Pechino Express is the Italian version of the Dutch-Belgian reality show Peking Express, created by Ludo Poppe. In it, couples of famous and unknown people race across multiple countries over a multi-day journey, hitchhiking and relying on local hospitality with minimal supplies. It was broadcast on Rai 2 from 2012 to 2020 and has aired on Sky Uno, Now and TV8 since 2022.
Format and rules
Couples travel a route of ten legs through various countries toward a final destination. Each receives a backpack of basic supplies and one euro per day in local currency, which cannot be used for transport or lodging. Couples must hitchhike and ask for local hospitality. Challenges decide immunity or advantages on each leg, and the winning couple of each leg receives a medal worth 5,000 euros to be donated to a charity in the countries visited. Elimination is decided through the Black Envelope.
Seasons and routes
The first season, Avventura in Oriente, was presented by Emanuele Filiberto of Savoy in 2012 and travelled from India through Nepal to China. Later seasons were hosted by Costantino della Gherardesca and visited Southeast Asia, the Americas and other regions. Each season had its own subtitle and final destination, such as the Temple of Heaven in Beijing or the Maracanã Stadium in Rio de Janeiro.
Significance
The show adapted a successful European format to Italian audiences, combining famous and unknown participants in a travel competition. Its charity component, through which winners donate their prize money to organisations working in the visited countries, is a recurring feature of the programme.