2027 Alice Deal China Explorers Program
| Travel Dates: |
March 20, 2027 -
March 31, 2027
Dates are tentative until flight are secured
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| Group Organizer(s): |
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| WTT Contact: |
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| Program Tuition: |
$3,290 USD
Airfare not included in program tuition
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| Estimated Airfare: | $2,200 |
Important Reminders
Passport check
Insurance Reminder
Fundraiser
Review all materials
What to Expect
Please read through all of the information below. More details will be added as your departure draws closer.
Itinerary
We do everything possible to abide by itineraries as originally planned, but decades of experience teaches that we must be flexible in our planning. Changes to a trip’s schedule are uncommon, but Walking Tree reserves the right to make adjustments to programming in the best interest of the group.
| Day | Location | Description | Lodging |
|---|---|---|---|
| March 20 | USA - Beijing | Today the group will catch an overnight flight to Beijing. | Airplane |
| March 21 | USA - Beijing | Today we arrive in Beijing, China’s dynamic capital. Upon arrival, we will meet our local guide and transfer to our hotel. After lunch, the rest of the day is free to relax and recover from travel. | Beijing Hotel |
| March 22 | Beijing | After breakfast, we begin our exploration with a visit to Tiananmen Square, one of the largest public squares in the world, followed by the Forbidden City, the former imperial palace of the Ming and Qing dynasties. After lunch featuring Beijing’s famous Peking duck, we will explore the historic hutongs and participate in hands-on cultural activities such as paper cutting, calligraphy, and Peking opera mask painting. In the afternoon, we visit the Temple of Heaven before enjoying dinner. | Beijing Hotel |
| March 23 | Beijing | Today we participate in a school exchange experience. The day includes transportation and a guide, allowing us to engage with local students and experience daily school life in China. | Beijing Hotel |
| March 24 | Beijing → Xi’an | After breakfast, we visit the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall, one of the best-preserved and less crowded areas. We will take a cable car up and enjoy time exploring this iconic landmark. After lunch, we transfer to the train station and board a high-speed train to Xi’an (approximately 5 hours). A boxed dinner will be served on board. | Xi'an Hotel |
| March 25 | Xi’an | After breakfast, we visit the Terracotta Warriors Museum, one of the most significant archaeological discoveries in the world. Afterward, we head to the Muslim Quarter, where students will receive cash to explore local food options and experience the vibrant street culture. In the afternoon, we visit the Big Wild Goose Pagoda and later explore Datang Everbright City, a lively cultural district inspired by the Tang Dynasty. Dinner included. | Xi'an Hotel |
| March 26 | Xi’an → Chengdu | After breakfast, we visit the Ancient City Wall, where we can walk or bike along the top while taking in panoramic views. After lunch, we transfer to the train station and travel by high-speed train to Chengdu (approximately 4 hours). Upon arrival, we transfer to our hotel, followed by a hot pot dinner and a traditional face-changing performance. | Chengdu Hotel |
| March 27 | Chengdu | After breakfast, we travel to Dujiangyan to visit Panda Valley, a conservation base dedicated to giant pandas. After lunch, we explore the Dujiangyan Irrigation System, an ancient engineering marvel still in use today and recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We return to Chengdu for dinner. | Chengdu Hotel |
| March 28 | Chengdu → Shanghai | After breakfast, we visit Narrow Alley, a historic district showcasing traditional architecture, shops, and tea houses, followed by time at Chunxi Road, Chengdu’s main shopping street. After lunch, we transfer to the airport for a flight to Shanghai (approximately 2.5 hours). Upon arrival, we transfer to our hotel. Dinner will be provided as a stipend at the airport. | Shanghai Hotel |
| March 29 | Shanghai | After breakfast, we visit Tianzifang, an artsy district filled with galleries, shops, and cafes, followed by a visit to Yu Garden and its surrounding market. After lunch, we explore the Shanghai Natural History Museum, one of the largest in China. Dinner included. | Shanghai Hotel |
| March 30 | Shanghai | Today we visit Zhujiajiao Water Town, often referred to as the “Venice of Shanghai,” where we will explore canals, historic bridges, and traditional architecture. Students will receive cash for lunch to explore local food options. In the afternoon, we visit Nanjing Road and the Bund, where we will take in views of Shanghai’s skyline before enjoying a farewell dinner. | Shanghai Hotel |
| March 31 | Shanghai → USA | After breakfast and lunch, we transfer to the airport for our departure flight, concluding our journey through China. | Your own bed! |
Accommodations
In order to provide a safe and memorable experience, we follow strict guidelines when choosing group accommodations. Walking Tree partners with hotels and guest houses which are centrally located, locally operated, clean and safe. We inspect each partner hotel to ensure they meet these standards.
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.
Xishu Garden Inn – Chengdu
Xishu Garden Inn is a colorful and lively hotel located in the heart of Chengdu. It is inviting, charming and will offer a great place to retreat at the end of the day. Wifi and AC are available throughout the property and breakfast will be served each morning in the dining area. Students will be split between genders in double, triple or dorm style rooms depending on hotel availability.
JI Hotel Shanghai
JI Hotel (Shanghai Hongqiao Zhongshan West Road) is situated at No. 908 West Zhongshan Road in Shanghai’s Changning District, about a 10-minute drive from Hongqiao International Airport. The hotel features comfortable single and twin rooms with standard amenities, including Wi-Fi, air conditioning, and daily housekeeping. Guest services include a 24-hour reception, express check-in and check-out, laundry facilities, and a restaurant offering Chinese and international options. The property is conveniently located near public transportation and offers easy access to the city’s commercial and cultural areas.
Group Flight
Once your flight schedule has been confirmed, the itinerary will appear here.
Walking Tree will secure a seat on the group flight for each participant unless otherwise instructed.
Travelers are responsible for checked baggage fees. Please visit the airline’s baggage webpage to learn if you should expect to pay anything.
We will provide a group manifest – complete with reservation codes and ticket numbers – to the Group Organizer/s before departure, and travelers will need to check in at the airport in order to receive their boarding pass and have documents verified. We recommend arriving no later than three hours prior to the scheduled departure, but contact your Group Organizer for specific details on exactly where and when to meet on the day of departure.
FLIGHT INTERRUPTION, DELAY OR CANCELLATION
Air travel can be unpredictable. Regardless of proper planning, there may still be instances when a flight is delayed or cancelled due to staffing shortages, weather, mechanical problems, etc. Please note that in such an event, Walking Tree Travel (WTT) is not financially responsible for unanticipated costs incurred by travelers en route. Our programs officially begin and end in the destination country, and because our staff doesn’t fly with the group, Group Organizers (the traveling faculty member/s) become the front-line advocate for the group in the event of a delay. In most cases of cancellations or delays, the airline will be the one who re-books travel or possibly arranges a hotel and food the night. Our primary role will be to keep families updated and provide support to the Group Organizer to reach a quick and effective resolution.
Host Community and Project Details
Packing List
Support Team
At a minimum, one experienced Program Leader will travel on every trip. In addition to this full time leadership presence, Walking Tree has additional staff in all destinations and 24/7 support from our headquarters in Denver, Colorado. Below you’ll find the the team members involved in the preparation, planning and execution of your program.
Alena Shish
China Country Director, Program Leader
Middlebury College – B.A. in Chinese Language in Literature; Minor in French & Francophone Studies
Born in Ukraine and growing up in the United States, Alena is no stranger to thriving in different cultural environments and studying foreign languages (so far, she speaks four: English, Chinese, French, & Russian). While at Middlebury College, she had the opportunity to study in both Hangzhou, China, and Paris, France. Her time abroad inspired her to see the potential in study abroad and intercultural exchange for personal growth and cross-cultural understanding. Having fallen in love with the Chinese language, food, and culture while abroad, after graduation, she moved to Shenzhen, China to help Chinese high schools students through the US university application process. Since then, she’s also traveled around Russia, Israel, East Asia and all over China. So far, she’s been to 19 provinces, 4 municipalities, and 2 administrative regions in mainland China. When she’s not hiking or spending time reading, she’s obsessively baidu-ing (the Chinese Google) new Chinese slang, new Chinese dishes to try, or new places to explore in China. She’s excited to see to share her love of China, Chinese language, and travel with all her trip participants.
Emory University – B.A. Sociology and minor in Latin American History
Luke’s path to student travel began in Mexico, during a year abroad in Mexico and Central America. This formative time led him to join an international volunteer program which, after graduating from college, sent him to the small village of San Gerardo de Rivas in south-central Costa Rica. Welcomed by the loveliest of host families, his experience in this tiny town is directly connected to the beginnings of Walking Tree five years later. His love for travel still burns bright, and today he’s lucky to have a wife and daughter who are equally passionate about exploring the world. Settled in Denver, he adores his family and colleagues, skies whenever possible, and is a devoted fan of all Colorado sports teams.
Group Roster
Below is a list of the travelers enrolled on the program.
Blog and Communication
During travel we work hard to keep families updated as frequently as possible with blog posts and photos, giving you peace of mind that your traveler is safe and thriving on their program. Students regularly contribute to these posts, providing families back home a great way to vicariously track the progress of the trip. You will be notified when the first update is posted, after which we recommend checking in regularly via the black “Program Blog” button at the top of this webpage.
Assuming your school allows the use of cell phones, most destinations are wired enough to allow participants access WiFi at different moments in the program, allowing them to communicate directly with home. Ask your Walking Tree representative about the degree of connectivity on your program.
GLC Curriculum
Walking Tree has developed a curriculum of activities meant to help travelers get the most out of their trip before departure, during travel and after they return home. These simple and engaging activities are meant to spark discussion, frame experiences, and prepare participants to travel ethically and effectively both on this trip and on future adventures.For more information about student learning objectives and the format of the curriculum, click on the ‘learn more’ button below.
To view and complete the Pre-Program Activities, visit our online portal at the button below.
Standards of Behavior
In order to run a safe and successful program, it is vital that travelers are prepared to be on their best behavior and bring enthusiasm and interest to each and every day. A communal atmosphere of trust and mutual respect is the foundational. As such, all individuals participating on a Walking Tree program are required to take responsibility for their actions and adhere to a high standard of personal conduct.
IMMEDIATE DISMISSAL
- Possessing, consuming or distributing alcohol or illegal drugs.
- Associating with participants while they are in possession of alcohol or illegal drugs.
- Behaving in a way that consistently damages the group dynamic or jeopardizes personal or group safety. This includes consistently displaying a negative attitude, intimidating or excluding other participants, sneaking out, disobeying group leaders, and any other behavior that is not conducive to an atmosphere of trust and mutual respect.
GROUNDS FOR DISMISSAL OR IN-COUNTRY CONSEQUENCE
- Getting a piercing or tattoo.
- Stealing, or deliberately damaging or defacing any personal property, buildings or materials.
- Threatening physical or emotional harm, or brandishing a weapon.
- Possessing, consuming, or distributing tobacco or nicotine, including vape pens.
- Riding mopeds, motorcycles, or any other type of unauthorized vehicle.
- Being out of designated area or accommodations after curfew.
- Breaking group rules.
These standards of behavior are essential for the successful completion of your program. Please take the time to review these as a family and make sure everyone understands and agrees to them.
Health and Safety
We strongly recommend visiting the CDC China website to get the most updated information on health and vaccination considerations in your destination country. In addition, we encourage you to consult your personal family physician so you can be as informed as possible when making important decisions about vaccinations and other necessary health-related preparations before traveling.
Our in-country staff meticulously prepare for all programs. Walking Tree receives regular updates from the U.S. Department of State’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to proactively stay ahead of any potential security concerns. Our in-country staff also verify the safety records of our partner organizations, vendors, and transportation providers, thoroughly vet homestay families through in-depth interviews and visits, and stay informed about important current events in the region.
Program Leaders are seasoned travelers who are CPR and First Aid certified, undergo thorough training in crisis management, and participate in comprehensive leadership training. We do our best to prepare for any eventuality and have detailed emergency protocols for our leaders, in-country staff, and U.S.-based staff.
We collect medical disclosures from all participants to ensure we can meet every student’s needs during the program. Please inform us immediately of any additional health issues not listed during your initial registration process. Leaders and in-country staff are prepared to respond promptly to any mental, physical, or emotional health concerns and follow comprehensive emergency protocols.
Insurance
While we work hard to ensure the safest experience possible for our travelers on program, experience teaches that travel can be unpredictable. For this reason, we recommend that all travelers consider a travel insurance policy with a Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) provision. Detailed explanations of plan options can be found via the link below.
To provide travelers and families with a quality option, Walking Tree has partnered with Travel Insured International, one of the most respected providers in the industry. Begin by getting a quote here.
IMPORTANT NOTE: in order to secure coverage that includes CFAR, you must purchase the plan within 14-21 days of your first payment to Walking Tree. Be careful when you read the tenets of the policy to ensure you understand the required timeframe for purchase. You must also insure 100% of your trip cost, so program tuition + flight. Please reach out to us with questions.