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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.

Learn more about our school trips and tours to China

Business Studies

Business Studies

A rapidly evolving economic power, China has a wealth of valuable learning experiences geared towards students studying business.

Get in touch to learn more about our business trips to China.

Culture

Culture

China offers a unique cultural experience for pupils of all ages, particularly those with a focus on business, geography, history, sociology or language.

Learn more here

Geography

Geography

A geography school trips to China is a fascinating opportunity for budding geographers, particularly when considering population control, urban development and the natural landscape.

Enquire to learn more here

History

History

Our history school trips to China delve into the country’s immense history and spectacular scenery.

Learn more here

Mandarin Language

Mandarin Language

Give your class a real sense of Chinese culture and language with our fantastic Mandarin school trips.

Learn more here

Psychology & Sociology

Psychology & Sociology

Experience the progression of human behaviour in China, from ancient traditions to the communist regime and beyond.

Learn more here


China trip highlights - our groups love...

Temple of Heaven

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

Great Wall of China

A UNESCO World Heritage site, the Great Wall is a truly awe-inspiring wonder of the world.

Ming Tombs

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 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.

Planning your first school trip?

If you're planning your first school trip, our essential guide will take you through each step of the process...

  • Choosing your destination
  • Gaining approval from your Local Authority and/or your Head
  • Promoting your tour in school
  • Confirming your booking
  • Tailor-make your tour
  • Completing your risk assessments (including a sample risk assessment)
  • Quick reference timeline
  • Pre-tour checklist

Additional support, resources & information:

Tour planning service

Tour planning service

With NST, you’ll get your own dedicated, knowledgeable Tour Co-ordinator who’ll work with you from start to finish. You’ll benefit from their unrivalled destination knowledge, and their experience gained from working with many other groups too. They’ll tailor-make your itinerary from scratch and take care of everything for you:

  • Pulling together an itinerary that runs smoothly
  • Planning the right balance of visits every day with realistic timings
  • Pre-arranging and pre-booking your visits, entrance tickets, passes and meals


You’ll receive your final itinerary a full 4-weeks before you travel too.

Free school trip promotion pack

Free school trip promotion pack

We’ll support you and provide everything you need to advertise your school trip around school and to parents. Our free school trip promotion pack consists of:

  • Parents’ letter & permission slip template for you to complete A3 posters to promote your trip around school
  • PowerPoint presentation templates which you can tailor to your own needs
  • Parents’ leaflets covering how NST manage safety, financial protection and details of our travel insurance
  • Online parents’ video which showcases the benefits of taking a school trip


For selected destinations, we’ll provide a trip launch web page using video footage and imagery. This web page is provided by a weblink and can be shared with pupils and parents in many ways.

Risk assessment support including preview visits

Risk assessment support including preview visits

Risk assessment plays a vitally important part in the planning and organisation on any school tour.

Our risk assessment guide aims to help you understand more about your obligations and how you can more effectively manage group safety on your next educational visit and provide you with risk assessments for your trip. 

Planning first school trip

Planning first school trip

Organising your first school trip can appear to be a daunting process.

If you're planning your first school trip, our guide will help to take you through each step of the planning process, answering frequently asked questions and providing tips and support along the way.

Our helpful guide covers the following:

  • Choosing your destination
  • Gaining approval from your Local Authority and/or your Head
  • Promoting your tour in school
  • Confirming your booking
  • Tailor-make your tour
  • Completing your risk assessments (including a sample risk assessment)
  • Quick reference timeline
  • Pre-tour checklist


View our essential guide to a successful school trip here.

Get live updates on your group's tour location

Get live updates on your group's tour location

Locate My Trip uses GPS technology and is the easy, convenient way for your school to follow your location whilst on tour. Specifically designed to provide reassurance to both parents and teachers, NST will know where your group are 24/7. If your schedule needs to change, we’ll put plans in place to keep your tour on track. 

With Locate My Trip your group can also share photos and videos with the school and parents, via a secure link, to keep them updated on your experience whilst you’re away.

Watch our short Locate My Trip video here.

Your online school trip organiser - My Tour Manager

Your online school trip organiser - My Tour Manager

Save time and stay on track with your school trip admin with our online orgnaniser - designed to help busy teachers like you.

With My Tour Manager, you'll be able to download FREE resources and access trip paperwork online and in one place. Your personalised checklist details what you need to do and by when, plus you'll receive fortnightly reminders too.

What's more, you can take all your trip documents on the go whilst on your tour with our app, My Tour Manager-On-the-Go.

Find out more and watch out short My Tour Manager video here.

Free classroom resources

Free classroom resources

We've created a range of free geography resources and educational posters to brighten up your classroom!

Take a look at our downloadable posters here.

Why choose NST...

  • Unrivalled knowledge

Your dedicated Tour Co-ordinator will use their unrivalled local knowledge and expertise of China to create a tailor-made, curriculum-linked itinerary to meet your group’s exact needs.

  • Making it easier for you

With our online school trip organiser, travel app, free classroom posters and trip launch resources to support your in-school promotion.

  • Free group leader inspection visits

We offer a free inspection visit to your chosen destination to support your risk assessment planning. 

  • Value for money

We’re committed to bringing you the best possible value trips to help make every penny count.

  • More than 50 years’ experience

With over 50 years’ experience, with NST you can rest assured that your group is in safe hands.

  • Risk assessment guidance

Our risk assessment guidance will help you to manage group safety on your next educational trip.

  • Peace of mind

Your group’s location can be followed with our trip tracking device - Locate My Trip - plus you’ll have 24/7 support from us whilst you’re away.

  • Offsetting carbon emissions

For every trip taken, we'll plant a Maya nut tree in Peru to support reforestation, local communities & biodiversity. Plus, we'll offset an additional tonne of CO2 to guarantee carbon emission reductions. 

 

Looking for protection on your next school trip? 

Booking with a school travel company is the best way for you to protect parents’ money and give yourself peace of mind.  

 

Don’t forget – if your school arranges transport, accommodation and other services directly, you’ll be liable under the Package Travel Regulations – meaning you’ll have all the responsibilities of a travel company, both legal and financial. 

 

Financial protection from the moment you book

NST are fully bonded:

  • ABTA
  • ATOL
  • IATA

Managing safety on school trips

For your protection, NST's independently audited Safety Management System covers:

  • 24-hour emergency cover
  • Audited accommodation & transport
  • Excursions & school visit assessment
  • Group leader preview visits to assist with risk assessment planning

We're LOtC Council’s Quality Badge assured

The Department for Education advises schools to always look for the LOtC Quality Badge when choosing a school travel provider.