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Wendy Wu Tours · Classic Cruise & Tour

China by Rail, Japan by Sea

28 days: Beijing to Tokyo by bullet train then cruise ship

Illustration of China by Rail, Japan by Sea

Wendy Wu Tours operates this 28-day rail and cruise combination that blends two weeks of high-speed rail exploration across China with an 11-night cruise from Hong Kong to Tokyo. The journey begins in Beijing, where you walk the Great Wall, visit the Forbidden City, and dine on Peking Duck. From there, five bullet trains carry you through Pingyao, Xian (home of the Terracotta Warriors), Chengdu (where you can visit giant pandas), and Guilin, where you cruise the Li River's karst landscape. On Day 15, you board the Norwegian Jade in Hong Kong and sail through Taiwan and Japan, calling at ports including Nagasaki, Hiroshima, Kochi, and the Fuji viewing point at Shimizu before disembarking in Tokyo. All hotels, meals, transportation, guides, and entrance fees are included. The tour suits travellers seeking guided comfort, those drawn to Chinese history and culture, and food enthusiasts eager to experience regional cuisines from dim sum to Sichuan hot pot. Small group sizes and attentive national escorts create a structured, sociable atmosphere throughout.

What to know before you look closer

  • The first night involves an overnight flight to Beijing; you arrive on Day 2.
  • The cruise portion (Days 15-25) offers several ports with leisure time but does not include guided shore excursions as part of the tour package; activities at ports are largely at your own expense and discretion.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Beijing

    Arrive in Beijing (fly overnight)

    Fly overnight to Beijing, China's historical capital.

  2. Day 2overnight: Beijing

    Arrive in Beijing

    On arrival at the airport, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Depending on your time of arrival the rest of the day is yours to start soaking up the local culture.

  3. Day 3overnight: Beijing

    Explore Beijing

    Walk through Tiananmen Square and into the Forbidden City. Then find harmony in the symmetry of the Temple of Heaven. This evening, dine on local delicacy, Peking Duck.

  4. Day 4overnight: Beijing

    The Great Wall

    Travel out of the city to the Great Wall of China, taking a short walk to appreciate this world-famous structure. Stop at a jade factory before visiting the Sacred Way and Ming Tombs. This evening, enjoy a thrilling acrobatic show.

  5. Day 5railovernight: Pingyao

    Travel to Pingyao

    Transfer to the train station and board a bullet train to Pingyao. Walk the characterful streets to see the Qing Dynasty Yamen building and the Rishengchang Financial House Museum.

  6. Day 6railovernight: Xian

    Travel to Xian

    Morning at leisure (optional noodle making demonstration) before travelling to Xian by bullet train.

  7. Day 7overnight: Xian

    Explore Xian

    Come face to face with the Terracotta Warriors. Watch artisans making smaller warriors. Stroll Xian's 14th-century city walls, before a dumpling banquet and a Tang Dynasty show.

  8. Day 8railovernight: Chengdu

    Travel to Chengdu

    Walk through the Muslim Quarter, then transfer to the station and board a bullet train to Chengdu. Dine on Sichuan hot pot and watch a face changing show.

  9. Day 9overnight: Chengdu

    Explore Chengdu

    Visit the Dujiangyan Panda Research Base (optional volunteer experience). Stroll People's Park and enjoy tea in a traditional teahouse.

  10. Day 10railovernight: Guilin

    Train to Guilin

    Board a bullet train to Guilin, beautifully set on the Li River.

  11. Day 11overnight: Yangshuo

    Li River Cruise

    Cruise the Li River's karst scenery to Yangshuo. Explore Yangshuo's streets and market. This evening, enjoy the Impression of Liu Sanjie show.

  12. Day 12overnight: Guilin

    Around Yangshuo

    Explore the countryside around Yangshuo. Return to Guilin via the Reed Flute Caves.

  13. Day 13railovernight: Hong Kong

    Train to Hong Kong

    Board the bullet train to Hong Kong.

  14. Day 14overnight: Hong Kong

    Explore Hong Kong

    Ride the tram up Victoria Peak, walk Tai Kwun and Hollywood Road, enjoy a dim sum making demonstration, then follow the Avenue of Stars.

  15. Day 15overnight: Norwegian Jade (cruise)

    Board the Norwegian Jade

    Transfer to Hong Kong's cruise terminal to board the Norwegian Jade.

  16. Day 16overnight: Norwegian Jade (cruise)

    Cruise - Kaohsiung

    Dock at Kaohsiung, Taiwan's second largest city and largest port.

  17. Day 17overnight: Norwegian Jade (cruise)

    Cruise - Taipei (Keelung)

    Dock at Keelung, gateway to Taipei. Ascend Taipei 101 and visit Mengjia Longshan Temple and Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall.

  18. Day 18overnight: Norwegian Jade (cruise)

    Cruise - Miyakojima

    Dock at Miyakojima, one of Japan's Okinawa islands.

  19. Day 19overnight: Norwegian Jade (cruise)

    Cruise - At Sea

    A day at sea enjoying the Norwegian Jade's facilities.

  20. Day 20overnight: Norwegian Jade (cruise)

    Cruise - Nagasaki

    Dock at Nagasaki with a day at leisure.

  21. Day 21overnight: Norwegian Jade (cruise)

    Cruise - Kagoshima

    Port at Kagoshima, at the foot of Sakurajima Volcano.

  22. Day 22overnight: Norwegian Jade (cruise)

    Cruise - Hiroshima

    Arrive at Hiroshima; consider visiting the Peace Park.

  23. Day 23overnight: Norwegian Jade (cruise)

    Cruise - Kochi

    Port at Kochi, with a UNESCO Global Geopark coastline and a 400-year-old castle.

  24. Day 24overnight: Norwegian Jade (cruise)

    Cruise - Kyoto (Osaka)

    Arrive in Osaka, the closest port to Kyoto.

  25. Day 25overnight: Norwegian Jade (cruise)

    Cruise - Mount Fuji (Shimizu)

    Port at Shimizu, ideally located for viewing Mount Fuji.

  26. Day 26overnight: Tokyo

    Arrive in Tokyo

    Disembark the Norwegian Jade and transfer to your hotel in Tokyo.

  27. Day 27overnight: Tokyo

    Discover Tokyo

    Visit Sensoji, Nakamise Shopping Street, the Tokyo Skytree, a sushi making masterclass, Imperial Palace Gardens, Meiji Jingu Shrine, Takeshita Street and Shibuya Crossing.

  28. Day 28

    Depart Tokyo

    Free time before your flight home.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 3Walk through Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City, then visit the Temple of Heaven before dining on Peking Duck.
  • Day 4Travel to the Great Wall of China for a short walk, then visit the Ming Tombs and Sacred Way before an acrobatic show.
  • Day 7Stand face to face with the Terracotta Warriors in Xian, stroll the 14th-century city walls, and attend a Tang Dynasty show.
  • Day 11Cruise the Li River's karst scenery from Guilin to Yangshuo, explore the market, and watch the Impression of Liu Sanjie show.
  • Day 25Port at Shimizu with an ideal vantage point for viewing Mount Fuji.

Included

  • 11 night cruise with NCL
  • NCL's - More At Sea™ offer
  • Domestic transportation
  • Touring with English-speaking guides & entrance fees
  • 4* accommodation
  • All meals

Questions travellers ask

What trains are included?
Five high-speed bullet trains: Beijing to Pingyao, Pingyao to Xian, Xian to Chengdu, Chengdu to Guilin, and Guilin to Hong Kong. The cruise from Hong Kong to Tokyo aboard the Norwegian Jade is also included.
Is this tour escorted?
Yes. Wendy Wu Tours provides English-speaking guides and a national escort throughout the land portion (Days 2-14). The cruise portion is unescorted beyond the group travel.
What is included in the price?
11 nights on the Norwegian Jade cruise, 4-star accommodation on land, all meals, domestic transportation, English-speaking guides, entrance fees, and Wendy Wu Tours' More At Sea offer.
How many people travel in the group?
The maximum group size is 28 people.
How much walking is involved?
Physical Rating 1: mostly walking and time on your feet with some steps, rather than covering large distances. A reasonable level of fitness is required.
When does this tour run?
The operator does not publish a departure calendar in the available information. Confirm dates directly with Wendy Wu Tours.

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