17 Day Incredible China and Japan Cruise Odyssey

Ni Hao! Welcome to Beijing – China!

Upon arrival at Beijing Capital International Airport, be warmly greeted and transferred to your hotel for a well-deserved rest. Get ready to embark on a spectacular journey.

Beijing, China’s sprawling capital, is a vibrant fusion of ancient history and modern innovation. Explore bustling markets, traditional hutongs, and modern architectural marvels. A city where tradition and progress coexist harmoniously.

Meals: In-flight
Accommodation: Ramada Beijing North Hotel 4* or similar

Please Note: Although most flights arrive late at night, due to airline flight scheduling and availability, some departures may occur one day prior.

After a breakfast, explore the iconic imperial treasures of Beijing with your guide. Begin at Tiananmen Square, the world’s largest public square and a symbol of China’s history and national pride. Surrounded by landmarks like the Forbidden City and Mao Zedong’s Mausoleum, the square has witnessed significant historical events and remains a focal point of Chinese culture.

Later, explore the city at your own pace or join an optional excursion to enhance your experience.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Ramada Beijing North Hotel 4* or similar

Please Note: If you choose not to join an optional tour today, you will be dropped off at a designated location and informed about the pick-up time and place, typically 4-5 hours later. If you prefer not to wait, you can take a taxi back to the hotel at your own expense.

Today’s excursion is one of the most anticipated of your trip – a visit to the Great Wall of China. Often recognized as one of the Seven Wonders of the World, this UNESCO World Heritage site is a staggering feat of engineering and a bucket list destination.

Explore the Juyongguan section of the Great Wall, renowned as one of the Wall’s three most famous passes. Situated just 60 kilometers from downtown Beijing, this historic stronghold once defended the northern approaches to the city. During your visit, you’ll have the opportunity to climb a segment of this architectural wonder, which extends an impressive 21,000 kilometers.

En route back to Beijing stop to visit one of the largest jade exhibitions in China and learn all about China’s most precious and celebrated stone.

Upon returning to Beijing, the rest of the day is yours to spend at leisure or to participate in one of our optional excursions.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Ramada Beijing North Hotel 4* or similar

Begin your day with a visit to a Chinese herbal institute, where you have the opportunity to learn about traditional Chinese medicine. Later visit the Temple of Heaven, seen as the most holy of Beijing’s imperial temples. It has been described as “a masterpiece of architecture and landscape design”. Morning is the best time to visit it. Experience local life with morning exercises. 

In the afternoon board the bullet train to reach the city of Wuxi. China’s bullet train network is now the most expansive in the world and you’ll be rocketing towards Wuxi at speeds up to 300km/hr. Upon arrival in Wuxi, you’ll be met and escorted to your hotel where you can spend the rest of the day relaxing, exploring or spending time with newly made friends.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Grand Park Hotel Wuxi 4* or similar

Marvel at Lake Lihu, renowned for its serene beauty and cultural significance. Surrounded by lush greenery and traditional Chinese gardens, the lake offers peaceful boat rides and picturesque views. The area is dotted with ancient bridges, pavilions, and historical landmarks.

Locally, it is famous thanks to the work of numerous scholars, who have written that notable historical figures, such as Fan Li and Xi Shi, boated here. Visit a freshwater pearl farm to learn about pearl cultivation before continuing to your overnight accommodation in Suzhou.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Lakeside Hotel Suzhou 4* or similar

Explore the Lingering Garden, one of Suzhou’s classical gardens, and a UNESCO World Heritage site. The garden is famous for its exquisite classical Chinese landscape design, featuring serene ponds, elegant pavilions, rockeries, and meticulously arranged plants.

After, continue to the Suzhou Silk Factory, one of the largest silk manufacturers in the country. Discover the incredible methods that lay behind silk harvesting.

This afternoon continue on to Hangzhou, once described by Marco Polo as “the most beautiful and magnificent city in the world”.

Upon arrival in Hangzhou you’ll have the evening free to spend at your leisure or take up the optional excursion (additional cost) enjoying a performance.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Merchant Marco Garden Hotel Hangzhou 4* or similar

The city of Hangzhou, known as ‘Paradise on Earth’, has been immortalised by countless poets and artists. The most renowned feature here is the West Lake Cultural Landscape of Hangzhou, which has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

After your visit to the West Lake, continue on to a tea plantation to taste Dragon Well tea, otherwise known as Longjing – a much sought-after local green tea leaf. Green tea is said to be great for health and wellbeing, packed with antioxidants, and today you’ll have the opportunity to learn more about China’s tea culture.

Following lunch (own expense), drive to Shanghai, on China’s central coast. This evening, you’ll have the opportunity to get a glimpse of Shanghai’s dazzling skyline by joining the optional Huangpu River Cruise ride.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Novotel Shanghai Qingpu Excellence 4* or similar

Enjoy a full day in Shanghai – a city of some 26 million people and an important global financial hub.

After breakfast, travel to the Bund, a famous waterfront area in Shanghai that’s lined with colonial architecture of European design. The Bund is perhaps the best representation of a Western influence of a bygone era.

Following your tour here, the rest of the day is yours to spend as you please – relax or enjoy one of the optional tours and activities to help enhance your experience.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Novotel Shanghai Qingpu Excellence 4* or similar

Enjoy a morning to continue exploring this truly vibrant metropolis, blending modern skyscrapers with historic landmarks. In time, make your way to Shanghai’s Wusongkou International Cruise Terminal port to embark on board RCL Spectrum of the Seas for your Japan Cruise Odyssey return sailing from Shanghai.  Set sail later this evening.

Spectrum of the Seas, offers a luxurious blend of innovation and comfort. As one of the line’s Quantum Ultra Class ships, it features cutting-edge amenities like the North Star observation capsule, offering breathtaking 360-degree views. Guests can enjoy world-class dining, including Chinese and international cuisines, along with entertainment such as Broadway-style shows and themed parties. The ship boasts spacious staterooms, a serene spa, and diverse recreational options like the RipCord by iFly skydiving experience. Ideal for families and couples, Spectrum delivers an unforgettable voyage with exciting activities and exceptional service.

Meals: Breakfasts, Dinner
Accommodation: Spectrum of the Sea, Ocean View Balcony

A day at sea is an unforgettable experience filled with luxury, adventure, and relaxation. As the ship glides through the ocean its the perfect opportunity to fully immerse yourself in everything the ship has to offer. A list of activities and entertainment can be found in your cabin on the newsletter delivered daily.

If you prefer something quieter, you can always find a cozy spot to read or relax with a drink, watching the vast, endless horizon of the sea. As the day winds down, enjoy a gourmet dinner at one of the ship’s specialty restaurants, followed by an evening show.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Spectrum of the Sea, Ocean View Balcony

Perched on a hill sloping down to the sea, Kobe is a maritime gateway to one of Japan’s most metropolitan cities. Mt. Rokko dominates the skyline — from the summit, you can glimpse one of the best views in all Japan. Of course, Kobe’s also famous for breeding Wagyu cows that produce some of the highest-quality beef in the world. The stuff is so delicious that almost every restaurant in the area stocks it. Cruise to Japan and make your visit a full foodie mission and stop off at Osaka to indulge in the local tradition of kuidaore — “eat until you drop.”

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Spectrum of the Sea, Ocean View Balcony

Easily accessible by train from Osaka, Kyoto was Japan’s ancient capital city. Today, it remains the country’s unofficial capital of culture, history and cuisine. Explore the centuries-old Kiyomizu-dera Buddhist temple, perched a top a hill surrounded by cherry trees. Center yourself at Fushimi Inari-taisha Shinto shrine, with its long, meditative rows of red torii gates. Cruise to Osaka and stroll through mysterious gardens of raked gravel at Ryoan-ji temple, or roam through a bamboo forest at Arashiyama, called the Philosopher’s Path for its peaceful, reflective vibe. Then, see the bustling side of Kyoto at the Higashiyama District, where narrow streets lined with shops and restaurants wind up the side of picturesque Mount Otowa.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Spectrum of the Sea, Ocean View Balcony

Yokohama is the central gateway to exploring Tokyo, a once-humble fishing village that is now one of the world’s biggest, most densely populated cities. You’ll find an eclectic mix of traditional shrines and soaring skyscrapers lining these neon-lit streets. Walk the Rainbow Bridge over Tokyo Bay alongside the Yurikamome Rail Line, a futuristic, operatorless train system. Then, see old Tokyo at the Imperial Palace, an Edo Castle surrounded by moats and gardens perfect for strolling. Cruise to Tokyo and head to iconic Sensoji Buddhist Temple and pass below the massive red paper lantern of the Thunder Gate. Then, unwind in Yoyogi Park, a literal forest in the heart of the city, complete with Zen gardens and a gingko tree forest.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Spectrum of the Sea, Ocean View Balcony

Spend a peaceful day cruising the open sea, surrounded by calm waters and refreshing ocean breezes.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Spectrum of the Sea, Ocean View Balcony

Spend a peaceful day cruising the open sea, surrounded by calm waters and refreshing ocean breezes.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Spectrum of the Sea, Ocean View Balcony

After a final breakfast on board, its time to say goodbye to your floating retreat and your crew and disembark Spectrum of the Seas and transfer to the airport for your departure flight. 

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: In-flight

Welcome home. We hope you have enjoyed your Incredible China adventure and scenic Japan Cruise Odyssey with AVG Travels.