On a geography school trip to Beijing and Shanghai your students will explore the ancient and modern sides of the world’s most populous country!
By visiting both Beijing and Shanghai, your students will be able to compare two very different cities. They’ll experience the old China, which developed from one of the world’s earliest civilisations to a powerful empire with its influence stretching as far as Europe and Africa along the Silk Road. And they’ll also experience modern China, which is home to one of the world’s fastest-growing economies.
There will be plenty of opportunities to see how the Chinese have exploited natural features for human use. And you’ll see how Old China’s reliance on agriculture led to the power being centred inland, around the fertile northern plains. And how economic power has since shifted to ports such as Shanghai, as exports have become increasingly more important.
Suggested Itinerary (8 days, 6 nights)
Visit Tiananmen Square
Tiananmen Square is named after the Gate of Heavenly Peace (Tiananmen in Chinese) which links the square to the Forbidden City, and which is famous for displaying a portrait of Chairman Mao.
Despite its name, the square has seen turbulent times, making it a key site in Chinese history, particularly during the 20th century.
As well as the Tiananmen itself, the square contains a number of other important sights, including the Monument to the People’s Heroes, the Great Hall of the People, the National Museum of China and the Mausoleum of Mao Zedong.
Did you know?
Every day at sunrise a flag-raising ceremony takes place. Soldiers from the People’s Liberation Army march through the Gate of Heavenly Peace across Dong Chang An Jie at approximately 108 paces per minute, with each pace measuring around 75cm!
Explore the Forbidden City
This spectacular palace complex lies at the heart of Beijing and consists of 980 surviving buildings.
The largest building in the complex is the Hall of Supreme Harmony. Once the tallest building in the city, it was used for state occasions, such as the emperor’s birthday. The focal point of the building is the impressive Dragon Throne, which sits on a 2m high white jade dais and is backed by carved gilt screens.
The world’s largest collection of well-preserved medieval wooden structures, the Forbidden City is a magnificent example of traditional Chinese architecture and is rich in symbolism, with plenty of dragons, phoenixes and lions on roofs of the most important buildings for prosperity and good fortune.
Did you know?
The Forbidden City is the largest palace complex in the world and is three times the size of the Louvre!
Visit the Summer Palace
One of the most beautiful royal parks in the world, Beijing’s Summer Palace is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is home to 3,000 man-made structures.
The tallest building in the complex, the Tower of Buddhist Incense stands atop Longevity Hill, looking out over Kunming Lake.
Other well-known attractions include the impressive Marble Boat, a lakeside pavilion in the shape of a European-style paddle steamer, and the colourful Long Corridor, constructed to provide the Emperor’s mother with a covered walkway to ensure she could enjoy a walk in the gardens while protected by the elements.
Did you know?
The Four Great Regions, a series of temples that are architecturally quite different to the rest of the park, were modelled on the Samye Monastery in Tibet, the first gompa (Buddhist monastery) built in the country.
Day 1
Morning
N/A
Afternoon
N/A
Evening
Flight to Beijing
Day 2
Morning
Arrive in Beijing
Meet guide and transfer to accommodation
Afternoon
Visit the Summer Palace with optional boat ride on the lake
Evening
Free evening
Day 3
Morning
Visit the Temple of Heaven and Tiananmen Square
Afternoon
Visit the Forbidden City
Evening
Free evening
Day 4
Morning
Full-day tour starting with a photo stop at the Beijing Olympic Stadium
Afternoon
Continue on to the Great Wall of China and the Ming Tombs
Evening
Free evening
Day 5
Morning
Visit Beijing Zoo to see the Panda House
Afternoon
Visit the Lama Temple and take a ride through the Hutongs of Beijing
Evening
Overnight train to Shanghai
Day 6
Morning
Arrive Shanghai
Meet guide and transfer to visits
Afternoon
Visit the Yuyan Garden and Jade Buddha Temple
Evening
Visit the Bund
Day 7
Morning
Visit the Oriental Pearl TV Tower and the Shanghai Museum
Afternoon
Visit the People Square and Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Hall
Evening
Free evening with optional river cruise on your last night in China
Day 8
Morning
Return flight to the UK
Afternoon
Arrive back in the UK
Evening
N/A
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6 nights' half-board accommodation (breakfast and lunch daily)
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Airport taxes and passenger duty at current rates
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Airport transfers in resort
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ATOL protected return flights from the UK
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Comprehensive travel and medical insurance
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Detailed information pack
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English-speaking guide
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Free staff place ratio 1:10
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Itinerary planning service
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Overnight train between Beijing and Shanghai
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Vamoos travel app - giving you access to all your trip documents on your phone or tablet
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VAT at current rates to tour operators
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Visits and entrance fees as per the sample itinerary
Curriculum Links
A-Level
- Urban growth and change
- Environmental and social challenges
- Sustainable urban development
- World trade and access to markets (TNCs)
GCSE
- Urban growth and change
- Management of urban resources
- Gaps in global development
- Emergence of megacities
- Sustainable tourism
Educational activities and visits
Huangpu River Cruise
The Huangpu River (Huangpu Jiang) is the city's shipping artery both to the East China Sea and to the mouth… Read More
Shanghai Museum
The Shanghai Museum is located in People’s Square and, although a modern building, encompasses some of the symbolism prevalent in… Read More
The Great Wall of China
The Great Wall of China stretches 5,500 miles across northern China, from Shanhaiguan in the eastern province of Hebei, to… Read More
Yuyuan Garden
Yuyuan Garden, a place of peace and comfort in the heart of bustling Shanghai, dates back to the fabled Ming… Read More
Cultural activities and visits
Forbidden City
The Forbidden City stands in the centre of Beijing as a monument to the city’s imperial history and rich cultural… Read More
Jade Buddha Temple
Although not a particularly old temple (it was re-built in 1928 after the first temple was destroyed in the revolution… Read More
Oriental Pearl TV Tower
The Oriental Pearl Tower is Shanghai’s most recognisable landmark and sits opposite the Bund in Pudong Park. A TV and… Read More
Summer Palace
Beijing’s Summer Palace is one of the loveliest royal parks you are ever likely to set your eyes on. Created… Read More
Temple of Heaven
The Temple of Heaven is a stunning complex of religious buildings located to the south of the Forbidden City and… Read More
The Bund
The Shanghai Bund has dozens of historical buildingslining the Huangpu River, that once housed numerous banks and trading houses from… Read More
Tiananmen Square
Tiananmen Square is instantly recognisable to all as a symbol of the People’s Republic of China. The gate, after which… Read More
Accommodation
The Feitian Hotel is located close to the city's central business district, approximately 6km from the Forbidden City. The Jingsong subway station is close to the hotel, offering easy access to the rest of the city. There are two restaurants - one specialising in Chinese cuisine and the other in Western cuisine. There is also a teahouse, coffeehouse and bar.
The Dongfang Hotel offers 288 rooms in a refurbished 1918 historic building of four connected wings. There is an indoor swimming pool and tennis court, fitness room and sauna. Restaurants offer a range of International and Asian cuisine.Guestrooms are clean and spacious, with plenty of natural light. Amenities include private balconies, cable/satellite TVs, minibars with refrigerators, air conditioning, desks with direct-dial phones, and complimentary high-speed Internet. All rooms also have coffee/tea makers, bottled water, and in-room safes. Bathrooms provide slippers, hair dryers, and shower/tub combinations.
The Holiday Inn Putuo offers comfortable guestrooms and suites. The rooms are reasonably spacious and certain rooms have a wonderful view of the city skyline from this hotel.
Facilities available include colour television with cable connection, International Direct Dialing telephone, work desk with lamp, mini bars and coffee making facilities amongst others.
Supporting you every step of the way
1 Creating Your Perfect Trip
We'll tailor make your school trip to meet your specific requirements
2 Launching your trip to parents and students
Head to our resources section for FREE promotional materials
3 After you've booked
Your dedicated Itinerary Coordinator will work with you on the finer details of your trip
4 While you're away
You'll be able to reach us 24/7 during your trip if you need our help
5 After your trip
Head back to our resources section to continue the learning
Need help?
Zoe Campbell — Learning & Development Manager
Don’t hesitate to contact me for any advice or further information on how your school trip can be tailored to your requirements.
Cologne is a fantastic location for a school trip and the Christmas markets are extremely enjoyable.Our students really embraced the cultural side of the markets and also used their language skills whilst on the trip.— Simon Langton Girls' Grammar School
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