In collaboration with the GSS' Applied Learning Programme (ALP), GSS LLP held its first overseas learning journey to Beijing and Shandong in November 2015. 

In Shandong, we visited Jinan Sunshine 100 School and attended Art, Music and Culinary lessons with the friendly local students. In Qufu, the hometown of Confucius, we visited his old mansion, temple and cemetery, and learnt about his philosophy and teachings. We also visited the famous Baotu Spring, declared by Emperor Qianlong as "the Number One Spring under the Heavens" and mentioned in the Spring and Autumn Annals, one of the five classics of Chinese Literature. At the bank of the magnificent Yellow River, we observed that the water was calm and clear, and learnt that this was a result of reduced soil erosion as rainfall is scarce in the cold season.  
In Beijing, we visited the legendary Forbidden City, the Chinese imperial palace from the Ming dynasty to the Qing dynasty, immersing ourselves in its cultural and architectural richness. We watched Peking Opera, an art form regarded as one of the cultural treasures of China. Lastly, we scaled the Great Wall, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. In these 6 days of fun and learning, we gathered valuable environmental data on the types and effects of pollution, as well as the means taken to mitigate them. What was most memorable was that we did all of these in sub-zero temperatures!