2020 Dougherty Valley China Cultural Journey
| Travel Dates: | June 11, 2020 - June 20, 2020 |
| Group Organizer(s): |
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| WTT Contact: |
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| Program Tuition: |
$2,990 USD
- or -
$2,890 USD with discount if paid in full
Airfare not included in program tuition
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| Estimated Airfare: | $1,000 |
Tuition Calculator
There are two options for payment, including an interest-free installment plan. Follow whichever works best for your family. If we are within 90 days of travel, only the pay in full option is possible.
Program Tuition: $2,990
Pay in Full
Pay in full at the time of enrollment and receive a $100 discount off your program tuition! Payment with the discount would be:
$2,890.00
due today
Payment Plan
Pay a $500 deposit at the time of enrollment and establish an interest-free monthly payment plan. If you enroll today, your estimated* monthly payments would be:
$55.34
per month
All prices in United States Dollars.
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
Hike unrestored portions of The Great Wall
Visit the Terracotta Army at Xi'an
Admire the skyline of Pudong
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | USA - Beijing | Today we'll depart the US and fly to Beijing. | In Flight |
| 2 | Beijing | After crossing the international dateline, we'll arrive at Beijing International Airport in the evening. We'll settle in to our accommodations in one of Beijing's oldest hutong alleyway neighborhoods dating back to the Ming dynasty. We'll have our first dinner together and rest up for our upcoming adventure! | Drum Tower |
| 3 | Beijing | We'll begin our morning bright and early with a hutong scavenger hunt, exploring our neighborhood and soaking up Beijing's unique culture. We'll make our way to the Drum and Bell Tower Square for a demonstration of how time was kept in ancient times by beating drums. We'll then hop on the subway heading towards Qianmen, the old front gate of the city wall. We'll walk through Tiananmen Square, and reflect on the significance of the events that took place here. 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. After a busy day, we'll spend the late afternoon in Jingshan park and enjoy the sweeping views of the Forbidden City from above. | Drum Tower |
| 4 | Great Wall - Mutianyu | Today, we will visit a restored section of the Great Wall of China, Mutianyu. We’ll be able to take the ski lift up, walk as much as we want while taking as many pictures as we can stand, and then tobogganing down. In the evening, we will get a chance to try our hand at Chinese cuisine with a cooking class in the hutongs. | Drum Tower |
| 5 | Beijing | On our last day in Beijing, we'll visit the beautiful Temple of Heaven, built in the 1400s. In the afternoon, we’ll say farewell to Beijing with a visit to the Yonghegong Lama Temple, Beijing's largest and most active Buddhist temple. In the evening, we’ll celebrate our final night in Beijing over Peking Duck. | Drum Tower |
| 6 | Transit - Xi'an | In the morning, we’ll get to experience the world’s largest high speed rail network with speeds of more than 200 km/h on a train ride to Xi’an from Beijing. After settling into our accommodations, we’ll explore Xi’an's vast food culture at the Muslim Street and take a visit to the Great Mosque, the largest mosque in China. | Xi’an Traveling With Hotel |
| 7 | Xi’an | Today, we’ll discover the Terracotta Army of Qin Shihuang, the first emperor of China. Dating from 209 BCE, the full army and surrounding mausoleum are a must see! Later we'll visit another UNESCO world heritage site, the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda dating to the Tang Dynasty. | Xi’an Traveling With Hotel |
| 8 | Xi’an | Today we'll further delve into Xi’an’s history by biking on the Ancient City Wall and visiting the Shaanxi History Museum. In the evening, we’ll catch a flight to Shanghai. | Le Tour Travelers Rest Shanghai |
| 9 | Shanghai | This morning, we'll visit the Yuyuan Gardens and Market to explore a traditional Chinese garden and hone our bargaining skills. In the afternoon, we’ll visit Shanghai’s Confucius temple to learn more about Chinese philosophy. | Le Tour Travelers Rest Shanghai |
| 10 | Shanghai - Suzhou | We'll get an early start this morning and catch one of the first bullet trains to nearby Suzhou. Known as the "Venice of the East", this picturesque ancient city has a network of canals and rivers that run through the city. It is home to some of the most beautiful gardens in all of China. We'll take a trip back in time as we explore the gardens and learn about the aspects of traditional scholar-official society, which led to the gardens' creation and cultivation. | Le Tour Travelers Rest Shanghai |
| 11 | Shanghai | Today, we'll get a broader view of China’s breakneck development at the Urban Planning Museum. Later, we’ll explore the pedestrian eating and entertainment districts of Xintiandi and Tianzifang. We’ll spend our last evening in Shanghai on the Bund enjoying the lights along the Huangpu River. | Le Tour Travelers Rest Shanghai |
| 12 | Shanghai | Today, we'll fly back to the US! 再见中国！ | Airplane |
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.
Le Tour Traveler’s Rest Youth Hostel
Le Tour Traveler’s Rest Youth Hostel is located near Nanjing Road and Jing’an Temple metro station. This spotless and quiet hostel is a 30-minute walk into the French Concession and has a great rooftop snack bar. Thanks to its true tourist-friendly atmosphere and safe, comfortable, and cozy environment, this hostel is a preferred partner in Shanghai. Free Wi-Fi access throughout the building keeps everyone feeling connected. Students will be grouped in their rooms according to gender and availability.
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 son had a wonderful experience in Costa Rica, helped to build a preschool classroom, and has created memories that will last a lifetime!
Jodi
Parent of traveler on Costa Rica Service Adventure
Your Adventure Includes
Estimated Airfare
In order to give our travelers the best possible price, we break out airfare from the Program Tuition. We will still handle all booking and ticketing via our flight partner who has access to special fares not available to the general public. Once confirmed, you will be invoiced for the flight roughly 75 days prior to travel.
Program Tuition Excludes: Travel insurance, baggage fees, passport/visa fees, laundry, souvenirs, and activities not listed on 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.