Shanghai - Global Influence, Urban Change & Architectural Identity

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 & Orientation

  • Arrival in Shanghai and airport transfer to hotel

  • Welcome briefing: Shanghai’s historical and architectural development

  • Programme overview and expectations

  • Evening meal and rest after travel

Day 2 – Host School Immersion: History, Architecture & Urban Life

  • Full day at partner school

  • Joint lessons with Chinese students:

    Shanghai history and urban development

    Architecture and everyday life

  • Campus tour and student-led discussion

  • Evening at the Hotel

Day 3 – Imperial China & Classical Design

  • Visit to Yuyuan Garden

    Ming Dynasty garden design

    Symbolism, balance and philosophical principles

  • Study of surrounding historic commercial streets

  • Architectural sketching and observation tasks

  • Evening at the Hotel

Day 4 – Shanghai as a Treaty Port & Global City

  • Guided architectural study of The Bund

    Colonial-era trade buildings

    Architecture as power and global influence

  • Visit to the Shanghai Museum

    Ancient Chinese history, material culture and art

  • Reflection session: East–West interaction

  • Evening cultural walk along The Bund (night skyline)

 

Day 5 – Host School Exchange: Preservation & Modernisation

  • Full day at partner school

  • Joint project work:

    Preservation vs redevelopment

    Comparing UK and Chinese urban environments

  • Collaborative presentations with Chinese students

  • Evening at the Hotel

Day 6 – Revolution, Politics & the Modern State

  • Visit to the Site of the First National Congress of the Communist Party of China

  • Visit to the Former Residence of Sun Yat-sen

  • Seminar: revolution, reform and political change

  • Evening cultural performance or local theatre experience

Day 7 – Urban Planning, Art & the Future City

  • Visit to the Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Center

    Past, present and future city models

  • Study visit to Pudong skyline

    Shanghai Tower, Jin Mao Tower, World Financial Center

  • Visit to the China Art Museum

  • Farewell group dinner in local restaurant

Day 8 – Departure

  • Final reflection and evaluation session

  • Transfer to airport

  • Return to the UK