Field trips for Chengdu, China
We highly recommend students participate in the following organized field trips, which are included in your program fees. Some trips may be mandatory for specific classes and will be led by the Resident Director, instructors, or International Office staff.
Please note that destinations may only be available during certain terms and are subject to change at the discretion of the Resident Director or on-site staff.
The following are possible field trip destinations, with further details provided upon arrival.
Chengdu City Tour
Easily adjust to life in your host city as you explore downtown Chengdu. Students will visit key places important for their stay, such as shopping centers, restaurants, banks, and cell phone and computer retailers.
Du Fu's Cottage
Du Fu (712–770) was one of the greatest poets in Chinese history, often hailed as the "Poet Historian" for his vivid documentation of the Tang Dynasty. Du Fu’s Cottage was his residence for nearly four years from 760 AD, composing over 240 poems that reflect the lives of ordinary people. The site, rebuilt over subsequent dynasties, is now a museum and a sacred landmark in Chinese literary history.
Giant Buddha
Dive into China’s ancient culture and breathtaking scenery as you visit Dafu, a Buddhist temple that’s home to the world's oldest and largest sitting Buddha statue, carved into a red sandstone cliff.
Jiezi Town
With a history of more than a thousand years, Jiezi it is one of the best-preserved ancient towns in southwestern China. The town is known for its well-preserved traditional architecture, and is often called the “Water Town of Western Sichuan.”
Luodai Ancient Town
Luodai Ancient Town is the largest Hakka community in southwest China. With its well-preserved Hakka culture, renowned annual Fire Dragon Festival, and stunning traditional architecture dating back to the 1600s, you can experience ancient China even in modern day.
Panda Research Base and Dujiangyan Irrigation System
Visit Dujiangyan Irrigation, the oldest and only surviving no-dam irrigation system in the world. It is regarded as the 'Treasure of Sichuan', and still plays a crucial role in draining floodwater, irrigating farms, and providing water resources for the province. You’ll also visit the largest panda research base in the world, where you can see more than 230 pandas and learn more about these endangered animals.
Taoping Qiang Village
Taoping Qiang Village is one of the world's best-preserved ancient Qiang settlements, with a history dating back more than 2,000 years to 111 BC. Renowned as the "Mysterious Oriental Castle," the village features a remarkable labyrinth of stone houses, nine-story watchtowers, and an intricate underground water system that supplies fresh water to every household. In 2024, it was recognized as one of the UNWTO's Best Tourism Villages, making it the first village in Sichuan to receive this honor.
Yellow Dragon Town
This 1,700-year-old water village near Chengdu immerses visitors in Sichuan’s rich history and culture. Stroll along its Ming-Qing dynasty streets, where wooden teahouses, stone bridges, and tranquil canals evoke scenes from classic Chinese films. You can taste local delicacies like Dong Po Pork, explore ancient temples, or relax in a riverside teahouse — all just an hour from Chengdu’s bustling city center.