Welcome to China, one of the oldest, largest and most diverse nations on Earth. China’s rich culture is most authentically preserved in its beautiful countryside, and this is your ticket to the full experience. From the moment you step into the Home Base in Shaxi (pronounced “sha-shee”), you’ll be swept into the magic of living in a village back in time. Based in the Himalayan foothills that border Tibet, Shaxi offers the opportunity to live in a locally-owned guesthouse built of intricate woodwork, and interact with the indigenous community through language exchange, cultural workshops and impactful projects. Icons of ancient Chinese culture beckon your exploration: towering Buddha statues, colorful temples and the Great Wall.

Highlights

  • Live in a historic market town on the edge of the Tibetan Plateau 
  • Experience Mandarin immersion and language classes 
  • Observe traditional artists of Shaxi valley 
  • Volunteer on family farms, harvesting crops and learning bio-dynamic practices 
  • Hike the Great Wall of China

The YOLA Promise

YOLA will tie in with the best-in-class youth travel and education providers that follow rigorous safety and health standards.

YOLA will promote only those travel and education programs that are committed to the highest environmental, fair trade and human rights standards.

YOLA will create ethical experiences designed to have maximum, long-term impact on the communities we partner with.

YOLA and its partners are committed to travel to locations where tourists rarely go, buy goods from locally-owned businesses, and respect local cultures and customs. Our programs provide direct support for education, infrastructure development, conservation, and other community projects.

Learn More

Program Profile

Countries

  • China

Duration

21 Days

Ages

13 - 18 Years

Community service hours

30

Student/Staff Ratio

6 to 1

Are you a parent or teacher?

Browse through our comprehensive parents' guide to YOLA programs

Learn More

Photo gallery

Destination Details

Home Base in China is located in Shaxi, a historic market town in the rural Yunnan province. Accommodations are basic, but clean and safe. Students will sleep in gender-segregated rooms with roommates. All rooms have attached bathrooms with toilets and hot-water showers. During our time in Beijing and Kunming, we will stay in local hotels as a group.

PLEASE REQUEST FOR THE TUITION FEE


Tuition includes all in-country expenses including: All educational materials Lodging 3 meals per day. All in-country transportation. Airport pick-up/drop-off. Professional full-time staff and experts from the USA/Europe/India. 24/7 Parent Support Hotline during the program. Secondary medical and travel insurance. All cultural activities, lectures and weekend excursions. Pre-departure materials and support.

VISA Charges, International Travel charges and out of pocket expenses are NOT INCLUDED in the Tariff

Packing the right gear (and the right amounts) is the first step to an incredible travel experience.

Follow these tips to pack like a pro:

Travel light. Pack only the essentials. You’ll need less than you think! Bring the right clothes. Pack clothes that are culturally appropriate for your destination. Leave your valuables behind. While traveling, it’s easier for things to get lost, stolen, or damaged. Keep any prized possessions safe at home.

Useful tip: Pack an empty water bottle and fill it up after security.

CARRY-ON LUGGAGE
  • A small backpack is ideal as it will be used for day trips.
  • Passport, Chinese Visa, 2 Photocopies of passport, Wallet/money, Book and/or journal, Pen, Phone Chargers, Camera, Ear plugs.
  • Change of clothes
  • Reusable water bottle (Nalgene sized)
  • Medication
  • Snacks
  • Outlet power converter
  • Consent to Travel form
  • Yola emergency contacts
CHECKED LUGGAGE
  • A 50-70 Liter duffel bag or backpack is ideal. Packing light and expecting to re-wear clothing will help you a lot on this program.
  • Clothing Items
  • Underwear (12-14)
  • Socks (10)
  • T-Shirts with sleeves (7-10)
  • Long-sleeved shirt (2)
  • Long Shorts (3-4)
  • Jeans / light pants (2)
  • One sweatshirt
  • Pajamas (1)
  • Sneakers
  • Sunglasses
  • Hat
TOILETRIES
Travel size bottles in Ziploc bags including  Shampoo, Conditioner, Body wash, Face wash, Toothbrush, Toothpaste, Sunscreen, Lip balm with sunscreen, Bug spray, Feminine hygiene products, Contacts Contact solution, Foam earplugs, Personal med kit, Deodorant, Hand Sanitizer, Wet wipes, Small packs of tissues, Razor / shaving cream.
MISCELLANEOUS
  • Flashlight/Headlamp w/ Extra Batteries, Watch or Clock with an Alarm, Bag for dirty clothes.
  • Optional Items
  • Chinese phrasebook, Portable games (Banana grams, cards, etc.), Pictures of friends and family, Frisbee etc.
IMPORTANT REMINDERS

Domestic airlines in China have a checked bag weight limit of 20 kilos (about 44 lbs). If your bags weigh more than this, the airline may charge you an excess baggage fee for every kilo over the allowed limit. In past years, we have had students incur significant charges for excess

CUSTOMIZE MY PROGRAM

You can choose to add days and programs as well as destinations to derive greater exposure and value-for-money. We offer tailor-made programs for groups of 12 or more, with customizable dates and itineraries.

CUSTOMIZE

browse faqs

Do you have a question about YOLA or our programs? Check out some of the most frequently asked questions.

Learn More

Get in Touch

For any questions, clarifications, or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us. Additionally, our Program Advisors can help you identify the perfect trip and answer all your questions!

CONTACT US

Most popular programs

Building Healthy Villages™
Andes to Amazon
Business & Entrepreneurship Program
Belize: The Initiative for Children
Caribbean Adrenaline
Building Healthy Villages™
Andes to Amazon
Business & Entrepreneurship Program
Belize: The Initiative for Children
Caribbean Adrenaline
Terms of use | Privacy Policy