Grade 11 students from Tsinghua International School (THIS) traveled south to Nanjing and Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, for a five-day China Trip field study from June 8-12 themed "The Cultural Legacy of Nanjing and the Poetic Waterside Towns."
The trip was led by Academic Principal Scott Pare, Chinese teacher Li Shuying, and homeroom teachers Christophe Eloy and Joy Zhou. It also marked the final yearly China Trip for the 11th graders before their graduation next year.
Bao'en Temple, Zhonghua Gate, Laomendong, Qinhuai River
Departing Beijing South Railway Station in the morning, students arrived at Nanjing South Railway Station at midday. Their first stop was Grand Bao'en Temple, where they listened to both the story of its legendary glazed pagoda, once hailed as the "Number One Pagoda under Heaven," and the tale of cultural exchange and reconstruction across East and West.
They then climbed Zhonghua Gate Castle, a masterpiece of military defense known as the "Number One Barbican," where the echoes of ancient Chinese engineering and world heritage still reverberate.
As night fell, Laomendong came alive with the vibrant street scenes of old Nanjing, a contemporary urban revival steeped in local character. The day ended with a boat cruise along the Qinhuai River, where the interplay of lantern light and oar strokes traced a thousand years of cultural heritage and Eastern aesthetics.
Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum, MusicStage, Memorial Hall of Nanjing Massacre, Presidential Palace
The following morning was spent at Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum and the Music Stage. A climb of 392 steps led to the mausoleum, an architectural poem that embodies the narrative of national rejuvenation, with the words "Bell Resounds Across the Land" echoing through the pines.
The afternoon was solemn and profound: first, a visit to the Memorial Hall of the Victims of the Nanjing Massacre, where overwhelming evidence bears witness to a city's trauma that speaks to universal human memory; then, the Nanjing Presidential Palace, a compound that encapsulates China's modern transformation.
Purple Mountain Observatory, Xuanwu Lake, Nanjing Museum
The next day's morning ascent to Purple Mountain Observatory, the "cradle of Chinese astronomy," offered a glimpse into ancient scientific achievement.
A boat ride across Xuanwu Lake followed, where the landscapes of the city of Nanjing unfolded, revealing the imperial memory embedded in Nanjing's geography. Lunch was a vegetarian meal at a vegetarian restaurant near Jiming Temple.
The afternoon at Nanjing Museum, with its comprehensive collection of Jiangsu's ancient civilization, from Neolithic jades to Six Dynasties treasures—was a feast for the eyes.
Humble Administrator's Garden, Suzhou Museum, Pingjiang Road Historic District, Master of Nets Garden
The first stop in Suzhou was the Humble Administrator's Garden, a masterpiece of landscape design conceived by a disillusioned scholar and now a world cultural heritage site where every rock and stream embodies the recluse's spirit.
The afternoon visit to Suzhou Museum, I.M. Pei's latest masterpiece offered a modernist architectural translation of the culture south of the Yangtze River.
A stroll through Pingjiang Road Historic District, the "miniature ancient city," revealed a vibrant model where historical charm and modern commerce coexist. The evening tour of the Master of Nets Garden transformed pavilions and terraces into stages for Kunqu opera and storytelling, bringing tradition to life through contemporary performance.
Tongli Ancient Town, Hanshan Temple, Fengqiao Scenic Area
The final day began with Tongli, a thousand-year-old canal town where students boarded a rowboat to drift through its waterways.
The journey ended at Fengqiao Scenic Area and Hanshan Temple, where Zhang Ji's famous Tang-dynasty verses still echo across the centuries.
In previous years, students received a detailed study manual before departure. This year, it was replaced it with a flexible travel journal, shifting from input-heavy content to a format designed for on-site observation and reflection.
Students wrote freely when moved by the moment, selecting one or two striking details each day. They recorded both objective observations, with sketches or photos, and subjective reflections in prose or poetry. Both Chinese A and B students produced moving records of their experiences.
Literature, Geography, History on the Journey
Travel often becomes a rush: arrive, take a photo, move on. The most valuable part, being present, observing, feeling, is too often lost in the hurry. This year's travel journal was designed as a "pause button" for students.
When a moment resonates, they stop and write or sketch. Photography is quick; writing and drawing add friction to memory, making it linger. Fleeting thoughts, once recorded, become lasting treasures. Years later, these journals will revive memories that might otherwise fade.
Beyond seeing and recording, students were also challenged to think critically, linking what they observed to their classroom learning. A post-trip poster project was designed to deepen this reflection.
The field study offered a natural opportunity for geographic practice. Students were not merely visiting points on a map; they were encountering humanistic landmarks shaped by literature and history.
The task was to rebuild their understanding of each site through three dimensions: literature, geography, and history, and to design a poster that included the following.
