Part I - Intensive Chinese Program at Renmin University

Participants will spend the first 6 weeks at Renmin University, BEIJING, taking Intensive program of Chinese at various levels. A typical school day contains classes from 8:00 to 11:30 and various activities for the afternoon, such as calligraphy, tutoring session, a field trip to Beijing's attraction, watching Peking Opera, etc, . Renmin Universityis located in the Haidian district, northeast side of Beijing, close to other universities like Bejing University and Qinghua University. Participants will stay at the dormitory of Renmin University. (For details of class schedule at Renmin University, click here.) You can find more information about Renmin University in their web site.

Part II - Imperial Cities Excursion

Our Imperial Cities Excursion will start in Beijing, which was the Imperial Capital of Yuan, Ming & Qing dynasties during the period 1260 to 1911, and the political, cultural and economic center of China today. We will visit Tiananmen Square, the magnificent Forbidden City, the Temple of Heaven, the massive Great Wall, and the Summer Palace. Then, we will follow the historic route of migration of capitals to Datong for the Yungang Grottos, Hanging Temple and nail-less Wood Pagoda. Afterwards, we will go south to Taiyuan to visit Pingyao, the Ancient city and Qiao Mansion. And on to Luo Yang, a capital for almost 1600 years and for 13 dynasties, one of the important cradles of Chinese civilization with a profound cultural legacy. There, we will admire Longmen Grottoes which is one of the world’s greatest treasures of stone caves; the White Horse Monastery, which is regarded as the birthplace of China’s Buddhism, and Mt. Song, one of the 5 sacred mountains in China with the renowned Shaolin Temple, built in 495 AD by a monk Boddhidharma of Zen/Chan Buddhism.

Kaifeng, one of the seven ancient capital cities in China’s history; is known for its fine silk and embroidery work. During 1115-1234, a sizable Jewish population of Mediterranean origin moved to this city and wielded significant influence in the city during the 14th and 15 centuries. From Luo Yang & Kaifeng, the path goes to Xi'an - the second most influential imperial city in China’s history, which was the capital during the Zhou, Qin, Han, Sui & Tang dynasties. The highlights will include the Terracotta Army’s Tomb, the Hua-Qing Spring, Empress Wu’s Tomb, the Stone Tablets Forest, the Muslin Mosque and Market, and the Great Goose Pagoda. Nanjing, which was the capital for 6 dynasties and the later Republic, the scenic Hang Zhou, which was the destination of Ancient Grand Canal, traditional villages of Zhou Zhuang & the Garden and Water Suzhou. Lastly, the bustling modern city Shanghai, offers colorful bazaar or concession areas, Museum, sculptured Jade Buddha and Yu Garden. Together with Hong Kong, Shanghai represents the contrast of the 2 faces of China.

(For the itinerary of Imperial Cities Excursion, click here.)