three Faces of China CHINA S SOUTHERN COAST, HONG KONG AND TAIWAN April 9 to 22, 2015 a program of the stanford alumni association

Transcription

1 S T A N F O R D T R A V E L / S T U D Y three Faces of China CHINA S SOUTHERN COAST, HONG KONG AND TAIWAN April 9 to 22, 2015 a program of the stanford alumni association

2 China is a complex and immense country, with many treasures and sights beyond the iconic Great Wall. Our Three Faces of China trip is an innovative program exploring the southeastern coastal region, allowing Stanford travelers to discover three distinct Chinas : Mainland China, Hong Kong and Taiwan. We ve crafted a program that combines cultural experiences and local contacts to create a trip full of Stanford know-how and connections. In the midst of its thriving economy, China has managed to create harmony between its ancient treasures and the impressive skylines of its metropolitan cities, making the nation an extraordinary and unforgettable destination for travelers. Join us! BRETT S. THOMPSON, 83, DIRECTOR, STANFORD TRAVEL/STUDY CHANGCHUN SHRINE Highlights EXPLORE China s middle kingdom: Mainland China s Shanghai and Hangzhou, Hong Kong and the island of Taiwan. COVER: HANGZHOU DELVE into Chinese culture with visits to a tea plantation as well as a traditional pharmacy and herbal medicine museum in Hangzhou. BE AMAZED by Taiwan s Taroko Gorge National Park, a natural wonder that features a 12-mile-long canyon and 10,000-foot-tall peaks.

3 Beijing CHINA Shanghai Hong Kong CHINA Hangzhou Shaoxing Shanghai Ningbo Taipei TAIWAN f Hong Kong c i P a Itinerary THURSDAY & FRIDAY, APRIL 9 & 10 U.S. / SHANGHAI, CHINA Depart the U.S. on an overnight flight to Shanghai, crossing the international date line en route and arriving on Friday evening. Transfer to our luxury 5-star hotel located on the banks of the Huangpu River. HYATT ON THE BUND SATURDAY, APRIL 11 SHANGHAI China s most audaciously modern, populous and commercially important city is an exciting starting point for our journey. Shanghai s tallest new skyscrapers stand alongside vestiges of the city s colonial past and the country s ancient historical and cultural origins. Explore the Bund riverfront area on foot and the classic Yu Garden located in the heart of the old city. Following a lunch of local Shanghainese cuisine, visit the magnificent collections of traditional art at the Shanghai Museum in the People s Square/civic center area. Join fellow travelers for a welcome reception this evening. HYATT ON THE BUND (B,L) SUNDAY, APRIL 12 SHANGHAI Experience more of the contrast between old and new today as we explore historical landmarks, stop at the French Concession area, cruise on the Huangpu River and visit the Moganshan gallery district. Attend an evening performance by the Shanghai Acrobatics Troupe. HYATT ON THE BUND (B,L) MONDAY, APRIL 13 SHANGHAI / HANGZHOU Leave Shanghai Municipality and drive south into Zhejiang Province, paralleling the Grand Canal. Enter the rich and fertile Yangtze River Delta region, known as the Land of Fish and Rice. The provincial capital, Hangzhou, is situated on scenic West Lake and was praised centuries ago by Marco Polo for its beauty and culture. Enjoy a boat tour this afternoon on West Lake that offers views of the poetic setting and the chance to stop at sites along the shore. HANGZHOU SHANGRI-LA (B,L,D) TUESDAY, APRIL 14 HANGZHOU Set out today for Lingyin Si to visit one of China s most noted Buddhist temples and to view the historic stone carvings found in the nearby hillsides. Also visit the 140-year-old Hu Qing Yu Tang Museum of Traditional Chinese Medicine in a quaint area of the old city. Our visits this afternoon focus on two of Hangzhou s most famous local specialties: Dragon Well green tea and silk raising and production. HANGZHOU SHANGRI-LA (B,L) WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15 HANGZHOU / SHAOXING / NINGBO This morning we travel to Shaoxing, the historic center of Yue culture dating back to the 6th century B.C.E. Tour the former residence and museum of China s most famous modern writer, Lu Xun, and take note of the city s Qing dynasty-era architecture, which features arched bridges and canals. Visit the Orchid Pavilion and its museum of calligraphy before continuing to the rapidly developing port city of Ningbo. SHANGRI-LA NINGBO (B,L,D) THURSDAY, APRIL 16 NINGBO / HONG KONG Explore Ningbo this morning, with stops at the Tianyige Museum that features the oldest original library building in China, Qing-era ancestral halls and exhibits on local culture including the game of mahjong. Enjoy an early lunch before our flight to Hong Kong. One of the world s great urban and economic centers with some seven million inhabitants, Hong Kong inhabits one of the most beautiful island and harbor settings. This evening watch the sun set over this world-class city aboard a Chinese junk. KOWLOON SHANGRI-LA (B,L,D)

4 i c n a c e O SHANGHAI FRIDAY, APRIL 17 HONG KONG Today begins with visits to the oldest colonial building in Hong Kong and the Flagstaff House Museum of Tea Ware in Hong Kong Park, followed by a thrilling ascent via the Peak Tramway to Victoria Peak, where we enjoy a dim sum lunch. This afternoon, visit the Hong Kong Museum of History, which traces the origins and development of the city and its unique urban culture. KOWLOON SHANGRI-LA (B,L) SATURDAY, APRIL 18 HONG KONG / TAIPEI, TAIWAN This morning explore the Hong Kong Museum of Art on the Kowloon waterfront. Marvel at the superb collections of traditional art as well as the Historical Pictures Gallery, which features a visual account of the region in the 18th and 19th centuries. This afternoon we fly to Taiwan. Dine together this evening at a local restaurant. SHANGRI-LA FAR EASTERN PLAZA (B,D) SUNDAY, APRIL 19 TAIPEI We begin our first full day in the capital city of the Republic of China with visits to the Lung Shan Temple, the colossal Chiang Kai Shek Memorial and the Presidential Palace. After lunch at a local restaurant, explore the National Palace Museum, featuring collections of art and antiquities brought from the Imperial Palace in Beijing when nationalists relocated to Taiwan in SHANGRI-LA FAR EASTERN PLAZA (B,L) MONDAY, APRIL 20 TAIPEI (TAROKO GORGE NATIONAL PARK) Today go on a full-day excursion into the mountainous interior of the island to explore Taroko Gorge National Park. The 12-mile-long canyon starts at sea level on the east coast near the city of Hualien and cuts into the mountains until the peaks on each side rise to more than 10,000 feet and the subtropical vegetation gives way to an alpine environment. Visit the Park s Eternal Spring Shrine, Tunnel of Nine Turns and Swallow Grotto. SHANGRI-LA FAR EASTERN PLAZA (B,L) TUESDAY, APRIL 21 TAIPEI Enjoy a morning walking tour followed by lunch at a local restaurant. This afternoon is free to explore the area independently. Gather for a farewell celebration this evening before dinner. SHANGRI-LA FAR EASTERN PLAZA (B,L,D) WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22 TAIPEI / U.S. This morning, fly to the U.S., crossing the international date line en route and arriving in the U.S. the same day. (B) Optional Pre-trip Extension to Beijing APRIL 6 to 10 (5 DAYS) In the midst of its thriving economy and burgeoning urban populations, China seeks ways to prevent its ancient treasures from being overwhelmed by glittering skylines and modern amenities. Nowhere is this effort more engaged than in China s very capital a city that, like New York, London or Paris, retains the unique and enduring character that makes it an unforgettable destination for travelers. Explore the ancient history and contemporary reinvention of this powerful and iconic city with visits to the Capital Palace, Summer Museum, Olympic Village, Ming Tombs and of course the Great Wall, Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square. Details and pricing will be sent to confirmed participants.

5 HONG KONG DIM SUM NATIONAL THEATER, TAIPEI Trip Information DATES April 9 to 22, 2015 (14 days) SIZE Limited to 38 participants COST* $7,595 per person, double occupancy $9,095 per person, single occupancy *Association nonmembers add $200 per person INCLUDED 12 nights of deluxe hotel accommodations 12 breakfasts, 10 lunches and 5 dinners Welcome and farewell cocktail receptions Gratuities to guides, drivers and porters for all group activities All tours and excursions as described in the itinerary Transfers and baggage handling on program arrival and departure days Internal flights within China Minimal medical, accident and evacuation insurance Educational program with lecture series and pre-departure materials, including recommended reading list, a selected book and travel information Services of our professional tour manager to assist you throughout the program NOT INCLUDED International and U.S. domestic airfare Passport and visa fees Immunization costs Meals and beverages other than those specified as included Independent and private transfers Trip-cancellation/interruption and baggage insurance Excess-baggage charges Personal items such as internet access, telephone and fax calls, laundry and gratuities for nongroup services AIR ARRANGEMENTS International and U.S. domestic airfare is not included in the program cost. Round-trip, economy-class airfare on Korean Air from San Francisco to Shanghai and return from Taipei is approximately $1,050 as of June 2014 and is subject to change without notice. WHAT TO EXPECT We consider this trip to be a moderately strenuous program that is at times physically demanding and very busy. Daily excursions involve two to five miles of walking, often on uneven terrain, and may include stairs without handrails, high thresholds and cobbled paths. You will need to handle your own luggage at airport customs points where porters are not permitted. Participants must be physically fit, active and in good health. We welcome travelers 15 years of age and older on this program.

6 LIBERTY SQUARE, TAIPEI Terms & Conditions Deposit & Final Payment A $1,000-per-person deposit is required to hold space for this program. An additional $200-per-person deposit is required to hold space for the optional pre-trip extension. Complete and return the attached reservation form or place your deposit online. Final payment is due 120 days prior to departure. As a condition of participation, all confirmed participants are required to sign a Release of Liability. Cancellations & Refunds Deposits and any payments are refundable, less a $500-per-person cancellation fee, until 120 days prior to departure. After that date, refunds can be made only if the program is sold out and your place(s) can be resold, in which case a $1,000-per-person cancellation fee will apply. We recommend trip-cancellation insurance; applications will be sent to you. Insurance Stanford Travel/Study provides all travelers who are U.S. or Canadian citizens with minimal medical, accident and evacuation coverage under our group-travel insurance policy. Our group policy is intended to provide minimal levels of protection while you are traveling on this program. We strongly recommend that you subscribe to optional baggage and trip-cancellation insurance. A brochure offering such insurance will be mailed with your confirmation materials. The product offered in this brochure includes special benefits if you postmark your insurance payment within a specified window: 21 days of the date listed on the confirmation letter for the Early Purchase provisions. Eligibility We encourage membership in the Alumni Association as the program cost for nonmembers is $200 more than the members price. Parents and their children under 21 may travel on one membership. For more information or to purchase a membership, visit alumni.stanford/ goto/membership or call (650) Responsibility The Stanford Alumni Association, Stanford University and our operators act only as agents for the passenger with respect to transportation and exercise every care possible in doing so. However, we can assume no liability for injury, damage, loss, accident, delay or irregularity in connection with the service of any automobile, motorcoach, launch or any other conveyance used in carrying out this program or for the acts or defaults of any company or person engaged in conveying the passenger or in carrying out the arrangements of the program. We cannot accept any responsibility for losses or additional expenses due to delay or changes in air or other services, sickness, weather, strike, war, quarantine, force majeure or other causes beyond our control. All such losses or expenses will have to be borne by the passenger as tour rates provide arrangements only for the time stated. We reserve the right to make such alterations to this published itinerary as may be deemed necessary. The right is reserved to cancel any program prior to departure in which case the entire payment will be refunded without further obligation on our part. The right is also reserved to decline to accept or retain any person as a member of the program. No refund will be made for an unused portion of any tour unless arrangements are made in sufficient time to avoid penalties. Baggage is carried at the owner s risk entirely. The airlines concerned are not to be held responsible for any act, omission or event during the time that passengers are not onboard their plane or conveyance. Neither the Alumni Association, Stanford University nor our operators accept liability for any carrier s cancellation penalty incurred by the purchase of a nonrefundable ticket in connection with the tour. Program price is based on rates in effect in June 2014 and is subject to change without notice to reflect fluctuations in exchange rates, tariffs or fuel charges. California Seller of Travel Program Registration # TEL (650) FAX (650) TRAVELSTUDY@STANFORDALUMNI.ORG COPYRIGHT 2014 STANFORD ALUMNI ASSOCIATION. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. PRINTED ON RECYCLED, FSC-CERTIFIED PAPER IN THE U.S.

7 Faculty Leader PROFESSOR CHAO FEN SUN, who specializes in historical changes of Chinese languages, teaches Classical Chinese; Structure of Chinese; Chinese Language, Culture, and Society and other courses in the department of East Asian languages and cultures at Stanford. He was born in Hong Kong, went to a boarding school in Shanghai in 1965 and left China in 1981 for graduate school in the United States. The scope and range, depth and breadth of what we experienced and learned were outstanding. We ended our trip fascinated, intrigued and inspired to learn even more. SHERRY 62, AND JIM, MBA 63, L O O F B O U R R O W, CHINA SUITCASE SEMINAR, 2013 Professor Sun became interested in Chinese linguistics when he was a visiting scholar at the department of linguistics at UC-Berkeley in He taught at the City University of Hong Kong and the University of Wisconsin in Madison before joining the Stanford faculty in On this trip Professor Sun will share his personal perspective on the colossal changes that have irreversibly transformed the life and languages of the Chinese people as a result of globalization. Chinese program coordinator, 1991 present Director, Stanford-Peking University Summer Chinese Program, 1993 present Chair, department of East Asian languages and cultures, and Director, Center for East Asian Studies, Interim director, Bing Overseas Studies Program in Beijing, 2011 MA, applied linguistics, University of Oregon, 1984 PhD, linguistics, Cornell University, 1988 S T A N F O R D T R A V E L / S T U D Y Reservation Form Three Faces of China SIGN UP ONLINE! MR. / MRS. / MS. MISS / DR. / PROF. NAME AGE STANFORD CLASS MR. / MRS. / MS. MISS / DR. / PROF. NAME AGE STANFORD CLASS ADDRESS CITY / STATE / ZIP PHONE CELL / WORK / HOME ADDRESS I/We have read the Terms and Conditions for the program and agree to them. BED PREFERENCE: Twins Double Here is my deposit of $ ($1,000 per person) for space(s) plus $ ($200 per person) for the optional pre-trip extension. Enclosed is my check (payable to Stanford Alumni Association) OR Charge my deposit to my: Visa MasterCard American Express CARD # SIGNATURE If this is a reservation for one person, please indicate: I wish to have single accommodations. OR I plan to share accommodations with: OR I d like to know about possible roommates. EXPIRATION DATE CARDHOLDER SIGNATURE DATE Mail completed form to address on mail panel or fax to (650) or place your deposit online at alumni.stanford.edu/trip?china2015. Submit your reservation only once to avoid multiple charges to your account

8 Stanford Travel/Study Frances C. Arrillaga Alumni Center 326 Galvez Street Stanford, CA (650) three Faces of China CHINA S SOUTHERN COAST, HONG KONG AND TAIWAN April 9 to 22, 2015 Nonprofit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Stanford Alumni Association This trip had been on our bucket list for quite a while and we knew that going on a Stanford trip was the only way to do it. JERRY FLANDRO, 73, CHINA SUITCASE SEMINAR, 2013 S T A N F O R D T R A V E L / S T U D Y HONG KONG