9 China Famous Cities for Study Tour

As the capital city for 13 dynasties in ancient China, Xi’an boasts many historical attractions suitable for a study tour, and here comes the top three. First is the Terracotta Army built over 2,200 years ago, which is the funerary complex for China’s first emperor, Qin Shi Huang. Next is the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, the Buddhist pagoda built in the Tang Dynasty (618-907) to store Buddhism scripts brought back from India. Then comes the well-preserved Xi’an City Wall, representative of the military fortifications in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). If one wants to learn about the Yellow River Valley civilization in a comprehensive way, a visit to Banpo Museum or Shannxi History Museum is recommended. During the visit, students may also have chance to write calligraphy, try paper cutting and watch shadow puppetry.

Also, Xi’an is one of China famous cities abundant in universities. If interested, you can pay a visit to Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an International Studies University and Northwestern Polytechnical University, etc. to communicate with local students.

Xi'an Tour
 Recommended Tour:  3 Days Xi'an Private Tour with Hotel  from $349

Beijing, the capital of China, is undoubtedly another ideal destination for a study tour. The Forbidden City, Summer Palace, and Badaling Great Wall satisfy those who are curious about the politics, economy and culture of the Ming and Qing Dynasties (1368-1911). Besides, with more than 150 museums scattering around, tourists can not only appreciate bronzeware, porcelain, calligraphy and painting, but also learn the history and customs behind the exhibitions.

More importantly, Beijing has the most as well as the best universities nationwide. Plentiful opportunities of summer camp and exchange program for overseas students are provided by Peking University, Tsinghua University, Renmin University of China, Beijing Foreign Studies University, etc. Art schools in Beijing, especially in terms of music, opera, movie and fine arts, also represent the highest level across the country. They are no doubt great destinations for study tour to China.

 Beijing Tour
 Recommended Tour:  5 Days Private Beijing Tour with Hotel  from $139

Highlights of the study tour in Shanghai include both ancient and modern attractions. Yu Garden and the Guyi Garden enable tourists to fully enjoy the beauty of ancient classical architecture. Then, one can immerse himself in the Buddhist atmosphere at the Jing’an Temple or the Longhua Temple. In addition, roaming along the Bund will be an eye-opening experience. On the one side, hundreds of European buildings tell Shanghai’s past as British and French concession. On the other side, skyscrapers such as the Oriental Pearl Tower, and the Maglev train shows its promising present and future.

The number of museums in Shanghai is second only to Beijing. Students may learn the history of China at Shanghai Museum, and have fun at the Science and Technology Museum, Film Museum, Auto Museum and the Museum of Glass, etc. Likewise, Shanghai enthusiastically welcome those who want to learn the local university life. Most students’ choices are Fudan University, Tongji University, Jiaotong University, University of Finance and Economics, and International Studies University.

 Shanghai Tour
 Recommended Tour:  2 Days Shanghai Private Tour with Tongli from $309

Pandas help Chengdu win a place among China famous cities names. Speaking of Panda, almost every tourist to Chengdu will visit the Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding. Since you are here, why not round off your study tour by being a panda volunteer for one day? After you clean pandas’ shed, make them food and feed them yourself, you will be awarded a volunteer certificate and, more importantly, know more about the living habits of this endangered species. But Chengdu has more than pandas. As the capital of ancient Shu Kingdom, it is also full of historical and cultural vibe. One can lean the chaos of Three Kingdoms Dynasty (220-280) at Wuhou Temple, feel the charm of Tang Poetry at the Thatched Cottage of Du Fu, or experience how to embroider at the Shu Brocade and Embroidery Museum. Chengdu is also the gourmets’ paradise and a great place to “taste” Chinese food culture.

 Chengdu Tour
 Recommended Tour:  One Day Private Chengdu Panda Tour

Wuhan is also worth considering when international tourists plan a study tour to China. At the Yellow Crane Tower, one can feast their eyes on reliefs, stone inscriptions and murals inspired from famous Chinese poems. Besides, it is recommended to appreciate the melodious sound played by the ancient chime bells at the Hubei Provincial Museum. Meanwhile, the exhibits let people know more about the Chu Culture which is engraved in this city.

Another reason for Wuhan being a study tour destination is that it ranks as No.2 in the list of cities with the largest number of universities in China, and Wuhan University is absolutely the most renowned one. It stands out for its positive academic atmosphere, buildings of various styles, and beautiful cherry blossoms in spring. Other top universities worth seeing include Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan University of Technology, and Zhongnan University of Economics and Law.

Aside from visiting the Zhejiang Provincial Museum, many other places in this China famous city can spice up your study tour. For example, near the West Lake, there is a scenic spot named Nine Creeks and Eighteen Gullies, where tourists can wander through the tea plantations and learn to pick tea leaves and make tea, an interesting way to learn Chinese tea culture. After that, why not take a boat to cruise along the Grand Canal, a great water conservancy project built by ancient Chinese?

If international students travel to China and want to participate in the exchange program or summer camp, Zhejiang University, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou Dianzi University and Zhejiang Gongshang University in Hangzhou are worthy of attention.

 Hangzhou Tour

As an important hub of the Ancient Silk Road, Dunhuang witnessed the clash and fusion of Chinese and Central Asian civilization, and the most representative attraction is the Mogao Caves. In addition, this place is blessed with vast desert and special Yardang Landform, and students may feel the nature’s craftsmanship at the Echoing-Sand Mountain, Crescent Lake and the Yardang National Geopark. Of importance to engineers, is the westernmost terminal of the Great Wall. Built of rammed reinforced earth (sand, straw mats and rice), that have survived thousands of years and whose principles are presently used in many modern retaining walls. Many activities are also provided inside the scenic areas, such as doing geological research, playing desert survival game, and trying sand painting. In short, Dunhuang is a fully qualified place to have a study tour to China.

 Dunhuang Tour
 Recommended Tour:  3 Days Silk Road Dunhuang Trip from $629

Qufu is the motherland for Confucius (551-479 BC). Nearly every attraction here aims to promote Confucius’ ideology of benevolence and courtesy, thus this China famous city is undoubtedly the best destination for foreign students to study Confucianism. The first must see place is Qufu Confucius Temple. It was where ancient emperors worshipped Confucius and the ceremony, which is famous for ancient music and dance performance, still runs from Sep. 26th to Oct. 10th, in celebration of his birthday. Statues of Confucius’ 72 disciples and other sages also help people understand the evolution of this school of thought. Another interesting place is the Confucius Six Arts City. Activities such as playing waist drum, carrying sedan chair and weaving linen enable people to directly feel the ritual, music, archery, driving, calligraphy and mathematics at that time. If time permits, one may also tour the Confucius Family Mansion & Cemetery.

Guangzhou is famous for both natural and cultural attractions, thus one can plan his study tour depending on his interest. For those who prefer to get closer to nature, rare tropical and subtropical plants are displayed in the South China Botanical Garden, and animals such as panda, white tiger and elephant are waiting for you at the Chimelong Safari Park. If you would like to know more about the evolution of this China famous city, Guangdong Museum and Guangzhou Museum will not let you down. Various exhibits reflect how prosperous Gangzhou was as a major stop of Maritime Silk Road and then an important trading port. Besides, politics and military enthusiasts may put Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hall and the Former Site of Whampoa Military Academy on their agenda.

Needless to say that top universities also play an important role in Guangzhou study tour. Beautiful campus and creative atmosphere of Sun Yat-Sen University, South China University of Technology, and Jinan University have attracted more and more students from other countries.

Guangzhou Tour
 Recommended Tour:  3 Days Guangzhou City Tour from $339