In September, Victory College students and teachers embarked on a remarkable cultural journey to China. The trip spanned nine days and took the group through Beijing, Xi'an, and Shanghai. Each city offered unique opportunities to explore China’s rich history, diverse traditions, and dynamic modern culture.
The itinerary was carefully crafted to immerse students in meaningful cultural exchanges while exploring China’s iconic landmarks. Through guided tours, interactive workshops, and unforgettable culinary and artistic experiences, students gained a deeper understanding of Chinese culture and history.
Don’t miss the lead teacher’s glowing review of this unforgettable trip at the end!
Days 1-4: Beijing
The trip began in the bustling capital city, Beijing, with activities including:
- Sightseeing tours of Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, and the Summer Palace.
- A visit to the Great Wall of China, a Ming Tombs excursion, and a performance of a breathtaking acrobatic show.
- Cultural experiences like a Tai Chi lesson at the Temple of Heaven, a Chinese cooking class, and a traditional Peking Duck dinner.
- Exploring Beijing’s Hutongs via rickshaw and sharing a memorable dinner with a local Chinese family.
Days 5-7: Xi'an
Next, the group travelled to Xi'an, where ancient history came alive:
- Visits to the renowned Terracotta Warriors Museum, Banpo Village Ruins, and the Ancient City Wall.
- A walk through the vibrant Muslim Quarter, topped off with the captivating Tang Dynasty singing and dancing show.
- Exploring the serene Greater Wild Goose Pagoda and other city sights on foot.
Days 8-9: Shanghai
The final leg of the journey took students to the vibrant city of Shanghai:
- Visits to Shanghai Disneyland Park, Yu Yuan Garden, the Jade Buddha Temple, and a silk factory.
- Exploring the Bund waterfront and Tian Zi Fang, showcasing the city’s blend of modernity and tradition.
Teacher Reflection
"In September 2024, our College travelled on a 9-Day Cultural Trip to China that was planned, organised and coordinated by WorldStrides. During this process, I worked with both Nicole Harrison and Chenade Keighery throughout all stages of the trip. Having worked extensively with school-based travel agents during a former role at an international school in China, I had clear expectations of what I wanted my students to experience and what I believed WorldStrides should provide. I can honestly attest to the fact that Nicole and Chenade exceeded all expectations I held and provided us with an unforgettable range of experiences that were very well targeted to our secondary students.
In addition to visiting all the key cultural sites one would choose to see in Beijing, Xian and Shanghai, our students were provided with the opportunity to learn more about Chinese cooking, Tai Chi, Kung Fu, calligraphy and Tea Culture through practical workshops with an expert teacher. Our students also had the opportunity to interact with Chinese families and expert guides who shared their experiences and culture in ways our students connected with and found engaging.
I was not only impressed with the quality of support offered by Nicole and Chenade prior and after the trip, but by the knowledge, flexibility and professionalism of the onsite staff we worked with in all three Chinese cities – all stages of the tour were seamless, the accommodation was consistent, the quality of meals were outstanding, and any issue that arose was effectively dealt with in a timely manner. Our school community was very impressed by the quality of service and value for money provided by WorldStrides and look forward in working together for many trips to come."
- Terence Dayes, Head of Middle College, Victory College
If you're interested in replicating this tour to China and creating a life-changing adventure for your students, contact us now to start your journey!
