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China & South Korea Express

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 Trip Length
23 Days
 Trip Starts
Beijing
 Trip Finishes
Seoul
23 Day China & South Korea Express Itinerary (Scenic)
Countries Explored: China, South Korea
Trip Operator
Trip Style
River Cruise
Accommodation
4.5 - 5 Star
Max. Group Size
24
Guide Level
Fully Guided, Locally Guided
Trip Code
CHSK-1

Overview

Book online and enjoy exclusive savings on Scenic's 23 Day China & South Korea Express. Explore the culture of one of the most ancient civilisations of the world and continue on to explore a country that has risen from the ashes of a hard-won war to become one of the fastest growing economies in Asia. Through China’s most prominent cities, you will have the chance to explore the famed sites of the country, including the Great Wall of China, Xi’an’s terracotta warriors, the Forbidden City, as well as meet the adorable giant panda, and enjoy a home-hosted meal in a traditional local house. In South...read more Korea, visit the DMZ for your first view of the isolated country of North Korea, immerse yourself into the hustle and bustle of Seoul, experience life in a ‘Slow City’, and offer prayers at the sacred Haeinsa Temple.

Itinerary

Welcome to China. Begin your discovery with a welcome dinner of the famous Peking duck. Your home for the next three nights is Beijing, your hotel is located close to the Forbidden City and many shopping malls. (D)

Start your journey with a visit to China’s most iconic attraction, the Great Wall at Mutianyu. Freechoice: Look forward to an unforgettable evening at either the famed Peking Opera or the spectacular Kung Fu Show. (B/L)

Wander through Tiananmen Square, the largest public square in the world and enter the mysterious Forbidden City, completed in 1420 and home to 24 emperors until the last Qing emperor, Puyi, left in 1924. Enrich: Visit a private section of the Forbidden City. Once used as the living quarters of Emperor Qianlong, this section is not usually open to the general public. Afterwards, enjoy lunch with a local family in a traditional home to experience what it would have been like to live in the Hutongs, before relaxing on a rickshaw ride through the ancient alleyways. Freechoice Dining: Choose between mixed Asian at Lost Heaven or Western cuisine at the Exchange. (B/L/D)

Explore the landscaped beauty of the Summer Palace, the last but largest of the summer palaces of the Chinese emperors. Cruise Kunming Lake before flying to Yichang to join your cruise, the Yangzi Explorer. On board, enjoy included wine and beer with lunch and dinner. (B/L/D)

Visit the Three Gorges Dam project site. Later, sail through Xiling Gorge while sampling afternoon tea. Tonight, enjoy the Captain’s reception. (B/L/D)

Glide through the dramatic gorges of Shennong Stream by longboat (sampan). Later, traverse Wu Gorge, known for its sheer rock walls, and Qutang Gorge, the most dramatic of the three gorges. (B/L/D)

Enjoy an insightful excursion to Fuling and 816 Underground Project. Tonight, mingle at the Taste of China Gala Dinner. Be sure to dress in your finest Chinese outfit. (B/L/D)

Disembark and visit Chongqing Zoo to see the rare and treasured Giant panda before travelling by high speed train to Xi’an. Later, check into your historically located in Xi’an for a three night stay. (B/L)

Enrich: Gaze at Emperor Qin Shi Huang’s amazing Terracotta Warriors in the company of a museum curator, an amazing opportunity to learn first-hand about the restoration process. Enjoy a stroll around the Big Wild Goose Pagoda and Thanksgiving Temple. Enrich: Be treated to a special private after hours viewing of ancient artefacts at the Xi’an Qujiang Museum of Fine Arts. Savour refreshing drinks and learn about the history of Shaanxi Province from the museum’s curator. Sundowners Enjoy refreshments overlooking the Big Wild Goose Pagoda at sunset. (B/L)

Visit a local painter’s home in nearby Hu Xi’an County, famous for its rural peasant paintings, and learn about his art before you enjoy lunch with his family. Later explore Xi’an’s ancient city wall on foot, by push bike or electric buggy. Tonight enjoy the wonderful Tang Dynasty Cultural Show with dinner. (B/L/D)

This morning explore the Muslim Quarter, an integral part of daily life in Xi’an at the eastern end of the Silk Road. Later fly to Shanghai and experience the speed of the Maglev train from the airport before settling into your luxurious hotel for a three night Special Stay. (B/L)

Discover Shanghai’s stark historical contrasts. Stroll along the famous Bund before comparing its heritage buildings to those in Yu Gardens. Across the Huangpu River, explore the Pudong area and discover modern China. Admire the view from Shanghai Tower, the tallest building in Pudong. Tonight, enjoy the agility and skill of the Shanghai Acrobats. (B/L)

Freechoice: Wander through the Shanghai Museum and People’s Square. Explore the French Concession and Xintiandi pedestrian dining and entertainment area and its unique 1920’s ‘shikumen’ buildings. Alternatively, visit Zhujiajiao, a town with a rich canal life and a wealth of traditional buildings and bridges, or cruise along Huangpu River. Later, spend your free time exploring shopping opportunities on Nanjing Road before enjoying your Chinese farewell dinner. (B/D)

It’s time to bid farewell to China and transfer to Shanghai airport for your flight to Seoul, South Korea. Upon arrival in Incheon, transfer to your hotel in Seoul for a three night Special Stay in your Executive Floor rooms. Meet your Korean Tour Director at tonight’s welcome briefing and dinner. (B/D)

Begin your exploration of Seoul with a visit to arguably the most beautiful of the five Grand Joseon Palaces, Changdeokgung Palace. Your visit to this World Heritage-listed palace would not be complete without a stroll through the Secret Garden contained within. This afternoon witness the changing of the Royal Guard at Deoksugung Palace before moving to the Korean Furniture Museum, housing over 2,000 pieces of Joseon Dynasty furniture in 10 restored traditional Korean houses known as hanok. Also located nearby is the Korean Stone Art Museum. Sundowners From the outdoor stone garden of the Korean Stone Art Museum, enjoy a panoramic view of Seoul at dusk with canapés and drinks and get to know your fellow travellers. (B/L)

Leave early this morning to drive to the De-militarised Zone (DMZ) for a morning of exploration, and views of North Korea. Visit the Dora Observatory, Dorasan Station and Freedom Bridge and go underground by monorail to the third infiltration Tunnel. Return to Seoul this afternoon and shop at the largest traditional market in South Korea, Namdaemun Market, located next to the Great South Gate of the original old city.

Enrich: Immerse yourself into the Korean culture at the Hyo Jae Cultural Hall where you can try on Hanbok, the traditional Korean dress, or try your hand at Bojagi, a traditional Korean wrapping cloth. Enjoy a meal of Bibimbap, a rice preparation with meat and vegetables, with your host Lee Hyo-Jae, known as Korea’s Martha Stuart. (B/L/D)

Relax in your Deluxe Class seats on the KTX high-speed train ride to Gwangju. Feel at peace on your walk through the Juknokwon bamboo forest before visiting Samjinae village to experience ‘slow living’ at the designated ‘Slow City’. Try your hand at making Hangwa, Korean traditional sweets before returning to Gwangju to check into your hotel for a night at leisure. (B/L)

Begin your drive to Mount Gayasan National Park. Visit the Haeinsa Temple, famous for being the home of the Tripitaka Koreana since 1398, a collection of 81,350 wooden printing blocks with the Buddhist Scriptures carved on them. Enrich: This afternoon at Gayatgo Village, enjoy a hands on experience crafting your own mini Gayageum, a zither-like 12-string Korean musical instrument. It is yours to take home as a keepsake. Continue onto Gyeongju, known as the ‘museum without walls’ and check into your hotel for a two night stay. (B/L/D)

Visit the National Museum, home to relics from the Silla Kingdom when Gyeongju was the capital. View the Cheomseongdae Observatory, Tumuli Park, a collection of royal Silla tombs and Anapji Pond. Lunch is a hands on cooking class of cuisine from the Shilla Dynasty. Later, visit World Heritage-listed Bulguksa Temple and Seokguram Grotto. (B/L)

Begin our drive to Busan with a stop en route at Tongdosa, one of the most important temples in Korea and the head temple of the Jogye Order. Freechoice: Visit the Gamcheon Culture Village, once a modest mountainside community that has been transformed into an art hotspot, or ride the Danubi ‘Train’ around Taejongdae Park Rocky Cliff, famous for its seascapes. Alternatively, visit Haedong Yonggungsa Temple, a Buddhist temple built in 1376. Check into your hotel in Busan on the beachfront for a two night stay. (B/L)

From Busan Tower, admire the views of the coastline and the port city before moving to Jagalchi Fish Market, the largest in South Korea. Next, visit BIFF Square and nearby Kukje Market, known for its Mokja Golmok – Let’s Eat Alley. This afternoon, drive to Jinhae and visit Jinhae Dream Park with the famous Yeojwacheon Stream. Also visit the NFRDI Environment Eco-Park and Jangboksan Sculpture Park to see the red and orange foliage in autumn and delicate blossoms in spring. Freechoice: Enjoy fine Italian cuisine at the converted art gallery, Kitchen Dongbaek or sample high quality Korean sirloin BBQ at Daedo Korean restaurant. (B/D)

Travel in your Deluxe Class seats on the KTX high-speed train to Seoul. Upon arrival, drive to the Gangnam District to have your photo taken in front of the Statue of Gangnam Style. Spend some free time at the COEX underground shopping mall, the largest in Asia. Later, check into your hotel before savouring your sumptuous Korean Bulgogi BBQ feast as your farewell dinner. (B/D)

Say farewell to this intriguing land and transfer to Incheon airport for your onward journey. Please note: pre-release itinerary subject to change (B)

Trip Inclusions

Five Star Luxury
Five Star Luxury

With Scenic, perks and privileges come included. Enjoy a full range of luxurious benefits that will enhance your experience throughout your journey. Read more

Scenic Freechoice
Scenic Freechoice

These are hand-selected activities for you to choose from and enjoy at a pace that suits you. Read more

Scenic Enrich
Scenic Enrich

These are experiences that offer once-in-a-lifetime multi-sensory moments that are completely inaccessible to the ordinary traveller. Read more

The nth Degree
The nth Degree

Whether you’re travelling by road, ship or rail, you can look forward to first class or luxury standard transport with comfort and enjoyment in mind. Read more

Special Stays
Special Stays

Every carefully selected hotel on our tours has been handpicked by our expert Journey Designer to ensure it offers outstanding location and luxury. Read more

Yangtze Cruising
Yangtze Cruising

While cruising, you can look forward to private balcony cabins and on board inclusions exclusive to Scenic guests plus a dedicated Scenic Cruise Director.

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Brochure

South East Asia

Scenic South East Asia (2023-24)

We invite you to the trip of a lifetime exploring the fascinating Mekong River through Vietnam and Cambodia in 5-star, truly all-inclusive luxury. Scenic Spirit will be your oasis after a day exploring. Indulge in an abundance of luxurious spaces, from your private suite with its own separate bedroom, living room and balcony to a variety of dining,...more wellness and relaxation areas.

Prices & Dates

There are currently no departures available on this trip. Either it's the end of the season and new departures will be released shortly, or this itinerary has been changed and will no longer continue. Feel free to contact us for information about when next seasons dates will be released or click here to view the general release dates for all destinations.

Note
Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Prices and trip information are correct at the time at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by Scenic. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from Scenic. These should be treated as indicative only. Cabin inclusions, upholsteries and room layout may differ to the image(s) shown depending on the ship selected and your sailing dates.

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