10-Day Beijing, Xi’an, and Chengdu Educational Tour

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 tour from Tian'anmen, a popular spot among students, immersed in the centuries-old allure of Chinese history.

Next, make your way through the grand gateway into the Forbidden City, once home to powerful emperors. Among the iconic palaces, discover hidden treasures like the exclusive princes' library, intriguing military artifacts at the Archery Pavilion, and the splendid royal collection of timepieces.

Afternoon:
Discover the architectural wonder of the mortise and tenon joint, a groundbreaking innovation from imperial China that transformed construction methods, ensuring the Forbidden City's structural stability for centuries without the need for nails.

Morning:
Head to the less-crowded Mutianyu section of the Great Wall, a picturesque expanse where history is recreated through the fully-restored fortifications. A chairlift offers a comfortable ascent to stunning views from the wall's watchtowers. Have some fun with a thrilling toboggan ride down from the wall.

Afternoon:
Delve deeper into Beijing's cultural tapestry by visiting a welcoming Hutong family, where traditions come alive. Engage in the artful practice of calligraphy or the delicate craft of paper cutting, immersing yourself in refined skills that have been cherished for generations.

Evening:
End the day with a mouthwatering Peking duck dinner at a local restaurant. Get ready to taste a time-honored local favorite!

Morning:
Temple of Heaven Park not only contains an awesome array of worshipful buildings, but also a popular spot for locals to do their morning exercises. You'll likely find people practicing tai chi, qigong, dancing, and other forms of exercise there.

Start your day with the serene practice of tai chi amidst the sacred surroundings of the Temple of Heaven, where each movement connects you with the essence of ancient harmony.

Afternoon:
Following a peaceful lunch, venture to the illustrious Summer Palace, where history and nature intertwine seamlessly. Explore the vast palace grounds, adorned with vibrant gardens and shimmering lakes, and immerse yourself in the rich tapestry of imperial splendor.

Morning:
Your Beijing driver will take your group to the station for your bullet train ride to Xi'an, escorting you all the way to the boarding gate.

Afternoon:
After putting down your luggage and resting briefly at your Xi'an hotel, your Xi'an guide and driver will continue to escort you to the Muslim Quarter to search for local delicacies. The Muslim Quarter offers a wide variety of delicious foods ranging from liangpi (cold noodles) to roujiamo (‘Chinese hamburgers') and from paomo (crumbled bread in mutton soup) to preserved beef and lamb. Each type of snack is filled with rich northwestern flavors.

In the heart of the Muslim Quarter, near the city center, lies one of the largest Islamic mosques in China known as the Great Mosque. It is a significant historical and architectural site, blending traditional Chinese and Islamic architectural styles.

Morning:
Experience archeology come to life in the form of the Terracotta Army, stood in arrays in the underground pits where they were found. An interesting museum and film deepens the experience. Unravel the mysteries surrounding these figures with our knowledgeable guides.

After visiting the Terracotta Warrior Museum, we will add to your understanding of this great wonder with practical experience. Your group will visit a countryside family workshop and create your own terracotta figurine.

Afternoon:
Take a bike ride along Xi'an City Wall, one of the oldest and most complete city defenses still standing. There are ramparts, gates, and watchtowers in abundance to explore.

Morning:
The first step of day 7's itinerary is to change into Hanfu, the traditional attire of the Han Chinese, to kick off a day of time travel.

Start at the Xi'an Museum, hosting 130,000 artifacts from different historical periods. Adjacent is the Small Wild Goose Pagoda, showcasing a distinctive brick structure with a sloping roof made from blue bricks on a square base. You can participate in creating a model of the pagoda at this location.

Afternoon:
Visit a Chinese Shadow Puppetry studio, and try your hand at dyeing a carved puppet. The teacher will show you how to operate the puppets from behind the curtain.

Evening:
Finish your day with the Tang Imperial Banquet and Show. The show, set in a top-tier theatre restaurant, offers a captivating experience paired with a delectable dinner, showcasing the grandeur of the prosperous period of the Tang Dynasty.

Morning:
Embark on the bullet train to Chengdu in the morning, which takes 3–4 hours.

Afternoon:
Spend a relaxing afternoon at People's Park after lunch. Take a seat and sip a cup of tea in an old tea house. Feel the good vibes and join in with square dancing, a waltz, or a little Chinese salsa if you want to. Visit the marriage market and try an ear massage.

Evening:
Enjoy Chengdu's renowned Sichuan hotpot at dinner.

Morning:
It's time to meet the pandas! Dujiangyan Panda Base is less crowded, allowing visitors to get closer to the pandas. Students can observe the pandas in a naturalistic environment, learn about their habitat, diet, and the challenges they face in the wild.

Afternoon:
Leaving the panda base, will you be reluctant to part with the adorable pandas? In the afternoon, we will take you to an art studio, where, under the guidance of a professional traditional Chinese painting teacher, you will paint your favorite panda and take this beautiful memory back home.

After a buffet breakfast at your hotel, your guide and driver will make sure you get to the airport on time and without any stress. Say goodbye to China and take some awesome memories home.