This tour provides a comprehensive and luxurious overview of the major cultural and aesthetic highlights of China and Japan. Begin in elegant, busy Tokyo with a day of privately guided city touring and a day at leisure to explore independently. From Tokyo, take the bullet train to Kyoto, considered the cultural heart of Japan. Enjoy a full day of touring in Kyoto and Nara, including the Todaiji Temple, Nara Park and the serene Kasuga Taisha Shrine. As in Tokyo, you will have another day to continue your explorations of Kyoto independently. From Japan, fly to Beijing to begin the China portion of your journey. Start in Beijing with visits to the Forbidden City, the Summer Palace, the Temple of Heaven, and time in the wonderful cobblestone lanes (hutongs) lined with traditional courtyard houses. Also walk along the Great Wall, one of the most impressive man-made monuments in the world and a must-see for China visitors. Continue to the ancient capital city of Xian to explore the city’s many pagodas and temples and, of course, see the impressive ranks of the Terracotta Warrior Army. Conclude your journey in Shanghai, China’s economic hub and the city that most consider the most dynamic in the country. Tour the Bund and the lovely Yu Yuan Gardens as well as lively People’s Square, the renowned Shanghai Museum, and the sophisticated French Concession district. From your base in Shanghai, spend a day visiting the small water town of Suzhou, which has delightful gardens, bridges, canals, and traditional homes.