Beijing & Xi’an Study Tour | Immersive Chinese History & Sister School Exchange (9 Days)

Designed for overseas Chinese schools and Chinese language learners, this program combines sister school exchange with UNESCO heritage learning. Students move beyond “seeing” to structured expression and output through task-based learning and hands-on workshops. From Beijing’s imperial central axis to Xi’an’s Qin–Han–Tang civilization, history becomes observable, discussable, and presentable.

Cities: Beijing / Xi’an Duration: 9 Days (Flexible) Core: 2–3 Days Sister School Exchange + Follow-up Visit Highlights: UNESCO Sites · Pottery Workshop · High-Speed Rail

Program Highlights

Two Historic Capitals, One Civilizational Narrative From the Ming and Qing imperial capital of Beijing to the ancient dynastic heartland of Xi’an — once home to the Zhou, Qin, Han, and Tang — students trace the evolution of Chinese civilization across its most influential political and cultural centers. The two cities together represent both origin and continuity.

Immersive Educational Exchange — Beyond Observation Two full days of structured sister school exchange place students inside real Chinese classrooms. Through collaborative activities and peer dialogue, participants experience authentic campus life, strengthening Mandarin proficiency and intercultural communication.

Iconic Landmarks for a Coherent Historical Framework In Beijing: the Forbidden City, Shichahai Hutongs, Mutianyu Great Wall, and the Summer Palace collectively illustrate imperial governance, everyday urban life, military defense, and classical garden aesthetics.

In Xi’an: the Terracotta Warriors, Big Wild Goose Pagoda, Tang cultural districts, and the Shaanxi History Museum provide archaeological, religious, and dynastic perspectives, forming a clear developmental framework of Chinese history.

Cultural Immersion with Context & Comfort A traditional rickshaw ride through Beijing’s hutongs offers a contextualized introduction to historic neighborhoods, allowing students to experience urban heritage in an engaging, accessible format that complements academic learning.

Program Snapshot

PositioningSchool exchange + heritage-based experiential learning

Learning FormatTask sheets · group collaboration · presentations · reflection journals

Cultural ThemeImperial order (Beijing) → Civilizational heritage (Xi’an)

DeliverablesExchange notes · interview logs · posters · closing showcase (optional)

Highlights

Iconic UNESCO CombinationForbidden City · Great Wall · Temple of Heaven · Summer Palace · Terracotta Warriors

Hutong & Urban LifeLanguage immersion in real-life settings beyond textbooks.

Heritage & SustainabilityAncient engineering wisdom viewed through modern conservation perspectives.

Tang Dynasty Night CultureBig Wild Goose Pagoda & cultural storytelling tasks.

Sister School Exchange Module

We recommend positioning the exchange as the program’s learning engine. Initial relationship-building and communication training in Beijing, followed by a deeper revisit in Xi’an to elevate discussion quality and output.

FormatClass observation · joint activities · group discussions · campus tours

Suggested ThemesSchool culture · extracurricular life · learning methods · city comparison

Language TasksSelf-introduction · interviewing · summarizing · team presentation

Optional OutputsExchange reports · posters · short speeches · closing showcase

Learning Outcomes

Language Practice: Authentic Mandarin immersion in campus and city contexts.
Cultural Literacy: Transform symbolic landmarks into structured narratives.
Intercultural Competence: Develop questioning, listening, and collaboration skills.
Project Output: Curriculum-aligned vocabulary, interview frameworks, reflection writing.

Sample 9-Day Itinerary