Program Directed by
Sylvie Littledale
If you have questions or would like to talk further about this program, please get in touch!
China
From the Forbidden City to the Tibetan Plateau
Travel abroad to China this summer and immerse yourself in the Mandarin language and culture of China. On this language program for high school students, take Mandarin classes in Beijing and explore the historic hutong neighborhoods. Camp alongside herders on the Inner Mongolian steppe, take part in workshops with Chengdu’s avant-garde artists, and visit the diverse metropolis of Shanghai. Sample the Sichuan Province’s renowned cuisine and end your program on the South China Sea in the international city of Hong Kong.
- Highlights
• Take daily Mandarin classes as you explore historic Beijing
• Spend a week living with a Chinese family in Chengde
• Ride horses and sleep in yurts on the Mongolian steppe
• Explore the diversity of Chinese cuisine, tasting dishes from over six regions
• Spend a week living with a Chinese family in Chengde
• Ride horses and sleep in yurts on the Mongolian steppe
• Explore the diversity of Chinese cuisine, tasting dishes from over six regions
“The planning, design, and execution of the program exceeded our expectations. I think our daughter will remain lifelong friends with her homestay siblings. We are greatly appreciative of that.”
—Alyssa & David C., Allison Park, PA
Itinerary
This itinerary represents our best projection of the group’s schedule. However, we may implement changes designed to improve the quality of the program.
Departure — Travel Day
Meet your fellow high school student travelers and one or more of your leaders in Los Angeles, and fly together to Beijing, China. To learn more about how we organize travel, click here.
Beijing — 4 days
Explore Beijing’s ancient hutong alleyways and modern skyscrapers. Venture out into the city on foot to take in Beijing’s history, from its founding by Kublai Khan 800 years ago to its role as host of the 2008 Olympics. Each morning, take Chinese classes and during afternoons use your Mandarin to connect with Beijingers in different parts of the city. Study calligraphy or learn how to cook classic Beijing dishes. See an acrobatic show or listen to musicians play traditional tunes in the city’s numerous parks.
Inner Mongolia — 3 days
Journey north to Inner Mongolia to embark on a four-day trekking, hiking, and horseback riding adventure across the steppes. Interview local Mongolian herders about their livelihoods, sample traditional Mongolian food, and stay in a yurt. Play games and practice your Mandarin with local children, and learn how to assemble and disassemble a yurt. Practice archery, and learn how lifestyles are changing for herding families in the 21st century.
Chengdu — 3 days
Catch a plane to Chengdu, and get to know this fascinating, beautiful, and laidback city in Southwestern China. Practice your Mandarin in the city’s famous teahouses, and learn from a local chef how to recreate some of Sichuan cuisine’s signature spicy dishes. Get to know the young students, musicians, and artists who make Chengdu a major hub of contemporary Chinese youth culture. Take workshops in art and sculpture with Chengdu’s avant-garde artists.
Western Sichuan — 4 days
Drive west into the foothills of the Tibetan plateau, stopping along the way to see panda conservation in action at a Giant Panda Reserve. Hike along craggy mountain peaks and into majestic Tibetan villages nestled into green valleys. Stand on suspension bridges and admire the rushing Dadu River below. Explore the stone towers of Danba dating back centuries. Enjoy a traditional Tibetan meal in the home of a local family.
Shanghai — 3 days
Head to Shanghai for the last leg of the program. Explore the city’s iconic neighborhoods, from the Bund to the former French Concession, to the ultra-modern district of Pudong. Interview shopkeepers and local students about life in Shanghai.
Shengzhen & Hong Kong — 3 days
Travel South to finish your program in the economic hubs of Shengzhen and Hong Kong. Explore the modern streets of Shengzhen, the center of China’s technology industry. Learn about the rich cultural and linguistic diversity that define the southern region, and take breathtaking hikes through the lush mountains that surround the island city of Hong Kong.
Return — Travel Day
Fly from Hong Kong to Los Angeles with your group and a leader, then continue on to your final destination. To learn more about how we organize travel, click here.
Itinerary
This itinerary represents our best projection of the group’s schedule. However, we may implement changes designed to improve the quality of the program.
Departure — Travel Day
Meet your fellow high school student travelers and one or more of your leaders in Los Angeles, and fly together to Beijing, China. To learn more about how we organize travel, click here.
Beijing — 4 days
Explore Beijing’s ancient hutong alleyways and modern skyscrapers. Venture out into the city on foot to take in Beijing’s history, from its founding by Kublai Khan 800 years ago to its role as host of the 2008 Olympics. Each morning, take Chinese classes and during afternoons use your Mandarin to connect with Beijingers in different parts of the city. Study calligraphy or learn how to cook classic Beijing dishes. See an acrobatic show or listen to musicians play traditional tunes in the city’s numerous parks.
Inner Mongolia — 3 days
Journey north to Inner Mongolia to embark on a four-day trekking, hiking, and horseback riding adventure across the steppes. Interview local Mongolian herders about their livelihoods, sample traditional Mongolian food, and stay in a yurt. Play games and practice your Mandarin with local children, and learn how to assemble and disassemble a yurt. Practice archery, and learn how lifestyles are changing for herding families in the 21st century.
Chengdu — 3 days
Catch a plane to Chengdu, and get to know this fascinating, beautiful, and laidback city in Southwestern China. Practice your Mandarin in the city’s famous teahouses, and learn from a local chef how to recreate some of Sichuan cuisine’s signature spicy dishes. Get to know the young students, musicians, and artists who make Chengdu a major hub of contemporary Chinese youth culture. Take workshops in art and sculpture with Chengdu’s avant-garde artists.
Western Sichuan — 4 days
Drive west into the foothills of the Tibetan plateau, stopping along the way to see panda conservation in action at a Giant Panda Reserve. Hike along craggy mountain peaks and into majestic Tibetan villages nestled into green valleys. Stand on suspension bridges and admire the rushing Dadu River below. Explore the stone towers of Danba dating back centuries. Enjoy a traditional Tibetan meal in the home of a local family.
Shanghai — 3 days
Head to Shanghai for the last leg of the program. Explore the city’s iconic neighborhoods, from the Bund to the former French Concession, to the ultra-modern district of Pudong. Interview shopkeepers and local students about life in Shanghai.
Shengzhen & Hong Kong — 3 days
Travel South to finish your program in the economic hubs of Shengzhen and Hong Kong. Explore the modern streets of Shengzhen, the center of China’s technology industry. Learn about the rich cultural and linguistic diversity that define the southern region, and take breathtaking hikes through the lush mountains that surround the island city of Hong Kong.
Return — Travel Day
Fly from Hong Kong to Los Angeles with your group and a leader, then continue on to your final destination. To learn more about how we organize travel, click here.
Featured
Leaders
Meet some of our featured leaders. Please note that these may not be your leaders for the program.
Featured
Leaders
Meet some of our featured leaders. Please note that these may not be your leaders for the program.
What to Expect
Review specific program expectations here. For more general information:
Language Learning
The goals of this language program are to improve your fluency in Mandarin by building your vocabulary and confidence in speaking, while exploring China’s culture through outdoor activities and interactions with locals. Each day, leaders hold dynamic conversational language lessons designed to help you let go of your inhibitions and communicate more easily. Language lessons are fun and interactive, and incorporate active, hands-on elements such as scavenger hunts, games, and informal interviews.
Language Pledge
Two years of language study are required for this program. Each student signs a language pledge to speak only Mandarin during the program, not only with the many local people you meet, but also with your leaders and within your group. To learn more about our Language programs click here.
Independent Project
Pursue an independent project and explore an aspect of local culture of particular interest to you— study different styles of Chinese calligraphy, make a photo journal about Tibetan architecture, or learn several cooking recipes from your Chengde host family.
Technology
To encourage full engagement and immersion in the Putney travel experience, we limit the use of cell phones and other devices on our High School programs. Students are allowed to use their phones in transit to the program, and keep their devices throughout. During in-country orientation, leaders will lock phones with a code, unlocking them for the second half of the program. During the tech-free portion of the program, students have the opportunity for a weekly call home according to a pre-arranged schedule. For more details, please see our FAQ.
Physical Activity
This is a physically active travel program that involves some hiking, horseback riding, and city walking. You do not need to be at peak fitness to participate, but it is important that you have a desire to be physically active, and that you are excited about trying all activities.
Accommodations
We stay in a range of different accommodations throughout the program, including hotels, hostels, guesthouses, private homes, yurts, and tents. When not camping, the group will have access to hot water and electricity.
Altitude
This program visits high altitude destinations—Most of the excursion into Western Sichuan is over 8,000 feet (~2450 meters) in altitude, and some moderate hikes reach elevations as high as 10,000 feet (~3000 meters).
Meals
Meals will be taken in restaurants. When camping, local outfitters and guides prepare meals for the group.
What to Expect
Review specific program expectations here. For more general information:
Language Learning
The goals of this language program are to improve your fluency in Mandarin by building your vocabulary and confidence in speaking, while exploring China’s culture through outdoor activities and interactions with locals. Each day, leaders hold dynamic conversational language lessons designed to help you let go of your inhibitions and communicate more easily. Language lessons are fun and interactive, and incorporate active, hands-on elements such as scavenger hunts, games, and informal interviews.
Language Pledge
Two years of language study are required for this program. Each student signs a language pledge to speak only Mandarin during the program, not only with the many local people you meet, but also with your leaders and within your group. To learn more about our Language programs click here.
Independent Project
Pursue an independent project and explore an aspect of local culture of particular interest to you— study different styles of Chinese calligraphy, make a photo journal about Tibetan architecture, or learn several cooking recipes from your Chengde host family.
Technology
To encourage full engagement and immersion in the Putney travel experience, we limit the use of cell phones and other devices on our High School programs. Students are allowed to use their phones in transit to the program, and keep their devices throughout. During in-country orientation, leaders will lock phones with a code, unlocking them for the second half of the program. During the tech-free portion of the program, students have the opportunity for a weekly call home according to a pre-arranged schedule. For more details, please see our FAQ.
Physical Activity
This is a physically active travel program that involves some hiking, horseback riding, and city walking. You do not need to be at peak fitness to participate, but it is important that you have a desire to be physically active, and that you are excited about trying all activities.
Accommodations
We stay in a range of different accommodations throughout the program, including hotels, hostels, guesthouses, private homes, yurts, and tents. When not camping, the group will have access to hot water and electricity.
Altitude
This program visits high altitude destinations—Most of the excursion into Western Sichuan is over 8,000 feet (~2450 meters) in altitude, and some moderate hikes reach elevations as high as 10,000 feet (~3000 meters).
Meals
Meals will be taken in restaurants. When camping, local outfitters and guides prepare meals for the group.
A Day in the Life: Beijing
Due to the traveling nature of this summer program abroad, each day is different. Here is a snapshot of a day in Beijing.
- Morning
8:00am
Enjoy breakfast at your accommodations
9:00am
Meet with local language teachers for an interactive Mandarin lesson in the market
- Afternoon
12:00pm
Eat lunch at a traditional Northern restaurant
1:00pm
Join local high school students for a scavenger hunt through Beijing’s hutongs
- Evening
6:00pm
Try Mongolian Hot Pot for dinner with your group
9:00pm
End the day with a group nightly meeting
A Day in the Life:
Beijing
Due to the traveling nature of this summer program abroad, each day is different. Here is a snapshot of a day in Beijing.
- Morning
8:00am
Enjoy breakfast at your accommodations
9:00am
Meet with local language teachers for an interactive Mandarin lesson in the market
- Afternoon
12:00pm
Eat lunch at a traditional Northern restaurant
1:00pm
Join local high school students for a scavenger hunt through Beijing’s hutongs
- Evening
6:00pm
Try Mongolian Hot Pot for dinner with your group
9:00pm
End the day with a group nightly meeting
“She gained more confidence in herself, gained very close friendships, became less nervous about speaking a second language, and learned so much about traveling in a group. The program gave her a great sense of accomplishment.”
—Shaun & Alexandra A., Boston, MA
Program Directed by
Sylvie Littledale
If you have questions or would like to talk further about this program, please get in touch!
