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2009 Tianjin International
Youth & Children's Culture & Art Festival
Sample
Itinerary
Day 1
7/21
Depart for Beijing
Depart for Beijing. Cross
the International Date Line to the wonders of China. In-flight meals.
Day 2
7/22
Beijing
Arrive late day in
Beijing, China's bustling capital. board your air-conditioned motor
coach, sit back and enjoy the night scenery of Beijing as your bus takes
you to your hotel. You will be surprised to find how modern Beijing
really is. Beijing now rivals Hong Kong and Tokyo as one of the great
cities of Asia. Beijing's tourism industry has been brought up to
Western standards almost overnight, with shopping malls and
international hotels, all connected by an intricate freeway and subway
system criss-crossing the city. Porters will handle your luggage and
deliver it to your room. Exchange money at the front desk and then enjoy
a good night's sleep for a bright start the following morning. (B.L.D.)
Day 3
7/23
Beijing
You will get up early
today to begin your official tour of Beijing. First is the imposing
Forbidden City, the secluded and guarded home to the emperors of China.
From outside you cannot imagine how immense this royal palace really is
until you walk through it. In front of the Forbidden City is Tiananmen
Square, which at 98 acres is the largest public square in the world and
site of many history-making events. A visit to the 15th
century Temple of Heaven shows you where the emperors made offerings for
the harvest. Today it is a popular place for local people to play chess,
practice tai chi or listen to the Peking Opera. This evening attend a
welcome banquet. (B.L.D.)
Day
4 7/24
Beijing
You may have studied in
school about the rare and endangered panda. Today you will have the
chance to see some up close at the Beijing Zoo’s Panda Garden. But
before we see the pandas, we’ll visit the famous Summer Palace, the
largest park in Beijing, with a huge lake dug by hand in 1888. It was a
favorite haunt of the Dowager Empress Cixi. A boat made entirely of
marble is evidence of how she squandered China's treasury at the end of
the 19th Century. Walking tour of local hutongs, Beijing
residential area. Enjoy Beijing acrobatic show in the evening. (B.L.D.)
Day
5 7/25
Beijing/Tianjin
Morning travel to
Tianjin. Attend opening ceremony of 2009
Tianjin International
Children's Culture & Art Festival. (B.L.D)
Day
6-10 7/26-30
Tianjin
Tianjin
International Children's Culture & Art Festival. (B.L.D)
Day 11
7/31
Tianjin
Tianjin
International Children's Culture & Art Festival. Closing Ceremony.
Experience Chinese train
travel by taking a day-time ride to Qufu, the hometown of Confucius
("Kong Zi" in Chinese). Confucius is probably the greatest philosopher
and educator in Chinese history and his thinking has helped shape the
Chinese culture as it is and influenced the cultures of many East Asian
countries such as Japan, Korea, and Vietnam. Take a brief walking tour
in the city before a delicious Shandong Cuisine Dinner. (B.L.D)
Day 12
8/1
Qufu
The Temple, Cemetery and
Family Mansion of Confucius (WHS), the great philosopher, politician and
educator of the 6th - 5th centuries B.C., are regarded as one of the top
heritage sites by the Chinese people. Built to commemorate him in 478
B.C., the Confucius Temple has been destroyed and reconstructed over the
centuries. Today it comprises of more than 100 buildings. The Kong
Family Cemetery contains Confucius' tomb and the remains of more than
100,000 of his descendants. The small house of the Kong family developed
into a gigantic aristocratic residence - Confucius Mansion, of which 152
buildings remain. The Qufu complex of monuments has retained its
outstanding artistic and historic character due to the devotion of
successive Chinese emperors over more than 2,000 years. You spend the
full day exploring this huge complex and learn about the teachings of
the ancient Sage. Evening travel to Tai’an by motor coach. (B.L.D)
Day 13
8/2 Tai'an
Tai'an is the base for
climbing the Mount Tai, one of the holiest mountains in Chinese beliefs,
which soars up to 1,545 meters from the east China plains. Mount Tai
("Tai Shan" in Chinese) was the haunt of emperors and earned numerous
titles from the imperial court of various dynasties. Climb up to
Zhongtianmen (Halfway Gate to Heaven) and from here you will take the
cable car up to the top. Spend a couple of hours exploring the monuments
and structures at the peak and get a gorgeous view of the low land
surrounding the mountain. Descend the mountain in the afternoon and
transfer to Jinan by motor coach. Stay overnight in Jinan. (B.L.D)
Day 14
8/3
Return home
Transfer to Jinan Airport
and fly to Beijing in the morning then connect to your international
flight home. Arrive in US the same day. (B)
Trip
Details
Hotels:
We house our students
exclusively in air-conditioned, four star hotels or the International
Village at Tianjin. Each room holds two students in individual beds and
has a private bath.
Meals: All
meals are included in the price of the trip, as are three special meals,
traditional Chinese feasts. Students with special food needs, such as
Kosher or vegetarian, should indicate so on the Tour Commitment Form so
special arrangements can be made.
Insurance: Trip
insurance is available at an additional price for those desiring
coverage in the event you must cancel your travel plans due to sickness.
Travel Wear: In
addition to group uniforms, students and chaperones should pack
comfortable, hot-weather clothing and comfortable shoes.
Learn About China:
We will provide several handouts about the
culture, language and history of China and host some learning sessions
for students, chaperones and parents. Plus, more information is
available on our Web site at
www.mingschina.com.
Cost: Double occupancy
Performers: $2300
One tour director/conductor:
free
Chaperons:
$2590
Accompanying parents and
other interested visitors: $2860
Highlights:
Visits to six world
heritages sights, Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace, Great
Wall, Mount Tai, Temple and
Family Mansion of Confucius
Opening and Closing Ceremony of Tianjin Art
Festival (TAF)
Performance for Tianjin Art Festival
All teams
climbing race on the Great Wall
World
children’s grand party
Children’s performing arts shows
Interactions
with friends from around the world
Exhibitions of children’s artwork
Tianjin local culture tours
Acrobatic
Show
Including:
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International air from JFK to
Beijing and Beijing/JFK
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All land transportation within
China
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Express train
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All meals per itinerary
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3. 4 star hotels and hotel taxes
and dining taxes
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English-speaking
guides
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Transfer between
airport, hotels
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Baggage handling for
one piece of luggage per person
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Admissions and
cultural events
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Gratuities for guides
& drivers
Not include:
Passport & visa fees; trip cancellation and baggage insurance, personal
items and expenses, airport transfers for those not on groups flights,
excess baggage; airport taxes, gratuities to hotel personnel, soft
drinks and alcoholic beverages with dinner or at any other time not
mentioned as included.
For more information,
please call:
Chinese Cultural
Exchange & Homeland Tours
P.O. Box 271333
West
Hartford, CT 06127
Tel:
860-523-9797; 866-666-6520
E-mail: ccehtfd@aol.com
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