2021 Northshore China Cultural Journey
| Travel Dates: | April 9, 2021 - April 17, 2021 |
| Group Organizer(s): |
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| WTT Contact: |
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| Program Tuition: |
$2,590 USD
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: $2,590
Pay in Full
$2,590.00
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:
$59.72
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
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.
| Day | Date | Location | Description | Accomodation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2020-04-09 00:00:00 | US | Today we'll depart the USA and fly to Beijing. | Plane |
| 2 | 2020-04-10 00:00:00 | 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 Hotel |
| 3 | 2020-04-11 00:00:00 | 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 by beating drums ancient times. 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 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 Hotel |
| 4 | 2020-04-12 00:00:00 | Beijing | Today, we'll participate in a service day to learn more about China and Chinese society. Our potential projects could include joining in activities with an NGO that works with farmers' children or visiting a school for children with autism. In the evening, we'll try the famous Peking duck. | Drum Tower Hotel |
| 5 | 2020-04-13 00:00:00 | Beijing | In the morning, we'll visit the restored section of the Great Wall at Mutianyu and get a chance to tobaggan down the Wall. Afterwards, we'll travel to a rural village at the foot of the Great Wall of China (Xiangshuihu). We'll hike through chestnut orchards, walk past 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. | Drum Tower Hotel |
| 6 | 2020-04-14 00:00:00 | Beijing-Xi'an | Today, we'll make our way back from Xiangshuihu to the Beijing train station to a high-speed train to Xi'an. We'll spend the afternoon observing the Chinese countryside while riding on part of the world's longest high-speed railway network! | Xi'an Traveling With Hotel |
| 7 | 2020-04-15 00:00:00 | Xi'an | Today we'll explore the sights and sounds of Xi'an by strolling (or biking) along the ancient city wall, one of the few remaining intact in a major city across China. After, 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! After we've seen the Terracotta Warriors, we'll join a workshop to learn how reproductions are made. Later on, we'll further hone our historical knowledge by checking out the famed Shaanxi Provincial Museum. | Xi'an Traveling With Hotel |
| 8 | 2020-04-16 00:00:00 | Xi'an | On our final day in Xi'an, we'll head to the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda dating to the Tang Dynasty. Afterwards, we'll check out Xi'an Muslim Quarter, which contains China's largest mosque, The Great Mosque, and a bustling, snack street filled with goodies like cumin-flavored lamb and roujiamo - also know as the "Chinese hamburger." | Xi'an Traveling With Hotel |
| 9 | 2020-04-17 00:00:00 | Xi'an - US | We will travel back to Beijing and fly home! 中国再见！ | Plane |
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.
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
This was our daughter’s 2nd trip with Walking Tree. In 2016, she took her school’s first trip with Walking Tree to Ecuador, and absolutely loved it. Once again, the Walking Tree representative was excellent. My daughter said Ben really made the trip, and worked hard to keep the group happy. Other positives: communication before the trip, website outline, daily blogs and trip photos. Very professional organization. We feel very secure sending our student out into the world with Walking Tree.
Andrea
Parent of Olivia, traveler on California 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.