MM Adult China Trips:
The 2026 Grand Tour
The Grand Tour 2026
July 14 - 26
Open to Adults of All Mandarin Levels
Highlights
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20 hours of dedicated Chinese class time
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Hike through the Dragon's Backbone Rice Terraces, which display a different concoction of vibrant colors with every passing season
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Soak in the astounding surroundings of oblong mountains jutting out amidst terraced rice fields and picturesque villages on a cruise along the Li River
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Go tea-leaf picking in the beautiful Longjing fields of Hangzhou
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Explore the Hutongs of Beijing as only we know how, including a Kung Fu class and feast with the King of the Hutongs : )
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Adventuring through remote parts of the Great Wall away from the tourists and 老外
Yes, Manhattan Mandarin Trips Are The Most Fun!
And we're so excited to be offering, at long last, an adult trip - and all based around how we ourselves have loved to experience China
"So so so great ! Covered so much ground, so many experiences and fun moments!! Amazing and hopefully you will do it again next year! I will be joining!! Thank you thank you!"
There's a good reason our trips are so loved by students and parents - we do what we loved to do when traveling through China as students ourselves.
Since 2015 we've genuinely enjoyed rediscovering China each year, reconnecting with old friends while giving our students the trip of a lifetime.
We travel as only Manhattan Mandarin can; keeping up a great pace while also making the most of our local relationships to provide the most unique and authentic tour experience possible.
We'll check out as many amazing spots as we can (at NYC speed) while slowing down to converse with new friends and deep dive into the culture. We've added cooking classes, calligraphy classes, epic hikes, feasts upon feasts, a school visit and much more.
Please join us for another amazing trip this summer.
Itinerary
香港 Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Welcome feasting • Scenic ride up (or hike!) Victoria Peak for panoramic views of the city • Ride the Ngong Ping 360 cable car to reach the Big Buddha and Po Lin Monastery • Food tour through bustling Central district • Enjoy a variety of street food at Temple Street Night Market
桂林 Guilin，阳朔 Yangshuo
Longsheng
We'll be exploring the minority villages along the verdant Dragon’s Backbone Rice Terraces. • Stopping in at Ping An, a fairytale village and home of the Zhuang ethnic minority. Meet the locals and explore the town, keeping an eye out for the mesmerizing patterns of Zhuang textiles • Options for Dazhai Rice Terraces and the Golden Buddha Peak; the Huangluo Long Hair Village • After our excursions through Longsheng, we'll drive back to Guilin and check into your hotel
Guilin - Yangshuo
Morning Mandarin classes at CLI center focusing on our days' activities • Cruise along the Li River, which many call the most beautiful river in all of China, to Yangshuo • Xianggong Mountain to set our scene • Visit Fuli Ancient Town with its Ming and Qing architecture • Explore the village of Xingping, famous for its harmonious setting in the midst of the placid waters of the Li River and surrounding sharp karst peaks • Experience the Yulong River’s breathtaking beauty on a traditional bamboo raft journey. Return to Guilin for an evening stroll and food tour!
北京 Beijing
Beijing
We'll be staying in the Hutongs near the Bell and Drum tower, which has long been our favorite hood in BJ.
Walking up Jingshan park to look out over the Forbidden City is always a fun start to understanding the layout of Beijing. Rickshaw tour around Beihai and some park life exploration • Gongfu lessons between the Bell Tower and Drum Tower in the ancient hutongs • Feast and karaoke with our old friends, a martial arts family who are 4th generation hutong legends
A guided tour of Tiananmen and the Forbidden City • Feast on Peiking Duck at one of our favorite restaurants • Spa and massage time - we may need it by then! • We'll then do an awesome Food Tour through the hutongs, ending not too far away from our hotel
After morning Mandarin lessons and a good hotel breakfast, we'll visit the Temple of Heaven, explore the 798 art district and visit one of our favorite museums
On our final day in Beijing, we'll visit Qinghua University and learn about academic life in China • Visit our friends at the Schwarzman Scholars program • A guided tour of the nearby Summer Palace • Head out for an overnight stay at the Great Wall
Sunrise hike of the Great Wall • High speed rail to Hangzhou
上海 Shanghai，杭州 Hangzhou，苏州 Suzhou
Hangzhou
Tea-leaf picking in the beautiful Longjing tea fields • Participate in a tea ceremony while surrounded by pagodas and placid waters in Guo’s Garden • Learn about the preferred tea of Emperors at the undulating “Dragon Well” tea plantation • Wander the calming grounds of Yongfu and Lingyin Buddhist Temples • Relax to the sounds of rippling water on boat ride across Hangzhou’s West Lake • Savor a dinner of local tea-inspired cuisine.
Shanghai
Experience a snapshot of local life by walking around Fuxing Park, a meeting spot for fitness dancers and taichi enthusiasts - we may even get to parttak in a marriage market • Visit the Propaganda Museum • Travel back to Shanghai’s stylish 1930s as you stroll through the tree-lined avenues of the French Concession on a Food Tour • Explore modern art studios in the trendy, bohemian area of Tianzifang • Visit the Shanghai Museum, a veritable treasure trove of Chinese artifacts • Visit Yu Garden, the most celebrated classical garden in Shanghai, or enjoy a cup of tea in one of Pudong’s signature skyscrapers.
Suzhou
Day trip to Suzhou, a verdant city which houses the lion’s share of China’s traditional Chinese Gardens • Wander through Zhuozheng Garden, a secluded sprawl of classical verdure created by an imperial historian seeking solace • Step into the Nets and Master Garden, a compact garden designed by fengshui masters • Private Food Tour • Unwind on a boat-ride along the Suzhou section of the Grand Canal • Enjoy a Pingtan performance (都挺好 - if you know, you know)
Where We Stay
Courtyard Marriot Hangzhou Wulin
The Courtyard effortlessly blends modern comfort with convenient access to the vibrant Wulin commercial district, while offering easy journeys to the scenic West Lake and the tranquil Longjing tea plantations.
The Orchid Beijing
House in a well-reserved old dwelling, The Orchid Hotel, Beijing is located in the historic Hutong area in the heart of Beijing, a 12-minute walk from Houhai Lake and the bars.
Sheraton
Guilin
Located on the famously picturesque Li River, the Sheraton Guilin offers weary travelers comfortable, elegant rooms as well as an outdoor swimming pool.
Details
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$5,000 per student
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5% discount if you've signed up before Jan 1, 2026
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*Stay tuned for an exact itinerary of flights, hotels, trains, and dates
What's Included
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All domestic transportation, including private drivers, boat tours, domestic flights
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20 Hours of Chinese Classes
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All admission fees and activity expenses, as noted in the itinerary
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All group breakfasts, lunches, and dinners
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All activities booked with our partners
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All accommodations