Description

As the 21st century unfolds, it is clear that China will take a leading role in shaping the way our world develops. The world's most populous nation and dynamic economy has as its backdrop 5000 years of history and is home to a wide variety of rich cultural traditions and exotic cuisines. Furthermore, China is the worlds fourth largest country in area, with wide geographic diversity and stunning natural beauty. The China Immersion program provides access to all of this. Our month in the Far East will include visits to the Great Wall of China, Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, and exotic markets; study of Mandarin, Kung Fu, Chinese cuisine, Tai Chi, and calligraphy; visits to isolated villages and staggering Himalayan peaks on the Tibetan plateau; seminars with business leaders and government officials; biking though rice paddies and traditional farming villages, community service; and more. If you've already been to China, know a little about the country, or are simply intrigued by it, our China Immersion Program is ready to impress on every level.

Beijing:
After traveling halfway around the world, we land in one of the most unique and dynamic cities on earth. Beijing is home to 15 million people and provides one of the starkest examples available of the political communism and economic capitalism that drive China forward. We will spend our time visiting three of the best-known sites in the country: the Great Wall, the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square. Beijing is a great introduction to the country and offers the ideal setting to recover from jet lag, initiate group interactions, and to discuss and prepare for the amazing program ahead.

Kunming:
Kunming, capital of the southwestern province of Yunnan, will be our home as students enroll in a local university and study a wide breadth of Chinas most intriguing cultural disciplines. In the mornings, two hours will be devoted to Mandarin language study taught by local university faculty. Each afternoon, students will work on organized group projects or individual internships with local businesses. Evenings will be reserved for cultural classes such as kung fu, cooking, tai chi, calligraphy and more. After a broad introduction to all of the disciplines, students will be able to pursue their favorite. The group will live in university dormitories and will eat the majority of its meals on campus, while having ample opportunity to explore Kunming and the incredibly diverse culinary options that abound in this city of three million inhabitants.

Monastery and Dali:
Further on in our month well visit Dali, a popular tourist destination and a portal to Chinas idyllic past. We will tour the giant stupas that stand guard to the entrances of the city and admire the brilliantly colored clothes and unique customs of local indigenous groups. The highlight of our time here will be a two-night stay in a Shaolin monastery. High in the hills above the city, this complex of temples and living quarters is home to dozens of monks and young orphans who are taken in, fed, and trained by the monks. Students will practice kung fu, learn the basics of meditation, practice their Mandarin, and help perform daily chores.

Shangr-La:
Shangri-La, known locally as Zhongdian, is a remote town at the foothills of the Himalayas, which is ethnically Tibetan and has a wonderfully distinctive feel. We will spend our first day getting used to the altitude and touring the city and a beautiful Tibetan temple. The following morning the group will hike through mountain villages along beautiful trails, stopping to sample yak butter tea. We will have a picnic lunch and enjoy a full day outdoors.

Lijiang:
Celebrated for its dazzling hanging red lamps and meandering waterways, Lijiang is a beautiful town full of vendors and food stalls and is ripe for exploration. Our group will practice haggling in Mandarin, have an epic scavenger hunt, and enjoy the plethora of dining options for a few days in this idyllic setting.

Tiger Leaping Gorge:
One of the deepest canyons in the world, the gorge has been formed by the mighty Yangtze River and provides a unique landscape with spectacular views. Our group will depart early for two days of world-class trekking. We will spend the first day hiking into the gorge, where we will relax and spend the night at a guesthouse. On our second day of trekking, the group will hike out of the gorge, stop for lunch, and stay the night in Shu he, a traditional village.

Highlights

* 30 Hour of Community Service
* Chinese Language Immersion
* 2 Night Stay in a Shaolin Monastery
* 2 Day Trek through Tiger Leaping Gorge

Type of Programs

• Adventure Travel
• Community Service / Volunteerism
• Cultural Exploration
• High School Study Abroad
• Language Immersion

Languages

• Chinese

Cost in US$:

USD 5,990

Program Fees Include:

Financial aid is available for those who qualify. Tuition includes international airfare from designated departure city, three meals a day, all accommodations, ground transportation, contributions to service projects, group activities, entrance fees, group entertainment costs and rentals.

This Program is open to

Worldwide Participants.

Participants Travel

in Groups

Typically Participants Work

in Groups of 10-15

Application Process Involves

• Essay
• Letters of Reference
• Written Application

Typically The Application Process Time is

1 week

Post Services Include

• Alumni Network

Walking Tree Travel's Mission Statement

To inspire young adults to become global citizens by taking an active interest in the world around them. We specialize in programs for high school students that focus on linguistic immersion, cultural immersion, international community service, and include a host of other meaningful adventures.

Year Founded

2004