School Trips to China
A school trip to China is an unforgettable experience that will stay with your students for years to come. Explore historic attractions such as the Great Wall, taste new cuisines and experience Chinese culture firsthand.
China provides a unique backdrop for students to develop their knowledge of subjects such as geography, history, business studies and psychology. From exploring the Great Wall of China in Beijing to the neon-lit skyscrapers of Shanghai, we can assure that your school group will have lots of activities and excursions to partake in.
How do students benefit from a China school trip?
If you’re a teacher looking to book a school trip to China, you’ve come to the right place. We provide trip risk assessments, group leader inspection visits and have over 50 years of experience providing high quality educational visits.
We provide a fantastic selection of trip itineraries for a range of subjects in Beijing and Shanghai, our trip excursions include:
- The Great Wall of China
- The Temple of Heaven
- Tiananmen Square
- The Birds Nest (Olympic Stadium)
- The Forbidden City
- The Summer Palace
- The Jade Buddha Tower
- Yuyuan Gardens & Old Town
Why book a school trip to China?
As one of the world’s oldest ancient civilisations, China’s recorded history stretches back over 3,000 years to when the Xia dynasty first emerged in settlements along the Yangtze River. A lot has happened since then, not least in the past century with the rise of Mao Zedong and the People’s Republic of China.
This makes China a fascinating setting to dig deeper into communist ideology and the country’s progression in becoming a global economic power.
There are countless landmarks and educational trips to choose from, ranging from the famous Great Wall to the Olympic Stadium (otherwise known as the Bird’s Nest) built in 2008. Beijing, the nation’s capital city, bustles with life and boasts many renowned sights to see. Painting and cookery sessions are also available for classes with an interest in art or food technology. Or, why not venture a little further afield to discover serene Buddhist temples before heading to a spectacular Chinese acrobat show later in the evening?
China’s incredibly varied landscape offers keen geographers the chance to cruise along the Yangtze River, learn about mountain ranges, the Three Gorges Dam and much more. Even beyond the major tourist hotspots, there’s always the option to visit a few small towns and settlements to see how locals live as you move further out of the major cities. The contrast between urban and rural life that becomes more than apparent in some villages certainly makes for a perfect case study.
Booking a school trip with NST
Our goal at NST is to bring learning to life outside the classroom and inspire a greater thirst for knowledge among young people – a school trip to China is the perfect way to do that. If you’re looking to talk through your options regarding Chinese school trips, get in touch with an NST travel expert today on 0845 293 7970.
Browse our most popular China school trips
Why choose NST?
Here's why thousands of teachers choose NST each year...
- Unrivalled school trip knowledge
Your dedicated Tour Co-ordinator will use their trip planning knowledge and expertise to create a tailor-made, curriculum-linked itinerary to meet your group’s exact needs.
- Making it easier for you
Your own trip organiser, travel app, free classroom packs and trip promo resources.
- Free group leader inspection visits
Visit your chosen destination free of charge and plan with confidence.
- Value for money, always
We work hard to make every penny count.
- Over 55 years’ experience
With NST you can rest assured that your group is in safe hands.
- Aligned to your learning outcomes
Every trip can be built around your specific goals — from the latest GCSE and A level curriculum requirements to particular themes, interests or visits you want to focus on.
- Risk assessment guidance
Clear, practical support to help you manage group safety including our free guide.
- Offsetting carbon emissions
Through our partnership with Carbon Footprint, we're committed to offset one tonne of CO2 emissions, and plant a tree on school grounds in the UK, for every trip booked.
China trip highlights - our groups love...
Temple of Heaven
Perhaps one of the most iconic sights in all of China, the Temple of Heaven is a collection religious buildings used by the Emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties for prayers and sacrifices.
Great Wall of China
A UNESCO World Heritage site, the Great Wall is a truly awe-inspiring wonder of the world.
Ming Tombs
The great Ming Dynasty ruled China for 276 years, from 1368 to 1644. In this time, most of the emperors of the dynasty were buried in a series of mausoleums near Beijing, collectively named the Ming Dynasty.
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.
Tiananmen Square
Tiananmen Square is a centre of cultural and historical importance in Beijing, with the world-famous image of a man stood in front of a column of tanks taken in here during the 1989 civilian protests.
Forbidden City
Constructed when Emperor Yongle of the Ming Dynasty relocated the capital to Beijing in 1406, this palace served as the home from which 24 subsequent emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties ruled China.
Oriental Pearl TV Tower
In a city of landmarks, the Oriental Pearl TV Tower still stands out as one of Shanghai's most famous and unique sights.
The Bund
In a city of modern skyscrapers, the architecture of the Bund, a waterfront area in central Shanghai, is a hark back to China's colonial past.
Jade Buddha Temple
A symbol of peace and tranquility, the Jade Buddha Temple is a beautiful landmark for students to visit.
Chinese Acrobatic Tour
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.
On the ground support
Your group will be accompanied by an English-speaking Tour Escort throughout your tour, with additional local guides in each location. You will be provided with useful information at each site and assisted with entry into attractions.
With their local and cultural knowledge our escorts and guides can help enrich learning by adding a layer of insight that only comes from being close to the local sites on a regular basis.
