Twenty five fortunate Year 11 and 12 Irene McCormack Catholic College Students and four staff made the 9,300km trip to China this year, experiencing the history and culture of a unique and ancient land.
The tour took them through Beijing, Xi’an and Shanghai, visiting many famous landmarks including Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, the Great Wall of China, the Ming Tombs, the Summer Palace and the Terracotta Warriors; even a 350km/hour trip on Shanghai’s Maglev Train.
Staff and students alike said it was an amazing trip, with wonderful experiences and memories to last a lifetime.
After experiencing the hustle and bustle of Tiananmen Square, the group visited the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Beijing; that city’s oldest Catholic church, allowing them a time of quiet reflection and prayer.
They also took the time to admire the lavish artwork and design of the church’s interior and tranquil gardens.
The Italian Jesuit Monk, Matteo Ricci, effectively began and incubated the Catholic tradition in Beijing during the Ming Dynasty in 1605. The cathedral has withstood earthquakes, fire, wars, confiscation, revolutions and arson over its lifetime.
The current church dates from 1904 when it was rebuilt after the Boxer rebellion.
The cathedral is possibly one of the best known to foreign, English-speaking visitors as it hosts English-language Masses.
A collection of artefacts and photographs from the tour are now on display at Irene McCormack’s Clarkson Library.