14 days · Beijing — Xi'an — Shanghai. This is no ordinary study tour: it is a 'youth diplomacy' programme jointly backed by CUSA Education (USA) and Xi'an Tourism Group — real classrooms at top schools, visits to government and institutions, deep experiences at directly operated attractions, and a reciprocal exchange that brings the two countries' teenagers to each other.
Most study tours are assembled by intermediaries; this programme is contracted and hosted directly by the organiser and the resource owner — every link is named, checkable and verifiable.
A US-based education organisation (Cultural and Educational Students Alliance) that runs US–China youth exchange programmes year-round: recruitment, pre-departure training and accompanying group leaders on the US side, plus the reciprocal arrangement of Chinese students' summer schools and STEM camps in the US.
A state-owned cultural-tourism group of the Xi'an municipal government, with two top-100 national travel agencies, directly operating core attractions such as the Xi'an City Wall, nearly 30 hotels and Tang music-and-dance shows — the entire Xi'an leg is hosted by the resource owner itself: no subcontracting, no markup.
American students complete a 14-day diplomatic study experience in China; Chinese students visit the US for summer schools, STEM camps and culture classes. A two-way journey that builds a long-term education corridor — not a one-off trip.
A high-calibre international exchange programme: immersive bilateral youth diplomacy that cultivates the next generation of global leaders. Participants experience first-hand government systems, international relations and cross-cultural communication — subjects usually met systematically only at university level.
Equip teenagers with a global outlook and cultural intelligence, practising communication, collaboration and public speaking in real cross-cultural settings.
Build lasting school-to-school links with Chinese schools and education authorities — one visit can grow into years of cooperation.
Promote trust and dialogue between the two countries' teenagers at the people-to-people level — the best education in international relations is face to face.
Bring sustained cultural exchange and economic benefit to host cities, schools and institutions, forming a positive cycle.
Two weeks in exchange for a story worth telling on college applications — and a clearer sense of self.
Meet representatives of local governments and national institutions — an 'International Relations 101' beyond any textbook.
Step into Beijing No.2 High School, Xi'an Gaoxin No.1 High School and Shanghai's YK Pao School, doing hands-on experiments in professional labs.
Calligraphy, farmer painting, silk embroidery, simulated archaeology — understand China by making things, not behind museum glass.
The Palace Museum, the Great Wall, the Terracotta Army, the Humble Administrator's Garden — names from textbooks become roads under your feet and photos in your hands.
A completion certificate and bilateral programme experience — verifiable backing for the 'international experience' line in a university application.
Beijing (diplomacy and the imperial capital) → Xi'an (living history and school exchanges, hosted by Xi'an Tourism Group) → Shanghai · Suzhou (modern China and Jiangnan culture).
Arrival, hotel check-in and the official welcome ceremony.
The Palace Museum (Forbidden City) · Temple of Heaven · a stroll through the Nanluoguxiang hutongs.
Exchange visit to Beijing No.2 High School · calligraphy and Chinese painting workshop · a lecture on Chinese culture.
The Summer Palace · the Great Wall at Badaling.
National Museum of China · high-speed rail to Xi'an · Tang-style gate welcome ceremony.
Exchange at Xi'an Gaoxin No.1 High School · Tang West Market Museum · antique market treasure hunt · Chinese history lecture.
Cycling the Xi'an City Wall (180 minutes) · Big Wild Goose Pagoda · Chang'an Twelve Hours district · Grand Tang Mall night walk.
Emperor Qinshihuang's Mausoleum Site Museum (Terracotta Army) · simulated archaeology or woodcraft at Daming Palace · dumpling banquet and Tang music-and-dance show.
Shaanxi History Museum · farmer-painting workshop in Huxian · a food stroll through Huimin Street.
Oriental Pearl TV Tower · the Bund · Nanjing Road pedestrian street.
Joint STEM experiments with YK Pao School · Shanghai Science & Technology Museum (or Astronomy Museum) · lecture by a Shanghai education expert.
Silk embroidery and handkerchief-making workshop · the Humble Administrator's Garden.
Shanghai Museum · Yu Garden and the City God Temple bazaar.
Airport transfer and the flight home to the US — 14 days complete.
Elsewhere you see the sights; in Xi'an you learn from the people who own and run them. The City Wall, Daming Palace, time-honoured restaurants and Tang shows are all directly operated by Xi'an Tourism Group — guiding, routes and safety are handled by the operator itself.
These standards come from the CUSA China 2025 programme handbook; the final version is subject to the confirmed group plan.
4–5-star foreign-guest hotels throughout; full breakfasts, group meals as the norm with regional banquets woven in (Peking duck, the Xi'an dumpling banquet, zhajiangmian) — balancing hygiene and experience.
Group sizes of 30 / 50; a US group leader travels with the group and a bilingual Chinese leader accompanies throughout; school classes are led by school teachers and education experts.
Group-based custom quotes vary with the itinerary version, flights, travel dates, group size and hotel choice — no lumping with strangers, no markup, transparent and itemisable pricing.
Yes. The whole tour is bilingual; classes and workshops focus on experience and collaboration with no language threshold. Students who want to go deeper can take short pre-departure Chinese micro-lessons and meet their buddy classmates in advance.
Three layers: ground handling by a state-owned tourism group (vehicles, hotels and attractions are all compliant suppliers); a US group leader plus a bilingual Chinese leader travelling together; a 24-hour Chinese emergency contact and a full pre-departure safety plan, with key activities synced to a parents' group by a designated staff member.
It covers transport within China (high-speed rail and domestic flights), hotels, meals, entrance tickets, classes and activities; international flights are separate. Quotes are tiered for 30 / 50-person groups and subject to the confirmed plan.
Three fundamental differences: a reciprocal exchange mechanism (not a one-way trip); top schools and government resources built directly into the itinerary; the host is the resource owner (attractions, hotels and shows directly operated by Xi'an Tourism Group) — no layer upon layer of subcontracting.
Groups are mainly organised by schools and institutions, departing in summer and winter breaks; parents can submit an enquiry first — CUSA and the Chinese programme team will confirm dates, group size and the plan before seats are locked.
The programme is designed for student groups. Parents who wish to travel can have a separate adult itinerary (same dates, separate activities) — please contact us via the consultation below.
Send an enquiry and the programme team will reply within 24 hours with the full 14-day handbook, a group plan and a price range, plus the nearest departure dates.
Automated Q&A assistant: answers from a preset knowledge base; not medical advice and not connected to medical records. For emergencies, call your local emergency number; human assistance responds within 24 hours.