As many of you know, I’m currently in the midst of planning a family trip to Asia in 2020. I’m a bit obsessive-compulsive, so like to get the details squared out in my head before the flights are even booked. Originally, I was planning on going to Japan and stopping in Hawaii on the way. All of that is ancient history now because I have a new plan. 🙂
The other day I was picking up the kids from school and my son said he was studying China history that day. He then proceeded to ask me if I could take him to see Great Wall instead of Japan. You know what, bud? We can actually do both.
The idea of adding China to Japan itinerary did occur to me before. However, there are so many places I want to explore, and a three night extension (at most) just wouldn’t do it justice. For amazing images of China interior, I highly recommend watching the movie called “The painted veil”, starring Edward Norton and Naomi Watts.
Besides, visas to China would be expensive for my family, close to $1k when factoring in various fees. But guess what? Upon some research, I have discovered that we can add a Beijing visit and qualify for a visa-free stay. You can see the specifics of this policy here. I also recommend this Flyertalk thread that details potential issues. Here is the gist of 144-hour visa-free transit in Beijing: We can’t fly from US and back if we are only visiting China, but coming from Japan and flying to US is fine.
Some folks even book a flight with a short connection in the third country, but it’s risky and airline agents in US may not let you board the flight. I will be saving China for last anyway, just in case.
Obviously, the policy could change and entering China visa-free is at the discretion of immigration officers. For example, if you’ve been to Middle East (I haven’t), they may turn you away. Basically, you are at a whim of Chinese officials, but most people don’t seem to have any problems as long as they qualify. I’m willing to take my chances in order to save $1k. I’ve emailed Stefan at RapidTravelChai, who is an expert on China and even happens to have a Chinese wife. He told me my itinerary is perfectly fine.
I’ll have to give up Hawaii, but that’s OK. Given a choice of seeing a Great Wall of China or staying in Waikiki, I’m going to the Wall, y’all!
Photo by Hanson Lu on Unsplash
So, here is my rough plan:
- Fly to Tokyo and spend 3 nights.
- Fly to Hiroshima and then take a ferry to Miyajima island (spend 2 nights there)
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Take a bullet train to Kyoto and spend 3 nights.
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Fly to Beijing from Osaka and spend 3 nights. Back to US.
Yes, I know it’s a very hectic itinerary and no, we can’t stay in Japan or China longer. Factoring in overnights in US airports on the way to/from Asia, this is all I have to work with. I also have to make sure my husband has at least one day off before going back to work.
I realize Miyajima island is a very odd choice. Originally, I was planning on spending two nights in Hakone, near mount Fuji. However, my husband specifically requested visiting Hiroshima and A-bomb memorial. I honestly have zero desire to do that. It’s a depressing place that to me represents the worst of humanity. I realize it’s important and respect others’ desire to go there. I just don’t want to, and would be lying if I said otherwise.
But we will be going regardless, and Miyajima seems like a neat base to spend a few nights because it’s right next to Hiroshima. It’s scenic and laid-back, a perfect antidote to Tokyo. Most people come to Miyajima for only few hours, but I want to stay and enjoy it in the evening after the hordes of tourists have left. I really don’t want to do Hiroshima as a day trip from Kyoto. It’s doable, but I don’t think my husband would approve. Plus, if we stopped in Hakone, it would be for the sole reason of getting a clear view of Fuji. And the chances of that are slim in May.
I have enough miles to pull this thing off, and we may not make it to Asia as a family again. I really want to do it right and to have no regrets afterwards. I probably won’t book any tours, and do sightseeing at a leisurely pace to make up for all the moving around.
I’m not good at keeping a secret, so already told the kids about my plan. My son was excited at first. However, when I refused to take him to Burger King for a snack, he angrily said that he wants me to cancel the trip to Japan and China. I told my husband about it and he goes: “Son, even daddy can’t cancel Japan and China, and I’ve tried. What do you think your chances are?”
I hope he feels the same way when I book him a Kawaii makeover in Harajuku district, similar to what Conan O’Brien got during his trip to Tokyo:
So, what do you guys think? What would you change in my plan?
Author: Leana
Leana is the founder of Miles For Family. She enjoys beach vacations and visiting her family in Europe. Originally from Belarus, Leana resides in central Florida with her husband and two children.
Sounds good to me! But I don’t know anything about Asia, except, one thing!
Kyoto kiree des. Tokyo kiree ya nai des.
That’s what I learned in Japanese class. “Kyoto is pretty. Tokyo is not pretty.”
So based on Japanese 1001 – I’d want to go to Kyoto!
Great idea! Being able to stop for a few nights with TWOV makes it worth it. I am going to China with my husband and son this summer for two weeks, and we just got our Chinese visas. Ugh, I did not know how much that was going to cost! I got the flights first, and then planned around those. We will stop in Tokyo on the way, but only for one night.
@Andrea Spending two weeks in China is definitely preferable to three nights! I would love to someday visit Guilin city in the interior of the country. There is just so much to see, but for now Beijing will have to suffice. Not that I’m complaining! Of course, now I just need to find award availability. Fortunately, several airlines fly from Beijing to US, so something will hopefully work out.
I think adding the Great Wall is a wonderful addition to your itinerary. I’m really interested as to what you plan to see in Tokyo and Kyoto. Not sure when we can get there, but since I hate packing and unpacking, I was thinking I could do Kyoto as a day trip…I may be crazy…but we would stay the whole week in Tokyo. I’m with you on the Hiroshima visit….I don’t think I could handle it. I’ve done the Holocaust Museums, and it’s emotionally exhausting for me.
Keep us posted…can’t wait to hear how this pans out.
@Stephanie I know people do Kyoto as a day trip, but I personally don’t want to. The thing I look forward to doing most is walking the streets of Gion district after dark. That’s not something you can experience if you have to hurry and catch the last train to Tokyo. In fact, I would rather do Tokyo as a day trip. Plus, I really want to stay in machiya (old Kyoto merchant house). We will probably do the normal tourist stuff in Japan, but on a more relaxed schedule due to traveling with kids. I know I will have to cut off things I would normally see. I will keep you posted and will write a post once the flights are booked. I hope everything works out the way I’m imagining it, though maybe I’m too optimistic.
I agree with Leana on doing Tokyo instead of Kyoto as a day trip. However, if you have the whole week, it is worth splitting time between the two. Kyoto has much more character while Tokyo is a modern city. Nara is also a great day trip from Kyoto. The kids would love the deers! We did 3 days in Kyoto, one day in Hakone, one day in Tokyo and felt it was enough (but very fast paced). I think Leana’s itinerary would be much more relaxed and better for the kids.
@Katye What did you think of Hakone? Do you feel it’s a “must do” while in Japan?
No, the scenery in Hakone is a bit underwhelming for us. We didn’t see mount Fuji, but we ended up getting a sighting from afar at Hyatt Regency Tokyo lounge lol. But I am glad we stayed at a Ryokan in Hakone. Ryokan with hot spring and traditional breakfast +dinner is definitely a must in Japan. We got a room with private indoor hotspring bath for less than $200 including meals. It was a steal!
@Katye Thanks! I definitely want to experience a place with onsen bath. Unfortunately, I don’t think my kids will appreciate traditional Japanese breakfast/dinnner. I’m also not crazy about sleeping on futons! My husband and I are too old for that, lol
There are a few places in Miyajima Island that have an onsen and regular beds, so maybe we will do that. I think you have just confirmed for me that we should skip Hakone. But I agree, $200 per night for a place with private onsen and food is a steal.
@Ian Of course you can leave your link! Don’t ever hesitate to do so. 🙂 No worries at all. I was actually thinking about reaching out to you and probably will once our flights are booked. I sure hope the airlines don’t let me down and open award availability. All of this is a pipe dream at this point, but I’m hoping we can pull it off.
My priority for Beijing is Great Wall (thanks for the tip on the best section to visit) and Forbidden City. Oh, and I also want to combine the visit to Great Wall with a stop at aviation museum nearby. My husband is an aviation freak, though he hates flying commercial planes.
Thanks! Please do reach out if you lock this in and have any questions. Beijing was amazing. Honestly one of my favorite places I’ve visited thus far. If I had to pick, I’d probably head back there over Hong Kong.
@Ian Will do! Thanks.
Great choice. My kids and I used the 144-hour visa to see much of Beijing, staying six nights and leaving less than a day before the TWOV expired. Worked great. Saved us $480 and the headache of getting visas. Itinerary was SJC-SEA-PEK on Delta one-way, then PEK-HKG (stop)-SFO on Cathay using Alaska miles. The stop in Hong Kong qualified as onward travel, even though it was shorter than our time in Beijing!!
So much of China is available for either 72-hour or 144-hours visa free transit, that this is an awesome option for families.
I highly recommend the Mutianyu Great Wall section. Far less crowded, and the tour company got us there early so that we could enjoy it. The chairlift and toboggan are also super fun for kids. If you’ll permit me a link, here is our day at the wall:
http://pointsmilesandlife.com/blog/2018/12/11/5-days-in-beijing-day-3-mutianyu-great-wall-excursion/
For the rest of the time in Beijing, my top choices would be the Temple of Heaven, Forbidden City, and the Summer Palace, but you cannot fit all three into a day. Boating in Beihai Park was also fun, and make sure you walk the Wangfujing pedestrian street. So much more to do and see! You’ll need to head back!