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From Discovery and CruisingTo Advanced Mountaineering Expedition
Develop your Chinese language skills through a fully immersive educational journey across four of China’s most fascinating cities. Combining dedicated language lessons with real-world practice opportunities, this program encourages students to build confidence communicating in Mandarin while engaging with local culture and daily life.
Language learning is enriched through hands-on experiences including Chinese calligraphy, Beijing Opera makeup workshops, Tai Chi and interactions with local communities. Along the way, students explore many of China’s most iconic landmarks, including the Great Wall, Forbidden City, Terracotta Warriors, Chengdu Panda Research Centre and the vibrant cityscapes of Shanghai.
Travelling by high-speed rail and domestic flight between Beijing, Xi’an, Chengdu and Shanghai, students gain a deeper understanding of China’s history, culture and contemporary society. The result is a rewarding blend of language acquisition, cultural immersion and experiential learning that brings the Chinese classroom to life.
Countries:
Start and Finishing Point:
Beijing and Shanghai
Activities:
Grading:Adventure touring
Addressing:
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Day 1
Arrive Beijing, Trip and Safety briefing, Orientation, Explore Wangfujing or “Snack Street”
On arrival are met by our experienced World Expeditions Schools guide for a full trip and safety briefing. The guide runs us through a quick language lesson including key phrases we can utilise over the coming days. We practice with each other during an orientation walk - taking in the new sights and sounds around us. After dinner we explore Wangfujing, also known as “Snack Street”, where we amble along the mall and narrow market lane trying delicacies such as deep-fried scorpion and star fish. Accommodation: Beijing Hotel
Meals: D
Day 2
Great Wall exploration of Mutianyu section
Today is a real treat as set foot on one of the Seven Wonders of the World - the renowned Great Wall of China. Our destination is The Mutianyu section of the wall - approximately a 1.5 hours drive from Beijing, nearby but away from popular and very busy Badaling Gate section. The Mutianyu section is renowned for its Ming Dynasty Guard Towers and stirring views. As we walk on the wall we learn about its construction which commenced over 2000 years ago around 221 B.C and its original purpose as a defence line to keep out invaders. We walk, hearing many stories from our guides, admiring the many watchtowers, while surrounded by all the rolling hills around us. Accommodation: Beijing Hotel
Meals: B,L,D
Day 3
Calligraphy Lesson, Beijing Opera Make-up Workshop, Hutong, Tiananmen Square and Forbidden City, Peking Duck Dinner
This morning is about experiencing some iconic Beijing activities. We head to Drum Tower where we join workshops for language, Beijing Opera facial makeup, and Chinese calligraphy. It's a fun and hands on morning and a great way to experience the more artistic aspect of Chinese culture. After our workshops we head to the Hutong region - hutong's being alleys formed by lines of traditional courtyard residences. Many neighbourhoods were formed by joining one courtyard to another to form a hutong, and then joining one hutong to another - such neighbourhoods taking on the name of a hutong. We enjoy explore such a neighbourhood via a rickshaw ride - a tow or three wheeled pedal-powered traditional cart. Lunch is at a local restaurant before we head to the iconic Tiananmen Square and Forbidden City. Our tour of this area finished with an amazing bird’s eye view of the whole Forbidden City from the top of Jingshan Park. Tonight we get to indulge in a special roast Peking Duck dinner. Accommodation: Beijing Hotel
Day 4
Fast Train to Xian, Tai Chi Class, Language Lesson, Wild Goose Pagoda
This morning we board a fast train to transfer over to Xian. Xian is an old walled city and the traditional starting point of the Silk Road. Serving as the capital of Shaanxi Province, Xian is a vivid example of old and new China. The modernised new city bustles around the quaint, winding lanes of the Old Quarter, where old men can be seen smoking pipes watching the world go by, as butchers pull their carcass-laden carts and hawkers sell their wares. We all try our hand at a Tai Chi class at the foot of the wall before having a stroll on this significant and best-preserved city wall extant in China. In the afternoon we sit down for another dedicated Chinese language lesson before ending the day with a visit to the markets in the trendy Muslim Quarter and visiting the Wild Goose Pagoda. Accommodation: Xian Hotel
Day 5
Terracotta Warriors Full Day Visit, Chinese Language Session in the Afternoon
Today we visit the famous Terracotta Warriors. These warriors stand in their thousands outside the tomb of Qin Shihuang where they were uncovered in 1974 by peasants digging a well. Each warrior stands over 6 feet tall and has different features and characteristics. Some stand in a vanguard with crossbow and longbow bearers; others hold spears, daggers and axes at the ready. They are accompanied by dozens of horse-drawn carriages and enormous terracotta horses. The sight of the warriors arising from their muddy grave, some intact, others still submerged in the ground, is an extraordinary one. We take our time to read and learn about this historical site. In the afternoon we continue with another Chinese language lesson and enjoy seeing how quickly we're progressing with all the practice we're getting! Accommodation: Xian Hotel
Day 6
Fast Train to Chengdu, Kuan Zhai Alley, Sichuan Opera with Changing Mask
This morning get ready to move on again. We take a 5 hour fast train to Chengdu - the capitol of the Sichuan province. It's a city famous for its spicy, pepper based foods and healing medicine markets. It is also a green city and one of the more calm and relaxed cities in China. We enjoy some down time at our hotel after our long train ride - and then head out to explore Kuan Zhai Alley with its backstreets, ancient buildings, shops and markets. Tonight after dinner we spruce ourselves up to experience an evening show of the Sichuan Opera with changing mask. We arrive early so we can witness the fascinating application of face make up behind the scenes. Accommodation: Chengdu Hotel
Day 7
Behind the Scenes Visit at Panda Sanctuary, Activities and Afternoon Peoples Park
This morning is an exciting day as we head to the Panda Research Centre where we have the chance to see 40 or so of these gentle giants wandering around the grounds. We will meet with the Sanctuary staff and hear about the work being done at the sanctuary. After our day at the sanctuary we head to People's Park, an urban public park in central Chengdu that was built in 1911 as Shaocheng Park. Here we can join a number of activities including a language lesson, Chinese martial arts or calligraphy class. This is a great place to relax and debrief on our program so far. Overnight in Buddha Zen boutique hotel
Day 8
Morning Flight to Shanghai, Boat Ride on Huangpu River, Shanghai Acrobat Show
This morning we pack our bags and head to the airport to catch our flight to the cosmopolitan city of Shanghai. Upon arrival in Shanghai we transfer to our well-located hotel. Shanghai is known as the “Paris of the Orient” and it is easy to see why. Long the place of quick fortune and teahouses Shanghai has a vibrant feel that enthrals all travellers that pass through her gates. The vibrant Bund is an awesome place to congregate and has been the setting for countless classic paintings over the years. It is wonderful to walk along the ocean side and observe life here. We join a boat ride on the Huangpu River before heading out to view the famous Shanghai acrobat show. The performance will amaze you as these world class athletes contort their bodies in a stunning show that travels around the world. Accommodation: Hotel in Shanghai
Day 9
In Shanghai, Full Day Exploration of the Cultural and Iconic Highlights
Today we have the opportunity for a full day exploration of the cultural and iconic highlights of Shanghai. It's a great chance to choose activities and sites that suit the group's interest including some last language lessons and practice, food, art, history and of course shopping! Being our last night we enjoy a farewell dinner with our team before finishing the night watching a stunning lightshow. Accommodation: Accommodation: Hotel in Shanghai
Day 10
Shanghai, Transfer to Airport, Flight Home
We wake to our last day. Depending on our flight time we use it for a sleep in, a last wonder around the streets, and opportunity to get any last souvenirs. By lunch time we are transferring to the airport for our flight home.
Meals: B,L
Quality Education: Obtaining a quality education is the foundation to improving people’s lives and sustainable development.
Sustainable Cities And Communities: There needs to be a future in which cities provide opportunities for all, with access to basic services, energy, housing, transportation and more.
Life On Land: Sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, halt and reverse land degradation, halt biodiversity loss
Partnerships For The Goals: Revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development
World Expeditions Schools journeys are designed to encourage positive personal development and the learning of life skills, while leaving the communities and environments we travel to, in a better condition than when we arrived.The programs are designed to:• Build strong friendships and bonds with their peers, their teachers, and the local people they meet. • Increase the confidence to engage with new people, and collaboratively make informed decisions.• Discover the benefits of working cooperatively together as a cohesive team, to achieve a common objective.• Increase the ability to face, and cope with, mental and physical challenges and therefore increase resilience.• Give students a chance to appreciate and care for the natural world. The environments we travel through are beautiful and often pristine, invariably the students will gain a deeper appreciation and understanding about how their individual actions impact on the environment.• Learn personal skills i.e., time management, personal hygiene, responsibility for personal gear, patience, tolerance, and public speaking.We help encourage students to learn what it means to be a true global citizen.
What's included
What's not included
Per Person, Twin Share
Since the 1980's, we have helped students from around the globe to experience the world's most exciting destinations, allowing them to travel, give, grow.
Together with students, we have completed over 400 Service Learning programs in developing countries. We will always continue to support causes including social justice, animal welfare, the environment and more.
Want to include service learning, your school curriculum and a physical challenge, or any of the above? Contact us and we can design a program fully catered for your students and budget.
Every school receives a detailed risk management plan that is guided by government advisories and the local partners we work with. We never compromise on the safety of your students to reduce the price of the program.
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Our educational travel experts are ready to help you tailor an itinerary or service learning project to suit your school’s needs and budget. Contact us today to receive a free consultation.