15-day China Educational Tour: Exploring Traditional & Contemporary Art

Welcome to China! After a flight of several hours or even over a dozen hours, you arrive at Beijing Capital International Airport or Daxing International Airport. Your exclusive Beijing tour guide from Easy Tour China will hold a sign in the arrival hall to greet you and assist you in moving your luggage to your private vehicle.

During the journey, your guide will briefly introduce the highlights of your Beijing itinerary as well as the culture and historical background of Beijing. Drive for about 1 hour to reach your art-themed hotel, allowing you to immerse yourself in an "artistic atmosphere" from the very first night of your China trip.

Meals: None

Accommodation: Eclat Beijing (Art hotel collecteing works of art by Dali and others), Yise Boutique Hotel

One of the famous cultural landmarks in China, the National Centre for the Performing Arts is renowned for its unique "water eggshell" design. Visiting the interior of this modern art palace includes the opera house, concert hall, and exhibition spaces. Through the explanations of your Beijing guide, you can learn about the development of contemporary Chinese performing arts.

Then, enjoy ancient Chinese royal art at the Forbidden City. Deeply understand how the layout of the palaces during the Ming and Qing dynasties was embellished with traditional arts such as calligraphy, porcelain, and sculpture. Discover the ancient Chinese philosophy of space and the embodiment of "ritual system" in architecture.

Enter the traditional Beijing community - Beijing Hutongs, to glimpse into the lifestyle of old Beijingers. We have arranged an art experience course for you - Peking Opera Mask Painting. Under the guidance of professional teachers, you can learn the symbolic meanings of facial makeup colors and draw your own mask painting.

Meals: B, L

Arriving at one of the most well-preserved and beautiful sections of the Great Wall of China - Mutianyu. Taking the cable car up to the wall, you can see the endless Great Wall resembling a giant dragon hovering on the mountain top. Unveiling the military defense system, architectural structure of the Great Wall and its significance in Chinese history.

Subsequently, visit the 798 Art District, which was transformed from old industrial buildings and is now an important center for modern avant-garde art in China. Visit the galleries such as the Ullens Center for Contemporary Art (UCCA) and have friendly exchanges with artists or curators.

Meals: B, L

In the morning, visit the Temple of Heaven, another world cultural heritage site in Beijing, where emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties offered sacrifices to heaven and prayed for a bountiful harvest. Explore stunning architecture such as the Echo Wall and the Circular Mound Altar, learn about the ancient Chinese philosophy of "harmony between man and nature," and the scientific principles of architectural acoustics.

Shortly after that, head to the China Cloisonne Art Museum. Witness the production process of traditional Chinese craft - Cloisonne (wire enamel), from wire drawing and blue painting to firing and polishing.

After lunch, explore Dashila. This historical commercial district combines traditional brand stores such as traditional medicine stores and cloth shoe shops with emerging design shops.

In the evening, take the high-speed train to Datong (about 2-3 hours).

Meals: B, L

Hotel: Yunzhong Traditional Courtyard

The Hanging Temple, built against the mountain and suspended on a cliff about 50 meters above the ground, is a marvel of architectural wonder. Furthermore, it integrates Buddhist, Taoist, and Confucian cultures—a fusion of these three religions reflecting unique Chinese philosophical thought.

Afterwards, drive to the Yingxian Wooden Pagoda (also known as the Sakyamuni Pagoda of Fogong Temple)—China's oldest and tallest existing pure wooden pagoda. The entire pagoda is constructed without a single iron nail, showcasing the pinnacle of ancient Chinese mortise and tenon joinery. Further learn more about its bracket system and vibration damping design.

Meals: B, L

Visit the UNESCO-listed Yungang Grottoes, built during the Northern Wei Dynasty (386-534 AD), one of China's best Buddhist grottoes. Through the differences in the facial expressions and clothing of the Buddha statues, understand the evolution of the Buddha statue style in China: from the Gandhara style in India to the process of Sinicization. Appreciate the carving techniques such as relief, round sculpture, and painted traces.

Take a high-speed train to Xi'an (about 3-4 hours), the ancient capital of thirteen dynasties. 

Meals: B, L

Hotel: HUALUXE Xi'an Tanghua, East House with garden-style Tang Dynasty design

Arrive at the Terracotta Army Museum of Emperor Qin Shi Huang, the eighth wonder of the world. Observe thousands of life-sized, diverse terracotta warriors, gain an in-depth understanding of the military formation, sculpture art and ancient craftsmanship of the Qin Dynasty. Analyze with your Xian tour guide the ancient Chinese painting techniques and protection issues.

Visit the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, a Buddhist cultural landmark on the ancient Silk Road. Learn about the history of the Tang Dynasty monk Xuanzang translating Buddhist scriptures upon his return from his journey to the West, and gain a deeper understanding of the prosperity of Buddhism in China (during the Tang Dynasty).

In the evening, come to the Grand Tang Every-Bridge City, which is themed around the culture of the Tang Dynasty, highlighted by light art, street performances and immersive experiences. To enrich your Chinese educational art journey, we specially arrange for you the Hanfu experience and photography. Wearing Tang-style clothing, savor the aesthetics of ancient clothing and learn simple traditional Chinese etiquette.

Meals: B, L

Step onto the city wall of Xi'an, one of the best-preserved ancient city walls in China and the largest. Observe its structure, including the moat, city gates, watchtowers, etc., and analyze the ancient city defense system and spatial planning.

In the Xi'an Stele Forest Museum, a treasure trove of Chinese calligraphy art, a large number of ancient steles from different dynasties are discovered. Dive into the research on Chinese calligraphy art and the evolution of Chinese characters. Also, make your own rubbings of the steles.

At the Muslim Quarter, a famous food street, you can not only taste local delicacies such as roujiamo, but also watch a shadow puppet show, a traditional Chinese folk theatrical form.

Meals: B, L

Take the high-speed train from Xi'an to Chengdu (about 3.5 - 4 hours), traveling from the Guanzhong Plain to the Sichuan Basin.

Your educational art tour in China already includes traditional art and religious art, and it will surely also feature multiple ethnic cultures. Therefore, we have arranged for you to stay at the Xizang Hotel, specializing in Tibetan culture and offering various Tibetan cultural experiences.

Learn to draw Thangka painting and uncover its religious significance, composition rules and color symbolism of Thangka. And, admire Tibetan clothing and learn about basic Tibetan etiquette and customs.

Meals: B, L

Hotel: Xizang Hotel or Temple House

Explore the world-shaking archaeological site - Sanxingdui Museum, which showcases the ancient Shu civilization dating back 3,000 years. The mysterious bronze masks and various strangely-shaped sculptures reveal the unique artistic style of the ancient Shu Kingdom. You might as well analyze and compare the artistic differences and connections between the Shu civilization and the Central Plains civilization with your Chengdu tour guide.

Take a brisk walk along Kuanzhai Alley, which retains the architectural style of traditional Sichuan houses from the Qing Dynasty. Observe the integration of traditional courtyards with modern commerce, and taste the mouth-watering street food of Chengdu.

Optional Sichuan Opera at night: Immerse yourself in the charm of Chinese operas, including feats such as face-changing, fire-spitting, and lamp-rolling.

Meals: B, L

At the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, one of the world's most important giant panda conservation and research institutions, observe the living habits and ecological environment of giant pandas up close. Through popular science education, learn about China's efforts and scientific achievements in the conservation of wild animals, especially giant pandas.

Afterwards, participate in a Chinese brush painting lesson to acquire unique skills of traditional Chinese painting and Eastern aesthetics. A good idea – create a work with "panda" or "bamboo" as the theme.

In People's Park, Chengdu's most vibrant urban space, experience the unique Chengdu urban character and the "slow life" that has remained unchanged for thousands of years. Enjoy a cup of covered-bowl tea and indulge in teahouse culture. Participate in or observe square dancing, mahjong activities...

Meals: B, L

Flying from Chengdu to Shanghai, embark on a cultural and artistic exploration of China's most vibrant city. In the densely-built Pudong New Area, understand Shanghai's transformation from a traditional port to an international financial center, as well as its urban planning. From the observation deck of Shanghai Tower, the tallest building in China, view the city skyline and contrast the development differences between Shanghai's Pudong and Puxi.

Meals: B, L

Hotel: Artyzen New Bund 31 (featuring modern art design) or Fairmont Peace Hotel (a elegant historical landmark)

First, arrive at Xintiandi, a model of "urban renewal" in Shanghai, to discover traditional Shanghai architecture - the Shikumen style. Today, the Shikumen buildings in Xintiandi blend Chinese and Western styles and have been transformed into high-end commercial and cultural spaces.

Then, head to the Bund - Shanghai's most famous historical landmark. Walk along the Huangpu River and admire the "international architectural complex" of Gothic, Baroque, Neoclassical, etc. No wonder modern Shanghai was called "the Paris of the East". Visit several famous art landmarks: No. 18 Bund (Jushi Art Gallery: the second floor is open to the public for free all year round, hosting traditional culture and contemporary art exhibitions), Rockbund Art Museum (RAM), Shanghai Gallery of Art (SGA), etc.

After lunch, head to the Shanghai Museum, one of the top museums in China, to indulge in ancient Chinese art, including bronze vessels, ceramics, calligraphy, and paintings.

In the afternoon, head to the M50 Creative Park, which was transformed from an old textile factory and is an important space for avant-garde art in Shanghai. Visit galleries of contemporary painting, installation art, photography, etc., and communicate with artists or curators if possible.

Optional ERA Acrobatic Show: An epic performance that combines traditional modern acrobatics, dance, and multimedia technology.

Meals: B, L

Drive to Suzhou, known as "Paradise on Earth," famous for its UNESCO-protected garden art. Stroll through the Master of the Nets Garden, one of the masterpieces of Suzhou's classical gardens, appreciating the garden design techniques such as borrowed scenery, contrasting views, and framed views, as well as their harmonious blend with nature.

Afterwards, visit the Suzhou Embroidery Research Institute, where you will be introduced to the masterpieces, history, and techniques (such as double-sided embroidery) of Suzhou Embroidery, one of China's four major embroidery styles. An optional Suzhou embroidery experience allows you to learn basic embroidery.

After lunch, visit the Suzhou Museum, designed by the renowned Suzhou-born architect I.M. Pei. Its architecture, blends modern geometric design with traditional Jiangnan elements. And, the museum's collection showcases many of Suzhou's art treasures.

In the afternoon, stroll through the Pingjiang Road Historic District, witnessing the typical Jiangnan water town layout – composed of small bridges, flowing water, and traditional residences.

Drive back to Shanghai.

Meals: B, L

According to the international flight schedule, your Shanghai tour guide and driver will escort you to the airport. End of your wonderful 15-day China educational art tour. We welcome your feedback on the services of Easy Tour China. See you next time!\

Meals: B