About Xi’an Study Tours
Slow down, stay on campus and get to know one city well.
Xi’an Study Tours is a study tour platform founded by a university educator and focused on one city: Xi’an. We bring international visitors to a university campus in Xi’an for classes, hands-on cultural workshops and a stay on campus.
Meet Our Founder
I have spent more than ten years working in higher education in Xi’an. Over that time, I have built solid connections with local universities, including Xi’an Polytechnic University and Xi’an International University.
I started this study tour program because I noticed that many overseas programs rush through multiple cities for sightseeing. I hope international visitors can slow down, take classes on a university campus and dive into local culture in Xi’an.
Helen Zhao, Founder
How It All Began
What Puzzled Me
In more than ten years of working in Xi’an’s universities, I often talked with teachers and students from overseas. I found that many international friends held stereotyped ideas about traveling and studying in China.
Here are some common misconceptions:
- Studying in China means only visiting tourist attractions.
- It is hard for overseas visitors to take classes on a Chinese university campus.
- All China study tours rush from one city to another.
- Ancient Chinese culture can only be seen in museums.
- It is difficult to experience authentic local campus life.
We fully understand that these misunderstandings come from cultural distance. We believe cultural barriers come down when you stay in Xi’an, take classes on a university campus and experience genuine local culture in person.
Our Philosophy
In-depth Immersion
Not a quick sightseeing tour. We stay in one city, Xi’an, and take time to know it well.
Learning on Campus
Classes and lectures on campus, arranged by the host university. Participants also stay on campus.
Authentic Local Experience
Hands-on workshops chosen from tea art, guqin music, tai chi, calligraphy and Chinese painting.
Life on Our Programs
Our University Partners
Xi’an International University
Our programs are hosted by Xi’an International University (XAIU), founded in Xi’an in 1992. Participants who complete the program receive a certificate of completion issued by Xi’an International University.
Xi’an Polytechnic University
We also work in partnership with Xi’an Polytechnic University, where a course in Hanfu (traditional Han Chinese attire) and traditional Chinese textile culture is taught on campus.
Ready to explore our study tour programs in Xi’an?
Planning a trip for a school group? See how our school trips to China work.