Winter break gives families a good opportunity to travel together, but it can be difficult to find a trip that works

well for both parents and children.

Some families want their children to keep learning during the holiday, while also having enough time to explore

and enjoy themselves. Others may simply want to experience China in a way that goes beyond visiting the usual

tourist attractions.

Our Family Winter Camp in Kunming is designed for families who want to combine these different parts of a trip.

During the program, families take Chinese classes suited to their individual levels and spend the rest of their time taking part in local activities, cultural experiences, and outdoor activities. There is also plenty of time to explore

Kunming, try local food, and spend time together.

The winter program has two particular highlights: sailing and a hot spring trip. Along with the activities available

throughout our Family Camp, they give families a chance to experience a different side of Yunnan during their

winter stay.

If you are considering Family Camp in Kunming, here is a closer look at what a winter stay with Lens Talk can

involve.

Why Spend Winter in Kunming?

Kunming is often called the “Spring City,” and its mild winter weather makes it possible to spend plenty of time outdoors.

For families, this gives you more options during a winter trip. You can have Chinese lessons in the morning and

still have time in the afternoon to visit a local market, take part in an activity, explore the city, or simply have sometime together.

Kunming also provides a convenient base for experiencing different parts of Yunnan. Families can spend time in

the city while also having opportunities to take part in outdoor activities and discover local culture.

Every family will have different interests. Children may be more interested in activities where they can make or try something themselves, while parents may want to learn more about local food and culture. Having different typesof activities throughout the week makes it easier to create a program that works for everyone.

If you are considering Yunnan as a destination for Chinese study, our article Why Learn Chinese in Yunnan?

explains some of the reasons students choose the region.

What Does a Day at Family Winter Camp Look Like?

There is no fixed daily schedule that every family follows.

Chinese classes usually take around two to four hours a day, depending on the family's needs and the learning

arrangements. Lessons can be adapted to different ages, Chinese levels, and goals, so family members do not

need to study the same material.

After class, families can take part in one of the planned activities or spend time exploring Kunming.

Activities can include visits to places such as Dounan Flower Market, Daguan Park, Green Lake Park, Guandu

Ancient Town, and local museums. Families can also choose from hands-on activities such as pottery, Chinese calligraphy, tea ceremony, bamboo fan making, tie-dye, paper cutting,

kite making, and making dumplings.

The schedule can also leave room for families to have some free time. After a morning of classes, you may

prefer a quiet afternoon rather than another organized activity, especially when travelling with younger children.

The winter program is designed with this kind of flexibility in mind.

Chinese Learning That Fits the Family

Chinese learning is an important part of Family Winter Camp, but family members do not have to have the same

level or learning goals.

Our One-on-One Customized Chinese program can be adapted to each person's needs.

A child who is starting Chinese for the first time may focus on basic vocabulary, listening, and simple

communication. An older child may need more opportunities to speak, while a parent who has already studied

Mandarin may want to improve conversation skills or work on practical Chinese for everyday situations.

This allows different family members to learn in ways that are appropriate for them while still taking part in the

same family program.

There are also opportunities to use Chinese outside the classroom. A phrase from the morning lesson might be

useful when ordering food, asking a question in a shop, or speaking to someone at a market.

These situations are not treated as formal lessons. They are simply part of being in China and having the

opportunity to use the language in everyday life.

For more about this approach to learning, see What Is Chinese Immersion Like in Kunming?

Sailing: A Winter Activity for the Whole Family

Sailing is one of the activities that gives the winter program a different character.

After spending time in Chinese class, families can take a break from studying and spend time on the water. It is anopportunity for children to try something new, while parents can participate alongside them.

The activity is not designed as another classroom exercise. Families can simply enjoy the experience and spend

time together.

Of course, Chinese may naturally become part of the activity. Children may hear new words or instructions, and

family members may use simple Chinese during the experience. But there is no need to turn every activity into a

language lesson.

Having activities that are completely different from the classroom is also important during a family holiday. It

gives children something to look forward to and gives the whole family a chance to do something together.

Sailing is included as one of the outdoor activity options in our winter program.

Hot Springs: Time to Slow Down

The hot spring trip provides a very different experience from sailing.

After several days of Chinese classes and activities, families can have a slower day and spend some time relaxing

together.

This can be particularly valuable when travelling with children. A holiday can become tiring when every day is

filled with scheduled activities, even if those activities are enjoyable. A hot spring day gives families a chance to

take things more slowly without needing to plan another full day of sightseeing.

It is also an opportunity to experience another part of Yunnan. The region is well known for its natural hot springs,and including a hot spring trip allows families to experience something that may not normally be part of a

traditional Chinese study program.

The hot spring trip is one of the winter activity options included in Family Winter Camp.

More Activities to Explore in Kunming

The winter program is not limited to sailing and hot springs.

Families can also choose from the wider range of activities available through Family Camp. These include local

outings, cultural activities, and hands-on experiences.

A visit to Dounan Flower Market, for example, gives families a chance to see one of Kunming's busiest local

markets. Green Lake Park and Daguan Park offer opportunities to spend time outdoors, while Guandu Ancient

Town and local museums provide different ways to learn about the region.

For children, activities such as pottery, kite making, paper cutting, and making dumplings can be a more engagingway to experience Chinese culture than simply visiting a historical site.

Parents can participate as well, which makes these activities suitable for families rather than being designed only

for children.

You can read more about one of Kunming's most distinctive local markets in our article Dounan Flower Market‍.

Parents Are Part of the Experience

Family Camp is designed for the whole family, not just the children.

Parents can join activities, explore Kunming with their children, try local food, and take part in cultural

experiences. They can also have their own Chinese learning goals.

Family members may have very different levels of Chinese. One parent may already have several years of

experience, while another may be a complete beginner. Children may have studied Chinese before or may be

learning it for the first time.

The program can take these differences into account instead of requiring everyone to follow the same course.

This is one of the practical advantages of a family-based program: everyone can have their own

learning arrangement while still sharing the same activities and experiences during the trip.

If you are still comparing different places to study Chinese in Yunnan, our guide Where to Learn Chinese in

Yunnan provides an overview of different locations and learning options across the region.

A Winter Camp That Still Leaves Time for a Holiday

A family winter break should have some flexibility.

For this reason, we do not try to fill every hour with classes and activities. There is a clear structure to the

program, but families still have time to rest, explore on their own, or decide what they would like to do after class.

This can be particularly helpful for families staying for a week or longer. Children may need a quieter afternoon,

parents may want some time to themselves, or the whole family may simply want to walk around Kunming

without following a schedule.

Families who mainly want to focus on Chinese study can also choose our Learn Chinese in Kunming‍ program.

Family Camp is different because Chinese learning is combined with accommodation, meals, activities, and family experiences throughout the stay.

Where Will Your Family Stay?

Accommodation is included in the Family Camp experience.

The accommodation is around three minutes from the main campus, making it convenient for families to get to

class each morning.

Two family members share an independent room with a private bathroom. Rooms include air conditioning,

Wi-Fi, 24-hour hot water, and essential living facilities.

Daily room cleaning is provided, and there is also a shared laundry room and refrigerator.

For families staying for a week or more, these practical arrangements can make the trip easier. You do not need toarrange separate accommodation far from the campus or organize basic services after arriving in Kunming.

Food Is Part of the Experience

Three meals a day are included during Family Camp.

Families have the opportunity to try local dishes throughout their stay, and meals can also be a natural setting for using some Chinese.

Children may learn the name of a dish, recognize a word from class, or practice a simple phrase when ordering

food. There is no need to turn every meal into a lesson. Sometimes it is simply a chance to sit down together, try

something new, and talk about the day.

For families coming to Yunnan for the first time, local food is also an important part of experiencing the region.

What Is Included in Family Winter Camp?

Family Winter Camp is designed to take care of many of the practical arrangements involved in a family trip.

The program includes Chinese classes, accommodation, three meals a day, daily transportation for outdoor

activities, airport pickup and drop-off, weekend activities, Wi-Fi, commonly used medicines, 24/7 support,

orientation, campus facilities, and daily room cleaning.

Air tickets, travel insurance, and personal expenses are not included.

Having these arrangements organized in advance allows families to spend less time dealing with logistics after

they arrive.

Who Is Family Winter Camp For?

Families join Family Camp for different reasons.

Some parents want their children to have their first experience learning Chinese in China. Others already have

children studying Mandarin and want them to have more opportunities to use Chinese in everyday situations.

Some parents want to study Chinese themselves, while others are mainly interested in experiencing Yunnan with

their family.

The program can accommodate different ages and Chinese levels, so families do not need to have the same

learning background.

If your main goal is practical Chinese for travelling and everyday situations, our Travel Chinese program is anotheroption to consider.

For families who want Chinese learning to be part of a wider trip, Family Winter Camp combines classes with

activities, accommodation, meals, and local experiences.

What Makes Winter Camp Worth Experiencing?

The winter program gives families a chance to experience Kunming at a slower and more varied pace.

Chinese classes provide a regular part of the day, while activities give families opportunities to explore different

parts of the city and try things they might not normally do during a Chinese study trip.

Sailing and the hot spring trip are particularly suited to the winter program, but they are part of a wider

experience that includes local markets, cultural activities, outdoor experiences, food, and family time.

For children, this can make learning Chinese feel connected to the place they are visiting rather than limited to a

classroom. For parents, it provides an opportunity to experience Kunming alongside their children while also

pursuing their own interests.

Spend Your Winter in Kunming

A winter trip to China can be an opportunity to learn Chinese while still leaving plenty of room for family time.

At Lens Talk, Family Winter Camp combines Chinese classes with local activities, cultural experiences, outdoor

activities, accommodation, meals, and daily support. The winter program also includes sailing and a hot spring

trip, giving families two additional ways to experience Yunnan during their stay.

If you are interested in joining our Family Winter Camp, contact Lens Talk and tell us about your family, your

children's ages, their Chinese levels, your preferred dates, and the kind of experience you are looking for.

We can then discuss the program with you and see how it can be arranged around your family.