China and South Korea, let’s go! This two-week adventure brings the best of both worlds — ancient wonders, futuristic cities, and street food so good you’ll dream about it for years. Stroll through neon-lit Seoul and cutting-edge Beijing, sleep in a traditional hanok house, scale the Great Wall, and stand in awe before the Terracotta Warriors. With every bite, step, and story, you’ll dive deep into two vibrant cultures that are close in distance but worlds apart in feel. Bags packed? Let’s do this.
Travel Style
Classic
Service Level
Standard
Physical Grading
3 - Average
What's Included
Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group
Your Discover Moment: Shanghai
Your Local Living Moment: Overnight Temple Stay, Gyeongju-si. Mutianyu Great Wall Visit, Free time in Beijing, Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City Tour, Terracotta Warriors Guided Tour, Free time in Xi'an, Xi'An Ancient City Wall, Master of the Nets Garden Tour, Shangtang Street, Shanghai orientation walk, Free time in Shanghai, Acrobatic Performance, Free time in Seoul, Gyeongbokgung Palace, Insadong Alley, National Folklore Museum, Bukchon Hanok Village Exploration, Seoul City Tour, Overnight Temple Stay, City Tour of Gyeongju, Cheomseongdae Observatory, Daereungwon Tomb Complex, Yangdong Folk Village, Haedong Yonggungsa Temple Visit, The War Memorial Hall of Korea, Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) Visit, Transportation to and from all included activities.
What are the main highlights of this trip?
Hike along one of the best-preserved stretches of the Great Wall of China, Marvel at the Terracotta Warriors and dive into China’s ancient past, Discover the dynamic contrasts of futuristic cities and time-honoured traditions in both countries, Explore Seoul’s Gyeongbokgung Palace and wander through Bukchon Hanok Village, Spend a peaceful night in a traditional temple stay in historic Gyeongju
How large will the group be?
Max 16, avg 12.
What meals are included in this trip?
7 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 1 dinner
What are the modes of transportation on my trip?
Bullet Train, Local Train, Metro, Private Vehicle.
Is there an extra cost for travelling solo?
We believe solo travellers should not have to pay more to travel so our group trips are designed for shared accommodation and do not involve a single supplement. Single travellers joining group trips are paired in twin or multi-share accommodation with someone of the same sex for the duration of the trip. Some of our Independent trips are designed differently and solo travellers on these itineraries must pay the single trip price.
Where will we stay during the trip?
Hotels (12 nts), temple (1 nt).
Itinerary
Beijing
Arrive at any time. Is Beijing top of your must-see list? Booking pre-trip accommodations will let you do Beijing your way before meeting up with the group.
Beijing
Enjoy an included visit to the Great Wall. Later, explore Tiananmen Square. Head out of town to the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall. Spend time wandering around, taking photos, and picking up souvenirs. In the afternoon head to Tiananmen Squarem followed by a night walk to the local market.
Beijing/Xi'an
Take the Beijing metro to visit the Forbidden City. Later, board a fast train to Xi'an.
Xi'an
Visit one of China’s greatest archaeological treasures—the Terracotta Warriors. After, the day is yours to explore as you wish.
Xi'an/Suzhou
In the morning, visit the ancient Xi’An City Wall and learn more about China’s incredible history. Then take the bullet train to Suzhou in the afternoon. The ancient Xi’An City Wall was built for protection during the Tang Dynasty through to the Ming Dynasty. Your visit will start at 8:00 am and can take 1-2 hours to explore only a portion of the wall. Choose to rent a bike and hop off where you’d like to admire the views as you pedal along the 12m (39 ft) wide wall, which takes about 2 hrs to cycle along.
Suzhou/Shanghai
Start the day by exploring in the city. Visit Suzhou's famed Master of the Nets Garden, one of the most beautiful gardens in China and recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Wander around Shantang Street. In the late afternoon, ride the bullet train to Shanghai.
Shanghai
After an orientation walk along Shanghai's famous Bund, you are free to explore the delights of this modern Chinese city. In the evening, head to the theatre for an intense acrobatic performance that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
Shanghai/Seoul
Say goodbye to China today as we board our flight to Seoul, South Korea! We trade in our xiao long bao for kimchi and bibimbap! And after arrival, you have the rest of the day to get acquainted with our first stop in South Korea.
Seoul
Sit back and relax on a private bus and enjoy a tour of the bustling metropolis where modern skyscrapers, high-tech subways and pop culture meet Buddhist temples and street markets. Visit Gyeongbokgung Palace, the National Folklore Museum, Bukchon Hanok Village and Insadong alley. After exploring the city, opt to see a show, explore a local museum, or hit the pavement and eat your way through street markets trying local fares such as bibimbap, soondae, and kimchi.
Seoul/Gyeongju-si
After breakfast, board a high speed bullet train for a relaxing morning ride through the countryside to Gyeongju. Once the group arrives to this old capital city for 1,000 years, they will experience an overnight stay in a local temple. During the stay the group will learn about temple etiquette, watch a monk martial arts performance, experience the daily prayer ritual and a temple style dinner. Stay in rooms called Ondol. These rooms are very traditional, heated to be cozy and comfortable, with beds made up directly on the floor. The rooms here are multi-share, divided up by male and female rooms. Enjoy a traditional dinner and breakfast during the stay.
Have the opportunity to learn about temple etiquette, experience the daily drum and bell ritual and take an easy hike up to the only stone cave temple in Korea for morning meditation.
Gyeongju-si
Enjoy a peaceful morning meditation, martial arts practice, and drum and bell ritual before exploring in Gyeongiu. On the city tour visit to the UNESCO site of Bulguksa Temple located on the slopes of Mount Toham and admire the national treasures there, such as Dabotap and Seokgatap stone pagodas, Cheongun-gyo, and two gilt-bronze statues of Buddha. Afterwards, experience the oldest surviving astronomical observatory in Asia, Cheomseongdae Observatory, and the surrounding Royal Tombs.
Gyeongju-si/Busan
Travel by bus to Busan. Along the way enjoy a day trip to Yangdong Folk Village, a 500-year-old UNESCO site located in Gyeongju National Park, to get a feel for life during the early Joseon Dynasty. Afterwards, continue on to the picturesque 14th century seaside temple hidden in the rocks - Haedong Yonggungsa. After exploring the temple, check in to your hotel and get your bearings with an orientation walk on Haeundae Beach and Dongbaek Island (APEC House). Spend the evening getting to know colourful Busan, opt to treat yourself at a Jjimjilbang spa or sing your heart out at a popular karaoke bar.
Busan/Seoul
In the seaside city, Busan, visit the bustling Jagalchi fish market, Gukjesijang market, Yongdusan Park, and the colourful Gamcheon Culture Village before traveling back to Seoul. After arriving in Seoul by train, check out Korea's oldest traditional market - Namdaemun Market. Then make your way by cable car to N Seoul Tower to see this beautiful landmark and opt to make the trip up to the observation deck. Spend the rest of your day in Seoul opting to see Banpo Bridge, the floating islands, or hanging out in the Gangnam district.
Seoul
Visit the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), founded in 1953, separating North and South Korea. With over a million soldiers on watch each day, it is one of the last remnants of the Cold War. With a buffer zone 4km wide and spanning 250 km long there has been very little development in the area, therefore nature and wildlife have pretty much taken over. Spend about 3-4 hours visiting the Demilitarized Zone, then head to The War Memorial of Korea. Later, return back to Seoul for another night in the city. Opt to visit the Samsung Leeum Contemporary Gallery, explore the Itaewon neighbourhood, or prebook the Kimchi making and Hanbok experience.
Seoul
Depart at any time.
Is travel insurance required for my trip?
Travel Insurance: Travel insurance is compulsory in order to participate on any of our trips. When travelling on a group trip, you will not be permitted to join the group until evidence of travel insurance has been sighted by your CEO, who will take note of your insurance details. When selecting a travel insurance policy please bear in mind that all clients must have medical coverage and that we require a minimum coverage of USD 200,000 for repatriation and emergency rescue. We strongly recommend that the policy also covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage and personal effects. If you have credit card insurance we require proof of purchase of the trip (a receipt of credit card statement) with a credit card in your name. Contact your bank for details of their participating insurer, the level of coverage and emergency contact telephone number.
Terms, conditions and restrictions apply; pricing, availability, and other details subject to change and/ or apply to US or Canadian residents. Please confirm details and booking information with your travel advisor.
