. Day 10 Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven & Court Cuisine Continue to the masterpiece Temple of Heaven, an embodiment of grace and harmony. This is where Ming and Qing emperors prayed for good harvest and it is the largest temple complex remaining in China today. The pomp and grandeur of imperial China lives on in this historic landmark so integral to the nation's soul. Lunch is at Beijing Fang Shan Restaurant. Set in Bei Hai Park a former imperial garden, Beijing Fang Shan Restaurant offers exquisite food from former Chinese dynasties. Waitresses in period garb lead you to the main dining room, which is splendid, with high painted ceilings and traditional Chinese art. En route today, view the CCTV Headquarters, is the new headquarters of China Central Television completed prior to the 2008 Summer Olympics. Standing at 234 meters or 755 feet tall with 51 floors, the main building is not a traditional tower, but a continuous loop of five horizontal and vertical sections covering 4.1 m sq ft of floor space, creating an irregular grid on the building's facade with an open center. The construction of the building is considered to be a structural challenge, especially because it is in a seismic zone. Because of its radical shape, it has acquired nicknames such as 'Twisted Donut' and 'The Pants' by locals. Day 11 Great Wall at Mutianyu and Summer Palace Stop for lunch at Xiaolongpu Restaurant nearby, where their specialties include Sturgeon from neighboring Dongting Lake. Continue on to the Summer Palace, formerly an imperial garden and palace for the Qing emperors. First built in 1750, largely destroyed in the war of 1860 and restored on its original foundations in 1886 - is a masterpiece of Chinese landscape garden design. The natural landscape of hills and open water is combined with artificial features such as pavilions, halls, palaces, temples and bridges to form a harmonious ensemble of outstanding aesthetic value. Stroll along the famous 700 meter Long Corridor, with its beautiful Painted Gallery (each archway depicts a different scene), and enjoy some peaceful time on Kunming Lake by boat, soaking in the majesty of China's imperial past. Day 12 Fly Beijing to USA |