12 or 15 days
Beijing, Xi'an, Shanghai, extension to Hong Kong

Enter the world of China: birthplace of paper, the compass, paper money, fireworks and more.

You’ll trace the Great Wall, measure up against the Terracotta Warriors and race through Beijing’s hutongs by rickshaw. Reaching the mystical Summer Palace by dragon boat is dreamlike, but that’s just China—an eye-opening mix of experiences and modern challenges that you simply have to see.
  • Day 1: Fly overnight to China

  • Day 2: Beijing

    Meet your Field Director at the airport

    Enjoy dinner in Beijing

  • Day 3: Beijing

    Tour Beijing, long been considered the political, educational, and cultural center of China, with an expert local guide

    Visit the Summer Palace, an imperial garden during the Qing Dynasty, and explore its beautiful garden grounds

    Enjoy a dragon boat ride and see the views from Kunming Lake (seasonal: April to October) 

    Participate in a Taiji lesson to learn about this martial art, meditation system, and health practice 

    Visit the Forbidden City, home to 24 emperors and so named because no one could enter or leave the premises without the emperor's approval

    Visit Tiananmen Square, the world’s largest public square and a site of frequent political protests

    Enjoy a regional specialty and traditional side dishes with your group at a Peking Duck dinner

  • Day 4: Great Wall of China • Beijing

    Take an excursion to Badaling

    Tour the Great Wall of China with your Field Director and see one of the Seven Wonders of the World, which was built by 300,000 people over several centuries and now stretches over 3,000 miles

    Enjoy a traditional tea ceremony in Beijing where you will learn about: 

    • The Chinese culture of drinking tea in daily life today
    • The history of chayi, or the art of drinking tea, credited to Emperor Shennong
    • The significance of drinking tea among Chinese scholars in tea houses
    Add this in-depth excursion:
    The Legend of Kung Fu show

    The Legend of Kung Fu show

    Tonight, see the show that tells the story of a young boy, Chun Yi (the pure one), who in order to pursue spiritual and physical harmony becomes a monk and learns kung fu. Along the way he overcomes obstacles, is distracted and tempted, but ultimately achieves the designation of master. This performance combines story-telling, kung-fu, acrobatics, modern dance, and original music to celebrate the philosophy and skill of martial arts.

  • Day 5: Beijing

    Visit the Temple of Heaven Park, a huge outdoor complex adorned with Ming and Qing relics 

    Tour Beijing's Hutongs, a labyrinthine network of ancient city alleys, by traditional rickshaw

    Enjoy dinner with a local family and get a taste of Beijing’s culinary tradition as you enjoy a homemade dinner with them and learn about their daily life

  • Day 6: Beijing • Xi'an

    Fly to Xi'an, once the largest city in the world and the capital of 11 dynasties over the centuries 

    Take a bike ride on the Ancient City Wall, one of the oldest in China

    Enjoy dinner in Xi'an

  • Day 7: Xi’an

    Tour Xi’an with an expert local guide

    Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Emperor Qin's Terracotta Army, which were created to protect the tomb of Emperor Qin Shi Huangdi; of 6,000 models, no two are alike

    Visit the Muslim Quarter and the Bell Tower of Xi'an and see beautiful mosques

    Add this in-depth excursion:
    Tang Dynasty show and dinner

    Tang Dynasty show and dinner

    This evening experience the history and culture of the Tang Dynasty at a world-class theater restaurant featuring famous Cantonese cuisine. The performance is based on historical records and cultural traditions that exemplify the artistic heritage of the Xi’an province. Many of the dances you’ll see originated from rituals or prayers, but have since been influenced by cultural practices from various regions of China. You’re sure to see why more than 2.5 million people from around the world have proclaimed this a favorite part of their Chinese experience.

  • Day 8: Xi'an

    Visit the Shaanxi Provincial Historical Museum to see artifacts from the Han and Tang Dynasties

    Make dumplings, one of China's most popular dishes, during a cooking class

    Spend a half day exploring Xi'an on your own

  • Day 9: Xi'an • Shanghai

    Fly to Shanghai

    Visit the Shanghai World Financial Center and see views of the city from 1,555 feet above

    Enjoy dinner in Shanghai

    Enjoy a traditional Chinese acrobatics show

  • Day 10: Shanghai

    Take a guided tour of Shanghai

    With your expert local guide you will visit:

    • Jade Buddha Temple, a famous Buddhist temple
    • Yu Yuan Garden, a showplace of classical Chinese landscaping 
    • Nanjing Lu, a main commercial district

    Spend time exploring the Bund, a waterfront promenade, on your own

    Enjoy dinner in Shanghai

  • Day 11: Shanghai

    Industry Engagement: Visit a local University to better understand higher education in China

    Visit the Shanghai Museum, which houses over 120,000 pieces of Chinese art

    Spend time exploring Tianzifang, the art district of the French Concession, on your own

  • Day 12: Depart for home

Add more days

  • Day 12: Shanghai • Hong Kong

    Fly to Hong Kong

    Enjoy dinner in Hong Kong

    Watch A Symphony of Lights show, illuminating Hong Kong's harbor skyline, from the Avenue of Stars

    Take a ride on the Star Ferry from Kowloon to Hong Kong Island 

  • Day 13: Hong Kong

    Take a guided tour of Hong Kong

    With your expert local guide, you will visit:

    • Stanley Market, an open-air shopping area
    • Aberdeen Harbor, a busy fishing port
    • Repulse Bay, an upscale beach area

    Spend the afternoon exploring Hong Kong on your own

    Take a tram ride to the top of Victoria Peak and take in views of the city

    Enjoy a Dim Sum tasting, comprised of many small dishes of specialties

  • Day 14: Hong Kong

    Add this in-depth excursion:
    Lantau Island

    Lantau Island

    Join this full-day excursion to beautiful Lantau Island, the largest of the 230 islands that belong to the territory of Hong Kong. Begin your tour with a 25-minute cable car ride that offers panoramic views of the South China Sea and the lush mountains on the island. Continue on with a visit to the Po Lin (Precious Lotus) monastery and then climb the stairs up to the island’s main attraction; the world’s tallest, outdoor, seated bronze Buddha, measuring 111 feet tall and weighing more than 250 tons. A short walk away is the Wisdom Path where ancient prayers are inscribed on wooden columns set in a figure eight to signify infinity. 

  • Day 15: Depart for home

  • Day 1: Fly overnight to China

  • Day 2: Beijing

    Meet your Field Director at the airport

    Enjoy dinner in Beijing

  • Day 3: Beijing

    Tour Beijing, long been considered the political, educational, and cultural center of China, with an expert local guide

    Visit the Summer Palace, an imperial garden during the Qing Dynasty, and explore its beautiful garden grounds

    Enjoy a dragon boat ride and see the views from Kunming Lake (seasonal: April to October) 

    Participate in a Taiji lesson to learn about this martial art, meditation system, and health practice 

    Visit the Forbidden City, home to 24 emperors and so named because no one could enter or leave the premises without the emperor's approval

    Visit Tiananmen Square, the world’s largest public square and a site of frequent political protests

    Enjoy a regional specialty and traditional side dishes with your group at a Peking Duck dinner

  • Day 4: Great Wall of China • Beijing

    Take an excursion to Badaling

    Tour the Great Wall of China with your Field Director and see one of the Seven Wonders of the World, which was built by 300,000 people over several centuries and now stretches over 3,000 miles

    Enjoy a traditional tea ceremony in Beijing where you will learn about: 

    • The Chinese culture of drinking tea in daily life today
    • The history of chayi, or the art of drinking tea, credited to Emperor Shennong
    • The significance of drinking tea among Chinese scholars in tea houses
    Add this in-depth excursion:
    The Legend of Kung Fu show

    The Legend of Kung Fu show

    Tonight, see the show that tells the story of a young boy, Chun Yi (the pure one), who in order to pursue spiritual and physical harmony becomes a monk and learns kung fu. Along the way he overcomes obstacles, is distracted and tempted, but ultimately achieves the designation of master. This performance combines story-telling, kung-fu, acrobatics, modern dance, and original music to celebrate the philosophy and skill of martial arts.

  • Day 5: Beijing

    Visit the Temple of Heaven Park, a huge outdoor complex adorned with Ming and Qing relics 

    Tour Beijing's Hutongs, a labyrinthine network of ancient city alleys, by traditional rickshaw

    Enjoy dinner with a local family and get a taste of Beijing’s culinary tradition as you enjoy a homemade dinner with them and learn about their daily life

  • Day 6: Beijing • Xi'an

    Fly to Xi'an, once the largest city in the world and the capital of 11 dynasties over the centuries 

    Take a bike ride on the Ancient City Wall, one of the oldest in China

    Enjoy dinner in Xi'an

  • Day 7: Xi’an

    Tour Xi’an with an expert local guide

    Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Emperor Qin's Terracotta Army, which were created to protect the tomb of Emperor Qin Shi Huangdi; of 6,000 models, no two are alike

    Visit the Muslim Quarter and the Bell Tower of Xi'an and see beautiful mosques

    Add this in-depth excursion:
    Tang Dynasty show and dinner

    Tang Dynasty show and dinner

    This evening experience the history and culture of the Tang Dynasty at a world-class theater restaurant featuring famous Cantonese cuisine. The performance is based on historical records and cultural traditions that exemplify the artistic heritage of the Xi’an province. Many of the dances you’ll see originated from rituals or prayers, but have since been influenced by cultural practices from various regions of China. You’re sure to see why more than 2.5 million people from around the world have proclaimed this a favorite part of their Chinese experience.

  • Day 8: Xi'an

    Visit the Shaanxi Provincial Historical Museum to see artifacts from the Han and Tang Dynasties

    Make dumplings, one of China's most popular dishes, during a cooking class

    Spend a half day exploring Xi'an on your own

  • Day 9: Xi'an • Shanghai

    Fly to Shanghai

    Visit the Shanghai World Financial Center and see views of the city from 1,555 feet above

    Enjoy dinner in Shanghai

    Enjoy a traditional Chinese acrobatics show

  • Day 10: Shanghai

    Take a guided tour of Shanghai

    With your expert local guide you will visit:

    • Jade Buddha Temple, a famous Buddhist temple
    • Yu Yuan Garden, a showplace of classical Chinese landscaping 
    • Nanjing Lu, a main commercial district

    Spend time exploring the Bund, a waterfront promenade, on your own

    Enjoy dinner in Shanghai

  • Day 11: Shanghai

    Industry Engagement: Visit a local University to better understand higher education in China

    Visit the Shanghai Museum, which houses over 120,000 pieces of Chinese art

    Spend time exploring Tianzifang, the art district of the French Concession, on your own

  • Day 12: Depart for home

Add more days

  • Day 12: Shanghai • Hong Kong

    Fly to Hong Kong

    Enjoy dinner in Hong Kong

    Watch A Symphony of Lights show, illuminating Hong Kong's harbor skyline, from the Avenue of Stars

    Take a ride on the Star Ferry from Kowloon to Hong Kong Island 

  • Day 13: Hong Kong

    Take a guided tour of Hong Kong

    With your expert local guide, you will visit:

    • Stanley Market, an open-air shopping area
    • Aberdeen Harbor, a busy fishing port
    • Repulse Bay, an upscale beach area

    Spend the afternoon exploring Hong Kong on your own

    Take a tram ride to the top of Victoria Peak and take in views of the city

    Enjoy a Dim Sum tasting, comprised of many small dishes of specialties

  • Day 14: Hong Kong

    Add this in-depth excursion:
    Lantau Island

    Lantau Island

    Join this full-day excursion to beautiful Lantau Island, the largest of the 230 islands that belong to the territory of Hong Kong. Begin your tour with a 25-minute cable car ride that offers panoramic views of the South China Sea and the lush mountains on the island. Continue on with a visit to the Po Lin (Precious Lotus) monastery and then climb the stairs up to the island’s main attraction; the world’s tallest, outdoor, seated bronze Buddha, measuring 111 feet tall and weighing more than 250 tons. A short walk away is the Wisdom Path where ancient prayers are inscribed on wooden columns set in a figure eight to signify infinity. 

  • Day 15: Depart for home


Learning outcomes on this program

Confidence • Curiosity • Global perspective • Empathy • Adaptability • Relatability • Self-Awareness


EF Global Learning Model Post-Study Abroad Learning Resources
Academic resources

With this program, you get access to our Global Learning Resources, which include:

  • Discussion questions
  • Sample assignments
  • Journal prompts
  • Webinars
  • EF's Global Competency Assessment, a pre- and post-program assessment to measure competency development
See the resources you get
EF Global Learning Model Post-Study Abroad Learning Resources
Academic resources


With this program, you get access to our Global Learning Resources, which include:

  • Discussion questions
  • Sample assignments
  • Journal prompts
  • Webinars
  • EF's Global Competency Assessment, a pre- and post-program assessment to measure competency development

See the resources you get


Your experience includes

  • Round-trip airfare

    Your price includes round-trip airfare for your whole group

  • Accommodations

    Safe, comfortable hotels with private bathrooms will be waiting for you at your destination.

  • On-tour transportation

    Land transportation

  • Regional-style meals

    Daily breakfasts and select local dinners are included in your program. Generally, we leave lunch up to you so your group has an opportunity to explore its own tastes.

  • End-to-end support

    Your team helps to secure administrative approval and academic credit, provides recruiting tools and helps establish your program's ongoing presence on campus.

  • EF Global Learning Toolkit

    To capitalize on moments for building empathy, awareness, and adaptability in a global environment, we offer a number of different tools designed to help educators facilitate student growth abroad and on campus, including academically enriched travel programs, industry engagement opportunities, global learning resources, and a Global Competencies Assessment tool.

  • Full-time Field Director

    Your Field Director is with your group 24/7, providing deep local insight while handling all program logistics.

  • Expert Local Guides

    Your expert Local Guides are natural historians, adding cultural insight and enhancing teaching moments wherever your curriculum takes you.

  • Guided sightseeing

    Gain insider knowledge and cultural perspective from licensed local guides who join your group for select experiences while abroad.

  • Entrances

    Summer Palace, Tai Chi lesson, Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, Great Wall of China, Tea ceremony, Rickshaw tour, Temple of Heaven Park, Bike ride on City Wall, Shaanxi Provincial Historical Museum, Terracotta Warriors, World Financial Center, Bund, Jade Buddha Temple, Yu Yuan Garden; with extension: Star Ferry ride, Peak Tram, Dim sum tasting

  • Worldwide support, safety and security

    EF has over 500 schools and offices in more than 50 countries worldwide. We provide 24-hour emergency support service along with a comprehensive $50 million liability policy that covers you and your institution while abroad.

  • Flexible payment options

    Give more students the opportunity to study abroad by offering them two different payment plan options, along with our TripFunder website to help fundraise for the program.


Programs in real life

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Programs in real life

EF College Study Tours Instagram page     Instagram →

EF College Study Tours Facebook page     Facebook →

EF College Study Tours blog page     Blog →

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