Budget, active adventure tour of China visiting Beijing, Hangzhou province and Shanghai
Highlights
Hike & Camp on the Great Wall, Mandarin Lesson, Visit West Lake & Take a Boat Tour, Hike Jiuyao Mountain for Sunset, Hike the 9 Creeks in Misty Woods, Jinmao Tower Platform View
Itinerary
DAY 1: Meet in Beijing, Great Wall of China Camping
Kick off your journey by meeting your Adventure Leader and fellow travellers in the hostel lobby for a comprehensive pre-trip briefing. You'll discover all the highlights of your upcoming 10-day itinerary.
Next, you'll drop off your luggage and transfer via the train station to a private bus, heading straight for the iconic Great Wall of China. Prepare for an unforgettable hike along an unrestored section before making camp on a secluded part of the Wall. Once night falls, settle in for stunning stargazing and a fun, introductory Mandarin lesson.
(Important: Camping is replaced by an overnight stay in a local guest house when temperatures are cold, specifically before 1 May and after 30 September.)
OVERNIGHT:
Great Wall camping
MEALS:
None
EXTRAS:
None
DAY 2: Great Wall Sunrise & explore Beijing
Start your day with the magnificent sight of the sunrise over the Great Wall—a truly unforgettable experience (pending weather conditions). Once you return to Beijing, enjoy free time to explore as you please.
Perhaps immerse yourself in contemporary culture at the 798 Art District, find serenity at the historic Summer Palace, or coordinate with your fellow travellers to see more of the city's key sights.
OVERNIGHT:
Beijing hostel
MEALS:
None
EXTRAS:
None
DAY 3: Beijing, free day (optional excursions available)
Begin your day with an optional visit to Tiananmen Square, followed by an exploration of the mighty Forbidden City. Walk through the world's largest palace complex, a maze of 980 buildings that tells the tale of 24 emperors.
To get the ultimate photograph, hike up Jingshan Park for a panoramic view over the palace roofs. The evening offers a choice of optional extras: be amazed by a thrilling Chinese acrobatics show, or settle down to savour Peking Roast Duck, the legendary dish of Beijing.
OVERNIGHT:
Beijing hostel
MEALS:
None
EXTRAS:
None
DAY 4: Beijing, free day (optional excursions available), then overnight train to Hangzhou
Your final day in Beijing is entirely yours! Spend it bartering for souvenirs at a popular fake goods market, relax amid the history of the Temple of Heaven, or explore the energetic Nanluo district. Here you'll discover traditional hutongs and courtyards alongside modern cafes and bars.
In the evening, it's time to collect your luggage and catch the overnight train to Hangzhou to begin the next leg of your journey.
OVERNIGHT:
On board overnight train
MEALS:
None
EXTRAS:
None
DAY 5: Arrive Hangzhou, West Lake visit & Sunset Hike
After arriving in Hangzhou this morning, transfer to your hostel for a late breakfast. We hope you slept on the train! Next, we’re off to the famous West Lake, ready to take a stunning boat tour to one of the Lake’s beautiful islands.
Once you’ve checked in this afternoon,you'll have some free time. If you’re keen to stay vertical, why not check out China’s National Tea Museum, or the Lingyin Temple?
This evening, it’s an unmissable hike up Jiuyao Mountain to see the stunning sunset from there. Before you head back down to street level for dinner and a free evening to explore. Make sure you check out Hefang Road – the most famous ancient street in town!
OVERNIGHT:
Hangzhou hostel
MEALS:
None
EXTRAS:
None
DAY 6: Nine Creeks Hike, transfer to Shanghai
This morning you have time to take a hike through misty woods to the Nine Creeks. Returning to the hostel for lunch we then catch the bullet train to Shanghai where we transfer via metro to your hostel.
OVERNIGHT:
Shanghai hostel
MEALS:
None
EXTRAS:
None
DAY 7: Shanghai, optional Mandarin Lesson (optional excursions available)
After a lazy morining, you have the option to join a Mandarin Lesson. This extra special class will be held by professional teachers, all the way from the Mandarin Garden Chinese Language School.
Later in the day, there is an option to join a visit to the Yu Gardens , a busy historical site, formerly the site of a lavish family home. You could also visit People's Square before heading to the worlds busiest shopping street 'Nanjing Road'
In the evenings, you can enjoy Shanghai's lively bar scene, and perhaps try out the largest bar crawl in China "the Drunken Dragon Pub Crawl". If you're looking for something a little more sophisticated try sipping champagne in a hot tub on the rooftop of a skyscraper, taking in Shanghai's spectacular skyline.
OVERNIGHT:
Shanghai hostel
MEALS:
None
EXTRAS:
None
DAY 8: Shanghai, free day (optional excursions available)
Today is another free day in Shanghai. There's lots to do to keep yourself busy, with plenty of sightseeing and shopping on offer. Alternatively you can let us do it for you and choose to take one of the many optional sightseeing tour available (see the Options tab for all available local options).
OVERNIGHT:
Shanghai hostel
MEALS:
None
EXTRAS:
None
DAY 9: Shanghai, free day.
This morning you have the option of joining a stroll through the former French Concession to learn about Shanghai's international history. You can visit the Propoganda Museum and take in the famous city scapes of the ultra modern Financial District. You could also make a visit to TianZiFang, a local artists lane blending chic and traditional styles.
For any daredevils in the group, you could head to the top of Jinmao Tower and brave the sky walk!
OVERNIGHT:
Shanghai hostel
MEALS:
None
EXTRAS:
None
DAY 10: Tour ends
Today your tour ends and it's time to say goodbye to the group and new friends made.
OVERNIGHT:
N/A
MEALS:
None
EXTRAS:
None
included with
- All accommodation as stated in the itinerary in basic hostels
- All transport and transfers in trains, buses & public transport
- Sightseeing tours as detailed in the itinerary
- Visa invitation letter
- Entry fees to included activities and attractions
- Bilingual western and local adventure leaders
- Hike & Camp on the Great Wall
- Mandarin Lesson (Beijing)
- Visit West Lake & Take a Boat Tour
- Hike Jiuyao Mountain for Sunset
- Hike the 9 Creeks in Misty Woods
excluded by
- International flights (available on request)
- Visa fees
- Travel insurance (compulsory, available on request)
- Airport arrival & departure transfer service (optional on request)
- All meals
- Optional activities
- Drinks, snacks and other personal expenses (e.g. laundry)
- Tour guide tips
- Any other items not mentioned above
Detailed Description
DAY 1: Meet in Beijing, Great Wall of China Camping
Kick off your journey by meeting your Adventure Leader and fellow travellers in the hostel lobby for a comprehensive pre-trip briefing. You'll discover all the highlights of your upcoming 10-day itinerary.
Next, you'll drop off your luggage and transfer via the train station to a private bus, heading straight for the iconic Great Wall of China. Prepare for an unforgettable hike along an unrestored section before making camp on a secluded part of the Wall. Once night falls, settle in for stunning stargazing and a fun, introductory Mandarin lesson.
(Important: Camping is replaced by an overnight stay in a local guest house when temperatures are cold, specifically before 1 May and after 30 September.)
OVERNIGHT:
Great Wall camping
MEALS:
None
EXTRAS:
None
DAY 2: Great Wall Sunrise & explore Beijing
Start your day with the magnificent sight of the sunrise over the Great Wall—a truly unforgettable experience (pending weather conditions). Once you return to Beijing, enjoy free time to explore as you please.
Perhaps immerse yourself in contemporary culture at the 798 Art District, find serenity at the historic Summer Palace, or coordinate with your fellow travellers to see more of the city's key sights.
OVERNIGHT:
Beijing hostel
MEALS:
None
EXTRAS:
None
DAY 3: Beijing, free day (optional excursions available)
Begin your day with an optional visit to Tiananmen Square, followed by an exploration of the mighty Forbidden City. Walk through the world's largest palace complex, a maze of 980 buildings that tells the tale of 24 emperors.
To get the ultimate photograph, hike up Jingshan Park for a panoramic view over the palace roofs. The evening offers a choice of optional extras: be amazed by a thrilling Chinese acrobatics show, or settle down to savour Peking Roast Duck, the legendary dish of Beijing.
OVERNIGHT:
Beijing hostel
MEALS:
None
EXTRAS:
None
DAY 4: Beijing, free day (optional excursions available), then overnight train to Hangzhou
Your final day in Beijing is entirely yours! Spend it bartering for souvenirs at a popular fake goods market, relax amid the history of the Temple of Heaven, or explore the energetic Nanluo district. Here you'll discover traditional hutongs and courtyards alongside modern cafes and bars.
In the evening, it's time to collect your luggage and catch the overnight train to Hangzhou to begin the next leg of your journey.
OVERNIGHT:
On board overnight train
MEALS:
None
EXTRAS:
None
DAY 5: Arrive Hangzhou, West Lake visit & Sunset Hike
After arriving in Hangzhou this morning, transfer to your hostel for a late breakfast. We hope you slept on the train! Next, we’re off to the famous West Lake, ready to take a stunning boat tour to one of the Lake’s beautiful islands.
Once you’ve checked in this afternoon,you'll have some free time. If you’re keen to stay vertical, why not check out China’s National Tea Museum, or the Lingyin Temple?
This evening, it’s an unmissable hike up Jiuyao Mountain to see the stunning sunset from there. Before you head back down to street level for dinner and a free evening to explore. Make sure you check out Hefang Road – the most famous ancient street in town!
OVERNIGHT:
Hangzhou hostel
MEALS:
None
EXTRAS:
None
DAY 6: Nine Creeks Hike, transfer to Shanghai
This morning you have time to take a hike through misty woods to the Nine Creeks. Returning to the hostel for lunch we then catch the bullet train to Shanghai where we transfer via metro to your hostel.
OVERNIGHT:
Shanghai hostel
MEALS:
None
EXTRAS:
None
DAY 7: Shanghai, optional Mandarin Lesson (optional excursions available)
After a lazy morining, you have the option to join a Mandarin Lesson. This extra special class will be held by professional teachers, all the way from the Mandarin Garden Chinese Language School.
Later in the day, there is an option to join a visit to the Yu Gardens , a busy historical site, formerly the site of a lavish family home. You could also visit People's Square before heading to the worlds busiest shopping street 'Nanjing Road'
In the evenings, you can enjoy Shanghai's lively bar scene, and perhaps try out the largest bar crawl in China "the Drunken Dragon Pub Crawl". If you're looking for something a little more sophisticated try sipping champagne in a hot tub on the rooftop of a skyscraper, taking in Shanghai's spectacular skyline.
OVERNIGHT:
Shanghai hostel
MEALS:
None
EXTRAS:
None
DAY 8: Shanghai, free day (optional excursions available)
Today is another free day in Shanghai. There's lots to do to keep yourself busy, with plenty of sightseeing and shopping on offer. Alternatively you can let us do it for you and choose to take one of the many optional sightseeing tour available (see the Options tab for all available local options).
OVERNIGHT:
Shanghai hostel
MEALS:
None
EXTRAS:
None
DAY 9: Shanghai, free day.
This morning you have the option of joining a stroll through the former French Concession to learn about Shanghai's international history. You can visit the Propoganda Museum and take in the famous city scapes of the ultra modern Financial District. You could also make a visit to TianZiFang, a local artists lane blending chic and traditional styles.
For any daredevils in the group, you could head to the top of Jinmao Tower and brave the sky walk!
OVERNIGHT:
Shanghai hostel
MEALS:
None
EXTRAS:
None
DAY 10: Tour ends
Today your tour ends and it's time to say goodbye to the group and new friends made.
OVERNIGHT:
N/A
MEALS:
None
EXTRAS:
None
