China is a land of contrasts, where ancient traditions meet modern skylines and serene landscapes. As one of the world’s oldest civilisations, China offers students an unparalleled school trip, that many may never experience.
We sat down with Ali Clark, Senior Tour Co-ordinator, and previous rep of our China tours, to hear why teachers should take their school groups to China. She shares her experience working with a school to plan a China school trip, explaining how they chose their destination, shaped their itinerary, and enjoyed everything this beautiful country has to offer
Destination Discovery
What sparks a school’s interest in visiting China?
“The school group were all learning Mandarin at school and wanted a chance to practise their language skills in a real-world setting. It’s not a destination that many students would have a chance to travel to on a family holiday, so the school trip to China was an ideal opportunity for them to take what they’d learnt in the classroom and use it to communicate with local teenagers on a school visit and also when haggling in the markets.“
Do schools have a clear idea of what they want from a school trip to China?
“Some schools come to us with a clear idea of where they want to go and what they want to do, especially if they’ve travelled to China before, but most come to us with a subject focus and some tentative dates and we build an itinerary pretty much from scratch in collaboration with the Party Leader. We have lots of sample itineraries on our website which are a good starting point to then build exactly the right itinerary for each group.”
How familiar are teachers with China as a destination before approaching Travelbound?
“We have found on multiple occasions that the school actually has a Chinese trip leader with them. This could be because they want to take their students to their region. However, most trip leaders have never visited China and might have been inspired by something they’ve seen online, on TV or on our website to look at it as a potential school trip destination.”
Early Planning & Itinerary Direction
When schools first enquire, do they already know which cities or regions they want to visit?
“Yes, when a school sees a tour they like on our Travelbound website they tend to want to replicate it. However, if after talking to a teacher, we think there is another city which we think would suit their educational aims and better suits their budget, we can provide a couple of different itineraries for them to compare to find the perfect fit.“
How do you help groups narrow down the best destinations for their subject group?
“We use our first-hand knowledge of China and feedback from previous school groups to suggest an itinerary which aligns with their subject area. Some cities like Shanghai and Shenzhen are perfect for business and economics students, while history and politics students love Beijing and Xi’an. Geography students might want to compare the ultra-modern cities with smaller cities like Suzhou or major feats of engineering like the Three Gorges Dam. One of the unique things about school trips to China is that there really is something for every subject focus. We also consider how long their trip is to make sure they’re getting out and experiencing China, not just seeing the inside of a bus or train.
We try to include as many subject-specific experiences as possible, while also not compromising on time spent experiencing all the amazing cultural experiences China has to offer, like climbing the Great Wall, taking a Kung Fu lesson with an expert in Chinese martial arts, and seeing Giant Pandas.“
Are there any common misconceptions or worries about school trips to China?
“The language barrier is often a worry for some Party Leaders. We include city guides for all our groups, and national guides for larger groups too, to ensure teachers don’t have to worry about translating, navigating a new culture or directing the bus driver (unless they want to practice their Mandarin!). Party Leaders also often have questions about the visa process, and we provide lots of support with this. Another misconception is that as a long-haul destination, China will be a very expensive place to travel to. However, we often find that groups are surprised at how good value these school trips are and how much is included.“
Culture, Safety & Practicalities
What is the main safety or logistical concerns teachers raise about China, and how do you reassure them?
“I’ve already touched on visas, but other concerns around travelling to China are using phones abroad, how to pay for things in China and local customs. Our Tour Co-ordinators are happy to have a video call with the Party Leader before departure to go through any questions they may have. It’s super easy to set up.“
How do you help groups navigate cultural differences or language barriers confidently?
“Groups have local English-speaking guides with them throughout the tour who handle the logistics on the ground and translate. If students are learning Mandarin, they are encouraged to use this and practice phrases when souvenir shopping, at the markets, and when ordering food.“
Are there aspects of travelling in China that schools are often pleasantly surprised by?
“How much you can fit into a relatively short trip using the great transport infrastructure (bullet trains and overnight sleeper trains), and the range of different subject areas that can be covered on a school trip here.”
On-the-Ground Experiences
From your experience of being in China or planning a China school trip, what elements of the itinerary consistently deliver “wow” moments for students?
- “Driving out of Beijing and seeing the Great Wall of China rise out of the surrounding mountains. Climbing the Great Wall itself and admiring the views.
- Visiting a local school and interacting with students the same age.
- Sampling regional specialities at local restaurants.
- Doing a Kung Fu lesson in the gardens of the beautiful Temple of Heaven with a master of martial arts.
- Seeing pandas in their natural habitat and learning about conservation in Chengdu.
- Practising language skills at the night markets in Xi’an or when haggling for souvenirs.“
Are there any unexpected highlights or hidden gems you were able to recommend?
“For me a massive highlight is spending time at a high school in Xi’an. The Chinese students greeted us on the steps of their school with huge smiles and so much genuine excitement, even though it was pouring with rain. They give a tour of the campus, all while grilling the British students on their favourite music and basketball players. They then put on a talent show exclusively for Travelbound groups, showcasing everything from calligraphy and traditional musical instruments to western pop music. Our groups are made to feel so welcome, and the students get so much out of interacting with others their age, helping with their English homework and seeing what a school day is like in China.“
Tailoring & Flexibility
How flexible can a China itinerary be when teachers have very specific curriculum goals?
“All our trips in China are fully bespoke, and we can tailor to any combination of curriculum goals. A lot of our trips take a range of year groups and subjects so whether it’s art, business studies, Mandarin, technology, geography, history, religion or you just want to see the sites and meet the pandas, we can tailor it to the teacher’s goals and specific group of students.“
What do you do when a school isn’t sure how to balance cultural, historical and fun activities?
“China is full of amazing sightseeing opportunities like the Great Wall, Forbidden City and Terracotta Army, so whatever the group’s educational aims, we always try to include a good number of cultural visits alongside subject-specific museums and activities. There is also so much to do in the evenings, so whether it’s eating street food at the night markets in Xi’an, seeing an acrobatic show, enjoying a Kung Fu show in Beijing or doing karaoke in Shanghai, there is so much to do in the group’s leisure time.”
Travel Logistics & Support
How do you support schools with visas, documentation, or pre-departure advice for China?
“If a school decides to apply for the popular Group Visas, our Tour Co-ordinators are very experienced with this and manage the entire process. They work closely with the Party Leader to ensure that everything is submitted in a timely manner and that the application is completed to the required standard. If a group decides to apply for individual visas, we can also provide all the necessary documentation to support this.“
What does the on-tour support look like once the group lands in China?
“All our groups are met in the arrivals hall by their dedicated local guide, who manages everything on the ground from meals and hotel rooming allocations to confirming meeting points and looking after your train tickets. They work closely with the Party Leader to make sure everything is running smoothly on the trip and really get to know the group to make sure they are getting the most out of their time in China. We also have a dedicated 24/7 emergency line so you can reach a member of Travelbound staff in the UK any time of day should you need to, despite the time difference.”
Why Schools Choose China
From your perspective, why do you think more schools are looking at China right now?
“Mandarin is being taught more in schools, so schools are looking for opportunities for immersion. China is always innovating in technology and has a completely different culture so it’s a great destination for something unique.”
What feedback have you received from teachers after running or planning these trips?
“We are seeing great feedback and groups are coming back from one trip and booking another one or two years in the future, so China school trips are becoming part of the school trip calendar again.”
If a teacher is “China-curious” but unsure, what do you wish they knew?
“That China offers so many unique visits and opportunities, how much support we provide with the visas and in resort, and that they and their students will come back with amazing memories.“
Want to learn how a school trip to China can work for your school? Or maybe you want to learn about our other destinations? Speak to Ali and the rest of our Travelbound team to get started here.
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