China · Summer 2027
Teen travel programs to China
On Rustic Pathways teen travel programs to China, students walk the Great Wall at Mutianyu, a UNESCO World Heritage Site,1 cruise the Li River through Guilin’s karst towers and cook bamboo-tube rice with a family in Longsheng, or, on a separate innovation program, visit DJI and Huawei in Shenzhen, then compare Singapore’s innovation model.
- 2 programs
- 13 or 14 days
- Ages 14–18
- From $4,888 Program Tuition
From $4,888 Program Tuition2 programs · Ages 14–18 · 2 departures
See the programs- Operating in China
- Since 2007
- Language
- Mandarin Chinese; English in Singapore
- Flight from New York
- 16 hr 35 min nonstop
- Getting there
- Optional chaperoned group flight from Los Angeles
Two China programs for summer 2027
Rustic Pathways offers two China teen travel programs for summer 2027: 14-day Great Wall to Li River for history and culture, and 13-day Shenzhen & Singapore for engineering and innovation.
Compare the China programs
The two China programs vary by length, Program Tuition, where students stay and what they do.
Show program
| Great Wall to Li River$4,888 | Shenzhen & Singapore: Two Models of Innovation$13,680 | |
|---|---|---|
| Choose this if… | Your teen wants Chinese history and culture, from Beijing to Shanghai. | Your teen wants engineering and urban planning in Shenzhen and Singapore. |
| Length | 14 days | 13 days |
| Program Tuition | $4,888 | $13,680 |
| Where students stay | Hotels in Beijing, Xi’an, Guilin, Yangshuo and Shanghai, in gender-separated shared rooms | Centrally located hotels in Shenzhen, then Singapore, in gender-separated shared rooms |
| Service or learning | Chinese history and culture, from the Forbidden City to the Terracotta Army; no service hours | Visits to DJI, Huawei, BYD and SUSTech, design thinking workshops and a capstone; no service hours |
| Adventure | Toboggan down the Mutianyu Great Wall, Li River cruise, Longsheng rice terraces | Drone flight trial at DJI, BYD Cloud Rail, Gardens by the Bay after dark, Night Safari |
| See dates→ | See dates→ |
Prices are in U.S. dollars. Program Tuition is not the total cost. Flights to and from the program, the enrollment fee, medical insurance (required), travel insurance (optional) and personal expenses are separate.
Which China program fits your teen?
Match your teen’s interest to a program, then check the dates below.
Choose in China…
- For Chinese history and culture from Beijing and Xi’an to Guilin, Yangshuo and Shanghai: Great Wall to Li River.
- For engineering, company visits and city planning in Shenzhen, then Singapore: Shenzhen & Singapore: Two Models of Innovation.
Look beyond China if…
- Your teen wants Korean language classes from one base in Seoul: South Korea, at $5,995.
- Your teen wants a farm-country homestay or lower tuition: Japan, from $3,295.
- Your teen wants service hours with elephants or village projects: Thailand, with 8 to 60 hours by program.
What China Program Tuition includes
China Program Tuition ranges from $4,888 to $13,680 and includes accommodations, scheduled meals, airport transfers, in-program transportation and activities.
Included
- Accommodation for every program night
- Breakfast, lunch, and dinner, from the first meal after airport pickup through the last meal before airport drop-off
- Airport transfers within the published arrival and departure windows
- Ground transportation during the program
- The Beijing to Xi’an high-speed train and the flights between Xi’an, Guilin and Shanghai on Great Wall to Li River, and the Shenzhen to Singapore flight on Shenzhen & Singapore
- All scheduled activities, excursions and entrance fees listed in the program itinerary
- Gratuities and donations, so students never need to bring money to give away
- Program Leaders housed on site and available overnight
- 24/7 emergency support line for families
Not included
- Flights to and from the program, including the optional chaperoned group flight
- A one-time $100 enrollment fee, which rises closer to departure
- Medical insurance with coverage in China, and in Singapore on Shenzhen & Singapore (required)
- Travel insurance (optional, and strongly recommended)
- Chinese visa fee for Great Wall to Li River (paid separately)
- Personal expenses, such as spending money, laundry and phone data
Summer 2027 teen travel departure dates by program
Rustic Pathways’ two China programs depart in June 2027: Great Wall to Li River on June 14 and Shenzhen & Singapore on June 27. Compare these dates program by program in the timeline below.
Calendar tip: Each bar runs from the day a program starts to the day it ends. Select one to view that departure.
China vs. South Korea, Japan and Thailand
China differs from South Korea, Japan and Thailand by focusing on history and engineering. South Korea offers Korean classes; Japan features city culture and homestays; and Thailand offers elephant care and village service.
China vs.
| This pageChina$4,888–$13,680 | South Korea$5,995 | Japan$3,295–$6,490 | Thailand$3,995–$6,995 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Choose this if… | Your teen wants Chinese history, or engineering in Shenzhen and Singapore. | Your teen wants Korean classes from one guest house in Seoul. | Your teen wants a farm homestay, Tokyo to Seoul, or a middle school program. | Your teen wants elephant care, adventure or village service, with service hours. |
| Length | 13 or 14 days | 14 days, 12 nights | 8 or 14 days | 12 to 23 days |
| Program Tuition | $4,888–$13,680 | $5,995 | $3,295–$6,490 | $3,995–$6,995 |
| Language | Mandarin Chinese; English in Singapore | Korean; about 40 hours of instruction in Seoul | Japanese | Thai |
| Time difference in July2 | 12 hours ahead of U.S. Eastern | 13 hours ahead of U.S. Eastern | 13 hours ahead of U.S. Eastern | 11 hours ahead of U.S. Eastern |
| Travel time from New York3 | 16 hr 35 min nonstop | 15 hr 5 min nonstop | 13 hr 50 min nonstop | 20 hr 5 min, 1 stop |
| Travel time from Los Angeles | 12 hr 40 min nonstop | 13 hr nonstop | 11 hr 15 min nonstop | 18 hr 35 min, 1 stop |
| Travel time from London | 10 hr 10 min nonstop | 12 hr 40 min nonstop | 13 hr 35 min nonstop | 11 hr 30 min nonstop |
| Travel time from Hong Kong | 3 hr 20 min nonstop | 3 hr 35 min nonstop | 4 hr nonstop | 2 hr 40 min nonstop |
| Getting there | Passport, plus a Chinese visa for U.S. students on Great Wall to Li River. Optional chaperoned group flight from Los Angeles to Beijing or Shenzhen, by program. | Passport, plus a K-ETA for U.S. students unless Korea extends the exemption past 2026. Optional chaperoned group flight from Los Angeles to Incheon. | Passport. Optional chaperoned group flight from Los Angeles. | Passport. Optional chaperoned group flight from Los Angeles. |
| Land vs. water | Beijing, Xi’an, Guilin and Shanghai, or Shenzhen then Singapore, by program. | One guest house base in Seoul, near Hongdae. | Tokyo, Kanazawa and Akita farm country, by program. | Northern villages and elephants, plus Bangkok and Krabi, by program. |
| Service | No service hours; heritage sites, or company visits and workshops | No service hours; language classes instead | Farm work and neighborhood cleanups, 3 to 10 hours | Elephant care, village projects or reforestation, 8 to 60 hours |
| 2027 departures | 2 across two programs | 1: Jun 30 | 5 across three programs | 6 across three programs |
| See the China programs↑ | View South Korea programs→ | View Japan programs→ | View Thailand programs→ |
Prices are in U.S. dollars. Program Tuition is not the total cost. Flights to and from the program, the enrollment fee, medical insurance (required), travel insurance (optional) and personal expenses are separate.
Is teen travel to China safe?
Yes, teen travel to China is safe on a supervised Rustic Pathways program. The U.S. State Department rates mainland China Level 2, and neither program visits Macau or Hong Kong, which it rates separately.4
Rustic Pathways has run programs in China since 2007, with Program Leaders housed on site and available overnight and a 24/7 emergency support line.
Why book China with Rustic Pathways
Booking with Rustic Pathways brings a chaperoned flight option, a parent portal and an advisor you can call.
In China since 2007
Rustic Pathways has run programs in China since 2007. Great Wall to Li River moves between hotels in Beijing, Xi’an, Guilin, Yangshuo and Shanghai. Shenzhen & Singapore stays in hotels in Shenzhen, then in Singapore. Rustic Pathways has operated student travel since 1983.
Chaperoned group flights
U.S. students can join optional chaperoned group flights from Los Angeles on either China program; these flights cost extra. Great Wall to Li River flies into Beijing Capital (PEK) and returns from Shanghai Pudong (PVG); Program Tuition includes the Beijing to Xi’an high-speed train and Xi’an to Guilin and Guilin to Shanghai flights. Shenzhen & Singapore flies into Shenzhen Bao’an (SZX) and returns from Singapore Changi (SIN); Program Tuition includes the Day 7 Shenzhen to Singapore flight.
MyRustic parent portal
MyRustic (myrustictrip.com) is Rustic Pathways’ free, web-based parent and student portal. It holds enrollment forms, billing, the full itinerary, travel logistics and a moderated daily photo feed.
A travel advisor to call
Scott Ingram, Director of Admissions, and Emily Green, Admissions Counselor, answer China questions before you enroll. Call +1 440-975-9691 or schedule a call.
China teen travel FAQ
How is China different from other countries for teen travel?
China differs from other countries for teen travel through its mix of ancient heritage sites, modern technology and urban innovation. Students explore historic Beijing and Xi’an or examine engineering in Shenzhen, with a comparison to Singapore.
Which China program is best for history or for engineering?
Great Wall to Li River is best for Chinese history and culture; Shenzhen & Singapore is best for engineering and innovation. Great Wall to Li River visits Beijing, Xi’an, Guilin, Yangshuo and Shanghai (14 days, $4,888). Shenzhen & Singapore features technology company and university visits (13 days, $13,680).
Do students need to speak Mandarin?
No, students do not need to speak Mandarin on either China program. Program Leaders accompany students, and English is spoken in Singapore.
Do China programs include service hours?
No, neither China program includes service hours. Great Wall to Li River focuses on history and culture; Shenzhen & Singapore focuses on engineering and urban planning. For service programs in Asia, see Japan or Thailand.
What is the weather like in China in summer?
Summer weather in China varies, but Shanghai and Shenzhen are hot and rainy during these programs. Shanghai’s Meiyu rains typically run early June to mid-July; typhoon landfalls peak July–September.5 Shenzhen can experience thunderstorms and typhoons. Singapore’s June–September Southwest Monsoon brings afternoon showers.
What do students need to travel to China?
Students need a passport and medical insurance covering China, plus Singapore on Shenzhen & Singapore. U.S. travelers on Great Wall to Li River need a Chinese visa. Shenzhen & Singapore plans entry for eligible U.S. travelers under China’s conditional 240-hour visa-free transit policy; passport, entry-port and confirmed onward-ticket rules apply. Confirm eligibility with an advisor and immigration authorities; other nationalities’ requirements vary.
Shenzhen & Singapore students must submit the free Singapore Arrival Card and health declaration within three days before arrival, including arrival day. This is not a visa. Review CDC China guidance on MMR and hepatitis A/B vaccination.
How do flights work on China programs?
Both China programs offer optional chaperoned group flights from Los Angeles, paid separately from Program Tuition. Great Wall to Li River arrives in Beijing (PEK) and departs Shanghai (PVG); Shenzhen & Singapore arrives in Shenzhen (SZX) and departs Singapore (SIN). Program Tuition includes the Beijing to Xi’an train, Xi’an to Guilin and Guilin to Shanghai flights, or the Shenzhen to Singapore flight.
Footnotes
- According to UNESCO, the Great Wall is a World Heritage Site whose watchtowers, fortresses and passes were built across successive Chinese empires. ↩
- Time differences are for July, from the IANA time zone database. None of the four observes daylight saving time. ↩
- Shortest total travel time, including layovers, for one-way flights on any day from June 22 to 28, 2027, as listed on Google Flights on October 7, 2026. New York and London include all area airports, and schedules change. ↩
- Advisory levels as of October 2026. Check travel.state.gov for the current level before travel. ↩
- Meiyu rains and typhoon season: the China Meteorological Administration. ↩
China has two summer 2027 departures across two programs.
Compare the two programs