Discover China: Beijing to Shanghai Backpacking Escape

Meet your Adventure Leader in the hostel lobby for a pre-trip briefing, get to know your new travel crew, and find out what’s in store for the next 10 days. Then it’s bags down and straight to the train station before hopping on a private bus to the Great Wall of China. Hike along an unrestored stretch before setting up camp on a deserted section. As the sun sets over this Wonder of the World, you’ll settle in for stargazing and a Mandarin lesson around camp.

(Please note, due to cold weather before the end of April and after September 30th, we stay in a guest house near the Wall instead of camping).

Wake up to catch the sunrise over the Great Wall – an unforgettable way to start the day (weather permitting!). Once you’re back in Beijing, the rest of the day is yours to explore. Wander the cool galleries of the 798 Art District, stroll through the beautiful gardens of the Summer Palace, or team up with your travel crew to tick off more of the city’s highlights.

Start your morning with the option to stroll across Tiananmen Square before stepping into the mighty Forbidden City, the largest palace complex in the world. With 980 buildings and a history of 24 emperors, this place is full of stories. For the best views in town, climb up Jingshan Park and take in the palace grounds from above. In the evening, you can choose to watch an incredible Chinese acrobatics and circus show or sit down to try Beijing’s most famous dish, Peking Roast Duck, once reserved only for royalty.

Your last day in Beijing is all yours!  Bag a bargain at the city’s famous fake goods markets, wander the peaceful grounds of the Temple of Heaven, or jump into the electric Nanluo district with its winding hutongs, hidden courtyards, quirky cafes and bars. When evening rolls around, grab your bags and hop on the night train to Hangzhou – next stop, new adventures!

Wake up in Hangzhou and fuel up with a late breakfast before heading out to explore! Sail across the dreamy waters of West Lake and hop off at one of its scenic islands. If you’re up for more exploring, you can check out the National Tea Museum, the Silk Museum or the ancient Lingyin Temple.

As the afternoon fades, make your way up Jiuyao Mountain for a sunset that is seriously worth the climb! If you’re feeling up to it, round off the night with dinner and a stroll along Hefang Road, Hangzhou’s most famous old street, packed with tasty snacks, local shops and plenty of atmosphere.

Start the day with a hike through the 9 Creeks in Misty Woods, a green valley surrounded by Longjing tea fields. After freshening up and grabbing some lunch, it is time to hop on the train to Shanghai. Once you arrive in the city, you might choose to take a night cruise along the Huangpu River and watch the skyline light up in style.

Why not kick your day off with a special Mandarin lesson at a local language school, where pro teachers will have you chatting away in no time? After class, step into the peaceful Yu Gardens, once the private hideout of a wealthy family, before heading to the buzz of People’s Square. Got the urge to shop? West Nanjing Road is one of the busiest shopping streets on the planet. For a change of pace, stroll along the Bund and check out its mix of old and modern architecture. As evening falls, sip a drink from the top of a skyscraper with epic city views – and if you’re still going strong, join the Shanghai Pub Crawl!

The day is all yours to spend however you like! Feeling some theme park magic? Head to Disneyland for a day of rides and fun. More into culture? Explore the treasures of the Shanghai Museum or wander Moganshan Art Street to see the city’s creative side. Fancy a change of scene? Take a trip out to Zhujiajiao Watertown with its canals and bridges or test your bargaining skills at the famous fake goods market. However you spend it, the day is yours.

• Disneyland Shanghai! 
• The Shanghai Museum 
• Moganshan Art Street 
• Zhujiajiao Watertown 

• Disneyland Shanghai! 
• The Shanghai Museum 
• Moganshan Art Street 
• Zhujiajiao Watertown 

Today you can wander the streets of the French Concession, pop into a secret propaganda museum and lose yourself in the arty lanes of Tianzifang. Later, jump across to the financial district for a taste of ultra-modern Shanghai, and if you’re feeling bold, try the 340-metre high skywalk! In the evening, your Adventure Leader will have plenty of top spots for food and drinks!

All adventures must end sometime. Today you’ll say goodbye to your Adventure Leader and travel crew after an unforgettable journey across China. Time to swap contacts, share those last stories, and start planning where your next adventure!