The Best Trips and Tours in East Asia

Holidays in the Far East offer a totally unique experience, with vastly different cultures, a diverse range of natural wonders and giant neon-lit cities that will truly blow you away. Here are the best trips and tours in East Asia you can take with Culture Trip.

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View from a flowery field as the Shinkansen (Bullet Train) zooms past Mount Fuji in the Japanese countryside

Japan by Train: The Grand Tour

Where do you even start with Japan? There is so much to see. Do you stick to ancient towns or massive modern metropolises? Lakes or bamboo forests? Island adventures or an escape to the Japanese Alps? Our take is this – why should you have to choose? Japan’s famous high-speed train network is extraordinary, and forms the basis of our extensive Rail Trip across the country’s must-see destinations. We’ll meet you for some city exploration in Osaka before hopping on the train for some history in Hiroshima. We’ll take day trips to Miyajima Island and Arashiyama bamboo forest ahead of our arrival in Kyoto – arguably Japan’s most beautifully preserved ancient city. You’ll spot torii gates and local geishas before we continue north to the Japanese Alps, where we’ll visit a traditional folk village and go sake-tasting. In Hakone we’ll spend the night at a gorgeous ryokan – traditional Japanese inns equipped with onsen, or natural hot springs. Next up is a cruise on Lake Ashi, with Mount Fuji in the background, and volcanic adventures across Hell Valley. Our final destination? Tokyo of course. Get ready to watch sumo wrestlers train, try taiko drumming and take a sushi-rolling class as we explore the world’s largest city.

From US$2774

Next available from 12th Oct 2023

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Trip highlights and details

STARTS AT

Osaka, Japan

ENDS AT

Tokyo, Japan

DURATION

12

GROUP SIZE

16

PHYSICAL RATING

Moderate

STYLE

Discovery

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Close up of the Terracotta Warriors in Xian, China

Icons of China by Train

If China and its impressive collection of world-renowned landmarks stands atop your bucket list, then look no further than this 10-day Rail Trip. We’ll start in Beijing – home to Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City and the Birds’ Nest – for locally led tours, fake markets and tai-chi in the park. Then it’s off to nearby Badaling for sunset and sunrise hikes on the Great Wall of China – plus a rooftop barbecue at our hotel, overlooking the wall itself. We’ll take China’s own bullet train to the gorgeous old town of Pingyao – an amazing glimpse into ancient China – before continuing on to Xi’an. Here you’ll get to cycle around the city walls and visit the iconic Army of Terracotta Warriors. This scary stone statue collection, representing the armies of China’s first emperor, is truly a sight to behold. Finally, we’ll hop on the train to China’s largest city, Shanghai, where you’ll take a skywalk on the giant Jinmao Tower, stroll down the Bund waterfront and have a sunset cruise on Huangpu River, not to mention a day trip to the time-capsule traditional water town of Zhujiajiao.

From US$2137

Next available from 9th Dec 2023

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Trip highlights and details

STARTS AT

Beijing, China

ENDS AT

Shanghai, China

DURATION

10

GROUP SIZE

16

PHYSICAL RATING

Moderate

STYLE

Discovery

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The Evolution of Seoul: From Traditional Village to Modern Metropolis, as seen from Bukchon Hanok Village

Soulful South Korea

Sat right in between East Asia’s two behemoth nations is South Korea and its magical combination of luscious national parks, coastal gems and bustling urban giants. This is an amazing alternative to both China and Japan, offering a similarly exotic local culture, not to mention an equally diverse landscape within a far smaller radius. Our 10-day trip aims to offer you the ultimate cultural Korean experience, starting in Seoul, where we’ll explore a traditional Hanok village and sing the night away at karaoke. You’ll get to visit the notorious DMZ on the border with North Korea, before exploring the nation’s amazing countryside in Seoraksan National Park and Abai Village. We’ll explore the ancient capital of Gyeongju by bike, stopping for a well-earned dinner in a traditional Hanok. You’ll get to spend the night at a beautiful Buddhist temple, learning about meditation and martial arts in the process, before continuing to the coastal city of Busan. Our time there will be a feast for the senses, including famous fish markets, a traditional cooking class and a soju-tasting on the beach. We’ll visit the culturally rich city of Jeonju for a craft brewery visit and a farewell bibimbap dinner, before returning to Seoul to mark the end of our trip.

From US$2414

Next available from 8th Oct 2023

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Trip highlights and details

STARTS AT

Seoul, South Korea

ENDS AT

Seoul, South Korea

DURATION

10

GROUP SIZE

16

PHYSICAL RATING

Moderate

STYLE

Discovery

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Dragon and Tiger Pagodas in Kaohsiung City, Taiwan

A Taste of Taiwan by Train

If underrated is really what you’re after, then the beautiful island of Taiwan should be top of your list. If Korea shares a little more history and culture with Japan, Taiwan does the same with nearby China. This place is totally unique, however, and our nine-day Rail Trip aims to showcase that. We’ll start with tours of capital Taipei and the nearby city of Taichung, before exploring Sun Moon Lake by cycling around it and boating across it. We’ll taste tea and visit an old temple before heading to the culinary capital of Tainan for a tour of the city and an authentic lunch. Next stop is Kaohsiung, home to the striking Dragon and Tiger Pagodas, as well as a stunning train station glass artwork and a trendy contemporary cultural space called Pier-2 Art Centre. Our next train journey winds up the stunning east coast, where we’ll head for outdoor explorations in the otherworldly Taroko Gorge. We’ll stop off at the traditional hill towns of Jiufen and Shifen en route back to Taipei, having a scenic lunch and releasing environmentally friendly sky lanterns. Back in Taipei, we’ll take an authentic cooking class and indulge in the city’s amazing night markets before calling time on our Taiwanese train epic.

From US$1522

Next available from 30th Dec 2023

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Trip highlights and details

STARTS AT

Taipei, Taiwan

ENDS AT

Taipei, Taiwan

DURATION

9

GROUP SIZE

16

PHYSICAL RATING

Moderate

STYLE

Discovery

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Volcanic Iceland Epic Trip

meet our Local Insider

Hanna

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A GUIDE?

2 years.

WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR JOB?

It's the personal contact, the personal experiences. I love meeting people from all over the world... I really like getting to know everyone and feeling like I'm traveling with a group of friends.

WHAT DESTINATION IS ON YOUR TRAVEL BUCKET-LIST?

I have so many places on my list, but I would really lobe to go to Africa. I consider myself an “adventure girl” and Africa feels like the ULTIMATE adventure!

Every CULTURE TRIP Small-group adventure is led by a Local Insider just like Hanna.

map of volcanic iceland trip destination points

KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?

Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.