China is huge (it is the world’s second largest country by total land area) and incredibly diverse (there are over 1.35 billion citizens of over 50 different ethnic backgrounds). So it goes without saying that wherever you travel in China each location will offer, both geographically and culturally, a very distinctive experience from other parts of the country.

The three most popular cities for high school programs in China are Beijing, Shanghai, and Hong Kong. Beijing has been the country’s political capital dating back to centuries the reign of Imperial China (the Forbidden City remains largely intact at the urban center and is a very popular tourist attraction). Shanghai, China’s largest city with over 24 million inhabitants, is a highly modern metropolitan area which is a huge international financial and transportation hub. Hong Kong, an autonomous territory belonging to China, is a truly global city with a huge sea port and one of the most impressive skylines in the world.

There are many other cities throughout this giant of a country where it is possible to attend a high school program abroad, such as Chengdu, Kunming, Tianjin, and Guangzhou, so do your research thoroughly when deciding which location best suits your interests. Many high school study abroad programs in China will also allow students to travel throughout the country rather than stay grounded in one city, which is a great opportunity to experience a large diversity of the country’s landscapes and cultures.