A JOURNEY TO EXPLORE THE REAL CHINA
---BANGOR CHINESE SCHOOL 2009 TRIP TO CHINA
Bangor Chinese School in collaboration with Maine Language and Culture Center| 53 Cumberland Street| 
Bangor, ME 04401 | 207-990-0710 | Fax 207-990-0710
July 25 - August 7, 2009 
BEIJING-INNER MONGOLIA-XIAN-SHANGHAI

Saturday, July 25
Depart for Beijing, China
• From Bangor / Portland, Maine
• It may be a great opportunity to take some time for practicing your Chinese language skills during the long flight. 

Sunday, July 26
Arrive at Beijing, China around 9:00 p.m.; take a good rest after going to the Beilin Hotel. 
• You may want to exchange some of your US Dollars to Chinese Renminbi at the airport. Please keep the receipt, you may need it when you exchange the money back prior to departing for home. 
• Lose this day as you cross the international dateline. Not to worry; you’ll get it back when
you come home!
• Light food and more yogurt and milk.

Monday, July 27
Beijing, China           (B, L, D)
• Welcome to Beijing!  I'm in Bangor right now... kind of missing the warm weather..Beijing has been China’s capital city for seven centuries and its cultural heart 
for over 3000 years. Today, Beijing is home to more than 14 million people, as well as the center of
the nation’s government and economic life.
•In the morning, when you visit a university campus (Beijing Forestry University), you will see many people play Tai-chi on the sport field. 
• Begin your introduction of the city with a visit to Tian’anmen Square, the largest square in the world. You will make many new young friends there.
• Your journey continues while you explore the Forbidden City. Built during 1406-1420 AD,
it is the world’s largest and best-preserved Imperial Palace.
• Navigate through the narrow residential streets of old Beijing, also known as Hutong.
• This evening you will be honored at a banquet where you will be served Peking duck, a traditional 
 Northern Chinese delicacy.

Tuesday, July 28
Beijing, China        (B,L)
• Make an excursion to the Juyongguan/Badaling Section of the Great Wall. The Great Wall of
China is one of history’s most remarkable accomplishments and extends for over 3,000 miles through
 the Chinese landscape.
• Visit the Olympic village where 2008 Olympic Games were successfully held.
• This evening, you may like to go to the Lao She Teahouse and enjoy the Beijing Opera, acrobats and Gong Fu (option).

Wednesday, July 29 
Beijing/Hulun Bair Grassland, Inner Mongolia, China ---China’s Maine        (B, L, D)
• This morning you will be at the airport a little early to leave for the Hulun Bair Grassland. 
• After visiting the World Anti-Fascist War Memorial, a tour guide will meet us at the Hailar airport. You will visit the JingZhangHan Mongolian tribes, the only nomadic tribes in the Hulun Bair Grassland; and a beautiful river called the Moergele River, "the first Chinese Qushui", which crosses the grassland; in all, an amazing and spectacular picture of green grassland, high blue sky, moving river water, and unique animals.
• After arrival at the tribes you will be greeted Mongolian style with dismount wine and an auspicious ribbon and Obo show presented by the Mongolian girls. You may even ride a horse or have the opportunity to appreciate Mongolian girls’ singing or dance during a hand-Pa-style dinner with meat (option). 
• Over night at Hailar; you may have the opportunity to sleep on the grassland close to the river with your own tent and sleeping bag.(option)

Thursday, July 30
Hailar/Arshan, Inner Mongolia, China    (B,D)
• After breakfast, travelers will leave for Syracuse Shenquan Arshan. On the way, you will cross the Ewenki grassland and catch the beauty through the windows. Here is Ingmar’s,.a very famous young Chinese artist, hometown. You will also go to the Ewenki museum on the way and learn local history and culture. After lunch, visit the Rose peak tourist attractions.
• Upon arrival, a city official will welcome you and introduce you to the local customs during the dinner.
• Check in the hotel after dinner. 
• This evening you will have an opportunity to appreciate a calligraphy demonstration, please be prepared with what you want the artist to write for you.

Friday, July 31
Aershan, Inner Mongolia, China----China’s Maine     (B,L,D)
• After breakfast, visit Aershan National Forest Park, and then go to Aershan Tianchi (sky lake)--China's third largest Tianchi and Lin Tong --Asia's largest volcanic karst landforms. 
• Have lunch at the National Forest Park. After lunch, visit Azalea Lake --Shan Yanzai Lake Park, which is known for its San Tan Gorgers with fast-flowing water and majestic landscape.  
• Dinner at the hotel
 
Saturday, August 1st
Ulanhot, Inner Mongolia       (B, D)
• Early morning leave for Ulanhot by train /car 
• This city was the former capital city of Inner Mongolia and is Jing Zhang's hometown.
• Jing's mom and many friends will prepare a special meal in her house/a restaurant to welcome your coming.
• You are going to have a tour of the city and stop by a middle school; some young students will enjoy practicing  English with you after they introduce their school life to you.
• You will experience a Chinese traditional instruments performance or Chinese cooking demonstration. (option)
• You will learn the difference between China's cities and country side (which is totally different than the USA's).
• After dinner board the overnight train to Beijing.
Sunday, August 2nd
Beijing/Xi'an, China (Overnight train to Xi’an, China)     (D)
• Stop for a quick shopping in Wangfujing Street in Beijing or for photos at the largest zoo in China, the Beijing Zoo, and visit the Giant Panda Hall when you arrive at Beijing.
• All Aboard! Take an overnight train to Xi'an. You will find a difference between this train and the last one. The ride takes approximately 12 hours and you arrive in Xi'an the next morning.
• All checked luggage on the train is required to be locked. Please do not place any
liquids, valuables, money, electronics, medication or other important items in your
checked luggage. Please carry these items with you onto the train.

Monday, August 3rd
Xi’an, China       (L, D)
• Welcome to Xi'an!  Xi'an was China’s capital city through 13 dynasties, including the Tang Dynasty.
 In ancient times this great city was called Chang'an, or “Perpetual Peace”.
• Visit Terracotta Warriors. Xian’s history unfolds before you today as you discover the museum of the Famous Terracotta Warriors. In 1974, a villager chanced upon what has become one of the
world’s most astonishing archaeological finds–an 8000 man army in battle-ready formation, each warrior a life-size figure in pottery made over 2200 years ago.
• Before seeing the original warriors, you will also have a chance to visit a workshop that duplicates the warriors and learn the technique. (Option)
• Get a close up view of the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. The Pagoda was originally built in the Tang 
Dynasty in the 7th century to hold sutras and figurines of Buddha that were brought to China from
India by a Buddhist translator and traveler.
• This evening, enjoy a Tang Dynasty show and dumpling banquet. The Tang Dynasty is
known for its prosperity and was an influential time for the growth of arts in China. This
evening’s performance will bring you back in time to this romantic era. (Option)

Tuesday, August 4th
Donghan Village, Shanxi, China     (B, L, D)
• Upon arrival, a village official will welcome you and introduce you to the village’s history, culture and custom.
• Explore the resident farmer artist’s workshop and learn about Chinese painting and paper cutting. • You will truly be amazed.
• Have lunch with the villagers.
• Remember to bring photos of your family from home to share with the villagers.
• This evening will be your free time and please get ready for Shanghai next morning.

Wednesday, August 5th
Shanghai, China       (B, L)                                           
• With a population of over 16 million, Shanghai is one of the largest cities in the world.
Explore this bustling city and let it capture your imagination.
• A visit to Shanghai/the City Construction Museum will give you a clear picture of the past, present
and future of the metropolis.
• Visit the famous waterfront Bund which is at the west shore of the Huangpu River.  It is the location of numerous banks and financial institutions, which will long remain in your mind as the power seat of international business past and present. The 52 buildings are of different architectural styles. Then go to Puddong and appreciate the new modern metropolis and take a closer look at the highest building and the Oriental Pearl TV Tower.  
• There is very good Pizza available in Shanghai for lunch if you miss American food.(Option)
• In the evening, enjoy a Chinese Acrobatic Show.(Option)

Thursday, August 6th
Shanghai, China      (B, D)
• After breakfast, visit Yu Garden, a classical Ming garden built by a wealthy businessman for his parents as an act of filial piety. 
• Afternoon: free time for shopping in a market where you can find everything you need. Test your bargaining skills as you explore the market. We will have training regarding the art of shopping in China. 
• Make sure that you have a list of what you want to buy.
 
Friday, August 7
Depart for the USA
• Pack your suitcase for the last time and board the coach for the airport.

B - Breakfast; L- Lunch; D – Dinner     I     Option: individual activity/item

Round-trip air tickets from Bangor/Portland o Beijing/Shanghai will be $1200 to $1400 which is much cheaper than last year.

PLEASE NOTE: This itinerary may change at any time without notice. Updated
Schedule of Activities will be posted on Bangor Chinese School’s Web Site.