Inner Mongolia: The Vanishing Steppe Inner Mongolia The Vanishing Steppe - 1 th September, 2014 th 1
KEY EDUCATIONAL CONCEPTS Environmental Studies Students will study issues of desertification, wildlife preservation, natural resources, and sustainable energy. By examining the region s abundance in certain natural resources and scarcity in others, students will gain an understanding of the delicate balancing act this creates for its residents and governing bodies, as well as its flora and fauna. Regional Culture Students will learn about local Mongolian customs, such as farming, cooking, music, and dancing. Further students will be given the opportunity to engage with local Mongolians and better understand Mongolian culture through interaction with these locals. All activities focus on the essential question: How does Inner Mongolia meet the needs of its people while preserving its culture and way of life for future generations? Sustainable Development This trip exposes students to the concept of living responsibly in respect to the environment, local customs, and the world as a whole. We will focus on issues such as urbanization, renewable energy, rural to urban migration, resource management, and responsible tourism. 3
SCHEDULE BCIS Contact: Helen Gong helen.gong@bcis.cn Date of Program: th -1 th September 2014 No. of Students: Approx 60 No. of Staff: TBD The Hutong s Inner Mongolia program begins in Beijing and ends in Beijing. Meals provided indicated in schedule as Breakfast (B), Lunch (L), and Dinner (D) The Hutong works closely with each of its client schools to develop a trip that fits its curriculum and unique requirements. Hutong trip leaders also travel regularly to destinations to develop relationships with local contacts to provide the most authentic cultural experiences possible. As such, trip itineraries are subject to change, pending the discovery of an even better activity or destination. Itineraries may also be subject to change due to weather, traffic, or government policies. Day Location 9/ Beijing-Chifeng D Accommodation: Train Activities Afternoon Meet at BCIS for debrief Evening Train to Chifeng from Beijing North Station, arrival early in the morning Take away dinner on the train 9/ Chifeng-Dalinor Lake Accommodation: Hotel Morning Breakfast in local Mongolian restaurant Visit to Chifeng Museum Lunch Afternoon Transfer to Dalinor Lake Dalinor Lake activities Transfer to yurt Camp Evening Check into Yurts, Mongolian songs, dancing, bonfire 4
9/1 Grasslands Wudan B, L, D Accommodation: Hotel Morning Breakfast at Yurt Camp Grasslands Activities Lunch Afternoon Transfer to Wudan Wudan Mapquest Evening Check into hotel Dinner 9/1 Yulong Desert-Chifeng B, L, D Accommodation: Yurts Morning Breakfast at hotel Transfer to Yulong Desert Yulong Desert Activities Afternoon Lunch in local Mongolian village Drive to Chifeng Nanshan Park Closing Dinner Evening Train for Beijing 9/1 Beijing Morning Arrival in Beijing This program cost includes: - Hotel accommodations as indicated in the schedule - Return Hard Sleeper Train Tickets to Chifeng - Guesthouse or homestay accommodations as indicated in the schedule - Costs for 1 teacher per 10 students - 1 English- and Chinese-speaking Hutong Tour Leader and 1 Englishand Chinese-speaking Hutong Logistics Manager for the entirety of the trip 5
- 2 buses and accompanying drivers for the entirety of the trip from/ chifeng train station - Admission tickets and fees for all activities and sites as listed on the schedule - All meals as indicated on the schedule (B, L, and D) - All gratuities, fees, and wages for local experts, vendors, and assistants - Drinking water and snacks for entirety of trip - Coffee for teachers in the morning This program cost does not include: - Any expenses of a personal nature (souvenirs, additional food or snacks, personal telecommunications, additional hotel services, etc.) - Bus transport to/from BCIS and Beijing Train Station - Chinese tourist visa - Any activities not included in the itinerary OVERVIEW OF ACTIVITIES DAY 1: Chifeng-Dalinor Lake Chifeng Museum Students will start out the journey to Chifeng by visiting the local history museum where they will explore history as far as the prehistoric Hongshan Culture. The museum traces a pathway from prehistory through the reign of the Liao Dynasty and the ensuing Mongolians, all the way to present day Chifeng, the jade dragon of Northern China. Students will have a chance to present to one another their findings that they discover on this journey through history. Dalinor Lake Students will have yet another change of scenery when they visit the nearby Dalinor Lake to observe the differences in geography in the area. The lake itself is a resting spot for hundreds of different species of migrating 6
birds. Students will also get to have an up close and personal visit to a local wind turbine that is feeding directly into the State Grid. Grasslands Yurt Stay Students will arrive to Larry Joe s Grassland Paradise where they will be able to stay in traditional Mongolian yurts. The landscape changes from the arid desert to the vast and fragile steppe of the Inner Mongolian grasslands. In the evening, students will watch and take part in traditional performances, awaiting the return of Ghengis Khan s spirit on the way to accompany them to their dreams and slumber. DAY 2: Grasslands-Wudan Grassland Activities The Nadaam festival is the most traditional of Mongolian festivals, dating back centuries. The festival traditionally included the manly sports of archery, wrestling and horseback riding. Students will participate in a slightly different version of Nadaam festival where they will learn more about Mongolian wrestling, archery, whip-making, and traditional dancing. MapQUEST Activity Student are provided with a map of a certain part of Wudan and then divided into teams and tasked with completing a range of challenges. Each team will be required to find certain locations and make purchases of local items. In order to successfully complete the challenge, students must arrive at the final destination, where they will give a presentation on the adventure to their peers. DAY 3: Yulong Desert Yulong Desert National Park At the Yulong Desert National Park, students will put on their scientists hats and engage directly with the environment around them. Just what is it that 7
Inner Mongolia: The Vanishing Steppe makes the Yulong Desert a desert? How has the site developed in the past few years? Students will take part in various observations and calculations that will help bring the desert alive, completing a dune hike that gives them an overview of the entire scene. Ethnic Mongolian Village Meal Students will eat in the entirely ethnic Mongolian village of Aershan. Just on the edge of the Yulong Desert and the banks of the Xilamulun River lies a cluster of Mongolian farming communities. The village of Aershan has been cooperating closely with The Hutong, and the locals have opened up their homes to provide the students invaluable insights into the daily lives and hardships of survival in the surrounding area. Trip Presentations & Group Reunion Time will be arranged in Chifeng for all students of the Inner Mongolia trip to talk about the personal experiences and stories at an early evening event before departing for Beijing. Note: The Hutong works closely with each of its clients, and can develop itineraries to fit more closely with the educational requirements of a particular class, grade, or institution. We welcome open discussion and collaboration to design educational, interactive, and relevant excursions. 8
CLIMATE AND PACKING LIST City Month Average High Average Low Chifeng September 23 9.8 Most of the activities will take place outdoors. There is no need to bring any formalwear. Please keep packing to a minimum, and do not bring unnecessary items. [Sleeping bags ARE required for this trip]: Recommended Bags - 1x large backpack (Medium size is sufficient 35L-50L) - 1x smaller day pack Recommended Clothing - 2x pair of comfortable shorts - 1x long trousers - 1x water bottle - 2x long underwear - 1x winter coat - 1x winter hat - 1x pair of gloves - 5x t-shirts - 1x lightweight fleece/vest/jumper/hoodie/sweatshirt - 1x breathable waterproof jacket or poncho - 5x underwear - 5x socks - 1x sunhat/cap - 1x pair of comfortable walking/sports shoes (will not do heavy hiking, but possibly short hike) - 1x pair of flip-flops or sandals Recommended Toiletries - 1x towel - Small bottle of insect repellant - Toiletries (minimum) - Toothpaste and Toothbrush - Soap/body wash - Any required medication - Antibacterial hand gel - Wet wipes Other Recommended Items - Sunglasses 9
- Torch/headlight - Pens - Notebook - Camera Reminders - Passport - Pocket money (recommended RMB500 per person) 10
Inner Mongolia: Vanishing Steppe VALUES AND CHALLENGES Throughout our programs, we challenge students to not only push their boundaries and explore their surrounding culture but we encourage them to take responsibility for their actions through embracing sustainable travel, making good decisions and supporting their classmates. These notions are born out of our own company Core Values: 1. Be a good egg! 2. Embrace diversity! 3. Light a spark! 4. Go the extra li (mile)! 5. Seek challenge! 6. Smile more! We like to challenge students to adopt these practices and award those who demonstrate such values during the trip, through notions such as: The Chopstick Challenge Each student is given their very own set of sustainable bamboo chopsticks with a stylish pouch to keep them in. Why? Forests are being chopped down for producing chopsticks 20 million trees per year to produce 80 billion disposable chopsticks for China alone. To discourage deforestation and wasteful consumption we avoid using disposable chopsticks and encourage responsibility for possessions. The Hutong Helmsman Mao Zedong was known as "The Great Helmsman" because of his ability to steer the PRC to the right course of action, according to the language of the day. At The Hutong, students will be the ones responsible for steering the program in the right direction. They will be given various roles throughout the trip that may involve them leading small groups, helping out with lifting and moving bags and items, making sure everyone is accountable and present, and ensuring that nothing and no one is left behind. It s important that students realize that each one of them is capable of being a leader.