This past December, The Hutong Education team welcomed students all the way from Explorations Preparatory School in The United States to our courtyard. The group, along with their families, were travelling to Beijing to participate in this year’s Destination Imagination competition in Changping. The group was The Hutong Education’s first multi-generational program and we had tons of fun showing them our city. From ages 6 to 76 – including Moms and Dads, Grandmas and Granddaughters – the group consisted of a range of travellers keen to experience China. The students themselves, bless them, raised funds for the trip by putting flocks of pink flamingoes in peoples’ yards! 
Our mission for the group was to provide an eye-opening glimpse into the best of what Beijing has to offer in terms of its rich culture and colorful history. From the majestic imperial wonders to the bustling alleys, we spent the week engaging with local residents and digging deep into the wonders of our great city.
Throughout our action-packed week of discovery and exploration, our group consistently interacted with their surroundings, opened their minds, asked meaningful questions, embraced diversity, lit sparks, and sought challenge. A fantastic group of good eggs, the sub-freezing temperatures and gusty winds of early December did not deter the group’s incredible eagerness and enthusiasm to learn and take in as much as they could. Despite the cold, we were blessed with beautiful, cloudless blue skies the entire week, which made for unbelievably picturesque settings at each of our destinations (including our visit to the Temple of Heaven). It was a truly an amazing week! 
To top it all off, the student themselves earned second place in the Destination Imagination competition! An outstanding feat against tough competition from across the globe! The Hutong Education would like to thank the entire group from Explorations Preparatory School. You were an inspiring group and we had an absolute blast experiencing Beijing with you!
“We recently spent a week with The Hutong in Beijing. We were blown away by the individuals who guided us through our adventure. To a person, they were attentive, patient, energetic, and competent. Everywhere we went our tickets were waiting, meals were ready and on the table, and the transportation was clean and safe. We were all sad to leave our guides because we got to know them and they got to know us. We would happily welcome them into our home in the USA on a minute’s notice. My sincere hope is that The Hutong will continue to grow so that we can use them for tours in other parts of the world, as well.”
