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Best of China & Japan by land & sea

24 days Classic Cruise & Tour

Best of China & Japan by land & sea

Explore two great, ancient nations, venturing across China from the panda-filled city of Chengdu to capital Beijing by land. Then fly from one great capital to another, Tokyo, to continue the adventure by cruise ship. Our Cruise & Tour journeys bring together all the joy of a cruise, on board the Celebrity Millennium, with all the exciting exploration of a Wendy Wu Tours land itinerary. Immerse yourself in the age-old history and culture of each, exploring iconic sights like the Great Wall and the Terracotta Warriors, Mount Fuji and Kyoto's temples.
  • Included Meals
    Breakfasts: 22 , Lunches: 21 , Dinners: 22
  • Group Tour
    Max Group Size: 28
  • Physical Rating 1
    A reasonable level of fitness is required but it's more about spending time on your feet rather than covering large distances. You'll be getting on and off coaches and boats, walking around the sights and climbing some steps.
    Learn More
    Walking, some steps and time on your feet.
Classic Cruise & Tour
24 DAYS
From USD $9,170PP
Meet China's pandas Stand before the Terracotta Warriors Walk on the Great Wall Cruise Tokyo to Tokyo Explore Tokyo's best bits
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Tour Highlights

Our Best of China & Japan by land & sea tour will see you exploring the most iconic sites, delving into deep-rooted culture and dining on delicious cuisine and thoroughly researched to bring you a range of once-in-a-lifetime experiences, many of which are entirely exclusive to us.

Day by Day Itinerary

  • Days 1-2
    Arrive in Chengdu
    Dinner
    Days 1-2: Arrive in Chengdu

    Fly overnight to Chengdu, home to China's most adorable resident, the giant panda. On arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is yours to relax and refresh, or to begin exploring.

    Dinner
  • Day 3
    Visit the pandas
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    Day 3: Visit the pandas

    This morning is dedicated to Chengdu's most famous resident, the lovable giant panda. Visit the Dujiangyan Panda Base, located outside the city at the foot of the mountains that are the bears' natural habitat, to learn all about pandas and to see them relaxing, playing, and chomping on bamboo. The rest of the day is at leisure.

    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Day 4
    Travel to Xian
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    Day 4: Travel to Xian

    Take the super-fast bullet train to Xian. On arrival, soak up the sights, sounds and atmosphere of the lively Muslim Quarter then enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.

    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Day 5
    Explore Xian
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    Day 5: Explore Xian

    This morning, come face to face with the Terracotta Warriors, an army created to protect China's first emperor, Qin Shi Huang, in the afterlife, and one of the greatest archaeological of the 20th century. Continue to a workshop to see artisans modelling smaller warriors in the style of their ancient counterparts. Later, stroll Xian's beautifully preserved 14th-century city walls, before a dumpling demonstration, a delicious dumpling banquet and a Tang Dynasty show.

    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Day 6
    Travel to Pingyao
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    Day 6: Travel to Pingyao

    Transfer to the train station and board a bullet train to Pingyao, a living museum and home to beautifully preserved 14th-century city walls.

    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Day 7
    Travel to Beijing
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    Day 7: Travel to Beijing

    Embark on a tour of Pingyao, wandering the old, cobbled streets before a visit to the Rishengchang Financial House Museum. Transfer to the station and board a bullet train bound for China's capital city, Beijing.

    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Day 8
    Walk the Great Wall
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    Day 8: Walk the Great Wall

    Travel out of the city to the magnificent Great Wall of China, learning a little about its long history before taking a short walk to fully appreciate this world-famous structure. Stop off at a jade factory before visiting the Sacred Way and Ming Tombs. Return to Beijing where this evening, you'll enjoy a thrilling acrobatic show.

    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Day 9
    Explore Beijing
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    Day 9: Explore Beijing

    Walk through Beijing's symbolic heart, Tiananmen Square and into the sprawling magnificence of the Forbidden City, a complex full of imperial riches. Then, find harmony in the symmetry of the Temple of Heaven. This evening, dine on local delicacy, Peking Duck.

    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Day 10
    Beijing to Tokyo
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    Day 10: Beijing to Tokyo

    Bid farewell to China and board a flight to Tokyo, capital of Japan. On arrival, you’ll be transferred to your hotel and have the rest of the day at leisure.

    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Day 11
    Explore Tokyo
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    Day 11: Explore Tokyo

    Embark on a full day tour of Tokyo, beginning at the atmospheric Sensoji, the oldest Buddhist temple in the city. Then, ascend the close by Tokyo Skytree to admire panoramic views over Tokyo's urban sprawl before preparing your own lunch in a hands-on sushi making class, where you can pick up tips and tricks from a chef. Later stroll around the Imperial Palace Park followed by a visit the serene Meiji Shrine. Finally, taste local snacks at Takeshita Street and and pause for a photo op at the famous Shibuya Crossing.

    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Day 12
    Board the Celebrity Millennium
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    Day 12: Board the Celebrity Millennium

    After breakfast, be met by an English-speaking assistant and transfer from your hotel to the Tokyo (Yokohama) cruise port. Upon arrival, board the Celebrity Millennium, where your cruise adventure begins! The rest of your day on the cruise ship is at leisure. Please note, your National Escort will not be accompanying you for the duration of your cruise.

    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Day 13
    Cruise – Shimizu (Mt Fuji)
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    Day 13: Cruise – Shimizu (Mt Fuji)

    Port at Shimizu, a city of medieval castle ruins, ancient pine groves and traditional gardens. Here, you are ideally located for viewing Mount Fuji (weather dependent) or exploring the series of fascinating cultural sights around its base.

    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Day 14
    Cruise – Osaka (Kyoto)
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    Day 14: Cruise – Osaka (Kyoto)

    Today you will arrive in Osaka. Disembark the cruise ship to enjoy a day exploring Kyoto before returning to your ship later for an overnight stay in port. Here you can enjoy a range of excursions here at your own expense, bookable on your cruise reservation. Please note, if you dine off the cruise ship, these meals will be at your own expense.

    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Day 15
    Cruise - Osaka (Kyoto)
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    Day 15: Cruise - Osaka (Kyoto)

    Spend a second day at port in Osaka, making the most of the excellent range of facilities onboard your cruise ship or continuing your explorations of Kyoto.

    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Day 16
    Cruise – Kochi
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    Day 16: Cruise – Kochi

    Port at Kochi. A surfer hang out with a UNESCO Global Geopark coastline, plentiful great outdoors and bags of rustic charm, Kochi is a wonderful place to while away a day.

    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Day 17
    Cruise – At Sea
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    Day 17: Cruise – At Sea

    Spend the day enjoying the plentiful activities and facilities that are available onboard the Celebrity Millenium as you cruise across the Sea of Japan.

    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Day 18
    Cruise – Busan
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    Day 18: Cruise – Busan

    Hello, South Korea! Port at the bustling city of Busan. Boasting mountains, beaches, and hot springs, this is a city full of small-town charm.

    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Day 19
    Cruise – Nagasaki
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    Day 19: Cruise – Nagasaki

    Head back to Japan, porting at Nagasaki. Like Hiroshima, Nagasaki is best known for the events of the 9th of August 1945 but there is so much more to it. Backed by rolling hills and forested islands, with unspoilt beaches, European-style architecture, and ancient roots, it is a delight to explore.

    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Day 20
    Cruise – Kagoshima
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    Day 20: Cruise – Kagoshima

    Arrive at Kagoshima, a city at the southern tip of the island of Kyushu. Watched over by the active Sakurajima volcano and rich in history and delicious food, and surrounded by glorious nature, there is plenty to discover here.

    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Day 21
    Cruise – At Sea
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    Day 21: Cruise – At Sea

    Make the most of your cruise ship facilities today – you could relax by the pool, try out the restaurants and bars, and enjoy the range of activities and shows.

    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Day 22
    Cruise – Tokyo
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    Day 22: Cruise – Tokyo

    Arrive back in Yokohama. Today you are free to enjoy a final day on the cruise ship, or head out to explore Tokyo or the surrounding area on an excursion.

    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Day 23
    Disembark the Celebrity Millenium
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    Day 23: Disembark the Celebrity Millenium

    Bid farewell to the Celebrity Millenium. Met by a guide, you will be transferred to your hotel in Tokyo.

    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Day 24
    Depart Tokyo
    Breakfast
    Day 24: Depart Tokyo

    Fly to home, arriving home the same or the following day.

    Breakfast
Best of China & Japan by land & sea map
Chengdu (2N) - Xian (2N) - Pingyao (1N) - Beijing (3N) - Tokyo (2N) - Celebrity Cruises (11N) - Tokyo (1N)

Book With Confidence

When to go

The best times to visit China are in spring, April to May and autumn, September to October, when the days are warm and rainfall and humidity low.

City
Min
Average Temperate(°C)
Max
Monthly Rainfall(mm)
  • Beijing
  • -8
    2
    -3
  • 3
  • Chengdu
  • 3
    9
    6
  • 8
  • Pingyao
  • -11
    2
    -4
  • 3
  • Tokyo
  • 1
    10
    5
  • 65
  • Xian
  • -4
    5
    0
  • 7
City
Min
Average Temperate(°C)
Max
Monthly Rainfall(mm)
  • Beijing
  • -6
    5
    0
  • 5
  • Chengdu
  • 5
    11
    8
  • 12
  • Pingyao
  • -8
    5
    -2
  • 6
  • Tokyo
  • 2
    10
    6
  • 58
  • Xian
  • -1
    8
    4
  • 10
City
Min
Average Temperate(°C)
Max
Monthly Rainfall(mm)
  • Beijing
  • 0
    12
    6
  • 8
  • Chengdu
  • 8
    16
    12
  • 20
  • Pingyao
  • -2
    11
    4
  • 14
  • Tokyo
  • 4
    14
    9
  • 77
  • Xian
  • 4
    14
    9
  • 29
City
Min
Average Temperate(°C)
Max
Monthly Rainfall(mm)
  • Beijing
  • 8
    20
    14
  • 21
  • Chengdu
  • 13
    22
    17
  • 44
  • Pingyao
  • 5
    19
    12
  • 25
  • Tokyo
  • 9
    19
    14
  • 118
  • Xian
  • 10
    21
    15
  • 43
City
Min
Average Temperate(°C)
Max
Monthly Rainfall(mm)
  • Beijing
  • 14
    26
    20
  • 34
  • Chengdu
  • 17
    26
    22
  • 78
  • Pingyao
  • 11
    25
    18
  • 34
  • Tokyo
  • 14
    23
    18
  • 145
  • Xian
  • 14
    26
    20
  • 60
City
Min
Average Temperate(°C)
Max
Monthly Rainfall(mm)
  • Beijing
  • 19
    30
    24
  • 78
  • Chengdu
  • 20
    28
    24
  • 107
  • Pingyao
  • 15
    29
    22
  • 58
  • Tokyo
  • 18
    26
    22
  • 135
  • Xian
  • 19
    31
    25
  • 54
City
Min
Average Temperate(°C)
Max
Monthly Rainfall(mm)
  • Beijing
  • 22
    31
    26
  • 185
  • Chengdu
  • 22
    30
    26
  • 224
  • Pingyao
  • 18
    30
    24
  • 129
  • Tokyo
  • 22
    29
    26
  • 81
  • Xian
  • 22
    32
    27
  • 99
City
Min
Average Temperate(°C)
Max
Monthly Rainfall(mm)
  • Beijing
  • 21
    30
    25
  • 160
  • Chengdu
  • 22
    30
    26
  • 201
  • Pingyao
  • 17
    28
    22
  • 108
  • Tokyo
  • 23
    31
    27
  • 113
  • Xian
  • 21
    31
    26
  • 71
City
Min
Average Temperate(°C)
Max
Monthly Rainfall(mm)
  • Beijing
  • 15
    26
    20
  • 46
  • Chengdu
  • 19
    25
    22
  • 119
  • Pingyao
  • 11
    23
    17
  • 72
  • Tokyo
  • 20
    27
    23
  • 131
  • Xian
  • 16
    25
    21
  • 92
City
Min
Average Temperate(°C)
Max
Monthly Rainfall(mm)
  • Beijing
  • 8
    19
    14
  • 22
  • Chengdu
  • 15
    21
    18
  • 35
  • Pingyao
  • 5
    18
    12
  • 34
  • Tokyo
  • 14
    22
    18
  • 132
  • Xian
  • 10
    20
    15
  • 60
City
Min
Average Temperate(°C)
Max
Monthly Rainfall(mm)
  • Beijing
  • 0
    10
    5
  • 7
  • Chengdu
  • 10
    16
    13
  • 16
  • Pingyao
  • -2
    10
    4
  • 14
  • Tokyo
  • 8
    16
    12
  • 128
  • Xian
  • 3
    12
    8
  • 24
City
Min
Average Temperate(°C)
Max
Monthly Rainfall(mm)
  • Beijing
  • -6
    4
    -1
  • 3
  • Chengdu
  • 4
    11
    8
  • 5
  • Pingyao
  • -9
    3
    -3
  • 4
  • Tokyo
  • 4
    12
    8
  • 109
  • Xian
  • -2
    6
    2
  • 6

Pricing & Availability

2025
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Departure: All
  • Departure: All
1 Room, 2 Guests
  • 1 Room, 2 Guests
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    Arrival Date
    Return Date
    Price
    Availability

    Additional Price Information

    • Single room available with supplement
    • Flight upgrades may be available - upon request
    • Tipping payable locally £151 (Celebrity Cruises), 510 RMB (China)
    • Price listed is based on new bookings only

    Cruise & Tour includes

    • 4* accommodation
    • 11 night cruise with Celebrity Cruises
    • Domestic transportation
    • Touring with guides and entrance fees
    • All meals

    Important Information For Your Tour

    Before Booking
    Travel Protection, Booking Conditions
    and more
    Before you go
    Passports & Visas, Travel Guides & Packing Lists, Holiday FAQ’s and more

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