Day 1 – Arrival & Welcome to the Capital

• Arrival in Beijing and airport transfer to hotel

• Welcome briefing: Beijing as China’s political and cultural heart

• Introduction to the themes for the trip and student journals

• Evening meal and rest at the hotel

Day 2 – Imperial Authority, Belief & Urban Order

• Full day exploring the architectural and symbolic foundations of imperial Beijing

• Visit to the Forbidden City

• Focus on:

  Imperial authority and governance

  Symbolism and spatial planning

• Walk through Tiananmen Square

• Visit to the Temple of Heaven

  Ritual, belief and sacred architecture

• Climb Jingshan Park for panoramic views

• Evening walk and group dinner in a local area

Day 3 – Urban Life, Continuity & Change

• Exploration of Beijing’s historic urban environment

• Morning exploration of traditional Beijing Hutongs

• Focus on:

  Everyday life and community structure

  Urban continuity and change

• Rickshaw ride through historic hutong neighbourhoods

• Visit to the Drum Tower

• Guided discussion on:

  Preservation and modernisation in Beijing

• Evening Kung Fu performance

Day 4 – Belief, Ceremony & Cosmic Order

• Visit to the Temple of Heaven

• Focus on:

  Ritual, belief and sacred architecture

  Cosmology and symbolic design

• Exploration of surrounding parkland and local activity

• Guided discussion on:

  Continuity of cultural practices

• Evening at the Hotel

Day 5 – Culture, Craft & Creative Beijing

• Exploration of Beijing’s cultural and creative heritage

• Visit to a traditional arts workshop

• Focus on:

  Traditional craftsmanship and design

  Cultural identity through art

• Hands-on activity (e.g. calligraphy or craft workshop)

• Exploration of a local cultural district or market area

• Evening Peking Duck group dinner

Day 6 – Modern Beijing & Contemporary Identity

• Visit to the 798 Art District

• Focus on:

  Contemporary art and modern Chinese identity

  Urban regeneration and creative space

• Exploration of galleries, street art and installations

• Evening cultural performance (acrobatics, music or theatre)

Day 7 – Defence, Landscape & Reflection

• Visit to the Great Wall of China

• Focus on:

  Defence and engineering

  Landscape and strategic design

• Final reflection session

• Farewell celebratory group dinner

Day 8 – Departure

• Final reflections and certificates

• Programme close

• Transfer to airport