China: Great Wall to Li River

Students who like cities and are willing to be beginners in one. The route covers four of them in 10 days, and each is asked to be read rather than just photographed: an imperial capital, the eastern end of the Silk Road, a river valley of limestone peaks, and a port city that turned into a financial centre. Curiosity helps more than prior travel does.

This program has no community service component and carries no service hours. China’s service program, Wonders of China, is not scheduled to run, so if service hours matter to you, ask an advisor which programs carry them.

The pace is the other thing to weigh. Four cities in 10 days means early starts, a rail leg and two domestic flights, and most days are long on walking: wall ramparts, a 13.74 km city wall circuit, garden and museum grounds. The Mutianyu toboggan is not available to riders over 60. The Xi’an City Wall bike ride is not suitable under 12. The program runs in July and August, the hottest weeks of the Chinese summer in every city on the route.

If heat or mobility is a real concern in your family, call Admissions before you enroll rather than after. That is a better conversation to have early.

Students fly independently. There is no group or chaperoned flight on this program. Rustic Pathways staff meet every student in the arrivals hall at Beijing.

The program is open jaw: fly into Beijing (PEK), home out of Shanghai (PVG). Book it as one multi-city ticket rather than two one-ways.

Be on the ground in Beijing on Day 2, and leave Shanghai after 11:00 AM on Day 11. Every U.S. nonstop out of Shanghai lands home the same calendar day.

Three U.S. airports fly nonstop to Beijing: Los Angeles (Air China CA984, United UA771), San Francisco (Air China, United) and New York JFK (Air China CA982). Newark and Miami have no nonstop.

One thing to plan around: the Los Angeles flights leave just before midnight, so you may need to leave home the evening before Day 1. Check the departure time first.

International airfare is not included. An advisor will check your routing with you before you book.

Included: accommodation, all meals, the Beijing to Xi’an high-speed rail leg, both domestic flights, in-country ground transport, all activities and entrance fees, a China-enabled SIM card, 24/7 staff supervision.
Not included: international airfare, the Chinese visa fee, travel insurance, the enrollment fee, personal spending money.

A one-time enrollment fee is charged when you enroll, separate from the program tuition. It covers enrollment processing, pre-departure advising and trip planning.

The fee is non-refundable after the first 24 hours.

March 31 is the date that matters. Cancel up to then and the program price is refunded, less the non-refundable enrollment fee and any airfare already booked. The enrollment terms carry the full schedule.

We know some things are outside anyone’s control. If your family faces a serious documented emergency, contact us; we review these situations individually and will do what we reasonably can to help.

Yes. Payment plans are available for all families, and Rustic Pathways offers both need-based financial aid and merit scholarships. Explore scholarships and financial aid →

Medical insurance with overseas coverage is required for every student. Travel insurance is separate, is not included in tuition, and Rustic Pathways recommends that families purchase it. Get a quote from our recommended provider →

Rustic Pathways Program Leaders complete a four-month vetting process. Rustic Pathways maintains a median of one staff member per 4.37 students (4.37:1), with no program exceeding 7 students per staff member (7:1). All Program Leaders are first-aid certified, and most have led multiple Rustic Pathways programs. Program Leaders are aged 22 to 45.

Rustic Pathways has been operating programs in China since 2007.

Yes. Students room with same-gender peers. Staff stay in adjacent rooms.

All Program Leaders are first-aid certified. Nearest hospitals are mapped in every location on the route, including Beijing, Xi’an, Guilin, Yangshuo and Shanghai. The health and safety team reviews all medical forms before departure and works with families to plan medications, allergies and dietary needs.

Yes, every day if you want to. Every student is given a China-enabled SIM card, so calls and texts home work normally for the whole program.

The one thing to know: WhatsApp does not work in mainland China, and this program is in mainland China throughout. Program Leaders use WeChat. Families also reach the 24/7 emergency line as they would on any Rustic Pathways program.

Parents receive daily photo updates throughout the program.

Rustic Pathways lets students keep their phones and does not confiscate them. Students can contact home as often as they like, including during the day.

All accommodations provide Wi-Fi. Note that many familiar apps and sites do not work on mainland Chinese networks, which is why the SIM card above matters more here than on other programs.

The maximum group size on this program is 18 students. Rustic Pathways maintains a median of one staff member per 4.37 students (4.37:1), with no program exceeding 7 students per staff member (7:1).

The program is open to students ages 14 to 18. Most students on Rustic Pathways summer programs are 15 to 17. Program Leaders group similarly-aged students together for activities.

Yes. Rustic Pathways programs are open to students worldwide, with participants from 53 countries each year. International students fly independently to Beijing, where Rustic Pathways coordinates pickup. Visa requirements for China vary by passport, so contact a travel advisor for guidance.

Most students join without knowing anyone. 94% travel solo. No experience is needed, and most are nervous at first.

Program Leaders run the First Friend Method, the Rustic Pathways approach to making sure every student forms at least one real connection in the first 48 hours. It is deliberate, not left to chance.

Students stay in hotels throughout, in gender-separated shared rooms, supervised around the clock by Rustic Pathways staff. The route uses nine hotel nights across Beijing, Xi’an, Guilin, Yangshuo and Shanghai.

Yes. Roommate requests are accepted during enrollment.

Students have structured independence during free time with staff always nearby. There is no fully unsupervised time in public areas.

Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and common dietary restrictions are accommodated with advance notice. All dietary needs are collected during enrollment and shared with meal providers. Chinese regional cuisine varies widely across this route, and Program Leaders order for the group with dietary needs in hand.

$150 to $200 per week is a reasonable amount for souvenirs, snacks and anything students want outside the included meals and activities.

Mobile payment is close to universal in China and foreign cards are not accepted everywhere. Program Leaders help students exchange cash and set up payment on arrival.

It depends on the passport. U.S. passport holders do need a Chinese visa for this program.

China’s visa-free transit does not help here. It requires onward travel to a third country, and this program flies home to the United States. The visa is applied for in person at a Chinese Visa Application Service Center, so start about two months before departure. Rustic Pathways sends the supporting program documents once a student is enrolled.

Check your passport country on this page, then confirm with your nearest Chinese embassy or consulate.

No. This program has no community service component and carries no service hours. It is built around history, landscape and the four cities on the route.

If service hours are what you are after, tell an advisor and they will point you at a Rustic Pathways program that carries them. China’s service program, Wonders of China, is not scheduled to run.

Homesickness can be common over the first few days, and Rustic Pathways is well prepared for it. Read how Rustic Pathways combats homesickness →

Rustic Pathways welcomes all students and works with families to provide appropriate support. Share any relevant information during enrollment so staff can prepare. Learn about the Rustic Pathways approach to inclusion →