2026 China Explorers Program

Accommodations

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

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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.

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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.

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Group Flight

Once your flight schedule has been confirmed, the itinerary will appear here.

Walking Tree will secure a seat on the group flight for each participant unless otherwise instructed.

Travelers are responsible for checked baggage fees. Please visit the airline’s baggage webpage to learn if you should expect to pay anything.

We will provide a group manifest – complete with reservation codes and ticket numbers – to the Group Organizer/s before departure, and travelers will need to check in at the airport in order to receive their boarding pass and have documents verified. We recommend arriving no later than three hours prior to the scheduled departure, but contact your Group Organizer for specific details on exactly where and when to meet on the day of departure.

FLIGHT INTERRUPTION, DELAY OR CANCELLATION 
Air travel can be unpredictable.  Regardless of proper planning, there may still be instances when a flight is delayed or cancelled due to staffing shortages, weather, mechanical problems, etc.  Please note that in such an event, Walking Tree Travel (WTT) is not financially responsible for unanticipated costs incurred by travelers en route.  Our programs officially begin and end in the destination country, and because our staff doesn’t fly with the group, Group Organizers (the traveling faculty member/s) become the front-line advocate for the group in the event of a delay. In most cases of cancellations or delays, the airline will be the one who re-books travel or possibly arranges a hotel and food the night.  Our primary role will be to  keep families updated and provide support to the Group Organizer to reach a  quick and effective resolution.

Host Community and Project Details

Packing List

What follows is a sample packing list but you know yourself better than we do so please adjust accordingly. We recommend you bring a larger piece of luggage like a roller, duffel bag, or backpack, as well as a smaller backpack that you can bring on daily outings, weekend excursions and shorter activities.

“Less is more” is a packing tip we encourage for all our travelers. The list below should cover everything you would need, but know yourself and what you are comfortable traveling with.  We suggest bringing only as much as you would be able to carry on your own.

Finally, we recommend consulting a weather forecast for your destination. 

CLOTHES

• Underwear (enough for the entire trip or plan to do laundry)
• Socks (a mix of breathable casual socks and a few moisture-wicking pairs)
• T-shirts (some quick-dry for humid and warm days)
• Long sleeve shirts (lightweight for sun protection, cooler evenings, or cultural site visits)
• Light rain jacket and/or compact umbrella (June can be hot, humid, and rainy)
• Medium-weight jacket or sweatshirt
• Comfortable/light-weight pants
• Comfortable/light-weight shorts
• Durable athletic or walking shoes with good support
• Slip-on shoes (helpful for cultural sites where shoes may need to be removed)
• Sandals
• Sleepwear
• Hat or cap for sun protection
• Set of slightly dressier clothes (for special visits or cultural activities)

TOILETRIES

• Your basics
• High SPF sunscreen
• Basic first aid supplies
• Hand sanitizer or travel wipes
• Medications in original packaging
• Small packs of tissues or toilet paper
• Vitamins or probiotics (optional but recommended)

MISCELLANEOUS

• Passport
• Student ID
• Sunglasses
• Journal and pen
• Book
• Camera
• Debit card and/or cash in USD or Chinese RMB (CNY) (About $100–$200 depending on souvenirs, snacks, etc.)
• Durable, refillable water bottle
• Quick-dry towel (optional but helpful)
• Deck of cards or small games for downtime
• Small daypack for daily excursions
• Portable power bank (Chinese airports have strict regulations regarding portable batteries. Power banks should clearly display capacity information and ideally include the “CCC” certification mark.)
• Travel pillow and sleep mask (for flights or train rides)
• Power adapter (China uses Type A, C, and I plugs with 220V standard voltage)

TRAVEL DOCUMENTS

Students should carry the following required travel documents in their personal item or carry-on bag at all times during travel:

• Passport valid for at least 6 months beyond the program travel dates
• Chinese visa
• Flight itinerary and boarding passes
• Student ID
• Health insurance card and/or travel insurance information
• Emergency contact information
• Copies of prescriptions for any medications being carried

IMPORTANT FOR MINORS:
We strongly recommend that all students under 18 traveling without their parents carry a notarized parental travel consent letter authorizing international travel with the school and Walking Tree Travel. While this may not always be specifically requested by immigration authorities, it is considered best practice for international student travel programs and may be helpful during airline check-in, immigration procedures, hotel stays, domestic travel within China, or emergency medical situations.

Students should also complete the China arrival card before landing or upon arrival at the airport:
China Arrival Card Form

We strongly recommend bringing:

• A printed copy of all important travel documents
• A digital backup stored securely on a phone or cloud storage service

MOBILE PAYMENTS & CASH IN CHINA

China relies heavily on mobile payment systems, and many businesses prefer cashless payment methods.

We strongly recommend students:

• Download Alipay before departure
• Add a debit or credit card to their Alipay account before arriving in China
• Bring a small amount of backup cash in Chinese RMB (CNY)

Most restaurants, convenience stores, malls, markets, and transportation systems accept Alipay through QR code payments.

Students will generally need very little cash during the program. However, having some cash available for emergencies or small purchases is still recommended.

If students wish to exchange money, it is highly recommended to do so before arriving in China or at the airport upon arrival. Currency exchange within China can sometimes be time-consuming and less convenient for groups.

Support Team

At a minimum, one experienced Program Leader will travel on every trip. In addition to this full time leadership presence, Walking Tree has additional staff in all destinations and 24/7 support from our headquarters in Denver, Colorado. Below you’ll find the the team members involved in the preparation, planning and execution of your program.

Luke Mueller

Co-Founder of Walking Tree Travel and Business Lead - Denver, CO

[email protected]

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Emory University – B.A. Sociology and minor in Latin American History

Luke’s path to student travel began in Mexico, during a year abroad in Mexico and Central America. This formative time led him to join an international volunteer program which, after graduating from college, sent him to the small village of San Gerardo de Rivas in south-central Costa Rica. Welcomed by the loveliest of host families, his experience in this tiny town is directly connected to the beginnings of Walking Tree five years later. His love for travel still burns bright, and today he’s lucky to have a wife and daughter who are equally passionate about exploring the world. Settled in Denver, he adores his family and colleagues, skies whenever possible, and is a devoted fan of all Colorado sports teams.

Deng Xuemei (Dala)

Program Leader

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Deng Xuemei (Dala) is a warm, patient and enthusiastic professional with over six years of experience in outdoor education and student travel program management. Renowned for her empathetic and approachable personality, she excels at building genuine connections with students and tailoring her communication and guidance to resonate with Western learners of all ages.

Dala has led more than 55 incident-free educational trips across China, serving elite international schools in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen and Hong Kong. Her core strengths lie in seamlessly integrating educational content with engaging experiential learning, designing immersive itineraries that blend cultural exploration, outdoor activities and interactive workshops. Fluent in English (TEM-8, IELTS 7) and a native Mandarin speaker, she bridges cross-cultural gaps effortlessly, ensuring students feel supported, inspired and fully engaged throughout the journey.

Holding a master’s and bachelor’s degree in English, Dala combines strong academic background with creative curriculum design and meticulous logistics coordination. Her positive, energetic and reliable leadership makes her a trusted partner in delivering high-quality, student-centered travel programs, and an ideal candidate to lead Walking Tree Travel’s U.S. student excursions.

Juan Pablo “JP” Rabanales

Global Country Operations Manager

[email protected]

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Earlham College – B.A. International Studies, Minor in Economics

Born and raised in Guatemala in a big family, JP spent seven years living and studying in the U.S., where he was exposed to highly diverse communities. He worked as a Wilderness Leader guiding expeditions across the American Southwest and later attended Earlham College in Indiana after completing the International Baccalaureate in New Mexico. His passion for international affairs led him to study abroad in China and travel extensively throughout Asia and beyond. To date, JP has visited 33 countries, often combining travel with service projects and cultural immersion experiences. Today, he is based in Costa Rica and works full time with the Walking Tree team. Outside of work, he enjoys photography, art and design, hosting friends and travelers, and planning road trips across Costa Rica and Latin America.

Group Roster

Below is a list of the travelers enrolled on the program.

• 1 Aaliyah Williams
• 2 Adam Schmucker
• 3 Alexander Dyer
• 4 Claire Hale
• 5 Declan Moran
• 6 Elsa Staelin
• 7 Gabriel Dean
• 8 Haley Bowman
• 9 Hayes Chinn
• 10 James Kelley
• 11 Kaylee Willis
• 12 Lauren Glenn
• 13 MollyKatherine Orr
• 14 Sarah Gallimore
• 15 Stefano Boschi Asbun
• 16 Tully Johnson

Blog and Communication

During travel we work hard to keep families updated as frequently as possible with blog posts and photos, giving you peace of mind that your traveler is safe and thriving on their program.  Students regularly contribute to these posts, providing families back home a great way to vicariously track the progress of the trip. You will be notified when the first update is posted, after which we recommend checking in regularly via the black “Program Blog” button at the top of this webpage.

Assuming your school allows the use of cell phones, most destinations are wired enough to allow participants access WiFi at different moments in the program, allowing them to communicate directly with home. Ask your Walking Tree representative about the degree of connectivity on your program.

INTERNET & PHONE ACCESS IN CHINA

Please note that many websites and apps commonly used in the United States (including Google, Gmail, Instagram, WhatsApp, Snapchat, and some social media platforms) may not work in China without a VPN when connected to Wi-Fi networks.

In many cases, students using international cellular data plans, roaming plans, or international eSIMs may still be able to access these apps without needing a VPN. However, this can vary depending on the carrier and service being used.

We strongly recommend:

• Activating a VPN before departure
• Purchasing an international SIM card or eSIM with data access before arriving in China
• Downloading important apps, maps, and documents before travel

Students should also download:

• WeChat
• Google Translate offline language packs
• Airline apps and boarding passes before departure

WECHAT & COMMUNICATION

WeChat is the primary communication platform used in China and will likely be the easiest way for students to communicate with local guides, vendors, and one another during the program.

We strongly recommend students:

• Download WeChat before departure
• Create and verify their account before arriving in China
• Add fellow students, teachers, and program leaders before departure when possible

To create a WeChat account, students will generally need:

• A phone number capable of receiving text messages
• The ability to receive a verification code
• In some cases, verification from an existing WeChat user

While GroupMe, iMessage, and regular texting may still work depending on data access and Wi-Fi conditions, WeChat will likely be the most reliable communication tool throughout the trip.

GLC Curriculum

Standards of Behavior

In order to run a safe and successful program, it is vital that travelers are prepared to be on their best behavior and bring enthusiasm and interest to each and every day. A communal atmosphere of trust and mutual respect is the foundational.  As such, all individuals participating on a Walking Tree program are required to take responsibility for their actions and adhere to a high standard of personal conduct.

IMMEDIATE DISMISSAL

1. Possessing, consuming or distributing alcohol or illegal drugs.
2. Associating with participants while they are in possession of alcohol or illegal drugs.
3. Behaving in a way that consistently damages the group dynamic or jeopardizes personal or group safety. This includes consistently displaying a negative attitude, intimidating or excluding other participants, sneaking out, disobeying group leaders, and any other behavior that is not conducive to an atmosphere of trust and mutual respect.

GROUNDS FOR DISMISSAL OR IN-COUNTRY CONSEQUENCE

1. Getting a piercing or tattoo.
2. Stealing, or deliberately damaging or defacing any personal property, buildings or materials.
3. Threatening physical or emotional harm, or brandishing a weapon.
4. Possessing, consuming, or distributing tobacco or nicotine, including vape pens.
5. Riding mopeds, motorcycles, or any other type of unauthorized vehicle.
6. Being out of designated area or accommodations after curfew.
7. Breaking group rules.

These standards of behavior are essential for the successful completion of your program. Please take the time to review these as a family and make sure everyone understands and agrees to them.

Health and Safety

We strongly recommend visiting the CDC China website to get the most updated information on health and vaccination considerations in your destination country. In addition, we encourage you to consult your personal family physician so you can be as informed as possible when making important decisions about vaccinations and other necessary health-related preparations before traveling.

Our in-country staff meticulously prepare for all programs. Walking Tree receives regular updates from the U.S. Department of State’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to proactively stay ahead of any potential security concerns. Our in-country staff also verify the safety records of our partner organizations, vendors, and transportation providers, thoroughly vet homestay families through in-depth interviews and visits, and stay informed about important current events in the region.

Program Leaders are seasoned travelers who are CPR and First Aid certified, undergo thorough training in crisis management, and participate in comprehensive leadership training. We do our best to prepare for any eventuality and have detailed emergency protocols for our leaders, in-country staff, and U.S.-based staff.

We collect medical disclosures from all participants to ensure we can meet every student’s needs during the program. Please inform us immediately of any additional health issues not listed during your initial registration process. Leaders and in-country staff are prepared to respond promptly to any mental, physical, or emotional health concerns and follow comprehensive emergency protocols.

Insurance

While we work hard to ensure the safest experience possible for our travelers on program, experience teaches that travel can be unpredictable. For this reason, we recommend that all travelers consider a travel insurance policy with a Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) provision. Detailed explanations of plan options can be found via the link below.

To provide travelers and families with a quality option, Walking Tree has partnered with Travel Insured International, one of the most respected providers in the industry.  Begin by getting a quote here.

IMPORTANT NOTE: in order to secure coverage that includes CFAR, you must purchase the plan within 14-21 days of your first payment to Walking Tree. Be careful when you read the tenets of the policy to ensure you understand the required timeframe for purchase. You must also insure 100% of your trip cost, so program tuition + flight. Please reach out to us with questions.