ITINERARY
TRAVEL
DOCUMENTATION
ACCOMMODATIONS
MEALS
ITINERARY*
DAY 1 - FRIDAY, JULY 10
SEATTLE: ARRIVAL IN THE GATEWAY CITY
Over a light dinner, meet your seminar staff and fellow travelers at the seminar introduction/orientation. Stay overnight and relax in a Seattle hotel. D**
DAY 2 - SATURDAY, JULY 11
SEATTLE-BEIJING: TRANSPACIFIC FLIGHT TO ASIA
Early morning flight to Beijing - crossing the International Dateline, paired with flight time to China. Relax, sit back, enjoy the flight and prepare for your amazing journey. BLD
DAY 3 - SUNDAY, JULY 12
BEIJING: WELCOME TO THE MIDDLE KINGDOM AND
CHINA’S MAGNIFICENT CAPITAL
Welcome to Beijing, China, one of the world’s most historic capital cities. After checking into hotel, attend introductions by your Chinese guides, additional seminar briefing, and cultural orientation. In the evening, dine on Beijing’s most famous and traditional meal, Peking Roast Duck.
Hotel: Holiday Inn Express - Beijing Minzuyuan. BLD
DAY 4 - MONDAY, JULY 13
BEIJING: CHINA’S OLYMPIC DREAMS REVEALED
Take a guided tour of Central Beijing, including Tiananmen Square, The Grand National Theater, and The Forbidden City. Experience the 2008 Olympic Summer Games with visits to The National Stadium (“The Bird’s Nest”), The National Aquatics Center (“The Water Cube”), and the Olympic Village food court (lunch). Next, travel to Shichahai Sports Training School for Chinese High School Students. Play ping pong, practice Kung Fu, and take a sports lesson with Chinese friends. Have fun testing your new skills while they practice their English on you. End the day with dinner along Wangfujing Shopping Street (dining options include western, Chinese, and American fast food). BLD
DAY 5 - TUESDAY, JULY 14
BEIJING: A DAY IN THE LIFE AND CHINA’S GREAT WALL
Enjoy morning Tai Chi exercise in a public park before exploring the famous Beijing subway system. Later, visit a local market and watch the Chinese shop and bargain: if inspired, test your Mandarin and bargaining skills. Lunch will be en-route to the Great Wall of China. After an invigorating hike along the landmark, enjoy sunset over the Wall with a barbecue dinner on the roof of the Badaling Restaurant. BLD
DAY 6 - WEDNESDAY, JULY 15
BEIJING: HISTORIC NEIGHBORHOODS AND CROSS-CULTURAL PERSPECTIVES
Visit the Hutongs, traditional Beijing neighborhoods, by rickshaw, and travel through narrow streets to catch a glimpse of old Beijing. In one local family’s home, help prepare and then eat lunch together. In the afternoon, delegates from the U.S. Embassy will brief the group on Sino-US relations and life as a western foreigner in Beijing. In the evening, board an overnight train to Xi’an in superior-class, private sleeper cars. BLD
DAY 7 - THURSDAY, JULY 16
XI’AN: THE ANCIENT CAPITAL
Xi’an (pronounced Shi-an) means “West Peace.” This former capital is full of diversity, history, and culture. After a morning arrival, take an energizing bicycle ride on the Ancient City Walls. After, stroll through the Muslim Quarter’s narrow allies and shops. Lunch includes traditional dumplings, a local favorite. At the Shaanxi Provincial Museum, local guides present the treasures of the Han and Tang dynasties. Enjoy a warm summer early evening at Pagoda Square watching the folk dancing and water fountain show. Dine at a local restaurant to end the day. Hotel: Xi’an - Aurum Hotel. BLD
DAY 8 - FRIDAY, JULY 17
XI’AN: THE EIGHTH WONDER OF THE WORLD
Take a journey outside the city to The 8,000 Warrior Terra Cotta Army Museum and I-MAX movie. At lunch, watch traditional noodle making before sampling a bowl. In the afternoon, join Chinese students and a master of the art for a lesson on mask painting for the Chinese Opera.Dinner at a local pedestrian shopping area (dining options include western, Chinese, and American fast food). BLD
DAY 9 - SATURDAY, JULY 18
CHENGDU: CHINA’S GIANT PANDA AND THE SICHUAN PROVINCE
After morning flight to Chengdu and lunch, visit the Panda Breeding and Research Center – China’s top reserve for Giant Panda research. After learning Chinese wildlife policies, take the option to hold a panda in your arms. In the evening, taste the local and famously spicy Sichuan cuisine.
Hotel: Chengdu Minshan Hotel. BLD
DAY 10 - SUNDAY, JULY 19
CHENGDU: 2000 YEARS OF SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT AND
ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP
Travel through the countryside to Dujiangyan Ancient Irrigation Project, a working irrigation system created to prevent flooding and provide water. Later, explore a “Lost Civilization” with a visit to Jinsha Ruin Museum. Before leaving Chengdu, sit for a Sichuan Hot Pot dinner and the Sichuan Opera, complete with magical face changing. BLD
DAY 11 - MONDAY, JULY 20
SHANGHAI: A WINDOW INTO NEW CHINA
Fly to Shanghai in the morning. Begin visit with the Yu Garden: a maze of colorful pavilions, ponds, stone dragons, arching trees, and flowers. For lunch, visit The Bund and Najning Road for shopping and free exploration. Spend the evening watching the world famous Shanghai Acrobats. Have dinner in a shopping mall area with Chinese and western options. BLD
DAY 12 - TUESDAY, JULY 21
SUZHOU: THE VENICE OF THE EAST, CITY OF GARDENS
Drive outside the city to Suzhou to view the classic Chinese garden, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Suzhou’s gardens date back to the 11th Century. After lunch, take a boar trip along the old city’s ancient canals followed by an opportunity to learn about the region’s vital silk industry, still active today as it was centuries ago. In the evening, try Shanghainese cuisine at a local restaurant. BLD
DAY 13 - WEDNESDAY, JULY 22
SHANGHAI: MODERN MARVELS AND RICH HISTORY
Climb the amazing Shanghai World Financial Center and view the entire city from the 94th floor of the world’s second tallest building. After lunch, explore the Shanghai Museum to see thousands of artifacts, works of art, and world treasures. Later, meet China’s next generation of talented chefs with a lesson at a local cooking school. In the evening, board a ship for the farewell dinner cruise on the Huangpu River. Close your China adventure celebrating, dining, and dancing with your fellow travelers and new global friends.
Hotel: Holiday Inn Downtown Shanghai. BLD
DAY 14 - THURSDAY, JULY 23
SHANGHAI - SEATTLE: FAREWELL AND HOMEWARD BOUND
After breakfast, depart for the airport on the MagnaLev: the world’s fastest train, capable of speeds exceeding 240 miles per hour. Check in for your flight home. Arrive in the United States on the same day you left (due to the international time change). BLD
*Schedule may require adjustments to accommodate changes in travel plans, specific events, and the needs of the group. Please visit www.workshops.org for a complete and current itinerary.
**Meal Guide: Included daily meals noted with B (Breakfast), L (Lunch), and D (Dinner). All non-included meals are fully supervised and take place in contained, commercial, and secure plaza or shopping center-like areas.
TRAVEL
International Air: International air travel is included with the seminar and is comprised of scheduled air service between the U.S. gateway city and the seminar location. The 2009 Global Awareness: China will use the following flight itinerary for international flights:
*Please only purchase your travel to and from Seattle after you have been fully enrolled in the seminar.
Students hoping to travel with the group to China, but intending to use their own ticket, may be eligible for a refund of U.S. $900.00. Please call our office by the enrollment deadline if you wish to select this option.
Domestic Air: Chinese domestic air travel between cities will occur on scheduled Chinese airlines that use only Airbus and Boeing aircraft. Workshops flights within China are safe, comfortable, and reliable by U.S standards.
Domestic Train: Travel between Beijing and Xi’an will occur on an overnight train within superior class, private sleeper car roomettes. This train journey provides an excellent opportunity to see the countryside and enjoy a unique travel experience.
Domestic Motor Coach: Travel within each city will be aboard private, charter motor coach operated by professional drivers. Workshops prefers motor coaches as they are typically newer, well-kept, and very clean.
DOCUMENTATION
Passports and Visa: A current passport ID is required for all travel to China and is the responsibility of the traveler to purchase/obtain. Workshops asks that those yet to get a passport begin the application process immediately. A Chinese Travel Visa is also required, though the service and processing fee of this document are included with seminar tuition. Upon enrollment, expect a Chinese Visa information packet containing complete step-by-step instructions for acquiring your Chinese Travel Visa to arrive.
ACCOMMODATIONS
Hotels are chosen based first upon location, safety, amenities, and service. At the same time, we strive to book hotels with local flavor. Such hotels, however, must provide the comforts of western lodgings, including English-speaking staff, internet, TV stations in English, western furnishings, and western breakfasts. 2009 China hotels in each city are as follows:
Seattle: First evening: seminar orientation, dinner, and one overnight. Airport area: TBA.
Beijing: Holiday Inn Express – Beijing Minzuyuan
Xi’an: Aurum International Hotel
Chengdu: Chengdu Minshan Hotel
Shanghai: Holiday Inn – Downtown Shanghai
MEALS
During the seminar, all breakfasts will be served at hotels. Breakfast will be western, buffet style with a variety of hot and cold options. Included lunches and dinners will take place at local restaurants chosen for location, cleanliness, quality, service, and, most importantly, reflection of local cuisine.
Select lunches and dinners will be designated as opportunities for students to choose meals on their own. We believe such freedom during a cultural emersion seminar allows students to exchange currency, practice using foreign language, and interact with locals for educational and personal benefit. Program advisors and guides will always be available for assistance during these events.
All non-included meals are fully supervised and take place in contained, commercial, and secure plazas or shopping center-like areas. Such eateries will have western food, international food, American fast-food, and Chinese food options. Workshops gladly accommodates all possible dietary needs and restrictions such as vegetarian and common food allergies.