Language Immersion Through China
To learn Mandarin, it helps to fall in love with China. Our Language Immersion Tours make both happen by combining authentic cultural experiences with interactive lessons taught out on the road. Each day has a theme—like art, history or food—that connects the day’s lesson to hands-on activities and conversations with locals. Your fluency expands along with your confidence and passion for the language. Through it all, your Language Immersion Program Director will be with you, supporting your students’ language learning and highlighting each breakthrough moment.
Day 1: Fly overnight to China
Day 2: Beijing
- Meet your Program Director at the airport
- Check in to your hotel to rest for the evening
Day 3: Beijing
- Visit the Forbidden City, a Chinese imperial palace
- Visit Tiananmen Square, site of the student-led demonstrations in 1989
Day 4: Badaling / Beijing
- Walk on the Great Wall of China in Badaling
- Participate in a traditional tea ceremony
- Attend “The Legends of Kung Fu” show
Day 5: Beijing
Daily Theme: Chinese Art
- Master art-related terms while practicing your conversational Mandarin in a morning language lesson
- Visit the Yonghe Lamasery temple, home to Han Chinese and Tibetan artwork
- Visit the 798 Dashanzi Modern Art Zone, a unique complex of galleries and boutiques housed in old factories
Day 6: Beijing
Daily Theme: Chinese History and Heritage
- Visit the temples, gardens and lakes of the Summer Palace, and take a Taiji lesson
- Learn about the dynasties that have ruled China during an interactive language lesson
- Take a calligraphy lesson
- Enjoy a homemade dinner with a local Hutong family
Day 7: Beijing
Daily Theme: Daily Life in China
- Learn about daily life in China and practice your Mandarin
- Visit the Temple of Heaven and play Chase the Ace, a traditional Chinese card game, alongside locals at the popular hangout spot
- Work on your language skills with vendors at the famous Pearl Market
Day 8: Beijing
Daily Theme: Chinese Culinary Traditions
- Interact with local vendors during a market challenge
- Learn and practice food-related vocabulary in an afternoon language lesson
- Prepare a meal at a cooking class led by a local chef
Day 9: Beijing
Daily Theme: Youth Culture in China
- Continue practicing your conversational skills in a morning language lesson
- Relax at a local athletic center and try your hand at popular Chinese sports
- Meet and get to know the pen pal with whom you’ve been corresponding before tour during a school visit
Day 10: Beijing / Shanghai
Travel to Shanghai, China's most populous city.
- Visit the Shanghai World Financial Center
- Enjoy free time on the Bund, a popular mile-long riverfront area
- Witness thrilling aerial displays during a traditional Chinese acrobatics show
Day 11: Shanghai
- Enjoy free time to visit local markets and practice your bargaining skills
- Explore Shanghai’s sites on a guided tour: Jade Buddha Temple; Yu Yuan Garden
Day 12: Depart for home
Day 1: Fly overnight to China
Day 2: Beijing
- Meet your Program Director at the airport
- Check in to your hotel to rest for the evening
Day 3: Beijing
- Visit the Forbidden City, a Chinese imperial palace
- Visit Tiananmen Square, site of the student-led demonstrations in 1989
Day 4: Badaling / Beijing
- Walk on the Great Wall of China in Badaling
- Participate in a traditional tea ceremony
- Attend “The Legends of Kung Fu” show
Day 5: Beijing
Daily Theme: Chinese Art
- Master art-related terms while practicing your conversational Mandarin in a morning language lesson
- Visit the Yonghe Lamasery temple, home to Han Chinese and Tibetan artwork
- Visit the 798 Dashanzi Modern Art Zone, a unique complex of galleries and boutiques housed in old factories
Day 6: Beijing
Daily Theme: Chinese History and Heritage
- Visit the temples, gardens and lakes of the Summer Palace, and take a Taiji lesson
- Learn about the dynasties that have ruled China during an interactive language lesson
- Take a calligraphy lesson
- Enjoy a homemade dinner with a local Hutong family
Day 7: Beijing
Daily Theme: Daily Life in China
- Learn about daily life in China and practice your Mandarin
- Visit the Temple of Heaven and play Chase the Ace, a traditional Chinese card game, alongside locals at the popular hangout spot
- Work on your language skills with vendors at the famous Pearl Market
Day 8: Beijing
Daily Theme: Chinese Culinary Traditions
- Interact with local vendors during a market challenge
- Learn and practice food-related vocabulary in an afternoon language lesson
- Prepare a meal at a cooking class led by a local chef
Day 9: Beijing
Daily Theme: Youth Culture in China
- Continue practicing your conversational skills in a morning language lesson
- Relax at a local athletic center and try your hand at popular Chinese sports
- Meet and get to know the pen pal with whom you’ve been corresponding before tour during a school visit
Day 10: Beijing / Shanghai
Travel to Shanghai, China's most populous city.
- Visit the Shanghai World Financial Center
- Enjoy free time on the Bund, a popular mile-long riverfront area
- Witness thrilling aerial displays during a traditional Chinese acrobatics show
Day 11: Shanghai
- Enjoy free time to visit local markets and practice your bargaining skills
- Explore Shanghai’s sites on a guided tour: Jade Buddha Temple; Yu Yuan Garden
Day 12: Depart for home
Reviews
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Your experience includes
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Airfare & transportation
Get round-trip flights on major carriers, and travel on the ground with air-conditioned motorcoaches and internal transportation.
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Hotels
Enjoy a 10-night stay in centrally located tourist hotels with private bathrooms.
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Regional-style meals
Traditional breakfasts and dinners bring local flavors to life as part of your tour experience. Lunches are left up to you to discover favorite dishes of your own.
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Guided sightseeing
Gain insider knowledge and cultural perspective from your licensed local guides while they lead you on sightseeing tours.
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Entrances
Step inside the world’s most cherished treasures, like the Great Wall of China, Yonghe Lamasery, Dashanzi Modern Art Zone, and Summer Palace with your local guide—we’ll take care of lines and tickets
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Language lessons
Each accredited class at your EF International Language School provides cultural context and relevant vocabulary for your immersive activities.
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Full-time Language Immersion Program Director
Your bilingual Program Director is by your side 24/7, building your language confidence through lessons and providing cultural context throughout your trip—all while handling on-tour logistics everywhere you go.
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Experiential learning
Immerse yourself in the culture through in-depth guided tours, shared insights from expert guides, daily interactions with locals, a cooking class, a Taiji lesson and more.
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Continuous Support
Your dedicated EF team helps you every step of the way—from recruiting and enrolling travelers to planning and managing your tour.
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Worldwide Presence
EF has over 500 schools and offices in more than 50 countries worldwide so wherever you go, we're there too.
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24-hour Emergency Service
Travelers and their families can count on EF's dedicated emergency service team.
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Peace of Mind Program
Feel secure knowing your group can change their destination or travel dates due to unforeseen circumstances. Learn more about your flexible options at eftours.com/peaceofmind.
Lowest price
Price is valid for students under the age of 20 at the time of travel that room in triples and quads. Minimum participation is required. Change and cancellation fees of up to the total price will apply. Applicable airline baggage fees are not included and can be found at www.eftours.com/baggage. Program price is valid today only.