Local & China Tours
Upcoming Events to Learn, Travel, and Have Fun With
- Learn to play Mahjong like a master
- Travel to China
- Visit the Shaolin Temple
- Study and train with Shaolin monks
- See where Beijing's best martial artists practice
- Breath, Eat, Live, or more in true Chinese immersion
- Visit Boston's Chinatown
- Find the real Chinese food
- See Chinese New Years live and explained
- Experience the lightest and tastiest of all egg cakes
China Cultural Trip
We are planning a China Cultural trip. We need your ideas and suggestions. Please contact us below.
Preliminary Itinerary
China Cultural Trip
This preliminary itinerary is planned for Oct.-Nov. 2008 or March, April and May, 2009.
The focus of the China trip will be cultural and business exchanges -
involving one-on-one interactions with local people, combined with
sightseeing and business meetings for those of you interested in meeting potential business counterparts. As we are arranging a preliminary itinerary, I would like to hear your comments, preferences and suggestions on the proposed schedule. Please send us your preferences where we have indicated.
Time Options: October, November, 2008 or late March, April and May, 2009. (Respond with preferences)
Duration: The trip will last 10 -14 days. (Respond with preferred duration)
Tour Itinerary
Fly into Shanghai - take a 3-hour bus ride to Hangzhou.
Hangzhou, a mid sized city about 120 miles southwest of Shanghai, is known for its richness in culture, natural beauty and industrial and commercial vigor. It has been known as one of the two celestial cities on earth. Nearly 1000 years ago Hangzhou served as China's capital city. It is ranked as the most livable city in China for years. Forbes magazine ranked it as the best city to do business in China for three consecutive years.
Proposed activities and Sites to Visit in Hangzhou (please also indicate which of the following make you excited):
· Morning Tai-Chi - start your mornings the way all Chinese people do - with fluid movements of ancient Tai Chi martial arts.
· Tea Museum - browse through tea products, pick green tea leaves with local farmers - end with a traditional Chinese tea ceremony
· Bamboo Museum - walk through over 400 varieties of bamboo, shop for bamboo products, dig bamboo shoots - enjoy a bamboo shoots dinner feast.
· Silk Museum - witness how silk cocoons are harvested, picked, and turned into silk products - shop for the best silk products
· Paper Mill - witness the creation of rice paper as it is made using centuries old techniques - browse through rice-paper products
. Painting Brush Factory - handmade Chinese painting brushes used for Chinese calligraphy and paintings are created before your eyes, try-out the brushes to practice Chinese calligraphy as you are tutored in writing your name in Chinese.
· Chinese Cooking Feast - learn how to prepare a traditional Chinese dinner - cook with master Chefs and experience the real taste of the Orient.
· Traditional Chinese Music Performance -- spend a night at a local tea house, sample local snacks, sip Chinese green tea and enjoy live performance of Chinese traditional instruments.
· Chinese Brush Painting - learn from a local artist the techniques of Chinese brush painting.
· Discover Chinese Jade - learn how to recognize a genuine jade gem, see Jade varieties, bring back pieces of this ancient precious stone.
· Mah-jong Anyone? - Mah-Jong is game that reflects Chinese way of thinking. Learn to play the ancient Chinese game and see if you can beat your Chinese counterparts.
· Counterpart Business Meetings - business travelers will be accommodated with counterpart business partners.
Optional: 2 days in Beijing
Beijing - possible sites to visit
· Tiananmen Square
· Great Wall
· Forbidden City
Travel Cost:
Estimated cost will be around $2000, not including airfare.
Airfare cost is usually under $1000, for an economy class round trip in the seasons during March-May and October-November.
Please note: the Chinese Yu-an has been appreciating against American dollars - so costs are just estimates.
Prices will be finalized upon my return from my June trip.
I look forward to receiving your comments, preferences and suggestions. If you are interested in meeting business counterparts, please indicate the lines of businesses.
I will update this preliminary itinerary from time to time. I will keep you informed of the updates. You can also visit my website @ seacoastchinese.com to check out updates and my other Chinese cultural programs.
Thanks for your time.
John
Oriental Gallery