Day 1 – London → Chengdu (Reference Flight: CA424)

17:30 – Group meets at school. Teachers confirm passports, visas, medical notes, emergency contacts, and luggage. Brief reminder about airport security, liquids, electronics, and behaviour expectations.

17:45 – Board a private coach and depart for Heathrow Airport (Terminal 2). Staff conduct a headcount before departure and upon arrival at the airport.

19:00 – Arrive at Heathrow Airport. The group moves together to the Air China check-in area. Students stay in small supervised groups at all times.

19:15–19:45 – Group check-in for Air China CA424. Luggage is checked through to Chengdu. Teachers assist students with any special requirements.

19:45–20:30 – Security screening and UK border control. Staff remain distributed at the front and back of the group to ensure no student is left behind.

20:30–21:00 – Assemble at the boarding gate. Time for water, toilets, and final reminders about inflight etiquette, hydration, and sleep.

21:35 – Board Air China Flight CA424 (London → Chengdu). Overnight flight with inflight meals, drinks, and entertainment. Students are encouraged to rest as much as possible before arrival in China.

— Overnight on aircraft —

Day 2 – Arrival in Chengdu & First Cultural Impressions

16:20 – Arrive at Chengdu (reference arrival time for CA424). Teachers and local coordinator guide the group through Chinese immigration and customs.

16:45–17:15 – Baggage reclaim and regrouping in the arrivals hall. Headcount and luggage check are completed before leaving the airport.

17:15–17:45 – Meet the local coach driver and China-side coordinator. Short welcome briefing about local time, weather, and cultural norms (e.g. traffic rules, public behaviour, money safety).

17:45–18:15 – Transfer by private coach from airport to the hotel in central Chengdu. En route, the coordinator introduces Chengdu’s history, population, and its reputation as a ‘slow-life’ city.

18:15–18:45 – Hotel check-in and room allocation. Boys and girls are on separate floors or clearly separated corridors where possible; teachers’ rooms are positioned for easy supervision.

18:45–19:30 – Welcome dinner either in the hotel restaurant or in a nearby restaurant within walking distance. Food includes a mix of mild Chinese dishes and simple Western options to help students adjust.

19:30–20:15 – Short guided walk in the hotel’s surrounding area (if flight energy allows), allowing students to get a first feeling for the local environment, shops, and streetscape, always under staff supervision.

20:15–20:45 – Return to hotel. Daily debrief: teachers talk through the plan for the next day, behaviour expectations at the partner school, and key safety rules.

21:30 – Lights-out time. Night duty rota is in place so that at least one member of staff is awake and reachable at all times.

Day 3 – Chengdu: School Exchange Day 1, Kuanzhai Alley & Hotpot + Face-Changing Opera

07:30–08:30 – Breakfast at the hotel. Teachers complete morning registration and check that all students are appropriately dressed for school (smart-casual, no sportswear unless agreed).

08:30 – Depart by private coach for the partner school. On the way, the coordinator explains the structure of a typical school day for Chinese students and key differences compared to the UK.

09:00–09:30 – Official welcome ceremony at the partner school. This may include a short speech by the principal, introduction of key staff, and a brief presentation about the school’s history and strengths.

09:30–10:30 – Guided campus tour: classrooms, laboratories, art and music rooms, library, sports facilities, and student activity spaces. Students gain a sense of the school environment and scale.

10:30–11:30 – Lesson observation and interaction. UK staff visit lessons to observe teaching styles; where possible, UK students join in selected activities or Q&A with Chinese students in English.

12:00–13:00 – Lunch at the school cafeteria (included). Students experience a typical Chinese school lunch routine, with a variety of hot dishes, rice, vegetables, and fruit. Staff supervise seating and dietary needs.

13:15–14:00 – Transfer to Kuanzhai Alley by coach. Introduction to the historical background of the alleys, their renovation, and their role in modern Chengdu life.

14:00–16:30 – Kuanzhai Alley cultural experience. Students explore the Wide Alley, Narrow Alley, and Well Alley areas, see traditional courtyards, taste safe local snacks, and may join short creative activities such as calligraphy or paper-cutting, under guidance and supervision.

16:30–17:15 – Return to hotel for a brief rest and refresh before the evening cultural programme.

18:30–20:30 – Traditional Sichuan hotpot dinner combined with a live Sichuan opera face-changing (变脸) performance. Students and staff sit together at large round tables, learning how hotpot works with both spicy and mild soup bases. The performance showcases mask-changing techniques, music, and possibly fire-breathing, offering an unforgettable introduction to Sichuan performing arts.

20:30–21:00 – Return to hotel. Short check-in with students to ensure everyone is feeling well and hydrated after the hotpot experience.

22:00 – Lights out. Staff carry out corridor checks and ensure quiet in all student rooms.

Day 4 – Chengdu: School Exchange Day 2 & Jinli Ancient Street

07:30–08:30 – Breakfast at the hotel, followed by morning registration. Teachers collect any reflections or questions from students about the previous day’s school visit.

08:30 – Depart for the partner school. A short recap is given on respectful behaviour and the importance of punctuality in Chinese schools.

09:00–10:00 – Joint student activities. Chinese and UK students may be mixed into small groups for cultural exchange tasks, such as discussing school life, hobbies, or working on simple collaborative projects.

10:00–11:00 – Teacher roundtable or workshop. UK staff meet with Chinese staff to discuss curriculum, assessment, enrichment activities, and potential long-term partnership models (e.g. yearly exchanges, joint projects).

11:00–11:30 – Closing session at the school: group photos, possible exchange of small gifts or school pennants, and confirmation of ongoing communications between schools.

12:00–13:00 – Lunch at the school cafeteria (included), giving one final taste of the everyday student experience in China.

13:10–14:00 – Transfer to Jinli Ancient Street by coach, with a short explanation of the link between Jinli, the Three Kingdoms period, and local legends.

14:00–16:30 – Jinli Ancient Street visit. Students walk through beautifully restored lanes filled with folk crafts, traditional snacks, and period-style architecture. There may be opportunities to see local artisans at work or to watch short folk performances, always under teacher and guide supervision.

16:30–17:00 – Return to the hotel. Time for students to rest, journal their experiences, or call home (subject to agreed phone rules).

17:30–18:30 – Dinner at a local restaurant or hotel restaurant, featuring popular but mild Sichuan dishes suitable for young visitors.

19:30–20:15 – Group reflection session. Students share highlights from their time in the Chengdu school and discuss similarities and differences with their own school in the UK.

22:00 – Lights out, in preparation for the early start for the panda visit.

Day 5 – Chengdu Panda Base → Shanghai

07:00–08:00 – Breakfast and check-out. Students bring all luggage to the lobby. Teachers supervise check-out and ensure no items are left behind.

08:00–08:45 – Coach transfer to Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding. En route, the guide explains the conservation challenges pandas face and the role of the research base.

09:00–11:30 – Visit to the Panda Base (included). Students see giant pandas and red pandas in carefully designed enclosures, learn about breeding programmes, diet, and efforts to release pandas into the wild. There may also be educational displays or a short documentary.

11:30–12:00 – Time for toilets and a brief walk through the souvenir area (students are reminded about responsible spending and staying within the group).

12:00–13:00 – Lunch near the Panda Base or en route to the airport, depending on flight time. Menu aims to be simple and suitable for all students.

13:00–14:00 – Transfer to Chengdu airport. The group remains together at all times, with staff allocated at the front and back of the group.

14:00–15:00 – Check-in for the domestic flight Chengdu → Shanghai, luggage drop, and security checks.

15:30–18:00 – Flight from Chengdu to Shanghai. Students are encouraged to drink water and rest as much as possible ahead of the busy days in Shanghai.

18:00–18:45 – Arrival in Shanghai and baggage collection. Meet local Shanghai coordinator and coach driver.

18:45–19:30 – Transfer to hotel in central Shanghai. Short city introduction given on the coach, touching on Shanghai’s role as a global financial and cultural centre.

19:30–20:30 – Dinner near the hotel or in the hotel restaurant. Food is mild and familiar to support students adjusting after travel.

21:30 – Lights out. Teachers complete room checks and confirm next-day timings with all students.

Day 6 – Shanghai: The Bund, Lujiazui, Yu Garden, Chenghuangmiao & Huangpu River Night Cruise

07:30–08:30 – Breakfast at the hotel. Teachers remind students about city safety: crossing roads, staying in small groups, and respecting busy urban spaces.

08:30–09:00 – Coach transfer to the Bund. The guide introduces Shanghai’s colonial history and the development of the riverside area.

09:00–10:00 – Walking tour along the Bund. Students see historic bank and trading buildings from the early 20th century on one side and the ultra-modern skyscrapers of Lujiazui across the river on the other. Excellent opportunity for photographs and a sense of Shanghai’s East–West fusion.

10:00–10:20 – Short coach ride or ferry crossing to the Lujiazui financial district.

10:20–11:30 – Visit to Lujiazui. The group walks through the heart of Shanghai’s financial centre, seeing iconic towers such as the Oriental Pearl Tower, Jin Mao Tower, and Shanghai Tower from the outside. Discussion of China’s economic growth and globalisation.

12:00–13:00 – Lunch in a nearby mall or restaurant offering a mix of Chinese and simple Western options, ensuring all students can find something suitable.

13:15–14:30 – Visit to Yu Garden. Guided tour through the classical garden, with its rockeries, ponds, pavilions, and ancient trees. Students learn about traditional Chinese garden design and the symbolism behind many design features.

14:30–15:30 – Walk through Chenghuangmiao (City God Temple) and the surrounding old-town market area. Emphasis on cultural observation: temples, local worship practices, traditional snacks, and old-style architecture.

15:30–17:00 – Time allocated for a structured walk through the Old Town bazaar, with clear boundaries and meeting points. Staff supervise at designated points; no independent wandering is allowed.

17:00–18:00 – Return to hotel for a short rest before the evening cruise.

18:00–18:45 – Early dinner near the Bund or at the hotel, depending on cruise departure time.

19:00–20:30 – Huangpu River night cruise (included). Students enjoy spectacular night views of both the historic Bund and the futuristic skyline of Lujiazui. Teachers ensure all students stay on board together and observe safety instructions.

20:30–21:00 – Coach back to the hotel.

22:00 – Lights out.

Day 7 – Shanghai: French Concession, Xintiandi & Shanghai Museum

07:30–08:30 – Breakfast and morning registration.

08:30–09:00 – Transfer to the former French Concession area.

09:00–11:00 – Guided walking tour of the French Concession. Students explore tree-lined streets, old villas, former consular buildings and learn how different foreign concessions shaped Shanghai’s identity.

11:00–11:15 – Short walk to Xintiandi.

11:15–12:00 – Visit to Xintiandi, a redeveloped district where traditional Shikumen (stone-gate) houses have been converted into modern cafes, shops, and galleries. Discussion of urban regeneration and preservation.

12:00–13:00 – Lunch in or near Xintiandi, giving students a chance to rest and talk about their impressions of Shanghai.

13:00–13:30 – Transfer to Shanghai Museum.

13:30–16:00 – Shanghai Museum visit (included). Students visit selected galleries (bronzes, ceramics, calligraphy, paintings, minority art) curated according to age and interest. Teachers and guides encourage students to connect exhibits with topics they may have studied in history or art.

16:00–16:45 – Return coach trip to the hotel.

17:30–18:30 – Dinner.

19:30–20:30 – Optional quiet study / journal time supervised by staff. Students may be asked to complete a short reflection task on ‘What have I learned about Shanghai so far?’

22:00 – Lights out.

Day 8 – Shanghai: Urban Planning Exhibition Hall, People’s Square & Flight to Beijing

07:30–08:30 – Breakfast and check-out preparation. Students bring luggage to a secure holding room after packing.

08:30–09:00 – Transfer to Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Hall.

09:00–11:00 – Visit to the Urban Planning Exhibition Hall. Students see a huge scale model of Shanghai and interactive displays about the city’s past, present, and future development. This links well to geography and urban studies curriculum.

11:00–11:20 – Short walk to People’s Square.

11:20–12:00 – Guided walk around People’s Square, including external views of the Shanghai Grand Theatre and municipal buildings. Discussion of how public spaces reflect civic life.

12:00–13:00 – Lunch in a nearby restaurant or mall food court (all included; students remain in supervised groups).

13:00–14:00 – Coach transfer to the airport. Final views of Shanghai skyline from the coach and summary of learning from this part of the trip.

14:00–15:00 – Check-in and security for the domestic flight to Beijing.

15:30–17:30 – Flight from Shanghai to Beijing. Students are reminded to keep important items (passport, phone, small valuables) in their hand luggage, not in seat pockets.

17:30–18:15 – Arrival, baggage claim, and meeting Beijing coordinator and coach.

18:15–19:00 – Transfer to the hotel in central Beijing. Introduction to Beijing’s history and its role as the capital.

19:00–20:00 – Dinner at or near the hotel.

20:00–20:30 – Short neighbourhood walk (if appropriate) to show shops, cash machines, and safe walking areas around the hotel.

22:00 – Lights out.

Day 9 – Beijing: Great Wall Experience

07:00–08:00 – Breakfast at the hotel. Students are advised to wear comfortable shoes and weather-appropriate clothing (layers, sun hats, or warm jackets).

08:00–10:00 – Coach transfer to the Badaling section of the Great Wall. On the way, the guide explains the history of the Wall, its military purpose, and its symbolic role in Chinese culture.

10:00–12:00 – Guided exploration of the Great Wall. Students walk a chosen route appropriate for their age and fitness level, with regular check-in points. Opportunities for photographs and cross-curricular links (history, geography, PE).

12:00–13:00 – Lunch at a restaurant near the Great Wall. Menu planned to be simple and filling after physical activity.

13:00–14:00 – Additional time at the Great Wall visitor area, depending on group energy levels, or early departure back towards Beijing.

14:00–16:00 – Return coach journey to Beijing. Possible use of time for quiet reflection, journaling, or resting on the bus.

17:30–18:30 – Dinner in Beijing.

19:30–20:30 – Optional group activity such as sharing Great Wall reflections or preparing short presentations on ‘China’s historical landmarks’.

22:00 – Lights out.

Day 10 – Beijing: Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven & Houhai Night Walk

07:30–08:30 – Breakfast at the hotel.

08:30–09:00 – Coach transfer to the Forbidden City area.

09:00–12:00 – Visit to the Forbidden City (Palace Museum). The group follows a structured route through key halls and courtyards, learning about imperial life, symbolism in architecture, and the political history of the Ming and Qing dynasties.

12:00–13:00 – Lunch near the Forbidden City. Teachers ensure students stay together and check hydration and fatigue levels.

13:00–13:30 – Transfer to the Temple of Heaven.

13:30–16:00 – Visit to the Temple of Heaven complex. Students see the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, the Echo Wall, and the Circular Mound Altar. The park often includes local people practicing tai chi, dancing, or music, providing insight into everyday Beijing life.

16:00–16:30 – Transfer back to the hotel for a short rest.

18:00–18:45 – Dinner.

19:00–20:30 – Evening visit to the Houhai (Shichahai) area. Supervised night walk around the lakeside, with time to appreciate the reflections, traditional courtyard houses, and lively but controlled atmosphere. No independent bar or nightlife visits are allowed; the route is carefully chosen for student suitability.

21:00 – Return to hotel.

22:00 – Lights out.

Day 11 – Beijing: Tiananmen Square, Hutong Experience & Return to London (CA937)

07:00–08:00 – Breakfast. Students bring luggage down for check-out; bags are stored securely until departure for the airport.

08:00–08:30 – Coach transfer to Tiananmen Square.

08:30–10:00 – Guided visit to Tiananmen Square. External views of the Great Hall of the People, the National Museum, and the Monument to the People's Heroes. Discussion of the square’s national significance.

10:00–10:20 – Transfer to the nearby Hutong area around Shichahai.

10:20–12:00 – Hutong cultural experience, including a pre-arranged rickshaw tour (included) through historic alleyways. Students gain insight into traditional courtyard house layouts and local community life.

12:00–13:00 – Farewell lunch in Beijing, with a final opportunity to taste favourite dishes from the trip.

13:00–15:30 – Transfer to the airport, check-in for Air China CA937 (Beijing → London), security screening, and duty-free time within clearly defined meeting points.

20:15 – Scheduled departure of Air China CA937. Overnight flight back to London.

— Overnight on aircraft; arrival in London the following morning, where students are collected by parents/guardians —