13-Day Educational Family Tour to Beijing, Xi'an, Chengdu and Shanghai

13-Day Educational Family Tour to Beijing, Xi'an, Chengdu and Shanghai

By Ruby Zhao | Updated Mar. 29, 2024

Chinese Immersion Tour: Language and Culture

This itinerary is specially designed for children who are in a Mandarin Immersion Program at school. On this journey, travelers have the opportunity to practice the Chinese language and be immersed in the long history & culture of China. This educational tour will provide your family with a great authentic experience.

Days

13

Price

from US$3,400 p/p

Best For

Family

Best Time

Apr. to Oct.

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Tour Highlights

Explore the Chinese culture and history.
Explore the Chinese culture and history.
Take a chairlift up to the Great Wall and slide back down.
Take a chairlift up to the Great Wall and slide back down.
Create a mini warrior in a cave and be like the Han people.
Create a mini warrior in a cave and be like the Han people.
Meet the lovely pandas.
Meet the lovely pandas.
Set yourself free in Disneyland.
Set yourself free in Disneyland.

Itinerary Details

Below is the detailed tour itinerary, which is designed to provide inspiration for your immersion tour. We will follow your requests and assist you to customize your family journey to China.

Day 1
Beijing Arrival

Welcome to Beijing! Upon arrival, your private guide will be waiting for your family in the waiting area, holding a sign with your name on it. Your driver will help you with your luggage and escort you to your hotel to check in. Spend the rest of the day recovering from jet lag or wander around your hotel. The itinerary for the next day will be confirmed in advance — if your family has any requirements, please let us know.

Day 2
Beijing: Roots of Chinese Culture

Walk into the gate of history to discover some Chinese characteristics. Start with the great founder of Confucianism, Confucius, who has heavily influenced education and culture in China since ancient times.

Slip into the Imperial College and creatively gain knowledge. Get close to hear the ceremonial music and find out how China has incorporated education into songs and dances. In a specialty restaurant, your children can order their own dishes using the local language at lunchtime, which will be good to try. After lunch, you will go to the Lama Temple and learn the art of words.

Day 3
Beijing: The Great Wall

Meals provided: breakfast and lunch

There is a saying in China that no visit to Beijing is complete if you miss seeing the Great Wall. You needn't worry about this because you will travel to this incredible man-made creation. We have chosen the Mutianyu section because of its fabulous views and ancient watchtowers. Take your time while you are hiking on the wall and feel the long lost history beneath your feet — the wall will tell its old tales to you silently.

In addition to descending by cable car or walking down the wall, you can also try the exciting toboggan. You will wear a safety helmet and be able to control your speed. Lunch will be arranged at a nearby restaurant so you can have a nice meal and a rest.

Tip for Visiting

The majority of our previous guests agree that staying on the wall for 2 hours is more than adequate. You are also free to spend more time there if you wish. We recommend you notify your guide one day prior to your Great Wall visit so that he/she can make arrangements accordingly.

Day 4
Beijing: Eco Tour of the City Highlights

breakfast and lunch

This tour will focus on one of the famous scenic spots in the city. Your guide will arrange a bike, subway, bus, or walking tour when he/she knows your preference, what the weather will be like, and how far it is between the attractions. Your children can learn words from the road signs and try to ask someone on the street for directions. It's a good method for speaking and exploring the culture and customs. Tian'anmen Square and the Forbidden City are full of history. Some Beijing crispy duck will be served at noon. Later, you will go deep into the hutongs and learn Chinese calligraphy with local residents. If a private car is more comfortable for you, please inform your guide.

Hotel options:
Grand Noble Hotel (4-star)
Wyndham Grand Xi'an South (5-star)

Day 5
Beijing to Xi'an, a Tai Chi Experience

The Temple of Heaven is a famous landmark in Beijing. In ancient China, emperors prayed to god there for good harvests in the coming year. Now, it has been turned into a lively park for people taking exercises and dancing in the mornings. Join them and become real Beijingers. Not only can you practice your daily conversations but it is also great fun. You will learn some skills from an experienced man and listen to him talking about the secrets of tai chi. In the afternoon, hop on a bullet train to Xi'an to experience China's high-speed transportation.

Day 6
Xi'an: The Terracotta Army

Why did the Terracotta Army become a world wonder? How could the ancient people have the wisdom and power to create a huge underground army thousands of years ago? Someone will give you the answers to all of these questions when you are standing in front of the huge army that has been buried for a thousand years. Then, you will go to a cave and make a miniature clay figurine of your favorite character and start a food adventure in the Muslim Quarter when you go back to the downtown area.

Day 7
Xi'an: National Costume Experience

Shaanxi History Museum is an all-inclusive place containing artifacts from various dynasties. Your guide will explain the changes in history and civilization. Make jiaozi and share lunch together — this is a good way to learn, by talking with locals. Later on, wear clothes that were worn during the Han Dynasty and feel as though you have traveled back in time. Learn about the etiquette and history during that period.

Day 8
Xi'an to Chengdu

Catch a high-speed train to the hometown of pandas — Chengdu. After checking in, start a food exploration journey. See the clock in front of the panda statue and enter the world's only panda-themed post office to send a postcard to your family or friends.

Day 9
Chengdu: Giant Pandas

Your first stop is Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding. Pandas are lively in the early morning but prefer to sleep during hot afternoons. You will be happy to see pandas of all ages playing, fighting, and climbing the trees in the yard. If your visit is during July or September, when it is the breeding season, you will see newborn pandas. They are very cute when they drink milk. You will go back to the city at noon to taste a hot pot. Later, you will visit a downtown market, which is a nice place for you to research the local way of life and your children can try to buy snacks from local farmers using the Chinese language.

Day 10
Chengdu to Shanghai and the Giant Buddha

The Leshan Giant Buddha is the largest sitting Buddha in the world and is located 2 hours away from the city. The view through the car window is stunning. When standing in front of the Buddha's toes and looking up, you will marvel at the enormity of the project. How did they do this in ancient times? If you have good endurance, climb from the Buddha's toes up to its head. During these 2 hours, you will see the Buddha from different directions. Taking a boat trip is the perfect way to relax while you visit the statue. Afterward, your guide and driver will take you to catch your flight to Shanghai.

Day 11
Shanghai: New China

The Bund is your first stop in the magical capital of Shanghai. Look at the old buildings at the side of the river — they contain hundreds of years of history. Your local guide will tell you the stories behind each building as you pass them. Go into the local alleys, see the ancient buildings and local cultural customs, and taste the local snacks. After seeing the old part of the city, hop on a ferry and go to the new district, which has a fresh and thriving scene. Stand at the top of Shanghai Tower, overlooking the city and the Huangpu River. Shanghai's development and its importance in Chinese history will astound you.

Day 12
Shanghai Disneyland

Shanghai Disneyland will be a big surprise for your children and the perfect ending for your China trip. Your driver will take you to the entertainment gate. The rest of the day will be filled with many happy hours. Have fun as a family!

Day 13
Shanghai Departure

Pack your immersion tour souvenirs with your luggage. Your guide and driver will take you to the airport for your flight back home. We look forward to our next meeting!

Price Includes

Price from: $3,400 (Tour code: gh-immersion-1)

One-to-one consultancy
One-to-one consultancy
Knowledgeable local guides
Knowledgeable local guides
Private drivers/driver guides and vehicles as listed
Private drivers/driver guides and vehicles as listed
Hand-picked hotels
Hand-picked hotels
Breakfasts and meals as listed
Breakfasts and meals as listed
Entry to all attractions on the itinerary
Entry to all attractions on the itinerary
Transportation as listed
Transportation as listed
A 24/7 helpline while traveling
A 24/7 helpline while traveling

Trip Notes

Every element of the tour above can be tailored. Feel free to tell us your ideas and we will be happy to make adjustments for you.

1. Extend the Tour

  • Guilin and Yangshuo: add 2-3 days — idyllic countryside and fun along the river
  • Huangshan: add 3 days — mountain views and rural local life
  • Hong Kong: add 2–3 days — mixture of Eastern and Western culture, Hong Kong Disneyland
  • More destinations: Zhangjiajie, Yunnan and Tibet. Inform us of your interests and we will offer you our recommendations.

2. Accommodation

Hotels with a convenient location are included. In most cities, we recommend hotels with a swimming pool.

Various types of accommodation are available, including famous 5-star hotel chains, 4-star hotels in the best locations, good-value 3-star hotels, or boutique hotels that reflect the styles of their regions.

Whatever your accommodation preferences, our travel experts will seek out and find the perfect hotels for you.

3. Transportation

China is a huge country, so to make your travel experience smoother, we usually arrange flights between destinations.

China's high-speed rail network, however, is a fast-paced way to travel. To interested customers, we recommend taking high-speed trains for journeys of less than 6 hours — let's know if you are interested.

4. Meals

Buffet breakfasts at hotels and lunches at popular local restaurants are included, so you can taste authentic Chinese food. Children will be able read Chinese menus and order dishes in Chinese. Your guide will be there in case you need help.

Vegetarian, halal, kosher, Indian, or gluten-free — all your dietary requirements can be taken care of by our experienced private guides. When booking, please let us know if you have any special dietary requirements.

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