Depart UK for Beijing, overnight on flight

Arrive into Beijing, transfer to hotel for three night stay. Beijing has over 2000 years of history having consistently been the capital of the Liao, Jin, Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties. Top sights include the Great Wall of China at Badaling, the Ming Tombs, Temple of Heaven, Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square.

Fly from Beijing to Xian, overnight at hotel

Today visit the Terracotta Army, overnight at hotel

Transfer to airport for flight to Shanghai, overnight at hotel

Shanghai is situated just over 900 miles away from Beijing and will give you a taste of China mixed with Historic British involvement - discover Ming Dynasty architecture at Jichang Garden or browse the designer boutiques of Nanjing Road. Shanghai is a fast, modern metropolitan area mixed with colonial and traditional Chinese architecture and has rapidly become one of the most popular cities in the world to visit. Also known as -Paris of the Orient-, this is a city to be walked, wandered, explored and discovered in your own style.

Transfer to port to embark ship

Relax and make the most of the myriad of facilities available on board the ship, from fantastic entertainment to delicious and diverse dining options.

This is the point of origin and namesake of Kobe beef as well as the site of one of Japan's most famous hot spring resorts, Arima Onsen. In 1995 the Great Hanshin Earthquake diminished much of Kobe's prominence as a port city.

The ancient capital of Japan until 1868. Visit Nijo Castle constructed in 1603, enjoy quiet contemplation at the imposing Todaiji Temple - Japan's largest wooden Buddhist temple and look out for tame deer in beautiful Nara Park. Nothing is as symbolic of Kyoto as Kinkaku-ji's golden reflection shimmering across the rippled surface of the pond before it. The current gold leaf-coated reconstructed temple was unveiled in 1955, five years after the 14th-century original was torched by one of the temple's monks. It is set on the water amid a garden complex in Muromachi period garden design - the most classical of Japanese gardens.

One of the largest cities in the world home to over 33 million residents covering 844 square miles and is located centrally on the south coast of Honshu Island. Just 3 miles south of Central Tokyo lies Haneda international airport while 35 mile to east lies Narita international airport. Tokyo offers a seemingly unlimited choice of shopping, entertainment, culture and dining to its visitors. The city's history can be appreciated in districts such as Asakusa, and in many excellent museums, historic temples and gardens. The epicentre of Tokyo features the Imperial Palace and gardens - the residence of Japan's Imperial Family and the Emperor. Ginza is the popular shopping and entertainment district, featuring numerous department stores, boutiques, art galleries, restaurants, night clubs and cafes- where you can find the infamous -10 cups of coffee. Tokyo Tower at 333 metres is the world's tallest self-supporting steel tower and one of the most recognisable landmarks in Tokyo - it is rather like a red version of the Eiffel Tower in Paris. The Odaiba area can be best compared to Canary Wharf in London - but bigger. This is a another popular shopping and entertainment district on a man-made island in Tokyo Bay. It is home to some of Tokyo's boldest architectural creations, such as the Fuji TV Building, Telecom Centre and Tokyo Big Sight. Here you will also find the hot spring theme park where you can enjoy various types of indoor and outdoor baths which are fed by hot spring water pumped from a depth of 1400 metres.

Relax and make the most of the myriad of facilities available on board the ship, from fantastic entertainment to delicious and diverse dining options.

Disembark ship and transfer to airport for overnight flight to UK