China and South Korea: East Asia Adventure

Arrive at any time. Is Beijing top of your must-see list? Booking pre-trip accommodations will let you do Beijing your way before meeting up with the group.

Included Experiences

• Meet Your CEO and Group: Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.

Enjoy an included visit to the Great Wall. Later, explore Tiananmen Square. Head out of town to the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall. Spend time wandering around, taking photos, and picking up souvenirs. In the afternoon head to Tiananmen Squarem followed by a night walk to the local market.

Included Experiences

• Orientation With CEO: Enjoy a brief walk with your CEO. He/she will give you some tips on finding things like supermarkets, main squares, and ATMs. For more specific or in-depth information, an official guided tour is recommended.
• Mutianyu Great Wall Visit: Climb the rolling hills of Huairou County at Mutianyu, one of the best-preserved sections of the Great Wall. Enjoy scenic views as the wall winds along mountain ridges, and take brag-worthy photos of the wall from any of the 22 towers. The Great wall is an incredible piece of engineering stretching 6000 km west from the mountain ridges north of Beijing. It was originally constructed to protect Chinese empires from nomadic northern tribes, and even though it failed in this purpose, it's still one of the country's most remarkable achievements and an iconic destination. The Mutianyu section of the Great Wall is located about 80km away from the Beijing City Center. The walk is approximately 5 kilometres and will take 2 to 3 hours depending on your level of fitness.
• Tiananmen Square: Explore one of the world's largest public squares and the symbolic centre of Chinese power. Framed by the Gate of Heavenly Peace with its Mao portrait, Mao's Mausoleum, the Great Hall of the People, the National Museum, and with elaborate flag raising and lowering ceremonies at dawn and dusk, it's a place of pilgrimage for the Chinese tourists who consider it the heart of their nation.

Optional Experiences

• The Pearl Market: Shoppers get ready. The Pearl Market is great place to get souvenirs for friends and family! This market is well know for the verity of pearls but, make sure to also check out the other vendors selling goods like crafts, clothing, and silk.
• Drum and Bell Tower Visit: Visit the striking Drum Tower for some incredible photo ops. Back in the Han Dynasty the towers were used to echo the time to the city with bells in the morning and drums in the evening. Today the 63-ton bell still stands in one tower and drum performances happen daily in the morning and afternoon.
• Toboggan at Great Wall: After your hike on the Great Wall, opt to take a Toboggan ride back down instead of the cable car! (100-140 CNY per person)
• Cable Car at Great Wall: The cable car ride is about 5 minutes ride up to tower 14, from where you may walk to the highest point of Mutianyu Great Wall at Tower 20. The walk from ticket check to tower 10 is about 30 minutes. The cable car ride is a good option if you are hoping to save energy to challenge the Tower 20. Return ticket is recommended as you may spend more time on the wall. (100-140 CNY per person)

Explore Experiences

Take the Beijing metro to visit the Forbidden City. Later, board a fast train to Xi'an.

Due to restrictions in China after the pandemic, the maximum daily capacity in the Forbidden City has been reduced from 80,000 to 30,000. This significant decrease in daily tickets has had a great impact on availability for both individuals and group tours to secure tickets, especially during he summer season. Our local team works very hard to secure tickets for each group. However, on the off chance we are unable to secure tickets to the Forbidden City, we will visit the Summer Palace and the Temple of Heaven, places of similar architecture and importance.

Included Experiences

• Metro: Get around underground via public transit.
• Forbidden City Tour: Our CEO will steer around crowds and help make the most of a visit to the Forbidden City.
• Bullet Train: Get to your next destination faster than the speed of light (ok maybe not that fast) aboard a high-speed train.

Visit one of China’s greatest archaeological treasures—the Terracotta Warriors. Continue exploring Xi'an with a visit to the Ancient City Wall and the Muslim Quarters. Tonight, board an overnight train to Suzhou. Train is our main mode of transport in China and it's a great way to travel. We aim to get the best sleeping berths available on each train journey. However, train tickets availability is limited during peak travel times, including summer vacations and Chinese national holidays. As such, it is possible that the group may be separated into different carriages or assigned top sleeping berths.

Included Experiences

• Terracotta Warriors Guided Tour: Take a guided tour of the Terracotta Warriors where more than 8,000 clay soldiers and hundreds of replica horses and chariots stand in three pits. Learn why the Emperor Qin Shihuang commissioned the statues to serve as his army in the afterlife and how they were discovered. Spend a half-day exploring this archaeological wonder.
• Xi'An Ancient City Wall: Visit the ancient City Wall of Xi'An. Learn of its interesting history as part of the Silk Road and admire amazing views of the city.
• Muslim Quarter Visit: Explore the lively Muslim Quarter and its serene Great Mosque, making time to indulge in the offerings of exotic local street food stalls. At night, head out for some of the best street food in China – the spicy beef and lamb kebabs are always a favorite.
• Basic Overnight Train (beds): Experience overnight travel like a local. Sit back and get some well-earned (and likely much-needed) rest en route to your next stop.

Explore Experiences

Wake this morning and grab coffee and a snack on the train as you prepare to pull into Suzhou. After arrival, visit Suzhou's famed Master of the Nets Garden, one of the most beautiful gardens in China and recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Wander around Shantang Street. Enjoy a free dinner before riding the metro back to the hotel with your CEO.

Included Experiences

• Master of the Nets Garden Tour: Tour through the serene classical garden and UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• Shangtang Street: Wander around Shantang Street and canal with your CEO before enjoying free time in the area for dinner.

Explore Experiences

This morning, ride the bullet train to Shanghai. Join your CEO for an orientation walk of the famed Bund and Nanjing Shopping Road before a free evening in Shanghai.

Included Experiences

• Bullet Train: Get to your next destination faster than the speed of light (ok maybe not that fast) aboard a high-speed train.
• Orientation Walk: Take a stroll along the Bund, a main road that follows the Huangpu River, with your CEO. This is a great opportunity to get a layout of the city and figure out what you want to explore next.

This morning, join your CEO for an orientation walk around the city to see the shops and historic buildings. Join your CEO at the Shanghai Museum or head out to venture through this beautiful city on your own. Maybe start with a visit to the nearby Yuyuan Gardens.

Included Experiences

• Shanghai Orientation Walk: Explore the famous Huangpu District in central Shanghai with your CEO.
• Shanghai Museum: Visit Shanghai Museum, home to a world-class collection of ancient Chinese art. Tour individual galleries devoted to such items as sculpture, bronze, ceramics, jade, coins, Ming and Qing Dynasty furniture, paintings, and calligraphy. Stop at the gift shop on your way out.
• Free Time: Take advantage of your free time today to visit Yuyuan Gardens, return to the Bund, or do some shopping on Nanjing Road.

Optional Experiences

• Yuyuan Garden: Explore this tranquil, 400-year-old, five-acre garden. Climb to the top of the Rockery to see the greenery from above. Check out the Jade Rock and watch the swarms of fish swim around in the ponds. With multiple pavilions and halls there is plenty to see. Depending on when you visit there may be flower shows or tea ceremonies in the area. Opt to visit the bustling bazaar located outside the gardens and hone your bargaining skills.

Explore Experiences

Say goodbye to China today as we board our flight to Seoul, South Korea! We trade in our xiao long bao for kimchi and bibimbap! And after arrival, you have the rest of the day to get acquainted with our first stop in South Korea.

Included Experiences

• Plane: Look! Up in the sky! It's a bird! It's a plane! It's... yup, it is a plane, actually.
• Free Time: Enjoy the rest of the day free to explore the amazing city of Seoul!

Explore Experiences

Sit back and relax on a private bus and enjoy a tour of the bustling metropolis where modern skyscrapers, high-tech subways and pop culture meet Buddhist temples and street markets. Visit Gyeongbokgung Palace, the National Folklore Museum, Bukchon Hanok Village and Insadong alley. After exploring the city, opt to see a show, explore a local museum, or hit the pavement and eat your way through street markets trying local fares such as bibimbap, soondae, and kimchi.

Included Experiences

• Gyeongbokgung Palace: Visit Gyeongbokgung Palace, the main royal palace of the Joseon Dynasty built in 1395. The palace has been destroyed many times over, but more than 50 per cent of the buildings are still standing or are restored. The complex is also home to the National Palace Museum and the National Folk Museum.
• Insadong Alley: Explore the narrow and hidden alleys of one of the most memorable places in Seoul. Now filled with antique shops, galleries, tea houses and traditional restaurants, this area once housed the royal studio for painters during the Joseon Dynasty.
• National Folklore Museum: Located within the grounds of the Gyeongbokgung Palace, learn about the history and traditions of the Korean people during the Joseon era.
• Seoul City Tour: Enjoy a bus tour of the bustling capital of South Korea. Visit different areas of the city including Gyengbokgung Palace, National Folklore Museum, Jogyesa Temple, Bukchon Hanok Village and Insadong alley.
• Free Time: Head out and explore.
• Bukchon Hanok Village Exploration: Be transported back 600 years into Seoul's past while walking through Bukchon Hanok Village, which boasts the largest cluster of privately owned traditional Korean wooden homes (hanok) in Seoul. Keep an eye out for the half-dozen or so alleys that have beautifully restored architectural features like small courtyards, decorative outer walls, and dark tiled roofs.

Optional Experiences

• Gwangjang Market Visit: Gwangjang Market is one of the oldest and largest traditional markets in South Korea, with more than 5,000 shops. Famous for its fabric, local treasures, and noted to be one of the best places to go for authentic Korean street food in Seoul, you don't want to miss Gwangjang Market.
• Seoul Museum of History Visit: Really get to know Seoul with a stop at the Seoul Museum of History, which highlights each segment of the city's past from the Stone Age to present day. Discover one of the museum's recent creations – a large floor map of Seoul, great for plotting out your next steps!

Explore Experiences

After breakfast, board a high speed bullet train for a relaxing morning ride through the countryside to Gyeongju. Once the group arrives to this old capital city for 1,000 years, they will experience an overnight stay in a local temple. During the stay the group will learn about temple etiquette, watch a monk martial arts performance, experience the daily prayer ritual and a temple style dinner. Stay in rooms called Ondol. These rooms are very traditional, heated to be cozy and comfortable, with beds made up directly on the floor. The rooms here are multi-share, divided up by male and female rooms. Enjoy a traditional dinner and breakfast during the stay. Have the opportunity to learn about temple etiquette, experience the daily drum and bell ritual and take an easy hike up to the only stone cave temple in Korea for morning meditation.

Included Experiences

• Overnight Temple Stay: Stay in rooms called Ondol, which are very traditional and heated to be cozy and comfortable with beds made up directly on the floor. The rooms here are multi-share, divided up by male and female rooms. Enjoy a traditional dinner and breakfast during the stay.
• Bullet Train: Get to your next destination faster than the speed of light (ok maybe not that fast) aboard a high-speed train.

Enjoy a peaceful morning meditation, martial arts practice, and drum and bell ritual before exploring in Gyeongiu. On the city tour visit to the UNESCO site of Bulguksa Temple located on the slopes of Mount Toham and admire the national treasures there, such as Dabotap and Seokgatap stone pagodas, Cheongun-gyo, and two gilt-bronze statues of Buddha. Enjoy a visit to Yangdong Folk Village, a 500-year-old UNESCO site located in Gyeongju National Park, to get a feel for life during the early Joseon Dynasty. Afterwards, experience the oldest surviving astronomical observatory in Asia, Cheomseongdae Observatory, and the surrounding Royal Tombs. After a great day in Gyeongju, travel by private bus to Busan.

Included Experiences

• City Tour of Gyeongju: Visit sights around Gyeongju on an included tour. See the UNESCO site Bulguksa Temple, a head temple of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism and encompasses seven National treasures of South Korea.
• Yangdong Folk Village: Get a fascinating look into life during the Joseon Dynasty on this visit to the Yangdong Folk Village. Founded in the early 1400s, the village boasts well-preserved buildings and has more than 160 homes displaying traditional Joseon architecture within a gorgeous natural setting.
• Cheomseongdae Observatory: Nestled in the heart of Gyeongju, the capital of the former Silla Kingdom, Cheomseongdae may not appear to be a monumental landmark. But this observatory tower that dates back to the seventh century is actually the oldest existing astronomical observatory in all of East Asia. Cheomseongdae was used for observing the stars in order to forecast the weather in the ancient scientific hub of Gyeongju.
• Daereungwon Tomb Complex: The Daereungwon Tomb complex in Gyeongju holds 23 tombs that are found inside of large mounds. The complex is beautiful with its rolling mounds and gardens, but the real treat can be found inside the tombs, the most famous being Cheonmachong and Hwangnamdaechong. Each tomb holds thousands of relics that gives us a window into the Silla Dynasty and its royal family. The contents of these tombs are over 1,500 years old and a great treasure to anyone who enjoys Korean history and artistic beauty.

Optional Experiences

• Jjimjilbang: Treat yourself in one of Busan's jjimjilbans, a Korean spa bath house, with an array of hot spring tubs to rejuvenate mind, body, and soul.
• Karaoke: You can't leave Korea without participating in the popular tradition of noraebang, karaoke rooms. Sing your heart out!

Explore Experiences

Spend the day getting to know colourful Busan visiting the 14th century seaside temple hidden in the rocks - Haedong Yonggungsa. After exploring the temple, visit the colourful Gamcheon Culture Village, the bustling Jagalchi fish market, Gukjesijang market, and Yongdusan Park. The evening is yours to explore as you wish. Opt to take a see the Busan skyline with a nighttime yacht experience or ride the Coastal Monorail.

Included Experiences

• Busan City Tour: Get to know the city. Explore Busan, visiting the sights.
• Haedong Yonggungsa Temple Visit: Originally built in 1376, this picturesque, cliffside Buddhist temple overlooks the East China Sea. Opt to grab a bizarre local snack at the traditional market. Legend foretells that should you pray here, at least one of your wishes will come true.
• Gamcheon Culture Village: Explore the pastel-coloured village of Gamcheon, nestled in the side of a mountain, with uniquely painted houses, murals, cafes, and shops.
• Yongdusan Park Visit: Visit Yongdusan Park, home to more than 70 different types of trees, and see the 118m (387 ft) high Busan Tower. The park's unique shape is said to look like a dragon's head.
• Gukje Traditional Market: Gukjesijang or Gukje Market is nestled near Biff Square, a well-known modern movie district in Busan. The market once was a place for refugees to earn a living over the period of the Korean War. Now, it's a bustling international market where loads of food, home goods, clothes, souvenirs and more can be found.
• Jagalchi Fish Market: Discover this market and major attraction at Nampo Port. Wander through the rows of stalls selling everything you can dream of from the sea. Watch as locals haggle for the best price and fishmongers hawk their wares.

Optional Experiences

• Night Yacht Ride: Spend an evening admiring the coastline of Busan while cruising from the deck of a yacht.
• Busan Monorail Ride: Take a ride on the Haeundae Sky Capsule for a stunning view of the city.

Explore Experiences

In the seaside city of Busan, visit Haeundae Beach and Dongbaekseom Island, before traveling back to Seoul. After arriving in Seoul by train, check out Korea's oldest traditional market - Namdaemun Market. Then make your way by cable car to N Seoul Tower to see this beautiful landmark and opt to make the trip up to the observation deck. Spend the rest of your day in Seoul opting to see Banpo Bridge, the floating islands, or hanging out in the Gangnam district.

Included Experiences

• Haeundae Beach and Dongbaek Island (APEC House) Visit: Visit Haeundae Beach, one of Korea's most beautiful beaches. Enjoy a walk along the shore, or take a swim (don't forget your suit!) And see the famed APEC House built to host the Asia-Pacific Economic Corporation (APEC) summit meeting in 2005 on Dongbaek Island.
• Bullet Train: Get to your next destination faster than the speed of light (ok maybe not that fast) aboard a high-speed train.
• Namdaemun Market Visit: Dating back to 1414, this is Korea's oldest traditional market and it's largest, with over 10,000 vendors spanning several city blocks. Get ready to shop!
• N Seoul Tower Visit: Take the cable car to visit the most iconic landmark in Seoul! Located at the top of Mt Namsan, and standing at 480m above sea level, what used to be a broadcasting station before it was open to the public, is now a beautiful observatory. If you'd like to go up the tower to the observatory an additional fee is required.

Optional Experiences

• N Seoul Tower Observatory: Namsan Seoul Tower Observatory allows for an incredible 360 degrees panoramic view of Seoul. The top of the tower is 480m above sea level, including Namsan Mountain (243m) and the tower’s own height (236.7m). It has quickly become a well-known landmark in Seoul and has appeared in lots of smash-hit K-dramas and movies.
• Gangnam District Visit: Gangnam has plenty to do and see in this historically rich, fast-developing neighbourhood. Gangnam Station is the busiest subway station in Seoul and has a huge underground shopping centre, so feel free to shop until you drop. Choose to visit Bongeunsa, a Buddhist Temple in the centre of Gangnam, or enjoy the nightlife and restaurants in this area.
• Floating Island Visit: The floating island is a culture complex made up of three man-made floating islands located near one end of the Banpo Bridge. LED lights surround the islands and create a fantastic night view - a must see if you're in Seoul!
• Banpo Bridge Rainbow Fountain: Banpo Bridge is home to the Moonlight Rainbow Fountain Show and is the world's longest bridge fountain. Nearly 10,000 LED lights and 380 water spraying nozzles make up this beautiful show of water, music, and lights. During the day, the fountain shows a hundred different configurations meant to evoke waving willow branches and willow leaves. When the sun goes down, the fountain is illuminated as it sends out dancing, rainbow-coloured jets of water in the air in synchronization with music.

Visit the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), founded in 1953, separating North and South Korea. With over a million soldiers on watch each day, it is one of the last remnants of the Cold War. With a buffer zone 4km wide and spanning 250 km long there has been very little development in the area, therefore nature and wildlife have pretty much taken over. Spend about 3-4 hours visiting the Demilitarized Zone, then head to The War Memorial of Korea. Later, return back to Seoul for another night in the city. Opt to visit the Samsung Leeum Contemporary Gallery, explore the Itaewon neighbourhood, or prebook the Kimchi making and Hanbok experience.

Included Experiences

• Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) Visit: Visit the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) the de facto border between North and South Korea, which cuts the peninsula in half. Created in 1953, it is the most heavily militarized border in the world.
• The War Memorial Hall of Korea: If you love history - dive right into The War Memorial of Korea. The memorial building serves to exhibit and memorialize the military history of Korea and preserve materials related to the Korean War. Divided into indoor and outdoor exhibits containing about 9,000 artifacts, there sure is a lot to see here!

Optional Experiences

• Kimchi & Hanbok Experience: An instructor will walk you through the Kimchi making process, after which you will make your own with various seasonings to be made to your liking. Also, choose to try wearing various kinds of Hanbok, a traditional Korean dress for semi-formal or formal attire during traditional occasions such as festivals, celebrations, and ceremonies. There will be hair accessories and hats as well if you'd like to have the full Korean experience and take some photos! (25-89 USD per person)
• Samsung Leeum Gallery: Admire the modern architecture of the Samsung Leeum building and the contemporary exhibits inside.
• Itaewon Neighbourhood Visit: Get into the grit of things with a visit to Seoul's Itaewon neighbourhood, the happening place to go. Immerse yourself in bars, clubs, restaurants, and shops, selling everything from tailored suits to furniture, jewelry, and pottery.

Depart at any time.