Departures run with a minimum of 5 and a maximum of 16 travellers, aged 18 to 40s and from all over the world. Most people book on their own, so if you are travelling solo you will be in good company from the first night in Hong Kong. Booking with a friend or partner? Let us know and we will keep you together.
Included: 16 nights in hotels, 20 meals (16 breakfasts, 2 lunches and 2 dinners), every activity on the itinerary, all transport between destinations by high-speed train and private vehicle, a group leader for the whole trip, local guides at the Terracotta Army and the Forbidden City, help planning your onward travel, and 24/7 support, including after the trip finishes.
Not included: international flights, travel insurance, visas, airport transfers, the meals not listed on the itinerary, drinks and spending money.
Hong Kong uses the Hong Kong dollar (HK$) and mainland China uses the Chinese yuan (CN¥, also called renminbi), so you will need both. On the mainland most people pay by phone with Alipay or WeChat Pay, and both accept foreign bank cards, so it is worth setting one up before you travel and carrying some cash as a backup.
We have a minimum age requirement of 18 years old to join the tour. Group members aged 16-17 years old are welcome to join the tour but only with a family member that will act as their guardian whilst on tour. Aside from that, no age requirements at all! While our target age is 20-45, what matters most is mindset. If you’re looking for a backpacking-style experience, with hostel-style stays, local transport, and optional evening activities - you’re welcome to join us.
Travel insurance is compulsory for all our trips. You’ll need to show proof of your policy to your group leader upon arrival (on your phone or printed). You can get a quote and purchase your travel insurance here.
We highly recommend that you travel with insurance for complete peace of mind. Please click here.
Can’t convince your mates? No worries! Most of our travellers come solo, and it’s one of the best ways to experience a new destination.
You’ll join an instant crew, meet amazing people, and make new friends from day one. Plus, you can keep your travel plans flexible and fully your own.
Ready to roll solo? You won’t be alone for long.
Absolutely. Your payment is secure. Backpacking Tours is a licensed tour operator in Thailand (TAT Licence No.11/12642), and we use trusted international payment providers. Your booking is safe, and our team is here to support you every step of the way.
Your passport must have at least six months’ validity and two blank pages. You should also have proof of onward travel.
No, it is not included. You can book a transfer up to 30 days before your tour, in one of two ways:
-Through your online account area
-Through our Sales team, you can contact them at admin@backpackingtours.com for more information!
Hotels throughout, in twin or double rooms: two nights at The OTTO Hotel in Hong Kong, two at Yangshuo Mountain Retreat, two at Lanting Elegant Hotel in Wulingyuan (Zhangjiajie), two at Meihao R Hotel in Chongqing, two at Xu Li Traveling Hotel in Chengdu, one at Changan Hidden House in Xi'an, two at Shanghai Binjiang Xinjing Hotel 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.
20 meals: breakfast every day from day 2 to day 17, lunch on day 6 in Zhangjiajie and day 12 in Xi'an, and two dinners, a Chongqing hotpot on day 7 and Peking duck in Beijing on day 14, 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 The OTTO Hotel in Hong Kong, where you stay for the first two nights in twin or double rooms. Airport transfers are not included, so you make your own way there 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!
Hong Kong International Airport (HKG). There are no activities on day 1, so you can land at any time, check in to the hotel and meet the group. Airport transfers are not included.
The trip finishes in Beijing, not Hong Kong, so book a ticket home from Beijing rather than a return to Hong Kong.
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 17. 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. This trip crosses a border: Hong Kong has its own entry rules, and on day 3 you go through mainland Chinese immigration when you take the high-speed train out of Hong Kong. British citizens can visit Hong Kong without a visa for up to 6 months.
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 seven 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 and the Great Wall are all done on foot.
This trip crosses China from south to north, mostly by high-speed train, with private vehicles for shorter transfers. The travel days are day 3 (Hong Kong to Guilin, then on to Yangshuo), day 5 (to Zhangjiajie), day 7 (to Chongqing), day 9 (a short hop to Chengdu), day 11 (to Xi'an), day 12 (Xi'an to Shanghai, in the afternoon after the Terracotta Army) and day 14 (Shanghai 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 17. 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 Hong Kong and finishes in Beijing.
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