Combining Tokyo and Beijing
 

Hi. I am planning a trip to Asia next month. I'd like to do 6 days in Tokyo and 4-5 in Beijing. Does anyone have any ideas of how to plan this and top sights to see. In Tokyo I know I want to travel to Mt Fuji and in Beijing the Great Wall of China is a must. Thanks.

With your limited time, you'd be better off choosing just one. Save the other for your next trip.

I can do both it's just 4 hour flight

It's not the flight time I am thinking about, it's all there is to see and do. Many people recommend a week in Beijing just to visit the major sites. Likewise, Tokyo has lots to see and do, plus if it were me, I'd want to spend some time in Kyoto as well.

Perhaps you just want to skim the surface and return for more in-depth experiences.

Are you aware of the expensive visa for China? I'd balk at paying $140 for such a short stay in China.

<< Does anyone have any ideas of how to plan this and top sights to see.>>

http://www.fodors.com/world/asia/japan/tokyo/

http://www.fodors.com/world/asia/china/beijing/

You could have done this yourself, you know.

If you are going to only Tokyo, I think 6days is just ok. I'm from Japan so I may feel like that. Mt Fiji is near Tokyo and there are nice places around there. Hakone also good to go. try Japanese hot spring water. You know next month is WINTER season in Japan?
Have a enjoy your Japan trip!

That sounds like my first trip to Asia but I spent more time in Japan and less in Beijing.

If you are traveling on a frequent flyer award then you can make a free stopover in Tokyo and then continue to Beijing and home on the same ticket. For a revenue ticket, I would look for a multi-destination ticket to include all three legs of the trip. Or an open-jaw to Tokyo and from Beijing and get a Tokyo-Beijing one-way award.

If you will be in Tokyo around November 15 then I recommend going to Meiji Shrine. The 15th is the date for celebrating Shichi-Go-San, but the 17th will be popular (I assume the 16th would be too) and maybe the 8th (i.e. the weekends before and after the 15th). You would likely see a Shinto wedding ceremony on the weekend. Meiji Shrine is the first place I recommend for visiting Tokyo.

Day trip or overnight in Hakone. Stay a night at an onsen ryokan. Those place have public hours for the onsen so you can go for a soak without spending the night. And take the tourist circuit using a Hakone Free Pass http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2358_008.html

You might also be interested in a side trip to Nikko.

I chose Mutianyu as the spot to visit the Great Wall because it has/had a gondola to take you to the top of the wall. Main sites in Beijing should be easy for you to research but I will suggest the Forbidden City and Temple of Heaven.

I was just last summer, and I agree with the choice for the Great Wall. Mutianyu was a great choice. Wasn't crowded, I mean, I have photo's of the wall with barely any people in it. Other locations, no way.

Forbidden city a must. I also went to the Summer Palace which I thought was great.