East Asia itineraries
Sample itineraries written by our East Asia experts
Our East Asia travel specialists have written the following itineraries to help plan your trip. Not sure where to begin? Contact us now and we'll connect you with a specialist tour operator for expert East Asia advice.
14 days
Japan’s Cities And Countryside Itinerary
12 day temples, teahouses and Tokyo itinerary
Tokyo (3 days) →
Hakone (2) →
Kyoto (2) →
Himeji (1) →
Kanazawa (2) →
Takayama (2) →
Tokyo (2)
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7 days
Historic north east
Wall and warriors
Beijing (2 days) →
Great Wall of China (1) →
Xi'an (2) →
Pingyao (1) →
Beijing (1)
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10 days
China’s Golden Triangle
The big three
Beijing (3 days) →
Xi'an (2) →
Shanghai (3) →
Hangzhou (2)
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14 days
China overland
Metropolises, teahouses and ancient history
Beijing (3 days) →
Great Wall of China (1) →
Xi'an (2) →
Shanghai (3) →
Chengdu (2) →
Yangshuo (3)
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15 days
Japan food and art trail
Japanese culture in depth
Tokyo (3 days) →
Matsumoto (1) →
Takayama (2) →
Kyoto (3) →
Takamatsu (2) →
Osaka (4)
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14 days
Cities of Japan
Tokyo, Osaka, Hiroshima and beyond
Tokyo (3 days) →
Hakone (2) →
Kyoto (3) →
Hiroshima (2) →
Kinosaki (1) →
Osaka (3)
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15 days
Rural Japan route
Go beyond the big cities into the heart of Japan
Kyoto (3 days) →
Hiroshima (2) →
Takamatsu (3) →
Iya Valley (2) →
Himeji (1) →
Osaka (4)
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Tibet
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China
Beautiful chaos and ancient history
Vast, varied and constantly changing, China is a heaving mix of the past and future... -
Beijing
With a history dating back over three millennia, China’s mammoth capital is a proud celebration of old and new — showcasing shiny modern skyscrapers alongside the imposing Ming and Qing-era Forbidden Palace... -
Xi'an
The eastern end of the ancient Silk Road and one of China’s historical capitals, Xi’an is a fascinating fusion of culture, food, archaeology and history... -
Shanghai
Shanghai is China’s biggest city and a rising financial powerhouse... -
Chengdu
The charming city of Chengdu, with its beautiful traditional teahouses, is the perfect place to experience China’s famed tea-drinking culture... -
Great Wall of China
Mutianyu is easy to reach from downtown Beijing and home to one of the best-preserved sections of the Great Wall of China, with densely distributed watchtowers and breathtaking woodland views... -
Yangshuo
In recent years Yangshuo has transformed from a quiet rural settlement into one of China’s most popular tourist destinations... -
Hangzhou
There aren’t many images of China more iconic than Hangzhou’s West Lake... -
Pingyao
Considered China’ best-preserved ancient walled city, Pingyao Ancient City (its appropriate official name) is famous for its largely intact Ming and Qing-dynasty infrastructure and architecture... -
Mongolia
Mongolia is a landlocked and sparsely populated country situated on the vast steppes sandwiched between China and Russia... -
Ulaanbaatar
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Khogno Khan National Park
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Orkhon River Valley
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Uran Togoo
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Khovsgol Nuur National Park
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Ulgii
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Khovd
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Amarbayasgalant
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Khatgal
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Khutag Undur
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Murun
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Bulgan
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Altai Mountains
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Deluun
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Erdenedalai
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Suman Gol
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Terkhiin Tsagaan Nuur National Park
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Telmen Nuur
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Khar Nuur
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Khyargas Nuur
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Shazgai Nuur
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Baga Gazriin Chuluu
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Dalanzadgad
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Gobi Gurvan Saikhan National Park
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Khongoryn Els Sand Dunes
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Flaming Cliffs
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Khangai Mountains
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Jargalant
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Khustain Nuruu National Park
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Mandalgovi
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Ulaan Tsutgalan
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Ikh Nart Nature Reserve
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Ikh Gazriin Chuluu
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Gorkhi Terelj National Park
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Khentii
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Baldan Bereeven Khiid
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Dadal
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Ondorkhan (Chinggis)
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Uliastai
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Altai Tavan Bogd
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Khermen Tsav
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Kharkhorin
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Naiman Nuur
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Bayan Gobi
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Japan
Ancient culture and futuristic cities
Think Japan is just futuristic cities and advanced technology? Think again... -
Tokyo
Tokyo has more Michelin-starred restaurants than any other city in the world, but it’s not just about famous restaurants and high prices... -
Kyoto
Kyoto is home to more than 2,000 atmospheric temples and shrines... -
Takayama
Little Takayama in Central Honshu is famous for its taste of rural Japan... -
Matsumoto
The alpine city of Matsumoto is famous for many things – it’s renowned for producing incredible art and artists, its beautiful setting in the northern Japanese Alps and for being the birthplace of soba (buckwheat) noodles, a Japanese delicacy... -
Hakone
Hakone is best known for its natural onsen (hot spa pools) and views of Mount Fuji... -
Kinosaki
Kinosaki is the archetypal onsen town — as well as being tourist-friendly... -
Himeji
Built in 1580, Himeji-jo has a legitimate claim to be Japan’s most magnificent castle... -
Takamatsu
The gardens of Ritsurin Park are one of Takamatsu main attractions and are the perfect place to relax... -
Osaka
Japan’s third-largest city might not be its prettiest, but it is one of its most welcoming... -
Hiroshima
While modern Hiroshima is a thriving, cosmopolitan city, it will always be known as the city destroyed by the world’s first atomic bomb... -
Iya Valley
The Iya Valley is a huge expanse of tree-lined mountains and deep river gorges, home to tiny villages, hot springs and great views... -
Kanazawa
Kanazawa is capital of the Ishikawa Prefecture and was largely undamaged by World War Two air raids, making it a great place to explore Japan’s historical architecture, such as the Nagamachi samurai district... -
Mt Fuji
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Taiwan
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Expert itineraries
Suggested itineraries and routes to help you scratch beneath the surface, avoid the tourist traps, and plan an authentic, responsible and enjoyable journey.
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