Music School Trip in China

Morning/Afternoon

Make lifelong friends at a local Chinese school, specially matched to meet your school’s curriculum and students’ educational Interests. Typically, you’ll take a school tour, join in with some lessons, play sports and eat lunch. If you want to be popular, prepare gifts and a performance for the welcome ceremony in advance. (This activity isn’t possible in Chinese school holidays.)

Evening

Relax and get cultural. Spend your evening being captivated by a Chinese music performance.

Morning/Afternoon

Make your way to the outskirts of the city and take a 2-3-hour hike to a secluded and fantastically beautiful section of the Great Wall. This is one of the most famous sites in the world – but we know China’s ins and outs, so today we’re sidestepping the big tourist crowds.

Evening

Rest your legs in the evening with an amazing acrobatic show, followed up by a hearty Peking roast duck dinner.

Morning

Head for 798 Art Zone, a series of architecturally unique 50-year-old decommissioned military factories now packed with urban art and artists. Discover the most impressive finds with a scavenger hunt – you could even invite some Chinese students to join!

Afternoon

Team up with Chinese students to rehearse this afternoon, then give a spectacular musical performance together.

Morning

You might be expert violinists and pianists, but today you’re trying your hand at something new. Take a music lesson with a difference – learn to play instruments like the erhu, pipa and guzheng.

Afternoon

Learn about China’s fascinating imperial history at Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City. The Forbidden City is the world’s largest imperial palace and has been the home of 24 emperors! Stroll out to the former Imperial gardens, Jingshan Park, for spectacular panoramic views of Beijing.

Evening

Wave a sad goodbye to Beijing and a happy hello to Xi’an. Rest up on a night train so you’re ready to explore your next destination!

Morning

No trip to Xi’an is complete without popping out of the city and venturing into China’s ancient past with the Terracotta Warriors. Thousands of terracotta warriors were buried with the emperor, as there was a belief that they would come alive and protect him in the afterlife.

Afternoon

Soak up some history in the Muslim Quarter market. This is where traders from across the Silk Road first settled in China.

Evening

Sample the unique flavours of Hui Muslim food. Stroll it off with a walk to the Drum and Bell tower, which looks incredible when it’s lit up at night!

Morning

Take a bike ride around the top of Xi’an’s ancient city walls. Look out onto the views of the city and pick out a few of the spots you’ve already visited.

Afternoon

Visit Xi’an Music School, interact with its musically gifted students and play your instruments together.

Evening

Now you’ve rehearsed, put on a public performance on Datang music street.

Morning

Roll up your sleeves for an artsy morning. You could either be creating puppets for a shadow play or doing zaran, a traditional Chinese hand-dyeing method. Then, head for Shaanxi History Museum to learn about the ancient imperial capital of China.

Afternoon

Hop on a night train to Shanghai.

Morning

Take a chilled morning, strolling around the Yu Yuan Gardens to learn more about Chinese garden art. Yu in Chinese means pleasing and satisfying – and you’ll see why. Think lush greenery, serene waters and ornate pavilions. Then, try local delicacies or pick up some last-minute souvenirs at the Yu Yuan Bazaar, the heart of old Shanghai.

Afternoon

For lunch, we recommend Shanghai’s famous Xiao Long Bao dumplings. Tweet us a photo if you want to be on the receiving end of some serious food envy!

Once you’re refuelled, tour Shanghai’s fancy financial district, Lujiazui, and head up the Shanghai Tower for a view of the city that you’ve only just started exploring. Then, walk round one of Shanghai’s most iconic areas, The Bund. Soak up some in-depth info about China’s rapid urban development from your guide.

Evening

Watch the spectacular ERA acrobatic and theatrical performance.

Morning

Trade the hustle and bustle of the city for Zhujiajiao Water Town, a beautiful, well preserved ancient town on the outskirts of Shanghai. Take a serene gondola boat ride on the canals.

Afternoon

It’s your last full day, so seize the moment! Visit Tianzifang, a bohemian culture and arts area. Wander around the former French Concession’s art street to learn all about colonial Shanghai. Discover colonial mansions and hear the who-what-where-when-why of the formation of the French Concession. Visit quirky cafés and hip restaurants, concept bars and eclectic breweries, pop-up boutiques and experimental art galleries.

It might be home time, but it’s not over. China’s music will follow you back to the classroom…and beyond!