Overview
Our program brings you the best of both worlds: the consistency you rely on and the flexibility your group needs.
Immerse your students in the rich culture, language, and history of China on this tour from Beijing to Shanghai. Your students will learn about the various historic influences on Chinese society as they visit important landmarks like Tiananmen Square, the Great Wall, and the Ming Tombs. Your class will also explore bustling Shanghai, including stops at the Yu Yuan Garden and a working silk factory, enjoy an authentic Peking duck dinner, and take in an acrobatic show.
Itinerary
Day 1
Overnight flight to China (Beijing)
Day 2
Arrive in Beijing
Meet your Tour Director
Your 24-hour Tour Director will meet you at the airport and remain with your group until your final airport departure.
Day 3
Beijing guided sightseeing tour
Explore Beijing with a local guide, beginning in Tiananmen Square, the vast public plaza and political heart of modern China, large enough to hold 300,000 people. Step into the Forbidden City, the 9,000-room palace complex once home to emperors, eunuchs, and concubines. Admire its red walls, vermilion roofs, and the famous Nine Dragon Screen. Then visit the Temple of Heaven, where Ming and Qing rulers performed rituals to secure good harvests and imperial prosperity.
Local teahouse visit
Peking duck dinner
Enjoy a feast of Peking duck, the signature dish of northern China. During this special meal, learn about its traditional preparation and the savory side dishes that make this regional specialty so famous.
Day 4
Great Wall of China visit
The Great Wall of China, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1987, stretches about 13,170 miles across deserts, mountains, and grasslands. Built more than 2,700 years ago, parts have crumbled, yet it remains one of the world’s most iconic landmarks for its scale, engineering, and historic significance.
Ming Tombs visit
An emperor with a palace as elaborate as the Forbidden City required an equally grand resting place, and the Ming Tombs fit the bill. Commissioned by Emperor Yongle, they form a vast complex of pavilions, gardens, and tombs meant to provide for rulers in the afterlife. Walk the Avenue of Stone Animals, where carved creatures, officials, and soldiers from the 1400s stand guard to escort their leaders to heaven.
Acrobatic show
Beijing's Acrobatic Troupe offers an unparalleled educational experience, showcasing over 50 years of tradition in acrobatics, juggling, and magic. This immersive performance not only entertains but also serves as a vivid case study for students studying physical arts, cultural history, and performance dynamics. Educators can draw connections to curriculum standards in the arts, physical education, and even mathematics through the precision of each act. Witnessing this extraordinary ensemble inspires creativity and a passion for the performing arts.
Day 5
Travel to Suzhou via bullet train
Day 6
Lingering Garden
The garden is a masterpiece of classical Chinese landscaping, with winding corridors, delicate pavilions, and artfully arranged rocks forming a serene retreat shaped by centuries of tradition.
Tiger Hill visit
This site blends nature and legend, featuring a leaning pagoda, ancient tombs, and lush scenery that capture Suzhou’s rich cultural heritage.
Travel to Hangzhou
Day 7
West Lake cruise
West Lake’s scenic beauty and historic architecture have inspired poets and artists for centuries. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, its gardens and waters are the setting of countless legends. Learn these stories on a cruise across the lake, but take care at the many wharfs not to disembark too soon.
Travel to Shanghai via Xitang
Xitang gondola ride
Day 8
Shanghai guided sightseeing tour
Shanghai blends European elegance with Asian flair, transforming its colonial past into a modern metropolis. With your local guide, stroll the Bund for views of the city’s skyline and visit Yu Yuan Garden, a 16th-century retreat with fountains, bridges, and tile dragons. Find peace at the Jade Buddha Temple, home to statues carved from single pieces of jade. Then see artisans at work in a silk factory and wander Tian Zi Fang, a lively district of boutiques, cafés, and studios.
Huangpu River cruise
Day 9
Return home
Optional Extension
Add 2 Days in Hong Kong
Take a Star Ferry ride across Victoria Harbour for sweeping views of the skyline and islands. Explore Kowloon’s lively mix of shops and restaurants, then ascend Victoria Peak for a panoramic look at the city. Visit the Tai Po Man Mo Temple, a Taoist sanctuary filled with incense coils, and unwind at Repulse Bay. Conclude your visit with a stop at Stanley Market, known for clothing, souvenirs, and local finds before heading home.
TourFlex: Your Experience, Your Way
Explore Your Way
- Add experiences like theater tickets or unique excursions
- Swap activities for ones that better serve your group
- Extend the learning through go-aheads or stay-behinds
Go Your Way
- Choose the most accessible departure airport for your group
- Opt for 2-, 3-, or 4-star hotels that are centrally located or a convenient ride to major itinerary attractions
Dine Your Way
- Opt for pre-selected meals or encourage exploration by dining on your own
- Enjoy 2-3 course, culturally representative meals or opt for 3-course, authentic dinners at local restaurants
Already Included
WorldStrides Tour Director: A dynamic destination expert who makes learning come to life by leading your group's activities and discussions
Transportation to & from your destination
Hotel accommodations
Meals (unless otherwise noted on your itinerary)
Admissions to top attractions (details in itinerary)
Guided sightseeing tours & city walks (details in itinerary)
Tips for local guides and drivers
WorldAssist staff members available 24/7/365 should your group need extra help
Free high school credit for students who choose to complete WorldStrides free online coursework post-program
Professional development credits (CEUs) for educators
Scenes from China
Health & Safety
Additional health and safety measures may be available within your respective destination. Refer to your program-specific materials for complete details.
Financial Assistance
Financial Assistance
WorldStrides provides over $2.5 million in financial assistance each year to thousands of families. Families with annual adjusted gross incomes of less than $85,000 may qualify. One simple call to Customer Service and you’ll know how much may be available for your trip even before signing up. Please note: financial assistance is given on a first-come, first-served basis.
Payment Plans
Advantage Payment Plan
At program sign-up you can opt to pay in full, or break up the cost of your trip with the Advantage Payment Plan. This plan allows you to pay a small initial deposit, then have your remaining payments spread out into affordable monthly amounts.
EZPay
We offer an EZPay option, which is a simple way to pay for your WorldStrides program by scheduling hassle-free, automatic drafts from your checking account. With EZPay, you'll never be late or miss an installment.
Fundraising Tools
Our easy-to-use tools put students in the driver's seat of their own fundraising efforts. Students can send e-cards, share links on social media, and even send out printed letters through WorldStrides' Gift of Education program. In one click friends and family members can make a direct donation to the trip - with 100% of the money raised going to offset their trip price. Thousands of students pay for their entire trip each year through the Gift of Education.
Also, WorldStrides makes program-specific scholarships available as well as other scholarship resources. Ask your Account Manager for more information about scholarships and fundraising tools.