5-Day Xi'an Middle School Discovery: Warriors & Folk Crafts

Middle school groups learn through their hands, so this five-day programme is built around making and finding rather than listening. Students run a simulated excavation and record what they uncover, make a terracotta warrior from local clay, learn paper-cutting and shadow puppetry, and interview a flour-figure craftsperson about how a tradition survives commercially. Everything produced goes into a small exhibition on the last morning, which the group curates itself. Days are short enough to keep energy up and long enough to matter.

• Open with an intangible heritage briefing, then set the group's own guiding question for the week.
• Excavate and record replica finds at a simulated site, learning why context matters more than the object.
• Make a terracotta warrior from local clay and compare your figure with the real ones at the museum the same day.
• Visit the Xi'an Museum and the Small Wild Goose Pagoda, with a task sheet rather than a lecture.
• Learn paper-cutting and Huaxian shadow puppetry from working craftspeople, then perform a short scene.
• Interview a Guanzhong flour-figure maker about pricing, apprentices and who buys the work.
• Curate and open a small exhibition of the group's own work, then close with certificates.

• 4 nights hotels, good 4-star or equivalent, twin share with daily breakfast (4 nights in Xi'an)
• Meals as listed in the itinerary, with dietary requirements and allergies arranged in advance
• Private air-conditioned coach with licensed driver throughout, plus airport or station transfers on arrival and departure
• Professional English-speaking guide throughout the programme
• All entrance fees to the sites named in the itinerary, including the Terracotta Army Museum, a warrior-making workshop, the Xi'an Museum, the Small Wild Goose Pagoda, a simulated excavation site, a Huaxian shadow puppet workshop and a Guanzhong flour-figure workshop, with shuttle buses and cable cars merged into the ticket price where the site requires them
• Study materials, record sheets and a printed reader for the programme
• Two accompanying teachers free of the land programme cost, amortised into the student price
• Travel insurance at 30 CNY per person per day
• Luggage handling where group size requires it
• Bottled water, tour headsets where group size requires them, and local handling services
• All government taxes and service charges as itemised in the quotation

• International air tickets to and from China, and any domestic flights or high-speed rail fares not listed in the itinerary
• China visa fees, invitation letters and any documentation costs
• Meals and drinks not listed in the itinerary, including all alcoholic beverages
• Optional evening performances, additional excursions and any activity not named in the itinerary
• Personal expenses: laundry, telephone, minibar, shopping and personal items
• Gratuities for guides and drivers (entirely at your discretion)
• Anything not expressly listed under “What is included”
• Costs arising from events beyond our control, such as flight delays, weather, or changes to opening hours or site access

Frequently asked questions

What age is this designed for?

Eleven to fifteen. The craft sessions and the simulated excavation work across that range, and task sheets are pitched at two levels so a mixed year group stays engaged.

Is the excavation real?

It is a supervised simulation using replica material in a prepared pit, and we say so to the students at the start. The recording method is the real thing: context, depth, position and description, which is exactly what archaeologists write down.

How much free time is there?

One evening and part of the last morning. Middle school groups usually need the structure, and we find behavior improves when the schedule is clear rather than loose.

What about food and allergies?

All meals are included as listed and arranged in advance. We brief every kitchen on allergies and carry a written Chinese card for each student with a dietary restriction. Vegetarian and halal are straightforward in Xi'an.