History school trips to China

Regarded as the most important of Beijing’s imperial temples, the Temple of Heaven was where the emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties worshipped the god of heaven. A must see in Beijing for your students, the temple and its picturesque surrounding area is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Immerse your students in the local culture with a rickshaw ride through Beijing’s hutongs – alleyways formed by courtyard residences. Representing an important cultural element of the history of Beijing, hutongs are also often located alongside landmarks, and pass through markets, businesses, temples and city gates. An experience we know they’ll love.

Located in the heart of Beijing, the Forbidden City earned its name because the walled area was only open to those who had the emperor’s permission – anyone else was banned from entry. Today, the complex is a designated UNESCO World Heritage site, and welcomes school groups to explore its 600 years of history.

Give your students the rare opportunity to visit one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World with this excursion to the Great Wall of China. Here, they can bask in the wonder of more than a millennia of history, set amid the stunning scenery of the Guangou Valley. As well as the views from the Yuan-era Cloud Platform, school groups will also find the amazing carvings of Buddhist figures and texts – written in six languages and scripts.

Enjoy an unforgettable night at the Peking Opera with this excursion, where students can watch flamboyantly-dressed performance artists incorporate singing, reciting, acting and martial arts into one story of history, politics or society in China. A key part of the country’s cultural heritage, this unique production is guaranteed to fascinate and entertain school groups.

Students can uncover a wealth of history in Tiananmen Square, which has been the site of several important events since it was built in the 17th century. Named after the eponymous Tiananmen (“Gate of Heavenly Peace”), the square contains the Monument to the People’s Heroes, the National Museum of China and the Mausoleum of Mao Zedong – a controversial figure who founded the People’s Republic of China.

Flanking the eastern side of Tiananmen Square, the National Museum of China is an easy add-on for school groups who want to learn about the country’s incredible history. With a mission to educate about the arts and history of China, the museum has a permanent collection of over a million items, spanning 1.7 million years of history to the present day.

A phenomenal example of modern architecture, Beijing’s National Stadium (also known as the Bird’s Nest) is an 80,000-capacity stadium originally designed and built for use in the 2008 Summer Olympics, but that was used again for the Games in 2022. Students will love visiting this site, as they step into the footsteps of some of the world’s largest athletes and entertainers who have performed there.

An excursion we’ve seen awaken several school groups’ wonder and imagination, the 2,200-year-old Terracotta Army is often referred to as the eighth wonder of the world, owing to the warriors’ mysterious excavation in 1974. Students can visit the 2,000 warriors that have been excavated at the Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor, and inspect each statue’s unique features.

Once the favoured retreat of emperors during the Tang dynasty, the Huaqing Hot Spring Park is a must-visit for school groups owing to its elaborately restored pavilions and ornamental ponds. Nearby excursions include the Taoist temple that sits atop the dramatic Black Horse Mountain, which we’ve found is popular with students.

Built in 1384 during the early Ming Dynasty, the Bell Tower of Xi’an is a sight to behold and the iconic symbol of the city. The traditional pagoda-like structure contains several large bronze-cast bells which are centuries older than the Bell Tower itself, demonstrating the historical and cultural value of the tower and offering students a glimpse into ancient China.

Dating back almost 1,400 years, the incredible Big Wild Goose Pagoda has seen many incarnations during its time, owing to both collapses and earthquakes since it was built. Today, the UNESCO-listed structure leans perceptibly to the west, standing at a height of 64 metres. We recommend taking your students to the top of the pagoda, where we know they’ll love the views across Xi’an.

Famous for being the largest fountain lights show in all of Asia, the Music Fountain Show at the Big Wild Goose Pagoda is an excellent stop to wind down after a long day of exploring the city. Watch comfortably from the area’s benches as the fountain dances elegantly, with the combination of music, colours and water forming a visual wonder to truly wow your students.

Students can uncover the different education styles and culture experienced by children in China with this local school visit. Here, your school group will be free to converse with Chinese students and teachers, who will share what school and after-school life is like, and how it compares to education in the Western world.

Once the highest structure in China, Shanghai’s Oriental Pearl TV Tower is a spectacle to behold and a must-see for visiting school groups in China. Located in Pudong Park, between the Yangpu and Nanpu bridges, it gives the illusion of twin dragons playing with pearls! Students can travel up and down the tower in double-decker lifts, with each sphere housing plenty of opportunities for recreation.

Students love our Huangpu River cruise, which gives school groups a unique perspective of Shanghai’s incredible architecture. Affectionately named ‘the Mother River of Shanghai’, the river snakes through 70 miles of cityscapes, passing key landmarks such as the Oriental Pearl TV Tower, Shanghai Tower, and the stunning Art Deco architecture of The Bund.

With so many excellent stalls and street food vendors dotted throughout Shanghai, you would be amiss not to enjoy the wares of the city’s varied market scene. Sample delicious traditional street food loved by the locals, or take part in some souvenir shopping – either way, your group will uncover a unique experience that will further their understanding of Chinese culture.

The perfect activity for an evening, an acrobatics show is guaranteed to leave your students gasping in awe. Shanghai’s acrobatics troupes are well-known for their impressive discipline and control, which in turn makes for a stunning show unlike anything you or your students will have seen before. An excellent option for introducing your group to the Chinese arts.

One of Shanghai’s most popular tourist sites, Yu Garden is a must-see for visiting school groups. You’ll find the 500-year-old Chinese garden in the Old City, where rambling pathways, traditional pavilions and ancient flora fill two hectares of space and offer a glimpse into the city’s history.

Known as the ‘golden mile’ of Shanghai, The Bund is a bustling waterfront of colonial bank buildings, consulates and hotels, and is a much-loved hangout for Shanghai’s locals. Here, school groups can compare the contrast of the historic Bund area with Shanghai’s modern skyline, while taking in the incredible range of Chinese cultural activities that fill the area.

Learn about Shanghai’s fascinating history at this museum (also named the Shanghai Revolution History Museum), which covers the changes in Shanghai civilisation over more than 6,000 years. From ancient China to the opening of the port, to the Communist takeover in 1949, your group will gain a broader understanding of this megalopolis via the museum’s stunning collections.