Spring Break 2012: Student Culture Trip to China
Trip At A Glance:
Trip dates: 12days (including 2 weekends), during the School Spring Break 2012
Day 1
- Depart from the U.S.
Day 2
- Arrive in Beijing, be greeted by staffs, and check in to hotel
- Welcome orientation and introduction to the trip
- Explore Tiananmen Square, the geographical heart of Beijing and center for historical and contemporary political activity
- Take a tour of the Great Hall of the People, where Chinese legislators meet, and discuss the structure of modern Chinese politics
- In the late afternoon visit the Urban Planning Museum for a bird's eye view of the city and learn about its rapid development
Day 3
- Tour the Forbidden City and discover what life was like as a Chinese emperor
- After lunch visit a Chinese high school for an introduction to life as a Chinese teenager
- Attend an English class to see how Chinese students study foreign languages
- In the evening, have dinner with local Beijing students
Day 4
- Leave early by bus for the Great Wall
- Hike up and around the wall while learning about this fascinating time period in China's history
- Afterward, we will take the bus to an un-restored section of the wall and visit a rural family's home
- See the difference in their lifestyle from Beijing
- Learn how to make dumplings
- On the ride back to Beijing pass by the Olympic sites
- Visit 798 Art District to learn about the contemporary Chinese art scene
Day 5
- Discuss the history of religion in China and visit the Lama Temple and the Temple of Heaven
- In addition to its historical and religious value, experience the activities of a popular public park with informal opera, dancing, music, and games played by Chinese senior citizens
- In the afternoon visit a graphic designer's studio set up in a Hutong, one of Beijing's famous alleyways
- Talk with the owner about entrepreneurism in China and life in a Hutong
Day 6
- In the morning, visit a vibrant wet market to see how Chinese people buy their daily food
- Participate in a scavenger hunt
- Visit a migrant worker school to learn about different economic and social groups in China
- In the afternoon travel to Beijing's famed Pearl Market for an introduction to one of China's most iconic symbols and to practice your bargaining skills
- In the evening, prepare for trip to Hangzhou
Day 7
- Morning flight to Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan Province and known for its beautiful natural scenery, panda and spicy food
- Settle into hotel, and in the afternoon walk in center of the city, which is important in Chinese culture for its renowned beauty and its role in Chinese poetry. Visit Wanjiang Tower Park that is famous for its elegant garden of bamboo
- Enjoy a delicious dinner of Sichuan cuisine at a local restaurant
- After dinner, head to Jinli Old Street and experience the special atmosphere of Chengdu. The Jinli Old Street was first built during the Shu Kingdom and rebuilt in 2004 in the traditional architectural style of the Qing Dynasty
Day 8
- • Visit the Chengdu Panda Base of Giant Panda Breeding- the largest panda research base in the world and see the beloved adult and playful baby pandas.
- The Chengdu Panda Base has been constructed and imitated the pandas' natural habitat in the hope that they could have the best possible environment for rearing and breeding
- Take a trip to Sanxingdui Museum, a cultural relic of the ancient Shu(Sichuan) and find out more information about the history of China
Day 9
- Visit the Du Fu Cottage and the Wuhou Temple. Du Fu was a great poet in the Tang Dynasty and the cottage was built in memory of him over a thousand year ago. Wuhou temple was built to commemorate Zhuge Liang, who is known for his great wisdom.
- He was a renowned military strategist of the tree Kingdoms period (AD220-280)
- In the evening, depart from Chengdu to Shanghai
Day 10
- Visit the Shanghai Museum for a view of the best traditional art collection in China. Visit the Urban Planning Museum to understand how fast Shanghai has developed
- Visit a factory to learn more about production and manufacturing and the impact of business on Shanghai
Day 11
- Visit the Oriental Pear Tower and the Jin Mao Tower in Pudong
- Visit one of the program leader's parents homes for a meal and tour of the local community, including a center where mahjong is most popular
- Farewell dinner in the evening followed by KTV for a fun-filled evening of karaoke
Day 12
- Shopping and Packing. Depart Shanghai on plane to U.S. Arrival in U.S.
Preliminary itinerary is subject to change based on availability, school schedule, safety, and other issues that may arise.
Contact: For further information about the trip, please contact Lucy Yen at lucyy@sacaf.org or Li Li lil@sacaf.org at or via tel at 212-791-6931.
