A Journey of Intercultural Communication
Embark on an unforgettable 12-day journey through China, immersing in ancient history, breathtaking landscapes, and vibrant modern culture.
Discover the iconic Great Wall, explore the Forbidden City, and witness the Terracotta Army. Bike in the picturesque landscape, and experience the dynamic energy of Shanghai. But the adventure doesn't stop there! A highlight of the trip is the opportunity to engage in a school exchange program, allowing you to connect with local students, share cultures, and create friendships.
Suggested 12-Day China Educational Tour
| Day | Highlights |
|---|---|
| 1-3 Beijing |
Great Wall, Imperial architectures and a martial arts school visit |
| 4-6 Xi'an |
Terracotta Warriors, ancient civilization, and an international school visit |
| 7-9 Guilin/Yangshuo |
Outdoor activities and a language training school visit |
| 10-11 Shanghai |
City skyline, maglev train, and a new residential community visit |
| 12 |
Shanghai departure |
Tour Map
Tour 'Wow' Points
Understand the Daily Studies of the Princes
Visit the sites selected for children instead of the regular ones for adult tourists. Find out how hard princes had to study to be emperors!
Unravel the Mysteries of Traditional Chinese Construction
Get hands-on experience with the secrets of ancient Chinese wooden architecture. Explore the intricate world of mortise and tenon joints.
Learn Chinese Kung Fu from a Martial Arts School Student
Visit the Shaolin Martial Arts School in Beijing. Walk around the campus and see the students' dormitories. Experience the enthusiasm of the students as they pursue their interests and dreams.
Make Your Own Terracotta Warriors in A Local People's Cave Dwelling
Not only visit the Terracotta Warriors Horses Museum to see the life-sized Terracotta Army, but also make a mini one by yourself.
Use Teamwork to Experience Making Fire by Drilling Wood
Visit the estimated-6,000-year-old Banpo cultural site. Learn the survival skills of primitive people and experience their entertainment.
Role-Play as a Person from Ancient China
Get an opportunity to learn about China's traditional national costume, Hanfu. And dress up as a person from Han or Tang Dynasty.
Take Part in Outdoor Activities Led by Qualified Pro Coach
Cycle through the amazing countryside of Yangshuo on less-traveled lanes. Explore a half-developed cave to get to know the wonderful world of underground limestone formations in a more natural way.
Master Chinese speaking skills at a Training School
Visit a private Chinese Language Institute run by a foreigner. Experience a unique way of learning a foreign language.
Immerse Yourself in a Chinese Community
Visit China's first workers' community that's now renovated and preserved for posterity. Learn how to make Chinese pastries at the community center. Perhaps play a basketball game with the local youths.
Discover real reviews of Highlights Travel Family's best-rated service across trusted platforms.
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Yunnan tour with China Highlights
This visit to Yunnan was 10 days long with stops at Dali, Lijiang, Shangri-La and Kunming. We had 4 different guides - Dali with Daisy, Shangri-La with Peter, Lijiang with Li and Kunming with Doyle. Our guides, Daisy, Peter and Doyle was outstanding in their service. They were sensitive to our needs, flexible when we wanted any changes and did their job with enthusiasm and pride. The measure of how good a travel agency provides their service is not only in the planning of the itinerary but the follow through with good guiding service. Daisy, Peter and Doyle were exemplary in this regards! Well done, China Highlights for having guides of this quality. more
Mar 2025, Michel Siew Ngo... F
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Unforgettable 7 Day Travel Experience in Yunnan
Our 7 days Yunnan trip with China Highlights started at Kunming then took us all the way to Dali, Lijiang and Shangri La. Visiting Yunnan in December during winter time was interesting, less crowded and most importantly enable us to see Yunnan in a different landscape. A special mention to our fantastic guides, May (in Kunming) and Sunny (in Dali) and their respective drivers who were personable and shared a wealth of knowledge and insights of the places we visited. They spoke good English, helpful with our requests and ensured that we were comfortable and satisfied with our tours. We will not hesitate to use China Highlights again for our next trip to China! more
Jan 2025, Jess W
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Lijiang- family trip Dec 2024 Eleanor
My family really enjoyed our time with Eleanor in Lijiang. She was able to pass on a lot of knowledge about her city which made the trip lots more interesting! We enjoyed having her guide us to amazing places. She was really attentive when one of us were feeling sick at the top of the mountain and provided us all with adaquete preparation for the 4000km+ altitude ascension. more
Jan 2025, Nicole L
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Suggested Itinerary
Here is a suggested itinerary. We are happy to customize an educational tour according to your interests and preferences.
Welcome to China! Your guide, who is experienced in leading student groups, will meet you in the arrivals hall at the airport. Your group will be transferred to your hotel on our comfortable bus.
Morning:
Start your adventure in Beijing's heart, Tian'anmen Square — a massive space so big it's a favorite for many school trips at once! It's like stepping into a giant postcard.
Next, walk through the grand entrance to the Forbidden City, a place where emperors once ruled. You would see famous palaces but also sneak a peek at secret spots! Imagine exploring the princes' personal library, checking out cool army tools at the Archery Pavilion, and even seeing the amazing royal collection of clocks and watches!
Afternoon
Join in with an interesting Chinese architecture technique lesson in a hutong. Explore a great invention of imperial China — the mortise and tenon joint. Uncover the secrets behind why the Forbidden City could stand firm for hundreds of years — with no nail.
Evening
End the day with a mouthwatering Peking duck dinner at a local restaurant. Get ready to taste a time-honored local favorite!
Morning:
Get ready for an epic morning! Head to the Temple of Heaven, where ancient emperors connected with heaven through annual rituals. But this isn't your average history lesson! Watch as locals do their traditional hobbies — from graceful tai chi moves to mind-blowing calligraphy.
Afternoon
After soaking up the morning vibes, you are off to the Great Wall! Zip up to the top in a cable car and explore this medieval wonder. Snap some epic pics and enjoy some free time to wander around. And the best part? A thrilling toboggan ride back down!
Morning:
Visit the Shaolin Martial Arts School in Beijing. Walk around the campus and see the students' dormitories. Enjoy a Kung Fu show performed by the students. You will also have a chance to converse with them and learn some simple martial arts movements.
Afternoon
Take a bullet train from Beijing to Xi'an in the afternoon.
Morning:
Prepare to be amazed as you travel to the incredible Terracotta Army. This astonishing collection of life-sized clay soldiers and horses was created as a guard for Emperor Qin Shi Huang, a ruler obsessed with eternal life. Imagine thousands of warriors, horses, and chariots frozen in time, a testament to his power and ambition.
Afternoon
Did you know these warriors were once painted in vibrant colors? Although the hues have faded, their incredible craftsmanship remains. Get ready to unleash your inner artist and create your own terracotta warrior. It's an experience you wouldn't forget!
Pay a visit to the starting point of the Silk Road: Big Wild Goose Pagoda.
Evening
End the day with an amazing traditional dumpling dinner.
Morning:
Visit Banpo Museum, which was built on the remains of an estimated-6,000-year-old Neolithic community and also a matrilineal society discovered in 1953. Visit the excavated artifacts exhibition hall to learn about the clothing, food, housing, and transportation of people during the Banpo period.
Work together and try your hands at making a fire by drilling wood as the Banpo people did. Learn how to make a clay instrument and try to play it.
Afternoon:
Head back to the downtown area of the city in the afternoon. Dress up in traditional Chinese Hanfu clothes. Walk along the streets with pseudoclassic buildings. Feel like you're traveling back in time to the Tang Dynasty (more than 1,000 years ago).
Morning:
Visit an international school in Xi'an to understand their daily study schedule, curriculum settings, and boarding life. Interact with a class of students, introduce them to your school and share your feelings about this trip to China. Join them for an art or physical education class. Finally, enjoy a campus lunch together in the school cafeteria.
Afternoon
Fly from Xi'an to Guilin.
Morning:
The Chinese Language Institute (CLI), an official partner of China Highlights, has emerged as one of China's leading centers for Chinese language and cultural studies.
You will have opportunity to learn basic survival Chinese at CLI, and before or after the class you can also chat with the school's foreign staff and foreign students, getting to know how they work and study in China.
Afternoon
Drive from Yangshuo from Guilin. Stop on the way to climb to the top of a karst hill by the Li River for a bird's-eye view of the surrounding landscape. Admire the Li River sunset and watch cormorant fishing from the riverbank.
Morning:
One of the best ways to immerse yourself in the idyllic landscape of Yangshuo is cycling. Cycle through the charming countryside of Yangshuo, following your cycling guide as you breathe lungfuls of fresh air amidst towering karst hills, get close to nature, and encounter local farmers.
The cycling will last for about 2–3 hours depending on your students' energy. Enjoy a picnic lunch.
Afternoon:
Explore a water cave to get to know the wonderful world of underground limestone formations in a more natural way. Different from China's tourist caves with colorful lighting, concrete steps, etc., the Water Cave is a half-spelunking-half-developed cave.
A qualified and experienced English-speaking coach from our associated outdoor center will accompany you during the exploration and offer you detailed information about the formations in the karst cave.
Evening:
Enjoy a BBQ dinner in the courtyard of the hotel.
Morning:
Transfer to Guilin airport and the take a flight to Shanghai, the most vibrant city of China.
Afternoon:
Experience the maglev train from the airport to the downtown of Shanghai.
Ascend the tallest building in China, Shanghai Tower, where you would not only enjoy a panoramic view of Shanghai, but also see the future of China.
Take the Bund Sightseeing Tunnel to the other side of the river, enjoying the colorful light displays, music, and visual effects during the journey.
Morning:
Experience the rich history and culture of a 70-year-old community. Interact with local residents, learn about the community's transformation, and participate in traditional food preparation, such as making pastries or wrapping wontons. Enjoy a taste of authentic local cuisine at the community canteen.
Afternoon:
Enjoy a relaxing walk on the bustling Nanjing Road and the historical Bund, experiencing the past, the present, and the future of China.
Transfer to the airport for your flight back home.
Hotel Selection
Selected hotels with good locations.
Tour Price
Price includes:
- Private air-conditioned bus with big windows and ample space
- English speaking local guide
- Activities, hotels, and meals listed in the itinerary
- 24/7 helpline for while you are traveling
Tour code: cht-et-3