China: Beijing, Hangzhou, and Shanghai

Explore Beijing with a local guide, beginning in Tiananmen Square, the vast public plaza and political heart of modern China, large enough to hold 300,000 people. Step into the Forbidden City, the 9,000-room palace complex once home to emperors, eunuchs, and concubines. Admire its red walls, vermilion roofs, and the famous Nine Dragon Screen. Then visit the Temple of Heaven, where Ming and Qing rulers performed rituals to secure good harvests and imperial prosperity.

Enjoy a feast of Peking duck, the signature dish of northern China. During this special meal, learn about its traditional preparation and the savory side dishes that make this regional specialty so famous.

The Great Wall of China, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1987, stretches about 13,170 miles across deserts, mountains, and grasslands. Built more than 2,700 years ago, parts have crumbled, yet it remains one of the world’s most iconic landmarks for its scale, engineering, and historic significance.

An emperor with a palace as elaborate as the Forbidden City required an equally grand resting place, and the Ming Tombs fit the bill. Commissioned by Emperor Yongle, they form a vast complex of pavilions, gardens, and tombs meant to provide for rulers in the afterlife. Walk the Avenue of Stone Animals, where carved creatures, officials, and soldiers from the 1400s stand guard to escort their leaders to heaven.

Beijing's Acrobatic Troupe offers an unparalleled educational experience, showcasing over 50 years of tradition in acrobatics, juggling, and magic. This immersive performance not only entertains but also serves as a vivid case study for students studying physical arts, cultural history, and performance dynamics. Educators can draw connections to curriculum standards in the arts, physical education, and even mathematics through the precision of each act. Witnessing this extraordinary ensemble inspires creativity and a passion for the performing arts.

The garden is a masterpiece of classical Chinese landscaping, with winding corridors, delicate pavilions, and artfully arranged rocks forming a serene retreat shaped by centuries of tradition.

This site blends nature and legend, featuring a leaning pagoda, ancient tombs, and lush scenery that capture Suzhou’s rich cultural heritage.

West Lake’s scenic beauty and historic architecture have inspired poets and artists for centuries. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, its gardens and waters are the setting of countless legends. Learn these stories on a cruise across the lake, but take care at the many wharfs not to disembark too soon.

Shanghai blends European elegance with Asian flair, transforming its colonial past into a modern metropolis. With your local guide, stroll the Bund for views of the city’s skyline and visit Yu Yuan Garden, a 16th-century retreat with fountains, bridges, and tile dragons. Find peace at the Jade Buddha Temple, home to statues carved from single pieces of jade. Then see artisans at work in a silk factory and wander Tian Zi Fang, a lively district of boutiques, cafés, and studios.