18-day Shanghai Loop | Budget Backpacking Tour

Change currency £(GBP) $(USD) €(EURO)

18 days / 17 nights - £1,179

Start in Shanghai to go straight to Yangshuo, then join one of our trips all the way back to Shanghai. This includes most of the highlights of our big (25 day) China tour, including the pandas in Chengdu, the Terracotta Warriors in Xi’an, bamboo rafting in Yangshuo and camping under the stars on the Great Wall. Details below - to book or ask for any advice, get in touch!

Itinerary

Day 1: Shanghai

With a fascinating modern history and sizzling economy, Shanghai dazzles as an epic place for nightlife, Western comforts, getting lost and much, much more. Learn about Shanghai

Day 2-5: Yangshuo

Towering karst peaks, a carpet of green, fertile fields and a never-ending list of activities; rafting on the Li river, mud baths, cycling, cooking, swimming and more. Learn about Yangshuo

Day 6-8: Chengdu

Find yourself in the slow-paced heart of Western China, enjoying tea houses, pandas, buddhist shrines, spicy hot-pot, temples, and as much KTV as you can handle! Learn about Chengdu

Day 9-10: Xi'an

Sense the medieval feel in this ancient ‘frontier’ city. Stroll the Muslim quarter, barter for souvenirs, cycle the huge, old city walls, and try local delicacies. Learn about Xi’an

Day 11-12: Shaolin

An unforgettable time at the Shaolin temple. Learn Kungfu from a monk and really get to know the locals as you hike and discover this tranquil, ancient place. Learn about Shaolin

Day 13-16: Beijing

Camp out under the stars on a remote section of the Great Wall. After an unforgettable sunrise, head back to the city for more history, culture and food. Learn about Beijing

Day 17-18: Hangzhou

A breath of fresh air after the bustling capital city. Explore the ancient waterfront town, hike your way to the top of Jiuyao Mountain and venture into the luscious Misty Forest.

Day 1: Shanghai

Kickstart you Shanghai to Shanghai backpacking tour with a meeting on the rooftop bar of the Phoenix Hostel at 1:30pm. Leave your luggage at the hostel if necessary.
Transfer to Shanghai South Station to board a night train to Guilin.
One guide will put you on the train and another will collect you in Guilin.

Day 2-5: Yangshuo

Try your hand at cooking up some traditional Chinese foods at this friendly and practical local cuisine institute
Group Lunch
Unmissable Activity: Cruise down the Yulong River on these Chinese style Gondolas – Bamboo Rafts! Bikes included to ride around! (please make sure you wear a helmet at all times when you are riding your bike!)
Optional: Bike Ride to Moon Hill and a cave complex including mudbaths and hot springs
Optional: Try your hand at Rock-Climbing!
Optional: Kayaking on the Li River!
Optional: Experience Chinese traditional therapies such as Hot Cupping
Optional: A true treat, experience what life is like on a farm by visiting your Adventure Leader’s home village
Board minibus to North Bus Station and then board your bus to Guilin
Depart Yangshuo on a bullet train to Chengdu, arriving in the evening. Take a metro to your hostel and meet your new Adventure Leader!

Day 6-8: Chengdu

Unmissable Activity: Gather up to go see the Pandas at the world’s main and biggest, Giant Panda Breeding & Research Center.
Mandarin Lesson 1: Have a Mandarin lesson with your Adventure Leader
Optional: Watch a traditional Sichuan Opera & Culture Show
Optional: Leave to Leshan to see the world’s largest stone Buddha.
Optional: Wander Jinli street and the Tibetan districts independently. (Chengdu is right next to Tibet, or Xizang in Mandarin, so there is a large ethnic community here)
Optional: Sample the famous Sichuan Hot Pot if you dare! (Legendary Spice!)
Have a night out in Chengdu
Optional: Volunteer at an Autism Children Rehabilitation Centre (If you would like to donate money or school materials, please talk to your Adventure Leader.)
Optional: Visit Wenshu Monastery, Sichuan Province Museum, People’s Park and a traditional Tea House
Take bus or metro to Chengdu North Railway Station.
Say goodbye to your Adventure Leader and board your train to Xian

Day 9-10: Xi’an

Arrive in Xi’an and meet your next Adventure Leader
Check-in to your hostel
Optional: Explore the Bell Drum Towers, Muslim Quarter and Great Mosque to learn about the history of the Silk Road, towers, mosque and some local legends.
Enjoy a dinner of local street foods at the Muslim Quarter. Relax after dinner by visiting the local Silk Road market nearby.
Un-missable Attraction – Terracotta Warriors
Optional: Bike Ride on Ming Dynasty City Walls. Please make sure you wear a helmet!
Optional: Watch the Music & Lights show near the Big Goose Pagoda

Day 11-12: Shaolin

Board a private minivan than take a bus to DengFeng, the closest village to the Shaolin Temple
Arrive in DengFeng
Optional: Kung Fu Lesson & Show at a local Children’s Home run by the Shaolin Temple, where the monks teach these children to be Kungfu masters. All proceeds go directly to the Children’s Home.
Dinner in the Guesthouse
Mandarin lesson: Have your second Mandarin lesson
Optional: Visit the flagship of Kung Fu, The Shaolin Temple
Optional: Hike to Dharma Cave, a spiritual spot for Buddhist pilgrims, and be rewarded by beautiful views of both the shrines/temples in the area and the views of the area
Optional: Had enough of temples or kung-fu? Visit the Longmen Grottoes, a UNESCO world heritage site with over 100,000 carved Buddha’s
Have a late lunch at the guesthouse then pack and check out
Depart to Zhengzhou to board your train to Beijing
Arrive at the train station and have some food before your train leaves

Day 13-16: Beijing

Arrive Beijing and meet your next Adventure Leader. Transfer by minibus to the hostel. You won’t be staying the night here, so you won’t be able to get into rooms, but can use the shower rooms, and common areas to relax before heading to the Wall in the afternoon
Mandarin lesson: Have your 3rd Mandarin Lesson
It’s time for the Mandarin challenge! Use your freshly learned Mandarin to complete challenges around Beijing’s ancient streets and alleyways. The winning team earns a prize.
Mandatory meal at a local farm to obtain permission to access the locals only sections of the unrestored Great Wall
Unmissable Attraction – Hike on totally unrestored sections of the Wall before setting up camp on a deserted section of the wall to watch the sunset on one of the Wonders of the World (Please note, due to cold weather before end of April and after September, we stay in a guest house near the Wall instead of camping, but still return to the Wall to watch sunrise in the morning)
Unmissable Attraction – Sunrise on the Wall
Return to Beijing
Optional: A stunning Chinese Acrobatics Performance performed by young talents recruited from around China
Enjoyed exclusively by royalty in ancient times, taste Beijing’s signature dish Peking Roast Duck
Optional: Take a walk through the globally recognized, Tiananmen Square
Optional: Visit the Forbidden City. The largest palatial complex in the world, the grounds boast 980 buildings and a history of housing 24 different Chinese royalty
Optional: Go to Jingshan Park for a bird’s eye view of the three palaces: Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace and Tiananmen Square.
Test your bargaining skills in the Fake Goods Market!
Optional: Go to the Temple of Heaven, the largest complex dedicated to heaven worship in the world and where ancient sacrifices were made to bring bountiful harvests
Optional: Visit Nanluo district, one of the best-preserved historical areas in Beijing. It is famous for its hutongs and siheyuan courtyards as well as the bars, cafes and handicraft shops
Enjoy a free day before heading to your next destination
Optional: Visit the 798 art district, the Summer Palace, or any other highlights of Beijing
Board night train to Hangzhou

Day 17-18: Hangzhou & Shanghai

Head to West Lake for a relaxing boat tour
Optional: Learn about China’s trade history with visits to the China National Tea Museum or the National Silk Museum
Hike up Jiuyao Mountain to catch the sunset over West Lake
Enjoy a delicious group dinner back in the city centre
Optional: Explore Hangzhou old town
Have a big breakfast ready for more activities
Head to Misty Forest for a hike around the Nine Creeks area
Return to the hostel to freshen up, grab lunch and check out
Take a private transfer Hangzhou Station for your train to Shanghai
Arrive in Shanghai and take the metro to the hostel
Optional: Experience the city’s nightlife with the Shanghai Drunken Dragon Pub Crawl! (Only available on Saturday. If you arrive on a different day, then you can enjoy our alternative activity, a cruise on the Huangpu River by night.)

Departures Dates

Departing	Finishing	Price	Status
11th Mar, 2019	28th Mar, 2019	£1,179
13th Mar, 2019	30th Mar, 2019	£1,179	FULLY BOOKED
18th Mar, 2019	4th Apr, 2019	£1,179
20th Mar, 2019	6th Apr, 2019	£1,179
25th Mar, 2019	11th Apr, 2019	£1,179
1st Apr, 2019	1st Jan, 1970	£1,179
3rd Apr, 2019	20th Apr, 2019	£1,179
10th Apr, 2019	27th Apr, 2019	£1,179
15th Apr, 2019	2nd May, 2019	£1,179
22nd Apr, 2019	9th May, 2019	£1,179
1st May, 2019	18th May, 2019	£1,179
8th May, 2019	25th May, 2019	£1,179
15th May, 2019	1st Jun, 2019	£1,179
20th May, 2019	6th Jun, 2019	£1,179
22nd May, 2019	8th Jun, 2019	£1,179
27th May, 2019	13th Jun, 2019	£1,179
3rd Jun, 2019	20th Jun, 2019	£1,179
5th Jun, 2019	22nd Jun, 2019	£1,179
10th Jun, 2019	27th Jun, 2019	£1,179
19th Jun, 2019	6th Jul, 2019	£1,179
26th Jun, 2019	13th Jul, 2019	£1,179
1st Jul, 2019	18th Jul, 2019	£1,179	FULLY BOOKED
3rd Jul, 2019	20th Jul, 2019	£1,179
8th Jul, 2019	25th Jul, 2019	£1,179
15th Jul, 2019	1st Aug, 2019	£1,179
17th Jul, 2019	3rd Aug, 2019	£1,179
22nd Jul, 2019	8th Aug, 2019	£1,179	FULLY BOOKED
24th Jul, 2019	10th Aug, 2019	£1,179
31st Jul, 2019	17th Aug, 2019	£1,179
5th Aug, 2019	22nd Aug, 2019	£1,179
7th Aug, 2019	24th Aug, 2019	£1,179	FULLY BOOKED
12th Aug, 2019	29th Aug, 2019	£1,179
14th Aug, 2019	31st Aug, 2019	£1,179
21st Aug, 2019	7th Sep, 2019	£1,179
28th Aug, 2019	14th Sep, 2019	£1,179
2nd Sep, 2019	19th Sep, 2019	£1,179
4th Sep, 2019	21st Sep, 2019	£1,179
11th Sep, 2019	28th Sep, 2019	£1,179
16th Sep, 2019	3rd Oct, 2019	£1,179	FULLY BOOKED
18th Sep, 2019	5th Oct, 2019	£1,179
25th Sep, 2019	12th Oct, 2019	£1,179
2nd Oct, 2019	19th Oct, 2019	£1,179
7th Oct, 2019	24th Oct, 2019	£1,179
9th Oct, 2019	26th Oct, 2019	£1,179	FULLY BOOKED
16th Oct, 2019	2nd Nov, 2019	£1,179
23rd Oct, 2019	9th Nov, 2019	£1,179
30th Oct, 2019	16th Nov, 2019	£1,179
9th Mar, 2020	26th Mar, 2020	£1,179
11th Mar, 2020	28th Mar, 2020	£1,179
18th Mar, 2020	4th Apr, 2020	£1,179
25th Mar, 2020	11th Apr, 2020	£1,179
1st Apr, 2020	1st Jan, 1970	£1,179
6th Apr, 2020	23rd Apr, 2020	£1,179
8th Apr, 2020	25th Apr, 2020	£1,179
15th Apr, 2020	2nd May, 2020	£1,179
22nd Apr, 2020	9th May, 2020	£1,179
29th Apr, 2020	16th May, 2020	£1,179
2nd May, 2020	19th May, 2020	£1,179
11th May, 2020	28th May, 2020	£1,179
13th May, 2020	30th May, 2020	£1,179
20th May, 2020	6th Jun, 2020	£1,179
25th May, 2020	11th Jun, 2020	£1,179
27th May, 2020	13th Jun, 2020	£1,179
3rd Jun, 2020	20th Jun, 2020	£1,179
8th Jun, 2020	25th Jun, 2020	£1,179
10th Jun, 2020	27th Jun, 2020	£1,179
17th Jun, 2020	4th Jul, 2020	£1,179
24th Jun, 2020	11th Jul, 2020	£1,179
1st Jul, 2020	18th Jul, 2020	£1,179
6th Jul, 2020	23rd Jul, 2020	£1,179
8th Jul, 2020	25th Jul, 2020	£1,179
15th Jul, 2020	1st Aug, 2020	£1,179
22nd Jul, 2020	8th Aug, 2020	£1,179
27th Jul, 2020	13th Aug, 2020	£1,179
29th Jul, 2020	15th Aug, 2020	£1,179
5th Aug, 2020	22nd Aug, 2020	£1,179
10th Aug, 2020	27th Aug, 2020	£1,179
12th Aug, 2020	29th Aug, 2020	£1,179
19th Aug, 2020	5th Sep, 2020	£1,179
26th May, 2020	12th Sep, 2020	£1,179
2nd Sep, 2020	19th Sep, 2020	£1,179
7th Sep, 2020	24th Sep, 2020	£1,179
14th Sep, 2020	1st Oct, 2020	£1,179
16th Sep, 2020	3rd Oct, 2020	£1,179
23rd Sep, 2020	10th Oct, 2020	£1,179
30th Sep, 2020	17th Oct, 2020	£1,179
7th Oct, 2020	24th Oct, 2020	£1,179
14th Oct, 2020	31st Oct, 2020	£1,179
19th Oct, 2020	5th Nov, 2020	£1,179
21st Oct, 2020	7th Nov, 2020	£1,179
28th Oct, 2020	14th Nov, 2020	£1,179
4th Nov, 2020	21st Nov, 2020	£1,179

Price includes:

Bilingual Adventure Leaders
Accommodation (hostels, guest houses, camping (1 night))
Transport within China
Loads of fantastic, 'unmissable' activities (see itineraries)

Please note: Accommodation is in dorm rooms as a standard. Upgrade options (to single, twin, or double rooms) are available - please contact us for more information. All our hostels have WIFI.

Payments

A deposit is required to make a reservation, with the balance due one month prior to departure (unless booking with one of our promotions, for which specific balance due dates may apply). The deposit is £200 GBP / $300 USD / $300 AUD / €300 EUR.
For customers making payment from the UK: please note that when you are making a payment into our US dollar account you must request your bank to send the money directly to our US dollar account at HSBC UK. Otherwise they may use an intermediary bank resulting in an added wiring fee charged to you of $25.00.
Late booking customers must understand that they may be sat separately from the rest of the group on trains, and may have to be booked into a separate dorm room. No bookings can be accepted within 18 days of a trip departure date.

Upgrades & Extras

Need hostels booked for after your trip ends? We are more than happy to help - just let us know what you need!
If you would like to alter your trip itinerary from the one provided to you by us then please let us know more than 30 days before your trip departs so that we can make your trip the perfect one for you! When you let us know that means we can relay all information to our on the ground staff and make the appropriate arrangements. Some such requests from previous Dragon Trippers are: I would like to skip Macau and go directly to Hong Kong from Fujian, I don’t need accommodation in Shanghai because I am staying with a friend, I would not like to camp on the wall and instead want to stay in regular accommodation, I would like to take a flight instead of a train for certain legs of the trip. Please let us know more than 30 days in advance. If you do not let us know in advance The Dragon Trip will not be responsible for assisting you, or for providing reimbursement for accommodations or transportation not used.
Room and train upgrades for the entirety of this route are available. Room upgrade requests must be communicated to the Dragon Trip before the start of the trip. Customers wishing to upgrade once the trip has started must do so independently. Train upgrades are unavailable once train tickets have been booked, train upgrades only apply to over-night trains.
Room upgrades are $375 USD (please note that for one night in Moganshan - Day 17- there is no option for room upgrade). In Beijing everyone will get twin rooms, those who have paid for an upgrade will receive a superior roomTrain upgrades are $231.25 USD.
The Dragon Trip provides, upon request, airport transfers. In Beijing and Shanghai, the price is GBP 40 for a pick up or drop-off. This will be in private transportation (up to 3 PAX). If you’d like a bilingual guide to meet you and ride with you from the airport to your destination, or vice versa, it is GBP 40 extra for a pick up or drop off (up to 3 PAX). In Guilin, Xi'an and Chengdu, the price is GBP 30 for a pick up or drop-off. This will be in private transportation (up to 3 PAX). If you’d like a bilingual guide, it is GBP 30 for a pick up or drop off (up to 3 PAX). This service is not available in Hong Kong.

Other

Please take note if you wish to use your own camera/phone to take photos and videos that is absolutely fine. However, The Dragon Trip runs a no drone policy for our China trips.
You will receive a wristband which will have a phone number on it for you to call in emergencies.
All train tickets in China must be purchased through a central booking centre which means there is always a small chance that you may not be seated together with the person that you have booked the tour together with. If you or your PAX has a seat that is not next to the group’s our Adventure Leaders have a process to help you switch your tickets, so that you are seated next to the group. (In some train stations, the Adventure Leader will be able to board the train even when they won’t be travelling themselves. In this case, they will switch you or your PAXs tickets with a local so that Dragon Trippers can sit together. In the case that our Adventure Leader cannot board the train, they will be able to explain in Mandarin over the phone to a conductor, or directly to a local passenger to help switch seats so that Dragon Trippers may be seated together.)

To book or find out more, contact us

^* These fields are required.

From Our Latest Adventures

China’s highspeed train revolution

China’s high-speed train revolution happened in the blink of an eye. It transformed the movement of people and enabled tourists to pack more into China tours than ever before.

More About This

Xi’an – The end of the Silk Road

The Terracotta Warriors attract most attention but Xi’an’s Muslim Quarter is a real gem and a human link to the city’s illustrious past.

More About This