Xi’an - Ancient Craft & Contemporary Expression
The itinerary shown is an example and can be adapted to suit each school’s curriculum, interests and travel preferences.
Day 1 – Arrival & Welcome to Ancient China
Arrival in Xi’an and airport transfer to the Hotel
Welcome briefing: Xi’an as an ancient and modern creative city
Introduction to sketchbooks and visual journals
Evening meal and rest
Day 2 – Host School Exchange: Art Then & Now
Full day at partner school
Joint art activities with Chinese students:
Traditional vs modern Chinese art
Fun collaborative drawing tasks
Campus tour and informal cultural exchange
Evening at the Hotel
Day 3 – Sculpture, Clay & Imperial Power
Visit to the Terracotta Army
Focus on:
Sculpture and repetition
Clay, texture and form
Individuality within uniformity
Sketching, rubbing and photography tasks
Evening at the Hotel
Day 4 – Pottery, Ceramics & Decorative Design
Visit to museum or cultural centre focusing on:
Ancient pottery and ceramics
Glazing, pattern and symbolism
Hands-on pottery / ceramics workshop
Evening dumpling-making experience
(food as cultural design)
Day 5 – Host School Creative Project Day
Second day at partner school
Joint project:
Reinterpreting ancient Xi’an art in a modern style
Mixed media or design concepts
Student presentations
Evening at the Hotel
Day 6 – Architecture, Pattern & Street Culture
Walk and cycling on the Xi’an City Wall
Geometry, repetition and urban design
Visit to the Muslim Quarter
Folk art, signage, colour and pattern
Design-focused scavenger hunt
Evening night-market and street-food visit
Day 7 – Contemporary Art & Cultural Celebration
Visit to modern gallery or creative space
Contemporary responses to ancient art
Reflection session:
How old art inspires new ideas
Tang Dynasty music & dance performance
Farewell group dinner
Day 8 – Departure
Final sketchbook review and certificates
Programme close
Transfer to airport