China The North and East: Cultural Adventure and Discovery

Orientation in Beijing

Spend a few nights in China’s dynamic capital city. Practice Mandarin language skills in street markets, explore the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square, climb the Great Wall of China, and visit the Bird’s Nest and Olympic grounds as you adjust to life in the Middle Kingdom.

Urban Homestay in Chengde

Become part of your host family’s daily life in a small imperial resort city nestled between towering mountain ranges. Use your Mandarin skills as you visit local shops and an agricultural mountain village. Teach English to Chinese students in a primary school, then jump on a bicycle for unforgettable rides to ancient temples. A group of Chinese high school students joins you for the remainder of the program sharing laughter, conversation, and insights about the people you meet and the places you visit.

Inner-Mongolian Adventure

Travel by overnight train to the grasslands of Inner Mongolia, where you learn about the history and traditions of the Mongolian people and enjoy cool, desert nights. Ride horses and camels deep into the grasslands, voyage to the edge of the Gobi Desert for some sand skiing, and sleep in traditional yurts after a night of “Mongolian Disco.”

Rural Homestay in Buyangzhuang

Discover country life in China as you live with a host family in a Shandong village. You gain firsthand insight as you work in the fields, sing and dance with village children, share meals with your new family, and explore the countryside with your fellow American and Chinese travelers.

Travel and Discovery

Voyage through eastern China to visit Qufu, the birthplace of Confucius, and the modern city of Jinan, before catching a sleeper train to Shanghai. Climb sacred Mount Tai, bike through the Confucian Forest, take a pedicab through the streets of Qufu, and see the world-famous Shanghai acrobatic troupe.