China

China — May 2009

Tentative Activities Calendar

[The events, dates, & times in this activities calendar are subject to alteration in case of unforeseen conditions such as museum closings, inclement weather, or changes in the travel schedule.]

Day 1
Be at the Continental check-in at the Charlotte Airport no later than 4:30 am! [Allow plenty of time for security check-in.] Depart for Newark. Depart Newark for Shanghai.

Day 2
Arrive in Shanghai where local guide will greet you at airport. Transfer to hotel, the remainder of today is on your own to relax and rest up. (Classical Shanghai Food for your dinner tonight.)

Day 3
Depart Shanghai with luggage for Suzhou. Tour Tongli Ancient town en route to Suzhou. A charming town, Tongli boasts a picturesque collection of ancient bridges crisscrossing meandering rivers. After the tour, continue your trip to Suzhou, known for exquisite gardens and silk production. Breakfast and lunch included today.

Day 4
This morning you will tour some well-known gardens, such as Zhuozheng and Wangshi. Next, we will visit a local silk factory, where you can learn more about silk production. After your visit, you will have free time to stroll in this elegant and ancient city. Travel back to Shanghai, visit Shanghai Museum late afternoon. Breakfast and lunch included today.

Day 5
Today, you’ll stroll through Old Town, then along the Bund, Shanghai’s famed waterfront promenade. Board a big boat for a cruise tour to enjoy the view of China’ s busiest city. Then you will visit Yu Garden, it is one of the finest gardens in the Country. After visit, you will have free time to tour Chenghuangmiao Market and the surrounding financial district.

Breakfast and lunch included today. Evening: Chinese Acrobatics show.

Day 6
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your departure to Kunming. You will be greeted at the airport by local Habitat for Humanity representatives and then transfer to Dada Village. Welcome orientation and dinner at the hotel.

Day 7
You will have an 8:00 am departure for the worksite. After a briefing and safety orientation, you will begin your projects. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included today. Return to hotel at 4:30 pm.

Day 8
You will have an 8:00 am departure for the worksite. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included today. Return to hotel at 4:30 pm.

Day 9
You will have an 8:00 am departure for the worksite. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included today. Return to hotel at 4:30 pm.

Day 10
Transfer to Kunming airport for your departure to Chengdu. Upon arrival, you will be greeted by the local guide. You will go to the Sanyuan Middle School where you will spend the night with the students in the dormitory.

Day 11
You will spend the day at the high school, communicate with local students, learn the local culture and experience the local life. Breakfast and lunch with local students, dinner at local students’ home.

Day 12
This morning, visit Panda Breeding Base, where you can have a very close look at different aged pandas. In the afternoon, tour People’s Park which is always busy for the social activities, after the visit you can enjoy a cup of jasmine tea in a out-door tea house. Then stroll around the old district of the city. Evening: Sichuan Mask-Changing folk show is arranged for you tonight. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included today. Dinner will be Sichuan Spicy Hot Pot.

Day 13
After breakfast, you will transfer to Leshan city to see the Grand Buddha, the largest sitting Buddha statue in the world. You will then hike up the mountain to visit Wuyou and Lingyun Monasteries. Then you will reach to the head of the Buddha, hike down on the cliff path to see the whole statue. Late afternoon, you will continue your trip to Mt. Emei, taking the cable car up to Wannian Monastery in the mid-mountain area.

Lunch is arranged at local characteristic Tofu restaurant, while dinner is vegetarian at the monastery. Overnight stay at Wannian monastery.

Day 14
Hike down the mountain to visit Natural Monkey habitat, and Qingyin Pavillion, then transfer back to Chengdu. Fly to Xi’ an, a well-known historical city in China. Upon arrival, you will be greeted by the local guide, and transfer to your hotel, with the rest of day is on your own to discover this old city. Breakfast and lunch included today. Evening: Tang Cultural Show and Dinner.

Day 15
Travel to tour the mausoleum of Emperor Qin Shi Huang where you will see thousands of life-sized Terra Cotta Warriors and horses. Transfer back to downtown, cycling on the ancient city walls, visit aged Bell Tower and Big Wild Goose Pagoda.

After visit, we will stop at a local clean sauna house for shower, then go for dinner in Defachang Dumpling restaurant. After dinner, transfer to the railway station for your departure to Beijing by overnight train, soft sleeper T56 departing at 9:20 pm and arriving at 9:58 am.

Day 16
Upon arrival in Beijing, you will be greeted by the local guide, and have free time to stroll around the old Hutong Alley and visit local homes. After lunch, check in at hotel for a break, then continue your trip to the Temple of Heaven this afternoon. Breakfast is on your own but you will have lunch with a local family.

Day 17
This morning you will visit Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City. This afternoon, you free time to explore on your own. Evening : Beijing Opera. Breakfast and lunch (Beijing Sauce Noodle Restaurant) included today.

Day 18
We will travel outside of Beijing to the Great Wall. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included today with a special treat of Peking Duck this evening.

Day 19
Leave hotel for a visit to Visit to Olympic Village and factory.

Day 20
Visit local market then transfer to the airport for your departure back home. Depart for Newark. After customs and immigration, depart on for Charlotte.