STEM School Trips to Chengdu, China

Return flights from the UK

All in-country travel

Travel Insurance

Full-board accommodation

Dinner at local restaurants

Entrance fees for featured excursions

English-speaking city guide throughout the tour

Driver / guide tips

Travel insurance

24/7 on-trip emergency support

1 teacher place for every 10 students

Home » Trips » STEM School Trips to Chengdu, China

Aerial view of leshan Giant Buddha, China

Students looking at a panda shelter in Chengdu, China

A panda climbing onto logs in Chengdu, China

Group of students looking at a person dressed in traditional Chinese clothes during dinner in China

Traditional Chinese architecture in Chengdu, China

A group of cute baby pandas playing in the grass in Chengdu, China

From cell diagram to panda sanctuary

Based in the vibrant city of Chengdu and the spectacular Giant Panda National Park, students explore one of the world’s most important wildlife habitats, taking part in real conservation-themed activities, ecological research and outdoor adventure while learning about giant panda protection, biodiversity and sustainability.

Combined with visits to historic landmarks, a local school and some of Sichuan’s most iconic attractions, this tour offers a unique blend of biology, conservation, culture and discovery.

Interested in a different city or subject? Our tours are fully customisable. Browse our school trips to China and contact us to tailor your tour to suit your group’s needs.

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Trip Highlights

The giant pandas

Spend 4 days living among the giant pandas, an immersive experience that balances active hands-on conservation work with peaceful observation.

Young students examining a bamboo shelter for pandas in Chengdu

Conservation activities

Take part in activities such as patrols and restoring habitats with a certified ranger.

Giant Buddha at Leshan

Admire this spectacular 71-meter-tall stone statue carved out of a cliff face in Sichuan Province.

Dujiangyan irrigation dam in Chengdu, China

Dujiangyan ancient irrigation system

Discover the world’s oldest surviving, damless water management project.

Itinerary suggestion

1 Depart UK on overnight flight to Chengdu, China

1 Arrive in Chengdu and meet your local guide

2 Coach transfer to the Giant Panda National Park near Ya’an

3 Biodiversity orientation and begin to explore the Pandas’ habitat

4 Evening meal

1 Breakfast

2 Ranger-style patrol, field observation and data recording

3 Panda scat science and bamboo habitat restoration

4 Evening meal

5 Take a nocturnal forest walk

1 Breakfast

2 Design enrichment activities for pandas using food and safe materials

3 Plan and assemble a simple forest shelter

4 Group presentation showcase

5 Evening meal

1 Breakfast

2 Coach transfer back to Chengdu

3 Guided walk around central Chengdu

4 Wuhou Temple, Jinli Old Street and People’s Park

5 Evening meal

1 Breakfast

2 Dujiangyan Ancient Irrigation System

3 Visit to a local school for cultural exchange

4 Evening meal

1 Breakfast

2 Leshan Giant Buddha

3 Wide and Narrow Alley

4 Evening meal

5 Sichuan Opera Show

1 Breakfast

2 Coach transfer to the airport

3 Flight from Chengdu to the UK

Recommended excursions

Giant panda eating bamboo at the Dujiangyan Panda Base

Giant Panda National Park

Venture into the heart of one of China’s most important conservation areas. Home to ancient forests, remarkable biodiversity and wild giant pandas, Giant Panda National Park offers an inspiring setting for studying ecosystems, wildlife conservation and the challenges of protecting endangered species.

View on map

Panda Enrichment Activities

Create enrichment activities designed to encourage natural behaviours and keep pandas mentally stimulated. Using food and safe natural materials, students will explore the science of animal welfare while helping to enhance the daily lives of one of the world’s most beloved animals.

Bamboo Habitat Restoration

Discover how scientists track and study giant pandas through hands-on conservation activities. Examine evidence left behind in the forest, learn how researchers monitor panda populations, and contribute to bamboo habitat restoration projects that support the species’ survival.

Students wearing green t-shirts observing pandas in Chengdu

National Park Ranger Patrol

Step into the role of a field researcher as you patrol forest trails, observe wildlife habitats and record environmental data. Guided by conservation experts, your students will explore the techniques used to monitor species and protect the delicate balance of this unique ecosystem.

Nocturnal Forest Walk

Experience the forest after dark on a guided evening walk through the national park and gain a new perspective on the park’s rich biodiversity.

1 hour

Visit a local school

Swap sightseeing for the school day and meet local students in a genuine cultural exchange. Share experiences, practise language skills and explore the similarities and differences between school life in China and the UK.

3 hours

Sichuan Opera Show

A spectacular show of colour, music and theatrical flair, the Sichuan Opera is one of China’s most celebrated cultural traditions. Expect a performance blending dramatic storytelling, intricate costumes and stagecraft in an unforgettable showcase of regional culture.

1 hour

Chengdu

Visit the Wide and Narrow Alleys in the Ming and Qing architectural styles which together with Jinli Street form part of the historic and cultural area of Chengdu. Nearby Wuhou Temple was built to commemorate Zhuge Liang, the Marquis Wu of the Kingdom of Shu during the Three Kingdoms Period (220 – 280). The People’s Park was built in 1911 complete with artificial lake and a teahouse. A monument commemorates the martyrs of the Railway Protection Movement which overthrew the Qing Dynasty.

2 hours View on map

Leshan Giant Buddha

This 71 metre tall stone statue is carved out of red sandstone in the cliff face at the confluence of the Min, Qingyi and Dadu Rivers. The statue was built for the local population during the Tang Dynasty between 713 and 803 to calm the river spirits in the turbulent waters. This is the largest stone Buddha in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

6.5 to 7 hours View on map

Dujiangyan Ancient Irrigation System

Built during the Qin Dynasty (221 – 207 BC) this great engineering project controls the river water to prevent flooding, irrigate the land and provide a water supply for over 50 cities in the region – all without the use of dams.

1.5 to 2 hours View on map

Du Fu Cottage

The reconstructed Cottage, set in a large park, was the former home of the Tang Dynasty poet Du Fu, sometimes referred to as China’s Shakespeare. During the four years Du Fu lived in the Cottage from AD759 he wrote over 240 poems. The history of the Tang Dynasty can be discovered through his poetry. Other buildings in the park include a museum of historic poetry, a memorial temple in ancient Chinese architectural style and a pagoda.

1 hour View on map

Learning outcomes

A group of people observing a red panda in China

KS3 Curriculum Links

Ecosystems and interdependence
Scientific investigation and fieldwork
Sustainability and conservation
Cultural understanding and global awareness
Careers, aspirations and employability
Personal development and independence

GCSE Curriculum Links

Ecosystems
Working scientifically
Biodiversity and human impact
Conservation and Sustainability
Cultural capital and international dwareness
Communication, leadership and teamwork

Typical accommodation

Housekeeper making the bed in a hotel room

China Accommodation ★★★

Why groups like it:

We use 3-star accommodation as standard in China (4-star hotels available on request)
Located close to the attractions and points of interest in your itinerary
High standards of service

Facilities:

All rooms are en-suite
Twin rooms for students and staff (single rooms available on request)
Western and Chinese breakfast options

Multi-bedded cabin at Panda National Park Forest accommodation in Chengdu

Panda National Park Forest Cabins

Why groups like it:

Located inside Panda National Park
Close to all the panda research activities

Facilities:

Twin-share rooms available for staff
All meals are served in the on-site Panda-themed restaurant

“

Travelbound delivered a once-in-a-lifetime trip for our students. I was particularly impressed that they managed a last-minute change to our flights so that we could still travel despite the international situation in the Gulf. We will use them again.

Sydenham and Dulwich Girls

“

We have worked with Travelbound for our China trip for the past two years and have had a very positive experience on both occasions. The service has been reliable, efficient and good value for money. We have always felt well supported throughout the planning process, and the trips have run smoothly as a result. Highly recommended!

Jeanne Manuel School

“

Thank you so much to all at Travelbound for making the trip such a very great success. The itinerary was incredible and the organisation the best that I have ever known on a school trip.

Warwick School

“

We recently had the pleasure of working with Travelbound to organise our school trip to China, and the experience was nothing short of exceptional. Every aspect of the journey was thoughtfully curated, from safe, comfortable accommodations to immersive cultural experiences and knowledgeable guides, creating an unforgettable experience for our students.

Norwich School

Ready to start planning your school trip?

If you have any questions or would like to start planning your trip, contact our educational specialists on 01273 244572 or request a quote below, tailored to your group and learning objectives.

Request a quote