The start of the race! Photograph: BBC/Studio Lambert

Race Across the World, Season 5, Episode 1: The Great Wall to Huangling in China

Yay! Travel fanatics and fans of Race Across the World are rejoicing the return of one of the best things on TV! Season 5, episode 1 of the BAFTA winning show aired on 23rd April at 9pm on BBC One. And this year they are racing through China, after having to skip it last year.

At Eventurus we are very happy that the show is able to showcase the wonders of China! The teams have been stripped of their phones and credit cards, with only cash (around £22 each per day) and a map to help them navigate the huge distances. So where have they gone so far?

Starting Point: Huanghuacheng, Lakeside Great Wall

The teams headed to the starting point at this beautiful park, 80km out of central Beijing. This year we have a mum and son duo, a teenage couple who are the youngest ever competitors, a team of two sisters and a team of two brothers hoping to get to know each other better, and perhaps most perplexing, a separated couple.

From here, the teams all decided to head back to Beijing for the best transport links south. The language barrier quickly proved to be quite an obstacle as teams battled to find train and bus stations by asking confused locals! Without a phone to help with translation or a digital map, some of the teams struggled to get very far on the first day.

Beijing: China’s sprawling capital

With all the teams passing through Beijing, some managed to catch overnight trains for their next planned destinations. However, mum and son team Tom and Caroline spent 2 nights in Beijing, struggling with sold out train tickets and unable to book online. Definitely something to think about when visiting China, booking tickets ahead even a few days is always a good idea.

China has a very well connected train network, but maybe the production team have tried to discourage the use of the bullet trains with such a small daily budget. For most travellers, these trains are good value and a very convenient way to see the country.

Qingdao: City of beaches and beer

Qingdao is a port city on the coast of the Yellow Sea. It is famous for its sandy beaches and Tsingtao beer, a legacy from the German occupation of the city. Its a great place to hang with locals, enjoy fresh seafood and visit the Tsingtao Beer Museum! The city hosts an annual beer festival in August.

Teenage couple Fin and Sioned arrived and headed straight for a food market, hoping to find crispy duck and and sweet and sour pork. They unfortunately ended up with chicken feet, that to be fair to them they did try! China does have an amazing and unique food scene, and chicken feet should be tried by all visitors!

Luoyang: Ancient China’s capital

Luoyang is probably not a city on many tourists itineraries, and that is a missed opportunity. It is an ideal destination for travelers who love history, ancient architecture, and want to learn about China's rich cultural heritage. The Longmen Grottoes, visited by brothers team Melvyn and Brian, is a truly stunning destination, home to thousands of Buddhist rock carvings in the caves.

The brothers stopped off here to work for food and board for a night. They helped out in a restaurant, serving food and washing up. After they were lead to their accommodation for the night and let’s just say it definitely wasn’t 5 star luxury! The boys took this in their stride, laughing heartily (or they would have cried) about the situation and clearly bonding over the experience.

Qufu: Hometown of Confucius

Qufu was the home of Chinese philosopher Confucius, where his home was turned into a temple complex. The three popular attractions there are the Temple & Cemetery of Confucius and the Kong Mansion, a true must see for those interested in Chinese culture. A great way is to include Qufu as a stop on a day trip that could also include hiking nearby Mount Tai.

Divorced couple Yin and Gaz had a beautiful relaxing moment away from the race here, basking in the calmness and wisdom of the temple.

Shanghai: Modern Metropolis

Several of the teams passed briefly through Shanghai, and its a shame they couldn’t hang around longer! If you decide to explore China for yourself, Shanghai is the countries biggest city and financial hub. From glitz and glam skyscrapers to artsy tree-lined avenues, its a wonderful place to explore for a few days.

Teenagers Fin and Sioned joined in with the dancing ayi’s (aunties) in the park, a quintessential part of Chinese culture where locals use public spaces for daily socialising and exercise. Yin and Gaz managed to see the marriage market in People’s Park, where parents ‘advertise’ their children for marriage partners!

Marriage market in People’s Park, Shanghai. Find a wife or husband for your children!

Huangling: 1st Checkpoint!

Huangling Village built on the side of a hill

Built on a hillside in Jiangxi province, the first check point of Huangling is a ancient village with plenty of charm. The surrounding area of Wuyuan is lots of fields and small villages, a great place to explore and escape the bustle of China’s mega cities.

We watched sister’s Letitia and Elizabeth race through the maze of Huangling village to win the first leg of the race. With a stop to work included they did an amazing job traversing China without the help of the internet. It goes to show how even a basic level of Mandarin can go a long way in China!

The Adventure of China: Are you ready?

This episode really highlighted the stunning landscapes of China and the rich cultural heritage that the Chinese are so proud of. China is a country yearning to be explored, it is a true adventure.

If you are ready to start planning your own adventure or starting to think of it as an option, please do not hesitate to get in touch. We just love talking about China! We would be able to build you a personalised itinerary for a self exploration, giving guidance along the way. Or we can help you find the perfect escorted or private tour.

Book an appointment with us here

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Race Across the World: Season 5 Episode 1