China Highlights

Be prepared for some long travel days as you’ll need to cover over 2000 km to see China's main highlights in this 8-day adventure, without a flight.

This trip packs a lot in over a short amount of time, so it’s highly recommended you spend some extra time in Shanghai and Beijing before or after your trip to experience more of what these great cities have to offer.

As a short, city-based trip, there isn't a lot of time to experience China's beautiful natural landscapes or get further off the beaten track. If you have more time to explore, consider China Experience (CBSE), or Beijing to Hong Kong Adventure (CBSJ)

China’s world-class sites and experiences draw large numbers of local and international travellers. We recommend a little patience and comfortable shoes as you may need to wait before entering the more popular locations on your itinerary.

1. Your trip starts at 4pm on Day 1.
2. A single supplement is bookable for this trip and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
3. A scanned copy of the personal details page of your passport needs to be sent to your booking agent no later than 40 days before departure in order for us to purchase our train tickets.
4. Please note while traveling through mainland China you will not be able to access some popular internet websites.

What you need to bring will vary according to the trip style you have chosen, the countries you are visiting and when you are travelling. Generally speaking, we recommend you pack as lightly as possible and make sure that you are able to carry and lift your own luggage, and walk with it for short distances or up or down a flight of stairs. Our travellers usually find the smaller their luggage is, the more they enjoy the trip not having to worry about carrying heavy bags! Aim to keep your main luggage under 15kg.
Many travellers carry their luggage in a backpack, although an overnight bag with a shoulder strap would suffice if you travel lightly. Smaller suitcases or backpacks with wheels are convenient although we recommend your bag has carry straps or handles.
If you are taking overnight trains, or primarily using public transport then the smaller your luggage the easier it will be to store under or above bunks.
A lockable bag or small padlock will be useful especially when travelling on public transportation as well.
You'll also need a day pack/bag to carry water, camera, and jacket etc. when you’re exploring during the day.

Below are some ideas and helpful tips on what you specifically need for this trip.

Essential:
- Clothing: a mixture of lightweight and dry fast clothing and warm layers are recommended essential for travelling in this region. Long shirts, pants, scarves are useful for covering shoulders & knees when visiting religious sites.
- Shoes: sturdy and comfortable shoes for walking long distances are essential.
- Personal travel documents inc. your passport (visa), travel insurance, flight tickets and trip notes. Photocopies of your passport and visa, passport size photos and travel insurance will be handy. While not valid, a photocopy makes it very much easier to obtain replacements if necessary.
- small first aid kit including items such as mild pain killers, electrolytes, Band-Aids and insect repellent, and essential medicine depending on your doctors advice.
- Money: cash/credit card/EFTPOS card and money belt
- Sun protection like a hat, sunscreen, and sunglasses.

Recommended:
- Refillable water bottle (1.5-litre capacity suggested): The sale of bottled water contributes to an enormous environmental problem around the world. In addition to the water in bottles, the production of a 1-litre plastic bottle takes 2 litres of water and 200ml of oil. A large proportion end up in limited landfill or discarded in waterways and natural environments.
- Cell phone, camera with spare batteries, charger, and adapter plug
- Hand wash, travel wipes, toiletries and a small towel
- Watch/alarm clock and torch/flashlight (and spare batteries)
- Torch or flashlight esp. for stay at local guesthouses or homestays

Optional:
- Sleeping bag. Useful for camping, overnight trains and poorly heated hotels, particularly during the winter months of Dec - Feb when temperatures are low.
- Sleep sheet. If you are travelling during the hot season you may wish to pack a sleep sheet so you will be comfortable no matter what the weather.
- Earplugs to guard against street noise and snorers.
- A good book, a journal and music player for overnight train rides and longer drives.

Other things to consider:

- Check weather in destinations you are travelling to online a few days before you go to make sure you pack appropriate clothing
- Laundry facilities may not be available in all destinations, so make sure you have a few cycles of clothes to tide you over until your next chance to wash

You will be expected to carry your own luggage, including moving about busy public transport hubs, up stairs and escalators and on and off buses and trains. Although you won't be required to walk long distances, you are expected to be able to walk and handle your own luggage for up to 30 minutes. Good general fitness and mobility plays a big part in making your trip more enjoyable. In some locations it may be possible to hire porters at extra expense paid locally. Please ask your trip leader for help to arrange this if possible but be prepared to manage your own luggage.

Kingtown Hotel Plaza Shanghai, No.126 Xinzha Road Huangpu, 200003, Shanghai, CHINA, Phone: +862 1 6067 7258

Kingtown Hotel Plaza Shanghai is located in Shanghai’s business, entertainment and shopping area. A 2-minute walk from Xinzha Road Subway Station Line 1, it offers free parking and rooms with free internet. Kingtown Hotel Plaza Shanghai is a short 500 m from People’s Square, the Shanghai Museum and Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street. Guestrooms at Kingtown offer a stylish interior with modern furnishings. Each well-appointed room is equipped with a minibar, a work desk and a flat-screen TV with satellite channels.

Alternate Joining Point

An arrival transfer from the airport/train station is available if arranged at the time of booking. Transfers cannot be arranged on arrival. Please advise your flight/train arrival details no later than 14 days prior to your departure. If you plan to arrive earlier, this arrival transfer can only be offered in conjunction with pre-tour accommodation booked through Intrepid.

If you have pre-arranged an arrival transfer with us, our local operator will have sent a driver to the airport who will be holding a sign with the Intrepid logo and your name on it. If there's any issue with meeting your transfer driver, please contact our China team's emergency number.

Pudong Airport:
If you choose to travel to the joining point by public transport you can take the Maglev to Longyang Lu Station, then take subway Line 2 from Longyang Lu Station to Renmin Square Station, change to subway Line 1 to Xinzhalu Station, Exit No.6, then about 500 meters walk to your hotel. From Shanghai Pudong International Airport, approx 200CNY by taxi.

Hongqiao Airport:
If you are landing at Hongqiao international airport, please take the subway from Hong Qiao station Line 2 to Renmin Square Station, change to subway Line1 to Xinzhalu Station, Exit 6, then about 500meters walk to your hotel. It is 20km from Hongqiao international Airport to hotel, a taxi would cost about CNY 100.

Below is hotel's name and address in Chinese:
Hotel Name: Kingtown Hotel Plaza Shanghai 上海广场嘉廷酒店
Hotel Address: No. 126, Xinzha Road, Huangpu District, Shanghai 上海市黄浦区新闸路126号
Hotel Tel: +86 21 6067 7258

Beijing Chongwenmen Hotel 北京崇文门饭店, No.2 Chongwenmen West Stree, Dongcheng District, Beijing, Beijing, CHINA, Phone: +86 1065122211

Beijing Chong Wen Men Hotel enjoys a convenient location just a 5-minute walk from Chongwenmen subway station, which links to various attractions in Beijing. It is an 8-minute drive from the shopping belt of Wangfujing Street, an 8-minute drive from Temple of Heaven, and a 10-minute drive from Tiananmen Square.

Alternate Finish Point

There are two international airports in Beijing – Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) and Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX). Please check on below instructions for them respectively.

A departure transfer from the airport is available if arranged at the time of booking. Please advise your departure flight details at least 14 days prior to your trip. If you plan to stay longer, this departure transfer can only be offered in conjunction with post-tour accommodation booked through us.

Beijing Capital International Airport

Beijing Capital International airport is located north-east of Beijing, 25 km from the city centre. One of the biggest airports in the world, it is relatively easy to navigate and many signs are written in English. Most international flights take off from Terminal 3.
For more information about Beijing Capital Airport, please go to http://en.bcia.com.cn/

If you plan to make your own way to the airport:
Your tour leader can advise you when is the best time to leave for your flight depending on local traffic condition. It is suggested to leave from your hotel at least 3 hours before your flight time. Taxi is the easiest way to go to the airport. It should take around 1 hour to 1.5 hours to Beijing Capital Airport at about CNY120-150 under normal condition.
Alternatively, you can take metro by Line 2 then change to Airport Express from Dongzhimen Station to Beijing Capital Airport, which should cost around CNY30 (in total). Airport express service time: 06:00 – 22:30

Beijing Daxing International Airport

Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX) is in the south of Beijing, 46 km from the city centre. One of the biggest airports in the world, it is relatively easy to navigate and many signs are written in English. For more information about Beijing Daxing International Airport, please go to https://www.bdia.com.cn/#/traffic

If you are making your own way to Beijing Daxing International Airport:
By taxi (the easiest option): Metered taxis are available outside the hotel. You can get help from the hotel receptionist to get a taxi. Make sure they understand you are NOT going to Beijing Capital International Airport. The taxi ride to Beijing Daxing International Airport from our hotel takes about 1-1.5hrs and should cost around CNY200 (including CNY10 for the airport expressway toll). Let the taxi driver know you are going to gates for international departures.

By airport express: Ask the hotel receptionist to get a taxi for you to Caoqiao station of the Beijing Daxing International Airport Express. Make sure they understand you are NOT going to Beijing Capital International Airport. Take the airport express to Beijing Daxing International Airport (CNY50, service time: 06:00 to 22:30). Follow the English signs to counters for international departures when you arrive at the airport.

Breakfasts included: 3

Lunches included: 

Dinners included: 

FOOD IN CHINA:
What IS authentic Chinese food like? Check out these articles to get a taste:
https://www.intrepidtravel.com/adventures/china-food-trip-blog/
https://www.intrepidtravel.com/adventures/china-food-stereotypes/
https://www.intrepidtravel.com/adventures/a-guide-to-traditional-chinese-street-food/

VEGETARIANS & VEGANS:
Vegetarians in China certainly won't go hungry as there are always plenty of meat-free options on menus including vegetable, tofu, and egg dishes. Your leader can advise on some local favourites. Dairy is uncommon in Chinese cooking, although in some regions like Tibet, Xinjiang, and Yunnan you will find milk products as part of the local cuisine. Vegans should also have few problems finding tasty meals in most locations. Nearly all cities will have vegetarian restaurants, often near to temples or monasteries that specialise in Buddhist cuisine. Check out this blog for a guide to eating vegetarian in Beijing: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/adventures/a-vegetarians-guide-to-beijing/

DIETARY NEEDS:
Wherever possible we will cater for dietary needs for included meals, but there may be times when those with special requirements may wish to supplement inclusions with their own supplies from markets or supermarkets. Please note that some dietary requirements, such as Gluten-Free, will be uncommon in China and you may need to explain to your leader what you can and can't eat as well as research common dishes before you travel.

ALLERGIES:
For those suffering from particular food allergies, your group leader will endeavor to disclose to their fullest knowledge the main ingredients in dishes being consumed. It is, however, your personal responsibility to ensure that you do not ingest any foods to which you are allergic and research suitable local foods before travelling.

CHINESE NATIONAL HOLIDAYS:
China's national holidays are the peak travel season for Chinese nationals. During this time, the whole country is on the move - that's over a billion people. Although these are fascinating and exciting times to travel in China, please be aware that your group will likely experience transport delays and massive crowds at tourist attractions and train stations. It's common for there to be difficulties in securing train or flight tickets at our preferred times, hotels become overbooked, traffic chaotic and changes to the itinerary are often necessary as a result. If clockwork organisation is important to you we advise you book outside of Chinese New Year, the first week of May and the first week of October. If you decide to travel during this period please come with an open mind and be prepared for changes on the ground.

Here are the major holiday periods in China:
Chinese New Year: Jan 28- Feb 4 2025, Feb 16- Feb 23, 2026
Qingming Festival: Apr 4-6, 2025/2026
Labour Day Holiday: May 1-5, 2025/2026
Dragon Boat Festival: May 31-Jun 2, 2025, June 19-21, 2026
Mid-Autumn Day: Oct 6, 2025, Sept 25-27, 2026
National Day: Oct 1-8 2025, Oct 1-7 2026

While we always endeavour to provide the best possible holiday experience, due to the nature of travel and the areas we visit sometimes things can and do go wrong. Should any issue occur while you are on your trip, it is imperative that you discuss this with your group leader or local representative straight away so that they can do their best to rectify the problem and save any potential negative impact on the rest of your trip.

We recognise that there may be times when your group leader or local representative may not be able to resolve a situation to your satisfaction - if this is the case, please ask the group leader or local representative to speak to their direct manager.

You may also choose to provide details in your online feedback, which we ask you to complete within 30 days of the end of your trip. Please do be aware that it is very difficult for us to provide any practical help after the trip is completed, so informing us while still travelling will give us the opportunity to resolve the issue in real-time.

For general contact details please use the following page: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/contact-us

In case of a genuine crisis or emergency, you can reach our local office on the numbers below:

+86 17200311621

HOTEL ROOMS:
Some travellers have reported that hotels/accommodation in this region tend to have harder bed mattresses than those they are used to at home. You may like to request an extra quilt or bedding from the hotels if you find this an issue.

SMOKING ROOMS:
Smoking is prevalent in China and hotels generally do not offer specific non-smoking rooms. Larger hotels with central air conditioning will sometimes transport the smell of smoke between rooms. While we ask our hotels to ensure our rooms are well cleaned and ventilated well before occupation in some cases this is not possible, and the smell of smoke may linger. Please speak to your leader about the possibility of changing rooms if you encounter this.

WIFI:
WiFi is often available in hotel reception areas and sometimes in rooms. Your leader will be able to advise on the best places to get connected.

GUESTHOUSES
In smaller, rural locations in China we may stay in guesthouses, which are mostly small family run establishments. Facilities are basic compared to hotels and towels may not be provided. Please note that on occasion the group may be accommodated in separate guest houses within walking distance of each other.

CHINA TRAIN TRAVEL SECURITY
When travelling by train in China you will need to pass through security checkpoints similar to those at airports. Please be aware that items that may be classified as ‘weapons’ might be confiscated (even from your suitcase), as all luggage travels in the compartment with you. We recommend leaving items that fall into this category (eg. pocket knives or scissors) at home. Aerosol spray bottles are not permitted on high-speed trains and can get confiscated at the station.