Prior to the COVID-19 outbreak, Shanghai was not really on our radar screen, as most of our clients in Shanghai seemed motivated to use their weeks without walls to travel outside of the confines of a city. As it turns out, much of Shanghai remains stubbornly rural, and it takes less than one hour of bus time before the hustle and bustle of China’s most densely populated city is firmly in the rear-view mirror.

We are proud to offer several innovative programs within Shanghai municipality. Our flagship location is on Chongming Island, though also extends to the nearby Changxing and Hengsha Islands. Time is split between a comprehensive outdoor base and the surrounding area, with opportunities for high ropes challenge activities, greenway bike rides, and kayaking. Cultural activities, meanwhile, include making traditional Chongming cake, farming, traditional handicrafts, and a visit to one of China’s most important wetlands. For students that wish to complete their International Award, Chongming is a superb option, with 100+ KM of car-free roads and numerous campsites sprinkled throughout the island.

Other programs take place in Dianshan Lake, west of the city center, and in and around Jinshan Beach, south of the city. As with our Chongming programs, we are able to offer a balance of culture, service, and outdoor activities. Finally, for schools that want to give students a purely urban experience, we have developed a multi-day adventure race. Students race around the city on public transportation, completing various challenges, and planning their own meals along the way. Teams receive points, and an award ceremony at the end of the trip ensures that the winning team receives recognition and bragging rights until the next week without walls!