Route: Beijing, Xi’an by high-speed train, a flight to Guilin and Yangshuo, then a flight to Shanghai
How is safety managed, and where do students stay?
Rustic Pathways prioritizes student safety with a written risk management plan for every program. Students stay in hotels: 11 nights across Beijing, Xi’an, Guilin, Yangshuo, and Shanghai.
Supervision and safety
- Supervision Median 4.37:1 student-to-staff ratio, maximum 7:1. Program Leaders are housed on site and available overnight.
- Emergencies Enrolled families receive a 24/7 emergency number for use during programs and travel days.
- Medical Dr. William R. Smith, a board-certified emergency physician, supports leaders and families. Teams keep lists of medical facilities for every major program location.
- Program Leaders Background checks through Sterling, more than 80 hours of training (40+ in person), CPR and First Aid certified. Rustic Pathways staff members completed Viristar’s month-long Risk Management for Outdoor Programs certification course.
- Phones in China WhatsApp does not work in mainland China, so Program Leaders use WeChat.
- Transport Every owned, leased, rented, or contracted road vehicle used to transport students is licensed or registered as required in the country where it operates. Staff who drive students hold a valid in-country driver’s license and pass a motor vehicle background check.
Where they stay
Students stay in hotels throughout: 11 nights across Beijing, Xi’an, Guilin, Yangshuo, and Shanghai.
- Beijing · 3 nights A hotel in central Beijing.
- Xi’an · 3 nights A hotel in Xi’an.
- Guilin and Yangshuo · 3 nights Two nights at a hotel in Guilin and one in Yangshuo, a short walk from West Street.
- Shanghai · 2 nights A hotel in Shanghai for the last two nights.
- Gender-separated shared rooms
- Program Leader supervision
- Roommate requests accepted
Accommodation can change by session and availability. We confirm where each group stays before departure.
What the 12 days look like
Great Wall to Li River is new for 2027. The route runs north to south and then east: three nights in Beijing, three in Xi’an, three in Guilin and Yangshuo, and two in Shanghai.
Days are full and long on walking: wall ramparts, the Xi’an City Wall, gardens, and museums, with a high-speed train and two domestic flights between the cities.
Who runs it
Keegan Kennedy
Southeast Asia Regional Manager
Keegan manages operations in China and has been with Rustic Pathways since 2016.
The 2027 Program Leaders are confirmed closer to departure.
Students in their own words
Students who traveled to China with Rustic Pathways describe what stayed with them.
“The trip taught me to take risks, not let my fears get in the way of my goals and how to be more confident overall.”
“This program changed my perceptions on not only China, but the world.”
“The leaders were excellent, the program was immersive and fun, and the freedom to explore another culture was incredible.”
Before you enroll: what parents ask
Most asked
What is the student-to-staff ratio?
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).
New Program Leaders go through a four-month selection process, and every Program Leader holds current CPR and First Aid certification.
How can I stay in touch with my child?
China is 12 hours ahead of New York in summer.
- After the final scheduled activity of the day, students have their phones.
- Routine help: call +1 440-975-9691, Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET.
- Emergencies: use the 24/7 number in your pre-departure materials.
Parents get daily photo updates. If a student has an urgent, medical, or significant personal need during activities, a Program Leader helps them contact home.
Do students come alone or with friends?
Most students join on their own, and some join with friends or siblings. Roommate requests are accepted during enrollment for students coming together. Program Leaders run icebreakers on day one, and friendships form quickly.
What is the cancellation policy?
Cancellations within 24 hours of enrollment receive a refund of all amounts paid to Rustic Pathways.
Cancellations before midnight ET on March 31, 2027, receive a full refund of the program tuition. The enrollment fee and any airfare already booked become non-refundable.
For cancellations after March 31, 2027, see the enrollment terms.
If your family experiences a serious, documented emergency, contact us. We review these situations on a case-by-case basis.
Flights
How do flights work?
U.S. students can join an optional chaperoned group flight from Los Angeles (LAX) to Beijing (PEK), and home from Shanghai (PVG), with a Rustic Pathways Flight Leader. It is booked separately from tuition. The group flight is planned on Air China CA984, leaving Los Angeles at 11:25 p.m. on Day 1 and landing in Beijing at 5:30 a.m. on Day 3, and home on China Eastern MU583, leaving Shanghai at 1:10 p.m. on Day 14. Flight times are confirmed before departure. Families can also book their own flights: into Beijing Capital (PEK) and home from Shanghai Pudong (PVG), ideally as one multi-city ticket.
Program Leaders meet every student at Beijing airport on Day 3. Flights, including the group flight, are not included in tuition.
Flying independently? See the arrival and departure dates below.
Who books each flight?
Whichever option you choose, Rustic Pathways staff meet every student at Beijing airport on the arrival date and see them off on the departure date.
Option 1: the chaperoned group flight
Cost: Chaperoned group flight fee, plus airfare.
- A Rustic Pathways chaperone meets students at Los Angeles (LAX) and flies with the group to Beijing (PEK), and home from Shanghai (PVG) to Los Angeles (LAX) on the departure date.
- Getting to and from Los Angeles (LAX): Rustic Pathways can book the connecting flights between your home airport and Los Angeles (LAX), or your family can. Students fly that leg on their own, with an airline unaccompanied-minor service if the airline requires one.
- Every student on the group flight pays the chaperoned group flight fee, even if your family books the connecting flights.
Option 2: independent flights with support
Cost: Flight Support Fee, plus airfare.
- You choose the flights and Rustic Pathways books them, into Beijing (PEK) and home from Shanghai (PVG).
- Students fly on their own, and you get 24/7 travel support if plans change.
Option 3: book your own flights
Cost: No Rustic Pathways fee, just airfare (for students not on the group flight).
- Your family books and manages the flights, into Beijing (PEK) and home from Shanghai (PVG).
- Students fly on their own. Changes and rebooking are between your family and the airline.
Arrival and departure windows
Students who are not on the group flight land within the arrival window and leave within the departure window, about four hours each. Your Personal Travel Advisor shares the exact times before you book. Flights outside the windows carry an additional fee.
Flights during the program
- Two flights inside China: included in tuition, and staff fly with the group.
What are the arrival and departure dates for students flying independently?
Dates on this page run from the day the group flight leaves the U.S. to the day the group leaves China. The flight crosses the International Date Line, so the group lands in Beijing two calendar days after it leaves the U.S.
| Session dates | Arrive Beijing (PEK) | Leave Shanghai (PVG) |
|---|---|---|
| Jun 14 – Jun 27, 2027 | Wed, Jun 16 | Sun, Jun 27 |
When your student flies independently, book flights that arrive and leave on these dates. Flight times can change, so contact your Personal Travel Advisor before you book.
Before you book
- Fly into Beijing (PEK). Staff meet students there. Double-check the airport code before you pay.
- Book the flight home from Shanghai (PVG). The program ends there.
- Stay within the arrival and departure dates and times. Your Personal Travel Advisor shares the exact windows. Flights outside them carry an additional fee.
Where does the program start and end?
It starts at Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) on Day 3 and ends at Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) on Day 14.
Do U.S. citizens need a visa for China?
Yes, U.S. passport holders need a visa for China.
Check the requirement for your passport
This is a guide, not immigration advice. Entry rules change. Confirm with the Chinese embassy or consulate for your country before you book anything.
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. The passport must be valid for at least six months and have at least two blank visa pages (see the China Visa Application Service Center). Other passports: check yours on the IATA Travel Centre, then confirm with your nearest Chinese embassy or consulate.
Cost & enrollment
What is the enrollment fee?
The enrollment fee is a one-time fee, separate from tuition, covering enrollment, pre-departure advising, and trip planning. It begins at $100 and increases closer to the departure date.
The enrollment fee is refundable for cancellations within 24 hours.
Does Rustic Pathways offer payment plans?
Yes. Rustic Pathways offers a 4-Pay payment plan that splits program tuition into four payments over six weeks. This plan is only available for enrollments more than 90 days before departure and only for U.S. bank accounts.
Need-based financial aid and merit scholarships are also available. Explore scholarships and financial aid.
What insurance do we need?
Medical insurance with coverage in China is required. Travel insurance is strongly recommended, not required.
Neither is included in program tuition. Rustic Pathways recommends Arch RoamRight: get a quote.
How much spending money does my child need?
$150 to $200 per week is recommended for shopping, snacks, or souvenirs. Meals, scheduled activities, and gratuities are included in program tuition. Mobile payment is close to universal in China, and foreign cards are not accepted everywhere, so Program Leaders help students exchange cash and set up payment on arrival.
Safety & wellbeing
Are rooms gender-separated?
Yes. Students room with same-gender peers in every hotel.
How are medical needs handled?
Personal Travel Advisors review all medical forms and plan with families to manage medication, allergies, and dietary requirements on the program.
Program Leaders are first-aid and CPR certified, and teams keep lists of medical facilities for every major program location.
How is my child supervised during the program?
Rustic Pathways Program Leaders supervise students from the moment staff meet them at Beijing airport until they depart for their flight home.
- A median student-to-staff ratio of 1 staff member for every 4.37 students, never exceeding 7:1.
- Program Leaders are housed on site and available overnight.
- Two-Deep Leadership: No staff member is ever alone one-on-one with a student.
- Each student has a personal check-in with a Program Leader within 24 hours of arrival.
- Families receive a Safe Arrival email within 12 hours of arrival in China.
Will my child have any unsupervised time?
Students do not have unsupervised time in public areas. Free time is structured, with Program Leaders always nearby. At night, students stay in their rooms with their roommates. Program Leaders are housed on site and conduct nightly room checks.
What is the phone and smart device policy?
Rustic Pathways follows Trip Before Scroll: staff store phones and connected devices securely during daytime programming and hand them back after the final scheduled activity.
Students keep them overnight, subject to quiet-hours and lights-out rules. Travel-day, medical, and accessibility exceptions apply. All the hotels have Wi-Fi, but many familiar apps and sites do not work on mainland Chinese networks.
Does Rustic Pathways support neurodiverse students?
Rustic Pathways welcomes all students and works with families to provide appropriate support. Learn about Rustic Pathways’ inclusion policy.
The group
What is the group size and age range?
The group is limited to 30 students, ages 14 to 18.
Can non-U.S. students join this program?
Yes. Non-U.S. students can join this program. International students fly to Beijing to arrive within the designated arrival window for their session.
Rustic Pathways staff meet them at the airport and ensure safe departure within the designated window at the end of the program.
Visa requirements depend on the passport, so ask an advisor.
Day to day
Is this a service program?
No. This is not a service program, and it carries no service hours. If service hours matter, an advisor can point you to a Rustic Pathways program that has them.
How physically demanding is the program?
Not demanding, but expect long walking days: the Great Wall ramparts, the Xi’an City Wall, gardens, and museums, plus early starts, a long road day to the Longsheng rice terraces (about four hours each way), a high-speed train, and two domestic flights across four cities in 12 days.
Can dietary needs and allergies be accommodated on program?
Yes. Vegetarian, vegan, pescatarian, gluten-free, dairy-free, and other diets, plus common food allergies can be accommodated. Dietary needs and allergy information are collected after enrollment and shared with meal providers and project partners in advance.
Does my child need to speak Chinese?
No. Program Leaders and local partners speak English and help with everything in Chinese.
Can the itinerary change?
Yes. The itinerary may change due to weather, safety concerns, transportation issues, or site availability. Program Leaders may adjust activities and schedules to keep students safe and ensure a positive program experience.
Ready, or one question first?
$4,988 at checkout ($4,888 Program Tuition + $100 enrollment fee), about $356 a day with lodging and all meals. Full refund within 24 hours.
What happens after you enroll
- You have 24 hours to change your mind for a full refund, including the enrollment fee.
- Rustic Pathways calls every family for a welcome call.
- Fill in the traveler details form. That opens your MyRustic family portal, with your payment schedule, forms to complete, the full itinerary and the packing list.
- Before departure, MyRustic adds the flight itineraries and the Wheels Up packet: arrival instructions, contacts and the program emergency number.
- During the program, you get daily photo updates. After it, Rustic Pathways calls every family.
Rather talk first? Call Scott Ingram at +1 (440) 975-9691, schedule a call, or ask an advisor.
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