China offers a diverse range of breathtaking sceneries that are worth exploring. From the iconic Great Wall winding across the mountains to the stunning karst landscapes of Guilin, there is something for everyone.
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Backpacking China in 2025
A complete guide for backpacking in China with best places to go, best time to visit, what to bring and safety advice.
Embark on an epic backpacking journey in China, where ancient history meets modern marvels in a vast tapestry of culture and landscapes. Pros? Immerse yourself in the Great Wall, dynamic cities, and diverse cuisines. China offers affordable transportation, but language barriers can be challenging. With meticulous planning, China rewards backpackers with an unparalleled mix of tradition and innovation, creating an adventure where every step unveils a new facet of this vast and diverse nation.
Best known for:Known for: scenery | mountains | architecture
Best time to visit: April-May, September-October
Best known for:Known for: scenery | mountains | architecture
Best time to visit: April-May, September-October
Why to go?
Why backpacking in China
Scenery
Mountains
One of the great mountains to explore in China is Mount Huangshan, also known as the Yellow Mountain. It is famous for its stunning granite peaks, hot springs, and ancient pine trees. The mountain offers breathtaking views, especially during sunrise …
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Architecture
China is home to a wealth of ancient ruins and interesting architecture, including the Great Wall, an iconic symbol of Chinese civilization and one of the most famous architectural wonders in the world. The Forbidden City, a sprawling palace complex …
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Food
The food in China is so good because of its rich culinary history, diverse regional cuisines, and emphasis on fresh, high-quality ingredients. Chinese cuisine is deeply rooted in tradition and incorporates a wide variety of flavors, textures, and …
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Uniqueness
Exploring China is a unique and off the beaten track experience because of its rich history, diverse culture, and vast landscapes. From the ancient wonders of the Great Wall and the Terracotta Warriors to the modern skylines of Shanghai and Hong …
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People
The people in China are incredibly warm and welcoming. They are known for their hospitality and generosity towards guests, often going out of their way to make sure that visitors feel comfortable and well taken care of. Whether it’s inviting …
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Wildlife
China is great for seeing wildlife because of its diverse and unique ecosystems. From the giant pandas in the bamboo forests of Sichuan to the rare snub-nosed monkeys in the mountains of Yunnan, China offers a wide variety of wildlife viewing …
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Backpackers
The backpacker scene in China is diverse and vibrant, offering a wide range of experiences for budget travelers. Hostels and guesthouses are plentiful in popular tourist destinations, providing affordable accommodation options and a chance to meet …
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Cheap
The average cost for backpacking in China can vary depending on the traveler’s preferences and travel style. On average, budget travelers can expect to spend around $30-50 per day, which includes accommodation in hostels or budget hotels, meals at …
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💡 Highlights
Top-5 things to do in China
- The Great Wall of China: Explore one of the world’s most iconic landmarks, spanning over 13,000 miles. It offers breathtaking views and a glimpse into China’s rich history.
- The Terracotta Army: Visit the mausoleum of Emperor Qin Shi Huang and witness the remarkable life-size terracotta warriors and horses, dating back to the 3rd century BC.
- The Forbidden City: Step into Beijing’s imperial past by exploring this vast palace complex, home to Chinese emperors for over 500 years. Its stunning architecture and cultural significance are unparalleled.
- The Li River: Take a scenic cruise along this picturesque river, surrounded by karst mountains and lush landscapes. It is a photographer’s paradise and a serene escape from bustling city life.
- The Panda Research Base: Get up close and personal with China’s national treasure, the giant pandas. Visit this conservation center in Chengdu to observe these adorable creatures in their natural habitat.
But China offers more...
🎎 Festivals: Chinese New Year, Double Seventh Festival, Dragon Boat Festival, Harbin Ice and Snow Festival, Lantern Festival, Mid-Autumn Festival, Qingming Festival, Spring Festival, Winter Solstice Festival
🏔️ Hikes: Great Wall of China, Great Wall of China, Jiuzhaigou Valley, Longji Rice Terraces, Mount Hua, Mount Huashan, Tiger Leaping Gorge, Yellow Mountains, Zhangjiajie National Forest Park
🏞️ National parks: Huangshan, Jigong Mountain, Jiuzhaigou Valley, Mount Emei, Pudacuo, Wulingyuan Scenic Area, Zhangjiajie National Forest Park
× China
Taking the last leg of the Trans-Mongolian Express
China | What is it that makes train travel so special for many people? I’ve never really felt that, but that’s probably because the sprinter from Heemstede-Aerdenhout to Leiden is a completely different experience than the Trans-Mongolian Express from Ulaanbaatar to Beijing. Just the sign on the outside “МОСКВА -- УЛААН-БААТАР -- Б�...
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Oops…. the train track changes width at the border
China | Arriving at the border with China, an unexpected problem arose: the rails in China turned out to be 10 cm closer together than in Mongolia. The easiest solution seemed to be to switch to a Chinese train. It was decided to change all the wheelsets under the train!!! With all the passengers on board, the entire Trans-Mongolian Express was lifted 1.5 ...
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Google Maps in China makes you get lost so often
China | And it‘s true: Facebook is blocked. But frustratingly enough, they still let the notifications come through, so you‘re constantly reminded of how many messages you‘re missing. Google Maps is even more annoying: they let the map data come through but with a deliberate offset of a few hundred meters in a random direction. This made it a bit cha...
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Checking off Beijing top-10 in 8 hours
China | The following days, I checked off the tourist top 10 in no time. There‘s just too much to see within walking distance of each other. While I would spend 12 hours on a bus just to see one individual temple, here they are thrown at you in dozens, side by side.Since this update is not intended to compete with Beijing travel guides, I will skip the...
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Finding freedom in a country where being retweeted can get you to jail
China | And after this series of top attractions, I listened on my last day to the do’s and especially don’ts of my next destination: North Korea... But before I introduce you to the secrets of North Korea, I will first give a small bonus on Beijing because this time I let keeping countries together prevail over chronology. A little flash-forward, if y...
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Being more famous than the Great Wall for a day and closing all factories to create a blue sky
China | I had one full day left in Beijing: that meant the Great Wall of China. And now I thought the Great Wall of China was a pretty respectable attraction, but by the end of the day, I had been photographed more times than I had taken photos of the wall in between. The air was finally clean. It turned out that the government had ordered all factories in...
Read more Traveled route: Trans Mongolie Express,Beijing, Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace, Tian'anmen Square, Great Wall of China, Sino-Korean Friendship Bridge, Qingdao
🌤️ When to go?
Best time to go backpacking China
The best time to visit China for backpacking is during the spring (April to May) and autumn (September to October) seasons. These periods offer pleasant weather with milder temperatures and less rainfall, making it ideal for outdoor activities and exploring various regions. Additionally, these seasons are less crowded with tourists compared to the peak summer months, allowing for a more authentic and immersive experience.
Risk level: medium (50%)
Safety advice for China
- Petty crime occurs. Criminals target travellers in crowded areas, including on public transport. Resisting can lead to violence.
- Scams targeting travellers can lead to loss of money, violence and serious assault. Report scams to the nearest police station.
- Armed attacks are a risk in remote border regions. Be careful if travelling in these areas.
- The Chinese Government strictly controls demonstrations. Authorities may arrest protesters. Avoid protests and large gatherings. Don't photograph or video protests.
- Increased security measures are in place in Xinjiang. Be ready to show photo ID if asked.
- There's civil unrest and political tension in Tibet. Get permission from Chinese authorities before you go. You can only travel to Tibet as part of an organised tour.
source: smartraveller.gov.au
China
My tips to get you on the way!
Does China sound like your next backpacking destination? Use these steps to get you on the way.
Get inspiration 📚
While guidebooks used to be the backpacker’s holy grail for finding accomodation, nowadays that’s more conveniently accomplished online. However, guidebooks remain an excellent resource for familiarizing oneself with the country, gaining inspiration, and discovering itineraries. I enjoy reading them before my travels and then leaving them behind at home when I embark on my journey.
While guidebooks used to be the backpacker’s holy grail for finding accomodation, nowadays that’s more conveniently accomplished online. However, guidebooks remain an excellent resource for familiarizing oneself with the country, gaining inspiration, and discovering itineraries. I enjoy reading them before my travels and then leaving them behind at home when I embark on my journey.
Prepare your trip ✅
Before embarking on your journey, several essential checks are crucial: passport, visa, vaccinations and insurance. Some countries mandate that your passport remains valid for 3 to 6 months post your return. Additionally, it is important to verify the specific visa requirements for China. These differ per country of origin. While you can handle visa arrangements independently, online visa services streamline the process as they know exactly what’s needed for each country. China may require certain vaccinations. Make sure to timely check which ones you still need. Lastly, if you don’t have a travel insurance yet, Safety Wing is a good choice as they are tailored for backpackers.
Before embarking on your journey, several essential checks are crucial: passport, visa, vaccinations and insurance. Some countries mandate that your passport remains valid for 3 to 6 months post your return. Additionally, it is important to verify the specific visa requirements for China. These differ per country of origin. While you can handle visa arrangements independently, online visa services streamline the process as they know exactly what’s needed for each country. China may require certain vaccinations. Make sure to timely check which ones you still need. Lastly, if you don’t have a travel insurance yet, Safety Wing is a good choice as they are tailored for backpackers.
Book your flight ✈️
The flight may be the most expensive part of your trip. Therefore it’s worth spending a bit of time finding the right one. Flight search engines like Skyscanner and Kayak are the best to compare all possible options. A good tip is to be flexible with your exact travel dates. Traveling one or two days earlier/later may save you some bucks. Also booking about three months in advance can help making the best deal for you (though I’m not the best one myself to follow this advice as I tend to decide last-minute). A final tip would be to check airports in neighbouring countries. Not necessarily for cost saving but it can be intriguing to journey into China, travel overland to one of its neighbours and fly back home from there.
The flight may be the most expensive part of your trip. Therefore it’s worth spending a bit of time finding the right one. Flight search engines like Skyscanner and Kayak are the best to compare all possible options. A good tip is to be flexible with your exact travel dates. Traveling one or two days earlier/later may save you some bucks. Also booking about three months in advance can help making the best deal for you (though I’m not the best one myself to follow this advice as I tend to decide last-minute). A final tip would be to check airports in neighbouring countries. Not necessarily for cost saving but it can be intriguing to journey into China, travel overland to one of its neighbours and fly back home from there.
Book your first night(s) 🛌
Depending on your travel style, you can either plan a detailed day-to-day route and pre-book your accommodations, providing peace of mind, or opt to book them spontaneously, offering greater flexibility to adjust your plan. Personally, I am a big fan of the latter approach, but I always ensure to book the first night(s) in advance.
Depending on your travel style, you can either plan a detailed day-to-day route and pre-book your accommodations, providing peace of mind, or opt to book them spontaneously, offering greater flexibility to adjust your plan. Personally, I am a big fan of the latter approach, but I always ensure to book the first night(s) in advance.
My personal packing list 🎒
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Over the years, I’ve learned the importance of packing minimally. It’s so much easier to jump on the back of a truck or squeeze yourself into the last spot of a minibus without that supersized backpack. If you’re headed to a warm destination, leave your winter jacket at home; for colder regions, opt for thin thermal underlayers. Instead of packing your entire wardrobe, bring just three sets of clothes, as laundry facilities are available everywhere.
Money & Documents
Clothing
Electronics
Health
Others
Over the years, I’ve learned the importance of packing minimally. It’s so much easier to jump on the back of a truck or squeeze yourself into the last spot of a minibus without that supersized backpack. If you’re headed to a warm destination, leave your winter jacket at home; for colder regions, opt for thin thermal underlayers. Instead of packing your entire wardrobe, bring just three sets of clothes, as laundry facilities are available everywhere.Money & Documents
Clothing
Electronics
Health
Others
Moneybelt
[Amazon]
“Best way to carry your important documents”
Quick dry pant
[Amazon]
“Nothing beats these quick dry and light pants when traveling”
Light rain jacket
[Amazon]
“Hiking in rainy season? These keep you dry”
Thermo underwear
[Amazon]
“Less weight and volume than bulky sweaters or jackets”
Quick dry towel
[Amazon]
“Normal towels get smelly and heavy when traveling”
Power bank
[Amazon]
“Pick a small and light one, with 10.000mAh or more”
Travel adapter
[Amazon]
“Needed as each country has its own electricity plugs”
Number lock
[Amazon]
“No chance of losing your key; handy for lockers in dormitories”
Packing cubes
[Amazon]
“Keep your wet or dirty clothes separate from the rest”
Travel pillow
[Amazon]
“Light and great for flights and long bus journeys”
last page update: 22 September 2024