In July 2025, Hanlin Chinese School embraced the philosophy of “Learning Beyond the Classroom,” integrating nature exploration, cultural immersion, and language practice into an inspiring study tour across China’s Hunan region. Through first-hand experiences of renowned landscapes and rich cultural heritage, students stepped into a living classroom where language and culture came alive.

This educational journey centred on western Hunan, where students explored the breathtaking Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, experiencing its towering stone pillars, misty valleys, and dramatic natural scenery up close. They wandered through the ancient streets of Fenghuang Ancient Town and Furong Town, discovering Miao ethnic culture and centuries-old traditions among stilted houses and historic alleyways. At the Hunan Provincial Museum, students examined artefacts from the Mawangdui Han Tombs, tracing over 3,000 years of Huxiang civilisation and building cultural identity through a dialogue between history and the present.

One of the highlights of the program was a visit to the Hunan Broadcasting System’s Mango Youth Learning Base, where students participated in the recording of the youth variety show Blazing Young Voices. In a real television studio environment, they received guidance from professional directors, experienced on-camera communication, and learned stage presentation skills. Taking the stage, students expressed themselves through singing, dancing, and performance, radiating confidence and creativity. What the cameras captured was more than a performance—it was the brilliance, courage, and promise of youth. This experience was not only a practical application of Chinese language skills, but also a powerful journey of self-expression, confidence building, and personal growth.

Throughout the trip, a range of parent-child activities and team-based challenges were thoughtfully arranged, encouraging collaboration, communication, responsibility, and teamwork among students, their families, and peers.

As the saying goes, “Read ten thousand books and travel ten thousand miles.” At Hanlin Chinese School, we firmly believe that meaningful learning happens when knowledge is applied and understanding is gained through experience. We hope every student continues to grow by understanding culture through movement and achieving personal development through lived experiences.