Summer 2012: Students Culture Trip to China
The first stop of the trip will be Shanghai, one of the most important cultural and financial centers in China. Then, students will move to Quanzhou, Fujian Province, which was the departure point for Marco Polo's expedition to escort the Mongol princess bride. Students will be hosted by the Quanzhou middle school where they will take language classes, as well as participate in cultural workshops and excursions. Students will also attend the popular cultural performances.
During the following days, students will travel to Chengdu and Beijing. Students will visit Chengdu Panda Base to see the beloved pandas, and historical sites including The Jinli Old Street, the Du Fu Cottage and the Wuhou Temple. The last stop is Beijing, the capital of China. Visit sites include Tiananmen Square, the Great Hall of the People, the Urban Planning Museum, the Forbidden City, the Great Wall, Temple of Heaven as well as other historical sites.
Program Highlights
- Cultural Exploration and Language Immersion
- Opportunity to meet with the local government officials and discover the city's history and culture
- Opportunity to live with Chinese family
- Opportunity to learn Chinese language and culture through the interactive program and daily life
- Opportunity to visit rural villages and enjoy activities in China's beautiful natural scenery
- Adjusted Mandarin Chinese language program
- Chinese language class
- Program leader will adjust the language activities based on the level of participants
- Full program of cultural activities, sports and trips
- Culture visit: Historical landmarks and natural beauty sites
- Chinese culture workshops: Paper cutting, calligraphy, Peking Opera, Chinese chess, martial arts, etc.
- Entertainment: Music & Dance performance, karaoke, etc.
- Sports activities: Basketball& table tennis workshops
- Study under the diverse cultural environment
- Opportunity to interact with local students and other foreign students from different countries
- Safe and convenient travel, and quality accommodations
Trip At A Glance: Trip dates: 3 weeks during school summer break
DAY 1 New York
- Depart from New York
DAY 2 Shanghai
- Arrival and transfer to hotel
DAY 3 Shanghai
- Sightseeing: Yu Garden, the Bund, Jade Buddha Temple, the People's Square, Shanghai International Settlement, the Shanghai Municipal History Museum, the Oriental Pearl TV Tower, and Nanjing Road.
DAY 4 Shanghai
- In the morning, meet with the government officials and learn more about Shanghai's history & culture
- Sightseeing: the Shanghai Museum of Ancient Chinese Arts, and the Arts and Crafts Stores in the French Concession of Shanghai
- Depart to Quanzhou. Welcome orientation
DAY 5 - DAY 15 Quanzhou
Daily Sample Schedule
- In the morning - Chinese language classes (learn new vocabulary, grammar points, and sentence patterns), cultural workshops, sports activities
- In the afternoon – culture workshop, field trip in the outskirt of the city, excursion to a historic or cultural landmark or a local or international business, advisory/guidance discussion on subjects varying from how to communicate with the Chinese family to how to give directions to taxi drivers.
Note: Will arrange one day to meet with the government official and learn more about Quanzhou's history & culture
DAY 16 Chengdu
- Fly to Chengdu
- 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
- After dinner, head to Jinli Old Street and experience the special atmosphere of Chengdu
DAY 17 Chengdu
- In the morning, meet with the government officials and learn more about Chengdu's history & culture
- 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
- 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 18 Chengdu
- Visit the Du Fu Cottage and the Wuhou Temple, Qingyang Temple and Wenshuyuan Temple
- Fly to Beijing in the evening
DAY 19 Beijing
- Explore Tiananmen Square, the Great Hall of the People, Forbidden City, the Urban Planning Museum
- Peking Opera (or attend an evening show)
DAY 20 Beijing
- In the morning, meet with the government officials and learn more about Beijing's history & culture
- Visit the Great Wall
- Visit the Olympic Stadium, the Lama Temple, Temple of Heaven, Dashanzi 798 Art District
- Shopping at the Pearl Market and Wangfujing Night Market
DAY 21 New York
- Depart Beijing on plane to U.S. Arrival in New York
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.
