A cohort of U.S. high school students embarked on a journey to Beijing, eager to explore China's vibrant cultural heritage through its iconic landmarks, including the Great Wall and the Palace Museum.

The two dozen young participants, representing Steilacoom High School and Lincoln High School in the U.S. state of Washington, have been taking part in an 11-day excursion across the country after arriving on March 18.
Chinese President Xi Jinping, during his trip to the U.S. in November 2023, announced a groundbreaking initiative to invite 50,000 American youths to China over the next five years for cultural exchange and study.
For first-time visitors to China, the Forbidden City -- where the royal family of the Ming and Qing dynasties (1368-1911) lived and worked -- is a must-visit destination.
The students could not resist capturing the picturesque scenery on camera as they strolled along the site's moat, cherishing every moment of their journey.
The principal of Lincoln High School, Karl Hoseth, had embarked on a similar student trip to China 33 years ago. Now, seeing his pupils carry on the legacy of exchange was emotionally moving for the educator.
"I'm really thankful [to] President Xi. I was at the speech in San Francisco when he invited 50,000 American students to come in the next five years. So I'm thankful that he got the ball rolling, so to speak, in terms of this [being] something that we want," said Hoseth.
Lynn Eisenhauer, a dedicated music teacher at Lincoln High School, has been bringing students to China for exchange programs since 2016. This is her fourth occasion leading a group of teens on this transformative journey. With 45 years of teaching experience, she plans to focus on promoting Chinese and American student exchanges after her retirement next year.
While the students cavorted along the Great Wall, Eisenhauer reflected on the significance of letting the American youngsters experience one of the Seven Wonders of the World for the first time.
"It's amazing. Even if they didn't know much about China at all, everyone knows about the Great Wall. So I think it was, we say, 'on your bucket list.' It was one of the things they very much wanted to have happen for the trip," she said.
For Eisenhauer, experiences like these have a profound and lasting impact.
"It has changed my life. It has changed kids' lives. A changing of perspective, a growth of understanding of what brings us together and what binds us together. The more we come together, the less divides us. The more one on one we have conversation; I think the bigger problems of the world can begin to vanish as we find what we have in common. So that's my belief and hope," said Eisenhauer.
The delegation left Beijing on Friday and headed to Shiyan in central China's Hubei Province. Their itinerary will also take them to the vibrant cities of Guangzhou and Shenzhen in south China's Guangdong Province.