Useful Information for Backpacking China: Express Adventure

Hotels throughout, in twin or double rooms: one night at Shanghai Binjiang Xinjing Hotel, two at Lanting Elegant Hotel in Wulingyuan (Zhangjiajie), two at Xu Li Traveling Hotel in Chengdu, one at Changan Hidden House in Xi'an, two at Peony Plaza in Luoyang and three at BaiYee Art Hotel in Beijing.

Solo travellers share with someone of the same gender. If you would rather have a room to yourself, ask us about a private room when you book. Hotels can occasionally change due to availability.

15 meals: breakfast every day from day 2 to day 12, lunch on day 3 in Zhangjiajie and day 7 in Xi'an, and two dinners, a hotpot in Chengdu on day 4 and Peking duck in Beijing on day 9, straight after your dumpling-making class. Other meals are not included, which leaves you free to try places like the Muslim Quarter night market in Xi'an.

Tell us about any dietary requirements or allergies when you book, so your group leader knows before you arrive.

At Shanghai Binjiang Xinjing Hotel, in twin or double rooms, after the night cruise on the Bund. You move on to Zhangjiajie the next morning. Airport transfers are not included, so you make your own way to the hotel on day 1.

Arriving a day or two early? Let us know as soon as you can and we will check availability and pricing for extra nights. Please note that accommodation may occasionally change due to availability.

Awesome! Once you’ve booked, just let us know who you’re travelling with and we’ll make sure you’re roomed together. Easy as that!

Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG), where most international flights land. The group heads out on a night cruise along the Bund on the evening of day 1, so aim to land in time to check in to the hotel and meet everyone first. Airport transfers are not included.

The trip finishes in Beijing, so book a ticket home from Beijing rather than a return to Shanghai.

Beijing has two international airports, Beijing Capital (PEK) and Beijing Daxing (PKX), on opposite sides of the city, so check which one your flight uses. The trip ends after breakfast on day 12. You can fly out at any time that day, but leave plenty of time to reach the airport; your group leader will help you plan the journey.

It depends on your passport, and the rules change, so check before you book your flights.

For British citizens, the UK government's travel advice (checked September 2026) says you can enter mainland China visa-free for up to 30 days for tourism until 31 December 2026; for departures after that date, check whether the scheme has been extended, and apply for a visa if it has not. Your passport needs at least 6 months' validity from the day you arrive in China and 2 blank pages. Other nationalities should check with the Chinese embassy or visa application centre in their own country.

International flights are not included in the price of any tour and will need to be booked separately. You’re free to book your own flights or book here.

Once you’ve booked your flights, log in to the Manage My Booking area of our website and enter your flight arrival details. That is how your group leader knows when you are landing.

Arriving before the tour starts, or staying on at the end? Let us know as early as you can so we can check availability and pricing on extra nights.

Not at all! A small deposit will confirm your place on the tour. We ask that you please provide the remaining balance no less than 60 days before your tour begins.

Yes, just give us at least 60 days' notice in order to allow another person to take your spot.

Yes! After placing your deposit, you can pay off the tour in installments of your choosing and at your convenience. The final remaining balance is due at least 60 days before your tour is set to begin.

A backpack or a suitcase is fine. A backpack or holdall is a little easier on this trip, because you carry your own bags on and off five high-speed trains and through some big, busy stations, but plenty of travellers bring a suitcase.

Pack less than you think and keep it under 20kg. Bring a smaller daypack for days out, and comfortable shoes: the Stairway to Heaven, Zhangjiajie, the Shaolin Temple and the Great Wall are all done on foot.

You travel between cities by high-speed train, with private vehicles for shorter transfers. Day 2 is the big one: the train from Shanghai to Zhangjiajie, a private vehicle on to Wulingyuan, and the Stairway to Heaven climb in the afternoon. The other travel days are day 4 (to Chengdu), day 6 (to Xi'an), day 7 (to Luoyang, in the afternoon after the Terracotta Army) and day 9 (to Beijing).

The trains are fast and comfortable, but some rides take several hours, so bring snacks, a charged phone and something to read.

The trip ends in Beijing after breakfast on day 12. You can head to the airport, stay on in China or carry on travelling: your group leader will help you plan and book what comes next, whether that is transport, accommodation or advice, and support is there 24/7 after the trip finishes.

Want to stay on at the end? Let your group leader know on day 1 and they will arrange extra nights for you.

Both trips finish in Beijing and share the heart of the route: the Stairway to Heaven and the Avatar mountains in Zhangjiajie, the pandas in Chengdu, the Terracotta Army in Xi'an, a night cruise on Shanghai's Bund, a dumpling class and Peking duck, the Forbidden City and the Great Wall at Mutianyu.

Backpacking China & Hong Kong takes 17 days and starts in Hong Kong, adding the Star Ferry and Victoria Peak, cycling and bamboo rafting in Yangshuo, and two nights in Chongqing. Backpacking China: Express Adventure starts in Shanghai and covers the highlights in 12 days, with a kung fu session at the Shaolin Temple and the Longmen Grottoes near Luoyang along the way.

Airport transfers are not included, but you can book one separately up to 30 days before your tour.

The trip starts in Shanghai and finishes in Beijing.