12-Day China Tour for High School Students

Upon landing at Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK), your dedicated tour guide will greet you just outside of the luggage claim area, holding a sign that clearly displays your name. After your long flight, take a well-deserved rest and relax.

Morning

Tiananmen Square ranks the largest square in the world, served as the entrance to the imperial city and later was used for issuing royal edicts and holding significant celebration events, such as the coronation of the new emperor, imperial weddings. The gate has great political significance for its position and historical events that took place on the square, where you can attend the flag-raising ceremony if you can rise early in the morning.

Stroll from the square to the Forbidden City, also named Palace Museum, which is a must-see spot for visitors. Served as the residence of 24 emperors and their households , as well as the ceremonial and political hub of the Chinese imperial government, the City has been recognized worldwide for its monumental significance. Except to marvel at its magnificent architecture and sight, you can also uncover the mysteries of the royal household.

Afternoon

Hutong, akin to a maze, is composed of historic alleyways lined with innumerable traditional courtyard houses. In many locals' minds, Beijing is inextricably linked with the hutong. These hutongs embody the residents who dwell therein and serve as a museum of Beijing's folk customs, bearing witness to the city's storied past. Regrettably, over the past decade, numerous hutongs have vanished to accommodate modern buildings and expanded roadways. Fortunately, some historic neighborhoods are being preserved. Here you can choose to stroll on foot to soak in the atmosphere or rent a bicycle to cover more ground while resting your feet. Alternatively, hiring a rickshaw is another enjoyable way to go. In this Hutong tour, you will go through the narrow alleys, experience the dumpling-making process with the locals in their homes, and gain insights into the local culture and way of life of those who live there. 

(Optional activity: Test your artistic abilities by learning to paint a Peking Opera Face Mask from a skilled Chinese traditional artisan. These masks feature stunning patterns in vibrant colors and delicate, smooth lines, created either with a brush or by hand. The various facial expressions and makeup colors showcase the distinct characteristics of each character)

Evening

In the evening, you will savor the authentic Peking Roast Duck meal at a renowned restaurant.

Morning

The Temple of Heaven stands as a valuable exemplar of ancient Chinese architectural art and represents the largest religious architectural complex in the world dedicated to heaven worshiping from ancient China, where the Emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties would perform rituals to worship heaven and pray for good harvests. While in imperial times, commoners were forbidden from entering this vast park, nowadays, for a nominal fee, you can revel in its beauty throughout the day, and then you will be astounded by its architectural marvels and landscape designs. A visit at dawn will reveal a surprising number of people engaging in morning exercises. It is well worth getting up early and visit the park, where you can watch and join the locals in practicing Tai Chi. This activity not only enhances health and promotes longevity but also allows you to experience the serene lifestyle of the local elderly.

Afternoon

A visit to the Great Wall of China is a must on everyone's travel itinerary. Among the best-preserved sections, the Mutianyu segment once served as a formidable defense in the north, protecting the capital and imperial tombs. This ancient wall has stood against the elements for millennia, with a rich history spanning over 1,400 years. Surrounded by lush grasslands and dense forests, Mutianyu is regarded as "the most beautiful part of the Wall." The entire area resembles a garden perched atop a mountain, where natural springs abound, nurturing a diverse array of plants and fruit trees, and ensuring fresh air throughout the year. For hiking and photography enthusiasts, it is suggested that you spend time honking along the most stunning route (Tower 14-20). Alternatively, Mutianyu Great Wall is equipped with cable car, providing convenience for visitors, so you can take the cable-car up and down.

Evening

After such a long hike, the evening schedule is more relaxed and we will pass the Water Cube and Bird's Nest on the way back to the hotel. They were both landmarks of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.

Morning

The Summer Palace is undoubtedly a beautiful place to visit, featuring magnificent architecture, charming scenery, and a rich history. It originally served as the imperial garden of the Qing Dynasty and was later greatly expanded and renovated by Empress Dowager Cixi. She often spent her summers, entertained guests, repeatedly summoned officials and the received the diplomatic envoys here. Apart from its story in the past, students can stroll through the Long Corridor that ends at the Marble Boat, climb the Longevity Hill and have a sweeping views of the Summer Palace and the Fragrant Hills.

(Optional activity: If you decide to join us during the semester, we can offer alternative trip to exchange with high school students in Beijing. It will be an unforgettable and unique experience to exchange with students from both top-tier urban schools and nearby rural high schools. This will give you a chance to glimpse the diverse campus life experienced by students from different socioeconomic backgrounds in Beijing. If you're particularly interested in exploring and exchanging ideas at schools excelling in specific fields, we can also organize visits and interactions at those institutions, such as high schools known for their excellence in science, arts, or foreign language education.)

Afternoon

After lunch, you will board the high-speed train to embark on a journey to Hangzhou. After 6 hours, you will arrive at Hangzhou, where you will be greeted by enthusiastic drivers and guides. You can take a rest or walk around the city after you check in to your hotel.

Morning: Alibaba Group

Focus: E-commerce, cloud computing, digital payments, and more

Notable Features: As a global leader in e-commerce, Alibaba offers a unique opportunity to learn about the digital economy and innovation. The company's campus is also a hub for startups and entrepreneurs, providing a vibrant ecosystem for collaboration and learning.

Afternoon: Zhejiang University

Focus: Research and education in various fields, including engineering, business, and the sciences

Notable Features: Ranked 45th in the world by the QS World University Ranking 2022, Zhejiang University is a leading institution in China. The university's research centers and innovation hubs provide a rich environment for students to engage in cutting-edge research and development.

Morning

Today students can spend morning time exploring the historic Qinghefang Street after breakfast. Hefang Ancient Street in Hangzhou stands out by displaying a diverse range of traditional Chinese crafts, including land-blown sugar candy, paper-cutting, and handmade dough figurines. There are also a diverse array of shops in iteration for centuries, especially Huqingyu Tang Chinese Medicine Pharmacy. Notably, Huqingyu Tang serves as the only Chinese medicine museum in the area, providing you with an insight into Hangzhou's medical history and allowing you to witness the traditional pharmaceutical process. You can learn some basic knowledge about traditional Chinese herbal medicine.

Afternoon

It is a lovely way to spend afternoon in Meijiawu Tea Village, renowned as one of the most important tea production bases and famous for its tradition of serving exquisite tea. If you're interested in learning about the rich history and promising future of tea in China, a visit to Meijiawu Village is a must. There you can learn about the history of tea, the process of making tea, and the functions of different kinds of tea. By attending the elaborate tea ceremonies held here, you'll come to understand why participating in these ceremonies is so significant to the Chinese people. In this afternoon, you'll have the opportunity to join local farmers at Meijiawu Tea Village to experience tea culture firsthand. You'll get to pick tea leaves, learn how to dry and process them into green tea, and even participate in a traditional tea ceremony. Additionally, you'll enjoy a delightful lunch featuring traditional tea-flavored dishes. This half-day adventure is truly unique and unforgettable.

Morning

Take a bullet morning train and you will arrive in Huangshan City in 2 hours. On arrival, you will be picked up by your personal guide and savor a traditional Hui-style lunch at a local restaurant.

Afternoon

After lunch and a short break, we will enjoy a leisurely hike to Hongcun Village, one of China's most stunning ancient villages with a rich history spanning over 800 years. Here, students will be able to admire the authentic Hui-style architecture, a unique type of traditional Chinese design. This is a fantastic chance to observe the differences between remote villages and modern cities. Along the hiking trail, you'll also get to see how local farmers live and take in the beauty of nature.

Following that, you will be taken to Tunxi Ancient Street, which is about an hour's drive away. Here, you can take a leisurely stroll through the ancient buildings and explore the area in search of great deals and bargains.

Evening

You'll stay overnight at a traditional hotel near Hongcun Village, and dinner will be provided there.

Today, you'll spend a day and night exploring the Yellow Mountains. Your adventure begins with a round-trip ride on the Yungu cable car. Be sure to soak in the breathtaking views during your 10-minute journey! After getting off the cable car, you'll walk mostly down stairs for about 30 minutes to reach the hotel. Along the way, you'll catch sight of the Umbrella Pine and Black Tiger Pine. After enjoying a buffet lunch at the hotel, you'll embark on a hiking trip to explore the West Sea Grand Canyon. This hike will take over three hours and cover the 1st ring and 2nd ring, as well as the bottom of the canyon. If you have enough time and energy, you can optionally visit the Flying-over Rock and watch the sunset at Bright Top. The return trip from Bright Top to the hotel will take approximately 40 minutes.

Ps: Pack lightly! For your overnight stay on the mountain, please bring a small bag or backpack. Your guide will help you store your larger suitcase at your hotel in Tunxi, which you can pick up on your way back. Alternatively, you can leave your luggage at the base of the mountain for a fee of around CNY 20 (US$4) per piece.

(Optional short cut: From the Cloud-dispelling Pavilion down to the bottom of the West Sea Grand Canyon, the path is entirely downhill and includes some narrow, steep sections. Trekking through the canyon can be quite challenging, particularly for your knees. To save time and energy, you can take a monorail. This monorail operates between the canyon bottom and the main peak area, which is roughly 300 meters (0.2 miles) from the Baiyun Hotel. The 893-meter (0.6-mile) ride takes less than five minutes and costs CNY 80 (US$13) per person)

Evening

Overnight at the hotel on top of the mountain with dinner served in the hotel.

Morning

Start your day early to capture stunning sunrise at Refreshing Terrace, a spot highly praised by our previous Yellow Mountains visitors. After enjoying breakfast at the hotel, take a leisurely walk to Lion Peak to see the Dawn Pavilion, Stone Monkey Watching the Sea, and various pine trees along the way. You also have the option to hike up to Beginning-to-Believe Peak for a breathtaking view of the Mushroom Pavilion. Your Yellow Mountains adventure will conclude with a scenic ride on the Yungu Cable Car. After taking the cable car down the hill, your guide will take care of your luggage and accompany you to Huangshan North Railway Station for your departure.

Afternoon

After traveling by train for 3 hours, you'll arrive at Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station, where you will be warmly welcomed by your local guide and lead to your hotel for rest.

Morning

Start with the over 400-year-old Yuyuan Garden, whichthe representative traditional Chinese garden in Shanghai. You will enjoy a splendid view of the intricate garden design and graceful pavilions, villa, lotus lake and bridges.

Then move to the adjacent Yuyuan Bazaar, which is a lively marketplace renowned for its traditional Chinese arts and crafts. You can peruse a variety of antiques, silk fans, bamboo items, shell carvings, and paintings, or savor some authentic Shanghai Xiao Long Bao (Soup Dumplings) to immerse yourself in a bit of Shanghai's cultural flavor. Your guide will provide everyone with some allowance to purchase lunch at the small restaurants in Yuyuan Bazaar. This is a good chance for you to practice your Chinese and shopping abilities.

The 600-year-old Temple of City God are also full of Chinese worldly liveliness, where will encounter numerous sculptures that embody various powerful Taoist immortals according to Chinese beliefs.

(Optional Activity: You can also choose to take a leisurely stroll through the Old French Concession and admire the charming buildings lining both sides of the street. Here, you can wander through quaint cafes, art galleries, and boutiques, immersing yourself in a unique blend of Chinese and French cultures.)

Afternoon

Nanjing Road, Shanghai's oldest and most bustling shopping street, also provides you with an array of comprehensive shopping malls and delectable restaurants.

Walk along the Nanjing Road to another must-do in Shanghai-Oriental Pearl Tower, which currently stands as the fifth tallest in the world and the third tallest in Asia.

Evening

Of course, in the evening, don't miss another symbolic landmark of Shanghai – The Bund, whicih is also an epitome of Shanghai's history. Here, you can enjoy breathtaking views of the city's skyline, witness the essence of Shanghai that blends prosperity, history, and elegance. For your memorable dining experience, we highly recommend the renowned restaurants for an unforgettable dinner.

Morning

If you're curious about what a future city will look like, we will visit the Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Center, located on the eastern side of People's Square. This impressive, five-story building made of microlite glass is one of the world's largest displays of urban development. In the exhibition hall, you will find an incredible large-scale model showing how Shanghai's urban landscape will look in a few decades, featuring a comprehensive plan with numerous skyscrapers.

Afternoon

Explore Shanghai's tech hub and coffee culture by visiting DJI, a world-renowned leader in drone technology, and Starbucks Reserve Roastery, a paradise for coffee enthusiasts.

(Optional activity: Enjoy a futuristic dining experience at Freshippo's Robot Restaurant, where robots will serve you as your waiters)

Your guide and driver will pick you up and take you to Shanghai Pudong Airport (PVG) to head back home.