Hong Kong to Beijing: 18 Day Backpacking Escape

Arrive in lively Hong Kong and drop your bags at the hostel before kicking off the adventure. Meet your Adventure Leader and new travel crew for a welcome briefing to go over the journey ahead and get to know the group. Then ride the Star Ferry and tram up to Victoria Peak for epic sunset views of the city skyline. On the way, stroll the Avenue of Stars to snap a photo with Bruce Lee. Round off the night at the lively Temple Street Night Market, where you can shop, eat and soak up the atmosphere before heading back at your own pace.

After wrapping up your briefing, hop on the high-speed train from Hong Kong to Guilin and continue by private bus to Yangshuo. Settle into your new base, then head out to explore this scenic riverside town. In the evening, you’ll have the option to explore the city and join your group for your first meal together in China.

Start the day with an optional Chinese cooking class, you can chop, stir-fry, and then feast on your own creations. In the afternoon, glide across a peaceful stretch of the Li River by kayak, with dramatic karst mountains all around. Or, if you’re after some relaxation, try a traditional hot cupping session, a centuries-old therapy to ease tension and boost your energy.

Time to get out and explore Yangshuo’s scenic countryside! Hop on a bike and ride through peaceful villages before drifting down the Yulong River on a bamboo raft with epic views. In the afternoon, head over to Moon Hill and a nearby cave complex for mud baths and hot springs (yes, it’s as fun as it sounds). When the sun goes down, keep the good times rolling with a KTV karaoke session or a night out in town with your crew.

Today you can opt to try your hand at rock climbing – a popular adventure against Yangshuo’s dramatic karst cliffs! Are you up for the challenge? For something completely different, experience local life with a visit to a nearby farming village (and home to one of our Adventure Leaders) in the afternoon and see what a wholesome day in the life is like in the countryside.

Say goodbye to your Adventure Leader in Yangshuo before making the journey via Guilin to catch the train to Chongqing. After checking in and dropping your bags, it’s straight to the water for a Yangtze River cruise, the perfect way to see this mega city lit up from the river. Back on land, dive into Hongya Cave, a maze of lanterns, street food and glowing balconies overlooking the water. It’s a feast for your eyes and your stomach, with plenty of places to grab dinner before calling it a night. 

Kick off the day with the option to check out Liziba Station and watch the monorail zoom straight through a residential building. Next, uncover Chongqing’s underground culture with a wander through former air raid shelters before stopping by the impressive People’s Great Hall. In the afternoon, explore Chaotianmen Dock, where the Yangtze and Jialing Rivers meet, then hike up Eling Park for fresh breezes and sweeping views of the city. As night falls, dive into the lively Guanyinqiao Area, packed with bars, eateries and nightlife.

Say goodbye to your Adventure Leader in Chongqing and hop on the train to Chengdu. After checking in, meet your new Adventure Leader and head out for an optional wander through People’s Park before exploring the sights, sounds and street food of lively Kuanzhai Alley.

Today is all about Chengdu’s most famous residents. Visit the Giant Panda Breeding and Research Center, the world’s largest and most important home for these incredible animals. Watch them munch bamboo, tumble around their enclosures and, if you are lucky, spot some playful baby pandas too. Afterwards, join your Adventure Leader for a Mandarin lesson and pick up a few handy phrases for the rest of your travels. In the evening, opt to catch a traditional Sichuan Opera and culture show, complete with face changing masks, fire breathing and music that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

Feel like an adventure? Today you can head out to Leshan to see the world’s largest stone Buddha, carved into the cliffs and looking out over the river. Back in Chengdu, why not fire things up with the city’s famous hot pot – spicy, flavour packed and loved by locals. When night falls, the city is yours, so round up your crew and see where the evening takes you.

Wave goodbye to your Adventure Leader in Chengdu and ride the train to Xi’an, one of China’s most historic cities. Once you have checked in, you can opt to cycle along the ancient Ming Dynasty City Walls for a unique view of the city. Another great option is to visit the Bell and Drum Towers and wander through the Muslim Quarter, where the Silk Road comes alive with history, legends and local culture. Stay on for dinner and tuck into mouthwatering street food before browsing the nearby Silk Road Market for a relaxed evening.

Time for one of China’s biggest highlights, the Terracotta Warriors. Thousands of life-sized soldiers stand guard over the mausoleum of China’s first emperor Qin Shi Huang and seeing them up close is an experience you will never forget. The afternoon is yours to explore. You could swing by the Big Goose Pagoda and stick around for the evening music and light show that lights up the square.

Hop on the bus to Dengfeng! Try your hand at a Kung Fu lesson at a local school run by a master from the legendary Shaolin Temple, then sit back and watch the pros in action with an impressive show. Later, sharpen your skills with another Mandarin lesson to build on what you have learned so far, and if the group is keen, round off the night with a pub quiz for some friendly competition.

Today you can opt to visit the legendary Shaolin Temple, the home of Kung Fu. Hike up to Dharma Cave, a spiritual spot for Buddhist pilgrims, and enjoy sweeping views of the temples and shrines below. Want to switch things up? Another great option is the Longmen Grottoes, a UNESCO World Heritage site filled with thousands of carved Buddhas. Tonight is free, and with an early start tomorrow, it might be a good idea to head to bed early.

Rise and shine travellers, today is a big one! Jump on the bullet train to Beijing, drop your bags and head straight out to the Great Wall of China. Hike along a partly unrestored stretch before setting up camp on a quiet, deserted section. As the sun dips behind the mountains, settle in for a night under the stars on one of the Wonders of the World, complete with a Mandarin lesson around the campfire to make it even more special. (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 sunrise views over the Great Wall, trust us it doesn’t get more epic than this (weather permitting). Back in Beijing, the day is yours to play with. Head to the quirky galleries of the 798 Art District, chill out in the gardens of the Summer Palace, or round up your crew and go chase more of the city’s highlights together.

Start things off with the option to wander across Tiananmen Square before heading into the mighty Forbidden City. With 980 buildings and a history of 24 emperors, this place is bursting with stories. For the best views in town, climb up Jingshan Park and look out over the palace grounds below. When evening rolls in, you can go big with a Chinese acrobatics and circus show, or keep it delicious with Beijing’s most famous dish, Peking Roast Duck – once reserved for emperors, now yours to feast on. Trust us, it’s on a whole other level to your usual takeaway.

Spend your last day in Beijing your way. Browse the city’s famous fake goods markets before visiting the nearby Temple of Heaven, or head to the Nanluo district, one of the best preserved historical areas in the city. Wander through its maze of hutongs and siheyuan courtyards, with plenty of cafes, bars and little handicraft shops to explore along the way. This evening marks the end of your adventure in China, as you say farewell to your travel crew and start planning your next adventure. 

If you’d like to extend your stay, we can help arrange extra nights – just let us know in advance. Get in touch with us at info@reighttravel.com.