It's not too late!

It's not to late to sign up for our China adventure next Spring! If you have a friend who is interested, please talk with them, or have them contact us for more information.

To sign up now, head to http://www.eftours.com/Student/ and enter tour number 461716-G1.

Fundraising

Don't worry about raising the funds to cover your tuition. EF has a website full of many ideas:
http://eftours.com/global/pdf/ET_Fundraising_Guide_2009.pdf
We'll be glad to advise you on any of them; just see either Mr. Hall, Ms. Danberg, or Ms Eidsmoe!

Program Fee

The fees shown at the beginning of this blog were for registrations made prior to October. EF has advised us there have been increases to the program. Please contact EF directly for more information.

Announcing Our 2009 Trip to China

Experience China

Day 1
Saturday, March 28, 2009

Board your overnight flight to Beijing!

Day 2
Sunday, March 29, 2009

Arrival in Beijing
Touch down in Beijing. It was in this city that Chairman Mao proclaimed the People’s Republic of China in 1949. Meet your bilingual tour director, who will remain with you throughout your stay, then transfer to your hotel.

Overnight in Beijing

Day 3
Monday, March 30, 2009

Guided sightseeing of Beijing
An expert local guide introduces you to the Chinese capital, a treasure chest of imperial monuments. This ancient city first received its modern name when it became the capital for the second time in Chinese history in 1402 (“Beijing” means “Northern Capital”). See Tiananmen Square (the Gate of Heavenly Peace), the largest public square in the world. Visit the Forbidden City (Gugong), once accessible only to the Emperor. Get a close-up look at the golden-roofed Imperial Palace, one of the world’s greatest architectural achievements. Hundreds of thousands of workers labored on the construction of this palatial complex during the Ming Dynasty (1403-1424). It was later removed during the 18th century (Qing Dynasty). Although situated in the very heart of Beijing, the Forbidden City is surrounded by both a moat and a protective wall. The emperors who once resided here often spent their entire lives within the complex - it was not until 1949 that a “commoner” set foot inside the area.

Visit the Summer Palace
Formerly a summer palace for feudal Emperors, the Summer Palace is a magnificent example of China's classical garden architecture. The Palace grounds were originally divided into three sections, one for court activities, one for imperial residence and one for sight-seeing. The Long Corridor, the Paiyun (Cloud-Dispelling) Hall, the Temple of Buddhist Virtue, the Marble Boat, the Xiequ (Harmonious -Interest) Garden, the Zhichun (Spring-Heralding) Pavilion, and the Seventeen-Arch Bridge are the palace’s main attractions.

Visit to a local school (seasonal)
Learn what school life is like while you spend time with a group of Chinese students. Of course, they’ll be curious about American schools, too, so be prepared to answer a lot of questions!

Peking Duck Dinner
Tonight you will be treated to the sumptuous dish that northern China is famous for: Peking duck! During this special feast, learn about the ritual preparation and savory side dishes that accompany this regional specialty.

Overnight in Beijing

Day 4
Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Excursion to Badaling section of the Great Wall of China
Travel north to Badaling to view one of the wonders of the world: the Great Wall of China. Its construction began in the 5th century B.C. as a defense against the Mongols: 300,000 people (many of whom are buried in the wall) labored on it over several centuries. The wall extends across mountains and valleys for more than 3,000 miles-perhaps only a tenth of its former length!

Hutong Rickshaw Tour
Explore the city with a rickshaw ride through the lanes of Old Beijing. Follow the Hutong, which were built around the Forbidden City during the Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties, as you see where both the aristocrats and others lived during these ancient times. You will stop at the Drum Tower, which was built in 1272 during the Yuan Dynasty and Prince Gong’s Mansion. Built in 1777-1787, it was home to one of Emperor Qianlong’s favorite ministers.

Experiential learning: Cultural immersion (except during Chinese holidays)
Peek into the daily life of a typical Chinese family. Learn (and enjoy) the art of Chinese cooking during a visit to a local household.

Overnight in Beijing

Day 5
Wednesday, April 1, 2009

Taiji Exercise in the Park
Start your day as the locals do: with a gentle series of stretching exercises in a local park led by an experienced practitioner.

Visit the Temple of Heaven (Tiantan)
Built between 1606 and 1420, the complex of buildings that make up the Temple of Heaven cover 273 hectares and represent the pinnacle of Ming and Qing Dynasty architecture. In early morning when the air is filled with the fragrance of old cypresses, the temple grounds are full of people practicing a dozen or more forms of exercise, from qigong of martial arts, opera singing to disco. This is one of the best places in Beijing for people-watching.

Flight to Xi’an
Transfer to the airport for your flight to Xi’an (pronounced Shi-ahn), one of China’s most extraordinary cities. Xi’an was once the largest city in the world and the capital of 11 dynasties.

Walking tour of Xi’an and visit to City Walls
Your tour director will orient you to the city upon your arrival, and you’ll visit the great Xi’an City Walls before returning to your hotel.

Overnight in Xi'an

Day 6
Thursday, April 2, 2009

Guided sightseeing of Xi’an
Follow in the footsteps of Marco Polo during your guided sightseeing tour. Xi’an was located at the eastern end of the Silk Road, the route the famous traveler followed. See the 7th-century Big Wild Goose Pagoda (built upon the orders of Xuan Zang, the monk who introduced Buddhism to China), the city walls, the 118-foot-high Bell Tower and the Great Mosque (one of China’s oldest Muslim temples).

Visit to the Shaanxi Provincial Historical Museum.
See artifacts from the Han and Tang dynasties at the Shaanxi Provincial Museum, which was built on the site of a former Confucian temple. Your visit will include an introduction to calligraphy course!

Visit to the Museum of the Terra-Cotta Army
Visit the intriguing Museum of the Terra-Cotta Army, which exhibits the amazing collection of figures discovered by peasants digging for water in 1974. The army’s 8,099 painstakingly modeled, life-size warriors and horses—of which no two are alike—were sculpted to protect the tomb of Emperor Qin Shi Huangdi, founder of the Qin Dynasty (221–206 B.C.) and the first ruler to unify China.

IMAX Theater
On a 3-D IMAX screen, view a fascinating film depicting the excavation process of the Terra-Cotta Army.

Overnight in Xi'an

Day 7
Friday, April 3, 2009

Flight to Shanghai
Fly to Shanghai, China’s largest and most cosmopolitan city. Shanghai (meaning “up from the sea”) has been an important port for centuries. China’s Communist Party - and later the Cultural Revolution - originated in Shanghai.

Free time for Group Leader Arranged School Visit: This afternoon the group will visit Ms. Karen Michelsen’s school and interact with the students!

Acrobatics show
After dinner, witness a thrilling display by talented performers during today’s show of traditional Chinese acrobatics.

Overnight in Shanghai

Day 8
Saturday, April 4, 2009

Experiential learning: Cultural immersion (except during Chinese holidays)
Visit a local hospital to learn about Chinese medicine and acupuncture.

Guided sightseeing of Shanghai
Start getting to know Shanghai with a visit to the Jade Buddha Temple. The extraordinary Buddhas are each sculpted from a piece of white jade and were brought from Burma by a Chinese monk in the last century. One portrays Buddha experiencing Enlightenment, the other his transcendence into Nirvana. Continue on to the glorious Yu Yuan Garden, a showplace of classical Chinese landscaping dating back to 1537. As you walk along its winding paths past goldfish ponds and pavilions, note that the Chinese consider gardening a complex art form in which the challenge is to construct an entire world in miniature using minerals, plants and animals in a limited space.

Overnight in Shanghai

Day 9
Sunday, April 5, 2009

Transfer to the airport for your flight home
Your tour director assists with your transfer to the airport, where you’ll check in for your return flight.
Itinerary subject to change.

For complete financial and registration details, please refer to the Booking Conditions at www.eftours.com/bc.

Tour Highlights and Details

Overnight stays:
Beijing (3)
Xi'an (2)
Shanghai (2)


Comprehensive sightseeing tours led by an expert local guide of the following:
Beijing
Xi’an
Shanghai


Entrances included to the following sites:
Summer Palace
Forbidden City
Tiananmen Square (free)
Great Wall of China - Badaling
Hutong Tour in a Rickshaw
Taiji Exercise in Park (free)
Temple of Heaven Park
Xi'an City Walls
Big Wild Goose Pagoda
Shaanxi Provincial Historical Museum
IMAX Terracota Warriors
Introduction to Calligraphy
Terracotta Warriors Site
Acrobatic Show
Chinese Medicine/Acupunture demonstration
Jade Buddha Temple
Yu Garden



Optional Excursions:
OP Kung Fu Show $ TBD
OP Tang Dynasty Show & Dinner $ 70

Optional excursion prices are based on 20 paying participants and may be purchased until 50 days prior to departure or on tour at an increased price. The prices of optional excursions are subject to change.


Included in the Program Fee:
Round trip airfare
Transfers to and from the airport and hotel and between destination cities (as per program itinerary)
Overnight stays in first-class, superior tourist class or tourist class hotels (all with private bathrooms)
Continental breakfast daily
Dinner daily
Full-time services of an EF Tour Director

Not included in the Program Fee:
Customary gratuities for your tour director, local guide and driver
Porterage
Personal Insurance
Beverages and lunches
Public transportation to free time activities


Tour Fee Details for Experience China

Tour length: 9 Days, 7 Overnights
Requested departure date: Saturday, March 28, 2009
Requested return date: Sunday, April 5, 2009
Requested departure city: Seattle, WA



Program Fees
Based on 35 paying participants $1625
Based on 30 - 34 paying participants $1640
Based on 25 - 29 paying participants $1655
Based on 20 - 24 paying participants $1685
Based on 15 - 19 paying participants $1725
Based on 10 - 14 paying participants $1815


Additional Fees
Lifetime Membership Fee: $95
Departure Fees (subject to change): $336
Weekend Supplement: $70
Adult Supplement (for participants 23 and over): $290

Accordingly, the price range (depending upon the number we have; the best price break is at 35 paying participants) is $2126 to $2316 for students, $2416 to $2606 for adults.

The above pricing and itinerary are subject to EF's 2009 Booking Conditions and Release and Agreement, located in the Participant Application booklet or at www.eftours.com/bc. Please be certain to review these terms as they contain important information regarding payment deadlines for your tour.

The tour will be lead by Janet Eidsmoe, Charles Hall, and Laurie Danberg, who have the combined experience of leading 18 student international trips. Mr. Hall and Ms. Eidsmoe, a husband and wife team, have visited over two dozen countries on six continents, including a recent trip to China.

For answers to your questions, please contact Ms. Eidsmoe eidsmoej@psd401.net , Mr. Hall at hallcf@psd401.net, or Ms. Danberg at danbergl@psd401.net.

To sign up now, head to http://www.eftours.com/Student/ and enter tour number 461716-G1.