Beijing to Shanghai
Explore Beijing to Shanghai on a budget!
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Group Size: Avg 10-15
Trip code: CHBS
Duration: 11 days
Discover China on a budget on this epic 11-day backpacking trip! Kicking off in Beijing, you’ll head straight to the iconic Great Wall for an unforgettable night of camping. After a stunning sunrise on the wall, you’ll head down to the enchanting lakes and forests of Hangzhou and explore the beautiful Nine Creeks area. The tour ends in the electric buzz of Shanghai, where you’ll wander the city sights and celebrate your adventure with a night of karaoke. It’s an incredible Chinese adventure!
Trip highlights
- Camp on a remote section of the Great Wall and watch a perfect sunset
- Learn Mandarin with an included lesson at your campsite
- Explore the magical Misty Forest in Hangzhou
- Head out on a group bar crawl through Shanghai
- Sing your heart out at a karaoke evening!
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- 10 nights of accommodation
- Mandarin lesson
- Camping on the Great Wall of China
- Sunrise/sunset on the Great Wall
- Overnight train to Hangzhou
- Sunset on Jiuyao Mountain
- Misty Forest Hike
- Bullet train to Shanghai
- City exploration in Shanghai
- 24-hour emergency support
- Flights
- Visa
- Travel Insurance
- Airport transfers
- Meals
- Optional activities
Day 1: Arrive into Beijing. Arrive into Beijing at any time today and relax and explore the local area before meeting your group and leader tomorrow. No activities are planned today.
Day 2: Beijing. Meet your group and guide and then head to a local farm for a meal. You’ll then begin a hike along a deserted stretch of the Great Wall of China. Set up camp on a remote section and watch the sunset/sunrise. Enjoy an included Mandarin lesson at camp.
Please note: In the colder months between September to April you will stay in a comfortable guesthouse near the wall. Don’t worry though – you’ll still walk to the wall to see the sunrise!
Day 3-5: Beijing. The next three days are free to explore this magical city. Taste some local delicacies and check out the Wangfujing night market to try some yummy creepy crawlies! Explore the city with your group. On the evening of day 5, board the night train to Hangzhou.
Day 6: Hangzhou. Wake up as the train rolls into Hangzhou. Discover the beautiful West Lake area and hike up Jiuyao Mountain to watch a gorgeous sunset over West Lake. Head back down the mountain slopes and enjoy dinner in town, before exploring the atmospheric lamplit waterfront areas.
Day 7: Hangzhou/Shanghai. After breakfast, embark on an unforgettable hike in the Misty Forest, passing by atmospheric lakes and shady woodland trails. Then tuck into a tasty lunch before boarding a train to Shanghai.
Day 8-10: Shanghai. The next 3 days are spent soaking up the buzz and beauty of Shanghai and the surrounding area. Sing your heart out at a karaoke evening, wander through the former French Concession, cross the Huangpu River on a ferry and visit the artistic and alternative Tianzifang. Your tour officially ends on day 10. A final night of accommodation is included.
Day 11: Departure. Depart at any time.
Looking for a longer adventure in China? Have a look at our 27 day China Adventure!
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Online booking is unavailable for this trip
Online booking isn't currently available but if you'd like to enquire please use the form below. Alternatively if you'd like to discuss alternate trips or if you have any other questions please don't hesitate to contact us.Your trip begins in Beijing. You should arrive at any time on your start date (day 1). You will meet your leader and group in the morning on day 2. Airport transfers are not included but are easy to arrange. Please speak to a travel advisor for more information.
The tour ends in Shanghai on day 10 and we include a final night accommodation on day 10. You can depart at any time on your end date (day 11).
10 nights of accommodation are included on this trip. Accommodation will be a combination of hostels and guesthouses. These are usually mixed sex rooms and sleep 4 to 12 people per room. One night will be spent camping on the Great Wall of China.
Meals are not included on this trip. This is a great opportunity to soak up Chinese culture and sample some delicious local delicacies. Your guide will give you tips about where to eat and simple street food such as noodles can be found very cheaply.
The minimum age to join this group trip is 18. This is an open-aged trip.
Visas
British nationals will need a visa to enter mainland China. Visas will need to be obtained in person from your nearest Chinese visa application centre, which are located in London, Manchester and Edinburgh before you travel.
You will need to apply for your china visa within 3 months of entry into China. You will be issued with a visa invitation letter, counties list and detailed visa instructions to help you when you are applying.
You will need to book an appointment slot online and travel to the visa application centre with your supporting documentation including your passport, completed application form and letter of invitation. You will then be asked to return to the visa application centre at a later date to collect your visa. The normal processing time from submitting your application to collecting your China visa is four working days. As part of the application process, biometric data (scanned fingerprints) will be required.
Please be aware that visa rules and regulations are always subject to change and it is your responsibility to check the current rules with the Chinese Embassy before you travel.
This trip is designed with your safety and wellbeing in mind. As a result of Covid-19, many of our suppliers and partners around the world are introducing new policies and procedures surrounding health and safety in response to the Coronavirus outbreak. As the state of travel is evolving these new safety measures will adapt over time, and will be different for each trip. Here are some of the changes you may see on your trip:
Arrival safety meetings
Most trips have an arrival meeting on the first day where the guide or local team will run through the trip, the safety protocols, and to answer any questions you may have. Now more than ever it is important you arrive in time for these meetings.
Proof of vaccination or negative covid test
For the safety of all travellers, at the start of some trips you may be required to show evidence that you are fully vaccinated (14 days after your second dose) and/or show evidence of a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of the tour start date in order to join the programme.
Updated hygiene and safety procedures
Our suppliers and partners have health and safety procedures in place on all of our trips. These protocols will be updated and adapted as a response to the Coronavirus outbreak, dependent on local restrictions and laws.
Transport and accommodation choices
Our suppliers and partners choose the accommodation and transport on our trips very carefully, and you may see a change to what would normally be used as a response to the outbreak. This may involve such changes as enhanced use of private transport or quieter accommodation.
Trained and knowledgeable staff
Our staff in the UK are trained to help you with your trip before you depart and answer any questions you may have. In addition, the local team and guides on our trips are there to help with any health and safety concerns and to ensure our trips run safely and smoothly.
Reduced group sizes
Some trips will run with reduced group sizes to start with. You may find that trips are more intimate and chilled, whilst still being packed with fun and adventure.
Healthcare
Your guide or the local team will be on hand to help you seek medical attention should you require it during your trip. As medical facilities and standards can vary around the world, you should ensure you have adequate travel insurance in place before you depart to cover you for any medical emergencies.
24/7 emergency support
We operate an emergency phone line for our travellers abroad. This is operated by a UK based member of staff 24/7 if you have a genuine emergency or urgent matter that you need attending.
It is important that you take measures to make travelling safer for yourself and others around you. Ensure you frequently wash your hands, cover your face when you sneeze and cough, bring and use your own hand sanitiser and facial coverings/masks, and enable social distancing where necessary. You should also ensure you listen to the instructions and guidance of the local team at all times, and follow all local laws and restrictions.