When Sarah, an American literature teacher at an international school in Shanghai, first arrived in China, she was eager to share Chinese culture with her students. Despite her enthusiasm, she found herself relying on textbooks and documentaries rather than personal experience. "I was teaching about a culture I hadn't fully experienced myself," she reflects.
This gap between teaching and truly experiencing Chinese culture is what inspired our new partnership.
Today, we are proud to announce that China Explorer Tour and TopTutorJob are joining forces to create the “Deep China” Cultural Exploration Series—specially designed experiences that will transform international educators from observers into active participants in China’s rich cultural tapestry.
What Bring us Together
TopTutorJob has spent years building China’s most comprehensive network of international educators, connecting over 40,000 teachers with schools across the country. Many of these educators express a common desire—to move beyond the classroom and experience the China they teach about firsthand.
Meanwhile, China Explorer Tour has been crafting immersive cultural journeys that reveal both the iconic landmarks and hidden corners of this diverse nation. We’ve guided scholars, business leaders, and cultural enthusiasts through experiences that transform their understanding of China.
Together, we’re creating something neither could accomplish alone—a bridge between professional education and authentic cultural immersion.
Journeys Designed for Educators
After months of careful planning and consultations with international teachers, we’ve crafted four inaugural experiences that speak directly to educators’ needs:
City Pulse Citywalks
Our urban explorations take you beyond tourist highlights into the living heart of three distinctive Chinese cities:
- In Chongqing, you’ll navigate the famous mountain city’s stairs that climb skyward between ancient stilt houses and gleaming skyscrapers. A local architect will guide you through this unique urban landscape, explaining how geography has shaped both the city’s development and its residents’ resilient character.
- In Shenzhen, you’ll witness China’s innovation ecosystem firsthand, visiting maker spaces where tomorrow’s technologies are being born. You’ll meet young entrepreneurs whose stories challenge conventional Western narratives about Chinese innovation.
- In Guangzhou, you’ll wander through the thousand-year-old trading districts where the Maritime Silk Road once brought the world to China’s doorstep. A culinary historian will guide you through traditional markets, revealing how Cantonese cuisine became a global ambassador for Chinese culture.
Beijing 2-Day Classic Tour
We’ve reimagined the standard Beijing itinerary with educators in mind. You’ll still visit the Forbidden City, but with expert guides who focus on the stories and historical nuances you can bring back to your classroom.
Your hutong experience includes dinner with a local family who has lived in their courtyard home for three generations, offering perspectives on Beijing’s rapid transformation that most visitors never hear.
At the Great Wall, we’ve arranged access to a less-visited section, allowing for both quiet reflection and insightful discussions about the monument’s role in both Chinese history and modern national identity.
Wudang Mountain Tai Chi Retreat (May Edition)
This journey into the birthplace of Tai Chi offers more than physical practice. You’ll learn from Master Li, who balances traditional teaching methods with explanations accessible to Western participants.
Morning practices on misty mountain terraces set the stage for afternoon discussions about Taoist philosophy and its continuing influence on Chinese thought. You’ll stay in a renovated traditional compound, allowing for an immersive yet comfortable experience.
Evening conversations with fellow educators create space to discuss how these traditional practices might be thoughtfully introduced in international school settings.
Hangzhou Dongming Mountain Family Weekend
Recognizing that many international educators have families, we’ve created an experience that welcomes children while maintaining cultural depth.
Families explore together through activities like traditional paper-making, tea harvesting alongside local farmers, and guided nature walks that explain Chinese perspectives on the natural world.
Children enjoy scavenger hunts that reveal cultural insights at their level, while parents participate in more nuanced cultural discussions. The weekend concludes with a lakeside dinner featuring dishes from multiple Chinese culinary traditions.
Beyond Tourism: Growing as Educators
What makes these experiences different from standard tourism is their focus on professional growth. Each journey is designed to develop:
- Cultural Fluency – You’ll gain the confidence and personal stories that bring Chinese culture to life in your classroom, moving beyond textbook generalizations to nuanced understanding.
- Professional Enrichment – These experiences qualify as professional development for many international schools, offering fresh perspectives that revitalize your teaching approach.
- Community Connection – Perhaps most valuable is the network you’ll build with both local experts and fellow international educators, creating relationships that continue long after your journey ends.
- Authentic Storytelling – You’ll collect experiences that translate into engaging classroom moments, making cultural concepts tangible for your students.
- Holistic Understanding – Through guided reflection sessions, you’ll integrate your experiences into a deeper comprehension of contemporary Chinese society.
“These aren’t just tours,” explains Michael Chen, China Explorer Tour’s educational consultant.
They’re transformative professional experiences that give educators the insights, stories, and connections to bring China alive for their students.
Exclusive Benefits for the Education Community
Our partnership extends special considerations to the international education community:
- Educator-exclusive discounts that acknowledge your role in cultural bridge-building
- Priority registration for limited-capacity experiences, including special seasonal events
- Customizable itineraries that align with your specific curriculum needs and teaching objectives
- Post-experience resources including photographs, cultural briefings, and classroom activity suggestions
“We understand that international educators are not just teaching subjects—they’re shaping how the next generation views China,” says Jennifer Wu, TopTutorJob’s community director. “These experiences help them do that with authenticity and nuance.”
The first Deep China experiences will begin in April 2024, with the Wudang Mountain retreat scheduled specifically in May. Given the limited group sizes designed to maintain experience quality, early registration is recommended.
For information or reservations, contact us at [email protected].
Classic Stops, Hidden Gems—Our China Adventures Blend the Best!
About the Partners
China Explorer Tour has quickly established itself as a thoughtful voice in cultural tourism. Founded by a team of passionate cultural interpreters—both Chinese and international—the company specializes in experiences that reveal China’s complexity and beauty.
Our signature experiences include meditation retreats at Wutai Mountain, Tai Chi immersion at Wudang Mountain, Lingnan lion dance workshops, and minority cultural exploration in Guizhou. Featured in Global Travel News and other publications, we’ve built our reputation on experiences that cannot be found elsewhere.
We remain committed to sustainable tourism that benefits local communities while preserving cultural authenticity.
TopTutorJob, established in 2017, has grown from a small recruitment service to China’s premier platform connecting international educators with K12 institutions. With over 40,000 educators in our network and 2,000 new candidates joining monthly, we’ve developed unparalleled insights into the needs of international teachers in China.
Since 2020, we’ve focused particularly on educators already in China, conducting over 200 personalized interviews monthly to ensure quality placements at international schools, educational groups, and learning centers nationwide.
Ready to explore? Let’s make every educator in China a witness and storyteller of China’s incredible journey!
It’s exciting to see how CET and TTJ are creating opportunities for students to connect classroom learning with authentic cultural experiences. Partnerships like this make education feel more alive and relevant.