An amazing cultural combo in China and South Korea
Tutti, Branch Manager at our Eastbourne shop, and Suzanne, Ipswich Assistant Manager recently enjoyed a fantastic trip to China and South Korea, run by two amazing operators, Wendy Wu Tours and Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, combining an insightful guided tour on land, before an exhilarating cruise at sea.
Wendy Wu Tours offer meticulously planned, inclusive tours globally, and China is the company where the company started, back in 1994, so Tutti and Suzanne knew they would be in expert hands. Starting in Beijing, their tour encompassed some of China’s most iconic landmarks, stepping into centuries of extraordinary history.
“From the moment we set off in Beijing, it felt like stepping straight into the pages of China’s history, with every stop offering something more impressive than the last. We started in Tiananmen Square, one of the largest public squares in the world and somewhere that instantly makes you pause and take in the scale of it all. From there, we made our way into the magnificent Forbidden City, and this was without doubt one of the highlights of the day for me. Walking through the grand gates and into the vast courtyards felt like stepping back in time. Once the home of the Ming and Qing emperors, the Forbidden City was the sacred centre of imperial China for over 500 years, and it’s every bit as breathtaking as you’d imagine. The sheer scale of it is incredible, with more than 900 buildings spread across this remarkable UNESCO World Heritage Site.
After lunch at a local restaurant, we continued to the beautiful Temple of Heaven - a peaceful contrast to the scale and splendour of the morning, surrounded by elegant architecture and beautiful grounds, this was an important place for emperors, who once came here to pray for good harvests. To round off the day, we enjoyed one of Beijing’s most famous culinary traditions – Peking Duck – Once a favourite dish of the Qing emperors, which felt like a very fitting finale after spending the day immersed in so much imperial history.
After an early start the next day, we travelled out through the countryside to one of the most famous landmarks in the world – the Great Wall of China. Stretching across the rolling hills and winding through the landscape as far as the eye can see, the Great Wall is even more impressive in person than you could ever imagine from photographs.
Built originally under China’s first emperor, Qin Shi Huang, and later expanded during the Ming Dynasty, this extraordinary structure is more than 700 years old in its current form and remains one of the greatest engineering achievements in human history. We visited the Juyongguan section of the wall, where we had time to walk along this famous landmark and truly take in the scale, history and beauty surrounding us. The views were incredible and it’s one thing to read about the Great Wall, but standing there in person gives you a completely different appreciation for its size, significance and the sheer determination it must have taken to build.
After spending the morning exploring the wall, we visited a traditional jade factory to learn more about one of China’s most treasured materials. We watched skilled artisans at work, carefully carving intricate designs and transforming jade into beautiful pieces of art, learning how to identify genuine jade and gaining an insight into why this stone holds such cultural importance in China. The afternoon took us to the Sacred Way and the Ming Tombs – the final resting place of 13 Ming emperors, with impressive statues and historic surroundings all beautifully preserved. That evening we saw a traditional show featuring acrobatics, juggling, plate spinning and contortion, leaving the whole audience amazed.
The following morning was an early start as we made our way to Beijing railway station to board one of China’s famous bullet trains bound for Xi’an. China’s high-speed rail network is incredibly impressive, and it was fascinating to experience first-hand just how seamless and efficient it is.
Xi’an has played such an important role throughout China’s history for centuries, as at one time it was the starting point of the ancient Silk Road. We visited the ancient city walls, which date all the way back to the Ming Dynasty in the 14th century, and walking along these incredible fortifications offered amazing views across the city and a real sense of Xi’an’s history.
That evening we were treated to a traditional dumpling-making demonstration, and of course the best part came afterwards when we enjoyed a feast of delicious Shui Jiao dumplings for dinner. To end the day, we enjoyed a spectacular Tang Dynasty dancing performance, with stunning costumes, music and choreography.
After such an immersive tour of some of China’s stunning cultures highlights with Wendy Wu Tours, the final part of our adventure began in Shanghai. Here we spent an evening taking in the breathtaking skyline with the futuristic skyscrapers and historic waterfront giving one of the most iconic views in Asia, before embarking Royal Caribbean’s spectacular Spectrum of the Seas for a five-night cruise towards South Korea. From the moment we stepped onboard, it was clear this was going to be another incredible adventure, the ship itself is absolutely stunning, with so much to experience both day and night - there was never a dull moment.
Our first stop brought us to Busan, South Korea’s second-largest city, where we were treated like true VIPs throughout the visit enjoying its amazing mix of coastal beauty, culture and modern city life. One of the highlights was visiting the Haedong Yonggungsa Temple, a rare and spectacular Buddhist temple built directly into the dramatic coastal rocks overlooking the sea. The setting was absolutely beautiful, with the sound of the waves surrounding the temple creating such a peaceful atmosphere. We also visited the famous Nurimaru APEC House, known around the world for hosting the 2005 APEC Summit, and explored Jagalchi Fish Market, the largest seafood market in South Korea where the atmosphere there was full of energy, as fresh seafood arrived straight from the docks.
Our journey continued to the beautiful city of Yeosu, where we enjoyed something completely unique with a traditional temple stay experience. This was such a peaceful and memorable part of the journey, immersing ourselves in Korean traditions. Here we took part in a cookery class where we learnt to make sushi along with traditional black bean and pea noodle soup, before later enjoying tea and meditation with a Buddhist monk - such a calming experience.
Life onboard Spectrum of the Seas was just as exciting as the destinations themselves. I honestly couldn’t believe how much there was to do onboard throughout the day. From bumper cars and swimming pools to sports activities including volleyball and tennis, there was something for everyone no matter what mood you were in. For those looking for something even more adventurous, the ship offers incredible high-tech attractions including the iFLY skydiving simulator, the breathtaking North Star glass observation capsule with panoramic ocean views, and even the famous Bionic Bar where robotic bartenders mix your drinks right in front of you. Every evening brought something different, and the whole experience felt exciting and unforgettable from start to finish.
This whole trip truly was an incredible adventure – combining iconic cities, culture and ancient history, unforgettable food, breathtaking scenery and world-class cruising all in one fantastic holiday. It has truly been a trip filled with memories that will last a lifetime.
