Itinerary
- Day 1
Shanghai to Yangshuo
You'll meet your tour leader and group at 12:30pm for a briefing, then make your way independently to Pudong Airport for your flight to Guilin. Once you land, a driver picks you up and takes you to Yangshuo where you'll reconnect with the rest of your group.
- Start point
- Shanghai Shi, China (Shanghai)
Landmarks Pudong Airport 
- Days 2 - 4
Yangshuo
Three days exploring Yangshuo with plenty of options. On day 2, you can sign up for cooking classes, try kayaking on the Li River, or book a traditional therapy session. Day 3 brings cycling through rice fields and a bamboo raft ride on the Yulong River, with optional add-ons like Moon Hill or mud baths. Day 4 features optional rock climbing or village visits to see how locals live.
Included Activities
- Bike & Bamboo Raft the Yulong River
Optional Activities
- Cooking class to prepare traditional Chinese dishes
- Kayaking on the Li River
- Hot cupping and traditional therapies
- Visit Moon Hill
- Cycle to nearby cave complex
- Natural mud baths and hot springs
- KTV sing-off
- Rock climbing on karst peaks
- Visit nearby village for glimpse of everyday farm life
Landmarks Li River Yulong River Moon Hill - Day 5
Yangshuo to Chongqing
After saying goodbye to your Yangshuo tour leader, you'll take the bus back to Guilin and board a train to Chongqing. Once you check in, head out for a Yangtze River cruise with views of the city skyline. Later, walk through the illuminated Hongya Cave at night, and grab some of Chongqing's famous spicy food for dinner.
Included Activities
- Yangtze River Cruise
- Discover Hongya Cave at Night
Landmarks Yangtze River Hongya Cave - Day 6
Chongqing
You have the full day to explore Chongqing at your own pace. Start at Liziba Station to catch the monorail passing through a building, then check out underground air raid shelters and the impressive People's Great Hall. In the afternoon, visit Chaotianmen Dock where two rivers meet, hike up Eling Park for city views, and end your evening in the busy Guanyinqiao district with its bars and restaurants.
Optional Activities
- Visit Liziba Station to watch monorail through residential building
- Explore former air raid shelters
- Visit People's Great Hall
- Visit Chaotianmen Dock
- Hike to Eling Park for panoramic city views
- Explore Guanyinqiao district nightlife
Landmarks Liziba Station People's Great Hall Chaotianmen Dock Eling Park Guanyinqiao - Day 7
Chongqing to Chengdu
You'll leave Chongqing by train to Chengdu and travel independently. After settling in at your hotel, meet your new tour leader for a relaxed walk through People's Park and historic Kuanzhai Alley. Try Chengdu's famous Sichuan hot pot in the evening and spend the rest of the night exploring the city on your own.
Optional Activities
- Walk through People's Park
- Walk through Kuanzhai Alley
- Try Chengdu's legendary Sichuan hot pot
Landmarks People's Park Kuanzhai Alley 
- Days 8 - 9
Chengdu
Day 8 focuses on the giant pandas at the Panda Breeding and Research Centre. You'll watch them eat bamboo and play, then take a Mandarin lesson with your tour leader. If you're interested, catch a traditional Sichuan Opera in the evening with face-changing masks and fire breathing. Day 9 is free, so you can visit Leshan's giant stone Buddha or have more hot pot back in Chengdu.
Included Activities
- Visit the Giant Panda Breeding Center
- Mandarin lesson with tour leader
Optional Activities
- Experience traditional Sichuan Opera and cultural performance with face-changing masks and fire breathing
- Travel to Leshan to see the world's largest stone Buddha
- Enjoy another round of Chengdu's famous hot pot
Landmarks Panda Breeding and Research Centre Leshan Giant Buddha - Day 10
Chengdu to Xi'an
Say goodbye to your Chengdu tour leader and take the train to Xi'an, one of China's oldest cities. After checking in, you can optionally cycle along the ancient Ming Dynasty City Walls or visit the Bell and Drum Towers. Head into the vibrant Muslim Quarter to see Silk Road heritage, grab street food for dinner, and browse the Silk Road market later.
Optional Activities
- Cycle along the ancient Ming Dynasty City Walls
- Visit the Bell and Drum Towers
- Explore the Muslim Quarter
- Sample street food in the Muslim Quarter
- Browse the Silk Road market
Landmarks Ming Dynasty City Walls Bell Tower Drum Tower Muslim Quarter 
- Day 11
Xi'an
This day features an included visit to the Terracotta Warriors, where thousands of life-sized soldiers stand guard over the tomb of China's first emperor. In the afternoon, you'll have time to explore on your own. If you want, visit the Big Goose Pagoda and catch the evening music and light show.
Included Activities
- Visit the Terracotta Warriors & Mausoleum of Qin Shi Huang
Optional Activities
- Visit Big Goose Pagoda
- Watch music and light show at Big Goose Pagoda square in the evening
Landmarks Terracotta Warriors Mausoleum of Qin Shi Huang Big Goose Pagoda - Day 12
Xi'an to Shaolin
You'll travel to Dengfeng today for an included Kung Fu lesson at a local school, taught by a master from the famous Shaolin Temple. You'll learn some moves yourself and watch the experts perform. Later, join Mandarin lessons and finish the evening with a fun pub quiz and friendly competition.
Included Activities
- Take a Kung Fu Lesson & Show at Shaolin Temple
- Mandarin lesson with tour leader
- Evening pub quiz
Landmarks Shaolin Temple 
- Day 13
Shaolin
You have two great optional activities to choose from. Visit the Shaolin Temple to watch masters practicing, then hike to Dharma cave on Elephant Trunk Mountain for the views. Or, head to the UNESCO-listed Longmen Grottoes with over 100,000 Buddhas carved into the rock face. The rest of your day is free, and an early night is recommended since tomorrow's a big day.
Optional Activities
- Visit the Shaolin Temple and watch masters practice
- Hike to Dharma cave on Elephant Trunk Mountain
- Visit the UNESCO-listed Longmen Grottoes
Landmarks Shaolin Temple Dharma Cave Longmen Grottoes - Day 14
Shaolin to Beijing - The Great Wall
Rise early for a full day ahead. You'll take the bullet train to Beijing, drop off your bags, then continue by private bus to the Great Wall. Hike along a section that hasn't been fully restored and set up camp on a quiet stretch. As the sun sets over this Wonder of the World, join a Mandarin lesson around the campfire for a memorable evening.
Included Activities
- Hike & Camp on the Great Wall
Landmarks Great Wall of China 
- Days 15 - 16
Great Wall - Beijing
Wake early on day 15 to catch the sunrise over the Great Wall, then return to Beijing where the rest of the day is yours. Browse contemporary galleries at the 798 Art District, wander the gardens at the Summer Palace, or explore more sites with your travel group. On day 16, you can optionally walk across Tiananmen Square before entering the Forbidden City with its 980 buildings spanning 24 emperors. Climb Jingshan Park for panoramic views, then optionally see an acrobatics show or try Peking Roast Duck.
Optional Activities
- Browse contemporary galleries of the 798 Art District
- Wander through the serene gardens of the Summer Palace
- Walk across Tiananmen Square
- Enter the Forbidden City
- Climb to the top of Jingshan Park for views
- See an awe-inspiring Chinese acrobatics and circus show
- Enjoy Beijing's iconic Peking Roast Duck
Landmarks 798 Art District Summer Palace Tiananmen Square Forbidden City Jingshan Park - Day 17
Beijing to Hangzhou
Your final Beijing day is yours to explore however you like. Hunt for bargains at markets, visit the nearby Temple of Heaven, or wander through Nanlou district with its traditional hutongs, courtyards, charming cafes, lively bars, and craft shops. In the evening, head to the station and board the night train to Hangzhou.
Optional Activities
- Hunt for bargains at the city's well-known fake goods markets
- Visit the Temple of Heaven
- Wander through Nanluo district and its hutongs
- Explore traditional siheyuan courtyards
- Visit charming cafes and lively bars in Nanlou
Landmarks Temple of Heaven Nanluo District 
- Day 18
Hangzhou
You'll arrive early in Hangzhou, the southern terminus of the Grand Canal and a historic center for silk, tea, and paper-making. After settling in, take an included scenic boat trip to Lesser Yingzhou Isle on West Lake, dotted with islands and causeways. Walk around to see the three pools mirroring the moon. You'll have free time to relax or visit the National Tea Museum or National Silk Museum. In the evening, hike Jiuyao Mountain to watch the sunset over the lake, then return to the city for a group meal and explore the beautifully lit waterfront or Old Town streets.
Included Activities
- Visit West Lake & Take a Boat Tour
- Hike Jiuyao Mountain for Sunset
Optional Activities
- Visit the National Tea Museum
- Visit the National Silk Museum
Landmarks West Lake Lesser Yingzhou Isle Jiuyao Mountain National Tea Museum National Silk Museum - Day 19
Hangzhou to Shanghai
Start your morning with a hike to the Nine Creeks, winding through the Misty Woods. Return to the hostel to freshen up and grab lunch before checking out. In the afternoon, transfer back to Shanghai, the final stop on your tour, arriving in the evening with time to explore and get dinner.
Included Activities
- Hike the 9 Creeks in Misty Woods
Landmarks Nine Creeks Misty Woods 
- Day 20
Shanghai
You'll have a relaxing morning before a special Mandarin lesson taught by professional teachers from the Mandarin Garden Chinese Language School. The rest of the day is free to explore. Walk to the Yu Gardens, a busy historical site of a former dignitary's lavish home. Visit People's Square, head to Nanjing Road (the world's busiest shopping street), walk along the Bund with its global architecture, or go to the top of a skyscraper for rooftop bar views.
Included Activities
- Mandarin lesson with professional teachers from Mandarin Garden Chinese Language School
Optional Activities
- Walk to Yu Gardens
- Visit People's Square
- Shop on Nanjing Road
- Walk along the Bund
- Visit rooftop bar for Shanghai skyline views
Landmarks Yu Gardens People's Square Nanjing Road The Bund - Days 21 - 22
Shanghai
You have two full days at your own pace to further explore Shanghai. Visit Shanghai Disneyland, check out the Shanghai Museum, or wander down Moganshan Art Street. Hang out with fellow travelers in the city's bars and restaurants. An optional Huangpu River cruise is available on day 21.
Optional Activities
- Visit Disneyland theme park
- Visit Shanghai Museum
- Wander Moganshan Art Street
- Huangpu River cruise on day 21
Landmarks Shanghai Disneyland Shanghai Museum Moganshan Art Street Huangpu River - Day 23
Shanghai
This marks the end of your Shanghai backpacking tour. Say goodbye to your fellow travelers and prepare to head home.
- End point
- Shanghai Shi, China (Shanghai)
