16-day Beijing, Korea and Traditional Japan Tour

Welcome to China. Transfer to the hotel. In the late afternoon, we'll get our first taste of this impressive city. We include a transfer to the famous Wangfujing Street. This street is a lively pedestrian and commercial thoroughfare with many shops and restaurants. Dinner is included. Afterwards, return to the hotel.

During this day we will visit: The Imperial Palace, better known as “the Forbidden City”, one of the world heritage sites. We will also have the opportunity to visit the Jingshan Park where the Coal Hill is located, one of the best preserved imperial gardens in Beijing. We will ascend to the top of the hill to have the best views (if the day is clear) over the Forbidden City. It will be well worth the effort. We continue to Tian An Men Square, one of the largest in the world, and from the outside, we will appreciate the National Grand Theater, Beijing's opera house. Lunch included. In the afternoon we will visit the Summer Palace which was a summer garden for the imperial household of the Qing Dynasty. In the afternoon we include an excursion by tricycle (typical three-wheeled bicycle) through the traditional neighborhoods of Beijing, known as Hutong. In this area we will be able to see the characteristic lifestyle of the residents of these popular neighborhoods, visit typical stores and even visit a traditional hutong house, a Siheyuan, with all its rooms around a courtyard. Return to the hotel and overnight.

Translated with DeepL.com (free version)*Note: For reasons of heritage protection and increased visitor safety, the governing body of the Imperial Palace or Forbidden City has reduced the daily capacity of visitors for an undetermined period of time. For this reason, we cannot guarantee that such a visit can take place. In case it cannot take place, it would be replaced by a visit to the Temple of Confucius and also to the Temple of the Lama, both also emblematic of Chinese history and culture.*Note: For reasons of heritage protection and increased visitor safety, the governing body of the Imperial Palace or Forbidden City has reduced the daily capacity of visitors for an undetermined period of time. For this reason, we cannot guarantee that such a visit can take place. In case it cannot take place, it would be replaced by a visit to the Temple of Confucius and also to the Temple of the Lama, both also emblematic of Chinese history and culture.

Excursion to the Great Wall (Mutianyu section), spectacular and grandiose architectural work, its history covers more than 2,000 years. We include funicular up and down to the Great Wall. Returning to Beijing we will stop at the 798 district with its contemporary art located in a former military factory. Next, tour the Temple of Heaven, the largest group of temples in China and one of the most original and impressive buildings in Beijing. We will learn about traditional Chinese medicine, which for centuries has supported the theory that our health is linked to the health of our feet. We will relax and enjoy a foot massage. We will also receive a Tai Chi class. Afterwards, return to the hotel and overnight. Dinner of lacquered duck included.

After breakfast transfer to the airport for your flight to Seoul, welcome to Korea! Transfer to your hotel. Meet your guide. At the end of the afternoon we will introduce you to this fascinating country, with our guide we will ride the modern and efficient Metro (he will teach us how to use this public transport) to City Hall to see this Tsunami-shaped building. We will also see, in front of the City Hall, the Deoksugung Palace, illuminated at night and that allows us to appreciate together the tradition and modernity in this country. Afterwards, we will walk to the Myeongdong district, the largest shopping and living area in Korea, its name means 'shining tunnel'. Dinner included in a local restaurant. Lodging.

Today we include a long visit of about five hours in Seoul. We will visit the Changdeokgung Palace, a World Heritage Site, a set of palaces within a large park. After that we will walk through Bukchon Hanok village, a traditional historic district of small houses. Later we visit the War Memorial, an impressive war museum which is a good way to the old Koreas, and in is the most is the one in which the soldiers of many countries participated with the United Nations. Lunch included in a local restaurant. We continue to Gangnam District, one of the busiest areas of the city, where numerous shopping and entertainment centers are located. Finally, we stop at LOTTE WORLD TOWER, an impressive 550-meter high building, where you will have free time to climb the tower (entrance fee not included) or stroll through its park or luxury shopping malls. Return to the hotel and free time.
6Seoul , Suwon , Jeonju

Today we will visit the Gyeongbokgung Palace, an impressive palace with 600 years of history, where we will attend -if it takes place- the changing of the guard ceremony. Departure from Seoul to the south of Korea. We arrive in SUWON, the ancient capital of Korea, known for its impressive World Heritage Walls. We will see the impressive wall with its fortifications and visit Hwaseong Haenggung, the summer palace. Lunch included. We continue to JEONJU, we know its fascinating old town (hanok village), with all its houses, traditional stores and art galleries.

Departure to SUNCHANG GOCHUJANG VILLAGE at the foot of Amisan Mountain, with its hanok and courtyards full of clay pots, known as hang-a-ri, is home to skilled artisans of gochujang (Korean chili paste) using traditional methods. We will enjoy the experience of learning how this traditional sauce is prepared. Afterwards, departure to DAMYANG where we will visit the Juknokwon Bamboo Forest whose paths have been declared the most beautiful in the country, perfect for meditating quietly and feeling the cool breeze. We will find all kinds of products made from this tree, which is studied and venerated in centers such as the Bamboo Museum. Lunch included, we will taste the typical rice dish served and cooked in a bamboo stalk. Among breathtaking mountain scenery covered with forests we arrive at HAEINSA to visit one of the most important Buddhist temples in the country and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Built in 802, here is kept the Tripitaka, the most complete collection of Buddhist texts engraved on 80,000 wooden tablets. Continuation to BUSAN. We are in the second city of Korea, with a hectic life. Lodging.

Busan , Osaka
In the morning, we will leave Busan to visit HAEDONG YONGGUNG, a 14th century Buddhist temple located by the sea. Return to Busan. We will visit the United Nations Memorial, with its cemetery where people from many countries are buried. We will approach the largest fish market in this country which is located next to the port of Nampo. Lunch included in a local restaurant. Afterwards, transfer to the airport to take the flight (included) to the city of OSAKA, welcome to Japan! Arrival, transfer to the hotel and accommodation.

At 11:30 a.m. we will leave the city towards the sacred mountain of MOUNT KOYA, the most important center of Shingon Buddhism in Japan. On this mountain, a place of pilgrimage and magic, there are 120 temples and monasteries, we will visit the Okuno Mausoleum, a spiritual place and immense cemetery in nature with more than 200 000 tombs. We will visit the Kongobuji temple built in 1593. Note: In winter, because it gets dark earlier, there will not be time to enter the interior of the Kongobuji Temple. Tonight we will stay at a Buddhist monastery. The monks will give us a Zen meditation practice (Ajikan). Dinner included (vegetarian meal). If you wish, you can attend the early morning religious ceremony at the temple. Note: We consider the accommodation at the monastery to be an experience of great experiential value. The existing rooms are simple, without bathrooms, in traditional Japanese style with tatami mats. Note: We cannot guarantee meditation practice on busy tourist dates. The capacity of accommodation in temples on Mount Koya is limited, on some occasions we may be able to accommodate groups in hotels in nearby places (providing half board).

Japanese breakfast at the temple. Early departure to KIOTO, we will have all day in the city that was the capital of Japan from the year 794 to 1868 hosting the seat of the Imperial Court. This city during the Second World War was the only major Japanese city that was not bombed, for this reason it retains its rich artistic heritage, in Kyoto was signed in 1997 the protocol that seeks to limit emissions of greenhouse gases. We will include a visit of the main points of the city. We will visit the wonderful Shinto shrine of Fushimi Inari; the Imperial Palace and the temple of Kinkakuji, “the golden pavilion” with its magnificent gardens. After that a time before a walk in GION, the traditional district full of life and popular for its Geisha. Free time at leisure.

After breakfast we leave following one of the largest lakes in Japan, short stop at Shirahige Ginra, small shrine by the lake. Arrival at EIHEI -JI, where we include entrance to this temple-monastery, center of Zen Buddhism in Japan, founded in 1244, its environment, its architecture, its gardens, its spiritual atmosphere make it a training center for monks, where Zazen meditation is practiced and a strict daily regimen is followed. After that in KATSUYAMA, we visit three points: the MUSEUM OF DINOSAURS located in the largest site of dinosaur remains in Japan, free time for lunch and visit the didactic museum (with more than 40 skeletons of different dinosaurs). We also visit THE GREAT BUDA of ECHIZEN, with its large temple and its five-story PAGODA (we can climb to contemplate the view). After that the peace of nature, walking through the forest of tall cedars in the Shinto shrine of Heisenji Hakusan, founded in 717 at the foot of a sacred mountain. Arrival in KANAZAWA in the late afternoon.

Full day in KANAZAWA, in the morning we include a visit of the city, a city that rivaled Kyoto and Tokyo throughout history. During World War II it escaped destruction by air raids. We will visit the castle area, with its walls, walk through the historic district of Nagamachi, an area where the samurai and their families used to reside. The area retains a historic atmosphere with the remaining residences, earthen walls, private entrance gates, narrow alleys and water channels. We will include entrance to Kenrokuen, one of the three most beautiful gardens in Japan. We will finish the visit at Omicho, a lively traditional market with many places to have lunch. Free afternoon.

Kanazawa , Ainokura , Shirakawago , hida village , Takayama
Today, among beautiful landscapes of mountains, forests and traditional villages we will visit the region of Gokayama and Shirakawago, its villages have been declared a World Heritage Site, the name of the traditional houses means “hands in prayer” for its steep roofs (resembling monks' hands joined in prayer) designed to withstand the heavy snowfall of winter. We will stop at AINOKURA, a small village full of charm and SHIRAKAWA- GO OGUIMACHI, a popular older village. Time for a walk and lunch. After that we continue to TAKAYAMA where we include the HIDA museum/village, in a peaceful setting exhibiting more than 30 traditional houses of the region built during the Edo Period (1603-1868) and relocated from their original locations to create the museum in 1971. The buildings display tools and utensils used in daily life in the past. We then spend some time in the old part of town, with its wooden houses and traditional stores.

After breakfast we went to HIDA FURUKAWA, we stroll through the old town. Its festival-festival has been declared by Unesco Intangible Heritage of Humanity, with its large drums and beautifully decorated floats. We will include the entrance to the museum that tells us about the festival and shows us the floats, costumes and drums that are used. We continue our route crossing the Japanese Alps, with its snowy landscapes most of the year. MATSUMOTO, arrival in this tourist city where we will visit its impressive castle known as the “castle of the crows” for its black color and dating from the sixteenth century. Afterwards, free time for lunch and a stroll. Mid-afternoon departure back to TOKYO, arrival at the end of the day.

In the morning, we will have a long tour, about five hours, with our guide through this simply breathtaking city! Its frenetic activity, its avant-garde neighborhoods coexist with peaceful areas. We will make a brief stop at Zojoji Temple to photograph the most beautiful image of the Tokyo Tower. The hundreds and hundreds of Jizos, deities carved in stone and considered guardians of children, who are adorned with woolen caps, bibs and windmills, stand out. We will then head to the famous Shibuya Crossing, said to be the busiest crossing in the world. We will go to Meiji Temple dedicated to the spirits of Emperor Meiji and his wife. We will continue with our bus along the elegant Omotesando Avenue. We will tour the most beautiful part of the Imperial Palace and gardens. We will stop to visit the famous Nijubashi Bridge. We will cross the district of Akihabara, the “Electric City”, the center of Japanese Manga and Anime; we will pass by the Kokugikan, the Sumo stadium, the Japanese sport. We will finish our tour in Asakusa, visiting the Sensoji Temple and the famous Nakamise Street. Lunch included at a local restaurant. Return to the hotel.18.30 hrsWe meet our guide at the hotel reception and take the subway (tickets included) to the Shinjuku area. We will then take a walk to the restaurant to discover this area with its lively nightlife. Dinner included at a local restaurant. Return to the hotel again by subway accompanied by our guide.

After breakfast, end of our services.