China Study Abroad Summer Programs

Summer holidays are never as long as you would like them to be, so the key is doing as much as possible to make your summer fun, memorable and constructive!

If you are looking to combine Chinese language learning with a fun and experience-filled trip around China, then our 6-week Summer Study and Travel program may be the answer.

Learning the Chinese language is but scratching the surface of China's culture and history. China is vast and diverse and so our Summer Study in China Programs are specially designed to combine first-class Mandarin learning courses with insightful and fun-filled travel at some of China’s most renowned and beautiful destinations.

Our Summer Study and Travel programs are split into two parts: the study and the travel.

It’s as simple as that.

China Study Abroad summer programs are designed to give you the best possible insight into everything China has to offer.

The travel portion comprises a two-week period, covering some of China’s most famous destinations including Xi’an (home of the Terracotta Warriors) and Guilin (famous for its mountains and rivers, and widely acknowledged as China’s most beautiful and scenic area).

The group will also travel to both Beijing and Shanghai, meaning that regardless of where you choose to undertake the study portion of your program, you will get to experience both of China’s most famous and prominent cities.

Check out what the summer of 2012 could have in store for you! For just US$1950, you can add this comprehensive 2-week tour of China to your 4-week study program in Beijing or Shanghai! Travel the Middle Kingdom the CSA way and get a summer experience you'll never forget!

FRI 20 JULY - BEIJING
The fun begins now! Start the travel portion of your program with THE must-see attraction of Beijing. Wear your sneakers and comfy clothes, we are hiking along the Great Wall of China! After we get back and freshen up, we'll head to the Laoshe Teahouse for a Chinese-style cultural variety show. Wrap up day one with a tasty Beijing (Peking) duck dinner.

SAT 21 JULY - BEIJING
Visit the sprawling imperial gardens of the Summer Palace, then check out how the regular folk lived with a rickshaw tour of the hutongs. Enjoy dinner with a local family, and then we'll catch a Chinese kung-fu show to end the day.

SUN 22 JULY - BEIJING
Step back into history with a trip to the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square. Afterwards, depart Beijing on the overnight train to Xi’an. Be sure to pack some snacks and entertainment for the journey!

MON 23 JULY - XI’AN
Arrive in Xi’an bright and early! After check-in, get ready for a day of sightseeing! Make sure to take your camera as we visit Qin Shi Huang’s Mausoleum and the Terracotta Warriors, and the Lotus Park of the Tang Dynasty.

TUES 24 JULY - XI’AN
Another big day ahead! Visit the Bell and Drum Tower, the Old City Wall that surrounds the city, the Great Mosque in the Muslim Quarter and the Shaanxi History Museum. Then have dinner and relax.

WED 25 JULY - GUILIN
It’s off to the airport and your flight to Guilin. After check-in, visit the Ludi Yan Reed Flute Caves and the Elephant Trunk Mountains.

THURS 26 JULY - GUILIN/YANGSHUO
Today is all about outdoor adventure. Take a cruise along the Li River, and spend some time biking through the Yangshuo countryside. After lunch, spend the afternoon exploring a range of options in the Yangshuo area: visiting caves, hiking or even swimming in the river! After dinner, you'll have free time to explore the local bar street.

FRI 27 JULY - YANGSHUO
Go rafting on the Li River, then spend the day visiting the famous and protected Minority Area. Remember to pack your bags tonight because there's an early morning flight!

SAT 28 JULY - SUZHOU
Though we're flying into Shanghai, we're touring the lovely city of Suzhou first! You're free to explore the city's beautiful canals, stone bridges, pagodas and gardens. It's called the "Venice of the East" for good reason!

SUN 29 JULY - ZHOUZHUANG
First, breakfast in Suzhou, then set off for a trip to the water township of Zhouzhuang. Explore the area and interact with the locals before a rendezvous with your pillow.

MON 30 JULY - SHANGHAI
Welcome to the cosmopolitan metropolis of Shanghai! After a short ride into the city, spend your first morning visiting the Shanghai Urban Planning Hall and Nanjing Rd. After lunch, journey to the famous Bund area for all the obligatory tourist happy snaps, get a bird's eye view from the Pearl Tower and check out the Lujiazui Economic Zone. After sunset, hop aboard a Huangpu River cruise for a spectacular scene at night. Phew, big day!

TUES 31 JULY - SHANGHAI
Your second day in Shanghai will present a variety of sights. Start the day off with a visit to the lovely Yuyuan Garden, then head to the French Concession Area for a walk around the French-Chinese fusion of architecture before winding up the sightseeing with a visit to the Tianzifang Art District. In the evening, enjoy the Shanghai Acrobatic Show and kick-on afterwards for the Shanghai Social Night.

WED 1 AUGUST - SHANGHAI
Today is the final stop of the tour, and you get a free morning in Shanghai. Take the chance to revisit your favorite areas of the city and say goodbye to your fellow travel buddies.

Students whose programs end after the Travel component of the Study and Travel program can fly back to their home countries from either Beijing or Shanghai. All Beijing departures and students just starting their Study component in Beijing there will take the fast train to the capital this afternoon.