Beijing and Xi’an are two of the most ancient cities in the heartland of central China.  For thousands of years, these two cities have witnessed the rise and fall of emperors and dynasties.  One such emperor was Qin Shi Huang, who initiated the building of the Great Wall in order to safeguard his kingdom from invasion.  He also commissioned the 8,099 life-sized terra cotta figures of warriors and horses that still guard his mauseoleum at Xi’an.  China’s capital, Beijing, reflects both the country’s imperial past and its rush towards the future, with historic palaces and soaring modern skyscrapers vying for space in the rapidly changing urban landscape.

This program, run with Mystic Trails, blends visits to some of China’s most famous sights with opportunities to deepen your understanding of the country’s traditional culture and changing modern society through homestays and village visits.  We will stay with local families in the village of Yong Feng on the outskirts of Beijing, where we will participate in cooking lessons with our host families and learn about how this traditionally agricultural community is coping with encroaching urban expansion and rapid modernization.  Another highlight of the program is a field trip to the Loess Plateau located along the upper and middle parts of the Yellow River.  Though fertile and easily farmed in ancient times, the plateau has been depleted through deforestation and overgrazing, resulting in desertification and other ecosystem damage, as well as a stagnant local economy.  On a day hike over the gently rolling hills of the plateau, we will visit with villagers and with children at a local school.  You are sure to be touched by the pure joy of the children as we hand out small gifts during our school visit.

In addition to our visits with local communities, we will take the time to visit the major highlights of Beijing, including the Great Wall, the Forbidden City, and Ti’ananmen Square.  In Xi’an, we explore the Shaanxi Provincial History Museum and marvel at the Terra Cotta Army.  We also visit Mount Hua, the westernmost of the five sacred mountains of China, where Lao Tze, the founder of Taoism, once lived and gave sermons. 

Return to China

Heartland Extension Program length: 11 days Dates: 31 May to 10 June, 2009 26 Oct to 05 Nov, 2009 Grade: Moderate Price: $1,800; $1,550 exension; plus airfare Sample Itinerary (PDF)   for China!

Highlights!

Homestay & cooking lessons

Loess plateau hike

School and village visits

The classic sights of Beijing

Xi’an sightseeing

Magnificent Terra Cotta Army

Sacred Mount Hua