East Asia 24.08.2012 - 13.09.2012

After individual travel to Tokyo we will gather in our hotel in Azabu-Juban and spend a wonderful summer evening with sushi and sake in this city with over 160,000 eateries.

One of the last summer festivals is the Awa Odori Dance Festival in the streets of Koenji that we plan to visit together with current and former recipients of the Scholarship Fund of the Swiss-Japanese Chamber of Commerce.

Sunday is a free day but it is with pleasure that we take you to the best shopping places in Omotesando, Shibuya and Ginza. The famous second hand stores of Shimo-Kitazawa can also not be missed.

A young member of the house of representative will take his time to show us his official residence and the recently new built offices for the 722 Members of Parliament. In the evening we will meet a Swiss national who knows from his own experience what it means to make career in Tokyo.

Meet the President of the Swiss Chamber of Commerce & Industry in Japan in his own Executive Search company where you will learn what is needed to succeed in a foreign market.
In the late evening we take the night bus to the former capital Kyoto.

The early arrival of our Bus in Kyoto is perfectly timed for a visit to the famous Kiyomizu-dera temple and the Gion district. Afterwards we head to our two guesthouses in Nishijin – an area that was recently restored and could keep its old spirit and famous textile industry.

A quiet day in Kyoto that is best explored on the bike. Temples, Onsen and excellent food. Time to send a post card back home.

At 12:00 our ferry leaves the international port of Osaka for a wonderful trip along Japan’s Inland Sea.

In the middle of the night we will pass the historical Shimonoseki Strait and continue over the East China Sea, which serves as main shipping route from Japan to the South China Sea.

At 8am we will pass by the world’s busiest container port, shortly before arriving in Shanghai at 11am. Upon arrival in Shanghai we will first learn some basic survival Mandarin before heading to the Xiao Nan Guo Spa for some well-deserved pampering and relaxing.

Make new friends: we will organize a meeting with Chinese Students. Let them tell you about China and its role as one of the world’s most powerful countries. Find out how they see China’s relation with Switzerland and with the rest of the world.

What challenges do Swiss companies face in China? How do Chinese companies do business? We will try to answer these questions by visiting both a Chinese and a Swiss company.

Marvel at the Chinese countryside during our 5-hour trip to Beijing on the newly inaugurated bullet train. Upon arrival in Beijing enjoy a dinner with interns working at the Swiss embassy in Beijing.

Dive into the Chinese art scene! The Gallery Urs Meile will introduce us to Chinese artists and to the work of Swiss galleries in China. We will also find out what community work looks like in Beijing by visiting a local NGO.

Switzerland Tourism in Beijing will help us to better understand the Chinese culture by introducing the Chinese traveller to us. How does Switzerland Tourism lure Chinese into visiting Switzerland? Later on, we will talk politics with a Professor whose students are non-other than China’s classe politique.

On your day off you will get the chance to explore the city and its many attractions. Upon request, we will be more than happy to organize a trip to the Great Wall for you.

The morning flight of Air China will bring us to our final destination Seoul. On our first day we will meet Koreans and Embassy interns for a Korean BBQ.

A visit to the Swiss embassy for a short briefing will allow us to understand Korea’s importance for Switzerland.

Visit the Korean Demilitarized Zone where five Swiss soldiers work for the Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission.

Free day for shopping and farewell dinner.