Beijing to Hong Kong on a Shoestring — Self-Launched
14 days · China (Beijing, Xi'an, Suzhou, Shanghai, Yangshuo, Hong Kong)
G Adventures charges £1,499
No-markup version: ~£690 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
A DIY version of G Adventures' 14-day "Beijing to Hong Kong on a Shoestring" (trip code ACBS): Beijing and the Mutianyu Great Wall, an overnight train to Xi'an for the Terracotta Warriors and the Muslim Quarter, karaoke in canal-laced Suzhou, Shanghai's Bund, an overnight train to Guilin and the karst countryside of Yangshuo, then a high-speed train on to Hong Kong. Everything the tour included is bookable independently — hostels and budget hotels instead of group rooms, standard Chinese rail (hard sleeper and second-class high-speed) instead of group transport, and self-booked activities via GetYourGuide, Klook or the ticket desk on the day. Costs are rough backpacker estimates in GBP and exclude international flights.
Day-by-day
Arrive in Beijing
Beijing
Land at Beijing Capital or Daxing airport and take the Airport Express train (¥25, ~16 mins to Dongzhimen) or the metro into the centre rather than an airport taxi. Check into a hostel in the Dongcheng/Beijing Workers' Stadium area. Spend the evening walking the hutongs around Nanluoguxiang, eat jianbing or dumplings at a neighbourhood restaurant (¥30-60), and pick up a China Unicom or China Mobile tourist SIM/eSIM. Book your Great Wall transport online this evening — the easiest DIY option is the 916 Express bus to Huairou plus a local taxi, or a shared day-van shuttle (around ¥100-150 return).
🚌Airport Express + metro, ~£3
🛏Hostel dorm in Dongcheng (e.g. 9 Dragons House or similar), £12
- →Airport Express into the city
- →Hutong wander around Nanluoguxiang
- →Pick up tourist SIM/eSIM
- →Book Great Wall transport
Mutianyu Great Wall and Tiananmen Square
Beijing
Take the 916 Express bus from Dongzhimen to Huairou (¥12) and a shared local taxi to Mutianyu (¥50 each way), or a shared shuttle. Entry is ¥45; take the cable car up (¥100-140) and walk the restored ridges between the watchtowers — the toboggan down is a fun ¥100 extra. Return to Beijing mid-afternoon and walk through Tiananmen Square (free, passport needed) and, if you have energy, the Forbidden City (¥60, closed Mondays, book online in advance). Evening: Beijing roast duck at a mid-range local spot or a kung fu show (¥100-200).
🚌916 Express bus + shared taxi, ~£10 return
🛏Hostel dorm in Dongcheng, £12
- →Mutianyu Great Wall hike between watchtowers
- →Cable car + toboggan
- →Tiananmen Square
- →Optional Forbidden City
Beijing highlights, overnight train to Xi'an
Beijing → Xi'an
Morning at the Temple of Heaven (¥15-35) — arrive early to see locals doing tai chi in the park. Alternatively the Summer Palace (¥30-60) for lakes and gardens, or the 798 Art District (free). Book a hard-sleeper train from Beijing West to Xi'an on the 12306 app or Trip.com (roughly ¥280-360 for a sleeper, 11-13 hours); the evening Z/K trains leave around 19:00-21:00 and arrive early morning. Buy snacks and a sleeper sheet from the station shops.
🚌Metro ¥5 + overnight sleeper train ~£32
🛏Hard sleeper on overnight train (booked separately)
- →Temple of Heaven park and tai chi watching
- →Optional Summer Palace or 798 Art District
- →Board overnight sleeper train to Xi'an
Terracotta Warriors and Xi'an city walls
Xi'an
Arrive early, drop your bag at a hostel near the South Gate or Bell Tower, then take bus 306/游5 from the main railway station east square to the Terracotta Warriors (¥7, ~1 hour) — entry ¥120, and an audio guide or a shared on-site guide costs ¥40-100. Afternoon: walk the Muslim Quarter for the best street food in China (yangrou paomo, roujiamo, biangbiang noodles, ¥50-80 total) and peek into the Great Mosque (¥25). At sunset rent a bike on Xi'an's Ming-era city wall (¥45 + bike hire ¥45 for 2 hours) and ride the 14km loop.
🚌Public bus to warriors + metro, ~£4
🛏Hostel dorm inside the city walls, £12
- →Terracotta Warriors pits and museum
- →Muslim Quarter street food crawl
- →Great Mosque
- →Cycle the Xi'an city walls at sunset
Xi'an free day, overnight train to Suzhou
Xi'an → Suzhou
Second day in Xi'an: Big Wild Goose Pagoda and its fountain square (¥50), the Shaanxi History Museum (free with passport reservation), or the Bell and Drum Towers (¥50). Late afternoon, grab a dumpling banquet or street food dinner and board an overnight sleeper train from Xi'an to Suzhou (roughly ¥350-450 for a hard sleeper, 12-14 hours). Book a couple of days ahead on Trip.com or the 12306 app.
🚌Overnight sleeper train ~£42
🛏Hard sleeper on overnight train (booked separately)
- →Big Wild Goose Pagoda or Shaanxi History Museum
- →Bell and Drum Towers
- →Board overnight sleeper train to Suzhou
Suzhou — the Venice of the East
Suzhou
Arrive in Suzhou and check into a hostel or guesthouse near Pingjiang Road or the old town. Wander the canal-side lanes of Pingjiang Road, visit the Master of the Nets Garden (¥40) and the Humble Administrator's Garden (¥70-90) if you're keen on classical gardens, and walk the Panmen city wall. Later, book a private karaoke room with whoever's at your hostel — KTV boxes in Suzhou run ¥60-120 per hour for a room, so a group of four is a cheap big night out.
🚌Local metro and walking, ~£3
🛏Hostel or budget guesthouse in Suzhou old town, £16
- →Pingjiang Road canals
- →Master of the Nets Garden
- →Private KTV karaoke room
- →Humble Administrator's Garden (optional)
Suzhou to Shanghai, Bund orientation
Shanghai
Take a high-speed train from Suzhou to Shanghai (30-40 mins, ~¥40-60 second class) and check into a hostel in the French Concession or near People's Square. Afternoon: self-walk the Bund — start at the colonial-era buildings on the west bank, cross to Pudong by the ¥2 public ferry for the skyline view, and walk back along the riverside promenade at dusk when the towers light up. Evening: xiaolongbao at a local dumpling shop (¥40-60) and a beer in a French Concession bar street.
🚌High-speed train ~£5 + metro/ferry ~£2
🛏Hostel dorm in the French Concession, £15
- →High-speed train to Shanghai
- →Self-guided Bund walk both banks
- →¥2 public ferry across the Huangpu
- →Xiaolongbao dinner
Shanghai — Zhujiajiao, Pearl Tower or acrobats
Shanghai
Pick your day: the Zhujiajiao water village via metro line 17 or a tourist bus from People's Square (¥30-50 transport, ¥80-150 for a boat ride through the canals), the Yuyuan Garden (¥40), the free Shanghai Museum, or the Oriental Pearl Tower observation deck (¥220). In the evening catch the Shanghai Acrobatics show at the Shanghai Circus World (book on Klook, ¥180-280), or just wander the Tianzifang lanes and eat at a food market.
🚌Metro ~£4
🛏Hostel dorm in the French Concession, £15
- →Zhujiajiao water village and canal boat
- →Yuyuan Garden
- →Oriental Pearl Tower (optional)
- →Shanghai Acrobatics show (optional, Klook)
Shanghai free day, overnight train to Guilin
Shanghai → Guilin
Free morning: the Propaganda Poster Art Centre, M50 art district or a riverside coffee. Late afternoon, board an overnight sleeper train from Shanghai South to Guilin (roughly ¥300-420 hard sleeper, 16-18 hours) — book well ahead on Trip.com or 12306, as this route fills quickly. Pack snacks and a travel sheet for the bunk.
🚌Metro ¥3 + overnight sleeper train ~£38
🛏Hard sleeper on overnight train (booked separately)
- →M50 art district or Propaganda Poster Art Centre
- →Board overnight sleeper train to Guilin
Guilin to Yangshuo
Yangshuo
Arrive in Guilin and take the local bus from the main bus station south to Yangshuo (¥20-30, ~1.5 hours) — or, if you're up for the splurge, book a Li River cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo through Klook or GetYourGuide (around ¥250-300 for a basic four-hour boat, the classic karst scenery). In Yangshuo, check into a guesthouse or hostel on West Street or in the quieter Yulong River area, then walk the riverside paths and take in the limestone hills at sunset.
🚌Guilin bus station to Yangshuo ~£3
🛏Guesthouse or hostel in Yangshuo, £14
- →Local bus Guilin to Yangshuo
- →Optional Li River cruise
- →Sunset riverside walk
Yangshuo — cycle the karst countryside
Yangshuo
Rent a bike or e-bike from any shop on West Street (¥30-60 a day) and ride the flat lanes out past rice paddies, water buffalo and villages toward the Yulong River and Moon Hill — the short climb to Moon Hill's arch is ¥15 and worth it. Stop at a farmhouse restaurant for beer fish and greens. Afternoon: book a tai chi or calligraphy lesson directly with a local teacher (¥80-150), or take a bamboo raft down the Yulong River (¥100-150). Optional evening: the Impression Liu Sanjie night show (¥198-298).
🚌Bike hire ~£5
🛏Guesthouse or hostel in Yangshuo, £14
- →Self-guided cycling through karst scenery
- →Moon Hill hike
- →Farmhouse lunch
- →Tai chi or calligraphy lesson
- →Bamboo rafting (optional)
Yangshuo — market and cooking class
Yangshuo
Do the thing the group tour charges extra for: book a Central Chinese cooking class directly. Most Yangshuo cooking schools include a market tour plus two or three dishes for ¥150-250 (half-day), and you can book on GetYourGuide, Klook or by asking at your guesthouse the night before. Spend the rest of the day at the Yangshuo market, the riverside, or climbing Xianggong Hill for the classic panorama (¥60, shared taxi ¥80-120 return).
🚌Shared taxi/walking ~£4
🛏Guesthouse or hostel in Yangshuo, £14
- →Yangshuo market tour + Chinese cooking class
- →Xianggong Hill viewpoint (optional)
- →Riverside relaxation
Yangshuo to Hong Kong
Yangshuo → Hong Kong
Take the bus back to Guilin (¥20-30), then a high-speed train from Guilin West to Hong Kong West Kowloon — book on Trip.com or 12306 (roughly ¥250-300 second class, about 4-5 hours). Clear immigration at West Kowloon station (bring your passport and have an onward ticket/vaccination docs ready). Check into a hostel in Jordan, Mong Kok or Causeway Bay, then get out at night: the Temple Street Night Market, the Star Ferry across Victoria Harbour (HK$5) and the Symphony of Lights at 20:00 from the Tsim Sha Tsui promenade.
🚌Bus to Guilin ~£3 + high-speed train to HK ~£28 + metro ~£2
🛏Hostel dorm in Mong Kok or Jordan, £22
- →High-speed train Guilin to Hong Kong West Kowloon
- →Temple Street Night Market
- →Star Ferry
- →Symphony of Lights
Hong Kong — last day and departure
Hong Kong
Spend your final day on the classic Hong Kong self-led loop: the Peak Tram or the public bus 15 up to Victoria Peak (HK$50-88 for the tram), the mid-levels escalators, and dim sum in a cha chaan teng. If you have time, take the ferry to Lantau for the Big Buddha or head to a beach in Shek O. Then ride the Airport Express or MTR to Hong Kong airport for your flight home.
🚌Peak Tram + MTR/ferry ~£10
🛏Hostel dorm in Hong Kong, £22 (or depart)
- →Victoria Peak
- →Mid-levels escalators
- →Dim sum lunch
- →Optional Lantau Big Buddha
Self-launched vs. G Adventures
| This itinerary (self-launched) | G Adventures | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£690 | £1,499 |
| Duration | 14 days | 14 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £809 per person (54%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more G Adventures-style trips? Check them out here.~£690
estimated per person
You never pay Travel Crew for this — you pay hostels, transport, and activity providers directly, the same as if you'd booked it all yourself.
This publishes your dates so other travellers can find and join you — no tour operator needed.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does Beijing to Hong Kong on a Shoestring — Self-Launched cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £690 per person for 14 days in China (Beijing, Xi'an, Suzhou, Shanghai, Yangshuo, Hong Kong). This is an AI-generated estimate based on typical budget-traveller prices — actual costs will vary by season and how you book.
Is this cheaper than booking with G Adventures?+
Yes — G Adventures charges around £1,499 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £690 — a saving of roughly £809 (54%) per person.
How long is the China (Beijing, Xi'an, Suzhou, Shanghai, Yangshuo, Hong Kong) trip?+
This itinerary runs 14 days, covering 14 day-by-day stops through China (Beijing, Xi'an, Suzhou, Shanghai, Yangshuo, Hong Kong).
How do I join this trip?+
You can join an existing open departure using this itinerary if one is scheduled, or launch your own departure with your own dates and invite other travellers to join you — no tour operator required.
Isn't it easier to just use a tour operator?+
Well, yes, a tour operator will book all the individual parts of your travel for you and provide a guide. That's obvious, but doing this has the potential to save the group thousands, which can in turn improve your itinerary substantially or save you huge amounts of money. Also, when you launch a departure, Travel Crew has tools in place to help you book the individual sections of the trip or make it easier for you to do this as a group. Really, you do not need a middle man. If you are more comfortable paying more and using a middle man, then you should certainly do this.
Is it safer to book through a tour operator?+
Arguably, there isn't much difference. A self-launched trip runs on the same principle as a group travel crew: collective responsibility, everyone looking out for each other, the same way it would if a group of friends organised the trip themselves — because that's exactly what's happening. You should always take out travel insurance before you go, self-launched or not; that doesn't change either way. Every open departure is published publicly with real dates and a real trip organiser, so it's never an anonymous arrangement, and our support team is reachable any time you need help, including in an emergency while you're away. Longer-term, we're building direct relationships with ground DMCs in popular destinations, offered as an optional paid add-on for extra on-the-ground support. Ultimately, though, the group is responsible for its own conduct and safety on a self-launched trip, same as on any trip you plan yourself.
What kind of trip is this?+
This is a adventure, culture, foodie trip through China (Beijing, Xi'an, Suzhou, Shanghai, Yangshuo, Hong Kong), self-launched rather than run by a tour operator — you organise it with a group you find or bring yourself.
Would you like to name the operator, name the trip, or have any suggestions about how to improve this itinerary?
Drop your comment below — if you've done a similar route, tell us what worked, what you'd add, or what you'd skip.
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