School Trips to China
If you’re thinking about organising an incredible learning experience that your students will never forget then a school trip to China ticks all the boxes.
Steeped in tradition, the world’s third-largest country provides a unique backdrop for classes to gather insights into geography, history and sociology, to name but a few subjects. Whatever the focus of your students, being able to explore Chinese culture firsthand is an experience that they will surely never forget.
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 a 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 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.
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 East Asia 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.
China Cultural & Transition Yr School Trips & Tours
A cultural tour of China will be the experience of a lifetime for many students. The diverse mix of historical landmarks, incredible scenery and interactive Chinese experiences reveal the rich and long history of one of the oldest civilisations in the world that’s now re-inventing itself for the 21st century.
As many aspects of Chinese life are so different from that in the UK and Ireland, a transition year or cultural tour to China will help to give students an appreciation of different cultures and lifestyles.
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
- Online parents’ video which showcases the benefits of taking a school trip
Risk assessment support including preview visits
Risk assessment support including preview visit
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
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.
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...
Here's why hundreds of teachers choose NST each year...
- 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 to support 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 20 years’ experience
With over 20 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.
Financial protection from the moment you book
NST are fully bonded & licensed:
- ABTA
- ATOL
- IATA
- Commission for Aviation Regulation
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
Package Travel Regulations 2018
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.
We're LOtC Council’s Quality Badge assured
For groups travelling from Northern Ireland... the Department for Education advises schools to always look for the LOtC Quality Badge when choosing a school travel provider.
