Is this trip right for you.

• 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.

Accommodation

• Hotel (6 nights)
• Guesthouse (1 night)

Joining point description

As a calm and peaceful corner in the bustling city, Holiday Inn Express Shanghai Putuo is located in central Puxi along Su Zhou River, a 10-minute stroll from Longde Road Subway Station (Line 11). The hotel offers free Wi-Fi in all areas and a restaurant. Free shuttle bus to Longde Road Station is provided. Holiday Inn Express Shanghai Putuo is a 7-minute drive from Jing’an Temple, 9-minute drive from Jade Buddha Temple and 10-minute drive from Zhongshan Park. Hongqiao International Airport is 14 km away. The modern air-conditioned rooms at Holiday Inn Putuo come with a cable TV, coffee/tea maker and a seating area. Floor-to-ceiling windows come with clear views of Shanghai City. The hotel features a business centre and a self-service laundry area. Ice machines and a safety deposit box at the front desk are available. Additionally, rooms and facilities for disabled guests are provided as well.

Joining point instructions

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 local emergency number to reach our local office for assistance.

Pudong Airport:

If you choose to travel to the joining point by public transport please take the Maglev train which costs approximately CNY50, then take the subway from Long Yang Road station Line 2 to Jing An Si Station, Exit No.1 Hua Shan Road (CNY4), then take a taxi to hotel (about 3.7km,20 CNY). The hotel is about 50km 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 Jiang Su Lu Station,then change to Line 11 to Longde Road Station, Exit 3, then about 700meters walk to your hotel. It is 13km from Hongqiao international Airport to hotel, a taxi would cost CNY 50.

Please print below address for the hotel in both English and Chinese for your taxi driver:

Name:智选假日酒店(绿地普陀店)

Add: 上海市普陀区光复西路843号近武宁路桥

Tel:+86 21 61421818

Finish point description

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.

Finish point instructions

• 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
• 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
• 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.

Safety

• Most national governments provide regularly updated foreign travel advice on safety issues involved with international travel. We recommend that you check your government's advice for their latest travel information before departure and ensure that your travel insurance covers you for all destinations and activities on your trip. Please refer to our website's safety page for links to major travel advisories and updates on safety issues affecting our trips here: We strongly recommend the use of a neck wallet or money belt while travelling, for the safe-keeping of your passport, flight tickets, cash and other valuable items. Leave your jewellery at home - you won't need it while travelling. Many of our hotels have safety deposit boxes, which is the most secure way of storing your valuables. A lock is recommended for securing your luggage. Your group leader or local representative will accompany you on all included activities, however, during your trip you'll have some free time to pursue your own interests or relax and take it easy. While your group leader or local representative will assist you with the available options in a given location, please note that any optional activities you undertake are not part of your Intrepid itinerary, and Intrepid makes no representations about the safety of the activity or the standard of the operators running them. Please use your own good judgement when selecting an activity in your free time. Please also note that your group leader or local representative has the authority to amend or cancel any part of the trip itinerary if it's deemed necessary due to safety concerns. Intrepid's operational safety policies can be viewed on our website at the link below. We recommend that you take a moment to read through this information before travelling, and would appreciate any feedback on how safety is being managed on our trips.
• China is a safe country to travel in and very few travellers will experience any safety concerns. Serious crime against foreigners is relatively rare, but incidents do occur. Foreigners can be targeted for passports, electronic devices, mobile phones, purses, and handbags. Major tourist sites and areas frequented by foreigners attract thieves and pickpockets. Take extra care at major tourist sites, street markets, airports, train stations, major international events and conferences, and popular bar areas after dark. There are occasional incidents with taxi and pedicab drivers who insist the passenger misunderstood the fare. Avoid travelling in unmarked or unmetered ‘taxis’ and insist on paying only the meter fare. Ask the driver for a receipt (fapiao), on which the taxi number should be printed. You can take this to the police to lodge a complaint. Counterfeit banknotes (especially RMB100) are increasingly common. They are generally crumpled to avoid detection. Unscrupulous traders may try to switch your genuine banknotes for counterfeits. A common scam when paying a taxi fare with an RMB100 note occurs when the taxi driver swaps the note for a fake note, and returns the fake note to the passenger, refusing to accept it for payment as it’s counterfeit. Check carefully before accepting notes. It is quite normal to do so. Beware of scams particularly in popular tourist areas. A regular example is the ‘tea tasting’ scam. Scams usually involve a foreign national being invited to visit a bar, shop, or cafe – for example to practice English or meet a girl - but results in demands for an exorbitant fee, often payable by credit card. This can result in threats of violence or credit card fraud.
• SEAT BELTS: Please be aware that local laws governing transportation safety may differ from those in your home country and not all the transport which we use is able to provide seat belts.
• FIRE PRECAUTIONS: Please be aware that local laws governing tourism facilities in this region differ from those in your home country and not all the accommodation which we use has a fire exit, fire extinguishers or smoke alarms.

Medical and health information

GENERAL HEALTH

• All travellers need to be in good physical health in order to participate fully on this trip. For the safety and wellbeing of yourself and others, if you are unwell prior to travelling, please stay at home and contact us to make alternative arrangements.
• When selecting your trip please make sure you have read through the itinerary carefully and assess your ability to manage and enjoy our style of travel. Please note that if in the assessment of our group leader or local representative a traveller is unable to complete the itinerary without undue risk to themselves and/or the rest of the group, we reserve the right to exclude them from all or part of a trip without refund.
• You should consult your doctor for up-to-date medical travel information or for any necessary vaccinations before departure. We recommend that you carry a first aid kit as well as any personal medical requirements in their original packaging as they may not easily be obtained while travelling. If you are carrying medication, ensure you check your government's foreign travel advice for any local restrictions or requirements. 

AIR POLLUTION

• Air pollution is a recognized issue for travelers in China, particularly in Beijing where the geographical location of the city exacerbates its effects. We provide travellers with certified PM (particulate matter) face masks as an option to be worn as protection during times of high levels of pollution. On days when outdoor activities are not recommended due to high pollution levels, your leader may alter some activities for the health and safety of our travellers and leaders.
• The high levels of air pollution in major urban and industrialised areas in China may aggravate bronchial, sinus or asthma conditions. Children, the elderly, and those with pre-existing medical conditions may be especially affected. Please ensure you bring the required medication with you if you have any of these types of medical conditions.
• You can check the pollution index levels for many cities in China on the following website

Food and dietary requirements

FOOD IN CHINA

• What IS authentic Chinese food like? Check out these articles to get a taste

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

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.