Cultural & Enrichment trips to China
Cultural & Enrichment trips to China
A unique and unforgettable country
China is big – in scale, history, culture and global influence. It’s a country that challenges students to think differently, explore deeply and connect what they learn to the world around them.
From walking the Great Wall to exploring the Forbidden City or cruising the Yangtze, every moment is packed with discovery. Whether your focus is history, geography, politics or culture, China delivers a trip that’s bold, brilliant and bursting with learning.
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- Tailored to your group requirements
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- Budgets built around what matters most
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Meet our China experts
It’s the people behind the scenes who make our trips truly special. Our Tour Designers know the region inside-out and are ready to listen, share ideas, and offer tailored, experience-led advice to make your trip a huge success.
Ready to start planning? Call us or arrange a video appointment online.
Charlotte
“My favourite itinerary”
Here’s a little inspiration to get you started…
Jamie
“My top pick of things to see and do”
China is packed with things to do, but here are a few standout experiences I always recommend for school groups:
Great Wall of China
The Great Wall of China was built over more than two thousand years.
Temple of Heaven (Beijing)
The Temple of Heaven was completed in 1420, but has been expanded over the years by two Qing Dynasty Emperors.
Terracotta Warriors and Horses Museum (Xi’an)
This is the most significant archeological excavation in the 20th century, and work is still ongoing.
Tiananmen Square (Beijing)
Tiananmen Square was the original gate to the Imperial Palace, and has been burnt down and rebuilt many times between 1417 and 1651.
Forbidden City (Beijing)
The Forbidden City was the former imperial palace, which was the home to twenty four Chinese emperors over 491 years between 1420 and 1911.
Friendship Store (Beijing)
In the 1980s, every major town had a Friendship Store.
Silk Alley (Beijing)
The new Xiushui Market is a modern five-story building that stands just next to the former grounds of the Silk Street clothes market.
Jade Buddha Temple (Shanghai)
This is one of Shanghai’s few active Buddhist temples.
Kung Fu Show
You will see power and grace combined in a demonstration of the art of Kung Fu by masters which has inspired the great action heroes of today’s movie blockbusters.
Tang Dynasty Show (Xi’an)
A performance of music and dance that originated in the Tang Dynasty over a thousand years ago.
Great Wall of China
The Great Wall of China was built over more than two thousand years. Construction on the first section began between the 7th and 6th century BC, and the last work on the wall was done between the 14th and 17th centuries. It is one of the Great Wonders from the world and is said to be the only man made object visible from space.
Temple of Heaven (Beijing)
The Temple of Heaven was completed in 1420, but has been expanded over the years by two Qing Dynasty Emperors. Quinian Hall, the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, with the three blue tiled cone shaped roofs, has become a worldwide symbol of Beijing.
Terracotta Warriors and Horses Museum (Xi’an)
This is the most significant archeological excavation in the 20th century, and work is still ongoing. It was first discovered when a group of peasants uncovered some pottery while digging for a well in 1974. Archeologists were alerted and soon established they were from the Qin dynasty (211-206 BC). Altogether approx 8,000 pottery soldiers, horses, chariots and weapons have been unearthed to their former grandeur, it was listed as a world heritage site by UNESCO in 1987.
Tiananmen Square (Beijing)
Tiananmen Square was the original gate to the Imperial Palace, and has been burnt down and rebuilt many times between 1417 and 1651. Today, it is remembered as the place where Mao Tse-Tung declared the foundation of the Peoples Republic of China (1949) and more recently was the scene of the 1989 Massacre.
Forbidden City (Beijing)
The Forbidden City was the former imperial palace, which was the home to twenty four Chinese emperors over 491 years between 1420 and 1911. The Forbidden City is now known as the Palace Museum and is open to Beijing’s visitors. Wear comfortable walking shoes as the palace is 960 meters long and 750 meters wide.
Friendship Store (Beijing)
In the 1980s, every major town had a Friendship Store. The chain was started in the late 50s as a sign of friendship between the Chinese and foreigners when China first opened to the outside world. The Friendship stores have now evolved into a six-story department store selling foreign and domestic goods that welcomes everyone.
Silk Alley (Beijing)
The new Xiushui Market is a modern five-story building that stands just next to the former grounds of the Silk Street clothes market. The imposing structure has a strong traditional Chinese flavour. With about 1,500 stalls, the market is much bigger than the former street, selling bags, cases, shoes, silk goods and Chinese paintings traditional crafts.
Jade Buddha Temple (Shanghai)
This is one of Shanghai’s few active Buddhist temples. The seated Buddha, encrusted with jewels, is said to weigh 1000kg. Jade Buddha Temple was founded in 1882 with two jade Buddha statues imported to Shanghai from Burma by sea. The temple now also contains a much larger reclining Jade Buddha, donated from Singapore, and visitors sometimes mistake this larger sculpture for the original, smaller piece.
Kung Fu Show
You will see power and grace combined in a demonstration of the art of Kung Fu by masters which has inspired the great action heroes of today’s movie blockbusters.
Tang Dynasty Show (Xi’an)
A performance of music and dance that originated in the Tang Dynasty over a thousand years ago. It has been recreated in accordance with various historical records and ancient arts and relics discovered in Xi’an, the capital of the empire throughout the Tang Dynasty regime.
Charlotte
“My top tips”
Here’s how to make the most out of your school trip to China.
Buddy up
Pairing your students boosts confidence and makes headcounts easier.
Make time for FUN
A balance of educational visits and enjoyable activities keeps motivation high.
Reflect little and often
Quick chats help students process what they’ve seen and learned.
Kieren
The best places to stay
This is just one example of what’s available. We’ll guide you through the best hotel choices to suit your group and tour plans.
Beijing Wuhuan Hotel
Set within Beijing’s central business district, Beijing WuHuan Hotel offers large‑scale accommodation with good access to key transport links, including the railway station and major city routes
- En‑suite rooms
- Central business district
- Close to main railway station
- Four star, luxury hotel
- Meeting and group spaces
The most popular questions, answered
China offers students first-hand insight into history, tradition and modern global identity. Experiencing culture in context helps students develop perspective, curiosity and cultural understanding.
Students engage with traditions, daily life and historical influences through carefully chosen visits. Learning encourages reflection on how culture shapes values, communication and community.
Every itinerary is built collaboratively to reflect your educational aims and group needs. We ensure experiences feel accessible, purposeful and engaging for students.
We offer calm, knowledgeable guidance throughout the entire process. From planning to being on the ground, you’ll feel supported, listened to and reassured.
Accommodation is selected for comfort, safety and suitability for school travel. It provides a supportive base that helps students feel settled and secure.
Key logistics such as transport, planned visits and meals are organised in advance where appropriate. This reduces pressure and allows learning and connection to take centre stage.
What people say
“I have been using Esto for a number of years and have no complaints, very happy with service.”
John Ferneley College
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- Study globalisation, manufacturing and economic growth
- Explore innovation, urbanisation and state control
- Visit Shanghai’s financial district, factories and modern cities
History trips to China
A world power shaped by revolution, ideology and modern governance.
- Study communism, nationalism and political control
- Explore power, government and society in a one‑party state
- Visit Beijing’s Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City and key political centres
Cultural & Enrichment trips to New York
Dive into the scale, energy and culture of the Big Apple.
- Experience the city’s skyline, streets and neighbourhoods
- Take in world‑famous sights and urban culture
- See Times Square, Central Park and the Empire State Building
