Culture – Shanghai, Xi’an & Beijing – 10 days

Day 3: Chinese School Visit

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. (Note that visits cannot be arranged in Chinese school holidays.)

Evening

Wave a sad goodbye to Shanghai and a happy hello to Xi’an as you rest up on the night train, ready for a big day tomorrow.

Day 4: Terracotta Warriors

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

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’ll be visiting next.

Evening

Finish off the day with a stroll to see the Drum and Bell tower lit up at night.

Day 5: Great Wild Goose Pagoda

Morning

Forget the Leaning Tower of Pisa, this morning Xi’an presents you with the Great Wild Goose Pagoda. It’s a Buddhist holy place that leans to the West.

Afternoon

Sample the unique flavours of Hui Muslim food. Then, soak up some history in the Muslim Quarter market. This is where traders from across the Silk Road first settled in China.

Evening

Hop on the night train to Beijing.

Day 6: Beijing’s Imperial History

Morning

Start the day with a busy morning. First, have fun and test out your skills at a kung fu lesson, then continue on to the Temple of Heaven to see classic imperial Chinese architecture.

Afternoon

You’ve seen imperial architecture, now 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

Feast on a delicious Peking roast duck dinner – Peking is the romanized name for Beijing.

Day 7: The Great Wall

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.

On the way back, stop by the Olympic Stadium to pose for a seriously Instagram-worthy photo.

Evening

Rest your legs in the evening with an amazing acrobatic show.

Day 8: Cultural Beijing

Morning

Visit the Confucius Temple to learn about the father of Chinese philosophy and Confucianism. Next up, head to Lama Temple, one of Beijing’s most influential Buddhist sites.

Afternoon

Spend a relaxing afternoon at the Summer Palace. Walk through the spectacular grounds and take a wooden boat across the palatial lake.

Evening

Try traditional hotpot, a boiling, fragrant broth used for self-cooking an assortment of meats and vegetables. A China-must-try!

Day 9: Hutong

Morning

Go on a guided walking tour through one of the city’s ancient hutong areas. Hutongs are the traditional courtyard-based residential streets of Beijing, where you can understand more about local life. Next, visit a teahouse and experience an authentic Chinese tea ceremony.

Afternoon

Picked up a few Chinese phrases on your trip? Test out your language skills as you haggle for last-minute souvenirs at the Pearl Market.

Day 10: Home Time

Morning

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