Refer China

May 24 I Let's Go Picking Loquats!

Escape from Shanghai for one day to explore rural China 👣

☀️ Early summer hiking series

🥭 Pick green loquats at the mountain top

🌳 Enjoy the tranquility of a private orchard

1-day escape from Shanghai
Xishan Island, Suzhou, Jiangsu Province
RMB 499/person

Image source // Pixabay

青种枇杷

qīngzhǒng pípa

green loquat

The green loquats we are going to pick are really special.

Xishan Island is the only place on earth where they grow!

- Only 10,000 tons are produced a year;

- It can only be collected for 20 days a year;

- The loquat forest scenery during this time is magnificent, with layers of bright yellow and emerald green

🟡 亮黄 liànghuáng ∙ bright yellow

🟢 翠绿 cuìlǜ ∙ emerald green

西山岛 Xīshān dǎo ∙ Xishan Island

金庭镇 Jīntíng zhèn ∙ Jinting town

苏州 Sūzhōu ∙ Suzhou city

Trip Highlights

01. Explore Rural China

探索中国

tànsuǒ Zhōngguó

explore China

In Shanghai, your life might be very different from the local life in rural areas. By going on short weekend trips, you can broaden your horizon and experience a different lifestyle!

And of course, practice your spoken Chinese 🤓

02. Enjoy Authentic Local Cuisine

吃本地菜

chī běndì cài

eat local dishes

Once we've arrived and learned about the different types of loquats, we will have lunch and try local food. Explore China through its cuisine 🥢

03. Take a Scenic Hike

徒步旅行

túbù lǚxíng

go hiking

(lit. "to hike-travel")

After lunch, we'll go hiking together.

Don't worry — it's a chill hike! And the scenery is absolutely worth it.

04. Pick Loquats

Image source // 澎湃新闻 ThePaper.cn

攀树采摘

pān shù cǎizhāi

climb trees and pick fruit

Under the guidance and instructions from a local guide, you will experience loquat picking first hand — with a safety belt, of course! You will learn which loquats are ripe and best to pick.

Details

Meeting Point

🏫 That's Mandarin Shanghai Campus

No. 881 Wuding Rd (near Changde Rd)

🚇 Subway access:

🟧 Changping Rd, Line 7 (5-min walk)

🟩 Jing'an Temple, Line 2 (10-min walk)

Itinerary*

08:00

Meet at That's Mandarin Shanghai Campus (Wuding Rd 881).

Depart for Suzhou by private bus ☕️ Get yourself something nice for the bus ride — we'll be learning about loquats on the way!

10:00

Arrive at That's Mandarin Suzhou Campus and take a campus tour.

12:00

Enjoy traditional local cuisine.

13:30

Let's go hiking and picking loquats 👣 The loquat trees are located at the mountain top, so we'll hike there to collect them.

15:00

Hiking, explore Rural China: 🛕 Temple 🍃 Tea Garden 🏘 Hamlet

17:00

Depart back to Shanghai.

19:30

Estimated arrival at That's Mandarin (actual arrival time will depend on traffic).

*Note that this itinerary is for referral only. Actual timing might be flexible depending on the weather, traffic or other organizational factors.

Pricing

499 RMB / person*

*Included in the price:

- Transportation

- Organizing & team leaders

- Lunch

- Fruit-picking (including 1.5kg that you can bring home)

*Not Included:

- Drinks

- Other expenses not mentioned above

Sign Up

Reserve your spot by scanning the QR code:

Cancellation Policy

1. If you choose to cancel your trip, make sure to do it 3 days in advance in order to get a refund.

2. In the event of bad weather, due to safety considerations, the trip might be canceled up to 2-3 days in advance.

Book your spot via QR code!‍‍‍‍‍

Mandarin for Travelers I Essential Phrases You Need to Know

Get ready for your trip to China with these essential phrases 🇨🇳

Summer is coming in ☀️

With our Chinese Summer Camp and Summer Immersion Chinese Program just around the corner, many travelers are preparing for their first trip to China.

Even if you're a total beginner, these must-know vocabulary and phrases will help you communicate smoothly. Let's get started!

‍

Mandarin for Travelers:

Essential Phrases

01. Basic ‍‍Phrases

Start with the essentials – these polite expressions go a long way in daily life:

你好。‍‍‍‍

Nǐ hǎo.

Hello.

谢谢！

Xièxie!‍‍

Thank you!

请问,......‍‍‍

Qǐng wèn…

Excuse me, may I ask…

我听不懂。

Wǒ tīng bu dǒng.

I don't understand.

你会说英语吗？

Nǐ huì shuō Yīngyǔ ma?

Do you speak English?

02. Getting Around

As soon as you step off the plane, you might need a little help getting around. Whether you're taking a taxi or riding the metro, these phrases will help you navigate the city with confidence:

这个地方怎么走?

Zhè gè dìfang zěnme zǒu?

How do I get to this place?

我要去......‍‍‍‍‍‍

Wǒ yào qù …

I want to go to...

03. Asking for Help

Hopefully you won't need them, but better safe than sorry — keep these phrases in mind:

我迷路了!

Wǒ mílù le!

I'm lost!‍‍

医院在哪里?

Yīyuàn zài nǎlǐ?

Where is the hospital?

请报警。

Qǐng bào jǐng.‍

Please, call the police.

我需要帮助。

Wǒ xūyào bāngzhù.

I need help.‍

04. Ordering Food

China's food scene is world-famous, but local habits and flavors might sometimes confuse. To help make your dining experience smoother, here are a few useful phrases:

不要辣，谢谢。

Bù yào là, xièxie.

No spicy, please.

你有刀叉吗？

Nǐ yǒu dāo chā ma?

Do you have fork and knife?

我吃素的。

Wǒ chī sù de.

I'm vegetarian.

NOTE

Many restaurants use picture menus — just point and say:

我想点这个。

Wǒ xiǎng diǎn zhè gè.

I'd like to order this.

05. Shopping & Markets

From malls to street stalls, these phrases are your go-to for shopping:

这个多少钱？

Zhè gè duōshǎo qián?

How much is this?

我要这个。‍

Wǒ yào zhè gè.

I'll take this one.

你们有······吗?

Nǐmen yǒu… ma?

Do you have…?

💡To ask if a store accepts a specific type of payment, you can say:

可以用······吗？

Kěyǐ yòng...... ma?

Do you accept......?

Here are some common payment methods you can use with this phrase:

现金 (xiànjīn) – cash
支付宝 (Zhīfùbǎo) – Alipay
微信支付 (Wēixìn zhīfù) – WeChat Pay
信用卡 (xìnyòngkǎ) – credit card

Make the Most of Your

Summer in China

Join students from all over the world to learn Chinese, make new friends, and discover the best of China with our Chinese Summer Courses 😎

01. Chinese Summer Camp 2025

Chinese Summer Camp in China for kids and teens is the best way to spend the summer – exploring Chinese culture, visiting famous tourist sites in China, and learning Mandarin Chinese together with children from all over the world.

June 16 to Aug 8‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍
From 4,250RMB/week‍‍
Shanghai, Beijing and Suzhou

02. Summer Immersion Chinese Program

Our Chinese Summer Immersion Program is designed for adult learners ready to dive into Chinese language and culture in a focused, immersive environment. It's a great way to spend summer and learn Chinese in a more conducive environment than in a university.

Start Dates: Jun 3, Jun 30, Aug 4
From 115 RMB /class
Beijing, Shanghai, Suzhou, Hangzhou, Chengdu

Take It Further

To discuss this topic with Chinese teachers

and learn more useful daily phrases,

book a free trial class with That's Mandarin 👇

Have questions?

Ask us on WeChat!

@thatsmandarin006