Camping & Hiking Out in Huanghuacheng: 80 from Dulwich Shanghai soak up the Best of Beijing
The Hutong hosted a group of 80 year-eleven students from Dulwich for a week of adventures in Beijing. Starting out in Beijing’s northern hills, we brought the students straight to Huanghuacheng where we set up camp and students enjoyed a flaming bonfire disco dance party complete with marshmallow skewers.
After a wretchedly early 5am start, students learned the value of teamwork through our morning “blob” run and raft-building exercise, which turned into something more like a splashing swim competition. After hiking through the hills of Huanghuacheng with a stunning backdrop of bright blue skies and mountains outlined by the one and only Great Wall, we worked our way back into the heart of Beijing.
Back in the city center, we introduced students to traditional and respectable Chinese customs and practices like learning the fundamental movements of martial arts and the art of wrapping dumpling while getting lost on scavenger hunts through Beijing’s old hutong neighborhoods.
Contrasting these ancient practices alongside activities centered around the innovative and forward-thinking themes found in the modern art galleries in Beijing’s creative hub, Caochangdi, students saw the unique and apparent contrasts of old and new Beijing, the result of a quickly-developing city steeped in 5,000 years of history and culture.
And, no trip to Beijing would be complete without a big Peking Roast duck dinner, which we managed to squeeze in alongside some of our favorite home-style Chinese dishes that Beijing is so well known for. 
