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Japan, China, South Korea set 2030 goal of 40 mil. cross-border tourists

The tourism ministers of Japan, China and South Korea vowed Wednesday to increase the number of travelers between their countries to 40 million by 2030.

At the end of their two-day meeting in the Japanese port city of Kobe, Tetsuo Saito, Japan's tourism minister, Zhang Zheng, China's vice minister of culture and tourism, and Yu In Chon, South Korea's minister of culture, sports and tourism, also agreed to expand flights to regional airports in the three nations.

By fostering connectivity in local areas, the three countries aim to revitalize their regional economies, the ministers said in a joint statement.

To promote sustainable tourism, Tokyo, Beijing, and Seoul vowed to address "overtourism" while deepening cooperation in achieving more accessible travel for families with children, the elderly and people with disabilities.

The trilateral ministerial gathering of the East Asian nations, initiated in 2006, was held for the first time since 2019 after a hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The tourism ministers said at the previous meeting that the goal of 30 million cross-border travelers was reached in 2018, two years earlier than targeted.

The three nations aim to restore the number of visitors to the pre-pandemic level of 30 million by 2025, before achieving 40 million five years later, the statement said.

As part of its economic growth strategy, Japan is striving to increase the number of foreign visitors to the country to 60 million annually by 2030.

Although the number of visitors from China and South Korea to Japan has increased due partly to the weak yen, tourist flows from Japan to the two neighboring countries have yet to return to pre-pandemic levels, Japanese government data have shown.

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How to Plan a Trip to China and South Korea

Planning a trip to China and South Korea could be both thrilling and daunting as it involves navigating a wealth of options and logistics. These challenges sometimes make the prospect of exploring these fascinating destinations feel a bit overwhelming. However, with the right guidance and preparation, you could plan a smooth and splendid adventure.

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• How Long to Spend

Itinerary Suggestions

• How to Travel between China and South Korea

Visa Requirements

How long to spend in china and south korea.

A typical trip to China and South Korea usually takes 2–3 weeks , with 1–2 weeks in China and 1 week in South Korea. The vastness of China means that you have more to explore there.

In China, a 1-week itinerary allows you to explore the classic route , including Beijing, Xi'an, and Shanghai. This is the most popular choice for first-time visitors to China. In these three cities, you would gain insights into Chinese culture, history, and modernity while admiring the famous landmarks.

If you have an additional week, you could delve deeper into the diversity of China . If you love nature, you could visit Zhangjiajie or Huangshan. If you want to see adorable pandas up close, head to Chengdu. If you wish to experience Chinese rural life and stunning landscapes, Guilin is a great option.

In South Korea, 1 week is sufficient to explore the classic route , including Seoul, Gyeongju, and Busan. These cities would meet your needs for experiencing Korean culture, history, food, and entertainment. If you have extra time, you could allocate 2–3 more days to explore Jeju Island for its magnificent natural scenery.

Discover real reviews of Highlights Travel Family 's best-rated service across trusted platforms.

We have provided you with two itinerary suggestions, one is a more extensive 3-week itinerary and the other is a 2-week essence itinerary.

1. A 3-Week Itinerary in China and South Korea

• Days 1‒3: Seoul with nearby cities (palaces, street walking, folk villages, markets...)
• Day 4: Gyeongju (historical sites)
• Days 5‒6: Busan (temples, beaches, markets...)
• Day 7: Fly to Beijing
• Days 8‒11: Beijing (the Great Wall, the Forbidden City, hutongs...)
• Days 12‒13: Xi'an (the Terracotta Army, a food tour...)
• Days 14‒15: Zhangjiajie (Zhangjiajie National Forest Park and the glass bridge)
• Days 16‒19: Guilin (a cruise, cycling, bamboo rafting...)
• Day 20: Shanghai (the Bund and some free time)
• Day 21: Departure

If you are visiting China and Korea for the first time and want to gain a deeper understanding of the cultures of both countries, you could refer to this itinerary.

This three-week itinerary not only includes iconic landmarks such as the Great Wall and the Forbidden City but also provides a more in-depth insight into the cultures of Korea and China.

For instance, you could visit the must-see Changdeokgung Palace in South Korea, the last palace of the Joseon Dynasty, where you could even try on traditional Hanbok clothing. You could also explore traditional Korean houses and learn about their folk culture.

In China, to better understand and engage with the authentic culture, we could arrange a home visit for you, where you can learn to write Chinese or paint Peking Opera facial masks, learn about the life philosophy of Beijing people, and see the traditional residential architecture of Beijing ( hutongs ).

2. 2-Week China and South Korea Itinerary

• Days 1‒4: Beijing
• Days 5‒6: Xi'an
• Day 7: Shanghai
• Day 8: Fly to South Korea
• Days 9‒10: Seoul
• Days 11‒13: Jeju Island
• Day 14: Back to Seoul for departure

While this itinerary is relatively short, you could still have some in-depth cultural or culinary experiences that showcase the local essence.

In the Beijing itinerary, in addition to visiting classic landmarks, if you want to know more about the local lifestyle or traditional culture, we could arrange a walking tour of Beijing's old neighborhoods. Guided by our local experts, you would explore local communities, markets, and parks that are off the beaten path, providing you with the best insight into the daily lives of the people of Beijing.

During your stay in South Korea, the itinerary would include a visit to Jeju Island. If you enjoy hiking, climb Mount Halla, and don't miss the sunrise at Sunrise Peak (Seongsan Ilchulbong). You could also explore Dongmun Market and savor a variety of local delicacies.

We Can Tailor-Make Your Itinerary

The itineraries above are just two options for reference. We offer totally personalized tour services . Contact us to share your specific preferences and requirements, and we would tailor a customized itinerary that suits your needs.

How to Travel Between China and South Korea

Flying is the most convenient and quick way. The main cities that usually link the two countries are Beijing, Shanghai, and Hong Kong in China and Seoul, Busan, and Jeju Island in South Korea.

The journey is about 1 to 2½ hours. We would manage the transportation between China and South Korea and also the domestic transfers in each country.

When planning a trip to China and South Korea, we suggest starting with a visit to South Korea before heading to China. This suggestion is rooted in the idea that South Korea offers a relatively relaxed cultural exploration, while China provides a deeper cultural experience. This sequence of travel allows you to gradually delve into East Asian culture and gain a more nuanced understanding of its cultural development.

Private touring in China costs about US$220–350 per day per person, and the cost in South Korea is about US$400–500 per day per person, including 4- or 5-star hotels, flights/train journeys within China and South Korea, tickets for attractions, private cars, and private guides.

We recommend booking 3 months in advance to ensure that you have more options and opportunities for comparison.

When booking with us, you'll receive a 100% refund of any payments made to China Highlights if you cancel up to 3 weeks before departure (see more details here ).

Best Times to Visit China and South Korea

China and South Korea share similar weather conditions. Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) are the best times to visit both of them with warm-to-cool weather and less rainfall.

For a less-crowded month among the best times, you could choose from March, April, September, and November.

Although summer (June to August) is the rainy season, it is the peak season for traveling because of schools' summer vacations (Booking 3 months in advance is recommended). The rainy season won't be a big activity-affecting factor for a well-prepared and flexible journey.

Winter also has its charms. Both China and South Korea have beautiful snow scenes, such as in Harbin and Jeju Island. If you want something a little different in winter, go to southern areas in China, such as Yunnan, Hainan, and Hong Kong. They offer sunny days with warm and active outdoor sports.

The Christmas and New Year holidays would see an increase in travelers. Be sure to book 3 months in advance.

For South Korea : South Korea requires visitors from visa-exempted countries to obtain a K-ETA (Korean Electronic Travel Authorization) before their trip to South Korea.

But to encourage tourism, from April 1, 2023, to December 31, 2024, a K-ETA is not required for 27 countries, including the US, the UK, Canada, Australia, France, Germany, and Singapore, for short-term business or tourism purposes.

For China : Normally, a tourist visa (L visa) is needed to visit China. We recommend that you apply for the visa 1 or 2 months before the intended travel date. You could refer to the requirements for visa applications here .

Tour China and South Korea with Us

All of our tours can be adjusted or customized based on your requirements. Just contact us if you have a good idea about what you want to do or if you need some help to start planning.

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• How to Plan a Trip to Vietnam and China
• 2 Weeks in China: 3 Top Itinerary Ideas for Couples and Families

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Korea, Japan, China tourism heads vow to raise traveler numbers to pre-pandemic levels by 2025

• YIM SEUNG-HYE
• [email protected]

Yu In-chon, Korea's minister of culture, sports and tourism, right, Tetsuo Saito, Japan's minister of land, infrastructure, transport and tourism, center, and Zhang Zheng, vice minister of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the People's Republic of China, left, pose for a photo after signing the joint statement during the 10th Korea-Japan-China Tourism Ministers’ Meeting held in Kobe, Japan, on Wednesday. [MINISTRY OF CULTURE, SPORTS AND TOURISM]

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South Korean, Chinese and Japanese Leaders Discuss Thorny Topics and Ways to Boost Cooperation

The Japanese and South Korean leaders have raised sensitive topics like Taiwan, North Korea and the South China Sea as well as ways to boost cooperation, when they individually met China’s premier

Lee Jin-man

Chinese Premier Li Qiang, left, waves to media members before getting into a car as Kim Hong-kyun, right, South Korean 1st vice minister, follows behind at the Seoul airport in Seongnam, South Korea, Sunday, May 26, 2024, as the premier arrives for a trilateral meeting. Leaders of South Korea, China and Japan will meet next week in Seoul for their first trilateral talks since 2019. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — The Japanese and South Korean leaders raised sensitive topics like Taiwan, North Korea and the South China Sea as well as ways to boost cooperation when they individually met China's premier Sunday on the eve of a fuller trilateral meeting.

It was unclear how serious discussions the three leaders had on those thorny issues, which are not among the official agenda items for Monday's three-way gathering in Seoul, the first of its kind in more than four years.

No major announcement is expected from the meeting, but observers say that just resuming the highest-level talks among the three Northeast Asian neighbors is a good sign and suggests they are intent on improving relations. Their trilateral meeting was supposed to happen annually but it had stalled since the last one in December 2019 because of the COVID-19 pandemic and complex ties among the three countries.

After meeting Chinese Premier Li Qiang, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida told reporters that he expressed serious concerns about the situations in the South China Sea, Hong Kong and China's northwestern Xinjiang region. He said Japan is closely monitoring developments on self-governed Taiwan.

He referred to China's military assertiveness in the South China Sea, clampdowns of pro-democracy movements in Hong Kong and human rights abuses against minorities in Xinjiang. Last week, China also launched a large military exercise around Taiwan to show its anger over the inauguration of the island's new president who refuses to accept its insistence that Taiwan is part of China.

During a separate meeting with Li, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, on his part, asked China, as a permanent member of the U.N. Security Council, to contribute to promoting peace on the Korean Peninsula, while speaking about North Korea’s nuclear program and its deepening military ties with Russia, according to Yoon's office.

Yoon’s office said Yoon and Kishida in their separate meeting expressed worries about North Korea’s nuclear program and agreed to strengthen their cooperation with the United States.

South Korea, Japan and the U.S. have long urged China — North Korea’s major ally and economic pipeline — to use its leverage to persuade the North to abandon its nuclear ambitions. But China is suspected of avoiding fully enforcing U.N. sanctions on North Korea and sending clandestine aid shipments to help its impoverished neighbor stay afloat.

The three leaders also discussed how to bolster economic and other cooperation.

Yoon and Li agreed to launch a new South Korean-Chinese dialogue channel involving senior diplomats and defense officials in mid-June. They also agreed to restart negotiations to expand the free trade agreement and reactivate dormant bodies on personnel exchanges, investments and other issues, according to Yoon’s office.

Chinese state media reported Li told Yoon that the two countries should safeguard the stability of their deeply intertwined industrial and supply chains and resist turning economic and trade issues into political and security-related issues.

Kishida said he and Li reaffirmed Japan and China will seek progress on various areas to promote mutually beneficial relations. Kishida and Yoon also said they agreed to further strengthen ties, which have warmed significantly since last year following an earlier setback over issues related to Japan's 1910-45 colonial rule of the Korean Peninsula.

South Korean officials said that a joint statement after Monday’s trilateral meeting will cover the leaders’ discussion on cooperation in areas like people-to-people exchanges, climate change, trade, health issues, technology and disaster responses.

The three Asian nations are important trading partners and their cooperation is key to promoting regional peace and prosperity. They together make up about 25% of global gross domestic product. But the three countries have been repeatedly embroiled in bitter disputes over a range of historical and diplomatic issues originating from Japan’s wartime atrocities. China’s rise and a U.S. push reinforce its Asian alliances have also significantly impacted their three-way ties in recent years.

Experts say South Korea, China and Japan now share a need to improve ties. South Korea and Japan want better ties with China because it is their biggest trading partner. China, for its part, likely believes a further strengthening of the South Korea-Japan-U.S. cooperation would hurt its national interests.

China, meanwhile, has always sent its premier, the country’s No. 2 official, to the trilateral leaders’ meeting since its first session in 2008. Observers say China earlier argued that under then-collective leadership, its premier was chiefly in charge of economic affairs and best suited to attend the meeting, which largely focuses on economic issues.

But they say China may face more demands for President Xi Jinping to attend because he has concentrated power in his hands and defied the norms of collective leadership.

Associated Press writers Mari Yamaguchi in Tokyo and Simina Mistreanu in Taipei, Taiwan contributed to this report.

Copyright 2024 The  Associated Press . All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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Japan, South Korea & China (29 days)

Tokyo – Mt. Fuji – Hakone – Kanazawa – Shirakawa – Takayama – Kyoto – Nara – Osaka – Hiroshima – Miyajima – Nagasaki – Busan – Gyeongju – Seoul – Beijing – Xi’an – Chengdu – Shanghai

Designed by East Asia travel experts based on decades of personal experiences, this grand tour of South Korea, Japan and China is your ultimate East Asia adventure. Our unrivalled expertise, expert guides, and meticulous attention to detail ensure that every moment of your journey is filled with discovery and delight. Immerse yourself in the wonders of South Korea, Japan and China with a travel partner committed to turning your dreams into reality.

Important Features

• Exceptional guides handpicked by company owners
• Small group size (20 maximum)
• Premium accommodations
• Quality local & Western cuisines
• No forced shopping stops of any kind
• Immersive cultural events per itinerary

Meal Code: B = breakfast / L = lunch / D = dinner

Day 1/Mon: Departing Home City The journey begins with your transpacific flight departing from a city of your choice. You’ll lose a day upon crossing the International Date Line.

Day 2/Tue: Arrival in Tokyo Welcome to Tokyo!

Please make your way to the hotel on your own. Detailed up-to-date information on how to get to the hotel will be provided in the final update two weeks before departure. Private transfer can be arranged on request.

Day 3/Wed: Tokyo (B/L) Tokyo, literally meaning “eastern capital” and officially named Tokyo Metropolis, is one of the most populous mega-cities in the world with a population of 14 million. Formerly known as Edo, the city has been the de facto seat of the Japanese government since 1603 when shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu chose the city for his headquarters. The shogun (general) was a hereditary commander ceremoniously appointed by the emperor but held real power over the country during the shogunate period between 1192 and 1867. Edo was renamed Tokyo after Emperor Meiji moved his seat from Kyoto in 1868 when the last shogun was forced to return power to the imperial court. The city covers an area of 2,187 square kilometres following the merger in 1943 of the city of Tokyo and Tokyo Prefecture.

Our full-day sightseeing begins at the plaza in front of the Imperial Palace. The palace is closed to tourists but a stroll across the plaza accompanied by commentaries on the imperial family and the city of Tokyo gets the tour off to a good start.

We then proceed to Senso-ji, the oldest Buddhist temple in Tokyo dating back to 628.

After lunch, we drive through ritzy Ginza shopping district on the way to Meiji Jingu, a Shinto shrine dedicated to Emperor Meiji (1852 -1912) and his wife.

We end the day with a visit to the observation deck atop the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building in Shinjuku. On a clear day, the visitor could see the peak of Mount Fuji about 84 km to the west. The building complex completed in 1990 at a cost of US$1 billion consists of three main structures each taking up a city block. The architect of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building is Kenzo Tange (1913 – 2005), who in 1987 became the first Japanese to win the Pritzker Prize for Architecture.

Day 4/Thu: Tokyo – Mt. Fuji – Hakone – Tokyo (B/L) We depart at 7:30 AM for a full-day excursion to Mt Fuji and Hakone.

Mt. Fuji, the highest mountain (3,776 metres) in Japan, is a two-hour drive from Tokyo. We stop by the Fujisan World Heritage Center to view the summit and learn about the history, formation and ecology of Mt. Fuji through exhibits and a short film. However, it is purely a matter of luck whether the summit is visible as Mt. Fuji is often shrouded in clouds. Our schedule does not include hiking the mountain – the trails are open between July and early September and it would take the average person at least six hours to hike to the summit even if one starts from the highest station at 2,305 metres above sea level.

We then proceed to Lake Ashi in Hakone for a short cruise across the lake. This is followed by a 10-minute cable car ride that transports us to the station overlooking the sulphur-spewing Owakudani Geothermal Valley. On a clear day, the cable car ride provides stunning views of Mt. Fuji and its surrounding mountain slopes.

We expect to arrive back at the hotel around 6:00 PM.

Day 5/Fri: Tokyo – Kanazawa (B) Enjoy some downtime before boarding the high-speed train (Hakutaka #561, 11:24/14:17) to Kanazawa. Be sure to grab some snacks for lunch before getting on the train. 

On the shores of Sea of Japan, Kanazawa is the capital of Ishikawa Prefecture. The city has a population of 463,000 and is considered a jewel of Japanese tourism that is often overlooked by foreign tourists due to its relatively remote location. Travellers coming here are richly rewarded with the well-preserved Edo-period city, where the samurai, merchants, geisha, and daimyo (lords) all left their mark.

Due to proximity of the attractions, our sightseeing in Kanazawa is done exclusively on foot with occasional use of taxi to cover the short distances between some of the locations. Please expect to walk 5 to 8 km per day.

After hotel check-in, we walk or go by taxi (2 km, 6 minutes) to Higashi Chaya quarter. Higashi and chaya respectively translate to “eastern” and “tea house”. During the Edo Period, a chaya was found in designated entertainment district where geisha entertained male patrons with dance and music.

Day 6/Sat: Kanazawa (B/L) Today’s sightseeing on foot begins at Omicho Market, Kanazawa’s largest fresh food market particularly well known for seafood.

The walk from the market to Kanazawa Castle is less than 10 minutes.  The restored castle was originally built in 1580 for Maeda Toshiie, the fourth son of a minor samurai who entered the service of a powerful daimyo at the age of 15 and quickly rose through the ranks. The castle was reconstructed multiple times due to fire damages throughout its history. The last time a fire destroyed the castle was in 1881. The Hishi Yagura turret, Gojikken Nagaya warehouse and the Hashizume-mon Tsuzuki Yagura turret were faithfully restored in 2001 to their 1809 form using traditional construction methods. Today’s pillars are constructed from the Japanese Hinoki cypress along with the use of the massive American cypress as ceiling beams.

From the castle we walk across a bridge to enter Kenroku-en, which used to be part of the castle. One of the Three Great Gardens of Japan (Koraku-en in Okayama and Kairaku-en in Mito being the other two), Kenroku-en was developed from the 1620s to the 1840s by the Maeda clan, the daimyo that ruled the former Kaga Domain.

The restaurant for lunch is a 12-minute (700 metres) downhill walk from the garden.

After lunch, we walk 550 metres (8 minutes) to Nagamachi, a historical preservation zone where the residents still go about their daily lives among the remnants of a bygone age. A highlight of the neighbourhood is the restored Nomura Samurai House, whose small but supremely exquisite traditional garden delights visitors from around the world.

Guests who are tired of walking can go back to the hotel from the samurai house by taxi (1.4 km) for about 750 yen or US$5.50.   

Day 7/Sun: Kanazawa – Shirakawa – Takayama (B/D) After breakfast, we transfer to Kanazawa Station to board the long-distance motor coach (11:08/12:25, 65 km) bound for Shirakawa. Seats and luggage storage space on the bus are guaranteed.

Situated in a picturesque river valley, Shirakawa village is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site known as Historic Villages of Shirakawa-go and Gokayama. The village’s gassho-style large houses with steeply pitched thatched roofs are said to be the only surviving examples of their kind in Japan.

After a leisurely walking tour of the village, we continue on to Takayama by long-distance coach (15:45/16:36). Again, seats and luggage storage space on the bus are guaranteed.

The walk from the bus terminal to the hotel on flat ground takes 4 minutes (300 metres).

Day 8/Mon: Takayama – Kyoto (B) Famous for its inns, sake breweries, food festivals and local folk art, Takayama (118 km southeast of Kanazawa) is a delightful town nestled amongst the Japanese Alps.

Our walking tour this morning takes in an open-air market, Sanmachi Historic District, and  Takayama Jinya – government house of the region during the Tokugawa shogunate period. Have a pair of thick socks ready for the hour-long walking and standing on hardwood floor inside the Jinya house.

Later in the day, we retrieve our luggage from the hotel and walk to the train station (5 minutes/240 metres) for the afternoon train to Kyoto (Hida 12, 13:35/16:09; via Nagoya, Nozomi 75, 16:26/17:00).

The transfer to the hotel on arrival, by taxi or chartered bus, takes 10 minutes (3 km).

Day 9/Tue: Kyoto (B/L/D) Nicknamed “City of Ten Thousand Shrines”, Kyoto (literal translation: capital city) served as Japan’s capital for more than one thousand years before the imperial court moved to Tokyo in 1868 with the onset of the Meiji Restoration (1868 to 1912, a historical period associated with the emergence of Japan as a modernized nation). Kyoto is a scaled replica of the Chinese Tang Dynasty’s capital Chang’an, present-day Xi’an. The Tang Dynasty (618 – 907) was a golden era in Chinese history and a time when Japanese adoption of Chinese culture reached its peak. Kyoto today, with a population of 1.5 million, forms a major part of the Kyoto-Osaka-Kobe metropolitan area.

Our first stop this morning is Kinkaku-ji (Temple of Golden Pavilion). This is a Zen Buddhist temple and one of 17 locations comprising the Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto World Heritage Site.

We then proceed to Arashiyama (Storm Mountain) area where our sightseeing takes in Tenryu-ji Temple and the Bamboo Forest. Located on the western outskirts of Kyoto, Arashiyama is famous for its immense natural beauty as well as its historical and cultural prominence due to the large number of well-preserved ancient Buddhist temples.

After lunch, we tour the magnificent Nijo Castle. Construction of the castle began in 1601 under the order of Tokugawa Ieyasu, founder of the Tokugawa shogunate, but was not completed until 1626 during the reign of Iemitsu, the third Tokugawa shogun and grandson of Ieyasu. The Tokugawa shogunate was headquartered in Edo, present-day Tokyo, and Nijo Castle was the shogun’s residence in Kyoto where the imperial court was located. Nijo Castle is also the site that witnessed the ending of the Tokugawa shogunate. In late 1867, the last shogun, Yoshinobu, announced in the castle his decision to the return his power back to the emperor. This was a watershed moment that helped usher in the Meiji Restoration, which, in turn, led to Japan’s industrialization and fundamentally transformed the Japanese society. 

We then go back to the hotel for a quick break before heading out for dinner, a traditional kaiseki banquet accompanied by the private performance of a dancing geisha known as maiko in Japanese.

Day 10/Wed: Kyoto (B) Today is set aside for you to explore on your own.

Our recommendations include Kiyomizu-dera (Buddhist temple), Fushimi Inari Shrine (good for hiking), Ginkaku-ji (Silver Pavilion Temple), Kyoto National Museum, Kyoto Imperial Palace (subject to frequent closure), and Gion – the famous geisha entertainment district.

Day 11/Thu: Kyoto – Nara – Osaka – Hiroshima (B/L) We depart for Nara at 07:45. The 45 km drive to the magnificent Todai-ji temple takes about an hour. This ancient Buddhist temple is well-known not only for its splendid architecture and the huge bronze statue of the Buddha in the main hall but also for the 1,200 wild deer roaming freely on the grounds of the temple.

Nara is the capital city of Nara Prefecture and a former capital of Japan (710 – 794). With a population of roughly 370,000 and an area of 280 square kilometres, the city occupies the northern part of Nara Prefecture. Eight temples, shrines and ruins together with Kasugayama Primeval Forest collectively form “The Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara” – a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Afterwards we continue on to Osaka, where we visit the historic Osaka Castle and Osaka’s legendary shopping and entertainment district known as Dotonbori. Situated at the mouth of the Yodo River on Osaka Bay, Osaka is Japan’s third most populous city (after Tokyo and Yokohama) and plays a significant role in Japanese economy. Osaka was once known as the “nation’s kitchen” because of its function as Japan’s rice trading centre during the Edo period.

We then transfer to the Shin Osaka Station for the late afternoon rail journey to Hiroshima (Sakura 563, 16:23/17:51).

Day 12/Fri: Hiroshima – Miyajima – Hiroshima (B/D) Hiroshima, literally meaning ‘broad island’, is the capital of Hiroshima Prefecture and the largest city in the Chugoku region with a population of 1.2 million. Hiroshima is best known as the first city in history to be targeted by a nuclear weapon when the United States Army Air Forces dropped an atomic bomb on the city (and later on Nagasaki) at 8:15 a.m. on August 6, 1945, near the end of World War II. The highlight in Hiroshima, understandably but sadly, is the Peace Memorial Park which includes the Peace Memorial Museum, and the Atomic Bomb Dome that once served as the industrial promotion hall of the local prefect.

After a tour of the Peace Memorial Park complex including two hours in the museum onsite, we proceed to Miyajima Island by a combination of taxi, commuter train and ferry.

Officially known as Itsukushima, Miyajima is a small island (30 square kilometres, population 1,760) in Hiroshima Bay known for its forests and ancient temples. The seaside Itsukushima Shinto Shrine on the island is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the “floating” torii gate in front of the shrine is the main reason for most visitors to come here.

Day 13/Sat: Hiroshima – Nagasaki (B/D) The rail journey to Nagasaki this morning takes 2 hours 42 minutes (09:47/12:29).

Located on the northwest coast of the island of Kyushu, Nagasaki is the capital of and the largest city in Nagasaki Prefecture with a population of 424,066 as of 2017. During the Tokugawa bakufu era (1603-1868) Nagasaki was the largest of the four Japanese ports allowed for international trade. The exposure to European influence, primarily Portuguese and Dutch, in those days certainly has left its mark on the city as evidenced by Nagasaki’s large number of Japanese Catholics and numerous European-style buildings throughout the city. Nagasaki also had the misfortune of being hit by an atomic bomb near the end of World War II, making it the second and last target of nuclear bombing in history.

Afternoon sightseeing begins at Dejima, the site of the Dutch trading post known as factory. Built on reclaimed land originally intended for the Portuguese, the 2-acre island was later offered to the Dutch, who used it from 1641 to 1854.

We then proceed to the Basilica of the Twenty-Six Holy Martyrs of Japan (also known as Oura Church), and adjacent Glover Garden built in 1863 for Thomas Blake Glover, a Scottish merchant who moved to Nagasaki as a young man, started a family with a Japanese woman and passed away in Tokyo at the age of 73.

After dinner , we drive up to Mount Inasa to take in the spectacular night view of Nagasaki, something every visitor to Nagasaki should do.

Day 14/Sun: Nagasaki (B) Morning sightseeing includes Nagasaki Peace Park and Chinatown.

Established in 1955 near the hypocenter of the atomic bombing on August 9, 1945, the Peace Park sits next to the Atomic Bombing Museum and the Peace Memorial Hall.

Nagasaki Shinchi Chinatown is the oldest Chinatown in Japan. The area in downtown Nagasaki was originally the location of the warehouses of Chinese traders. The Chinese merchants came to Nagasaki because it was the only open port in Japan during the Tokugawa period. Today, Nagasaki Shinchi Chinatown is a thriving district filled with a variety of shops and restaurants where visitors can find the best Champon and Sara Udon, two Chinese-influenced noodle dishes.

The afternoon is set aside for you to explore on your own. We recommend a walking tour of Teramachi (temple street), where 14 Buddhist temples and 2 Shinto shrines stand side by side. Two temples, Kofukuji and Sofukuji, are particularly famous. In the 16th and early 17th centuries, Nagasaki was a hub of international trade, with European and Chinese traders frequenting its ports. Chinese traders, who made up the majority of foreigners living in Nagasaki in those days, were avid temple builders whose enthusiasm was cheered on by the ruling shogunate in its effort in reigning in the spread of Christianity in western Japan.

Day 15/Mon: Nagasaki – Fukuoka – Busan (B/D) This morning we travel to Fukuoka by train (2 hours 11 minutes) for mid-day or late afternoon flight (1 hour) to Busan. Transfer to the hotel on arrival and have the rest of the day at leisure. Enjoy a seafood dinner in a small, family-run restaurant within walking distance of the hotel.

Day 16/Tue: Busan (B/L) Busan, sometimes spelled as Pusan, is the largest port and second largest city in South Korea with a current population around 3.5 million. The city is known for its beaches, mountains, temples, and long history of trade and cultural exchange with Japan.

Today’s sightseeing begins with a visit to United Nations Memorial Cemetery. Established in January 1951, the 35-acre burial ground contains 2,300 graves of fallen soldiers who fought on the side of the United Nations during the Korean War (Jun 25, 1950 – Jul 27, 1953). The majority of the interred soldiers were from the Commonwealth of Nations including the United Kingdom (886), Canada (378), Australia (281), New Zealand (34) and South Africa (11). A South Korean guard of honour carries out flag ceremonies daily.

We then proceed to Jagalchi fish market, the largest seafood market in South Korea. Today’s schedule ends with a leisurely walk at Haeundae Beach.

Day 17/Wed: Busan – Gyeongju – Seoul (B/L) Following breakfast we drive 100 kilometres northeast to Gyeongju. The city was the capital of the 1,000-year-long Silla dynasty and possesses extensive remains to prove its cultural and historical significance.

Our sightseeing in Gyeongju begins at the 8th-century Bulguksa, a magnificent Buddhist temple complex featuring stone pagodas, a series of wooden buildings on raised stone terraces, and a large bronze Buddha. A masterpiece of the golden age of Buddhist art in the Silla kingdom, the temple is classified as Historic and Scenic Site No.1 by the South Korean government and is also listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.

The Gyeongju National Museum is next on our schedule. The museum houses a large collection of relics from the Silla era giving the visitor a deep insight into the ancient kingdom.

The afternoon train journey to Seoul takes just over 2 hours (KTX #40, 15:07/17:14, 300 km).

Capital of South Korea, Seoul is a huge metropolis where modern skyscrapers, high-tech subways and pop culture meet Buddhist temples, palaces and street markets.

Day 18/Thu: Seoul – DMZ – Seoul (B/L/D) We spend the morning visiting the the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), with more than half of the designated time spent on driving there and back.

The DMZ divides North Korea and South Korea and is one of the last remnants of the Cold War. The DMZ runs across the Korean Peninsula and roughly follows the 38th parallel north (popular name given to latitude 38° N) on an angle, with the west end of the DMZ lying south of the parallel and the east end lying north of it. With over a million soldiers on watch each day, this stretch of land measuring 250 kilometres (160 miles) long and about 4 kilometres (2.5 miles) wide is the most fortified border in the world.

Afternoon sightseeing back in the city includes Gyeongbokgung Palace and Bukchon Hanok Village (traditional residential area on a hill inside the city).

Our farewell dinner is Korean BBQ in a high-end restaurant.

Day 19/Fri: Seoul – Beijing (B) Free morning to explore on your own. We highly recommend the National Museum of Korea, War Memorial of Korea and Changdeokgung (Changdeok Palace).

Transfer to the airport for late afternoon flight to Beijing. You will be met by our driver on arrival for the private transfer to the hotel. The balance of the day is at leisure.

Day 20/Sat: Beijing (B/L/D) The capital of China, Beijing is a world-class cultural and educational centre with a population of 21.9 million (2020), ranking it China’s second largest city behind Shanghai. Beijing is renowned for its opulent palaces, temples, and huge stone walls and gates – treasures that make it the most popular tourist city in China by the number of visitors it receives every year.

We begin today with a visit to the Forbidden City. Officially known as the Palace Museum, the Forbidden City was the place where the emperors of the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1912) dynasties lived and carried out their administration. Construction of the Forbidden City took 14 years (1406-1420) to complete. The complex consists of 980 buildings and covers 72 hectares or 180 acres. It exemplifies traditional Chinese palatial architecture and has influenced cultural and architectural developments in East Asia and elsewhere. Though the Qing Dynasty was overthrown in 1912, the royal family was allowed to continue to live in the Forbidden City till 1924, when the last emperor, Pu Yi, was driven out of the imperial palace. One year later the Forbidden City was turned into a museum. Declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1987, this is the largest collection of preserved ancient wooden structures in the world.

Next comes Tian’anmen Square. Located in the heart of Beijing, the square measures 880 metres from north to south and 500 meters from east to west. Said to be the largest public plaza in the world, Tian’anmen Square has the capacity to hold one million people. The imposing Tian’anmen Tower sits at the north end of the square while the Monument to the People’s Heroes dominates the centre. The square is flanked by The Great Hall of the People (west) and the National Museum (east). Chairman Mao’s Mausoleum and Qianmen (Front Gate) are located in the south of the square. One of the top 16 tourist attractions in Beijing, Tian’anmen Square is also the witness of the Chinese people’s great struggles for democracy and personal freedom since 1919.

Afternoon sightseeing takes place at the Temple of Heaven, another UNESCO World Heritage Site. Situated in southeastern Beijing, the Temple of Heaven is China’s largest extant sacrificial temple where, during the Ming and Qing Dynasties, the emperors conducted the elaborate and most exalted sacrifices addressed to “the Supreme Ruler of the Universe.” Construction of the temple started in 1406, during the reign of the Ming Emperor Yongle, and took 14 years to complete. The temple was expanded under the Qing emperors Qianlong (1736-1796) and Jiaqing (1796-1820). Occupying 2.73 square kilometres (roughly 1,700 by 1,600 metres), the area of the Temple of Heaven is more than twice that of the Forbidden City.

The famous Hongqiao Pearl Market, the largest pearl market in the world, is right across the street from the Temple of Heaven. Recommended by numerous guidebooks for freshwater pearls, Hongqiao teems with domestic and international shoppers. If you are interested, please ask the guide to drop you off there. However, you’ll need to get back to the hotel by taxi, which costs about 8 US dollars.

Today we enjoy a delicious dinner at a popular Peking Roast Duck restaurant. Peking Roast Duck is a famous Beijing dish prized for the thin and crispy skin with authentic versions serving mostly the skin and little meat, sliced in front of the diners. The meat is wrapped in a thin layer of pancake (Chinese tortilla) together with shredded scallion, cucumber, and a sweet and salty sauce made of wheat flour. Condiments may also include pickled garlic and white sugar.

Day 21/Sun: Beijing (B/L) After an early breakfast we embark on a full-day excursion to the legendary Great Wall at Mutianyu, 75 km northeast of the city.

Zigzagging over 6,000 kilometres from east to west along the undulating mountains, the Great Wall was built to hold off tribal invaders from the north. As history shows, the Wall failed the Chinese rulers miserably, especially in the case of Kublai Khan who and his men swept across China from the Mongolian steppe, thus the beginning of the Yuan Dynasty (1279-1368).

Construction of the earliest sections of the Wall started in the 7th century BCE. A major renovation started with the founding of the Ming Dynasty in 1368 and took 200 years to complete. The wall we see today in Beijing is almost exactly the result of this effort.

Day 22/Mon: Beijing – Xi’an (B/L/D) We begin our sightseeing today with a visit to a traditional hutong neighbourhood. Hutong refers to an ancient alleyway with siheyuan or ”4-sided courtyard house” on both sides. The name hutong dates back to the Yuan Dynasty (1279 – 1368 CE). According to some experts, the word originated from the Mongolian language, in which it is pronounced as hottog and means “well.” In ancient times, people tended to gather and live around wells. So the original meaning of hutong should be “a place where people live around”.

Next on our schedule is the Summer Palace, a well preserved UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site. The imperial resort was first named Garden of Clear Ripples, which was burnt down by the allied forces of Great Britain and France in 1860 at the end of the Second Opium War (referred to as Arrow War by the British). Reconstruction started 25 years later and was completed in 1895 when the name was changed to Yi He Yuan (Garden of Good Health and Harmony). The design gives prominence to Longevity Hill, as well as Kunming Lake south of the hill. The sprawling complex covers an area of 290 hectares and the buildings inside consist of over 3,000 bays.

We travel to Xian by high-speed train (#G87, 14:00/18:23). The 4-hour-23-minute rail journey through fertile farmland dotted with villages provides the visitor with an excellent way to enjoy the beautiful countryside. The track we travel on between Beijing and Zhengzhou is part of the new 2,298 km high-speed railway linking Beijing and subtropical Guangzhou and is also the longest high-speed rail line in the world. In the past 20 years China has been on a building spree expanding the country’s rail network and upgrading existing railways. Its new high-speed rail service rivals France’s TGV and Japan’s “shinkansen” in terms of safety, speed, comfort and punctuality.

Day 23/Tue: Xi’an (B/L) With a history going back over 3,000 years, Xi’an served as China’s capital of several ruling dynasties including the Han (206 BCE – 220 CE) and the Tang (618 – 907). It is home to the famous Terracotta Army and the eastern terminus of the ancient Silk Road – a network of trade routes connecting China proper with regions as far as the Mediterranean beginning in the Second Century BCE.

We spend the morning visiting the Terracotta Army. Built on the excavation site, the museum is located 30 km east of the city. Designed to follow the first emperor of the Qin Dynasty (221-206 BCE) into eternity, the Terracotta Army represents one of the greatest archeological discoveries of the 20th century.

After lunch we return to the city for a stroll on the ancient city wall. Declared a national treasure by the State Council in 1961, the wall (first built in 1370) encircles an area of 14 square kilometres. It runs 13.7 kilometres long and measures 12 metres in height with a thickness at the base between 15 to 18 metres.

Day 24/Wed: Xi’an – Chengdu (B/L/D) Morning sightseeing begins at Shaanxi Provincial Museum. The modern, well-organized museum was completed in 1992 and traces the history of Xian from prehistory to the Qing dynasty (1644-1912). The extensive galleries and exhibitions offer the visitor an excellent introduction to the area that greatly improves understanding of the numerous historical sites in and around the city.

We then visit the grand mosque in the old town centre and the adjacent Muslim bazaar. The mosque was established in the 8th century but the majority of the complex was constructed in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). It was further expanded in the Qing Dynasty. Unlike most mosques in Middle Eastern or Arab countries, this mosque is completely Chinese in architectural style. It has neither domes nor traditional minarets.

This afternoon we ride the bullet train (G1975, 14:34/18:25) to Chengdu, the capital of populous Sichuan Province. The ancient city has a population of 14 million with half of that within the urban centre and the remainder in the surrounding districts. The fertile Chengdu Plain, on which Chengdu is located, is also known as “Country of Heaven”, a phrase also often translated as “The Land of Abundance”. The discovery of the Jinsha site suggests the area of Chengdu had become the centre of the Bronze Age Sanxingdui culture around the time of the establishment of the state of Shu, prior to its annexation by Qin in 316 BCE.

Day 25/Thu: Chengdu (B/L) Morning sightseeing at Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding. The giant panda, unrelated to the red or lesser panda, is a bear native to south central China, living in mountainous regions. It is easily recognized by the large, distinctive black patches around its eyes, over the ears, and across its round body. Though it belongs to the order Carnivora, the panda’s diet is over 99% bamboo. The giant panda has an insatiable appetite for bamboo. A typical animal eats half the day – a full 12 out of every 24 hours – and relieves itself dozens of times a day. Giant pandas are solitary creatures. They have a highly developed sense of smell that males use to avoid each other and to find females for mating in the spring. After a five-month pregnancy, females give birth to a cub or two, though they cannot care for both twins. The blind infants, born fully white, weigh only 5 ounces (142 grams) at birth and cannot crawl until they reach three months of age.

The panda is a conservation reliant endangered species. Recent statistics (late 2022) shows 637 pandas living in captivity with most of them inside China. The most authoritative estimate as of late 2022 puts the number of giant pandas living in the wilderness at 1864.

We spend most of the afternoon at Jinsha Museum. In February 2001, construction workers chanced upon a significant archaeological discovery in modern China. The discovery led to the naming of Jinsha culture (1200 – 650 BCE) and a museum was erected at the excavation site. Jinsha culture flourished around 1000 BCE and shares similarities in burial objects with the Sanxingdui site located 50 km from Chengdu. Objects made of ivory, jade, bronze, gold and stone were unearthed at the site. Unlike the site at Sanxingdui, Jinsha did not have a city wall. Jinsha culture is believed to be a final phase of Sanxingdui civilization and represents a relocation of the political center in the ancient Shu Kingdom.

Day 26/Fri: Chengdu – Shanghai (B/L) Free morning to explore on your own.

Afternoon sightseeing after lunch includes Wang Jiang Lou Park and a typical local tea house. Wangjianglou means “river-overlooking tower” and the park is so named because of the ancient pagoda-shaped wooden tower onsite. The beautiful little park dotted with verdant bamboo groves has long been a favourite spot among locals for leisure.

We fly to Shanghai late in the day.

Day 27/Sat: Shanghai (B/L/D) With a population of 24.9 million (2021), Shanghai is China’s largest city, which delights the visitor with its futuristic skyline and historical landmarks. As China’s leading gateway to the world, Shanghai plays a prominent global role as a hub of commerce, finance, cultural exchange, fashion, technology and transport.

We begin our day with a visit to Jade Buddha Temple located in an old neighbourhood. Later on we tour the famous waterfront promenade known as the Bund, which is followed by the Yu Garden in the old town centre. We wrap up the day with a drive through the glitzy financial district of Lujiazui on the opposite side of the Bund across Huangpu River.

Day 28/Sun: Shanghai (B) Free day to explore on your own. We recommend Shanghai Museum and the Urban Planning Exhibition Center nearby. Shanghai Museum, a great place to explore on your own, is frequently cited by visitors as one of the best of its kind in China with a huge collection of precious national treasures.

Day 29/Mon: Return Home (B) Your memorable China tour comes to an end this morning. Transfer to the airport any time for return flight. Guests flying back to North America will arrive home the same day as departing from Beijing after re-crossing the International Date Line.

Dates and Prices

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* Land Only price does not include international airfare except for the regional flights specified in the itinerary (Nagasaki to Busan & Seoul to Beijing).

Passport & Visa Your passport must have at least 2 blank visa pages and six months validity at the end of the tour.

Travel Insurance – When to Buy Your deposit will be kept as credit if you cancel for any reason. The transferable credit has no expiration date. Therefore, it may be unnecessary to spend $30 to $50 on cancellation insurance just to protect the deposit.

However, purchase of trip cancellation & emergency medical insurance is strongly advised when your balance is due. If you don’t have proper coverage, the loss can be devastating in case of cancellation before or after commencement of the booked trip or in case of a serious medical emergency during the trip. Please ask us for premium quotes when your balance due date is near.

Japan, China, South Korea agree to boost intra-regional tourism

Japan, China and South Korea have agreed to strengthen ties to enhance intra-regional tourism. They are aiming to increase the number of travelers from pre-pandemic levels to 40 million by 2030.

Tourism ministers from the three nations met for the first time in five years.

Their joint statement says they will also increase the number of flights and cruise ships that connect the three countries with each other. Many of those routes were cut during the coronavirus pandemic.

They also pledged to step up tourist-friendly measures, such as introducing more multilingual services.

The ministers agreed to ensure more direct flights to destinations other than major cities.

They plan to work together to add value to their products and services by highlighting natural and cultural attractions.

The statement also stresses the need to achieve sustainable tourism, including measures to prevent overtourism.

South Korea Latest Country To Impose Travel Curbs On Chinese Travellers

South korea's decision comes after countries including italy, japan, india and the us announced their own measures to avoid importing new covid variants from china..

Chinese travellers must undergo a PCR test within the first day of their arrival in South Korea. (File)

South Korea took steps on Friday to limit travellers from mainland China, imposing visa restrictions, testing requirements and limiting flights as Beijing grapples with a surge in Covid infections.

Seoul's decision comes after countries including Italy, Japan, India and the United States announced their own measures, which they say are a bid to avoid importing new coronavirus variants from China.

"Until the February next year, those entering (South Korea) from China will be required to undergo a Covid test before and after their arrivals," Seoul's Prime Minister Han Duck-soo said Friday.

Travellers from China must provide a negative PCR test taken within 48 hours before boarding a plane to South Korea, or a negative antigen test within 24 hours before departure.

They will also be required to undergo a PCR test within the first day of their arrival, Han said.

Seoul is "inevitably strengthening some anti-epidemic measures to prevent the spread of the virus in our country due to the worsening Covid-19 situation in China," Han added.

China's hospital have been overwhelmed by an explosion in cases after Beijing began unwinding hardline controls that had torpedoed the economy and sparked nationwide protests.

A growing number of countries have imposed restrictions on visitors from China after Beijing's decision to end mandatory quarantine on arrival prompted many to book travel plans.

Chinese citizens have been largely confined to their country since Beijing pulled up the drawbridge in March 2020.

South Korea will also restrict the issuing of short-term visas to Chinese nationals, excluding public officials, diplomats and those with crucial humanitarian and business purposes, until the end of January next year.

Seoul is scaling back the number of flights from China and all flights from the country will now have to land only at South Korea's main Incheon International Airport, Han added.

South Korea's southernmost Jeju Island, which has its own international airport and separate visa entry regime, was a popular tourist destination for Chinese arrivals before the pandemic.

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A senior US health official this week said that Beijing has provided only limited information to global databases about the Covid variants circulating in China, and its testing and reporting on new cases had diminished.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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South Korea Travel Advisory

Travel advisory july 24, 2023, south korea - level 1: exercise normal precautions.

Reissued with obsolete COVID-19 page links removed.

Exercise normal precautions in South Korea.

Read the  country information page  for additional information on travel to South Korea.

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A Travel Comparison for Vacations, Honeymoons, and Tours South Korea vs. China

Should you visit south korea or china, which country is cheaper, china or south korea.

Should I visit South Korea or China? This is a popular question for many travelers. By figuring out which country is more expensive, you'll understand where you'll get more bang for your buck. A week in China can cost you about $565 (per person), while a week in South Korea may cost you around $773. These differences become even more noticable if you plan to spend a longer time in the country. 10 days , two weeks , or even one month of travel to China or South Korea can really add to your travel budget.

Accommodation is often cheaper in China compared to South Korea ($35 vs. $50). Budget travelers usually stay in less expensive hostels and guest houses, while nicer hotels often appeal to families and upscale travelers.

Or, compare hostel and guesthouse prices between China and South Korea to find the cheapest accommodation here: China hostels and South Korea hostels .

When comparing food in South Korea vs. China they are not just different in cuisine, but also in price. Meal and restaurant costs in South Korea ($29) are often cheaper than China ($23).

• South Korea Prices China Prices
• Average Daily Cost Per person, per day South Korea $ 110 China $ 81
• Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person South Korea $ 50 China $ 35
• Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room South Korea $ 100 China $ 70
• Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc. South Korea $ 16 China $ 16
• Food Meals for one day South Korea $ 29 China $ 23
• Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc. South Korea $ 27 China $ 17
• Alcohol Drinks for one day South Korea $ 12 China $ 11
• Water Bottled water for one day South Korea $ 2.17 China $ 1.01

How much are flights to South Korea and China?

The price of a plane ticket may help you decide which country you should visit.

Find a Hostel in South Korea or China

Hostels, guest houses, and locally owned B&B's are often the cheapest form of accommodation.

Related Articles for South Korea

Related articles for china, when is the best time to visit south korea and china.

Why is South Korea more expensive than China?

What are the most expensive and cheapest cities and regions in south korea and china.

How you can save money when visiting South Korea and China?

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South Korea imposes travel restrictions on arrivals from China amid Covid surge

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South Korea took steps on Friday to limit travellers from mainland China, imposing visa restrictions, testing requirements and limiting flights as Beijing grapples with a surge in Covid-19 infections.

Seoul’s decision comes after countries including Italy, Japan, India and the United States announced their own measures, which they say are a bid to avoid importing new coronavirus variants from China.

“Until the February next year, those entering (South Korea) from China will be required to undergo a Covid test before and after their arrivals,” Seoul’s Prime Minister Han Duck-soo said Friday.

Travellers from China must provide a negative PCR test taken within 48 hours before boarding a plane to South Korea, or a negative antigen test within 24 hours before departure.

They will also be required to undergo a PCR test within the first day of their arrival, Han said.

Seoul is “inevitably strengthening some anti-epidemic measures to prevent the spread of the virus in our country due to the worsening Covid-19 situation in China,” Han added.

China’s hospital have been overwhelmed by an explosion in cases after Beijing began unwinding hardline controls that had torpedoed the economy and sparked nationwide protests.

A growing number of countries have imposed restrictions on visitors from China after Beijing’s decision to end mandatory quarantine on arrival prompted many to book travel plans.

Chinese citizens have been largely confined to their country since Beijing pulled up the drawbridge in March 2020.

South Korea will also restrict the issuing of short-term visas to Chinese nationals, excluding public officials, diplomats and those with crucial humanitarian and business purposes, until the end of January next year.

Seoul is scaling back the number of flights from China and all flights from the country will now have to land only at South Korea’s main Incheon International Airport, Han added.

South Korea’s southernmost Jeju Island, which has its own international airport and separate visa entry regime, was a popular tourist destination for Chinese arrivals before the pandemic.

A senior US health official this week said that Beijing has provided only limited information to global databases about the Covid variants circulating in China, and its testing and reporting on new cases had diminished.

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10 Days in South Korea: Best 4 Itineraries for a First Visit 2025

When visiting South Korea, 10 days is the most popular length of time for both families and couples. You could explore major highlights of Seoul and Busan without feeling rushed. You would also have the flexibility to visit Jeju Island, traditional Gyeongju and Andong, or other places that interest you.

In this article, we've handpicked four 10-day South Korea itineraries to help you plan a once-in-a-lifetime vacation and stress-free journey. We would customize any itinerary based on your preferences.

Itinerary 1: Classic South Korea

• Itinerary 2: For Family with Teenagers

Itinerary 3: Modern and Historical South Korea

Itinerary 4: south korea off-the-beaten-path.

• How Much Does a 10-Day Trip in South Korea Cost

This 10-day itinerary is excellent for a first visit to South Korea. It covers the must-see attractions in Seoul, Busan, Gyeongju, and Jeju Island, as well as a variety of authentic activities to enrich your trip.

• 3 nights in Seoul
• 1 night in Gyeongju
• 2 nights in Busan
• 2 nights on Jeju Island
• 1 night in Seoul

Begin your adventure in Seoul. Explore iconic landmarks, such as Gyeongbokgung Palace, Bukchon Hanok Village, Myeongdong, and N Seoul Tower with your private guide. Your guide would help you to understand the culture and history of Seoul in a more interesting way.

To fully immerse yourself in Korean cuisine, taste authentic Korean food at Gwangjang Market. You would also have the chance to try your hands at a cooking class in a local home.

Next, head to Gyeongju, the ancient capital with many historic sites. Don't miss experiencing a night's stay at a traditional Hanok hotel. A Hanok hotel usually has 5–15 rooms and they're easily booked up, so you're advised to make a reservation at least 3 months in advance.

Continue your adventure to the seaside city of Busan. You could quickly get a feel for the city's cultural-rich atmosphere at Haedong Yonggung Temple and Gamcheon Culture Village.

Take a short flight to end your journey on Jeju Island. Be amazed by the natural wonders of Manjanggul lava tube, Hallasan Mountain, and Seongsan Ilchulbong ('Sunrise Peak'). Watch Haenyeo divers catch seafood in a traditional way and enjoy some free time on the beaches. After that, back to Seoul to depart from the country.

Our South Korea travel expert would tailor-made a private tour for you based on your preferences and requirements.

Itinerary 2: for Families with Teenagers

This 10-day South Korea itinerary is suitable for families with teenagers and allows for a relaxing travel pace. It would satisfy your kids' love for K-pop and provides abundant family-friendly experiences. What's more, you don't need to change hotels a lot.

• 4 nights in Seoul
• 3 nights on Jeju Island

Start your trip in Seoul. For a special family experience, we could arrange many authentic activities to help you delve into Korean history, culture, and food. For example, experience a private K-pop dancing class and shoot a video, explore the DMZ tunnels with a guided tour, indulge in a cooking class, and spend a night at a traditional Hanok hotel.

Then, take a comfortable KTX (Korea Train Express) to Busan. Enjoy the natural beauty of Taejongdae by traveling effortlessly on the Danubi Train and then sample various street food at BIFF Square.

If you want to see the full view of Busan's coastal line, Songdo Skywalk is a must-visit. We suggest picking the high-end crystal cable car with a glass bottom instead of the regular one. That way, you could enjoy the beautiful sea view of Busan from every angle, feeling like you're walking on air.

Finally, you would fly to Jeju Island and be immersed in its attractive highlights: Seongeup Folk Village, the performance of Haenyeo divers catching seafood, and a sightseeing cruise to watch whales.

Our travel expert would carefully design each private tour to cater to your unique interests and requirements .

With this 10-day South Korea itinerary, you would explore the top two modern cities of Seoul and Busan, and also delve into the profound history of the ancient cities of Andong and Gyeongju.

• 1 night in Andong
• 2 nights in Seoul

Your journey through South Korea would begin in Seoul, a capital with a vibrant culture. You would take a leisurely walk in Insadong and Myeongdong, cruise on the Han River, and sample local Korean food at Gwangjang Market.

During your stay in Seoul, you could also consider taking 1–2 days for a day trip to explore nearby cities like Suwon, known for its rich traditions, and Chuncheon, a paradise for outdoor sports.

On day 4, you would head to the birthplace of Korean philosophical culture, Andong. Highlights include seeing a unique mask dance performance at the famous Hahoe Folk Village and creating your mask at Hahoe Mask Museum. With the company and guidance of a local guide, you would gain a deeper understanding of historical stories.

On day 5, travel to Gyeongju to visit the "museum without walls". There are many historical sites with thousands of years of history waiting for you to explore: Bulguksa Temple, Seokguram Grotto, and Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond. Don't forget to spend a night at a Korean-style Hanok hotel.

Then, spend 3 days in Busan, where you could wander around Haedong Yonggungsa Temple, experience the fun Songdo Skywalk, and sample the freshest seafood. After that, head back to Seoul to depart from South Korea.

You can just tell us your preferences and requirements, and we will customize a tour for you.

With this 10-day itinerary, you would visit the bustling city of Seoul and explore three off-the-beaten-path cities: Sokcho, Andong, and Suncheon. Immerse yourself in traditional villages and enjoy serene natural views.

To make the most of your time while visiting the attractions, you're recommended to travel in a private car when visiting the three hidden gems of Sokcho, Andong, and Suncheon.

• 1 night in Sokcho
• 2 nights in Suncheon

You would start in Seoul. Explore the highlights with a guided tour of Changdeok Palace, Bukchon Hanok Village, Jogyesa Temple, the DMZ, and any other attractions that you're interested in.

One of the highlights of this itinerary is the Seoraksan National Park in Sokcho. This is the highest peak near Seoul, featuring strange rocks and rare wildlife. It's a great place for travelers who love adventure and outdoor sports.

The traditional city of Andong is your next stop. Enjoy a unique mask dance performance at Hahoe Folk Village and visit the local Confucius temple and school to gain insights into the culture that has deeply affected Korean history.

Another highlight of this itinerary is Suncheon Bay Wetland Reserve in Suncheon. It's one of the world's top five coastal wetlands. You could take a sightseeing cruise to visit the rare birds with a guide and wander across the wide reeds. Finally, take a private car and return to Seoul to depart South Korea.

If you have other requirements, contact us and we can make it happen.

How Much Does 10 Days in South Korea Cost?

US$400–500 per person per day is the typical cost for a private tour with 4-star hotels, based on a family of 3–5 people. This includes a private guide, private car, full-day itinerary, tickets for attractions, all intercity transport within South Korea, and handpicked 4-star hotels.

Therefore, the total cost for 10 days in South Korea would be about US$4,000–5,000 per person (international flights not included).

Get Inspired with Some Popular Itineraries

At Asia Highlights, we create your kind of journey — your dates, your destinations, at your pace. You can have any trip tailor made for your travel.

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Where Kamala Harris Stands on the Issues: Abortion, Immigration and More

She wants to protect the right to abortion nationally. Here’s what else to know about her positions.

• Share full article

By Maggie Astor

• Published July 21, 2024 Updated Sept. 11, 2024, 11:38 a.m. ET

Follow along with live updates and debate analysis on the Trump and Harris campaigns .

With Vice President Kamala Harris having replaced President Biden on the Democratic ticket, her stances on key issues will be scrutinized by both parties and the nation’s voters.

She has a long record in politics: as district attorney of San Francisco, as attorney general of California, as a senator, as a presidential candidate and as vice president.

Here is an overview of where she stands.

Ms. Harris supports legislation that would protect the right to abortion nationally, as Roe v. Wade did before it was overturned in 2022, in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization.

After the Dobbs ruling, she became central to the Biden campaign’s efforts to keep the spotlight on abortion, given that Mr. Biden — with his personal discomfort with abortion and his support for restrictions earlier in his career — was a flawed messenger. In March, she made what was believed to be the first official visit to an abortion clinic by a president or vice president.

She consistently supported abortion rights during her time in the Senate, including cosponsoring legislation that would have banned common state-level restrictions, like requiring doctors to perform specific tests or have hospital admitting privileges in order to provide abortions.

As a presidential candidate in 2019, she argued that states with a history of restricting abortion rights in violation of Roe should be subject to what is known as pre-clearance for new abortion laws — those laws would have to be federally approved before they could take effect. That proposal is not viable now that the Supreme Court has overturned Roe.

Climate change

Ms. Harris has supported the Biden administration’s climate efforts , including legislation that provided hundreds of billions of dollars in tax credits and rebates for renewable energy and electric vehicles.

“It is clear the clock is not just ticking, it is banging,” she said in a speech last year , referring to increasingly severe and frequent disasters spurred by climate change. “And that is why, one year ago, President Biden and I made the largest climate investment in America’s history.”

During her 2020 presidential campaign, she emphasized the need for environmental justice , a framework that calls for policies to address the adverse effects that climate change has on poor communities and people of color. She has emphasized that as vice president as well.

In 2019, Ms. Harris, then a senator, and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Democrat of New York, introduced legislation that would have evaluated environmental rules and laws by how they affected low-income communities. It would have also established an independent Office of Climate and Environmental Justice Accountability and created a “senior adviser on climate justice” within several federal agencies. In 2020, Ms. Harris introduced a more sweeping version of the bill. None of the legislation was passed.

Ms. Harris was tasked with leading the Biden administration’s efforts to secure voting rights legislation, a job she asked for . The legislation — which went through several iterations but was ultimately blocked in the Senate — would have countered voting restrictions in Republican-led states, limited gerrymandering and regulated campaign finance more strictly.

This year, she met with voting rights advocates and described a strategy that included creating a task force on threats to election workers and challenging state voting restrictions in court.

She has condemned former President Donald J. Trump’s efforts to overturn the 2020 election results. In a speech in 2022 marking the anniversary of the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol, she said that day had showed “what our nation would look like if the forces who seek to dismantle our democracy are successful.” She added, “What was at stake then, and now, is the right to have our future decided the way the Constitution prescribes it: by we the people, all the people.”

Economic policy

In campaign events this year, Ms. Harris has promoted the Biden administration’s economic policies, including the infrastructure bill that Mr. Biden signed, funding for small businesses, a provision in the Inflation Reduction Act that capped the cost of insulin for people on Medicare and student debt forgiveness.

She indicated at an event in May that the administration’s policies to combat climate change would also bring economic benefits by creating jobs in the renewable energy industry. At another event , she promoted more than $100 million in Energy Department grants for auto parts manufacturers to pivot to electric vehicles, which she said would “help to keep our auto supply chains here in America.”

As a senator, she introduced legislation that would have provided a tax credit of up to $6,000 for middle- and low-income families, a proposal she emphasized during her presidential campaign as a way to address income inequality.

Immigration

One of Ms. Harris’s mandates as vice president has been to address the root causes of migration from Latin America, like poverty and violence in migrants’ home countries. Last year, she announced $950 million in pledges from private companies to support Central American communities. Similar commitments made previously totaled about $3 billion.

In 2021, she visited the U.S.-Mexico border and said : “This issue cannot be reduced to a political issue. We’re talking about children, we’re talking about families, we are talking about suffering.”

More recently, she backed a bipartisan border security deal that Mr. Biden endorsed but Mr. Trump, by urging Republican lawmakers to kill it , effectively torpedoed. The legislation would have closed the border if crossings reached a set threshold, and it would have funded thousands of new border security agents and asylum officers. “We are very clear, and I think most Americans are clear, that we have a broken immigration system and we need to fix it,” Ms. Harris said in March .

Israel and Gaza

Ms. Harris called in March for an “immediate cease-fire” in Gaza and described the situation there as a “humanitarian catastrophe.” She said that “the threat Hamas poses to the people of Israel must be eliminated” but also that “too many innocent Palestinians have been killed.”

In an interview later that month , she emphasized her opposition to an Israeli invasion of Rafah, the city in southern Gaza to which more than a million people had fled. “I have studied the maps,” she said. “There’s nowhere for those folks to go, and we’re looking at about 1.5 million people in Rafah who are there because they were told to go there, most of them.”

She has said on multiple occasions that she supports a two-state solution.

Racial justice

Racial justice was a theme of Ms. Harris’s presidential campaign. In a memorable debate exchange in 2019 , she denounced Mr. Biden’s past work with segregationist senators and opposition to school busing mandates.

She has called for ending mandatory minimum sentences, cash bail and the death penalty, which disproportionately affect people of color.

Amid the protests that followed the police killing of George Floyd in 2020, she was one of the senators who introduced the Justice in Policing Act, which would have made it easier to prosecute police officers, created a national registry of police misconduct and required officers to complete training on racial profiling. It was not passed.

Her record as a prosecutor also came into play during her presidential campaign. Critics noted that as attorney general of California, she had generally avoided stepping in to investigate police killings.

Maggie Astor covers politics for The New York Times, focusing on breaking news, policies, campaigns and how underrepresented or marginalized groups are affected by political systems. More about Maggie Astor