大家好！I would like to share with you one of the most unforgettable experiences I’ve ever had, the Burnside High School China Study Tour.
We travelled to Beijing, Chengdu and Shanghai over the two weeks of the holidays. During this Study Tour, we visited some of China’s most iconic landmarks, experienced its deep culture, and even formed meaningful connections with students from Chinese schools. It was an opportunity not only to see China, but to live and learn in it.
We visited famous landmarks like the Great Wall, the Forbidden City, and Dujiangyan, explored cultural sites such as the Sanxingdui Museum and Du Fu’s Cottage, and connected with students at top schools like Beijing No. 4 High School and Datong High School. It was a journey filled with learning, discovery, and unforgettable experiences.
We arrived in Beijing as our first city in China. After Beijing, we arrived in Chengdu on April 19 and checked into the Boyun Jinjiang Hotel, located near the city centre. The rooms were clean and comfortable, and the hotel had amazing facilities. Its central location gave us quick access to many of the cultural sites we visited during our stay. The atmosphere there was more relaxed, and the city had a very different feeling compared to Beijing, but it was just as rich in culture and history. It was a much-needed change and allowed us to slow down and process everything that happened in Beijing.
On April 20, we visited the Sanxingdui Museum in the morning. The ancient bronze masks and statues amazed us with their uniqueness. The museum revealed a profound side of China’s ancient civilisation that’s not often shown in textbooks. In the afternoon, we visited Wuhou Temple, dedicated to Zhuge Liang of the Three Kingdoms era. As we walked through the temple, we were all fascinated by the stories and wisdom surrounding his legacy. That evening, we walked through Jinli Street, lit by a sea of lanterns and filled with shops selling souvenirs and snacks. Unfortunately, the weather at Jinli Street wasn’t the best, and we had to cut the experience short.
On April 21, we started with a visit to the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding. Seeing the pandas up close was a magical experience. We not only got to see pandas, but we even got to see Red Pandas! After we left the Panda reserve, we visited many souvenir shops and bought plenty of souvenirs. In the afternoon, we got to try the famous hotpot in the Sichuan Province and got to watch their traditional Bianlian. The food and the Performance definitely lived up to our expectations.
On April 22, we got to see many natural views and cultural heritage sites. In the morning, we visited the Dujiangyan Irrigation System, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where we learned how this 2,000-year-old water system still prevents floods and supports farming. In the afternoon, we explored Mount Qingcheng, the birthplace of Taoism. Hiking through the peaceful, green trails and ancient temples was refreshing and very calming, although tiring.
On April 23, our final day in Chengdu, we visited Du Fu’s Cottage, the former home of one of China’s most famous poets. It was very exciting to be able walk through his gardens and read his poetry. That afternoon, we headed to Chengdu airport and flew to Shanghai on Sichuan airlines.
What I loved most about Chengdu was the food, full of bold flavours and spice, and the slower rhythm of life. It gave us time to breathe and reflect, which was something we really appreciated halfway through the tour. Chengdu helped us reset and build stronger friendships with each other. This part of the trip truly left a lasting impression on all of us.
Throughout this Study Tour, we learned so much about China. We experienced culture, education and got first-hand experience of speaking in Chinese. We learned how students live, study, and dream in China. We explored ancient history and cutting-edge technology. If I could suggest one thing for Study Tours in the future, it would be to allow just a little more free time to explore and relax, because there was always some new experience every day, which was fun but very tiring.
This was not just a school trip, it was an experience that I will remember for a lifetime. I’m incredibly grateful to Burnside High School, Ms Magson, Mr Crosby, Ms Ren, and everyone who made this possible. I would especially like to thank our Head of Chinese department at Burnside High School, Ms Feng, for arranging this amazing experience for all 22 of our students. It really opened my eyes to the world and made me more curious, connected, and inspired.
谢谢，再见
Michael Chen
