ADVENTUROUS Knox Academy pupils have returned after a month-long trip to China.

More than 30 youngsters bid farewell to friends and family on June 29 before travelling more than 4,000 miles across the world.

The group returned earlier this month and the school’s head girl, Annabel Jackson, said she would do it all again “in a heartbeat”.

She said: “I think I learnt how to budget myself over the course of a month. I feel I am a lot more independent.

“I learnt about the Chinese culture and the usual sort of things you learn abroad.” It was an action-packed four weeks for the pupils, from S3 to S5.

The youngsters started off in Chengdu and visited the Giant Buddha and pandas.

From there it was on to the Tibetan city of Kangding.

One of the aims of the trip was to see the group of pupils involved in different projects.

The group containing the school’s new head girl was tasked with creating a greenhouse.

Annabel said: “It was not like a typical Scottish greenhouse. It was made of stone but it was for the same sort of thing. The people we made it for were brilliant, absolutely amazing.” It was not just the style of greenhouse that differed but also the cuisine.

Annabel said foods were “different” but the pupils were willing to give everything a go.

She said: “I had a deep-fried scorpion but you could feel the legs literally going down your throat! It was horrible, the texture and thought of it.” Another who enjoyed the trip was Douglas Meikle.

The teenager turned 16 during the trip and described the adventure as “the trip of a lifetime”.

He said: “I feel very privileged that I was able to take part in such an exciting journey with such fabulous friends and teachers. The two years of fundraising was hard work but was all very worth it in the end.

“I would recommend travel to everyone, but for now I am happy to be home with my family.” He too spent time sightseeing in Chengdu before venturing to see the panda breeding project and the Leshan Giant Buddha, which he described as “the highlight” of the trip.

Then, it was away from the city and Douglas said: “We took a very, very long bus journey high into the mountains and into rural Tibet.

“Some people likened the scenery to something out of an ‘Avatar’ movie.” The time in the Chinese countryside saw the group living with nomads on the grasslands.

Douglas’ project revolved around that of a Tibetan school.

He said: “We helped them make a water spring to drink from and water the crops in their village.

“The guide who helped us enjoyed learning Scottish words and songs, we all became very fond of him.

“He helped with our pack animals and our trek on Mt Yala, as well as teaching some of the girls how to milk a yak.

“The group managed to trek to 4,335 metres and enjoy the hot springs along the way. We all did really well, with only a couple of people affected by altitude.

“We all enjoyed the challenge of this part of the journey, but were sad to be leaving this close-knit community and the friends we made.” A trip up China’s holiest mountain, Emeishan, was followed by a train to Xi’an to see the Terracotta Warriors.

Lastly, the group visited the capital Beijing.

“Visiting key places like Tiananmen Square, the Summer Palace and Temple of Heaven was truly an amazing experience,” said Douglas.