Amazing Details

China Cultural Immersion Adventure Tour for Teenagers

AMAZING DETAILS

BEIJING

The capital is the political and cultural heart of China and perfectly captures the enormous contrast of old and new. Just steps from touring the Forbidden City, home of the Emperor and ancient Imperial Palace, we find ourselves in front of the Bird’s Nest and Water Cube now a water park), site of the recent Olympics and ultimate symbol of modern China. Experience being in Tiananmen Square the largest city square in the world and etched in our minds from the 1989 prodemocracy protests. Our cultural exchange at the Children’s Palace includes Kung Fu and calligraphy lessons. Climb the Great Wall, a 5,500 mile long protective barrier of China for over 11 centuries. Explore the neighborhoods or Hutongs by pedi-cab and enjoy an amazing night of karaoke. Observe hundreds of people in their traditional morning T’ai Chi exercises outdoors at the beautiful Summer Palace.

XI’AN

After a comfortable overnight train, we arrive in one of the four Great Ancient Capitals and what was the starting point for the famous Silk Road trading route to the West. Enjoy two days of cultural exchange with the children of a local school who are eager to learn about your Western life and in turn share their world. Learn the art of paper cutting and cycle upon the city’s fortress wall. Discover the fascinating Terracotta army, over 8,000 individually and uniquely sculpted figures built over 2,000 years ago for Emperor Qin. Amazingly, they lay hidden until 3 farmers stumbled upon them while digging in 1974.

CHENGDU & BI FENG XIA PANDA CENTER

With rapid development destroying their habitat of bamboo forests, the gentle and beautiful giant panda is an endangered species. At the center, we help volunteers care for, feed, clean and pamper these affectionate animals who, despite being ‘bears’, really don’t exhibit any bear-like qualities. This promises to be a trip highlight!

SHANGHAI

Where the mouth of the Yangtze River enters the East China Sea, the country’s largest city is its financial hub, one of the fastest advancing cities in the world and a shopping paradise! Gaze out from the world’s highest observation deck atop the World Financial Center. Tour the beautiful Jade Temple in the Old City, walk the famous pedestrian area known as The Bund, and relax with a traditional Chinese foot massage. Ride the fastest train in the world – the Magnetic Train, and witness a daring and unbelievable Shanghai acrobatic show. At night we experience Karaoke – Chinese style as we explore this charming European-style Asian city.

GUILIN AND YANGSHUO

This region enjoys the reputation for having China’s most beautiful scenery. Travel by boat down the Li River and play in the mud baths in spectacular caves of stalagmites and twisting, turning tunnels. Spend an incredible day rock-climbing the spectacular Karst Mountains with expert guides in the top climbing destination in Asia. Take a bike tour along the Yulong River and watch and learn from skilled fisherman as they use a combination of handmade wood spears and their trusted birds to catch their dinner in what is called cormorant fishing. Learn how to cook traditional dishes and of course enjoy the feast at our very own Chinese cooking school.

HONG KONG

This city of 7 million people, famous for its magnificent skyline, is one of the most densely populated places on earth. Turned over to China from the British in 1997, this ‘Special Administrative Region’, one of only 2 in all of China, is a thrilling place to visit and experience. We take a trip up to 2 of Hong Kong’s most famous landmarks: Victoria Peak and the Bank of China Tower, to truly admire the incredible 7,650 skyscrapers, the most of any city in the world. No wonder some describe it as orderly chaos. We visit some of the city’s beautiful islands, where we’ll take a cable car to see the world’s largest sitting Buddha and have a swimming adventure in water as crystal clear as the South Pacific. Cross the Hong Kong Harbor on the famous Star Ferry and visit famous markets to get a chance to shop and bargain for everything you can possibly imagine. Our final banquet is our time to look back on a summer experience that surely will leave you forever changed!