2019 Ensworth China Program
| Travel Dates: | July 9, 2019 - July 22, 2019 |
| Group Organizer(s): |
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| WTT Contact: |
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| Deadline(s): | Interested travelers should enroll by March 15, 2019 |
China Cultural Journey
As the 21st century unfolds, it is clear that China will continue to take a leading role in shaping the way our shared world develops. The world’s most populous nation – and dynamic economy – has as its backdrop 5,000 years of history and is home to a wide variety of rich cultural traditions and exotic cuisines. Furthermore, China is the world’s fourth largest country in area, with wide geographic diversity and stunning natural beauty.
Your time in China can include visits to the Great Wall of China, Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, and exotic markets. You may choose to study Mandarin, Kung Fu, Chinese cuisine, Tai Chi, or calligraphy. Visit isolated villages and staggering Himalayan peaks on the Tibetan plateau, or learn from business leaders and government officials at thought-provoking seminars. You will bike through rice paddies and traditional farming villages, immersing yourself in the local community and landscape. We are excited to bring you to this wondrous land for an adventure you will never forget.
Cultural Journeys
Cultural Journeys allow travelers to gain insights into the heritage, history and modern realities of their destination by offering a broad diversity of experience. We rely on the expertise of our local staff to plan itineraries which not only explore the prominent sites but also make time for the lesser-known local gems and are intentional about regular interaction with local people.
Program Highlights
Check out some of the featured experiences of your program!
Improve your Mandarin through regular interaction with native speakers
Walk the streets of Song dynasty China
Wander the Hutongs and marvel at the wonders of imperial Beijing
Explore Tang dynasty Buddhist caves
Practice martial arts at Shaolin Temple
Hike unrestored portions of The Great Wall
The Itinerary
We do everything possible to run safe, engaging, and immersive programs for our travelers and given the unpredictable nature of international travel we must remain flexible in our planning. Changes to a schedule are uncommon but, we reserve the right to adjust programming in the best interest of the group.
| Day | Location | Description | Lodging |
|---|---|---|---|
| July 9 | Plane | Today we'll depart the US and fly to Beijing | Plane |
| July 10 | Beijing | After crossing the international dateline, we'll arrive at Beijing International Airport in the evening. We'll settle into our accommodations in one of Beijing's oldest hutong alleyway neighborhoods dating back to the Ming dynasty. We'll have our first dinner together, hold our intro orientation meeting, and rest up for our upcoming adventure! | Drum Tower Hostel or Sleepy Inn |
| July 11 | Beijing | We'll begin our morning bright and early with a hutong photo scavenger hunt, exploring our neighborhood and soaking up Beijing's unique culture. We'll make our way to the Drum & Bell Tower Square for a demonstration of how time was kept by beating drums ancient times. We'll then hope on the subway heading towards Qianmen, the old front gate of the city wall. We'll then walk through tour Tiananmen Square, and reflect on the past and current significance of the events that took place there. Eventually, we'll make our way to the Forbidden City, the Chinese Imperial Palace from the Ming Dynasty to the end of the Qing Dynasty. Time allowing, we'll check out the emperor's impressive collection of elaborate mechanized clocks from all over the world at the Hall of Clocks. After a busy day, we'll spend the late afternoon in Jingshan park for sweeping views of the Forbidden City from above. After a dumpling feast for dinner, we'll pack up and prepare for departure to Zhengzhou tomorrow. | Drum Tower Hostel or Sleepy Inn |
| July 12 | Beijing-Zhengzhou | Today we'll have breakfast in Beijing and then hop on the highspeed train to Zhengzhou, Henan. Upon arrival in Zhengzhou, we'll settle into our accommodations, take a peek at nearby People's Park, and potentially have an orientation meeting at UUFL. | Guangzhou Hotel or alternative |
| July 13 | Zhengzhou | Global Citizenship Collaborative Project with students UUFL (Day 1 of 3), additional/supplemental activities include: Henan Provincial Museum, Exploring Night Market at Erqi, Structured Solo Time in People's Park | Guangzhou Hotel or alternative |
| July 14 | Zhengzhou | Global Citizenship Collaborative Project with students UUFL (Day 2 of 3), additional/supplemental activities include: Henan Provincial Museum, Exploring Night Market at Erqi, Structured Solo Time in People's Park | Guangzhou Hotel or alternative |
| July 15 | Zhengzhou | Global Citizenship Collaborative Project with students UUFL (Day 3 of 3), additional/supplemental activities include: Henan Provincial Museum, Exploring Night Market at Erqi, Structured Solo Time in People's Park | Guangzhou Hotel or alternative |
| July 16 | Shaolin/Songshan | Kungfu training session and/or Mandarin classes. Sample Academy Summer Schedule: 6-7AM Morning exercise, 7:30-8AM Breakfast, 8:30-10:30AM Morning training, 11:30-12PM Lunch, 3:30-5:30PM Afternoon training, 6-7PM Dinner, 8-10PM Night exercise. Additional activities during freetime include visiting the historic Shaolin Temple & hiking Mount Song. | Shaolin Temple Kungfu Academy |
| July 17 | Shaolin/Songshan | Kungfu training session and/or Mandarin classes. Sample Academy Summer Schedule: 6-7AM Morning exercise, 7:30-8AM Breakfast, 8:30-10:30AM Morning training, 11:30-12PM Lunch, 3:30-5:30PM Afternoon training, 6-7PM Dinner, 8-10PM Night exercise. Additional activities during freetime include visiting the historic Shaolin Temple & hiking Mount Song. | Shaolin Temple Kungfu Academy |
| July 18 | Kaifeng | We'll drive to Kaifeng today, travelling back in time to life during the Northern Song dynasty by visiting the Qingming Riverside Landscape Garden. We'll also visit the Daxiangguo Temple and Iron Pagoda. Finally, we'll check out the ancient city wall. | Kaifeng/Luoyang Accommodation |
| July 19 | Luoyang | Today we'll make our way to Luoyang, the former capital of the ancient Han dynasty and start of the Silk Route. We'll visit the White Horse Temple, the first Buddhist temple in China, founded in AD 68. Then we'll head to the Longmen Grottes, a UNESCO World Heritage site, to take in the stunning views of over 100,000 buddha sculptures carved into the face of the caves dating from 493 AD to 1127 AD. After taking in all the sites, this evening, we'll take the long-distance overnight train from Luoyang to Beijiing. As we fly through the countryside, we'll rest and recharge our batteries, play cards, journal, snack and/or practice our Chinese language skills with our neighbors. | Train |
| July 20 | Beijing | Upon arrival in Beijing in the morning, we'll hop on the bus and make our way out to a rural village at the foot of the Great Wall of China. We'll hike through chestnut orchards, walk past the “Wild Wall” (unrestored section) and enjoy exploring this quiet, peaceful community. We'll be staying with the Hu family and have the opportunity to practice our Chinese with them and enjoy home-cooked meals. | Hu Family Homestay |
| July 21 | Beijing | On our final full day in Beijing, we'll start the day bright and early by testing our bargaining skills at the famed Pan Jia Yuan flea market. In the afternoon, we'll either do more shopping in Nanluoguxiang area or the Pearl Market or hit up another cultural site like the Yonghegong Lama Temple or the Temple of Heaven. In the evening, we'll head to The Hutong culture school for traditional Chinese cooking class where we'll make and eat our own dinner. After dinner, we'll have a karaoke party and celebrate the end of a great trip! | Drum Tower Hostel or Sleepy Inn |
| July 22 | Beijing | Say 再见中国 as we hop on the plane and make our way home! | Plane and eventually your own bed! |
Accommodations
In order to provide a safe and memorable experience, we follow strict guidelines when choosing program accommodations. Walking Tree partners with hotels and guest houses which are centrally located, clean and safe. We vet and inspect the accommodations to ensure they uphold the ethos of our programs, are great values for our travelers and nice places to rest after enriching days of travel.
Drum Tower Hostel
The convenient location of Drum Tower Hostel reduces commute times and eases busy travel days. However, we have chosen to partner with this particular accommodation for its safety standards, comfortable and cheerful atmosphere, and commitment to good service. Free Wi-Fi access throughout the building keeps everyone feeling connected. Students will be grouped in their rooms according to gender and availability.
Sleepy Inn
The cosmopolitan and vibrant atmosphere make this hotel a wonderful experience for our student groups. Selected for the great service, clean rooms and advantageous location, Sleepy Inn is an excellent place to relax between adventures around Beijing. Rooms and bathrooms will be exclusive to our travelers.
Shaolin Temple Kung Fu Academy
All of our student rooms are hotel style. Every room is equipped with high-speed internet access, air-conditioning, an independent bathroom, hot water, wardrobes and other facilities to make you feel right at home. Students will be grouped in their rooms according to gender and availability.
Homestay
This will be the best part of your trip! Staying with a host family immerses you in the language and culture of the destination, and can lead to deep and lasting relationships with your hosts. Initially intimidating but ultimately unforgettable, there’s no better way to begin to truly understand the place you’re visiting.
Safety and Support
EASY FUNDRAISING & PAYMENT
24/7 GLOBAL EMERGENCY LINE
HIGHLY VETTED PARTNERS
EXPERT LEADERSHIP
PRIVATE GROUP GUARANTEE
COMPREHENSIVE CURRICULUM SUPPORT
DEDICATION TO CULTURAL ENGAGEMENT
ALL-INCLUSIVE PRICING
My daughter’s experience in Morocco was extraordinary!! I really enjoyed seeing the pictures and hearing the stories about her adventures, but what brought me the most joy was the relationships she formed with the chaperones from her school and with Stafford and Said (Walking Tree’s Moroccan Country Directors and Program Leaders). She spoke of their characters and spirits which let me know these wonderful people went over and beyond the basics of the program. I am forever grateful for the love and care all four of you gave to her.
Beddar
Parent of Jadah, traveler on Morocco Cultural Journey
Your Adventure Includes
Program Tuition Excludes: Travel insurance, baggage fees, passport/visa fees, laundry, souvenirs, and activities not listed on the itinerary.
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Resource Center
Why should high school students travel abroad? What happens if a participant gets sick? How quickly do we need to enroll? We’re sure you have plenty of questions and we’ve got you covered! Visit our Resource Center to discover the answers to your most pressing questions and contact us anytime with additional questions.