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Canberra Secondary School

Global Canberran Programme 2024: Guangzhou

Read about the Global Canberran Programme 2024 trip to Guangzhou, where Secondary 3 students explored Chinese culture and visited their new sister school in Nansha.

Last updated 4 August 2026

Global Canberran Programme 2024: Guangzhou

Selected Secondary 3 Canberrans participated in an enriching Global Canberra Programme (GCP) journey to Guangzhou, China from 24 to 30 October 2024. This cultural immersion program supports our mission to nurture confident and competent global citizens who can navigate and appreciate diverse cultures while engaging meaningfully with local communities.

A large group in red and blue jackets holds a Canberra Secondary School Singapore-Guangzhou Programme 2024 banner at an airport.

Day 1 (24 October 2024) -

Greetings from Guangzhou!

On our first day, we visited Museum of the Mausoleum of the Nanyue King, Yuexiu Park and the Five Rams Statue. After dinner, we enjoyed the spectacular night scenery from Canton Tower.

A large group of students and teachers holding a Canberra Secondary School Singapore-Guangzhou 2024 banner outdoors.
A tour guide leads a group of young students through a dimly lit museum hallway with Chinese text on red walls.
A large group in matching pink shirts poses in front of a tall bronze five-goat sculpture in a tree-lined park.
Aerial night view of a illuminated suspension bridge with Chinese text over a dark river, city lights in background.

Day 2 (25 October 2024) -

We had a ‘Shenzhen-paced’ day today. Noted for its efficiency and speed, we visited Shen Zhen on high speed train. The visit to Shen Zhen Museum was informative. The highlight for the day was the cultural performances at Splendid China Folk Cultural Village. Our five senses were continuously stimulated by the colourful costumes, ear-splitting explosions, synchronised dance moves and theatrical displays.

A large group of young people in orange shirts sit around a round table with Chinese food in a restaurant.
Large group in orange shirts posing at an outdoor historical film set with sandy ground, wooden structures, and flags.
Several young people in orange shirts eating food with chopsticks while seated in blue train car seats.
A group of young people in orange uniforms seated in red theater seats inside a dimly lit auditorium.
A large crowd in stadium bleachers, many wearing orange shirts, waving hands and smiling at an outdoor event.
A large group of people mostly wearing orange shirts pose in front of a traditional Chinese building with hanging red chilies.
A large group in orange shirts poses with four women in colorful traditional costumes before a blue and white building with Chinese text.

Day 3 (26 October 2024) -

We put our creativity to the test with round fan painting today at Lingnan Impression Park. We finally did some shopping as we had a walking tour at Shamian Island, Yongqingfang and Shangxiajiu Pedestrain Street. We admired the local streets - the old and the refurbished ones. There were also architectural buildings built from the British, French and colonial influences. We ended our day immersing in the splendid night scenery of Guangzhou on a night cruise.

Group of young people in red shirts posing with peace signs inside a small Asian snack and gift shop.
Six young women in red shirts pose together on a traditional Chinese street lined with lanterns and shop signs.
A group of students in red shirts hold up hand-painted round fans in a bright classroom.
A group of young people in red and navy uniforms pose smiling at night with a lit city skyline behind them.

Day 4 (27 October 2024) -

A walk along Beijing Road kickstarted our day. Though it is a bustling shopping district now, it was a thousand year old lane with remnants of an ancient building. Next, we learnt how to make chinese pancake and how to weave using a loom. Our patience was put to the test and we gained a deeper respect for the ancient people for their wisdom and handicraft.

A brick gate with red Chinese characters and a tiered bronze fountain with zodiac animal sculptures on a busy street.
A large group of people seated at round tables with purple tablecloths in a decorated restaurant, listening to a standing speaker.
A group of young people racing on a grass field using colorful inflatable animal toys outdoors.
Teens play a team relay race on a grass field using colorful inflatable caterpillar segments outdoors near a building.
A row of people sit on red stools using small wooden hand looms in a decorated indoor hall with Chinese posters.
Students sit at tables holding small wooden looms in a decorated hall with colorful triangle bunting overhead.
A woman in a mask stirs a wok outdoors while a crowd of students watches under a large patio umbrella.
Visitors observe a large traditional wooden loom with a person seated at the top in a museum exhibit hall.
A group of students listens to a guide in a museum gallery displaying traditional Asian garments and artwork.

Day 5 (28 October 2024) -

The highlight of today is our visit to Nansha Experimental Middle School affiliated to the Guangzhou University. We witnessed the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between the two schools, cementing our twinning schools status. We got a chance to attend lessons and interact with the students and staff. We were awestruck by the massive campus, amenities and teaching and learning activities. The meaningful exchange amongst the students marks the start of a close relationship between Singapore and China.

Nine students in blue and white uniforms pose outdoors making peace signs, with palm trees and a bridge behind them.
Students in blue uniforms eating meals on metal trays at round wooden tables in a school cafeteria.
Students in blue and white uniforms gather in a classroom beside a colorful chalk mural on a blackboard.
A group of students in white and blue uniforms gather around an adult guide outdoors in a park with city buildings behind.
Large group of students in blue and white uniforms posing on a waterfront deck with a city skyline behind them.
Chinese students in blue and white uniforms sit at desks in a classroom with red Chinese characters on the wall.
A teacher stands at the front of a full Chinese classroom with students in blue and white uniforms seated at desks.
Two men in shirts hold a red document folder together at a formal Chinese signing ceremony in front of a large red screen.
Group of students and teachers on steps holding a Canberra Secondary School Singapore-Guangzhou Programme 2024 banner.

Day 6 (29 October 2024) -

It’s our second day at our sister school in Nansha. We were envious of the well-equipped science laboratories, music rooms, art rooms and computer laboratories. We learnt to appreciate chinese tea culture and some of us even learnt to brew fruit tea for ourselves. From our chinese calligraphy class, we appreciated the significance of perseverance, precision and patience as we wrote chinese calligraphy with ink and brush. After immersing ourselves in chinese culture, we visited GAC Technology Museum. We were captivated by how technology has really evolved and we will look forward to more technologically advanced cars which are made and designed in Guangzhou in future. Today marks the end of our learning journey. It is an extremely enriching experience and we are really honoured to be the first group from our school to visit Nansha, Guangzhou.

Students in blue and red uniforms stand in a classroom with a chalkboard showing Chinese writing and kitchen counters.
Students in blue and red jackets examine an RC airplane and multiple radio controllers on a wooden table.
Students in blue Canberra School uniforms sit at wooden desks in a Chinese classroom with a projected screen at front.
Students in blue uniforms practice Chinese calligraphy with brushes and ink at wooden desks in a decorated classroom.
Students in uniforms explore a geography classroom with globe displays, map walls, and a blue sky-themed ceiling.
Students in matching uniforms sit at tables in a modern cafeteria with a wood-slat ceiling and marble floor.
A woman presents a Chinese tea slideshow showing ten famous teas with photos and labels on a large screen.
A woman presents a Chinese-language slideshow to students in Canberra Secondary School uniforms inside a modern café space.
Two young girls in school uniforms smile indoors, one wearing glasses and making a peace sign.
Four young male students in school uniforms stand together outside a building with Chinese characters on a wooden sign.
Two teenage boys giving thumbs up, smiling, standing outside a multi-story school building with a courtyard.
Two teenage boys in school uniforms sit on chairs indoors, smiling, with a brown bag and backpack between them.
Four young female students in school uniforms pose together indoors, three making peace signs, with a photo wall behind them.
Seven students in blue and white uniforms pose in front of a large Chinese school administration building with steps.
Indoor exhibition display with Chinese text banners and illuminated columns showing increasing numerical milestones from 1997 to 2020.
Futuristic car showroom with sleek concept cars, a robot figure on a platform, and a large curved screen with Chinese text.
GAC Museum showroom with several cars on a wood floor, large LED screens displaying Chinese text and a map.
Silver concept sports car with butterfly doors open, revealing yellow interior, displayed in a modern showroom.
A futuristic concept car on display with open gull-wing doors revealing a luxury white interior with lounge seats.
Interior of a concept car with teal ribbed seats and minimalist dashboard, displayed at an auto show.