July 5 – July 27, 2026
At a Glance
Our Summer 2026 China Experiential Learning Trip is a three-week immersive program centered on the theme “Masters & Making: Traditional Craft in China.” This is a hands-on fieldwork and apprenticeship deep-dive experience that blends language learning, cultural immersion and craftsmanship, and brings students face-to-face with the living traditions that have shaped Chinese culture for centuries. Over the course of the trip, students will visit Beijing, Qinhuangdao, Dali, Jianchuan, Lijiang, Tacheng, Shangri-La, and Shanghai. They will undertake apprenticeships with traditional local craft masters, under whose guidance they will study crafts like wood carving, silversmithing, black pottery making, wooden joinery, and door painting.. Students will also explore the extraordinary cultural and biodiversity of the Shangri-La region of Northwestern Yunnan. Beginning language classes are offered, as well, so students with no prior Chinese language experience are welcome to participate.
If you have any questions, get in touch with us at yunnan2026@chinafolkhouse.org
Itinerary
Dates: July 5 – July 27, 2026
Beijing
Visit Forbidden City and Temple of Heaven
Engage with local students
Qinhuangdao
Participate in Qinhuangdao Festival
See where the Great Wall meets the ocean
Dali
Visit Three Pagodas and Lake Erhai
Experience Bai minority culture
Jianchuan and Lijiang
Visit historic Tea Horse Road sites
Undertake craft apprenticeships
Visit Ancient Town and see Naxi Orchestra
Tacheng
See one-of-a-kind Yunnan snub-nosed monkeys
Shangri-La
Explore Songzanlin Monastery
Visit Tibetan village and make Nixi black pottery
Shanghai
Explore city planning and traditional culture
Potential Students
This trip is targeted toward students who are:
- Graduating high school seniors and older (They will receive priority)
- Other high school students (They are also welcome)
- Interested in Chinese language, culture, and the arts
- Willing to take part in hands-on learning and projects
- Eager to learn Chinese at different proficiency levels
- Open to expanding their horizons and meeting new people from different cultures
Our Team
With decades of experience of leading experiential learning programs for students in China, our knowledgeable team aims to provide the best possible experience at the best possible value of any Chinese study abroad program. We work with long-term partners and local guides to arrange activities and unique apprenticeships that offer a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Dr. John Flower
Director of China Folk House
Dr. Flower is former director of the Sidwell Friends School Chinese Studies Program, former associate professor of East Asian History at UNC, and a scholar of local history and folklife in China and Tibet.
Xuan Wang
Chinese Language Teacher at Sidwell Friends School
Ms. Wang is an upper school Chinese language teacher at Sidwell Friends School, where she has served as assistant dean of students. She is also president emeritus of the Chinese Language Teachers Association of Virginia.
Hon. Ryan McElveen
Managing Director of Global Leaders of Fairfax County
Mr. McElveen is managing director of the US-China Education Trust, nonresident fellow at the University of Hong Kong, former associate director of the Brookings China Center, and a member of the Fairfax County School Board.
Program Cost
The maximum ground costs for the trip will be:
Exact final cost will be announced at a later date.
We are working to subsidize the cost of the trip, and will likely be able to take advantage of travel subsidies provided by Chinese partners. Included in the cost of this trip is:
