With classic Mandarin hailing from Beijing and spoken accurately in Xian, these cities form the perfect introduction for developing language competence and experiencing Chinese culture and heritage in two important ancient capitals.
China’s contemporary capital, Beijing, is one of the world's most populous cities, where humble hutongs stand next to glistening skyscrapers, and the Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven and Summer Palace showcase China’s Imperial history. A train ride south west of Beijing, Xian is the capital of Shaanxi Province. Discovered by a farmer in 1974, Xian’s Terracotta Army is made up of 7000 hand-carved soldiers, which lay buried for over 2000 years. Less developed than Beijing, Xian is considered an excellent example of a traditional Chinese city.
Encourage your students to order Peking duck in Beijing restaurants and street-snacks from Xians markets. They can perfect their pronunciation by listening to Běijīnghuà and join the locals for a game of Mah-Jong. Your students can compare imperial rule to the communist era as they learn about emperors in the Forbidden City and the Cultural Revolution in Tiananmen Square. Put sports-terminology into context at Beijing’s Olympic stadium and find out about defence tactics at the Great Wall of China. Students will appreciate the well preserved architecture of Xian, and can ask for directions as they tour the city’s ancient walls and venture outside the city to experience the legendary Terracotta Warriors.
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Key Study Areas
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Location Click here to view map
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MFL Excursions
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Our best value sample itinerary from £1190
8 Days to Beijing & Xian
Day 1:
Travel overnight to Beijing by air.
Day 2:
Arrive in Beijing and transfer to your accommodation. Spend the rest of the day at leisure exploring the local area. Overnight in Beijing.
Day 3:
Take a morning language lesson, followed by a visit to the Forbidden City, the imperial palace where the court lived in luxury isolated from the outside world, and Tiananmen Square, the largest square in the world. In the afternoon visit the Summer Palace of the imperial family just outside of Beijing. Overnight in Beijing.
Day 4:
Visit the Great Wall of China and walk along the steep pathway and see the watch towers. Continue to the Temple of Heaven, then onwards to a local craft factory. Take the overnight sleeper train to Xian.
Day 5:
Arrive in Xian. Visit the Wild Goose Pagoda within the Temple of Grace and the Bell and Drum Tower Square. Overnight in Xian.
Day 6:
Visit a local school in Xian before your visit to the Terracotta Army Museum, built in pits over 2000 years ago to guard the tomb of the Emperor Qin followed by a local craft factory. Overnight on sleeper train to Beijing.
Day 7:
Arrive in Beijing for a morning language lesson. Visit the Hutongs, narrow alleys and lanes lined on both sides with traditional Beijing 'Sieyuan' courtyard houses, or four-sided enclosed yards. Afterwards enjoy a traditional Tea Ceremony at the Beijing Tea House. Visit Wangfujing Street. Overnight in Beijing.
Day 8:
Transfer to the airport for return flight, usually arriving early evening on the same day.
