The river water nourishes all things, and people should learn from it selflessly; the river contains all things, people should learn that it has a broad mind; the river keeps moving towards its goal, and people should learn from it and [persevere]… - Confucius

The Importance of Outdoor Education in China: Learning Beyond the Classroom!

Since its unofficial conception around the 1930s, outdoor education has helped to bridge the gap between the lessons taught in the social classroom and the endless plethora of lessons ready to be taught by the natural world. Since then it has spread globally and is widely recognised as one of the cornerstones of a well-rounded curriculum. The importance of outdoor education is professionally acknowledged as a compulsory component in some of the worlds most renowned secondary education academic certifications, such as IB, IGCSE, and at A-level.

Schools throughout Asia (China, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Thailand, Singapore, etc.) are well-acquainted with these certifications and are also right on the doorstep of Mainland China, which proudly houses some of the most beautiful natural sites in the world. Subsequently it seems natural to extend outdoor education into these breathtaking places and give students a chance to extend their learning beyond the classroom. At Zen Quest Adventures (ZQ), we specialize in unforgettable outdoor experiences that beautifully combine education with adventure in some of China’s most breathtaking destinations.

So, what exactly is outdoor education? That’s a great question, and we already have a whole post dedicated to answering it. See here for the answer!

This blog post instead focuses more on the importance of outdoor education in China specifically. Refer to the quote above from Confucius, great philosopher of the Zhou dynasty, and widely considered as the first teacher in China to advocate for education for the masses. He himself considered nature to be the best teacher. So, why not join us and learn from the same environment which nurtured the mind of the 'Paragon of Sages' himself?

Outdoor Education Balances the Scales of Modern Education

Students’ today are faced with intense learning in the classroom with a focus on logic, memorisation, and problem-solving. This is great preparation for written exams but there are many other traits which contribute to academic and career success which are hard to practice in this way. Take confidence for example. It is something which can only be accessed and enhanced when students step outside of their comfort zone, try new things, and learn to have faith in their own abilities. At ZQ, this is our specialty, using our almost 15 years’ experience to encourage students to embrace these situations productively in order to harness these skills. When they return to school, extra confidence in the exam hall may just mean the difference between grades, and in the professional world perhaps even the difference between jobs!

At Zen Quest we help to fill the gap between nature and your classroom, offering trips that can focus more on Experiential Skill-Building (Leadership, Confidence, Teamwork, etc.) or Curriculum-Linked Field Studies (such as Geography, Ecology, and Science), depending on your personal needs and requirements. You could also combine elements from both. For example, a Shanghai international school used our Yangshuo expedition to fulfil IB CAS requirements while conducting in-depth river studies in remote streams away from the town, before enjoying their own rock climbing and paddle boarding adventure. Students returned to the classroom to perform further analysis on the data.

Why China?

China’s diverse terrain—from the world-renowned karst mountains of Yangshuo to the peaceful bamboo forests of Lin'An—provides an ideal backdrop for outdoor education. We have convenient access to a wide range of landscapes and features of the natural environment which allows students to engage in a variety of activities. This way, we can provide you with river studies, coastal studies, and a myriad of adventure sports across many destinations, each as breathtaking as the next.

Getting Started with Outdoor Education in China

Identify Needs: Consider curriculum links to IB, IGCSE, A-Level. (Science/Geography field studies, CAS requirements, etc.).

Choose a Location: See our locations page.

We'll Handle the Rest: Zen Quest handles logistics, safety, and equipment, collaborating with you every step of the way to ensure the perfect trip.

Outdoor Education Is Here to Stay.

As China’s international schools seek innovative ways to develop resilient, globally minded students, outdoor education bridges theory and real-world application. The question isn’t whether to embrace it—but where to begin. And the answer? Zen Quest.