Description

Interested volunteers can participate in a conservation project designed to clean, repair and save the Great Wall. Participants will have an opportunity to hike sections of the Great Wall which runs east to west about 4,500 miles through northern China. They will learn about its rich history. They will also be provided lessons by experts from "Friends of the Great Wall" in restoration and conservation.

The World Monument Fund has listed the Great Wall among "World's 100 Most Endangered Sites". China's most famous landmark was built over a period of 2,000 years to keep out barbarians from the north. Today, it has come to harm as a result of hordes of tourists writing on or carving their names and comments into the wall itself. Sections of the wall have also been knocked down to make way for roads and in some sections local people have taken chunks of the wall to use to build homes and schools. In addition to all of this, litter is left all over the great wall by tourists and locals alike.

Highlights

While in Beijing, Shanghai, and Xian volunteers will stay in hotels. While on the hike of the Great Wall volunteers will stay in local villagers homes.

Potential sites for service learning and or hikes are:
* Huang Huacheng Great Wall area
* MuTian Yu Great Wall area
* Simatai Great Wall area

Program Schedule:
Day 1: Arrival in Beijing
Day 2/3/4: Orientation, Crash course in Chinese, Visits to the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square
Day5/6/7: Hike and volunteer clean up of the Great Wall
Day 8/9: Rest in Beijing, seminar on the history of China and Conservation Efforts for the Great Wall
Day 10/11/12: Hike and volunteer clean up of the Great Wall
Day 13: Wangfujing shopping street and free time
Day 13: Take overnight train to Shanghai
Day 14/15: Tour of Bund, Shanghai Museum, Xiangyang market, Yu Garden
Day 15: Leave for USA

Note: Schedule may be subject to change

Qualifications

Volunteers need to be mature, responsible, and have an interest in conservation. They should have a moderate level of fitness for optional hikes.

Languages

• English

Cost in US$:

USD1,690

Program Fees Include:

* Volunteer work placement services
* Visa application
* All China domestic flight/train tickets
* Arrival orientation including a city tour
* On-site coordination by Abroad China representative
* Accommodation and partial food arrangement
* Lectures on conservation (optional)
* Call center services
* Short crash course in Chinese (optional)
* 100 rmb donation to the conservation of the Great Wall
* (excluding international flight and health insurance)

Experience Required

no

Volunteer Types

• Conservation
• Historic Preservation
• Restoration

This Program is open to

Worldwide Participants.

Typical Living Arrangements

• Apartment/Flat

Typically Participants Work

in Groups of 4 to 10 people

Abroad China, Inc's Mission Statement

Abroad China is committed to providing individuals unique opportunities to better understand China. We are a service oriented company offering several programs, which include internship programs, volunteer programs and study tours. Through these programs Abroad China aims to bridge the cultural gap that exists between China and the West.