China and Japan Express: Beijing to Tokyo

This fifteen-night tour with G Adventures weaves through two of Asia’s most historic countries, China and Japan, moving quickly yet steadily from Beijing to Tokyo. After an arrival day in Beijing, the itinerary begins with a guided visit to Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City, followed by an excursion to the Great Wall where a toboggan or cable car are optional extras. From Xi’an, a chance to see the Terracotta Warriors in person provides a rare line-up of ancient soldiers, remarkably well preserved.

The tour then heads east to Suzhou and Shanghai, where a stroll around the Master of the Nets Garden offers a pause amid the city bustle, capped with an acrobatics show. Crossing to Japan, nights in a Buddhist temple on Mt Kōya and a traditional ryokan provide a more intimate side of Japanese culture than the usual hotel stay. Kyoto’s historical sites, a boat ride on Lake Ashi, and cable car views of Mount Fuji punctuate the journey before Tokyo’s blend of shrines, gardens and shopping districts ends the trail. A train travel essential is the luggage size restriction, something to pack around if your visit includes the famed Shinkansen bullet trains.

Although days can be full and early starts are common, the blend of city landmarks and quieter moments at temples or gardens strikes a balance, revealing layers of familiar sights alongside unexpected local rhythms.