Shanghai to Hong Kong on a Shoestring: Self-Launched Edition
7 days · Shanghai to Hong Kong, China
G Adventures charges £1,199
No-markup version: ~£340 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
A self-launched week through three of China's most iconic destinations — Shanghai, Yangshuo, and Hong Kong. Skip the group tour premium and do it yourself: overnight sleeper trains, budget hostels, and self-bookable activities keep costs low while the experiences stay sky-high. From the neon-lit Bund to the limestone karsts of Yangshuo and the electric skyline of Hong Kong, this is China at its most vivid — on your own terms.
Day-by-day
Arrive in Shanghai — The Bund & First Night Out
Shanghai
Arrive in Shanghai and check into your hostel in the city centre. Head to the famous Bund in the evening — a sweeping promenade along the Huangpu River with jaw-dropping views of the Pudong skyline. Grab a cocktail or a local Tsingtao at one of the many bars nearby and soak in your first taste of Shanghai's electric energy. The area around the Bund and the French Concession is packed with great street food and nightlife options.
🚌Arrive independently. Maglev train from Pudong Airport to Longyang Road ~£7, then metro to city centre ~£0.50.
🛏Hostel in Shanghai city centre — e.g. Generator Shanghai or Captain Hostel (dorm ~£12-18/night)
- →Walk the Bund promenade along the Huangpu River (free)
- →Explore the French Concession neighbourhood (free)
- →Street food and drinks in the Old City or Xintiandi area (budget ~£10-15)
Shanghai Free Day & Overnight Sleeper Train to Guilin
Shanghai
Spend the day exploring Shanghai at your own pace. The Yu Garden, Nanjing Road, and the French Concession are all walkable and mostly free. In the evening, board an overnight sleeper train from Shanghai Hongqiao or Shanghai Station to Guilin — a classic Chinese rail experience that saves you a night's accommodation. Book tickets in advance via Trip.com or 12go.asia. Optionally, book a Shanghai Acrobatic Show in the afternoon before your train departs (~£20-30 via GetYourGuide).
🚌Overnight hard sleeper train from Shanghai to Guilin (~18-22 hrs, ~£30-40). Book via Trip.com or 12go.asia.
🛏Overnight sleeper train (hard sleeper berth ~£30-40)
- →Yu Garden exploration (entry ~£3)
- →Stroll Nanjing Road and the French Concession (free)
- →Optional: Shanghai Acrobatic Performance (~£20-30, book via GetYourGuide)
- →Board overnight sleeper train to Guilin
Arrive Guilin — Onward to Yangshuo
Yangshuo
Arrive in Guilin in the morning and make your way to Yangshuo. The classic route is the Li River cruise (book independently at the pier or via GetYourGuide, ~£20-30), which winds through dramatic limestone karst scenery — one of the most scenic journeys in China. Alternatively, take a public bus from Guilin to Yangshuo (~£1.50, 1.5 hrs) to save money. Check into your Yangshuo hostel, wander West Street, and ease into the backpacker vibe of this stunning hill town.
🚌Public bus Guilin to Yangshuo (~£1.50, 1.5 hrs) or Li River cruise (~£20-30).
🛏Hostel or guesthouse in Yangshuo — e.g. Yangshuo Mountain Retreat or West Street Hostel (dorm ~£8-14/night)
- →Optional: Li River cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo (~£20-30, book via GetYourGuide or at pier)
- →OR public bus from Guilin to Yangshuo (~£1.50)
- →Explore West Street and the local market (free)
- →Dinner at a local restaurant on West Street (~£5-8)
Yangshuo — Tai Chi, Calligraphy & Karst Adventures
Yangshuo
Yangshuo is a backpacker paradise and today is yours to fill. Join a morning tai chi class (often free or low-cost through your hostel), try a calligraphy lesson at one of the local cultural centres, or sign up for a cooking class to learn how to make Yangshuo favourites like beer fish. In the afternoon, rent a bicycle (~£3/day) and pedal out past rice paddies, water buffalo, and local farmers through the stunning countryside. The classic Moon Hill hike is also worth the short ride out of town.
🚌Local by bicycle (rental ~£3/day) or on foot.
🛏Yangshuo hostel or guesthouse (as Day 3, ~£8-14/night)
- →Morning tai chi class (~£5-8, book via hostel or GetYourGuide)
- →Chinese calligraphy lesson (~£10-15, book locally or via Klook)
- →Central Chinese cooking class including Yangshuo market tour (~£25-35, book via GetYourGuide or Klook)
- →Rent a bicycle and cycle the countryside past rice paddies (~£3/day)
- →Optional: Hike Moon Hill (~£1 entry)
Yangshuo — Guided Cycle Tour & River Kayaking
Yangshuo
Another glorious free day in Yangshuo — lean into the outdoor scene. Join a guided cycle tour through the karst landscape (bookable via GetYourGuide ~£15-20) for a more structured route past local villages and farmland. Alternatively, book a half-day kayaking or bamboo rafting trip on the Yulong River (~£10-20), one of the most scenic experiences in the region. The afternoon is yours for another cooking class, a tai chi session, or simply lounging in a riverside café with a cold beer.
🚌Local by bicycle or on foot.
🛏Yangshuo hostel or guesthouse (as Day 3-4, ~£8-14/night)
- →Guided cycle tour through karst countryside (~£15-20, book via GetYourGuide)
- →OR self-rent bicycle again and explore further (~£3)
- →Yulong River kayaking or bamboo rafting (~£10-20, book locally or via Klook)
- →Optional: Repeat cooking class or extra calligraphy session
- →Riverside café afternoon (free to sit, drinks ~£2-4)
Yangshuo to Hong Kong via Guilin & Shenzhen
Hong Kong
An early start for the journey to Hong Kong. Take a bus back to Guilin, then a high-speed train south to Shenzhen (or Guangzhou for more options). Cross the border at Luohu/Lo Wu and take the MTR into Hong Kong — a well-worn backpacker route. Check into your Hong Kong hostel and spend the evening exploring the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront, the Temple Street Night Market, or catching the nightly Symphony of Lights show from the Kowloon waterfront (free).
🚌Bus to Guilin (~£1.50) + high-speed train to Shenzhen (~£25-35) + border walk + MTR (~£2).
🛏Hostel in Hong Kong — e.g. YesInn or Mei Ho House YHA in Kowloon (dorm ~£18-28/night)
- →Bus from Yangshuo to Guilin (~£1.50, 1.5 hrs)
- →High-speed train Guilin to Shenzhen North (~3.5-4 hrs, ~£25-35, book via Trip.com)
- →Cross border at Luohu/Lo Wu on foot (free)
- →MTR from Lo Wu into Hong Kong Kowloon (~£2)
- →Temple Street Night Market browse (free entry)
- →Symphony of Lights from Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront (free)
Hong Kong — City Highlights & Departure
Hong Kong
Make the most of your final morning in Hong Kong before your departure. Ride the Peak Tram up to Victoria Peak for panoramic views over the city and harbour (~£8 return). Explore the historic streets of Sheung Wan, grab a traditional Hong Kong breakfast (cha chaan teng), and browse the Graham Street Market. The Star Ferry across the harbour (~£0.50) is one of the world's great cheap thrills. Depart at any time — Hong Kong International Airport is accessible via the Airport Express (~£10).
🚌Airport Express from Hong Kong station to HKIA (~£10).
🛏Check out — depart at any time.
- →Peak Tram to Victoria Peak (return ~£8, book via Klook for discount)
- →Traditional Hong Kong breakfast at a cha chaan teng (~£4-6)
- →Star Ferry across Victoria Harbour (~£0.50)
- →Explore Sheung Wan and the Graham Street Market (free)
- →Airport Express to HKIA (~£10)
Self-launched vs. G Adventures
| This itinerary (self-launched) | G Adventures | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£340 | £1,199 |
| Duration | 7 days | 7 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £859 per person (72%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more G Adventures-style trips? Check them out here.~£340
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 Shanghai to Hong Kong on a Shoestring: Self-Launched Edition cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £340 per person for 7 days in Shanghai to Hong Kong, 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 G Adventures?+
Yes — G Adventures charges around £1,199 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £340 — a saving of roughly £859 (72%) per person.
How long is the Shanghai to Hong Kong, China trip?+
This itinerary runs 7 days, covering 7 day-by-day stops through Shanghai to Hong Kong, 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 backpacker, culture, city-breaks trip through Shanghai to Hong Kong, 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?
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