15 days in Tokyo, Seoul & Beijing Itinerary

Tokyo holds the status of most populous metropolitan area in the world--a fact you'll find tangible as you walk the bustling streets and explore its diverse neighborhoods and cultures.

Get some historical perspective at Senso-ji Temple and Tokyo National Museum. Take a break from the city and head to Moroiso Shores and Ueno Zoo. The adventure continues: take a stroll through Odaiba, shop like a local with Ginza, don't miss a visit to Harajuku Takeshita-dori, and ponder the world of politics at Tokyo Metropolitan Government Buildings.

To find traveler tips, ratings, more things to do, and more tourist information, read our Tokyo travel route planner.

New York City, USA to Tokyo is an approximately 16.5-hour flight. You can also do a combination of flight and train; or do a combination of bus, flight, and train. Due to the time zone difference, you'll lose 14 hours traveling from New York City to Tokyo. Expect a daytime high around 32°C in September, and nighttime lows around 24°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 18th (Wed) so you can travel to Seoul.

One of east Asia's major cultural and financial centers, Seoul boasts five World Heritage Sites and a huge selection of museums, temples, shrines, palaces, parks, gardens, and glass-and-steel skyscrapers.

For shopping fun, head to Myeongdong Shopping Street or Creative Life Store KEY. Let the collections at Gyeongbokgung Palace and National Museum of Korea capture your imagination. And it doesn't end there: step into the grandiose world of Changdeokgung Palace, learn about all things military at The War Memorial of Korea, wander the streets of Insadong, and take an in-depth tour of Deoksugung.

To find maps, photos, where to stay, and more tourist information, read Seoul trip itinerary planner .

You can fly from Tokyo to Seoul in 5.5 hours. Another option is to do a combination of car and ferry. While traveling from Tokyo, expect a bit cooler days and about the same nights in Seoul, ranging from highs of 26°C to lows of 25°C. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 22nd (Sun) to allow time for travel to Beijing.

As the political and cultural capital of China, Beijing stands at the heart of Chinese history, buzzing with the energy of its high population density and centuries of importance.

Popular historic sites such as Mutianyu Great Wall and Temple of Heaven are in your itinerary. Satisfy your inner culture vulture at The Palace Museum and Back Lakes (Hou Hai). There's much more to do: pick up a one of a kind souvenir at Panjiayuan Antique Market, identify plant and animal life at Qinglongxia Scenic Resort, make a trip to Jingshan Park (Jingshan Gongyuan), and contemplate the long history of Bell and Drum Towers.

To see maps and other tourist information, read Beijing trip itinerary planning tool .

Traveling by flight from Seoul to Beijing takes 5.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of subway, ferry, and train; or do a combination of bus and ferry. The time zone difference moving from Korea Standard Time (KST) to China Standard Time (CST) is minus 1 hour. Traveling from Seoul in September, you will find days in Beijing are somewhat warmer (31°C), and nights are little chillier (17°C). Wrap up your sightseeing on the 27th (Fri) to allow time to travel back home.