Japan, Korea & China Cruise: Tokyo to Beijing

Board Spectrum of the Seas in Yokohama near Tokyo, settle into your stateroom and begin your cruise.

Accommodation: Spectrum of the Seas

Enjoy dining, entertainment and leisure facilities aboard the ship.

Accommodation: Spectrum of the Seas

Shimizu is one of Japan's most scenic ports, offering direct views of Mount Fuji on clear days. The area is renowned for fresh seafood, tea plantations, and historic shrines.

Duration: Approx. 7 hours    |    Group Size: Min 20 / Max 40 pax

Visit the iconic Mt. Fuji 5th Station (weather permitting), explore the beautiful Miho no Matsubara pine grove with its views of the mountain, and sample fresh seafood at Shimizu Fish Market.

Highlights:

• Mt. Fuji 5th Station — 2,300m elevation (subject to weather/road conditions)
• Miho no Matsubara — UNESCO World Heritage pine grove
• Shimizu Fish Market — fresh seafood experience

Itinerary:

  08:00  Disembark ship, meet guide at port

  08:30  Depart for Mt. Fuji 5th Station (approx. 60 min)

  09:30  Mt. Fuji 5th Station — views and visitor center

  11:00  Depart for Miho no Matsubara (approx. 45 min)

  11:45  Miho no Matsubara — pine grove walk with Fuji views

  12:30  Lunch at local restaurant (seafood cuisine)

  14:00  Shimizu Fish Market — seafood market walk

  15:00  Free time for shopping

  16:00  Depart for port

  17:00  Return to ship

Relax during a full day at sea.

Accommodation: Spectrum of the Seas

Sasebo is a coastal city in Nagasaki Prefecture, home to the Kujuku Islands (ninety-nine islands) — a stunning archipelago of over 200 small islands scattered across the bay.

Duration: Approx. 7 hours    |    Group Size: Min 20 / Max 40 pax

Cruise through the Kujuku Islands on a sightseeing boat, visit the Pearl Sea Resort, and explore the Sasebo city area.

Highlights:

• Kujuku Islands — scenic boat cruise through 200+ islands
• Pearl Sea Resort — aquarium and observation deck
• Sasebo city highlights

Itinerary:

  08:00  Disembark ship, meet guide at port

  08:30  Depart for Kujuku Islands cruise pier (approx. 20 min)

  09:00  Kujuku Islands sightseeing boat cruise (approx. 50 min)

  10:30  Pearl Sea Resort — aquarium and observation deck

  12:00  Lunch at local restaurant (seafood)

  13:30  Sasebo city highlights drive

  15:00  Free time for shopping

  16:00  Depart for port

  17:00  Return to ship

Jeju Island is a volcanic paradise off the southern coast of South Korea, known for its dramatic landscapes, lava tubes, and unique culture. It is the only UNESCO Triple Crown site in Korea (Natural Heritage, Geopark, and Biosphere Reserve).

Duration: Approx. 7 hours    |    Group Size: Min 20 / Max 40 pax

Experience Jeju's three UNESCO highlights in one day — the volcanic crater of Seongsan Ilchulbong (Sunrise Peak), the traditional Seongeup Folk Village, and the dramatic Cheonjiyeon Waterfall.

Highlights:

• Seongsan Ilchulbong — UNESCO World Natural Heritage, volcanic crater sunrise peak
• Seongeup Folk Village — traditional thatched-roof village, 500 years of history
• Cheonjiyeon Waterfall — "Pond of the Sky," lush subtropical setting
• Jeju Stone Park — volcanic stone culture and mythology
• Local Jeju lunch — black pork BBQ or seafood

Itinerary:

  08:00  Disembark ship, meet guide at port

  08:30  Depart for Seongsan Ilchulbong (approx. 30 min)

  09:00  Seongsan Ilchulbong — hike to crater rim (approx. 30 min ascent)

  10:30  Depart for Seongeup Folk Village (approx. 20 min)

  11:00  Seongeup Folk Village — traditional village walk, thatched houses

  12:00  Lunch at local restaurant (Jeju black pork BBQ)

  13:30  Cheonjiyeon Waterfall — subtropical walk to the falls

  14:30  Jeju Stone Park — volcanic stone culture and mythology

  15:30  Seogwipo Olle Market — local market, free time

  16:00  Depart for port

  16:30  Arrive at port

  17:00  Return to ship

Busan is South Korea's second-largest city and largest port, where mountains meet the sea. It offers a vibrant mix of coastal temples, colorful hillside villages, bustling markets, and beautiful beaches.

Duration: Approx. 7 hours    |    Group Size: Min 20 / Max 40 pax

The classic Busan experience — visit the stunning Haedong Yonggungsa seaside temple, the colorful Gamcheon Culture Village, and the bustling Gukje Market, with panoramic views from Yongdusan Park.

Highlights:

• Haedong Yonggungsa Temple — rare seaside Buddhist temple, dramatic coastal setting
• Gamcheon Culture Village — colorful hillside houses and art installations
• Gukje Market — one of Korea's largest traditional markets
• Yongdusan Park — panoramic city and port views

Itinerary:

  08:00  Disembark ship, meet guide at port

  08:30  Depart for Haedong Yonggungsa Temple (approx. 40 min)

  09:15  Haedong Yonggungsa — seaside temple tour

  11:00  Depart for Gamcheon Culture Village (approx. 30 min)

  11:30  Gamcheon Culture Village — colorful hillside walk

  12:30  Lunch at local restaurant (Korean cuisine)

  14:00  Gukje Market — traditional market walk

  15:00  Yongdusan Park — city and port views

  16:00  Depart for port

  17:00  Return to ship

Enjoy your final full day at sea before reaching Shanghai.

Accommodation: Spectrum of the Seas

Morning (08:00): Disembark Spectrum of the Seas at Shanghai Baoshan Cruise Terminal. Meet your guide and transfer to the city center (approx. 1-hour drive).

Morning (10:00): Yu Garden — a classical Chinese garden built in 1559 during the Ming dynasty, featuring pavilions, halls, rockeries, ponds, and cloisters. Adjacent Yuyuan Bazaar offers traditional crafts and Shanghai snacks. (Approx. 2 hours)

Lunch (12:30): Lunch at a local restaurant in the Yuyuan area, featuring Shanghainese cuisine.

Afternoon (14:30): The Bund — walk along Shanghai's iconic waterfront promenade, lined with 52 buildings of varied architectural styles from the 1920s–1940s. Classic view of the Pudong skyline across the Huangpu River. (Approx. 1.5 hours)

Evening (18:30): Welcome dinner at a restaurant overlooking the Bund.

• Disembark Spectrum of the Seas
• Yu Garden — Ming dynasty classical garden
• The Bund — historic waterfront, Pudong skyline views

Meals: B, L, D  |  Hotel: InterContinental Shanghai

Morning (09:00): Transfer to Shanghai Hongqiao Airport for flight to Xi'an (approx. 2-hour flight).

Afternoon (12:00): Arrive in Xi'an, transfer to hotel and check in. Lunch at a local restaurant.

Afternoon (15:00): Xi'an City Wall — the most complete city wall surviving in China, originally built in 1370 during the Ming dynasty. The wall measures 13.7 km in circumference. Optional bicycle ride on top of the wall, or walk along the ramparts. (Approx. 2 hours)

Evening (18:30): Tang Dynasty Show — a spectacular performance of music, dance, and costumes recreating the splendor of the Tang dynasty (618–907 AD).

Dinner (20:00): Dumpling banquet dinner at the Tang Show theater restaurant.

• Flight Shanghai → Xi'an
• Xi'an City Wall — 14th-century Ming dynasty fortification
• Tang Dynasty Show + Dumpling Banquet Dinner

Meals: B, L, D  |  Hotel: Wyndham Xi'an

Morning (08:00): Depart hotel for the Terracotta Army (approx. 50-minute drive). Over 8,000 life-sized clay soldiers, horses, and chariots buried with Emperor Qin Shi Huang (259–210 BC). Visit Pit 1 (the largest), Pit 2, Pit 3, and the Bronze Chariot exhibition hall. (Approx. 3 hours)

Lunch (12:00): Lunch at a local restaurant near the Terracotta site.

Afternoon (14:00): Stone Stele Museum (Beilin Museum) — housing over 3,000 stone steles dating from the Han dynasty to the Qing dynasty, China's premier museum of calligraphy and stone carving. (Approx. 1.5 hours)

Late Afternoon (16:00): Private dining experience at the Stone Stele Museum — an exclusive meal served in a traditional courtyard setting within the museum grounds.

Evening (18:30): Return to hotel. Dinner at leisure.

• Terracotta Army — 8,000+ life-sized clay soldiers, UNESCO World Heritage
• Stone Stele Museum — 3,000+ calligraphic steles
• Private dining experience at the Stone Stele Museum

Meals: B, L, D  |  Hotel: Wyndham Xi'an

Morning (08:30): Giant Panda Experience — visit the Qinling Four Treasures Pavilion to observe giant pandas in a naturalistic habitat. The Qinling Mountains are home to a rare subspecies of giant panda. (Approx. 2 hours)

Lunch (11:00): Lunch at a local restaurant.

Afternoon (12:30): Transfer to Xi'an Xianyang International Airport for flight to Beijing (approx. 2-hour flight).

Afternoon (15:00): Arrive in Beijing, transfer to hotel and check in.

Evening (18:30): Dinner at a local restaurant featuring Peking Duck — Beijing's most famous culinary tradition.

• Giant Panda Experience — Qinling Four Treasures Pavilion
• Flight Xi'an → Beijing
• Peking Duck dinner

Meals: B, L, D  |  Hotel: Kerry Center Beijing

Morning (08:00): Depart hotel for the Great Wall at Badaling (approx. 1.5-hour drive). The most well-preserved section of the Great Wall, offering spectacular views. Cable car available for ascent and descent. (Approx. 3 hours on site)

Lunch (12:30): Lunch at a restaurant near the Great Wall.

Afternoon (14:30): Summer Palace — the largest and best-preserved imperial garden in China, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Walk along the Long Corridor (728 meters of painted galleries), visit the Hall of Benevolence and Longevity, and enjoy panoramic views from the Tower of Buddhist Incense overlooking Kunming Lake. (Approx. 2 hours)

Evening (18:30): Dinner at a local restaurant. Return to hotel.

• Great Wall (Badaling) — UNESCO World Heritage, cable car available
• Summer Palace — imperial garden, Long Corridor, Kunming Lake

Meals: B, L, D  |  Hotel: Kerry Center Beijing

Morning (08:30): Tiananmen Square — the world's largest public plaza and the symbolic heart of modern China. Walk across the square to the Meridian Gate entrance of the Forbidden City.

Morning (09:30): Forbidden City — the imperial palace complex of the Ming and Qing dynasties, home to 24 emperors over 491 years. Explore the grand ceremonial halls, the Hall of Supreme Harmony, the imperial gardens, and the Palace Museum's collections. (Approx. 2.5 hours)

Lunch (12:00): Lunch at a local restaurant near the Forbidden City.

Afternoon (14:00): Temple of Heaven — a UNESCO World Heritage Site where Ming and Qing emperors conducted annual ceremonies of prayer for good harvests. The Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests is one of Beijing's most iconic structures. (Approx. 1.5 hours)

Evening (18:00): Return to hotel. Farewell dinner at a local restaurant featuring Peking Duck — the iconic Beijing dish with crispy lacquered skin, thin pancakes, and hoisin sauce. Celebration of the journey completed.

Evening (20:00): Return to Kerry Center Beijing. Overnight in Beijing.

• Tiananmen Square — world's largest public plaza
• Forbidden City — 600 years of imperial history, UNESCO World Heritage
• Temple of Heaven — Ming dynasty ceremonial architecture, UNESCO World Heritage
• Overnight in Beijing — final night at Kerry Center

Meals: B, L, D  |  Hotel: Kerry Center Beijing

Morning (09:00): Cultural Heritage Restoration Experience — visit a conservation workshop located 10 minutes from Beijing Capital International Airport (T3). This is a rare opportunity to witness 50+ retired master conservators from the Palace Museum and National Museum restoring national treasures — paintings, bronzes, ceramics, silk textiles, and fossils. Over 10,000 artifacts are housed at the facility, including 1,000+ Grade I national treasures. Guests observe the meticulous restoration process and learn about the techniques used to preserve China's cultural heritage.

Lunch (12:00): Lunch at a local restaurant near the workshop.

Afternoon (14:00): Transfer to Beijing Capital International Airport (T3) for departure. End of Ultimate China program.

Highlights:

Airport transfer to Beijing Capital International Airport (T3)

Cultural Heritage Restoration Workshop — 50+ master conservators, 10,000+ artifacts, 1,000+ Grade I national treasures

Meals: B, L  |  Hotel: — (Departure)