2020 Harvard Westlake China Cultural Journey

Dear Families, Friends, and Travelers – Welcome to the 2020 Harvard Westlake China Cultural Journey! We have created two webpages dedicated to this exciting program so that travelers are as informed as possible throughout the process. The first page, Pre-Enrollment, is meant to share exciting details, highlights and pertinent info that participants will want to know before enrolling. Once enrolled, the Post-Enrollment page, is meant to prepare travelers for participation on the adventure ahead. Please be sure to review the information on the appropriate page thoroughly and we can't wait to start our enriching adventure!
Travel Dates: June 12, 2020 - June 26, 2020
Group Organizer(s):
WTT Contact:
Program Tuition: $2,990 USD - or - $2,890 USD with discount if paid in full
Airfare not included in program tuition
Estimated Airfare: $940

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:

$56.60

per month

* This is an approximate price. Your exact total will be confirmed when your enrollment is processed.

All prices in United States Dollars.

China Panda Conservation

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.

Conservation Expeditions

Conservation Expeditions

Conservation Expeditions bring travelers to the heart of the modern-day conservation movement. Whether building nurseries for sea turtle hatchlings in Costa Rica, snorkeling alongside sea lions in the Galapagos or teaching local school children in Thailand about the importance of wild elephants to their ecosystem, these trips make the wonders of our world, and our responsibility to protect them, abundantly apparent.

Program Highlights


Check out some of the featured experiences of your program!

Wander the Hutongs and marvel at the wonders of imperial Beijing

Visit Wuhou Temple in Chengdu

Marvel at the world's largest Buddha, built during the Tang dynasty.

Volunteer the Chengdu Giant Panda Base

Visit the Terracotta Army at Xi'an

Visit the unrestored portion of the Great Wall of China

Hand feed Giant Pandas

Explore the Forbidden City in Beijing

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. 

DayLocationDescriptionLodging
1USA - ChengduToday we'll depart the US and fly across the Pacific to the metropolis of Chengdu in Sichuan Province, China.Airplane
2Chengdu, SichuanAfter crossing the international dateline, we'll arrive in Chengdu in the evening. We'll settle in at the hotel, have our first dinner together, and rest up for our upcoming adventure!Chengdu Dreams Hostel
3Chengdu, SichuanAfter a good night's rest we'll have our big orientation and explore Chengdu, checking out the famous Wuhou Temple and eating our fair share of Chengdu's specialty street snacks on Jinli street. We'll also stroll over to the People's Park to hang with the locals while they get fit & socialize through ballroom dance, kite flying, taichi, and more! For dinner, we'll try our hand at expert level DIY Sichuan cuisine, hotpot!Chengdu Dreams Hostel
4Dujiangyan, SichuanEarly this morning, we'll make our way to the Panda Center at Dujiangyan to begin our volunteering program. Our tasks will including cleaning panda enclosures, preparing bamboo and “panda bread”, as well as hand-feeding the pandas. We'll also watch a documentary about panda habitat loss, and learn about the breeding & reintroduction work that is currently being done.Dujiangyan Panda Business Hotel
5Dujiangyan, SichuanContinued volunteering at the Dujiangyan Panda Center and free time to explore Dujiangyan village in the afternoon/evening.Dujiangyan Panda Business Hotel
6Dujiangyan, SichuanToday, we'll visit the Chengdu Base of Giant Panda Breeding to see the more public facing side of panda conservation in China. We'll tour the facilities and also see the Giant pandas smaller cousin, the Red Panda. Another possibility includes heading to Panda Valley, where important reintroduction work is being done. We'll also get the insider's scoop by speaking with scientists working at the center about their research and the future of China's adorable mascot. In the afternoon, we have two options: a relaxing hike in the misty waterfalls of Qingcheng Back Mountain, where we'll enjoy stunning scenery and an escape from the heat. Or, check out the Dujiangyan Irrigation System, for which the region is known, and presents an impressive feat of urban/structural engineering that has been in use since the 3rd century.Dujiangyan Panda Business Hotel
7Chengdu - Xi'anAfter a final morning in Sichuan, we'll hop on a train to Xi'an. 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.Xi'an Hotel
8Xi'anUpon arrival in Xi'an, we'll head to see 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. We'll also explore Xi’an’s distinctive gastronomical culture, sampling their world famous hand-pulled noodles and roujiamo (often dubbed the Chinese equivalent of a hamburger).Xi'an Hotel
9Xi'anToday we'll further delve into Xi’an’s history by walking the Ancient City Wall, visiting the Shaanxi History Museum, and experiencing the Great Mosque. We'll sample the delicious street snacks of China’s Hui Muslim ethnic minority group.Xi'an Hotel
10Xi'an - BeijingAfter a final morning in Xi'an, we'll hop on another train to Beijing for our final leg of the adventure. 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.Drum Tower Hostel or Sleepy Inn
11BeijingWe'll arrive in Beijing and get settled in at our accommodations in the historic Ming dynasty hutong alleyways of the old city center. This afternoon we'll check out the Lama Temple, Beijing's largest active Buddhist temple. In the evening, we'll take a cooking class at The Hutong and try our hand at crafting the Chinese cuisine we've been enjoying (option of making dumplings or handmade noodles).Drum Tower Hostel or Sleepy Inn
12BeijingWe'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 & Bell Tower Square for a demonstration of how time was kept by beating drums in ancient times. We'll then hop on the subway heading towards Qianmen, the old front gate of the city wall. We'll then walk through 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.Drum Tower Hostel or Sleepy Inn
13BeijingFor our final full day in China, we'll either engage in a cultural exchange activity with local students, or do further exploration of Beijing's rich culture. Options include experiencing stunning imperial ritual architecture during a visit to the Temple of Heaven, or testing our haggling skills while picking up last minute gifts/souvenirs at the famed Pan Jia Yuan Flea Market. We'll go out for our farewell dinner and have a Beijing specialty: Peking duck. We'll close out the celebration of our time together with a Karaoke party after dinner!Drum Tower Hostel or Sleepy Inn
14Beijing - USACheck out, head to the airport and fly home! 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.  

Below are the accommodations we anticipate using on your trip, subject to availability. 
Hu Family Guesthouse

Students are all lodged together in a large, rural “courtyard-style” home owned and managed by the Hu Family. Students eat meals together in a common dining room, cooked and provided by the Hu Family.

 

Along Family Guesthouse

Somewhere between a homestay experience and a guesthouse, students are all lodged together in one large “courtyard-style” home owned and managed by the Zhou Family. Students eat meals together in a common dining room, cooked and provided by the Zhou family.

Dragon’s Den Hostel

A rustic, authentic Chinese hostel, Dragon’s Den is our preferred partner in Longji for it’s cleanliness, English-speaking staff, and budget-friendly accommodations. A truly great place to rest up between adventures in Guangxi. Free Wi-Fi access throughout the building keeps everyone feeling connected. Students will be grouped in their rooms according to gender and availability.

Fawlty Towers Hotel

Fawlty Towers Hotel is a family-run establishment that puts a personal touch on the guest’s experience. Clean, spacious rooms with Chinese style beds and great service contribute to make this our preferred option in Yangshuo. 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.

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.

 

Dujiangyan Panda Business Hotel

A clean, three star budget accommodation for groups working on Panda conservation projects at the nearby Dujiangyan Panda Base. A fun, panda-themed hotel that is a hit with our students! 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
EASY FUNDRAISING & PAYMENT
24/7 GLOBAL EMERGENCY LINE
24/7 GLOBAL EMERGENCY LINE
HIGHLY VETTED PARTNERS
HIGHLY VETTED PARTNERS
EXPERT LEADERSHIP
EXPERT LEADERSHIP
PRIVATE GROUP GUARANTEE
PRIVATE GROUP GUARANTEE
COMPREHENSIVE CURRICULUM SUPPORT
COMPREHENSIVE CURRICULUM SUPPORT
DEDICATION TO CULTURAL ENGAGEMENT
DEDICATION TO CULTURAL ENGAGEMENT
ALL-INCLUSIVE PRICING
ALL-INCLUSIVE PRICING

Great experience for our son. He would jump at the chance to do it again.

Daniel
Parent of Raymond, traveler on Peru 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.

 

Need to Raise Money? We Have You Covered.

Walking Tree Travel is proud to team up with Equal Exchange, a worker-owned cooperative that distributes organic coffee, tea, sugar, bananas, avocados, cocoa, chocolate bars, and more.  There is no limit to the amount you can earn, so the sooner you can start, the better!

Learn more here.

WTT coffee
Resource center

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.

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