China: Beyond the Great Wall

In this Winterim, we will introduce contemporary China as seen in two of the country’s ever-expanding

cities: the capital, Beijing, and the dynamic, fast-growing megacity of Chongqing situated on the banks of the great Yangtze River. As we explore these historic cities, we will gain a firsthand understanding of China’s diverse peoples, cultures, and landscapes. In Beijing, we will explore iconic historical sites, including a hike along a “wild” section of the Great Wall and a tour of the former imperial palace, the Forbidden City. In Chongqing, students will experience one of the country’s most dynamic cities, as we explore traditional neighborhoods and discover the region’s famously spicy cuisine and dramatic mountain landscapes. We will become more than just tourists by engaging directly with the places and people we encounter. Our Beijing lodgings will be at a rural guesthouse, where we will help prepare a meal with our host family. Later, we will visit Chongqing’s renowned Yucai Secondary School to meet students and learn about their daily lives and experiences. This immersive travel experience, hosted by Where There Be Dragons, balances an interdisciplinary exploration of modern Chinese history and economic development, society, and cultural traditions with opportunities for Mandarin learners to use the language out in the world.

Trip Highlights:

  • Immersive History: Explore Beijing’s Forbidden City and stay in a family guesthouse near a wild stretch of the Great Wall.

  • Student Exchange: Spend dedicated time with Chinese peers at Chongqing’s Yucai Secondary School.

  • Cultural and Natural Adventure: Taste legendary Chongqing hotpot, explore mountain national parks, and practice cross-cultural interactions in everyday settings, including the opportunity to use Mandarin for language learners.

Students who choose this adventure must:

  • Plan for plenty of walking each day, including hills, stairs, and a hike on the Great Wall.

  • Embrace the challenges and discomforts that come with cultural immersion.

  • Commit to prioritizing the needs of our group over their personal wants.

  • Participate in a preparatory boot camp on Saturday, February 27, to establish group norms, prepare for cross-cultural experiences, and finalize logistical preparations.

Educational Goals:

  1. Explore sites that capture China’s complex history, culture, modernization, and contemporary life.

  2. Develop an understanding of ancient and modern cultural products, practices, and perspectives.

  3. Build skills necessary to navigate contemporary China’s social world as a cultural outsider.

  4. Discover the diversity of Chinese cuisine, landscape, and social structure.

  5. Engage in meaningful cross-cultural exchange through interactions with local students and communities.

Students must have a passport valid through 10/1/2027. Please start the process immediately, as we will need physical passports for our visa application process.


Instructors: Matt Carter and Raina Yan

Open to: Grades 9-12, with language priority for 11th and 12th grade Mandarin students

Limit: 16 students    

Cost: $6110

Depart: Friday, March 5

Return: Saturday, March 14