Pechino Express -

: Teams face various physical and cultural trials throughout each stage to earn advantages or avoid elimination.

: The latest iteration, hosted by Costantino della Gherardesca along with envoys like Guido Meda , takes place across Indonesia, China, and Japan .

The competition is defined by its "minimalist" approach to travel, designed to push contestants out of their comfort zones: Pechino Express

is an acclaimed Italian adventure-reality competition based on the original Belgian-Dutch format Peking Express . The series features pairs of celebrities or "VIP couples" who race across thousands of miles in culturally and geographically diverse territories. Core Gameplay & Mechanics

: The winning couple receives a cash prize to be donated to a charity of their choice located in one of the regions they visited. Production & Evolution : Teams face various physical and cultural trials

Beyond entertainment, the show is recognized for its "social television" strategies, which foster deep fan involvement through humor, irony, and real-time digital engagement on platforms like and X (formerly Twitter). It emphasizes cultural discovery, requiring contestants to learn local habits and gain the support of the communities they pass through. Pechino Express (TV Series 2012– ) - Episode list - IMDb

: Originally aired on Rai 2 starting in 2012, the show moved to an exclusive deal with Sky Italia and the streaming service NOW in 2020. The series features pairs of celebrities or "VIP

: The daily allowance cannot be used for transportation, forcing teams to rely on hitchhiking and the generosity of locals.