Iconic cities of Asia multi centre holiday

Itinerary in brief: 

• 3 nights Tokyo 
• 3 nights Seoul 
• 3 nights Beijing 
• 2 nights Shanghai 
• 3 nights Hong Kong 
• 3 nights Bangkok 
• 3 nights Singapore

Day 1: Depart UK 

Depart the UK from your chosen airport. 

Included: International flights      

Day 2: Arrive Tokyo        

On arrival in Tokyo, you’ll make your own way into the city, checking into your hotel for three nights. 

Included: 4* hotel

Days 3 & 4: Tokyo   

You have two days to explore Tokyo, and your time is sure to fly by. Why not start in Tsukiji Outer Market, which is always bustling, as visitors and locals come to enjoy delicious food and shop for traditional ingredients? It’s a great spot to grab a snack before heading over to the 400-year-old Zojoji Temple. Sitting next to the Tokyo Tower, the temple is a great place to get a glimpse of Japan’s ancient history and modern architecture side by side.

You can also enjoy a bowl of ramen for lunch before spending the afternoon discovering the serene beauty of Hie Shrine, a quiet haven in the bustling district of Akasaka. Statues of mythical creatures guard the shrine, which sits at the top of several escalators (a modern addition!). The shrine is famous for the 90 bright red tori gates that divide the human world and the spirit world, as well as being a doorway to a place where the gods can hear our prayers. It’s an extraordinary place to visit, so take your time.    

Included: 4* hotel

Day 5: Fly to Seoul 

Head to the airport in Tokyo for the short flight to Seoul, in South Korea. On arrival you’ll be met at the airport and driven to your hotel in the city. Welcome to Seoul, where ancient traditions meet modern day life. Spend the next few days exploring the temples, markets and skyscrapers of the city.

Included: International flights, transfers, 4* hotel

Day 6 & 7: Seoul 

On Day 26, we’ve included a full day tour of the city, exploring with a guide using public transport. Start with a walk to Gwanghwamun Square, a popular space where you’ll often find locals performing or exhibiting art. Next you’ll visit Gyeongbokgung (Gyeongbok) Palace, one of the most beautiful of Seoul’s five palaces, with 330 buildings in the whole complex. If time allows, you’ll get to witness the ceremonial changing of the guard, which takes place at 10am and 2pm at Gwanghwamun Gate. 

Enjoy a delicious local lunch in Insadong before continuing to explore the city – first with a stop at Jogyesa Temple, the heart of Korean Buddhism. Founded in the late 14th century, it has been a central figure in the religion's history, particularly during the Japanese occupation. After this you’ll stop by Changdeokgung Palace, another palace from the Joseon dynasty which is famous for its Secret Garden, where man-made structures were built in harmony with the natural surroundings. Finish your day with a stroll through Ikseondong Coffee Street, a trendy neighbourhood in Seoul known for its charming hanok (traditional Korean houses) transformed into cool cafes, restaurants and shops.

On Day 7, you’ll head out of the city on a shared tour to explore the DMZ, the Korean Demilitarized Zone, an area steeped in history. On arrival at the border of North Korea you'll spend time exploring the various sites and exhibitions including the Freedom Bridge, 3rd Infiltration Tunnel and the Dora Observatory. You'll return back to Seoul in the early afternoon to relax at your hotel before heading out in the evening to enjoy some local food. You'll be exploring Hongdae, a vibrant university district, where you can taste Korean soju, craft beers and trendy cocktails as well as tteokbokki or Korean fried chicken. 

Included: Breakfast, touring, 4* hotel

Day 8: Fly to Beijing

Today is yours to spend at leisure until you are driven to the airport for your flight to China. When you arrive in Beijing, you’ll be met by your guide and taken to your hotel, where you’ll check in for three nights.

Included: Breakfast, international flights, 4* hotel 

Day 9: Great Wall of China

Today you’ll visit the Great Wall of China, one of the most famous landmarks in the world, with your very own private guide. Stretching over 6,000 km, you’ll visit a small but impressive section of the wall, either walking or taking the cable car up to the top. If there’s enough time, you’ll have a picnic on the wall, enjoying the rugged scenery of the ivy-covered stone surrounding you.

Back in Beijing, you’ll head for the Summer Palace. Once a simple imperial garden, it was transformed into one of the capital’s major sites during the 18^th century. During this time, the court decided to relocate each summer, escaping the heat of the Forbidden City. You’ll walk amongst the lakes and pagodas, enjoying the serene gardens and spectacular views.

Included: Breakfast, touring, 4* hotel

Day 10: Forbidden City and Temple of Heaven

After breakfast, you’ll head out on a tour of the Temple of Heaven, with clean, simple architecture and symbolism that reflects ancient Buddhist and Taoist beliefs. Next, you’ll explore the Forbidden City, built in 1420 and, as legend has it, home to 9,999 different rooms.

After exploring the compound, you’ll climb the artificial coal hill behind the Forbidden City for a spectacular view over the whole of Beijing – it’s a magnificent sight. In the evening you can enjoy the city at your own pace. We recommend ordering the famous Beijing duck at a local restaurant.

Included: Breakfast, touring, 4* hotel 

Day 11: Train to Shanghai 

This morning, you’ll be transferred to the station to catch the train to Shanghai. After 5 hours, you’ll arrive in sleek Shanghai, where your local guide will welcome you and take you to check in at your hotel.

Together, you’ll take an evening stroll along the Bund, the city’s famous walkway from the 1930s, before exploring the signs and sounds of Nanjing Road.

Next, you’ll explore the Bund Sightseeing Tunnel that will take you over to the Pudong district, full of skyscrapers and new businesses. You’ll end your walk in the Lujiazui, where you can see the Oriental Pearl TV Tower and the Shanghai Tower, offering panoramic views of the city from the 118th floor.

Included: Breakfast, train tickets, touring, 4* hotel

Day 12: Shanghai

Today your guide will take you on a city tour, starting in the Shanghai Museum. The ancient Chinese bronze collection has no equivalent in the world, and the Qing dynasty jade is stunning. Next, you’ll explore the Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Centre before walking through the Old Town, where the locals chat in the narrow side streets. You’ll take a tea break at the Huxinting Teahouse before meeting a gardener, who will teach you about the art of Bonsai plants in the famous Yu Garden.

Included: Breakfast, touring, 4* hotel

Day 13: Train to Hong Kong          

This morning, your guide will take you to Fuxing Park, where you can watch dozens of local people practising their ritual of morning exercise. Next, you’ll explore the French Concession, where colonial buildings have recently been transformed into classy restaurants and boutiques.

Afterwards, you’ll head to Tianzfang, where you can get lost in a maze of alleyway full of small galleries and bars. In the evening, you’ll be driven to the train station, where you’ll board the overnight train in a hard sleeper cabin to Hong Kong. The journey lasts 19 hours.

Included: Breakfast, train tickets, touring, 4* hotel

Days 14 & 15: Hong Kong 

You’ll have two full days to explore Hong Kong. Depending on where you are staying, be sure to take the star ferry over to Hong Kong Island – highlights include visiting Stanley Market on the southern shores and the spectacular harbour views from Victoria Peak. We recommend heading up on the tram in the late afternoon, seeing the cities transform from day to night is wonderful. If you’re staying on the island, make sure you visit Kowloon – afternoon tea at the Peninsula Hotel, walking along the Avenue of the Stars and tasting local delicacies at Temple Street Night Market are not to be missed. If you want to get out of the city, you could head over to Lantau, where a glass floored cable car soars over the water to get to the Giant Buddha.

Included: Breakfast, 4* hotel

Day 16: Fly to Bangkok

This morning, you can relax before your guide arrives to take you to the airport for your flight home.

Included: Breakfast, transfers, international flights, 4* hotel 

Day 17 & 18: Bangkok

On your first full day in Bangkok, you'll enjoy a half day tour to Bangkok’s most famous temple, Wat Pho. In the mornings the monks begin their ritual of chanting, an uplifting and private experience within the temple grounds before marvelling at the 45 metre long Reclining Buddha, with intricate mother of pearl feet and stunning golden skin.

Next you’ll explore the Grand Palace, where the majestic buildings are encrusted with golden tiles and ruby mosaics, with spiky roofs pointing into the sky. Here you’ll enter the holy sanctuary of the Emerald Buddha, the most revered Buddha image in the country, where many local people come every day to worship.

The rest of your time in Bangkok is yours to explore at your leisure. If it’s a weekend why not head to Chatuchak Weekend Market, where you can buy jewellery, furniture and food – and everything in between! Another option is to hop on a boat and enjoy the journey upriver through the city, stopping off to try dumplings in the alleys of Chinatown, enjoying the air conditioning of the enormous Central World shopping mall and lizard-spotting in the haven of green space that is Lumpini Park.

Later, why not head to Silom and hop between the busy bars and night market, where you can buy clothes and souvenirs, as well as taste the delicious street food from the stalls that line the pavements. Finish the night at rooftop bar where you can drink in the spectacular views of the city as well as one of the many cocktails on the menu.

Included: Breakfast, touring, 4* hotel 

Day 19: Fly to Singapore 

Enjoy breakfast in Bangkok before being driven to the airport for the flight to Singapore, your final stop on this epic Asian adventure! On arrival in Singapore, you'll be met and driven to your hotel, checking in for three nights. Why not head straight out to explore the harbour and admire the famous Singapore MerLion? 

Included: Breakfast, transfers, international flights, 4* hotel 

Days 20 & 21: Singapore 

Spend a couple of days exploring this island city – strolling along the harbourfront, enjoying the lush Botanical Gardens and shopping in the designer boutiques of Orchard Road. We’ve included a short walking tour which will give you some insight into Singapore’s heritage – you’ll walk along the river to see a local fishing village and learn about the colonial buildings and bridges before having afternoon tea at the grand Fullerton Hotel.

Singapore is melting pot of culture and the best place to experience this is in its food – try dumplings from the hawker stalls of Chinatown, spicy curries in Little India or nutty satay in the Malay District. As the sun sets, make sure you take a walk-through Gardens by the Bay; the enormous illuminated “trees” are a spectacular sight at night.  

Included: Breakfast, touring, 4* hotel 

Days 22: Singapore to UK

After breakfast, you'll be met and driven to the airport in time for your flight home. 

Included: Transfers, international flights