School Trip to China
A school trip to China will be unforgettable – truly broadening your students’ horizons and opening their eyes to a wider world!
Introduce your students to an ancient culture rich with art, literature, music, religion and philosophy. And combine the traditions and history of Beijing with the modernity and innovation of Shanghai, to help your students gain a greater understanding of China as a whole.
Make sure you don’t miss the opportunity to see the Great Wall of China which, although not quite visible from space, is still an incredible feat of human engineering and tenacity. Other highlights include the historic Forbidden Palace and the politically charged Tiananmen Square, as well as Shanghai’s iconic Bund, which reflects the impact of European involvement in China since the 19th century.
Suggested Itinerary (8 days, 6 nights)
Visit 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 Bund
Shanghai’s focal point, the Bund is the city’s iconic waterfront area and one of its biggest tourist attractions – it’s certainly not to be missed on your school trip to Shanghai!
Once just a muddy bank, the area was settled by the British after the first Opium War in 1842. It was around the turn of the 20th century when much of the spectacular Beaux Arts architecture sprang up as commerce thrived and the area is now one of the most important financial centres in East Asia.
This is the perfect place to people watch and to learn more about Chinese culture and Western colonialism. This is also a fantastic example of modern China and offers an interesting contrast to the history you’ll see in Beijing.
Did you know?
The Bund is known as Waitan in Chinese, which means ‘Outer Beach’.
Visit the Great Wall of China
The Great Wall of China is somewhat of a misnomer, as it would more accurately be described as a collection of fortification systems.
The beginnings of the Wall lie in the fortifications built by the Han, Qi, Qin, Wei, Yan, Zhao and Zhongshan states during the Warring States Period and developed over the centuries to protect China from invaders and to protect the Silk Road trade route.
It’s believed that the length of the entire Wall measures over 21,000km and it is considered one of the greatest architectural feats in human history.
Did you know?
While the Wall is believed to be well over 2,000 years old, the bit we all think of as the Great Wall of China – the stone fortifications around Beijing – are only around 500 years old, having been built during the Ming dynasty.
Day 1
Morning
Overnight flight from the UK to Beijing
Afternoon
N/A
Evening
N/A
Day 2
Morning
Arrive in Beijing and transfer to your hotel
Afternoon
Visit the Temple of Heaven
Evening
Evening free
Day 3
Morning
Visit Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City
Afternoon
Visit the Summer Palace
Evening
Evening free
Day 4
Morning
Photo stop at the Beijing Olympic Stadium
Afternoon
Visit the Great Wall of China and Ming Tombs
Evening
Evening free
Day 5
Morning
Visit the Lama Temple and Beijing Hutongs (Old Streets)
Afternoon
Visit Beijing Zoo
Evening
Take the overnight train to Shanghai
Day 6
Morning
Arrive Shanghai
Visit the Yuyan Garden and Jade Buddha Temple
Afternoon
Visit the Bund
Evening
Evening free
Day 7
Morning
Visit the Oriental Pearl TV Tower, the Shanghai Museum and People's Square
Afternoon
Visit the Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Hall
Evening
Evening free
Day 8
Morning
Transfer to the airport
Afternoon
Flight back to the UK
Evening
N/A
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Airport transfers in resort
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Breakfast and lunch daily
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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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Return flights inclusive of tax
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Visits and entrances as shown in the sample itinerary
Educational activities and visits
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
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
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 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
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
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
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
The Bund
The Shanghai Bund has dozens of historical buildingslining the Huangpu River, that once housed numerous banks and trading houses from… 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
Accommodation
The Beijing Rainbow Hotel is a modern hotel with a traditional feel. All rooms are decorated in a traditional style with wooden furniture. Rooms benefit from air-conditioning, tea and coffee-making facilities and a satellite TV. The hotel also offers a number of restaurant/cafe options, plus shops and a spa.
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 — Tour Advisor
Don’t hesitate to contact me for any advice or further information on how your school trip can be tailored to your requirements.
The trip was well organised from the start to the end. Everything that was planned on the itinerary took place. The students had fun all through their stay in Florida.— Orchard Park High School
Your School Trip is Fully Protected
As a fully-accredited school travel company, booking with Halsbury Travel offers you complete peace of mind. Our accreditations are your guarantee that:
- Your school trip will be fully financially protected
- Your group’s safety will be prioritised
- Your trip will be a quality educational experience
Safety prioritised
As an Assured Member of the School Travel Forum (STF) we have an effective Safety Management System in place.
As well as reassuring you that your group's safety will be prioritised at all times, this will also help you to meet your due diligence and reduces the amount of External Provider paperwork required.
Financial protection
Our ABTA bond means all our school trips are financially protected. Plus, all air tours and flights arranged by us are also ATOL protected.
Quality educational experiences
The Learning Outside the Classroom (LOtC) Quality Badge is your reassurance that Halsbury Travel is committed to offering LOtC activities that are safe and beneficial to learning.