Zhuhai, Guangdong, China, 4 November 2017 | tennis.com.au

Prior to her semifinal at the WTA Elite Trophy, Ash Barty stepped away from the courts and into the peaceful surround of the Rong Hong school in Zhuhai.

There she met the local school children, took part in an art lesson and brushed up on her Chinese history.

“This is amazing. This is the most stunning school I’ve ever seen in my life,” Barty said.

“It’s so peaceful and I just find it truly amazing. The architecture’s phenomenal and it was really nice to be here today.”

Barty will take on CoCo Vandeweghe in the second of the Zhuhai semifinals on Saturday night, scheduled not before 10pm AEDT.