For some crazy reason, China doesn’t seem to be a big backpacking hotspot, especially compared to its Southern and South Eastern neighbors. Well, fuck that. I’m telling you right now that you need to get your ass over to China, and experience the crazy dreamlike state that you are going to enter during your time there, because lets face it, travelling China is a total mind-fuck that we should all experience at least once in life. Breathtaking scenery, bustling cities, history for centuries, modernism, traditionalism, interesting locals and even more interesting and obscure food makes China a totally one-of-a-kind place to visit.
The great thing about backpacking China is the vast amount of choice that you have in choosing where to visit. It’s a huuuuuuuuge country, making it so damn diverse both geographically and culturally. From the Muslim populated desert origins of the Silk Road in the North West, to the sprawling lakes and mountains of Western Dali or the tropical surfer-friendly beaches of Southern Hainan, China really has it all. You could literally spent ten years travelling the place, and probably still not see and experience everything.
When planning my personal backpacking itinerary, I hoped for a basic introduction to the place, with future plans to fill other bucket-list worthy areas in years to come. I’m also a huge history and nature geek, so I tried to keep that in mind as well. As a result, in many ways, I ended up following the classic tourist trail. I totally recommend my itinerary for a China-beginner, craving the perfect introduction to the vast and varied country, whilst crossing off a shit tonne of UNESCO World Heritage sites.
Before we get into it, I thought it was worth mentioning some important things to consider in regards to planning your own backpacking trip around China, especially as it can be a super confusing place to travel!
Visas
China has one of the most complicated, and expensive, visa systems in the world- thanks so much fake communism. The cost and length of the visa varies from country to country- if you are a British citizen, for example, your visa will cost around £100 for a single entry 30 day visa. Also, the paper work is an absolute ball-ache, it takes forever and you have to to and fro from the embassy so many damn times.
A good option for attaining a visa is via Hong Kong- many nationalities can enter it visa-free for 90 days. You can go directly to the Chinese authorities, or, as I’d recommend, visit a company called Forever Bright, which sorts out all of the confusing shit for you in a matter of days.
Money
Because China is so cool and technically advanced, most locals pay for everything via their phone using WeChat or AliPay. Although WeChat isn’t available to tourists, AliPay is, and if you want to make your life super easy there, definitely get it, and fit in nicely. Alternatively, cash is a much better option than card, which is more widely accepted. If you go for this, make sure you can get hold of it ahead of time, or, that your card will work in a Chinese atm, because in true China style, nothing is ever straight forward.
Also, what’s your budget? China is a pretty cheap place to travel, with some hostels costing as little as £3 a night and street food breakfasts up for grabs for around 50p! Some places are also more expensive than others, such as Shanghai, which seriously rinsed my savings.
Transport
China is a big ass country, but luckily travelling around it is super easy. Trains are an awesome option, and their bullet trains are actually faster than Japan’s famed speed machines. You can also get cheaper, lower grade trains, which move slower and arn’t as nice inside. Sleeper trains are also a great option- basically a hotel on wheels, you get to wake up in a new place whilst saving on a night in accommodation!
Domestic flights could also be a better option for long distance travelers, or the more bougie among us. But, with the badass train system in place, you’ll rarely need to take a plane!
When travelling to more rural areas, buses are also available. Dirt cheap but convenient, you’ll probably find yourself on one of these when seeking out some breathtaking nature.
Language barrier
Basically no-one in China speaks English (and why should they?) so it may be useful to learn some phrases beforehand in case you get super lost and confused. Or, if you weren’t blessed with a sponge-like brain like me, get yourself a translator app to communicate with locals or translate menus, which are rarely in English. If the lack of English really freaks you out, head to bigger cities like Shanghai or Beijing (and of course Hong Kong), where many there are many more foreigners and English speaking locals.
City or countryside?
Both are completely unique to one and other, but are worth seeing for their own reasons. There is nothing like a bustling, Chinese city, full of museums, ancient sites and, of course, a fuck load of malls. But, they are also full of people, which can get overwhelming very quickly for a country bumpkin. Alternatively, Chinese natural landscape is crazy beautiful and a must-see. Consider your preferences, in order to find a good balance between the two.
So you have your visa down, money sorted, and you’re ready to plan your trip. Okay actually, maybe you’re not an anal, crazy planner like me, and just want to wing it. Great! Off you go! If you are, I’ll present to you my month-long backpacking itinerary. I chose most of the stops based on what I enjoy when I travel- key historical sites with other ‘must-see’ spots. I love nature and cities and art and history, so I tried to make a nice cocktail of all four.
By the end, I was pretty satisfied with my experience, leaving with a newfound understanding of the rising world power. There were, a couple of things that I’d do differently. Firstly, I’d have spent way less time in Shanghai- despite the promising words from fellow travelers, I hated it! It was far too busy, dirty and uncultured for my liking, and just one day there would have been enough for me. Then, with those spare days, I’d have loved to have seen more nature, or maybe some other sides a little out of Shanghai. If I had more time, I’d have visited Shangri-La, Zhangjiajie, Tibet and Xinjiang. But hey, you can’t have it all.
I also didn’t include Hong Kong and Macau in my itinerary, as prior I spent some time living in Shenzhen, and was lucky enough to spend many a weekend exploring those spots. I would for sure recommend putting them on your itinerary- they are an awesome clash of western and eastern culture, and offer a mild warm-up to the craziness that is China.
So, without further ado, here it is….
Guilin-Yangshuo-Nanjing-Shanghai-Chengdu-Songpan-Xi’an-Beijing
Based in Guangxi on the west bank of the Li River in Southern China, Guilin is a perfect combination of stunning landscape with an authentic Chinese city. It is brimming with rivers and parks alongside the classic Chinese cityscape, encapsulated in a wall of towering karst mountains. Not only is it a great and maneagable city to explore, but it also acts a good base for exploring the rest of the area, including the Longji rice terraces and Yangshuo.
Okay so Yangshuo is for sure one of the most beautiful places that I’ve ever been to. Also in the Guangxi region, around an hour out of Guilin city, Yangshuo is a tourist-friendly town surrounded by a tonne of some fucking nuts scenery. Perfect for immersing yourself in nature, you can explore the mountainous landscape by foot, bike, scooter or by boating China’s famed Li and Yulong rivers. There’s also West Street, a crazy tourist hub full of restaurants, shops and clubs- maybe a little touristy for some, but good fun all the same.
Nanjing, in Jiangsu province in Eastern China, is a necessary stop in understanding China’s deep and complicated history. Acting as the on-and-off capital for centuries, it is full of sites to explore and truly immerse in China’s past. It’s also a good city to visit generally, as it is not as large and overwhelming as Shanghai or Beijing, but is still full of places to explore, great food, shopping, hikes and park areas.
I definitely think that Shanghai is like Marmite, some people love it, some people hate it. I, personally, hated it. I’m a city lover but I found it too crazy for my liking, it was simply too confusing with far too many people. Despite that, if you are a metropolitan lover, you may be more into it than me. A global financial hub, it’s so fucking big its its own muncipality, and is actually apparently the second biggest city in the world?!?! For a tourist, its nightlife and shopping scene are particularly famed, alongside the Bund skyline. Its also one of the most westernised spots in China, which is great if you’re fed up with the staring that comes with being a foreigner in other parts.
Maybe one of the most authentically Chinese places I visited, Chengdu in Sichuan Province in Western China is full of proper Chinese-style city parks, streets and food. It also houses a sizable Tibetan community, which makes getting lost on city strolls particularly interesting. Sichuan is a must-see for any China trip- it’s food, people and landscape are particularly lovable. Its also a good base for those wanting to hike Mount Qingcheng, the birthplace of Taoism. And, of course, you can visit China’s national treasure, the giant panda!
Songpan was easily my favourite stop of the whole trip- its just so. fucking. beautiful. Its a perfect base for exploring the famed sites of the Sichuan countryside, such as Huanglong, Jiuzhaigou and Muni Valley, and man does that countryside not disappoint. It’s a good place to experience authentic rural China, whilst also getting a glimse of the Tibetan way of life. Hiking, nature, charm, just go! It’s amazing and easily worth the journey.
Xi’an, in Shaanxi Province in northwestern China, is a pretty historic city and a perfect match for any archaeology lover. The must-see, is of course, the Terracotta Warriors, but it is also a good home base for visiting Mount Huashan, one of China’s most famed mountains.
You just have to go here, it’s the capital of China for goodness sake! You get to experience the heart of China’s communist and ancient history, whilst getting lost in traditional houtong districts and devouring Peking duck. The cityscape is really interesting, skyscrapers and Soviet architecture contrast with the old-school Chinese buildings, making for a really unique city experience. And, of course, lets not forget that the Great Wall of China is just a day trip away!
So there we go, ajust and edit at your own will. I hope that I have inspired some fellow travelers. Are you planning a trip to China? Drop any questions in the comments!
Love this! Sums up my feelings about China haha. Yangshuo is one of my favourite places on earth too <3
Thanks so much Hope, I’m glad you agree! Yangshuo really is amazing. I hope that I can go back one day.