This year's Experiencing China went beyond sightseeing – students didn't just learn about traditions. They touched history with their own hands, tasted it in local kitchens, and performed it alongside master artists. 

Every moment became a living lesson.

Year 7 Nanjing & Yangzhou

Year 7 students embarked on a cultural exploration through the ancient cities of Nanjing and Yangzhou.

In Nanjing, students soaked in the imperial ambience by Xuanwu Lake, stepped into the shoes of imperial examinees at the China Imperial Examination Museum, marvelled at Buddhist artistry atop Niushou Mountain, and travelled through time with artefacts at the Nanjing Museum—each moment deepening their awe for China’s enduring civilisation.

In Yangzhou, the Grand Canal Museum unveiled the ingenuity of ancient water transport, while the poetic landscapes of Geyuan Garden and Slender West Lake captivated hearts. Hands-on workshops—crafting treasure-inlaid hairpins and trying sugar-figurine blowing—brought traditional craftsmanship to life.

More than a cultural collision, this journey sowed seeds of friendship. Students returned with a richer understanding of China and memories to treasure.

Year 7 Geungjin HA

My trip to Nan Jing and Yang Zhou with my class was far better than I expected. We were able to try out new cuisines, visit famous tourist attractions, and expand our knowledge about Nan Jing by going to many museums. One of my favourite activities was making traditional Yang Zhou hair pins with different types of stone.  Additionally, I also liked chatting and playing games with friends on the bus. Overall, I think that the trip was really fun and interesting. I hope that I can experience more of China next year, just like this time.

Year 7 Anna LI

I feel that I learned a lot during this Chinese experience trip and grew quite a bit. We visited many interesting museums, where we experienced ancient exams and went on treasure hunts. The food in Nanjing and Yangzhou was a feast for the senses, with a wide variety of dishes such as lion's head meatballs, Yangzhou fried rice, and Nanjing soup dumplings, among others. My favourite day was the fifth day, when we not only did a lot of crafts but also experienced sugar-blowing. I feel more independent than before, and I'm happy to have made new friends during the trip. I'm really looking forward to next year's Chinese experience trip!

Year 7 Luca LV

During this experience trip, I saw things I had never seen before with my teacher, such as the beautiful Xuanwu Lake. I also saw treasures in the museum that I had never encountered before. Additionally, I had a great time playing with my classmates. This trip was truly rewarding, and I also want to thank the teachers for taking care of us. Thank you, teachers!

Year 8 Hangzhou

When March adorns itself with blossoms, we kept our tryst with Hangzhou. Here lies West Lake—its emerald waves whispering millennia-old legends, where myths take shape. Wuzhen’s canals weave through time, where stone bridges and flowing waters compose serenity itself. The ancient Grand Canal, a living chronicle of history, and Shaoxing—the birthplace of Lu Xun—exude the gravitas of culture and intellect. From the poetic solitude of Shen Garden to the refined elegance of Orchid Pavilion, from tea plantations breathing delicate fragrance, every corner murmurs tales of heritage.

To travel with books in hand is never just sightseeing—it’s self-cultivation in motion. We learn to savor regional flavors and local wisdom, to master self-reliance through planning and adaptability, to share joys and trials with companions. Such journeys broaden horizons while quietly nurturing maturity and confidence.

Where pages and pathways converge, we meet the better versions of ourselves.

Years 9&10 Bashu Area

Year 9 Injin HA

The best part of the recent outing for me was, of course, making our own dinner at the cooking museum. While the food didn't exactly turn out as hoped, the process was thoroughly delightful and absolutely one to remember. It was exhilarating going out of our comfort zones and exploring the unknown, taking cooking head-on. Seeing my friends comically battle the ingredients as they fought to keep the fire under control created countless amusing moments. 

It taught us that it is not always the destination that matters but how we enjoy the journey — what matters is enjoying ourselves every step of the way. The laughter and energy exchanged were, without a doubt, the trip's highlight.

Year 9 Yena SON

My favourite part of this trip was the filming project with my study group in the Lang Zhong old city. The filming task with my study group was a fun and pleasurable opportunity for me to explore tourist attractions and spend time with my friends. And it really helped me with learning about history. That place was one of my favourite places during the trip. I enjoyed the time we had for filming as we could share information about the task. Also, presenting our final work was one of the memorable activities that we did during the trip.

Year 10 Adam KIM

The most significant thing that I learned on this tour was about the culture and traditions of Chongqing and Chengdu.

I was observing a play where actors were replacing masks at a very fast pace. It was great to see, and I learned that it is an ancient art of China. I also learned about long teapots, which are used during tea ceremonies.

The teapot is rather tall, and tea is poured with a special move that looks something like a dance.

I am also proud of myself for the whole period of this trip. I attempted to speak with the locals in Chinese, and I did an excellent job. The language was, at times, difficult to understand, but I never gave up, and that made me proud. I even learned new words and phrases.

Year 9 Mandy SONG

This journey has given me profound insights into the history and culture of the Sichuan region. At the Sanxingdui Museum, the bronze masks and sacred trees revealed to me the splendour and mystery of this ancient civilisation. We explored the museum through interactive puzzle-solving activities—an engaging approach that made every artefact's historical significance more memorable and helped me better understand Sanxingdui's cultural legacy.

Witnessing the Dujiangyan Irrigation System, I was awestruck by the ingenuity of ancient engineers. These experiences have truly broadened my intellectual horizons.

As the trip concludes, what remains aren't just photos but new ways of seeing. When classrooms feel too small, they'll remember how China's ancient streets taught them more than any textbook could. Already, the next chapter awaits.