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.
Discover real reviews of Highlights Travel Family's best-rated service across trusted platforms.
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Great experience in Guilin
Our guide lele is a wealth of information, Lele is very professional and very attentive to our needs. Lele is amazing. Lele got everything spot on. It probably helps that Guilin is a brilliant place to visit so Lele has great material to work with but that doesn't take anything away from how much Lele helped make it a great trip. More
Nags t, Mar 2024
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Thanks Leah and Guide Terry!
Our guide for Beijing was super knowledgeable and experienced and able to help us to achieve as much as we wanted within the time given. We had a fun time guided by him as he is also super humorous and you can see how he interacts with the vendors and people whom he comes by. Thank you for a very enjoyable time in Beijing and accommodating to all our needs! More
Puay Sze L, Mar 2024
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Captivating Pandas! Thank you Michael and Carol!
Our China Highlight guide. Michael, was attentive, thoughtful and knowledgeable. He narrated many interesting historical events about Chengdu while touring around the city and having afternoon tea with us. He was thoughtful to provide us with snacks during long hikes at Leshan or walks around the city. More
, Mar 2024
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Beijing in spring
She was very flexible and added extra time when we needed it and we felt extremely well taken care of. She also chose the best restaurants for us, More
shehla k, Mar 2024
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Greatest Great Wall Camping and Trek
Tom is the guide that will take you to where no other guide will. We pushed for the experience and Tom and the team delivered more than what we could have ever asked for. His English speaking ability and his Chinese history knowledge is second to none. More
Chivadahlii, Mar 2024
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Greatest Great Wall Tour and Trek
Tom is the guide that will take you to where no other guide will. We pushed for the experience and Tom and the team delivered more than what we could have ever asked for. His English speaking ability and his Chinese history knowledge is second to none. More
DaveH, Mar 2024
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https://pAmazing Experience with amazing guide
Our day trip to Hangzhou was phenomenal. Derek, our guide, was impeccable. By far the best guide we have had so far. He is extremely knowledgeable about the country’s history and geography and was always excited to share his insights. More
Felipe L, Mar 2024
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A knowledgeable guide make all the differences.......
He picked up our pre-booked boat/other excursions tickets so we were able to avoid all the long lines and chaos. He is knowledgeable of the places we visited, courteous, fun to travel with and well-versed in Chinese classics. More
weindork, Mar 2024
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Chengdu Pandas
Our tour guide Helen, was excellent, she was very kind, professional and passionate for her work and she also loves Pandas! She will take you to take the best panda photos and to know more about Chengdu city. Our tour was great, she took us to all our destinations always with the best spots: Temples, pagodas, famous streets, theaters, pandas...you name it! Everything was great. More
Megan, Mar 2024
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That was a great experience in Dali…
That was a great experience in Dali with Ms.Nancy. She is so thoughtful and professional. She took us to many beautiful places and told us abt many stories there (history, culture...). More
Nguyen Nga, Mar 2024
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2 day guided tour in Hangzhou with Fiona
Fiona is a wonderful guide with an extensive knowledge of the area and Chinese History. Fiona was able to pass on a lot of interesting information and history to us and made the trip so enjoyable. More
annenguyen2016, Mar 2024
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The beauty of Xi'an
Sherry was our tour guide, she is the best! She knows a lot of information about the city, history, and my favorite the Tang Dinasty! She take care a lot of us, and she supports us always during the tour with doubts and also to communicate with local people, she understood our necessities, excellent service, support, interesting and cool information. I love Xi'an city, is a must during you trip, if you are planning to visit please contact China Highlights, with Sherry as your tour guide, highly recommended ? More
Megan J, Mar 2024
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Nice tour and Best guide Lele
lele was our guide throughout and he is outstanding. Lele is a wealth of information in geology, history, local life, and knew exactly where the best pictures could be taken. Lele was happy to take my iPhone to take pictures for us! I am very grateful for that especially since he has a keen eye for photography. Lele did not sound like recording of facts like many guides are but he was personable and fun. More
Ameri M, Mar 2024
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China highlights & Lele Guilin
Our guide Lele was fun and spoke very good English. He would give us pointers all the time in regards to shopping, food etc.We had so much fun on our river cruise. Lele made sure he pointed out all the interesting highlights along the way. I would highly recommend China highlights to help with the planning details. More
Jade K, Mar 2024
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Xian. Historia y modernidad
Xian es encantadora, el hotel Eastern house boutique muy buena elección por parte de la agencia, los desayunos muy completos para complacer todo tipo de gusto, lo recomiendo 100%, el itinerario fue muy acertado fueron 2 días en la ciudad xian, compartimos con la guía Susana, la atención, la amabilidad y sobre todo su profesionalismo fue lo que marcó la diferencia, sus detalles, estaba siempre en el lugar y momento correcto para hacer de xian un lugar inolvidable. More
pilar d, Mar 2024
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Excelente paseo por Xi'an
Mas aún con nuestro guía Antonio, el cuál nos maravilló con sus explicaciones y anécdotas. Simpatico, agradable y servicial; siempre atento a nuestros requerimientos, y buen dominio del espa?ol. More
sergio p sergiopV7232ZX, Mar 2024
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Hangzhou is beautiful
Derek made this trip especially memorable with his passionate story telling and snippets of history on the traditional Chinese culture. More
James Ong, Mar 2024
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Wonderful guided tour around in Beijing
Wonderful guided tour around in Beijing by Helen. It was really good having a guide who was great at telling about all the history. More
Sebastian Bo Rasmussen, Mar 2024
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Experience Guilin
Frank our guide was fantastic - both taking us to really nice spots, but also very informative. We spent 4 days exploring Guilin. More
James F, Mar 2024
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Thank you China Highlights and Chase
From our train tickets to every little detail, Chase our tour guide took excellent care of us. He was also flexible to accommodate our special requests and for that we are grateful. More
Jen, Mar 2024
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Tour Highlights
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.
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.
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.
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.
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)
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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)
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.
Your 1:1 travel consultant will reply within 1 working day.
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