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Best of China & Japan by Land & Sea

25 days Classic Cruise & Tour

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Best of China & Japan by Land & Sea

Explore the two ancient nations of China & Japan on this epic adventure. Begin with a land adventure across China from the panda-filled city of Chengdu to capital Beijing. Then fly to 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
  • Flights
    International flights and current taxes
  • Accommodation
    22 nights in 4 star accommodation
  • Cruise
    Celebrity Ocean Cruise
  • 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
25 DAYS
From $17,280PP
Chengdu (2N) - Xian (2N) - Pingyao (1N) - Beijing (3N) - Celebrity Cruises (11N) - Tokyo (2N + 1N)
Check Availability

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

Chengdu (2N) - Xian (2N) - Pingyao (1N) - Beijing (3N) - Celebrity Cruises (11N) - Tokyo (2N + 1N)
  • 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 will 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 you will be transferred to Yokohama cruise terminal to board your cruise. The rest of the day is free to explore the ship's facilities and settle in. Throughout your cruise, when your ship comes into port, there will be a range of excursions available to help you explore each destination. These excursions are at your own expense and are bookable on your cruise reservation.

    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Day 13
    Cruise – Explore Shimizu
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    Day 13: Cruise – Explore Shimizu

    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 – Explore Kyoto
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    Day 14: Cruise – Explore Kyoto

    Arrive in Osaka, the closest port to the timeless city of Kyoto, Japan's capital for over 1,000 years and a treasure trove of history and culture. Spend the day exploring among ancient architecture, soaking up a rich, age-old culture or sampling some of the city's culinary delights.

    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Day 15
    Cruise - Kyoto
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    Day 15: Cruise - 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 – Explore Kochi
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    Day 16: Cruise – Explore 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 – Explore Busan
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    Day 18: Cruise – Explore 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 – Explore Nagasaki
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    Day 19: Cruise – Explore 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 – Explore Kagoshima
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    Day 20: Cruise – Explore 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 – Explore Tokyo
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    Day 22: Cruise – Explore 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, and have the rest of the day at leisure.

    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Days 24-25
    Depart Tokyo
    Breakfast
    Days 24-25: Depart Tokyo

    Fly to New Zealand, arriving home the following day.

    Breakfast
Best of China & Japan by Land & Sea map

Book With Confidence

When to go

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

All of our tour departures include international flights and taxes in the price unless a land only option is selected

2025
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Departure: All
  • Departure: All
1 Room, 2 Guests
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    Depart NZStart Date
    Return DateEnd Date
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    Additional Price Information

    • $900p.p non refundable & non transferable deposit required.,,Flight Inclusive rates only: These include airline fuel surcharge and taxes. Correct as of 7 February 2025. Please note supplements may apply if lead in economy rates are not available. ,,Depending on airline schedules, you may depart and/or arrive on Day 2. Extra nights' accommodation (pre or post tour) or stopovers may be required at an additional cost.,,Flight Inclusive rates only: Based on departures from Auckland, Wellington & Christchurch. Departures from other cities and flight upgrades available on request.,,Tipping payable locally 510 RMB (China)
    • Price listed is based on new bookings only

    Cruise & Tour includes

    • International flights and current taxes,4* accommodation,11 night cruise with Celebrity Cruises,Domestic transportation,Land 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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