The First Lady's Trip to China
Beijing, Xi'an, and Chengdu
The First Lady will travel to China from March 19-26, 2014. She will be visiting Beijing from March 20-23, Xi’an on March 24, and Chengdu from March 25-26. And she's inviting students and classrooms across the U.S. to follow her trip.
During her trip to China, as on previous international trips to Africa, Asia, Europe and Latin America, the First Lady will be focusing on the power and importance of education, both in her own life and in the lives of young people in both countries.
She will also be visiting important historical and cultural sites in China, and will share with students in the U.S. the stories of the students she meets in China, as well as interesting facts about China’s history and culture — emphasizing the importance of students learning from one another globally.
Video of the Trip
March 26, 2014
Raw Video: Behind the Scenes at Chengdu Panda Base with First Lady Michelle Obama
Go behind the scenes with the First Lady at Chengdu Panda Base in Chengdu, China, on the last day of her official visit to China.
March 25, 2014
Michelle Obama: The iReport interview
The First Lady sits down and answers your questions from Beijing. Watch it on CNN.COM.
March 23, 2014
On Board: Travels with the First Lady in China, Day Three
Go on board with the First Lady, Michelle Obama, as she answers your questions from the road in China.
March 22, 2014
The First Lady on the Importance of Studying Abroad
Hear from the First Lady Michelle Obama visiting Peking University and speaking with Chinese students and American students studying abroad in China.
March 22, 2014
Exercise in China?
First Lady Michelle Obama Answers Your Questions From China. In this video she answers "How do the people of China stay in shape? What type of exercises do they do?"
March 21, 2014
On Board: Travels with the First Lady in China, Day One
Hear from the First Lady Michelle Obama as she recaps day one of her trip to China and previews her upcoming address on study abroad and connecting students across continents.
March 19, 2014
The Rhodes Ahead: The First Lady's Trip to China
Deputy National Security Advisor Ben Rhodes and the First Lady's Chief of Staff Tina Tchen preview First Lady Michelle Obama's official visit to China.
View the most recent photos in the First Lady's latest travel journal.
Trip Schedule
THURSDAY
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First Lady Michelle Obama arrives Beijing.
View the Related Travel Journal
Beijing, China
FRIDAY
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First Lady Michelle Obama joins First Lady Peng Liyuan at Beijing Normal School, a school that prepares students to attend Universities abroad.
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First Lady Michelle Obama visits the Forbidden City with First Lady Peng Liyuan.
View the Related Travel Journal -
First Lady Michelle Obama meets with First Lady Peng Liyuan and joins First Lady Peng Liyuan for dinner and a performance.
Beijing, China
SATURDAY
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First Lady Michelle Obama delivers remarks to students at the Stanford Center at Peking University. Speaking to an audience of American students studying abroad at Peking University and Chinese students who have studied abroad in the United States, Mrs. Obama will discuss the importance of study abroad and other cultural exchanges as well as the stake our two countries have in one another’s success.
View the Related Travel Journal -
First Lady Michelle Obama participates in a virtual discussion with American youth. During the conversation, Mrs. Obama will highlight the role of technology in enabling students in the United States to connect and collaborate with students around the world.
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First Lady Michelle Obama visits the Summer Palace.
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First Lady Michelle Obama meets with staff and families of the United States Embassy in Beijing.
Beijing, China
SUNDAY
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First Lady Michelle Obama hosts an education roundtable.
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First Lady Michelle Obama visits the Great Wall of China.
View the Related Travel Journal
Beijing, China
MONDAY
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First Lady Michelle Obama visits the Terra Cotta Warriors Museum.
View the Related Travel Journal -
First Lady Michelle Obama visits the Xi’an City Wall.
View the Related Travel Journal
Xi’an, China
TUESDAY
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First Lady Michelle Obama visits Chengdu No. 7 High School. During remarks to students, Mrs. Obama will highlight the importance of education in her own life and in the lives of students in both the United States and China.
View the Related Travel Journal -
First Lady Michelle Obama meets with staff and families of the United States Consulate in Chengdu.
Chengdu, China
WEDNESDAY
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First Lady Michelle Obama visits the Chengdu Panda Base. The Chengdu Panda Base is currently home to approximately 50 pandas, ranging in age from infancy to full-grown adults. Chinese scientists spend their days working to increase the panda population through research, conservation, and breeding.
View the Related Travel Journal -
First Lady Michelle Obama departs Chengdu.
View the Related Travel Journal
Chengdu, China
Participate in the First Lady’s China Trip from Anywhere
First Lady Michelle Obama travels to China for an official visit – and she’s inviting young people across America to join her. During her trip, Mrs. Obama will meet with students at the Stanford Center at Peking University, Beijing Normal School and Chengdu No. 7 High School to discuss the power and importance of education, both in her own life and in the lives of young people in both countries. She'll also visit historical and cultural sites, from the Great Wall to the Terra Cotta Warriors, and will be sharing it all with you!
Here’s how people in the U.S. — and around the world — can participate and follow along:
- The First Lady's travel journal: Each day, the First Lady will post a daily travel blog, complete with videos and photos (and you can sign up to get the latest entries delivered to your inbox).
- Podcast series: In an audio series, First Lady Michelle Obama will share some of the interesting facts about Chinese history and culture as she experiences it.
- Ask the First Lady: In the weeks leading up to the trip, hundreds of young people submitted questions for the First Lady. During the visit, Mrs. Obama will record video responses and engage directly with young people on social media. Use the hashtag #FLOTUSinChina to discuss the trip and ask questions on Twitter or Instagram.
- Follow on social media: You can follow along through the First Lady’s Twitter and Instagram accounts.
More ways to engage online:
- “Exchange for a Day” with Discovery Education: From Peking University in Beijing, the First Lady will answer questions submitted by classrooms around the country, as part of Discovery Education and the White House’s "Of the People" webinar series. Jeff Wood, an American student from D.C. who is currently studying abroad in China, will pose questions to the First Lady on behalf of Discovery Education's online audience. You can ask questions and watch the event on Tuesday, March 25th at 1:00 p.m. ET.
- PBS Global Learning and Diplomacy Collection: As part of a new collection of resources, students and classrooms around the U.S. can access educational resources and collections about the history and culture of China. Leading up to the visit, Deputy National Security Advisor Ben Rhodes and the First Lady's Chief of Staff Tina Tchen participated in a special webinar to answer questions from young people about the trip and China's rich history and culture.
- CNN iReport Assignment: iReporters in the U.S. and around the world have submitted questions for the First Lady about study abroad. Stay tuned to watch Mrs. Obama answer questions from Beijing.
- Q&A with Youth in China: The U.S. Embassy has invited their social media followers on Chinese microblogging websites Sina and QQ Weibo to post questions for the First Lady. While in China, Mrs. Obama will answer questions about her visit. The First Lady's responses will be posted in Mandarin on the Embassy’s social media platforms.
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