Overview
Build your students’ conversational Mandarin skills as they explore China’s rich history, culture and traditions. Through immersive language experiences and opportunities to practise Mandarin in everyday settings, students gain confidence communicating with native speakers. Explore Beijing’s Tiananmen Square and Forbidden City, visit the Great Wall of China, see the life-size Terracotta Warriors in Xi’an and discover Shanghai’s historic Yu Yuan Garden.
Itinerary
Language Intensive Program in Beijing, China
- Language Intensive
- Mandarin
Day 1
Travel to China (Beijing)
Meet your Tour Director
Your 24-hour Tour Director will meet you at the airport and remain with your group until your final airport departure.
Day 2
Beijing guided sightseeing tour
Explore Beijing with a local guide, beginning in Tiananmen Square, the vast public plaza and political heart of modern China, large enough to hold 300,000 people. Step into the Forbidden City, the 9,000-room palace complex once home to emperors, eunuchs, and concubines. Admire its red walls, vermilion roofs, and the famous Nine Dragon Screen. Then visit the Temple of Heaven, where Ming and Qing rulers performed rituals to secure good harvests and imperial prosperity.
Local teahouse visit
Participate in a tea ceremony
Participate in a traditional tea ceremony and discover the customs and traditions surrounding tea. Learn about its cultural significance while experiencing the careful preparation and serving of tea firsthand.
Day 3
Great Wall of China visit
Experience the Great Wall of China, one of the world’s great wonders and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987. Stretching approximately 21,196 kilometres across mountains, plateaus, grasslands and deserts, the Great Wall has a history spanning about 2,700 years and remains renowned for its architectural grandeur and historical significance.
Kung fu school visit
Visit a kung fu school in Beijing and step into the world of traditional Chinese martial arts. Watch skilled instructors demonstrate powerful techniques, then try a few beginner-friendly moves yourself. Gain insight into the discipline, precision, and cultural heritage behind one of China’s most iconic traditions.
Day 4
Conversational Mandarin language class
Learn conversational Mandarin in a language class focused on everyday words and phrases for real-life communication.
Hutong lunch
Enjoy lunch in one of Beijing’s historic hutong neighbourhoods, experiencing local flavours and cuisine in a setting that offers a glimpse into the city’s traditional way of life.
Hutong tour
A hutong is a traditional Beijing neighbourhood made up of narrow lanes running between courtyard homes. Thousands still exist today, many dating back to the Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties, offering a glimpse into centuries of local life and culture.
Traditional Chinese art classes
Get creative during a hands-on art class featuring traditional activities such as kite making, paper cutting and face painting while exploring local artistic traditions.
Peking Opera performance
Experience Peking Opera and watch actors apply the traditional face paint you studied earlier.
Day 5
Conversational Mandarin language class
Learn conversational Mandarin in a language class focused on everyday words and phrases for real-life communication.
Yonghe Lamasery visit
Visit the largest and best-preserved Buddhist temple of the Yellow sect in Beijing. Built in 1694 as the residence of Count Yin Zhen, it later served as an imperial palace before becoming a lamasery in 1744. Today, Yonghe Lamasery is a renowned Tibetan Buddhist temple and holds treasures of both Han and Tibetan cultures.
Temple of Confucius visit
Discover a historic site first built in 1302, where scholars of the Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties once paid tribute to Confucius. Explore collections of engraved stones, bronze and jade objects, paintings, calligraphy, traditional musical instruments and ancient Chinese currency while learning about the lasting influence of Confucius on Chinese culture.
Guozijian visit
Visit China's highest imperial academy during the Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties.
Calligraphy lesson
Discover the art of calligraphy during a hands-on lesson. Learn about the techniques and traditions behind this artistic form of writing, then practise creating characters and designs as you develop your own calligraphy skills.
Day 6
Conversational Mandarin language class
Learn conversational Mandarin in a language class focused on everyday words and phrases for real-life communication.
Tai chi class
Discover the history of tai chi, a traditional Chinese martial art. Learn key movements from an experienced instructor, then practice the techniques you’ve been taught.
Pearl Market visit
Experience the lively atmosphere of Beijing’s Pearl Market, a bustling shopping destination known for pearls, jewellery, clothing, souvenirs and other goods. Browse the market’s many stalls, practise your bargaining skills and experience a different side of everyday commerce in Beijing.
Day 7
Conversational Mandarin language class
Learn conversational Mandarin in a language class focused on everyday words and phrases for real-life communication.
Local market visit
Explore a traditional local market and shop for fresh ingredients to use during your afternoon cooking class.
Chinese cooking class and dinner
Day 8
Conversational Mandarin language class
Learn conversational Mandarin in a language class focused on everyday words and phrases for real-life communication.
Dongyun Silk Culture and Art Museum visit
Discover how one of China’s most famous fabrics is made. Learn about the silk-making process, watch demonstrations that show how silk is transformed from thread to fabric, and explore the history of this important Chinese tradition. Take part in a traditional tie-dye activity and experience this centuries-old craft firsthand.
Day 9
Bullet train to Xi'an
Travel aboard China’s famous bullet train from Beijing to Xi’an.
Xi'an guided sightseeing tour
The modern capital of Shaanxi, Xi’an served as the capital of 11 dynasties over 4,000 years, including the Tang Dynasty at the height of its power. Framed by the Qinling Mountains to the south and the Weihe River to the north, Xi’an is one of China’s most popular destinations. Walk along the Ancient City Wall for panoramic views and visit the Greater Wild Goose Pagoda, a symbol of the city’s Buddhist heritage.
Day 10
Terracotta Warriors Museum visit
Uncover the legacy of the Qin Dynasty at the Terracotta Army. First discovered in 1974, this vast army of more than 6,000 life-size warriors was buried with China’s first emperor in 210–209 BCE to protect him in the afterlife. It remains one of the most extraordinary archaeological discoveries ever made.
Local School visit
Day 11
Fly to Shanghai
Acrobatic show
For over 50 years, Shanghai’s Acrobatic Troupe has captivated audiences with a masterful blend of acrobatics, juggling, and magic, showcasing the precision and artistry that define this celebrated ensemble.
Day 12
Shanghai guided sightseeing tour
Shanghai blends European elegance with Asian flair, transforming its colonial past into a modern metropolis. With your local guide, stroll the Bund for views of the city’s skyline and visit Yu Yuan Garden, a 16th-century retreat with fountains, bridges, and tile dragons. Find peace at the Jade Buddha Temple, home to statues carved from single pieces of jade. Then see artisans at work in a silk factory and wander Tian Zi Fang, a lively district of boutiques, cafés, and studios.
Huangpu River cruise
Cruise along the Huangpu River and take in the striking contrasts of Shanghai. On the Puxi side, The Bund reflects the city’s colonial past with grand 1920s architecture reminiscent of London and Paris. Across the river in Pudong, a dramatically different skyline of gleaming skyscrapers rises as a symbol of Shanghai’s role as a global financial centre and one of the world’s fastest-growing economies.
Day 13
Return home
TourFlex: Your Experience, Your Way
With TourFlex, available for tours departing in October 2027 or later, you get the flexibility to shape an itinerary that's as unique as your group. Dial your trip up or down for more choice, more control, and more meaningful learning moments, all while getting the right experience at the right value. Available options vary by program and destination.
Explore Your Way
- Add experiences like theatre tickets or unique excursions
- Swap activities for ones that better serve your group
- Extend the learning through go-aheads or stay-behinds
Go Your Way
- Select transport options that suit your group's needs
- Choose from a variety of accommodation styles to support your level of comfort
Dine Your Way
- Choose pre-selected meals or encourage exploration by dining on your own
- Enjoy 2 course meals at local restaurants or at your accommodation, with the option to upgrade to 3 courses
Inclusions
Accommodations
WorldStrides Tour Director: A dynamic destination expert who makes learning come to life by leading your group's activities and discussions
Transportation to and from your destination
WorldAssist staff members available 24/7/365 should your group need extra help
Daily meals with options varying by program
Language-intensive classes (details in itinerary)
Tips for local guides and drivers (excluding multi-day bus drivers)
Entrance fees to attractions as per itinerary
Guided sightseeing tours and city walks as per itinerary
Scenes from Beijing China
Health, Safety & Protection
Additional health and safety measures may be available within your respective destination. Refer to your program-specific materials for complete details.
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