Over the summer, seven of Carmel’s students, and a member of staff, travelled to China for the trip of a lifetime! Twelve students and staff from the University of Liverpool went too.

The group stayed in central Beijing and over the first couple of days they visited Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, the National Museum of China, the Confucius Institute Cultural Centre and the Great Wall of China. They also went to a number of local restaurants to sample some real Chinese food which was delicious.

Taking the Bullet Train from Beijing to Xi’an, for a journey of over 600 miles in less than three and a half hours, was also a great experience! The group visited the University of Xi’an Jiao Tong for a welcome ceremony, at which Carmel student Harvey Harris gave a speech. Staff and students stayed in the university accommodation for a week so they could develop their mandarin language skills. This involved daily classes as well as Chinese craft activities such as painting, singing and a Ping Pong tournament too!

The group then moved on to Fu County for a couple of days visiting the town of Fuxian in Fu County and a mountain village to see some locals perform traditional dances, stilt walking and drumming. Staff and students were inundated with selfie requests from the locals who don’t get to meet many Westerners or tourists.

Back in Xi’an, the group went to see the world famous Terracotta Warriors as well as the historic Xi’an City Wall and Muslim Quarter. After a short closing ceremony at the University, staff and students headed back to Beijing on the Bullet Train for a final meal together before the flight home.

Everyone on the trip had an amazing time. Huge thanks go to the Chinese hosts who looked after them so well. Special thanks must go to Professor Peng, Tian of the Confucius Institute at the University of Liverpool, for his support and help with organising the trip and making the visit to China so memorable!