When deciding to teach abroad, many teachers are seeking new ways to grow their career, learn a new culture, and of course…travel! You will seldom find a better opportunity to explore the world around you than when you live in a new country, and summer vacation is the perfect opportunity to create memories of your own in locations you’ve only dreamed of.
China offers no shortage of beautiful historic and natural sights to see–as well as fun family activities and attractions. Cultural sites are inspirational, urban attractions are plentiful, and natural beauty is easy to find in the mountains, the desert, and everywhere in between.
If you are looking for inspiration for your next journey in China, look no further than the wide variety of adventures our teachers enjoyed this summer break. Dolphins, mountains, world heritage sites, and even caves, made this summer’s journeys unforgettable!
Fun with Family and Friends
At the Atlantis Sanya resort in southern China, you can make new friends with the dolphins while relaxing in the sun and enjoying the luxurious surroundings.
Family fun meeting the dolphins at Atlantis Sanya (photo by Bethany Mason, drama teacher, BASIS International School Nanjing)
Meeting the dolphins at the Atlantis Sanya resort (photo by Bethany Mason, drama teacher, BASIS International School Nanjing)
When you need an escape from the world, Shanghai Disneyland is ready to transport you to (one of) the happiest places on earth!
Fun with friends at Disneyland Shanghai (photo by Christine Henderson, drama teacher, BASIS International School Nanjing)
Shanghai Disneyland (photo by Christine Henderson, drama teacher, BASIS International School Nanjing)
Fun at Shanghai Disneyland (photo by Christine Henderson, drama teacher, BASIS International School Nanjing)
School Organized Trips
Many of our expat teachers were unable to leave the country for the summer break due to current travel restrictions. At BASIS International School Guangzhou, this was an opportunity for the school staff to arrange a series of outings for teachers to see some of the nearby attractions in Guangzhou. One outing took teachers to Shamian Island, a sandbar island in the Liwan District of the city. The island’s architecture and green space show a different side of the history of Guangzhou.
Shamian Island in Guangzhou (photo by Ashley Barnes, English teacher, BASIS International School Guangzhou)
Shamian Island in Guangzhou (photo by Ashley Barnes, English teacher, BASIS International School Guangzhou)
Another outing went to Zhujiang New Town and included a visit to the top of Canton Tower, as well as a river cruise on the Pearl River.
Canton Tower in Guangzhou (photo by Ashley Barnes, English teacher, BASIS International School Guangzhou)
A view of Guangzhou (photo by Ashley Barnes, English teacher, BASIS International School Guangzhou)
Evening in Guangzhou (photo by Ashley Barnes, English teacher, BASIS International School Guangzhou)
Historic Sites
The Honghe Hani Rice Terraces (photo by David Turpie, history teacher, BASIS International School Park Lane Harbour)
The Honghe Hani Rice Terraces in southern Yunnan province are a UNESCO World Cultural and Natural Heritage Site with over 1,300 years of history. The trails through the terraces form part of the history and cultural significance of this beautiful landscape that has sustained the Hani people for well over 1,000 years.
Yunnan province in southwestern China is home to some of the most stunning natural wonders in all of China. Tiger Leaping Gorge is one of the deepest river canyons in the world; Erhai Lake, Blue Moon Valley, and Jade Dragon Snow Mountain are but a small sample of the sights in Yunnan a few of our teachers enjoyed this summer.
Jade Dragon Snow Mountain (photo by Conan Magruder, history teacher, BASIS International School Park Lane Harbour)
Tiger Leaping Gorge (photo by Conan Magruder, history teacher, BASIS International School Park Lane Harbour)
Erhai Lake (photo by Conan Magruder, history teacher, BASIS International School Park Lane Harbour)
Blue Moon Valley (photo by Conan Magruder, history teacher, BASIS International School Park Lane Harbour)
At the Three Pagodas in Dali, you can even eat ice cream shaped like the famous landmark.
Enjoy ice cream shaped like the Three Pagodas in Dali (photo by Conan Magruder, history teacher, BASIS International School Park Lane Harbour)
Natural Wonders
Rock formations inside Reed Flute Cave (photo by Quinnesian Joyner, Senior Dean of Students, BASIS International School Nanjing)
Reed Flute Cave in Guilin is a unique landmark to visit during the summer break. The beautiful rock formations in this natural limestone cave have earned it the nickname “The Palace of Natural Art.” The cave takes its name from the reeds growing outside the entrance, which have been used to make flutes and other small wind instruments.
Inside Reed Flute Cave (photo by Quinnesian Joyner, Senior Dean of Students BASIS International School Nanjing)
Outside Reed Flute Cave (photo by Quinnesian Joyner, Senior Dean of Students, BASIS International School Nanjing)
Zhangjiajie National Forest Park in Hunan province is part of the larger Wulingyuan Scenic Area, which was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1992. The mountains in Zhangjiajie National Forest Park are sometimes known as the Avatar mountains in honor of the inspiration they gave the creators of the film Avatar.
A cable car ride through the Avatar mountains in Zhangjiajie National Forest Park (photo by Jenn Gunter, English teacher, BASIS International School Park Lane Harbour)
The beautiful Avatar mountains (photo by Jenn Gunter, English teacher, BASIS International School Park Lane Harbour)
Inner Mongolia features a diverse landscape including vast grasslands used for livestock grazing, a volcanic field, and several deserts.
Grasslands of Inner Mongolia (photo by Jenn Gunter, English teacher, BASIS International School Park Lane Harbour)
Volcano in Inner Mongolia (photo by Jenn Gunter, English teacher, BASIS International School Park Lane Harbour)
A monastery in Inner Mongolia (photo by Jenn Gunter, English teacher, BASIS International School Park Lane Harbour)
Desert in Inner Mongolia (photo by Jenn Gunter, English teacher, BASIS International School Park Lane Harbour)
Summer Classes
Some teachers spent the first part of their vacation in the classroom, helping students get a head start on their fall classes. At the BASIS International School Shenzhen campus, “Bio Bootcamp” in July gave students the opportunity to work ahead on the biology concepts they will encounter in the coming school year.
Bio bootcamp at BASIS International School Shenzhen (photo by Joseph Lotus, biology teacher, BASIS International School Park Lane Harbour)
No matter whether they traveled to remote destinations, or stayed closer to home, our teachers have notched another memorable summer of teaching and traveling abroad!
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