Guangdong Province

Indier’s office is based in Shenzhen, so the programs we run there are particularly near and dear to our hearts. The area is in southern Guangdong Province, and it borders the pearl river delta and Hong Kong. The Dapeng Peninsula, where we base most of our Shenzhen programs, has been described by Chinese National Geographic as one of the 10 most beautiful parts of China. This might seem surprising considering the area’s close proximity to such a big city, but we definitely agree! The area’s rugged coastal topography, deep blue waters and white sandy beaches all make this one of our favorite program sites.

Our Shenzhen site is one of our most versatile and we can arrange a plethora of activities there to suit your needs. From surfing courses and sea kayaking to beach activities and tide pooling, this area has it all. We love to camp on the soft sandy beach and fall asleep to the sound of the waves gently crashing on the shore. There are barbecue pits here too, so students can grill, make s’mores and cook their own meals right by the ocean. Our signature hike in the area takes you far above the coastline to an astronomical observatory, which provides stunning views of the surrounding region.

Participants love to go swimming in the cool ocean after a day of activities, which may include:

• Sea kayaking
• Surfing
• Hiking
• Biking
• Snorkling
• Paddle boarding
• Beach restoration
• Community service projects
• Environmental studies

Conghua is a mountainous village located near the city of Guangzhou. Even though it isn’t far from large urban environments, it feels like a world away. With its beautiful scenery and interaction with Hakka villages, students will forget that fast-paced life is close by. Hakka villages are a relic of China’s past, but many continue to live on today. Your group will eat in Hakka-run restaurants, which feature unique food, such as homemade tofu and you’ll have the opportunity to visit the group’s unique walled villages and experience the Hakka culture first hand.

Service plays a key role in our trips here: the projects we run at nearby schools help us give back to these local communities. River kayaking is a key component of what we do in Conghua as well. Students will have the opportunity to get into their own kayaks and they’ll also be able to hike to a waterfall, where they can take a swim in its cool water.

Key components of our Conghua programs may include:

• Hakka villages of Gutian and Xitou
• Hakka culture presentation
• Plunge pool swimming
• River kayaking
• Bamboo rafting
• Community Service
• Hiking
• Camping
• Biking
• Village discovery