Experience the historic and cultural essence of China’s urban and rural landscapes, combined with a rare chance to meet local families. Visiting and local youth connect through visits to Chinese schools, cultural activities and shared meals. With Trip Leader Ingrid Yin Ye, tour famous heritage sites at a child-friendly pace and volunteer in Chengdu and De Yang, close to the epicenter of the devastating 2008 earthquake.
Our hosts in China include Shanghai United International School, Diao Yuan School in De Yang and Da Cheng School in Beijing.
Highlights Include:
– Visit local families for dinner in their homes
– Shanghai’s historic Yuyuan Garden, Shanghai United International School and more
– Beijing’s Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, the Great Wall
– Trip leader and trip guides
– Community service (rebuild earthquake-damaged school, work with pandas)
– Children’s classes in Chinese language and arts
Cost:
From $2,150 per person
Included:
– Accommodations for 13 nights in hotels throughout China
– Airport transer at arrival and departure
– Ground transportation for all program activities
– Domestic flights between Shanghai, Chengdu and Beijing
– Trip leader and trip guides
– Entrance fees for all scheduled excursions
– Three meals per day
– Tips
– Pre-trip reading list and resources
– Global Buddies T-shirts
– Modest donations to our local host organizations
Not Included:
International flights; visa fees; travel insurance (highly recommended); personal expenses, including local purchases and alcoholic beverages.
Airfare:
International flights and travel insurance are arranged separately. Families may make their own arrangements or work with us to secure competitive airfares on a group flight, as well as insurance.
Register:
A deposit of $500 per person will hold your place on this trip. Please register early, as our trips fill quickly.
While we make every effort to maintain the listed price, drastic fluctuations in fuel costs and currency exchange rates may require the addition of a fuel surcharge or foreign exchange adjustment. All prices based on double occupancy; single supplements apply.
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ARRIVAL: You will be met at Shanghai International Airport and transported to your accommodations,where Global Buddies staff will greet you and orient you to the area. Traveling families gather for an opening dinner to welcome them to China. |
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PROGRAM BEGINS: Tour Shanghai, including a visit to the historic Yuyuan Garden, dating from the Ming Dynasty. Explore the Huangpu River and the Bund, Shanghai’s famous waterfront. |
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Visit the Shanghai United International School, to join in classes with local youth. After lunch with students and teachers, tour the Oriental Pearl TV Tower – the world’s third tallest TV and radio tower – and Shanghai Science Museum with local Global Buddies. View Era, an evening acrobatic extravaganza, at Shanghai Circus World. |
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Continue exploring Shanghai, including a ride on the famous magnetic levitation bullet train and a walking tour of Xin Tian Di, where old and new Shanghai meet. Tour Shanghai University with local Global Buddies and talk with international students about learning from different cultures. Enjoy dinner in the homes of local families. |
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Explore Zhu Jia Jiao, an ancient water town known as the Venice of Shanghai, where gondolas take you past traditional homes on the banks of the Yangtze River. Learn about China’s silk-making industry at a silk mill; bargain for clothes, quilts and handmade rugs. |
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Fly to Chengdu, where visiting families tour the historic Dujiangyan Irrigation System. Hike Qingcheng Mountain, one of the ancient cradles of Taoism. Attend an optional evening seminar on China’s water resources. |
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Travel to De Yang for community service at Diao Yuan Elementary School, which suffered severe damage in the 2008 earthquake. Work with local Global Buddies to help rebuild the school. Join teachers and families for a potluck dinner and Chinese crafts. |
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Community service project in the school continues, followed by farewell event with De Yang Global Buddies. Show your Chinese friends what a U.S. Independence Day celebration is like. |
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Visit the Giant Panda Breeding Research Institute to work with local students helping China’s endangered pandas. Back in Chengdu, tour the Wenshu Monastery and explore Jinli Street, an ancient shopping area. At a teahouse, enjoy an authentic arts performance. |
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Tour Mount Emei and the Leshan Giant Buddha, carved from a cliff face during the Tang Dynasty – a UNESCO world heritage site. Depart for Beijing by plane. |
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Spend a full day exploring Beijing, starting with its vanishing hutong – ancient lanes where many of the city’s residents still live. Visit the Forbidden City, once home of China’s imperial palace, and Tiananmen Square. Tour the gardens and pavilions of the Summer Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit the famous Yaxiu Market clothing bazaar. |
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Visit Da Cheng, a Beijing public school, to meet local students and learn about their lives. Explore the book stores in Zhong Guan Cun together, followed by a group lunch. Visit an art school with your Beijing Global Buddies, where all can participate in classes. Enjoy an evening performance of The Legend of Kungfu. |
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Visit China’s famed Great Wall, then tour two striking Olympic sites – the Bird’s Nest stadium and Water Cube aquatics center. Prepare to say goodbye to China with a farewell dinner and evening of games with Beijing Global Buddies. |
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DEPARTURE: Return to Beijing International Airport. Families may explore further on their own or begin their journey home. |
We reserve the right to adjust individual items on this itinerary as needed; the main components will not change.