During a recent study tour, Professor Cui Li led a group of international students on an English-language walk along Beijing's historic Central Axis, starting at the Drum Tower and heading south to Jingshan Park. She explained the axis's origins, spatial layout, and planning principles, focusing on the Eastern concepts of "ruling from the center" and "symmetrical progression" —ideas that shaped Beijing's urban order for centuries.

Walking the actual route, students gained a vivid, on-the-ground understanding of the ancient capital's design and cultural depth. Many were impressed by the axis's grandeur and deliberate structure, noting how the experience helped them better appreciate traditional Chinese city planning and heritage.

Thirty-four international graduate students recently traded lectures for landscapes during a mobile learning session at the Wagchang Hotel in Beijing’s Miyun district. The heritage property served as a real-world case study on China’s cultural tourism development, allowing students to explore topics from rural governance to Chinese-style modernization through direct experience and cross-cultural dialogue.

The immersive trip blended study with friendship, helping students complete coursework while deepening their understanding of China’s development pulse. Organizers thanked the hotel for its vivid case study and all who contributed to the memorable exchange.

On May 13, the School of Tourism Sciences at Beijing International Studies University organized a practical field trip for its international graduate students to Huairou District, Beijing. The group visited the Wa Art Museum, boutique homestays, and select hotels in Beigou Village, where they engaged in on-site observations and discussions on rural cultural-tourism integration, high-end accommodation operations, corporate culture development, and tourism talent cultivation.

The trip was led by Professor Li Bin, Associate Dean of the School, along with faculty members Professors Cui Li and Zhang Chao, Associate Professors Zhang Huiying and Liu Chun, Office Director Lan Chaoying, Academic Secretary Li Shuhong, and Student Counselor Zhang Ruiqi. The delegation received briefings from Cao Bing, Executive President of 2049 Group; Shao Bingyan, General Manager of Brickyard Hotel; Xu Xinyu, HR Officer; and representatives of the Yanqi Lake International Conference Center.

Using a “site visit + expert explanation + interactive exchange” format, the morning session took the group to the Wa Art Museum, Beigou Village Committee, Brickyard Hotel, and Sansa Homestay. Shao Bingyan provided a detailed overview of the hotel’s development history, business philosophy, corporate culture, and job structure. Through on-site observations and real-life case studies, students gained firsthand insight into the connections between rural space renewal, cultural resource transformation, and boutique hotel operations.

The visit highlighted Beigou Village's approach to cultural tourism development, which is deeply rooted in its natural environment, village layout, and local culture. Establishments such as Brickyard Hotel and Sansa Homestay exemplify the integration of rural architectural renovation, accommodation, dining, and cultural presentation—offering vivid models of the transition from sightseeing to immersive rural tourism. For students of tourism and hospitality management, the trip broadened their industry perspectives beyond the classroom and deepened their understanding of accommodation innovation, destination operations, and service management within the context of evolving cultural tourism consumption patterns.

Cao Bing presented the development history and operational philosophy of the Beigou Village cultural tourism project and expressed the 2049 Group's commitment to creating more practical learning environments for university students. He noted that such real-world settings help students understand the industry, recognize professional roles, and build key competencies. The university faculty expressed their appreciation to Brickyard Hotel for its hospitality and support, emphasizing that field trips are essential to tourism education. These experiences enable students to integrate academic knowledge with industry practice and enhance their overall competence through exposure to real-world scenarios and business operations.

In the afternoon, the group visited the Yanqi Lake International Conference Center and Yanqi Hotel. This sequence of site visits—from rural cultural spaces to high-end conference and hotel facilities—provided students with a more holistic understanding of Beijing's cultural tourism resources, conference and exhibition services, and hotel operations management.