2020 Miami Valley China Cultural Journey
| Travel Dates: |
January 11, 2020 -
January 27, 2020
Dates are tentative
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| Group Organizer(s): |
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| WTT Contact: |
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| Program Tuition: |
$3,979 USD
- or -
$3,879 USD with discount if paid in full
Airfare not included in program tuition
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| Estimated Airfare: | $1,050 |
| Deadline(s): | Deadline is forthcoming |
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: $3,979
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:
$3,879.00
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:
$69.58
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!
Wander the Hutongs and marvel at the wonders of imperial Beijing
Explore Tang dynasty Buddhist caves
Visit the Terracotta Army at Xi'an
Visit the unrestored portion of the Great Wall of China
Explore the Forbidden City in Beijing
Discover the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda
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 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 and rest up for our upcoming adventure! | Drum Tower Hostel or Sleepy Inn |
| 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. Then 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 to enjoy the sweeping views of the Forbidden City from above. | Drum Tower Hostel or Sleepy Inn |
| 4 | Beijing | Today we'll take a private bus to visit the art districts in the northeast corner of the city. We'll learn about contemporary art, the role of artists in society, and make studio visits to see where many of China's premiere practicing artists live and work. We'll engage in our own art education activity at Three Shadows Photography Art Centre. We'll also experience life in Caochangdi, a thriving urban village that is home to many world-renowned artists and galleries. On the way back into the city, we'll drive by the nearby Olympic Park, constructed for the 2008 Olympic games, to see the unique architecture of the Bird's Nest and the Water Cube lit up at night. In the evening, we'll take a cooking class 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 |
| 5 | Xiangshuihu | Today we'll 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 as part of our homestay programing. | Hu Family Homestay |
| 6 | Beijing | Today we'll start the day bright and early by testing our bargaining skills at the famed Pan Jia Yuan flea market. Later, we'll visit Beijing's university district and further explore imperial culture at the Summer Palace. We'll wrap up our last full day in Beijing with the quintessential Peking duck dinner. | Drum Tower Hostel or Sleepy Inn |
| 7 | Beijing - Transit | We'll say farewell to Beijing with a morning visit to the Yonghegong Lama Temple, Beijing's largest and most active buddhist temple. Later in the day, we'll board our overnight sleeper train to our next destination, Xi'an. We'll enjoy the ride and pass the time by napping, journaling, playing cards, snacking, or practicing Chinese with our fellow passengers. | Train |
| 8 | Xi'an | Upon arrival in Xi'an, 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. 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 |
| 9 | Xi'an | Today 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 |
| 10 | Shanghai | After enjoying a final morning in Xi'an, we'll make our way to the airport for our flight to Shanghai. Upon arrival, we'll get settled into our accommodations and begin exploring our neighborhood and sampling Shanghai's cuisine. We'll walk the Huangpu River on the Bund, appreciating the 20th century architecture of the former International Settlement in contrast to the hyper-futuristic skyline of Pudong just across the water. | Train |
| 11 | Shanghai | We'll stroll, shop, and people-watch while taking a walking tour of the French Concession. Later, we'll visit the Yuyuan Gardens and Market to hone our bargaining skills. We'll be sure to sample Shanghai's famous xiaolongbao or soup dumplings! | Shanghai Hotel |
| 12 | Shanghai | Today we'll explore the pedestrian eating and entertainment district of Xintiandi and the Shikumen museum to learn about the Shanghai equivalent of Beijing's hutong. Next, we'll enjoy Shanghai's take on the arts by exploring Moganshan Lu district. | Shanghai Hotel |
| 13 | 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 their creation and cultivation. | Shanghai Hotel |
| 14 | Shanghai | Today we'll get a broader view of China's breakneck development at the Urban Planning Museum. We'll also visit the nearby Shanghai Museum, considered to be one of the country's best and check out the People's Park along the way. We'll wander through the Tianzifang shopping area before saying farewell to China with a karaoke party! | Shanghai Hotel |
| 15 | Shanghai - USA | Today we'll travel at over 250mph on the Maglev train to Shanghai Pudong International Airport. Fly home! | Airplane and your bed eventually! |
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.
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.
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.
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
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.