China 3-Week

Both historically and recently, Beijing has been a portal through which China has interacted with the rest of the world. In past centuries, that interaction was marked by violence and the building of the Great Wall to ward off hostile forces to the north. Modern China has sought to reach out to the world in a different manner by hosting the Olympics and using Beijing as a showcase for its achievements. Fittingly, we begin our tour by visiting the historic Forbidden City, the Temple of Heaven, and the modern venues from the 2008 Summer Olympics.  One full day we travel to the Great Wall to trek a section of the 5,000 mile iconic landmark.

During this time, we get to know one another through orientation activities. We present basic language lessons for students to provide them with greetings and other conversational skills to use when interacting with locals and bargaining in markets. And don’t forget the food! Our sightseeing and orientation is punctuated by the sampling of China’s various cuisines (remember to practice your chopstick skills beforehand)!

Before leaving Beijing, we give back to the city by volunteering at a school for low-income students who have relocated to the capital city from rural China. Previous groups have designed murals, painted classrooms, and built a library from scratch.

From Beijing, we fly to China’s southwest, landing in Chengdu. From there we move into the bamboo forests of Sichuan and head to one of China’s major panda research stations. Bifengxia is set in a ravine crowded with trees and filled with the sounds of songbirds. The dense foliage and mysterious setting provide a perfect backdrop for one of the world’s most elusive animals.

At Bifengxia we receive training and information regarding China’s endangered Giant Pandas, and assist the staff of Bifengxia in their care of these amazing animals. We interact with the pandas in the park’s many enclosures: large natural areas that provide safe habitat. These facilities were created to teach pandas valuable survival skills before their release into the wild. Students gain a respect for and understanding of the physical and environmental factors threatening species such as Giant Pandas.

While our time in Beijing is about the sights, our stay in Xi’an is about the people. We work with children in one of China’s only orphanages dedicated to serving children in need of medical care. Here, we provide the home with invaluable assistance. The exceptional children we meet have heightened needs for a loving, nurturing environment due to congenital disorders that are not addressed by their own families or other orphanages. This experience allows us to interact with Chinese children, giving them companionship and providing Global Works students with perspective on societal issues in China.

Naturally, it is not all work and no play! Xi’an is home to a number of famous sites—the Terra Cotta Warriors, Big Goose Pagoda, and Great Mosque. We also have time for some shopping in the expansive marketplace of Xi’an.

Xi’an is our final destination and the place where students reminisce about their trip before returning home. In Xi’an we experience the city’s bustling energy. We go out for a famous hot pot meal and take in a local theater presentation, and have plenty of time to share stories and cement the friendships you have made on this amazing adventure.