School Trips to China, Based on a University Campus in Xi’an
We plan school trips to China around one city. Every itinerary is based in Xi’an: your group stays on the campus of Xi’an International University, takes classes and cultural workshops there, and travels out to the city’s historic sites. Instead of rushing from city to city, students get to know one place in depth. Adult groups are welcome too; tell us about your group when you inquire.
At a Glance
- Where: Xi’an, on the campus of Xi’an International University (XAIU)
- Length: a choice of itineraries, from 3 to 14 days
- Accommodation: the hotel on campus
- Classes: a selection from Chinese language, guqin, tea art, calligraphy, Chinese painting, and tai chi and martial arts, depending on the itinerary
- Certificate: a certificate of completion issued by Xi’an International University
- Student ages: no set age range; for children under 12, we recommend that a parent or a teacher from their school travels with them
- Price on request: each quotation is prepared for your group
Why One City, and What Xi’an Offers
A school trip is short, and every day spent on trains and in airports is a day not spent learning. Basing the whole trip in one city gives students time to settle in, find their way around campus and come back to the classroom between visits.
Xi’an served as the capital of thirteen dynasties, among them the Zhou, Qin, Han and Tang. It has UNESCO World Heritage sites such as the Terracotta Army and the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, alongside the Ming-dynasty city wall you can cycle round.
What Students Do
Classes on campus
Classes and lectures take place on campus, arranged by the host university for visiting groups. The options are Chinese language, guqin, Chinese tea art, calligraphy, Chinese painting, and tai chi and martial arts. They are a menu rather than a fixed set: each itinerary has its own selection.
All eight itineraries include some Chinese. On the four culture camps it is an introduction to the language, not a language course: one introductory lesson in simple everyday Chinese on three of them, and three Chinese lessons on the 10-Day Chinese Language & Silk Road Camp. The 14-Day Chinese Language & Culture Camp begins with a placement test that puts students into one of four levels, from complete beginner to advanced.
Historic sites
Visits to historic sites are built into every itinerary. Depending on the itinerary, they include:
- Terracotta Army
- Xi’an City Wall (cycling tour available)
- Giant Wild Goose Pagoda
- Muslim Quarter
Many trips combine sightseeing with themed learning, for example studying the urban planning of ancient Chang’an during our old-city cycling tour.
Themed lectures and visits
Some itineraries add a subject: e-commerce lectures and company visits on the two e-commerce camps, tai chi, nanquan and changquan classes on the martial arts camp, and three English-language lectures on the Silk Road, China–Saudi trade, and Muslim life and culture in Xi’an on the 10-Day Chinese Language & Silk Road Camp.
Eight Itineraries, 3 to 14 Days
All eight itineraries are based on the same campus. Use them as a starting point: theme, duration and content can be tailored in advance for your group.
3 to 5 days
3-Day Chinese Culture Camp
The Terracotta Army, the City Wall by bike or on foot, and a guqin workshop.
5-Day Chinese Culture Camp
A guqin workshop, a tea culture session, the Terracotta Army and the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda.
7 to 10 days
7-Day Chinese Culture Camp
A guqin workshop, a calligraphy class, an English-language lecture on the Silk Road and the Terracotta Army.
7-Day E-Commerce & Chinese Culture Camp
E-commerce lectures, company visits, and Chinese language and culture sessions.
9-Day Martial Arts & Chinese Culture Camp
Tai chi, nanquan and changquan classes, Chinese lessons and cultural workshops.
10-Day Chinese Language & Silk Road Camp
Chinese lessons and three English-language lectures with a Silk Road and Arab-world focus.
14 days
14-Day E-Commerce and Chinese Culture Study Camp
E-commerce lectures, four company visits, and Chinese language and culture sessions.
14-Day Chinese Language & Culture Camp
A placement test, Chinese classes at four levels, cultural classes and exchange with Chinese students.
Price on request.
Your Host University
Our programs are hosted by Xi’an International University (XAIU), founded in Xi’an in 1992. Renowned for international education and cross-cultural exchange, XAIU hosts all our classes, lectures and cultural workshops on campus. Students stay in the campus hotel for the duration of their program.
Participants who complete the program receive a certificate of completion issued by Xi’an International University.
Where Your Group Stays
Every itinerary begins with check-in at the Horyan Hotel at Xi’an International University, in the center of campus. Staying on a secure university campus gives student groups easy access to classes and cultural workshops. Rooms face the campus lake or the sports ground, with private bathrooms and air-conditioning. A shared laundry room is available for students, at a small charge.
Safety Management
A Chinese teacher accompanies your group throughout the trip. Designated staff handle daily logistics, and participants stay on a secure university campus accessible only to university members. The university has staff on duty and a campus security office.
Questions to settle before you book
- Insurance: the host university arranges travel accident and emergency medical insurance in China for every participant; the cover is set out in your quotation. We need a copy of each participant’s passport information page to arrange it. Your school may still want its own travel insurance for international flights and anything the policy does not cover.
- Supervision: tell us how many accompanying teachers your school’s policy requires. The supervision and accommodation arrangements for your group are set out in writing when you confirm your booking.
- Evenings: the hotel has night staff and controlled entry, and university staff are on duty 24 hours a day.
- Cancellation: there are no fixed cancellation terms; refunds are agreed with you. Money not yet spent can be refunded, and costs already incurred, such as bus charter or booked tickets, may be deducted.
Costs and Quotations
We don’t publish prices, because the cost depends on the itinerary, its length and the size of your group. Every quotation lists what is included and what is not.
What’s Included
- Airport transfers in Xi’an
- Accommodation on campus
- Three meals a day
- Classes, lectures, workshops and cultural activities, plus company visits where the itinerary has them
- Transport for all scheduled activities
- Entrance tickets
- Travel insurance in China, arranged by the host university
- Certificate of completion
- Small souvenirs
What’s Not Included
- International flights
- Visas
- Personal expenses
Faculty-Led University Groups
For university staff planning a faculty-led program, the same campus base works as a short study tour in China with academic content: university-hosted classes, English-language lectures on some itineraries, and a certificate of completion from the host university.
For a language focus, the 14-Day Chinese Language & Culture Camp begins with a placement test and Chinese classes at one of four levels, alongside English-language lectures on Chinese history and culture or business and the economy, and on education. For a business focus, the two e-commerce camps combine lectures with company visits.
Academic credit
If your students need academic credit for the study tour, tell us when you inquire, and check with your own institution how the program will be recognized.
How Planning Works
1. Send an inquiry. Tell us about your group: school, university, adult or professional group, number of participants and accompanying leaders, ages, preferred dates and length, and what you would like participants to learn.
2. Receive a suggested itinerary and a quotation. We start from one of the eight itineraries and adjust the theme, duration and content to your group.
3. Work with one contact. You will have one single dedicated point of contact: Helen Zhao, our founder.
Questions from Group Leaders
Which itinerary suits our students’ ages?
There is no set age range. For children under 12, we recommend that a parent or a teacher from their school travels with them. Tell us the ages and year groups of your students when you inquire, and we will talk through which itineraries fit.
Do students meet Chinese students?
Meetings and cultural exchanges with Chinese students can be arranged on request for all itineraries. Please share your requirements when you inquire.
Do students sit in on Chinese students’ degree courses?
Not on our itineraries. Classes and lectures are arranged by the host university for visiting groups, on campus.
Can we change an itinerary?
Yes. Theme, duration and content can be tailored in advance. Tell us what you need when you inquire.
Start Planning Your School Trip to China
Tell us about your group, and we will suggest an itinerary and send a quotation.
Phone / WhatsApp: +86 180 4965 7835