CHINA

Arrival, boutique hotel check-in, and a welcome dinner featuring Beijing’s celebrated roast duck.

A deeper look at the Forbidden City, followed by hutong neighborhood life, local conversations, everyday objects from earlier times, and a curated courtyard dinner in a traditional Beijing setting.

Explore the Great Wall not only as an iconic landmark, but as a place shaped by history, landscape, and cultural memory. The day continues with a hosted traditional craft experience, which may feature Beijing cloisonné or another craft of comparable cultural significance, offering insight into materials, techniques, and living heritage. In the evening, enjoy a selected cultural performance, such as Peking Opera or a classic acrobatic show, with the schedule arranged to allow time for rest before the next day’s travel to Chengdu.

Travel from Beijing to Chengdu, shifting from the monumental scale of the capital to the warmer, more relaxed rhythm of southwest China. This day is designed for comfort and flexibility, allowing time to arrive, settle in, and ease into Chengdu’s atmosphere. In the evening, enjoy a Sichuan welcome dinner introducing the region’s bold flavors and convivial food culture.

Experience Chengdu through its living culture, from regional craft traditions to the relaxed rhythm of neighborhood life. The day may include a hosted visit or workshop connected to Shu brocade, Shu embroidery, contemporary craft, or another regional practice of comparable cultural value. Later, a guided neighborhood and teahouse experience offers a closer sense of Chengdu’s everyday culture through conversation, leisure, food, and tea.

Take part in a hands-on heritage workshop, which may feature bamboo weaving or another regional craft of comparable cultural value. Guided by local artisans or cultural practitioners, guests will explore materials, techniques, and the creative process behind the tradition. In the evening, enjoy an immersive cultural dining experience that brings together Sichuan cuisine, live performance, and a distinctive Chinese aesthetic.

Begin the day with a visit centered on Chengdu’s most beloved symbol: the giant panda. The experience offers insight into panda conservation, habitat protection, and the cultural significance of this iconic species in China. When available and permitted by the local institution, a conservation-related participatory activity may be included, offering guests the opportunity to learn about panda care routines, food preparation, or habitat support. Final details will be confirmed prior to departure based on local institution availability and program coordination. The afternoon is left unstructured for rest or easy exploration, followed by a Sichuan teahouse-style performance in the evening.

Enjoy breakfast and prepare for departure at a relaxed pace. Our team will be available in Chengdu to assist with onward arrangements, whether guests are departing by flight or continuing with independent travel plans.

No. This is not a conventional sightseeing trip. While the program includes meaningful visits to important cultural sites, the focus is on cultural context, local voices, hands-on experiences, curated dining, and a deeper understanding of China beyond the surface. Participants are invited to encounter China not only through its monuments, but through the people, traditions, flavors, and everyday moments that bring its culture to life.

This program is designed for globally curious participants interested in Chinese culture, history, craft, food, creative life, and meaningful cross-cultural exchange. It is especially suited for artists, educators, researchers, designers, cultural professionals, and lifelong learners.

Yes. China Beyond the Headlines is designed, managed, and hosted by InfinityX Culture. We work directly with a carefully selected network of experienced travel service providers, cultural venues, artists, and local partners in Beijing and Chengdu.

These partners provide support within their areas of expertise, including accommodations, in-country transportation, cultural visits, workshops, and on-the-ground arrangements. All partners are selected and coordinated by InfinityX Culture to help ensure that service quality, program goals, and the participant experience remain consistent.

InfinityX Culture remains responsible for program planning, participant communication, quality oversight, and day-to-day management. A member of the InfinityX Culture program team will accompany the group throughout the program and serve as the primary point of contact from arrival through departure.

This combination of direct program leadership and experienced local support helps preserve the personal nature and cultural depth of the experience while ensuring that the program remains clear, reliable, and well coordinated.

The program fee reflects a carefully curated small-group cultural immersion experience, including cultural interpretation, hosted visits, selected meals, hands-on workshops, local experts, and in-country coordination. It also includes carefully selected boutique hotel accommodation, program transportation within China, domestic transportation required by the itinerary, entrance fees for included visits, and English-language support throughout the program.

Not included: International airfare to and from China, visa fees, travel insurance, personal expenses, and meals during independent time or outside the scheduled program.

Submitting an application does not guarantee a place. Once accepted, you can reserve your place by completing the required confirmation steps.

Yes. Because the program is limited to 12 participants, applications may close once all available places have been confirmed.

Yes. Participants will be asked to share dietary needs and food allergies in advance. Where possible, we will make reasonable efforts to arrange suitable alternatives for halal-friendly, no-pork, vegetarian, gluten-free, allergy-related, or other dietary needs.

Because group meals are arranged in advance and may involve local restaurants, markets, or hosted cultural settings, the overall group menu may not be changed for individual preferences. Participants with severe food allergies or medically necessary dietary restrictions should contact us before applying so we can discuss what can be safely supported.

The standard program fee is USD $6,100.

After acceptance, a USD $1,500 non-refundable deposit is required to reserve your place. Final payment is due by August 20, 2026.

Because accommodations, transportation, venues, and other program arrangements are coordinated in advance, cancellation refunds may be reduced by the non-recoverable costs already incurred at the time of cancellation. Specific cancellation and refund terms are provided in the Program Terms & Participant Agreement.

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Accepted applicants will receive next steps and secure payment instructions before any payment is required.