2026 China Explorers Program
| Travel Dates: | June 2, 2026 - June 14, 2026 |
| Group Organizer(s): |
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| WTT Contact: |
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| Program Tuition: |
$3,490 USD
Airfare not included in program tuition
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| Confirmed Airfare: | $2,279 |
Tuition Calculator
There are two options for payment, including an interest-free monthly installment plan. Follow whichever option works best for your family. If we are within 90 days of travel, only the pay in full option is possible.
Program Tuition: $3,490
Pay in Full
$3,490.00
due today
All prices in United States Dollars.
China
As the 21st century unfolds, it is clear that China will take a leading role in shaping the way the world evolves. The world’s most populous nation has as its backdrop 5,000 years of history and is home to a splendid variety of cultures, geography and food. Growing at remarkable pace, China provides a glimpse of the future while also allowing the traveler to delve into a richly contextualized past.
Program Highlights
Check out some of the featured experiences of your program!
Travel the world's most impressive high-speed rail system
Eat delicious, and we mean delicious Chinese food!
Improve your Mandarin through regular interaction with native speakers
Hike along The Great Wall of China
Visit the Terracotta Army at Xi'an
Admire Shanghai's world famouns skyline
The Itinerary
We do everything possible to abide by itineraries as originally planned, but decades of experience teaches that we must be flexible in our planning. Changes to a trip’s schedule are uncommon, but Walking Tree reserves the right to make adjustments to programming in the best interest of the group.
| Day | Location | Description | Lodging |
|---|---|---|---|
| June 2 | USA → Beijing | Today the group will take an evening flight from the USA to Beijing, China. | Airplane |
| June 3 | USA → Beijing | The group will continue traveling from the USA to Beijing, China. | Airplane |
| June 4 | USA → Beijing | Upon arrival at Beijing Capital International Airport, we will clear immigration, collect our luggage, and meet our local guide before transferring to our hotel in the Chongwenmen area. After settling in, we will enjoy an early lunch at or near the hotel, followed by check-in and some time to rest and freshen up after our journey. In the afternoon, we will gather for our Walking Tree Big Orientation Meeting to go over expectations, safety, and the exciting days ahead. Afterward, we will head out to explore the area near our hotel, giving us a relaxed introduction to the city and a chance to stretch our legs after travel. In the evening, we will enjoy an early group dinner before returning to the hotel for a brief check-in about the next day. We’ll then get a good night’s rest to help adjust to the new time zone. | Manxin Mansion Beijing Nanluoguxiang |
| June 5 | Beijing | This morning we’ll drive about 70 km to see one of the Seven Wonders of the World – the Great Wall of China. We’ll visit the Mutianyu section, one of the best-preserved yet less crowded areas. After taking a cable car up, we’ll hike along its ancient stones before descending by cable car again. After lunch, we’ll continue to the Summer Palace, China’s largest and best-preserved imperial garden, where we’ll stroll among pavilions, bridges, temples, and the famous Long Corridor. In the evening, we’ll enjoy a special dinner featuring Beijing’s world-famous Peking Duck, and even practice using chopsticks. | Manxin Mansion Beijing Nanluoguxiang |
| June 6 | Beijing | After breakfast, we’ll head into Beijing’s historic hutong neighborhoods to experience a more traditional side of the city. Students will participate in a short hands-on cultural workshop such as Chinese paper cutting or Peking Opera mask painting before having some time to explore the hutong area in small groups, browse local shops, and enjoy the atmosphere of the neighborhood. After lunch, we’ll visit the legendary Forbidden City (Palace Museum), home to 24 emperors during the Ming and Qing dynasties. With its glazed tile roofs, marble foundations, and colorful paintings, this immense complex is considered one of the greatest masterpieces of Chinese architecture. Dinner will follow before returning to the hotel. | Manxin Mansion Beijing Nanluoguxiang |
| June 7 | Beijing → Xi’an | This morning, we’ll visit the Temple of Heaven, where emperors once prayed for good harvests and where students will gain insight into the role of spirituality and ritual in imperial China. After lunch featuring Beijing’s famous Peking Duck, we’ll transfer to the railway station and board a high-speed train to Xi’an (approx. 6 hrs). Students will enjoy a simple picnic-style dinner on the train before arriving in Xi’an and transferring to our hotel. | Eastern House Boutique Hotel |
| June 8 | Xi’an | Today we’ll visit the Terracotta Warriors Museum, one of the greatest archaeological discoveries in human history. With thousands of life-sized soldiers, chariots, and horses, this underground army was built to protect the first emperor, Qin Shihuang, in the afterlife. Students will also participate in a pottery-making workshop inspired by the Terracotta Warriors under the guidance of a local artisan. Later, we’ll admire the exterior of the Bell Tower and Drum Tower, two iconic symbols of Xi’an’s Ming Dynasty history, before enjoying dinner together. | Eastern House Boutique Hotel |
| June 9 | Xi’an | In the morning, we’ll visit Da Cien Temple and the impressive Big Wild Goose Pagoda, built during the Tang Dynasty to house sacred Buddhist scriptures. We’ll then explore the Ancient City Wall, where students may walk along the top and optionally bike for panoramic views of the city. After lunch, we’ll head to the Great Mosque and the bustling Muslim Quarter, filled with markets, local snacks, and lively streets. This evening, students will receive a food stipend to independently explore the Muslim Quarter and purchase dinner on their own, allowing them to sample local delicacies and experience the atmosphere of one of Xi’an’s most vibrant neighborhoods. | Eastern House Boutique Hotel |
| June 10 | Xi’an → Shijiazhuang | This morning, we’ll board a high-speed train to Shijiazhuang (approx. 5 hrs), enjoying lunch on the train along the way. Upon arrival, we’ll begin our introduction to the city with some light sightseeing and time to settle in before dinner. This evening, students will prepare for the following day’s exchange activities with local students. | Blue Stay T3 Hotel |
| June 11 | Shijiazhuang → Beijing | Today we will participate in our exchange activities with students from Shijiazhuang Foreign Language School. Students will have the opportunity to learn more about daily life and education in China through cultural exchange activities and interaction with local students. Depending on the final school arrangements, activities may include campus visits, student conversations, cultural workshops, or traditional arts experiences. After lunch, we’ll return to Beijing by high-speed train and enjoy dinner after arriving back in the capital. | Manxin Mansion Beijing Nanluoguxiang |
| June 12 | Beijing | Today begins with a visit to the Beijing Zoo, one of China’s oldest and largest zoos, home to over 5,000 animals, including the beloved giant panda. After lunch, we’ll continue to the Imperial College (Guozijian), China’s highest educational institution during the Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties. Nearby, we’ll visit the Confucius Temple, built in 1302 to honor the philosopher Confucius. Peaceful courtyards, stone steles, and traditional architecture will give us insight into China’s reverence for knowledge and virtue. Dinner will follow. | Manxin Mansion Beijing Nanluoguxiang |
| June 13 | Beijing → USA | On our final day in China, we will enjoy breakfast at the hotel before taking time to finish packing and prepare for departure. We will then wrap up our program with a final activity or reflection session before checking out of the hotel. After lunch, we will head out for one last activity in the city, offering a final opportunity to explore and take in the culture. In the early evening, we will come together for a farewell dinner to celebrate our journey and reflect on our experiences. Following dinner, we will transfer to the airport for our late-night departure, arriving with ample time for check-in and security before our flight home. | Airplane |
| June 14 | USA | Arrive home. | Your own bed! |
Accommodations
In order to provide a safe and memorable experience, we follow strict guidelines when choosing group accommodations. Walking Tree partners with hotels and guest houses which are centrally located, locally operated, clean and safe. We inspect each partner hotel to ensure they meet these standards.
Manxin Mansion Beijing Nanluoguxiang
The Manxin Mansion Beijing Nanluoguxiang is a traditional courtyard-style hotel located in Beijing’s historic hutong district near Nanluoguxiang, the Drum Tower, and the Houhai area. Built in the style of a classic Chinese siheyuan courtyard residence, the hotel offers students a more immersive cultural experience while still providing modern comforts and amenities. The property combines traditional Chinese architecture and decoration with updated guest rooms and common spaces that create a welcoming environment for educational travel groups. Students will also be within walking distance of local restaurants, shops, and historic alleyways that help showcase everyday life in Beijing. Amenities include breakfast service, Wi-Fi access, courtyard and lounge areas, laundry facilities, and modern guest rooms with private en-suite bathrooms, air conditioning, televisions, toiletries, safes, mini refrigerators, and other standard amenities suitable for student travel groups
Eastern House Boutique Hotel
Estern House Boutique Hotel is a modern boutique-style hotel located in the historic center of Xi’an, within convenient distance of the Muslim Quarter, Bell Tower, and other major cultural attractions. The hotel combines contemporary comfort with local Chinese design elements, creating a welcoming atmosphere that is well-suited for educational travel groups. The property offers spacious common areas, breakfast service, laundry facilities, and easy access to nearby restaurants and shops. Guest rooms include private en-suite bathrooms, air conditioning, Wi-Fi access, televisions, toiletries, safes, mini refrigerators, and other modern amenities designed to provide a comfortable stay for students and leaders alike.
Blue Stay T3 Hotel
Blue Stay T3 Hotel is a newly opened modern hotel located in the Yuhua District of Shijiazhuang, offering a more contemporary and lifestyle-oriented atmosphere for student groups. The property features updated common spaces, fitness facilities, on-site dining options, and convenient access to nearby commercial areas and transportation routes. Designed with a modern aesthetic, the hotel provides a comfortable environment that feels more tourism-oriented than a traditional business hotel. Guest rooms include private en-suite bathrooms, air conditioning, Wi-Fi access, televisions, toiletries, hair dryers, and modern furnishings suitable for student travel groups. The hotel also offers laundry facilities, elevators, breakfast service with both Chinese and Western options, and common lounge areas that can work well for group gatherings and downtime.
Safety and Support
EASY FUNDING & PAYMENT
24/7 GLOBAL EMERGENCY LINE
HIGHLY VETTED PARTNERS
EXPERT LEADERSHIP
PRIVATE GROUP GUARANTEE
COMPREHENSIVE CURRICULUM SUPPORT
DEDICATION TO CULTURAL ENGAGEMENT
ALL-INCLUSIVE PRICING
Lovett’s trip to Morocco was a once in a lifetime trip for a lot of our students. It was great to hear how the students raved about the trip to their parents upon return. Overall a wonderful trip that the students and staff loved!
Sabrina
Group Organizer on Morocco Service Adventure
Your Adventure Includes
Estimated Airfare
In order to give our travelers the best possible price, we break out airfare from the Program Tuition. We will still handle all booking and ticketing via our flight partner who has access to special fares not available to the general public. Once confirmed, you will be invoiced for the flight roughly 75 days prior to travel.
Program Tuition Excludes: Travel insurance, baggage fees, passport/visa fees, laundry, souvenirs, and activities not listed on itinerary.
Resource Center
Why should high school students travel abroad? What happens if a participant gets sick? How quickly do we need to enroll? We’re sure you have plenty of questions and we’ve got you covered! Visit our Resource Center to discover the answers to your most pressing questions and contact us anytime with additional questions.