Rural Teaching in Hainan, China

Genuine interests and passion for teaching children/students.
Since you are working with students with so much energy and different personalities, a decent level of energy and patience is required.

• Accommodation
• 3 meals p/day & 2 p/day at weekends
• Arrival airport transfer (Sat/Sun arrivals)
• Filtered drinking water, coffee & tea
• 1 day orientation
• Daily transportation to project
• In country 24/7 support & emergency assistance
• Fundraising support
• University course credits (where applicable)
• Certificate of Completion

• Airfares
• Travel Insurance
• Tours, Souvenirs & spending money

Programs begin every Monday, and volunteers are required to arrive the day prior, for orientation before the project.

A free airport pickup is included when arriving to Haikou Meilan International Airport-Arrival Hall (HAK). You must arrive between 13:00 to 20:00 on Sunday.

If arriving outside the pickup time, you can book an extra night or private transfer for an additional fee.

On the Monday of your first week at this location, you will join our orientation day, to familiarize you with the surroundings as well as local culture. Your program will continue as usual from Tuesday onward throughout the rest of the week.

Schedule

• Introduction meeting, House rules, Setting Expectations, Health and Safety Advice, and handling of documents.
• Chinese Do’s and Don’ts, Chinese Culture Lessons, and Chinese Language Lessons.
• Tour around the compound and local area; where to find local shops, and arrange a sim card if necessary.
• Lunch
• Introduction to the Project, Project site and start participating in the project

Monday

(In your first week)

• Your morning begins with the introduction meeting after breakfast.
• The lesson plans are drawn. This will consist of preparing lessons which could be on various educational subjects or something you would like to teach the children.
• A tour of Meimei Village and enter the Wu Family Courtyard- learn about the century-old historical story and unique architectural structure behind it.
• Lunch.
• Teaching

• You can expect to be teaching for about 1-2 hours per day, along with a couple of hours for lesson preparation. In total, with preparation and training involved, you can expect about 4-5hoursof activity required from you throughout a typical day

• Dinner
• During the evening you can play volleyball with the villagers. etc.

Tuesday

• Breakfast.
• Teaching.
• Lunch.
• Visit Holiday Beach in Haikou City
• After that, you will have free time to shop in a local supermarket.
• Dinner

Wednesday

• Breakfast.
• Teaching.
• Lunch.
• Learn how to make local authentic snacks.
• Fruit picking in the orchard.

Thursday

• Breakfast.
• Teaching.
• Lunch.
• Visit the Hainan Provincial Museum as well as the old arcade street with a strong sense of history and artistic style to learn the history, culture, and folk of it.
• It’s a night for you to arrange your dinner on this street. Various authentic Hainan cuisines cover this area.

Friday

• Breakfast.
• Teaching.
• Lunch.
• Summary meeting.
• Starting from preparing the ingredients to make the local traditional coconut chicken hotpot. The fresh coconut juice, combined with the unique fresh and tender ground chicken from rural areas.

***This schedule can be changed and/or amended depending on weather conditions, local conditions, and unforeseen circumstances.***

Things to Do in Hainan 

1. Visit Sanya’s Beaches – Sanya is Hainan’s most famous beach city, perfect for swimming, sunbathing, and water sports. Yalong Bay and Dadonghai Beach are particularly popular for their clear waters and resort facilities.
2. Explore Wuzhizhou Island – A short boat ride from Sanya, this coral island offers crystal-clear waters ideal for snorkelling and diving, plus hiking trails and lush vegetation.
3. Relax in Hot Springs – Hainan is dotted with natural hot springs, especially in areas like Qixianling (Seven Fairy Mountain), known for its rainforest spa resorts and therapeutic mineral waters.
4. Hike in Yanoda Rainforest – This tropical rainforest park features waterfalls, rope bridges, and guided treks through thick jungle — a great way to explore Hainan’s biodiversity.
5. Learn Local Culture in Baoting – Visit the rural areas around Baoting to learn about the customs, dress, and crafts of the Li and Miao ethnic minorities.
6. Trek Mount Wuzhi (Five Finger Mountain) – One of Hainan’s most iconic natural landmarks, this mountain offers challenging hikes and panoramic views over the island.
7. Try Hainanese Cuisine – Sample local dishes at bustling night markets or coastal restaurants. Don’t miss the classic Hainanese chicken rice, often served with fragrant rice and dipping sauces.
8. Haikou’s Volcanic Cluster Park – Located near the capital city, this park features unique volcanic landforms, caves, and lava tubes, ideal for a day of exploration and photography.
9. Tianya Haijiao (End of the Earth) – A famous scenic spot near Sanya, where dramatic coastal rock formations meet romantic legends and stunning sunset views.

Further Afield:

1. The Great Wall of China – A must-see when visiting China, this ancient wonder stretches over 13,000 miles and offers breathtaking views and historical insights, best explored near Beijing.
2. Terracotta Army in Xi’an – An awe-inspiring archaeological site featuring thousands of life-sized statues guarding the tomb of China’s first emperor.
3. Guilin and Yangshuo – Famous for their karst limestone mountains and winding rivers, this region is perfect for boat cruises, bike rides, and rural village visits.
4. Chengdu’s Giant Pandas – Visit the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding to see these iconic animals up close in a naturalistic setting.
5. Shanghai and Beijing City Tours – Experience the modern and ancient sides of China in these two bustling cities, with highlights like the Bund, the Forbidden City, and local food streets.

Additional Requirements

The following are further necessary in order for both the participants, local staff and everyone involved to have a meaningful, enjoyable and safe experience.

• Participants over 65 years are required to have a medical clearance as proof of their physical fitness as they may perform various activities.
• Participants below 18 years old need a signed parental consent as proof of involvement of their children for the program. If possible,accompaniment by an adult is highly advised.
• Due to the length and active nature of this program and as there are some outdoor activities under the heat of the sun, a decent level of fitness is required.
• Excellent time management and self – organizing and strong desire to take on new challenges and learn as much as possible.
• Able to cope with physically challenging conditions ( long walks, hot weather, insects).
• Ability to work and live with people of different backgrounds and nationalities.  Be flexible, thoughtful, and respectful. You will be working with peopleof different nationalities/cultures and backgrounds.

Additional Equipment

Packing List
        Clothing

• Your clothes must not be too short, too tight, or too revealing. Kindly make sure your shoulders and legs are covered.
• Dress professionally since you will be working in a professional environment while teaching the children.
• It is completely fine to wear Western clothes as long as they fit the local standards.
• Be thoughtful of the graphics, symbols, or text printed on your clothing, and avoid wearing clothing styles that might be inappropriate, particularly inside the school premises.
• Comfortable walking shoes and sandals
• Sun hat, fleece sweater, windproof rain jacket (depending on weather)

Documents

• Passport
• Flight info, insurance, vouchers, visas, and vaccination certificates (with photocopies)

Health & Safety:

• Hand sanitizer, face masks (if required)
• First-aid kit (medications, sunscreen, insect repellent, rehydration tablets)

Essentials:

• Toiletries (shampoo, soap, etc.)
• Day pack, small travel towel, reusable water bottle
• Moneybelt, locks for bags
• Personal entertainment (books, cards, music player)

Optional Items:

• Games, books, color pencils, chalk, rulers, etc.
• Pictures from your country, family, and friends.
• Other small cultural objects from your country of origin..

For information on holidays and any programs affected, please see the following link: CN – Holidays – All Programs

China is officially known as the People’s Republic of China and is governed by a centralized one-party system. Its capital is Beijing, while other major cities include Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Chengdu. The economy is the second-largest in the world and incredibly diverse, ranging from high-tech industries and manufacturing to agriculture and traditional crafts. Despite rapid urban development, large parts of the country remain rural and offer insight into traditional Chinese lifestyles.

Mandarin Chinese is the official language, though dozens of other dialects and minority languages are spoken across the country. Religion in China is varied, including Buddhism, Taoism, Islam, Christianity, and traditional folk beliefs, although religious practice is often closely monitored. Public transport is generally efficient, especially in major cities, and high-speed trains connect many regions. While China has embraced modern technology, customs such as Confucian respect for elders and community still play an important role in daily life.

China’s climate is incredibly varied due to its size. The north experiences cold, dry winters and hot summers, while the south is typically more humid and subtropical. The central regions see four distinct seasons. Hainan, located in the far south, has a tropical monsoon climate with warm temperatures year-round, making it a popular destination for beachgoers and sun seekers. Typhoon season usually runs from June to September.

Chinese culture is steeped in tradition, with deep respect for family, education, and social harmony. Festivals such as Chinese New Year, the Mid-Autumn Festival, and Dragon Boat Festival are widely celebrated and often centre around family gatherings, food, and honouring ancestors. Calligraphy, martial arts, opera, and traditional Chinese medicine are just a few cultural elements still practiced today. While modernization has introduced Western influences, many traditions are still passed down through generations.

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