LCI Summer Camp 2026

The 2026 LCI summer camp to China, visiting our partners XJTU, was once again a big success. This year, the two-week camp included students and staff from Queen’s School.

The main purpose of the trip has always been to give local Liverpool students the opportunity to engage in a wide array of cultural learning and exchange activities across Beijing and Xi’an, while gaining a better understanding of traditional Chinese culture.

Alt text: Students taking photos on their phones while exploring Beijing.

During the first part of the camp in Beijing, students visited iconic national landmarks including Tiananmen Square, the Palace Museum, the Temple of Heaven, the Great Wall and the Beijing National Stadium (Bird’s Nest), getting up close to the profound origins of Chinese civilisation. They also explored the Capital Museum to learn about ancient cultural relics, and wandered through Hongqiao Market to experience authentic local daily life. Amid the interplay of timeless classical charm and contemporary trends, they experienced the unique allure of China’s capital city from all perspectives.

The second part of the camp at Xi’an featured a comprehensive range of cultural courses and hands-on activities. The summer camp opening ceremony was held at Xi’an Jiaotong University, where Professor Wen Guangrui, Dean of the School of International Education, delivered a welcome address. Afterwards, students joined XJTU students for a seminar titled My Campus Life.

Alt text: Students sat around tables during one of the sessions at XJTU.

In the following days in Xi’an, participants experienced Chinese language lessons, traditional Chinese painting, calligraphy and Chinese folk singing and craft workshops on paper-cutting. They also visited the Qin Opera Museum, where the rhythmic percussion, wooden clappers and vivid opera masks allowed them to listen to the millennial legacy of Qin Opera — hailed as a "living fossil of Chinese theatre" — and savour the artistic charm of Qin Opera and regional Shaanxi culture. A special lecture titled Overview of China deepened their understanding of contemporary China’s progress. Wing Chun and Tai Chi martial arts classes blended motion and tranquillity, guiding learners to comprehend the spirit of Chinese martial arts: inclusive, reserved, and harmonising hardness with softness.

For field excursions, the group toured the Museum of the Terracotta Army of Emperor Qinshihuang and tried crafting miniature terracotta warriors themselves. They also walked along the ancient Xi’an City Wall, strolled around the Bell Tower, the Muslim Quarter, Xingqing Park and the Tang Paradise Ever-Bright City, fully immersing themselves in the thousand-year historical heritage and vibrant street life of this ancient capital.

Alt text: Students stood in orange aprons with a clay terracotta warrior they've made.

A closing ceremony was held on the final day with teachers and students sharing their memories from the trip.

Meredith commented on her trip: “I really loved all of the trips to famous Xi’an landmarks and destinations like the Terracotta Army, Bell Tower, Muslim Street and Datang Everbright City—all of the sightseeing as well as culture experiences like bartering, workshops at the university, etc. have been so interesting and fun. I really enjoyed the round table meals in Beijing where I could try all different Chinese foods!”

Serena commented: “I loved making friends with the students from XJTU and exploring Xi’an and Everbright city together. Trying lots of different activities like calligraphy, painting and singing as well as experiencing the culture through food and immersion has been really enjoyable.”

This program has greatly improved participants’ Chinese proficiency, while establishing a platform for face-to-face communication between UK and Chinese young people. Thank you to all who supported and took part in the trip, including our colleagues at the University of Liverpool and Xi’an Jiaotong University.