Final Field Program - University of Virginia

For the Fall 2010 voyage, Semester at Sea is offering the following trips to Beijing: Xi’an/Beijing (6 Days/5
Nights), Beijing (4 Days/3 Nights) and Hiking the Great Wall. Please note: For all trips traveling to the People’s
Republic of China from the Special Administrative Region, you must take your passport with you! Also note that
the Beijing trips are quite physically demanding. They involve long days, a fair amount of walking (often over
uneven surfaces), and dealing with crowded spaces.
HKG01 BEIJING/XI’AN (6 Days/5 Nights) (0900 Thursday, 11 November—1700 Tuesday, 16 November)
Minimum 32/Maximum 64 (PRICE: $1,999) PRE-SALE ONLY
Xi’an, the eternal city, records the great changes of China just like a living history book. Called Chang’an in
ancient times, Xi’an is one of the birthplaces of the ancient civilization in the Yellow River Basin area of the
country. During Xi’an’s 3,100-year development, 13 dynasties such as Zhou, Qin, Han and Tang placed their
capitals here. So far, Xi’an enjoys equal fame with Athens, Cairo and Rome as one of the four major capitals of
ancient civilization. One of the principal cities of northwest China, Xi’an is the capital of Shaanxi Province, located
in the southern part of the Guan Zhong Plain.
Xi’an was once the largest city in the world as well as the capital of the Chinese Empire for 1,000 years. Today it
attracts visitors because of the important archeological finds in the area. The famous Silk Road began here,
promoting economic and cultural interchanges between Han and post-Han China with countries in West Asia and
Europe. Among the important attractions in Xi’an are the Shaanxi Provincial Museum; the Terracotta Army of
7,000 life-size soldiers, chariots, horses and weapons; the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, and the excavations of the Banpo
Neolithic village.
ITINERARY:
Day 1: Transfer to the airport for your three-hour flight to Xi’an. Upon arrival, check in to your hotel. Enjoy a dim
sum dinner at De Fa Chang Dumpling Restaurant known for its own dumpling banquet. The dumplings may be
steamed, boiled, pan-fried, deep-fried or roasted. The fillings for the dumplings include various meats, vegetables
and seasonings. The evening is at your leisure. (L on plane, D; area hotel)
Day 2: Today, the Emperor Qin Shi Huang’s Terracotta Army Museum awaits! Uncovered in 1974 by peasants
digging a well, the terracotta warriors are Xi’an’s greatest and most important attraction. The first emperor of the
Qin Dynasty, Qin Shi Huang, ordered the making of the warriors. During his reign, he undertook military programs
to the far corners of the known world. The estimated 8,000 terracotta soldiers are a testament to his power and reign.
After lunch at a local restaurant, visit the Small Goose Pagoda and learn about Chinese calligraphy. Chinese
calligraphy is very expressive; it uses Chinese characters to communicate the spiritual world of the artist. The
handling of the brush, presentation and style convey the moral integrity, character, emotions, aesthetic feelings and
culture of the artist to its readers. Afterward, visit the Xi’an City Wall, the Great Mosque and the Old Bazaar before
enjoying the Tang Dynasty Dinner Show. (B, L, D; area hotel)
Day 3: After breakfast at the hotel, travel to the Xi’an Blind and Dumb School located near the city wall to
volunteer for the morning. This is China’s earliest-built school for disabled students. There are 80 staff members at
the school, including 11 national and provincial model teachers. The school is equipped with a multi-media
classroom, a computer room, an electronic laboratory and other specialized facilities. After a rewarding morning,
enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before transferring to the airport for your flight to Beijing. Upon arrival, transfer to
your hotel. After checking in, dinner and the rest of the evening are at your leisure. (B, L; area hotel)
Day 4: Visit Tiananmen Square and then journey into the Forbidden City. Next, travel to a family-owned restaurant
and learn how to make Chinese dumplings (jiaozi) before enjoying the meal together. Experience an orientation to
the Hutong area by trishaw (three-wheeled pedicab) before visiting the Beijing 2008 Olympic Village and the Silk
Factory. Enjoy a roast duck dinner before retiring to your hotel for the evening. (B. L, D; area hotel)
Day 5: Today is the day for your long-awaited visit to the Great Wall! Later on in the afternoon, visit the Beijing
International Kungfu School. End the day with dinner followed by an acrobatic show. (B, L, D; area hotel)
Day 6: After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to the airport for your flight to Shanghai. (B)
Hong Kong Field Program – page 2