Trip to China May 6 to May 18, 2018 In Partnership with The Confucius Institute at the University of Nebraska - Lincoln
Trip to China May 6-18 The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute in partnership with the Confucius Institute at the University of Nebraska Lincoln is proud to yet again lead a trip to China for OLLI members. We will organize a 13 day once in a lifetime trip to China, visiting four major Chinese cities that provide travelers with a taste of Chinese history and society. On this trip, we will travel to Beijing, the nation s political and cultural capital; Xi an, and ancient city which has served as an imperial capital for 13 dynasties; Shanghai, a bustling modern metropolis; and Suzhou, the ancient city of narrow canals and scholars. In preparation for the trip, the Confucius Institute will also hold several OLLI courses to help provide background for the upcoming trip, including Chinese History in terms 1 and 3, and Chinese culture and society course in terms 2 and 4. The trip will be led by Dr. Chris Heselton, Associate Director of the Confucius Institute, scholar of Chinese history, and long-time resident of China, as well as a local tour guide. Curiosity never retires neither does travelling. Itinerary Day 1 (Sunday, May 6) Nebraska to Beijing We will spend the whole day in the air, leaving from Lincoln or Omaha to Beijing with 1 or 2 stops in between depending on the air-tickets we can reserve. We will fly over Canada, Alaska, the Arctic Ocean and Russia en route. Day 2 (Monday, May 7) Arrival in Beijing (D) The group will be received by a local guide at Beijing International Airport upon arrival and transferred to hotel for check-in. The rest of the day is free for you to get recovered from jetlag. Day 3 (Tuesday, May 8) Beijing (BLD) The group will enjoy a whole day escorted tour of Beijing, covering Tian anmen Square, the largest square in the world and symbolic heart of the city; the Forbidden City, which served as the official Imperial Palace for Emperors of the Ming and Qing Dynasties from 1422-1912; and finally the National History Museum. After Dinner, the group will enjoy 2
the bustling neon lights of the Olympic Park Area, where the 2008 Olympic Games where held and home of the modern architectural wonders the Water Cube and Bird Nest. Day 4 (Wednesday, May 9) Beijing (BLD) The group will enjoy a day trip in the suburbs of Beijing exploring the Great Wall (Mutianyu Pass) and the Ming Tomb, and a brief stop at the Summer Palace a secondary imperial pleasure palace known for its splendid gardens and amazing architecture. Day 5 (Thursday, May 10) Beijing (BLD) In the morning, the group is supposed to leave hotel a bit earlier to go to the Temple of Heaven, one of the most important religious sites for the Imperial court. Before entering, the group may have a chance to mingle with locals doing their morning exercises. Afterwards, we will take a trip to the Yonghe Lamaism Temple, a major Tantric Buddhist temple where Qing elites worshipped, and the Confucius Temple, where triannual imperial examinations were once held and students today still go to pray for good grades for the college entrance exam. In the afternoon, we will enjoy a leisurely tour of Beijing s old Hutong neighbourhood around Shichahai where visitors can take a rickshaw through the winding alleys and watch a traditional Beijing Opera at a local opera house. Day 6 (Friday, May 11) Beijing Xi an (BD) After the breakfast and check-out, the group will be taken to train station to board the high speed express train G429 (10:50 AM 4:40 PM) to Xi an at a cruising speed of over 300 km/hr or 186 mile/hr. While on the train, travelers can enjoy the rapid change of scenery as the Chinese countryside rushes by. Each group member will get a lunch box before getting on the train and will enjoy a light meal on the train. Upon arrival at Xi an Train Station, you will meet your local city guide and be taken to have dinner and then to your hotel for check-in. 3-Night accommodations at Grand Empark Hotel 3
Day 7 (Saturday, May 12) Xi an (BLD) Travelers will be taken to have a guided tour of the Terracotta Warriors & Horses Museum and Mausoleum of the First Emperor. The Terracotta Warriors are one of the wonders of the ancient world with thousands of life-like statues of soldiers in battle formations, protecting the tomb of the first emperor of China (c. 200 BCE). Lunch will be taken inside the museum during the tour. One of the exciting parts of the museum tour is to meet the farmer who discovered the terra-cotta warriors in 1976 and the group will have a group picture taken right in front of the original warriors & horses in battle formation. In the evening the group will be taken back to the hotel for a refreshment and get out to enjoy the Tang Dynasty Musical Show while having the dinner. Day 8 (Sunday, May 13) Xi an (BLD) In the morning, the group will go to see local art exhibits and have a tour at Tang Dynasty Art Museum. Then the group will visit the remarkably well-preserved City Walls of the city of Xi an, and the Forest of Stone Steles. If the group members are energetic enough, they may choose to spend time to ride bicycle on top of the 9 miles ancient city wall. By the end of the day tour, the group will be free for a couple of hours to explore the Muslim Street Market right in the downtown area and purchase local souvenirs if they choose. We will arrange a dinner to try some local flavors of Xi an. Day 9 (Monday, May 14) Xian - Shanghai (BLD) After breakfast and check-out, enjoy a half day escorted tour to the Shaanxi Provincial Museum to get a glance at the historical and cultural relics left from different dynasties over 4,000 years. In the afternoon, the group goes to visit the Big Wild Goose Pagoda and have a free walk at south and north squares of Big Wild Goose Square. After lunch, the group will be delivered to the airport and fly to Shanghai on flight HU7648 (16:25-18:40). Upon arrival, dinner will be arranged and the group will be delivered to a hotel for check-in and accommodation. 4-Night accommodations at 4-star hotel in Shanghai 4
Day 10 (Tuesday, May 15) Shanghai (BLD) Travelers will have an entire day guided tour of the Shanghai Museum, the City God Temple, and the Bund the old British colonial leasehold along the Huangpu River. Afterwards, we will climb to the top of the Oriental TV Tower, the world's third tallest TV and radio tower (468 meter or 1535 feet tall), to gain a birdeye s view of the city. After dinner, the group will take a boat ride on the Huangpu River to enjoy the city lights at night. Day 11 (Wednesday, May 16) Shanghai Suzhou Shanghai (BLD) After breakfast, travelers will leave Shanghai for Suzhou for a day trip (around 2hrs driving). Suzhou is a city known for its canals and long tradition of gentile philosophers, scholars, and poets. We will visit renowned Tiger Hill Pagoda, an is a large pagoda built on a hillock built in 907 and has been a symbol of the city for centuries. Afterwards, we will visit one of the representative manor gardens of Suzhou s scholars, called the Humble Administrator s Garden, as well as the neighboring Suzhou Museum and Prince Zhong s Mansion. Then take boat along Suzhou Cannal, the oldest and longest cannel in the world set up over 2,500 years ago and have a walk along Pingjiang Road to have a glance of the old canals and alleys town of Suzhou. After dinner, the group will be driven back take to Shanghai. Day 12 (Thursday, May 17) Shanghai (B) A full free day to explore the Chinese New York City - Shanghai and shop for whatever you still miss on your shopping list. Day 13 (Friday, May 18) Shanghai States (B) The group will check-out of hotel and be taken to airport for flight home to the States. *B refers to breakfast, L refers to lunch and D refers to dinner 5
The Cost of the trip depends on the number of people going on the trip. Prices listed here are for the travel package, which includes local travel, inter-city travel, hotel accommodations, listed meals, local guide, and entrance price for the various sites visited. Travelers will be responsible for international airfare, international travel insurance, tipping (not common in China), visa expenses, and personal expenses. Below is an Estimate of cost. Estimate is subject to change. Travel Package: Estimated Cost Double occupancy room Single occupancy room 15-19 travelers $2610 per person $3220 USD per person 20+ travelers $2400 per person $3000 USD per person Note: The cost also includes the cost of the Confucius Institute guide who will accompany travelers the entire duration of the trip and assist in any problems one may encounter on the trip, and the expenses that OLLI occurs in organizing the trip. The Confucius Institute and OLLI does not have any additional charges. International Airfare: The cost of international flights to China are not included in the travel package, but are the responsibility of each traveler. The Confucius Institute will assist in arranging through a travel agent a block of seats on a specific flight and will be given instructions on purchasing seats, but travelers will pay for themselves. Cost of international flights vary depending upon many market factors. Typically, flights to China range between $1200 and $1800, averaging $1500. Since we will be purchasing tickets months in advance and it is not a major peak season, the cost are likely to be on the lower end of this estimate. Chinese Visa: The cost of a visa for the People s Republic of China are the responsibility of all travelers. All non-chinese citizens must apply for a tourist (L) visa and must be done before arrival in China. Chinese visas are easy to obtain, and the Confucius Institute will arrange for a broker to apply for a Chinese visa at the Chinese consulate in Houston, TX and help in filling out the form. The cost of the visa application is approximately $224 ($140 visa fee, $79 broker fee, $5 shipping). The Chinese tourist visa is valid for 10 years for individual stays of 30 days each. If you already have a valid Chinese tourist visa, then you do not need to apply again for a visa. Passports are the responsibility of each traveler. 6
International Travel Insurance: Travelers are encouraged to purchase travel insurance. The cost of international travel insurance varies depending on provider and plan. A typical plan that covers things like trip cancellation, emergency medical, baggage loss, ect cost between $250 - $350. There are cheaper plans available, but as expected, they provide less coverage. Personal Expenses: Personal expenses for things like snacks, drinks, souvenirs, individual meals not a part of the tour group, and other items and services travelers wish to purchase are the responsibility of individuals. Cash is always accepted. US dollars are generally not accepted outside the hotel, but dollars can be exchanged for Chinese RMB at the airport when arrive at a reasonable rate (not recommended to exchange currency in the US). Chinese RMB can also be withdrawn from ATMs in China with major US bank debt cards if you enable your card with your bank for international withdraws. You may incur international transaction and exchange fees. Consult your bank for more information. US credit cards are also commonly accepted in China at major shopping centers and hotels if you enable international transactions with your credit card company. Fees may apply. Tipping: Tipping for services is the responsibility of travelers. Tipping is not commonly practiced in China in restaurants, cabs, and local services ect.; however, places that are used to international travelers from the US, such as hotels, bellhops, airport porters, and various tourism services often expect to receive a tip. A reasonable tip for a service such as bellhop or porter would be about 10 20 RMB. 7
Timeline September 20, 2017 (11:00 AM 12:30 PM) Information Session I Potential travelers will be told about the plan for the trip, estimate of cost, and what to expect. Attendees are also free to ask any questions they might have. October 13, 2017 Information Session II Potential travelers will be told about the plan for the trip, estimate of cost, and what to expect. Attendees are also free to ask any questions they might have. (Note: you need only go to one information session) October 16, 2017 Online Registration for China Trip Open and Paper Registration Accepted. January 12, 2018 (5:00 PM) Registration deadline Registration closes and all applicants should have submitted their registration forms, passport information, and paid $500 deposit. Applicants are encouraged to seek their doctor s advice on immunization for travel to China. If the trip is cancelled due to insufficient number of travelers, registered participants shall be notified within one week and deposit checks will be destroyed. February 16, 2018 (5:30 6:30) visa application information session We will help travelers with filling out their visa application, answer questions, and give instructions on the trip. The information session will be held at W.205 Nebraska Hall. February 23, 2018 Submit Chinese visa application deadline March 9, 2018 Chinese visa are expected to be returned March 16, 2018 Payment for travel package and Purchase International Flight April 30, 2018 (5:30 7:00) - Pre-departure Information Session May 6, 2018 Assemble at airport. Exact time and location depends on flight. For more information, contact Pam Snyder or Chris Heselton. Pam Snyder psnyder2@unl.edu (402)472-5370 Chris Heselton cheselton2@unl.edu (402)472-4024 8
Registration Form Registration opens October 16, 2017 Closes January 12, 2017 First and last name(s) as listed on your Passport Date of Birth Street Address City State Zip Home Telephone Cell Telephone Email address Accommodation Desired (check): Single Occupancy Double Occupancy ($3000 USD per person) ($2400 USD per person) For shared accommodation, I would like to share a room with: Please identify any health concerns or limitations that should be shared with the tour organizers: Emergency Contact (name, phone, address, and relationship): Deliver this reservation and $500 check deposit per person made payable to the University of Nebraska: The Confucius Institute at the University of Nebraska - Lincoln W205 Nebraska Hall PO Box 880542 Lincoln, NE 68588-0542 9