Beijing Express is coming back soon on M6, it’s official! See you more precisely on Thursday January 16, 2025, as a bonus. This is the 20th edition of the program, an anniversary season called Beijing Express, the route of legendary tribes. Like every year since the very first, Stéphane Rotenberg takes control of the show. This time, we're heading to Africa, with a country that had never been visited before! Ten pairs are expected, including one made up of two candidates who do not know each other at all. During the press conference, Purepeople was able to collect all the information on this next edition.
Beijing Express returns to Africa
Heading towards Africa for this new season of Beijing Express. On the program, a superb route through four countries: Tanzania, Mozambique, Lesotho and South Africa. One of them had never been visited, Mozambique. It was then that Stéphane Rotenberg and the entire team were amazed by the breathtaking landscapes, which gave the screen breathtaking images, like this magical scene where the host finds himself very close to elephants for a plateau. Lesotho is also special: as the face of Beijing Express reminds us, it is one of the countries where there are the fewest cars in the world per capita. Indeed, trucks, buses and even animals are more common than a car on site, which is a luxury that few afford. “It's absolutely fascinating to see“, he notes. This dream setting makes it possible to offer water games in Zanzibar, in particular. The rest of the time, the production mixes classic events – such as tasting and vertigo – and new things.
This is therefore the third time that the teams of Beijing Express go to Africa. The first time was during the seventh season, called The route of the big beasts broadcast in 2011. It was then a route starting from Egypt to South Africa, via Kenya, Tanzania and Lesotho. In 2020, filming for season 14 began in Uganda… before being suspended due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Beijing Express 2025: return of the mystery passenger
The location is not the only novelty. Indeed, production has announced the return of the famous mystery passenger. The mechanics of the game are thus disrupted: a third candidate joins a partner for a certain time. Big surprise, the mystery passenger is a personality well known to viewers! The production has already announced the arrival of actor Bruno Solo, journalist Yoann Riou, starred chef Glenn Viel, ex-Miss France now host Elodie Gossuin and Norbert Tarayre, a well-known and recognized chef. This promises moments of real laughter! “Some cry, some break down and we have the right to insults“, says Stéphane Rotenberg. Because it must be said that the adventure begins strong and quickly! “They see in the candidates' eyes that they have to be good right away“, continues the one who also presents Top Chefanother flagship program of the channel.
Ryad and Louison return in Beijing Express
Finally, last novelty for this 20th anniversary of Beijing Express : a second part of the evening on the same line, or almost. Every week, after the long-awaited episode, a new program will be released: Who can beat Ryad and Louison? The principle is simple, this pair of unknowns revealed in Beijing Express : in the footsteps of the golden tiger will challenge other emblematic duos of the program during a duel. The opportunity for the production to bring back several pairs who have left their mark on viewers. “What is surprising is that they are racing with much more at stake than we imagined!“, says Stéphane Rotenberg. But there will also be some great moments of real laughter. Again, that promises!
