Our biggest ever China Camp returns from Beijing

This year the Business Confucius Institute at the University of Leeds (BCI) took its biggest ever cohort to China for the annual China Camp. Participants enjoyed a packed programme of activities to develop their knowledge of Chinese language and culture.

Funded by the Confucius Institute Headquarters (Hanban), the China Camp is a two-week programme of language classes and cultural excursions. Our group is hosted in Beijing by our partner University, the University of International Business and Economics (UIBE). The itinerary also included a trip to the ancient city of Xi’an.

Our enthusiastic group was made up of people of all ages and backgrounds who study Chinese with the BCI or our partners. Many were current students or members of staff at the University of Leeds, and others were external students and professionals who study Chinese in our evening classes. For most of them it was their first visit to China.

With the expert support of our hosts at UIBE, and all expenses within China covered by Hanban, participants could focus their attention on soaking up the sights and sounds of China. The group was accompanied by BCI camp leader Frances Noble, a Mandarin speaker who has previously lived in China and was also on hand to make sure everything ran smoothly.

Activities in Beijing included:

• Chinese language lessons
• Business lectures from UIBE professors
• Cultural classes on Chinese traditional medicine, singing, painting, zither, and tea culture
• A visit to a local Chinese school
• Cultural excursions to the Temple of Heaven, Great Wall, Silk Market, and much more.

The four-day trip to Xi’an included a visit to the Qin Emperor’s Mausoleum (the Terracotta Warriors), a ride around the ancient city wall, and a trip to the Wild Goose Pagoda.

Participants each received a certificate of completion in the closing ceremony at UIBE, and left China with unforgettable memories and lifelong friends.

Some trip highlights

The Great Wall was of course a highlight for many:

Standing on the Great Wall is the most amazing feeling and something I will never forget. The view blows you away and after climbing all the stairs and reaching the wall you feel like you've achieved something monumental.

Seeing the Terracotta Warriors in Xi'an, described by some as the Eighth Wonder of the World, was also a memorable experience.

My main highlight is realising a boyhood dream of visiting the Tomb of the Qin Emperor in Xi'an!

In addition to the amazing places they visited, participants enjoyed mixing with the Chinese staff and volunteers:

Coming together as a group and having a really good dynamic between the group members and our hosts and volunteers - it was constantly fun. I especially liked the interaction from the volunteers at UIBE and our travel guides, it was really amazing to ask natives about life in China and what they thought of Chinese and foreign culture.

Join the 2019 China Camp

The 2019 China Camp will also take place during the Easter holiday. You can register your interest here to make sure you receive future updates about the trip.

This is what some of this year’s participants have to say to anyone considering taking part next year:

Don't even hesitate to sign up!

• "Don't hesitate even debating, just go for it!!!"
• "The China Camp is the best opportunity to discover the culture, learn and enjoy at the same time. Travelling by yourself in such a different country can be stressful and difficult sometimes that's why being part of this group and living the experience together is much more enriching."
• "China Camp was my first trip to China and it was a life-changing experience. Travelling around Beijing on the subway, walking the old market streets or wandering through the Forbidden City - they have to be experienced first hand to realise how amazing China actually is!"