Chinese Highlights

Explore the Summer Palace, a vast Qing-era retreat of pavilions, bridges, and gardens along Kunming Lake. Covering more than 700 acres, the park stretches from the lake in the south to Longevity Hill in the north, offering a perfect blend of natural beauty and imperial design.

Tonight, enjoy the Peking Opera! Watch the actors apply the face paint you studied earlier.

Visit the Temple of Heaven, an enormous park and altar directly to the south of the Forbidden City. Each winter solstice, the Ming and Qing emperors would lead a procession here to perform rites and make sacrifices designed to promote the next year’s crops and curry favor with Heaven for the general health of the empire.

Discover the history of the Chinese martial art, Tai Chi. Learn the moves from an experienced instructor, then practice what you've been taught.

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.

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.

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.

Create an authentic Chinese dish as professional chefs guide you through a traditional recipe. Savor your delicious creation.

Learn about the daily lives of Beijing citizens and have lunch with a local family.

A hutong is a traditional Beijing neighborhood made up of narrow lanes running between courtyard homes. Thousands still exist today, many dating back to the Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties, offering a glimpse into centuries of local life and culture.

It is the largest Buddhist temple of the Yellow-sect in Beijing and has been completely preserved. Built in 1694 as the residence of Count Yin Zhen, the fourth son of the Emperor Kangxi, it was called "the Palace of Count Yong." After Yin Zhen became the Emperor, he continued to use it as an imperial palace for short stays away from the capital. In 1744, it was converted into a lamasery. Yonghegong is the most renowned Tibetan Buddhist temple in China outside Tibet and holds treasures of both the Han and Tibetan cultures.

Uncover the legacy of the Qin Dynasty at the Terracotta Army. First discovered in 1974, this vast army of more than 6,000 life-size warriors was buried with China’s first emperor in 210–209 BCE to protect him in the afterlife. It remains one of the most extraordinary archaeological discoveries ever made.

Visit the Bell Tower, originally constructed in the 17th year of Emperor Hong Wu’s reign during the Ming Dynasty, and moved to its current location in the 10th year of Wanli. The architecture is grand and the art is superb. The highlight of the visit will be an Ascent of the Tower, which offers a magnificent panoramic view over the city.

Visit the Wild Goose Pagoda, built after the translation of Buddhist scriptures. Standing about 210 feet tall, this square pagoda features a spiral staircase, intricate Bodhisattva carvings on each side, and stone tablets engraved with the "Preface of Holy Teachings."

The Muslim Quarter of Xi'an is located in the city center and covers several blocks of scenic streets. More than 20,000 Muslims inhabit the area which is dotted with ten mosques, including the Great Mosque.

A visit to a local school introduces you to Chinese students. Learn the similarities and differences found in their classroom and the classroom you are accustomed to at home. (Please note that school visits will not be possible on certain dates due to schools not being in session. WorldStrides will update you as early as possible.)

Shanghai French Concession, The Bund, People's Square

A lesson in traditional Chinese calligraphy, Hanzi, teaches you the history behind this widely respected art form. Afterward try your best to recreate the strokes using an ink brush. Do you have what it takes to master the art?

With over five decades of excellence, Shanghai's Acrobatic Troupe presents a captivating blend of acrobatics, juggling, and magic. This immersive experience not only entertains but also enhances understanding of physical artistry and cultural expression, aligning with curriculum standards in performing arts and physical education. Educators can inspire students to explore the physics of movement and the artistry of performance, making connections that extend beyond the stage.