China The Super Tour — Self-Launched Version
15 days · China
Bavaria Fernreisen charges £1,840
No-markup version: ~£1,290 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
A self-launched version of Bavaria Fernreisen's 15-day fully-guided "China The Super Tour", which runs Shanghai → Zhujiajiao → Yichang → Yangtze cruise → Chongqing → Xi'an → Beijing before flying home to Munich. This DIY version follows the same route and hits the same headline sights — the Bund, Yu Garden, Zhujiajiao water village, the Three Gorges and Three Gorges Dam, the Terracotta Army, the Ming city wall, the Summer Palace, the Great Wall and the Forbidden City — but you book your own high-speed rail, sleeper cruise cabin, hostels and GetYourGuide/Klook day trips. China's 240-hour visa-free transit and 15-day visa-free stays (depending on passport) make this unusually easy to do independently right now. Note the flow here is 14 nights on the ground plus one flight day home, and the tour's Munich arrival day is simply your flight back to Germany — your actual return flight is priced separately and not included in the estimate. Costs are approximate backpacker/budget-traveller figures in GBP.
Day-by-day
Arrive in Shanghai
Shanghai
Land at Pudong or Hongqiao and take Metro Line 2 or the Maglev + Metro into the city (Maglev ¥50 / ~£5.50, or Metro ~¥6 / £0.70). Check into a hostel or budget hotel near People's Square or the Bund. Get a Chinese SIM/eSIM or activate your roaming data, set up Alipay or WeChat Pay linked to your card (essential — most places are cashless), and take an easy evening orientation walk along the Bund to see the Pudong skyline light up at 19:00.
🚌Maglev + Metro from Pudong Airport, ~£5.50; Metro within city ~£0.70/ride
🛏Hostel dorm or budget hotel near People's Square (approx £15-18/night)
- →Metro/Maglev transfer into the city
- →Evening Bund skyline walk
- →Set up Alipay/WeChat Pay and mobile data
The Bund & Nanjing Road
Shanghai
Self-guided morning along the Bund's colonial-era promenade, then walk the length of Nanjing Road pedestrian street from People's Square down to the river — free, and easily done without a guide. Cross the river by the ¥2 public ferry for a different angle on the skyline, or pay ¥180 (~£20) for the Shanghai Tower observation deck if the weather is clear. Evening: hunt down xiaolongbao at a local dumpling shop in Huanghe Road food street (~£6).
🚌Walking + Metro ~£2
🛏Hostel dorm or budget hotel near People's Square (approx £15-18/night)
- →Walking tour of the Bund (free self-guided, or free walking tour tip-based)
- →Nanjing Road shopping street
- →Public ferry across the Huangpu (¥2)
- →Optional Shanghai Tower viewing deck (~£20)
Old Town, Yu Garden & Jade Buddha Temple
Shanghai
Get to Yu Garden at opening (08:45) to beat the crowds — entry ¥40 (~£4.50). Wander the Old Town bazaar lanes, then take Metro Line 13 or a taxi to the Jade Buddha Temple (¥20 / ~£2.20). Skip the tour-group silk factory and instead visit a silk shop in the Old Town independently if you're curious. Afternoon: Tianzifang-style lanes in the French Concession or the Propaganda Poster Art Centre (¥25).
🚌Metro and walking ~£2.50
🛏Hostel dorm or budget hotel near People's Square (approx £15-18/night)
- →Yu Garden entry (¥40)
- →Old Town Shanghai bazaar wander
- →Jade Buddha Temple (¥20)
- →Optional Propaganda Poster Art Centre (¥25)
Zhujiajiao Water Village day trip
Zhujiajiao / Shanghai
Take Metro Line 17 from Hongqiao Railway Station to Zhujiajiao (about 35 minutes, ~¥7 / £0.80) — the village itself is free to enter, you only pay for individual sights. Walk Fangsheng Bridge, take a short wooden boat ride on the canals (¥60-80 / ~£7-9), and stop at a canalside teahouse (¥30-50 for tea). Return to Shanghai for the evening — this is a straightforward self-bookable day trip, no guide needed.
🚌Metro Line 17 return ~£1.60
🛏Hostel dorm or budget hotel in Shanghai (approx £15-18/night)
- →Metro to Zhujiajiao
- →Fangsheng Bridge
- →Canal boat ride (~£8)
- →Teahouse on the water (~£4)
High-speed train Shanghai → Yichang
Yichang
Book a G-series high-speed train from Shanghai Hongqiao to Yichang East on Trip.com or the 12306 app (2nd class roughly ¥550-650 / ~£60-72, about 7-8 hours). Grab lunch at the station or on board. Arrive Yichang in the evening, overnight near the docks or Yichang East station so you're set for the cruise boarding tomorrow.
🚌High-speed train ~£65
🛏Budget hotel near Yichang East station or docks (approx £18/night)
- →High-speed rail journey (book via Trip.com/12306)
- →Evening stroll on the Yichang riverfront
Board Yangtze cruise — Xiling Gorge
Yangtze River
Board your Yangtze River cruise in the late afternoon/evening from Yichang. Book a 3-night downstream sailing to Chongqing directly with a Chinese operator (e.g. Century Cruises or Victoria Cruises) — a standard twin-share cabin including all meals runs roughly £220-280 per person for 3 nights, far below tour-group rates. Today you sail into Xiling Gorge; the ships usually include a shore excursion to the Three Gorges Dam viewpoint at Sandouping.
🚌Cruise boarding at Yichang dock; included in cruise fare
🛏Yangtze cruise ship cabin, twin share, all meals included (approx £75/night equivalent)
- →Board Yangtze cruise ship
- →Xiling Gorge sailing
- →Three Gorges Dam viewpoint at Sandouping
Qutang & Wu Gorges, Shennong Creek
Yangtze River
Full day on the river passing through Qutang Gorge and Wu Gorge — the most dramatic scenery. Most ships include a small-boat excursion up Shennong Creek or the Shennong Stream (sometimes a paid upgrade of ¥150-250 / ~£17-28). Sit on the top deck, bring a book, and enjoy the included buffet meals.
🚌Included in cruise fare
🛏Yangtze cruise ship cabin, twin share (approx £75/night equivalent)
- →Qutang Gorge
- →Wu Gorge
- →Shennong Creek small-boat excursion
- →Onboard evening entertainment
Danning River & sail into Chongqing
Yangtze River / Chongqing
Morning small-boat excursion on the Danning River (or White Emperor City depending on your sailing), then continue downstream. Ships typically dock in Chongqing late evening or overnight; arrange a budget hotel in Yuzhong district near the Jiefangbei area for the night or the next morning.
🚌Included in cruise fare; short taxi from dock to hotel ~£3
🛏Budget hotel or hostel near Jiefangbei, Chongqing (approx £14/night)
- →Danning River boat excursion
- →Arrive/dock in Chongqing
Chongqing — Ciqikou & Hongya Cave
Chongqing
Explore Chongqing independently: Ciqikou old town's teahouses and alleyways (free), the eerie and brilliant Hongya Cave stilt-house complex lit up after dark, and the Raffles City observation deck if you want the skyline view. Ride the Yangtze River Cableway (¥20 one way / ~£2.20) for a classic Chongqing experience, and eat a proper Chongqing hotpot dinner (~£10-12). Evening: high-speed train to Xi'an is 5-6 hours, so either take an afternoon train and sleep in Xi'an, or stay tonight and travel tomorrow morning.
🚌Metro, cableway and walking ~£4
🛏Budget hotel or hostel near Jiefangbei, Chongqing (approx £14/night)
- →Ciqikou old town
- →Hongya Cave
- →Yangtze River Cableway (¥20)
- →Chongqing hotpot dinner
- →Optional Raffles City observation deck
Chongqing → Xi'an, terracotta prep
Xi'an
High-speed G-train from Chongqing North to Xi'an North (2nd class ~¥400-480 / ~£45-53, about 5.5 hours — book on Trip.com). Check into a hostel inside the city walls near the Bell Tower. Afternoon: walk or cycle the Ming Dynasty city wall (bike hire ¥45 for 2 hours / ~£5; entry ¥54 / ~£6), then eat your way through the Muslim Quarter food street for dinner (~£6).
🚌High-speed train ~£49 + Metros ~£2
🛏Hostel dorm inside the city walls near Bell Tower (approx £12/night)
- →High-speed train to Xi'an
- →Cycle the Ming city wall
- →Muslim Quarter food street
Terracotta Army & Great Wild Goose Pagoda
Xi'an
Take tourist bus 306/游5 from Xi'an Railway Station east square to the Terracotta Army (¥7 each way, ~1 hour) — entry ¥120 (~£13.50); book a GetYourGuide/Klook small-group guide for ~£25-35 if you want context, or use the audio guide. Back in the city, visit the Great Wild Goose Pagoda (¥50 / ~£5.60) and catch the free North Square fountain show in the evening.
🚌Public bus return ~£1.60 + city transport ~£2
🛏Hostel dorm inside the city walls near Bell Tower (approx £12/night)
- →Bus 306 to Terracotta Army
- →Terracotta Army entry (¥120)
- →Great Wild Goose Pagoda (¥50)
- →North Square fountain show
Xi'an → Beijing, Summer Palace
Beijing
Morning high-speed train Xi'an North to Beijing West (2nd class ~¥515-550 / ~£57-61, about 4.5-5 hours). Check into a hostel in the Dongcheng district near a Metro line. Afternoon: Summer Palace (entry ¥30 / ~£3.40) — take Metro Line 4 to Beigongmen and wander the Kunming Lake shore until closing.
🚌High-speed train ~£59 + Metro ~£2
🛏Hostel dorm in Dongcheng district, Beijing (approx £15/night)
- →High-speed train to Beijing
- →Summer Palace (¥30)
Great Wall at Mutianyu & Olympic Park
Beijing
Book a shared shuttle or join a GetYourGuide/Klook Mutianyu day trip (~£30-40 including transport and entry, or DIY: bus 916 from Dongzhimen to Huairou then a local minibus, entry ¥45 / ~£5, cable car optional ¥120). Mutianyu is the best restored-but-uncrowded section for independent travellers. Return mid-afternoon and visit the Olympic Park at dusk to see the Bird's Nest and Water Cube lit up (free exterior).
🚌Shared shuttle/tour transport ~£30
🛏Hostel dorm in Dongcheng district, Beijing (approx £15/night)
- →Mutianyu Great Wall (entry ¥45 + transport)
- →Optional cable car/toboggan
- →Olympic Park at night
Tiananmen Square & the Forbidden City
Beijing
Pre-book your Forbidden City ticket online (real-name booking, ¥60 / ~£6.80, released 7 days ahead and sells out fast — bring your passport). Enter via Tiananmen Square (free but requires a security check; queue early). Spend 3-4 hours inside the Forbidden City, then climb Jingshan Park hill (¥2) for the classic rooftop panorama. Last-night Peking duck dinner (~£15) or cheap jianbing and noodles (~£5).
🚌Metro and walking ~£2
🛏Hostel dorm in Dongcheng district, Beijing (approx £15/night)
- →Tiananmen Square
- →Forbidden City (¥60, book online in advance)
- →Jingshan Park viewpoint (¥2)
- →Optional Peking duck dinner
Fly home
Beijing → Munich / home
This is the tour's 'arrival in Munich' day — in practice, your flight home. Take the Airport Express or Metro from Dongzhimen to Capital or Daxing Airport (~¥25-35 / ~£3-4). Allow 3 hours before departure. Book your own return flight (Beijing to Munich/Frankfurt typically £450-650 one way-to-return depending on season) — flights are excluded from the estimate below as they vary hugely by departure city and date.
🚌Airport Express/Metro ~£4
🛏None (overnight flight)
- →Airport transfer
- →Return flight home (booked separately)
Self-launched vs. Bavaria Fernreisen
| This itinerary (self-launched) | Bavaria Fernreisen | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£1,290 | £1,840 |
| Duration | 15 days | 15 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £550 per person (30%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more Bavaria Fernreisen-style trips? Check them out here.~£1,290
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 China The Super Tour — Self-Launched Version cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £1,290 per person for 15 days in China. 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 Bavaria Fernreisen?+
Yes — Bavaria Fernreisen charges around £1,840 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £1,290 — a saving of roughly £550 (30%) per person.
How long is the China trip?+
This itinerary runs 15 days, covering 15 day-by-day stops through China.
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 culture, adventure, city-breaks trip through China, 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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