The pupils visited landmarks such as Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City and the Great Wall of China, and met President Xi Jinping's wife Peng Liyuan.

Scotch-Oakburn principal Andy Muller said the trip had been an amazing experience for the grade six pupils.

"We went over there primarily to cement our sister school relationships with the Jingshan School," he said.

"Experiencing the culture firsthand, meeting people over there - when they communicate with students at the school, it will be someone they've met, someone whose house they've been to and had dinner with.

"There's a catalyst for them to continue their learning of Mandarin and other cultures around the world."

Eleven-year-old Connor O'Sign said the trip had been exhausting, but well worth the effort.

"I had the best time ever I think," he said.

"I'm going to take (away) how the Jingshan School is different to ours, and how they are always at school and they're always starting early and doing tonnes and tonnes of work.

"We probably get it a bit easier over here."