School trips head for China

STS School Travel Service has reported an increase in group bookings for tours to China following the peaked interest surrounding the Beijing Olympics. In 2008-2009 confirmed bookings increased by 80% and the number of enquiries relating to China group tours doubled.

STS School Travel Service has developed a programme of China tours, including a tour of Tiananmen Square, which gives children the opportunity to experience history first hand. The eight or ten day tours are based on the national curriculum requirements focusing on key areas such as history, classics, modern language, politics and media. From visiting the Great Wall of China and the Forbidden City to a first class sleeper train trip to Xian, the tour has been created to move and inspire pupils.

Throughout the tour groups are accompanied by a national guide with additional local guides for each particular excursion. The tour will take in precious Buddhist texts brought back from India, a visit to the Terracotta Army Museum as well as a trip to the Banpo Museum for students to learn about the Yangshao culture. For the Beijing part of the trip, the group will be taken on a walking tour through the city’s old Hutong area, exploring the traditional Beijing “siheyuan” courtyard houses, or four-sided enclosed yards. The “hutong” are a major part of the city's tradition, architecture and culture. The trip culminates with a traditional tea ceremony at a Beijing Tea House.

STS School Travel Service (ststravel.co.uk) is offering a selection of China tours from £889 per person and includes return flights, all accommodation and transport, entrance to all excursions and museums and meals on a full board basis. Visit the website for more information.