Destinations: Forbidden City, experience Mid-Autumn mooncake making
This 8-day autumn study tour takes overseas student groups to Beijing at its most picturesque season, when golden ginkgo trees and red maple leaves frame imperial landmarks. Students explore the Great Wall, Forbidden City and ancient hutongs, combining field history research with Mid-Autumn cultural learning. The program helps students understand ancient imperial autumn rituals, northern Chinese harvest customs and how seasonal changes shaped China's historical lifestyle.
Walk the autumn Mutianyu Great Wall surrounded by colourful mountain foliage, discover golden ginkgo landscapes inside imperial palaces, experience traditional Mid-Autumn mooncake making and hutong local life interviews with Beijing residents.
Day 1: Arrival in Beijing & Autumn Study Opening Briefing Airport pickup, hotel check-in and welcome dinner. Opening orientation introduces autumn climate, itinerary academic goals and outdoor safety rules. Distribute autumn landscape observation journals. Students learn about the Mid-Autumn Festival, one of China's most important autumn festivals, and prepare field research tasks.
Day 2: Tiananmen Square & Forbidden City Autumn Imperial Study Morning visit Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City. Students observe golden ginkgo trees within the palace compound. The English guide explains royal autumn outings, harvest sacrificial rituals and imperial seasonal management. Students complete worksheets comparing autumn vegetation and ancient palace landscape design.
Day 3: Mutianyu Great Wall Autumn Hiking & Geography Field Work Full-day excursion to Mutianyu Great Wall. Hike along the wall surrounded by red and golden autumn foliage. Students study the military history of the Great Wall, mountain geology and autumn plant succession. Group discussion after hiking about how geography shaped ancient defence strategies.
Day 4: Summer Palace Autumn Garden Exploration Visit the Summer Palace. Students observe autumn lake scenery, fallen leaves and seasonal plants in the imperial garden. Learn about the Qing royal family's autumn leisure activities. Students take photos and write observation notes about garden aesthetics in autumn.
Day 5: Temple of Heaven & Mid-Autumn Cultural Workshop Morning study tour of Temple of Heaven, focusing on ancient autumn rituals to pray for bumper harvests. Afternoon hands-on mooncake-making workshop. Students learn the origin and symbolic meaning of Mid-Autumn Festival and taste their handmade mooncakes.
Day 6: Beijing Hutong Immersion & Local Resident Interview Morning walking tour of old Beijing hutongs and courtyard houses. Students chat with local residents to learn about autumn food and seasonal daily customs. Afternoon prepare interview records and group presentation outlines.
Day 7: National Museum of China & Academic Review Visit National Museum of China to study cultural relics related to harvest and ancient seasonal customs. Afternoon group review, organize photos and field notes, and prepare final presentation.
Day 8: Achievement Sharing, Certificate Awarding & Departure Student presentation of autumn study findings. Award official study tour certificates. Closing ceremony and private airport transfer.
