Itinerary
- Day 1
Shanghai
Your Shanghai adventure starts with the morning free to wander around the city. Later you'll meet your Adventure Leader at the hostel for a briefing, then it's off to the train station for an overnight train heading to Guilin.
- Day 2
Guilin to Yangshuo
After arriving in Guilin this morning, you'll transfer to Yangshuo and meet your new Adventure Leader along with the rest of your group. The day is yours to explore and relax, though there are optional activities if you'd rather stay active.
Optional Activities
- Traditional Chinese cooking class at a culinary institute
- Kayaking adventure on the Li River
- Traditional Chinese therapies including hot cupping
Landmarks/POIs Li River - Day 3
Yangshuo
Start with a bike ride through the local area, then take a scenic bamboo raft cruise down the Yulong River. That afternoon you can optionally visit Moon Hill for mud baths and hot springs, and later wander around the area with other travelers.
Included Activities
- Bike ride through local area
- Bamboo raft cruise on Yulong River
Optional Activities
- Excursion to Moon Hill complex with mud baths and hot springs
Landmarks/POIs Yulong River Moon Hill - Day 4
Yangshuo
This morning you have the option to try rock climbing on the limestone peaks around Yangshuo. Later, your Adventure Leader will take you to a local village so you can see what rural farm life is like in the Yangshuo region.
Included Activities
- Visit to local village and farm experience
Optional Activities
- Rock climbing adventure on limestone peaks
- Day 5
Yangshuo to Chengdu
You'll leave Yangshuo and head to Chengdu by train, traveling across the country. Upon arriving in Chengdu, your new Adventure Leader will meet you and take you to your hostel for check-in.
- Day 6
Chengdu
This morning you'll visit the Giant Panda Breeding and Research Center to learn about the center and see these creatures up close. Later, your Adventure Leader will give you a Mandarin lesson covering phrases you'll find useful while traveling.
Included Activities
- Giant Panda Breeding and Research Center visit
- Mandarin lesson with Adventure Leader
Optional Activities
- Traditional Sichuan opera show in the evening
Landmarks/POIs Giant Panda Breeding and Research Center - Day 7
Chengdu
Today is yours to explore independently. You can take a trip to Leshan to see the world's largest stone Buddha carved into the mountainside, or stay in Chengdu and try the famous Sichuan hot pot in the evening.
Optional Activities
- Trip to Leshan to visit the world's largest stone Buddha
- Sichuan Hot Pot dinner
Landmarks/POIs Leshan Giant Buddha - Day 8
Chengdu to Xi'an
Start your morning at your own pace with an optional visit to a local autism rehabilitation center. In the early afternoon, check out Jinli and Chengdu People's Park. Later you'll transfer to the train station for a night train to Xi'an, where your new Adventure Leader will greet you.
Optional Activities
- Visit to local autism rehabilitation center
- Sailing on artificial lake at People's Park
- Tea sipping in lakeside teahouse
- Exhibitions and performances on Rockery Square
Landmarks/POIs Jinli Street Chengdu People's Park - Day 9
Xi'an
Spend your morning however you'd like, and ask your Adventure Leader for suggestions on museums, temples, or shops nearby. In the afternoon, you can bike ride on top of the historic Ming Dynasty city walls. Later, explore the Bell-Drum Towers and Muslim Quarter while sampling local street food.
Optional Activities
- Museum visits
- Temple visits
- Retail shopping
- Bike ride on city walls
Landmarks/POIs Xi'an City Walls Bell-Drum Towers Muslim Quarter - Day 10
Xi'an
This morning features a visit to the Terracotta Warriors, one of China's most well-known attractions. You'll see life-sized terracotta sculptures arranged in battle formations that recreate Emperor Qin's imperial guard. In the evening, relax with a music and light fountain show at the Big Wild Goose Pagoda.
Included Activities
- Terracotta Warriors visit
Optional Activities
- Music and light fountain show at Big Wild Goose Pagoda North Square
Landmarks/POIs Terracotta Army Big Wild Goose Pagoda - Day 11
Xi'an to Dengfeng
You'll travel to Dengfeng, located near Shaolin, and join your group for an optional kung-fu lesson and demonstration in the region where this ancient martial art originated. After dinner, you'll have your second Mandarin lesson to practice what you've learned so far.
- Meals
- Dinner
Included Activities
- Second Mandarin lesson
Optional Activities
- Kung-fu lesson and demonstration
- Day 12
Dengfeng/Shaolin
Early risers can head to Shaolin Temple and hike up to the Dharma Cave, a spiritually significant Buddhist site with views of local shrines and the surrounding area. Alternatively, explore the Longmen Grottoes with its 100,000 intricately carved Buddhas. Return for late lunch and a free evening.
- Meals
- Lunch (Late lunch at guesthouse)
Optional Activities
- Hike to Shaolin Temple and Dharma Cave
- Excursion to Longmen Grottoes
Landmarks/POIs Shaolin Temple Dharma Cave Longmen Grottoes - Day 13
Dengfeng to Beijing
You'll wake before dawn to catch a bullet train to Beijing, arriving in late morning. From there, transfer directly to the Great Wall for a trek through unrestored sections. Stop for lunch at a local farm, then hike in the mid-afternoon and set up camp to see the sunset.
- Meals
- Lunch (Lunch at local farm)
Included Activities
- Bullet train to Beijing
- Great Wall trek through unrestored sections
- Camping on Great Wall
Landmarks/POIs Great Wall of China - Day 14
Beijing
Get up early to see the sunrise over the Great Wall, then pack up and return to Beijing to check out the city. You can optionally walk through Tiananmen Square, visit the Forbidden City, or stroll through Jingshan Park. Consider an acrobatics show and try Peking duck for dinner.
Optional Activities
- Walk through Tiananmen Square
- Visit to Forbidden City
- Stroll in Jingshan Park
- Acrobatics show
- Peking duck dinner
Landmarks/POIs Tiananmen Square Forbidden City Jingshan Park - Day 15
Beijing
Explore Beijing at your own pace today. Check out the vibrant markets for shopping or see the nearby Temple of Heaven. In the afternoon, head to the Nanluo district, one of the best-preserved historical areas known for traditional hutongs, courtyard houses, and bustling bars, cafes, and shops.
Optional Activities
- Shopping at vibrant markets
- Visit to Temple of Heaven
- Exploration of Nanluo district with traditional hutongs and siheyuan courtyards
Landmarks/POIs Temple of Heaven Nanluo District - Day 16
Beijing to Hangzhou
Another free morning and afternoon to see Beijing's remaining highlights like the 798 art district or Summer Palace. Your Adventure Leader can suggest options. In the late afternoon or early evening, you'll transfer to Beijing station for a night train to Hangzhou.
Optional Activities
- Visit to 798 art district
- Visit to Summer Palace
- Exploration of other Beijing highlights
Landmarks/POIs 798 Art District Summer Palace - Day 17
Hangzhou
After arriving in Hangzhou, transfer to your hostel for a late breakfast. Next, head to the famous West Lake for a boat tour to one of the lake's beautiful islands. You can optionally visit the National Tea Museum or Lingyin Temple. In the evening, hike up Jiuyao Mountain for the sunset, then return for dinner and explore Hefang Road.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Late breakfast at hostel)
Included Activities
- West Lake boat tour to island
Optional Activities
- Visit to National Tea Museum
- Visit to Lingyin Temple
- Hike up Jiuyao Mountain to see sunset
Landmarks/POIs West Lake National Tea Museum Lingyin Temple Jiuyao Mountain Hefang Road - Day 18
Hangzhou to Shanghai
Start your morning with a hike to the Nine Creeks, passing through misty woods. Return to the hostel to freshen up and have lunch before checking out. In the afternoon, transfer back to Shanghai, your final destination. You'll arrive in the evening with time to explore and enjoy dinner.
- Meals
- Lunch (Lunch before checkout)
Included Activities
- Hike to Nine Creeks through Misty Woods
Landmarks/POIs Nine Creeks Misty Woods - Day 19
Shanghai
Begin your morning with a hike to the Nine Creeks, passing through misty woods. Return to the hostel to freshen up and have lunch before checking out. In the afternoon, transfer to Shanghai, the final stop on your tour. You'll arrive in the evening with time to explore and enjoy dinner.
- Meals
- Lunch (Lunch before checkout)
Included Activities
- Hike to Nine Creeks through Misty Woods
Landmarks/POIs Nine Creeks Misty Woods - Day 20
Shanghai
Enjoy a leisurely morning before a Mandarin lesson with professional teachers from the Mandarin Garden Chinese Language School. Later, head to the Yu Gardens historic site, check out People's Square, and visit Nanjing Road, the world's busiest shopping street. Take a walk along the Bund and catch the views from a rooftop bar.
Included Activities
- Mandarin lesson with Mandarin Garden Chinese Language School
Optional Activities
- Visit to Yu Gardens
- Exploration of People's Square
- Shopping on Nanjing Road
- Walk along the Bund
- Visit to rooftop bar for Shanghai skyline views
Landmarks/POIs Yu Gardens People's Square Nanjing Road The Bund - Day 21
Shanghai
Shanghai is a bustling mix of history, culture, and modernity, so explore it at your own pace today. Your Adventure Leader can suggest activities like visiting Disneyland Shanghai, the Shanghai Museum, Moganshan Art Street, or Zhujiajiao Watertown. In the evening, head out for a night on the town with your fellow travelers.
Optional Activities
- Visit to Disneyland Shanghai
- Visit to Shanghai Museum
- Exploration of Moganshan Art Street
- Visit to Zhujiajiao Watertown
- Night out in Shanghai
Landmarks/POIs Disneyland Shanghai Shanghai Museum Moganshan Art Street Zhujiajiao Watertown - Day 22
Shanghai
Today marks the end of your Shanghai backpacking tour. It's time to say goodbye to your fellow travelers and get ready for your journey back home.
