Pechino Express Direct

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

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

: 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. : Originally aired on Rai 2 starting in

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

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

: Contestants carry only a backpack with basic necessities and receive just 1 euro per day in local currency.