Beijing - Art, Identity & Power

The itinerary shown is purely an example. All of our trips can be built around your school’s needs, with so many wonderful things going on in these Chinese cities, there’s so much to see and do…

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Day 1 – Arrival & Welcome to Beijing

  • Arrival and airport transfer to Hotel

  • Welcome briefing: Beijing as a cultural and creative capital

  • Short orientation walk to absorb first impressions

  • Relaxed group meal and early night

Day 2 – School Life, Creativity & Making Friends

  • Full day at partner school

  • Joint art sessions with Chinese students:

    Ice-breaker drawing activities

    Comparing UK and Chinese student art styles

  • Games, social time and creative collaboration

  • Evening at the Hotel

Day 3 – Imperial Art, Colour & Craft

  • Visit to the Forbidden City (Palace Museum)

    Colour, symbolism, pattern and craftsmanship

  • Detail sketching and photography challenges

  • Creative prompt: Imperial colours reimagined

  • Evening at the Hotel

Day 4 – Traditional Arts, Calligraphy & Street Culture

  • Visit to museum or cultural centre focusing on:

    Ceramics

    Calligraphy

    Decorative arts

  • Hands-on calligraphy or brush-painting workshop

  • Evening hutong experience:

    Courtyard streets

    Local snacks

    Traditional games and crafts

 

Day 5 – School Project Day: Old Meets New

  • Second full day at partner school

  • Joint creative project:

    Reinterpreting traditional Chinese art in a modern style

  • Informal exhibition and peer feedback

  • Evening at the Hotel

Day 6 – Art, Power & Performance

  • Visit to Tiananmen Square and the National Museum of China

  • Focus on:

    Revolutionary art

    Visual messaging and propaganda

  • Interactive discussion (age-appropriate, visual-led)

  • Evening cultural performance
    (acrobatics / theatre / music – always a highlight)

Day 7 – Contemporary Art & Celebration

  • Visit to the 798 Art District

    Galleries, installations, street art

    Photography and sketchbook work

  • Final creative reflection:

    Favourite styles

    Biggest surprises

  • Farewell group dinner
    (local restaurant, shared photos and celebration)

Day 8 – Departure

  • Sketchbook review and certificates

  • Programme close

  • Transfer to airport