Beijing History School Trips & Tours - History of China
On an NST school trip to China, there is an opportunity to gain an insight into a culture and society radically different from our own through a range of unforgettable educational visits.
Take your pupils on an exciting educational journey to see spectacular scenery and experience charming and inquisitive hospitality. With distinctive architecture, the Great Wall or Buddhist temples nestled in the hills, and an array of cultural and educational visits, a history school trip to China is one that your pupils will remember for many years to come.
Prices start from £1595pp
Price includes
- 6 day Beijing package including 4 nights’ full board accommodation
- Return flights and overseas airport transfers
- Visits to: Temple of Heaven, the Great Wall of China and Ming Tombs, Tiananmen Square , Mao’s Memorial Hall, Forbidden City, Lecture covering History of China topic, Liumingying agricultural village and Silk Alley
- Educational lectures on: The Impact of Chairman Mao 1946-1976, Mao's Consolidation of Power 1949-1953, Chinese Civil War and Cultural Revolution or Chinese Communist Party and Reform in the Countryside an City
- Coach transportation throughout your tour
- Services of a Local Guide at visits
- All tipping
- Services of a Tour Escort
- Extensive group travel insurance
- 1 in 10 free place ratio
Price shown is based on 40 paying passengers departing from selected departure points and is subject to availability.
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6 day Beijing package includes
Beijing Day One
Afternoon: Overnight flight to Beijing
Beijing Day Two
Early afternoon: Arrival in Beijing & escorted transfer to accommodation, En route visit to the Temple of Heaven
Evening: Evening meal, free time to settle in
Temple of Heaven
Considered to be the most beautiful building in the City, The Temple of Heaven is conceived as the meeting point between heaven and earth and symbols of the two are integral to the temple’s layout. Its park is also a popular area in which to sit, drink tea and play.
Beijing Day Three
Morning: Visit to Tiananmen Square, Mao's Memorial Hall & the Forbidden City
Afternoon: Lecture of choice
Evening: Evening meal
Tiananmen Square
The first stop for any visitor to Beijing has to be Tiananmen Square. Located in the heart of China, this symbolic public square has witnessed many of the events that have shaped the country’s often turbulent history.
Mao’s Memorial Hall
Standing at the southern end of Tiananmen Square, the chairman Mao Zedong Memorial Hall is the final resting place for Mao. After viewing the large marble statue of Mao and an immense tapestry of China’s mountains and rivers within the hall, groups can view the body of Mao covered with the party flag of Communist Party of China, resting in a crystal coffin.
Forbidden City
Allow your students the opportunity to explore this mystical complex, which was for many years the symbolic heart of both the capital and the empire. It boasts a maze of 800 buildings and thousands of chambers, each constructed during the Mongol and Ming dynasties.
The Great Wall of China & Ming Tombs
Built 2,500 years ago, the Great Wall is one of China’s most historic and magnificent sights. An awe-inspiring attraction not to be missed! Many groups combine their visit with one to the Ming Tombs, the final resting place and mausoleums of 13 of the 16 Ming Dynasty emperors. Students can also walk the Sacred Way, flanked with detailed Ming Dynasty animal sculptures.
Beijing Day Four
Morning: Visit to the Great Wall
Afternoon: Visit to the Sacred Road and the Ming Tombs
Evening: Evening meal
The Great Wall of China & Ming Tombs
Built 2,500 years ago, the Great Wall is one of China’s most historic and magnificent sights. An awe-inspiring attraction not to be missed! Many groups combine their visit with one to the Ming Tombs, the final resting place and mausoleums of 13 of the 16 Ming Dynasty emperors. Students can also walk the Sacred Way, flanked with detailed Ming Dynasty animal sculptures.
Beijing Day Five
Morning: Visit to Liumingying agricultural village
Afternoon: Shopping at Silk Alley
Evening: Evening meal and ceremony of graduation including presentation of a certificate
Liumingying Village
This traditional Chinese village gives your group an insight into the hard reality of life outside the big cities. Students can visit villagers in their homes and see the hard work that goes into producing their organic food.
Silk Alley
Beijing is somewhat of a shopper’s paradise and the Silk Alley in the city is one of the best. Students can practise their language skills by haggling for souvenirs.
Beijing Day Six
Morning: Free time
Afternoon: Transfer to airport for return flight to UK
More popular visit options available
Chinese Acrobat Show
Chinese acrobatics covers anything from gymnastics and animal tricks to juggling and magic. The performances are spectacular and students will be talking about them for years to come.
Peking Duck Banquet
A famous dish from Beijing and one that has been served since the Imperial era. Your students can enjoy this delicacy and get a real taste of China.
The Legend Kung Fu Show
Chinese martial arts have been practised for over 4,000 years and over the years have developed into a number of styles. This show showcases a spectacle of modern dance and traditional arts to provide a truly unique performance.
Peking Opera
Immerse your group in some traditional Chinese theatre which combines music, vocal performance, mime, dance and acrobatics.
Olympic Stadium
The Beijing National Stadium, known colloquially as the Bird’s Nest, was the spectacular setting for the 2008 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Students can tour this large steel structure while your guide shares their own memories of the games and the legacy the games have left behind.
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On-tour support
On-tour support includes...
- Airport assistance during check-in, security and gate checks on your outbound flight from the UK
- Airport assistance when you arrive back at your UK airport when you book a coach transfer to take you home
- Services of a Local Guide at visits
- Services of a Tour Escort who’ll meet you daily and provide 24-hour assistance
Accommodation
Popular options in China
Beijing WuHuan Hotel
The Best Western Premier Beijing (Wuhuan Dajiudian) is a large four-star, luxury hotel with 280 guestrooms all fully equipped with modern facilities. There are restaurants, bars and meeting rooms and recreational facilities.
Beijing WuHuan Hotel
The Best Western Premier Beijing (Wuhuan Dajiudian) is a large four-star, luxury hotel with 280 guestrooms all fully equipped with modern facilities. There are restaurants, bars and meeting rooms and recreational facilities.
Expert's comment
The tour concentrates on the period during which China transformed under Mao, as well as issues facing China today such as the tensions between the communist legacy established by Mao and his successors and the demands on China of a rapidly growing market-led economy. Pupils will also have the opportunity to visit sites which show the broader context of Chinese history and the wider cultural influences which have had a significant influence on this country’s development.
Jeff Garner, NST History Programme Co-ordinator
Curriculum
Study themes
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Edexcel GCSE
"Modern Depth Studt: Mao's China, 1945-1976"
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OCR GCSE History A
"Wider World Depth Study: China, 1950-1981"
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Edexcel A Level
"2E.1 - Mao's China, 1949-1976"
"38.2 - The making of modern China, 1860-1997"
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AQA GCSE
"2P - The Transformation of China, 1936-1997"
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OCR A Level
"China and its rulers, 1839-1989"
Study levels
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A Level
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GCSE
FAQs
How does a China history school trip support curriculum learning?
A China history school trip gives students a deeper understanding of key historical themes, including the rise of Communist China and the impact of Chairman Mao. Through first-hand experiences, students explore how political change and cultural traditions have shaped modern China. This direct connection strengthens subject knowledge and supports exam preparation.
What historical sites will students visit in Beijing?
Students visit iconic sites such as the Great Wall of China, the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square and the Temple of Heaven. These locations provide powerful insight into imperial history, revolution and modern political identity. Each visit helps students connect classroom study to real-world historical environments.
What educational experiences are included in the itinerary?
The itinerary includes expert-led lectures on key topics such as the Chinese Civil War, Mao’s leadership and the Cultural Revolution. Visits to locations like Liumingying village offer additional perspective on life in modern China. This combination of academic input and cultural immersion creates a well-rounded learning experience.
What is included in the NST China school trip package?
The package includes return flights, overseas transfers and a six-day programme with four nights’ full board accommodation. A structured itinerary of visits, educational lectures and guided tours is included, along with group travel insurance and a free place ratio. Coach transport throughout the tour is arranged to keep the experience seamless.
What support do teachers receive during the trip?
NST provides a high level of support, including a dedicated Tour Escort who meets you daily and provides 24-hour assistance throughout your stay. Local Guides support learning at key sites, ensuring students gain maximum value from each visit. This coordinated approach gives teachers confidence and reduces planning pressure.
How does this trip broaden students’ cultural understanding?
Alongside historical study, students experience everyday Chinese life, traditions and culture through local visits and interactions. Opportunities such as visiting a rural village or exploring markets help students see beyond textbooks. This global perspective builds awareness, curiosity and a deeper appreciation of different societies.
Giving you full support throughout
Before your tour
- Dedicated NST expert from day one
- Responsive, flexible communication - Teams, phone, or email
- Same-day quotes
- Trips tailored to your budget, with transparent pricing
- Straightforward planning - we handle the details
- Step-by-step risk assessment guidance
- Free accommodation for group leader preview visits
- Curriculum-driven, enriching experiences across 100s of locations
- Unrivalled local knowledge & expertise
Whilst you're away
- Our travel app keeps all your info in one place
- On-tour support from our reps on the ground
- Support & assistance from our specialists
- 24/7 helpline and support
- Extensive group travel insurance
- Group-friendly accommodation
- Free educational resources
On your return
- Priority rebooking services
- Loyalty reward scheme for valued customers
- You say, we act - we're committed to continuously improving our tours
Speak to one of our school travel experts
Our team of school travel experts have unrivalled destination knowledge and experience so they can help to bring your tour ideas to life and might even suggest options you hadn’t already thought of too!
So get in touch today and we'll help to create a bespoke, budget-friendly tour itinerary to meet your specific learning requirements.
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