Next Step China’s Summer Study and Travel Program in China offers program participants the opportunity to live for several weeks in the vibrant cities of Beijing, Shanghai, Xi’an, or Guilin and Yanghsuo and use the mandarin skills acquired via an intensive Chinese language instruction.

Participants will use their Chinese to communicate in daily life activities and on the journey, improving both their fluency and pronunciation. In the process, students gain a greater awareness and understanding of cultural differences and diversity.

What does the program include? Glad you asked!

Course tuition at ONE of the FOLLOWING (You Pick!):
Beijing Language and Culture University (BLCU) (4hrs a day and receive college credit)
Beijing Global Village School (BGVS) (4hrs a day of class)
NSC’s Intensive Tutoring Program (3hrs a day 1 on 1 tutoring sessions)

Accommodation: Luxury Apartment or Chinese standard 3 or 4 stars hotel (Beijing, Shanghai and Yangshuo 3 stars hotel; Xi`an and Guilin 4 stars hotel).

Sightseeing and Activities: All sightseeing trips and activities arranged by NSC are provided to program participants.

Transportation: Airport pick-up, sightseeing trips, activities onsite visit, train/bus/flight transportation between cities, transportation to nearby city of departure.

Insurance: The StudentCare Plus insurance policy is provided for all program participants. The policy includes emergency medical and travel coverage, plus 24 hour assistance.

NSC Welcome Kit: Touch-screen cell phone, NSC Shirt, Beijing/Shanghai guide book and more!

24-Hour Assistance: should any problems arise at any time during the program, NSC staff members are available on 24-hour call.

Here is the itinerary for this summer! If you are only interested in the travel option please contact us!

NSC Study and Travel Program (6 Weeks) #1

Dates: June 24, 2010 – August 4, 2010
Description: 4 weeks of study in Beijing, 2 weeks travel to Xi`an, Shanghai, Zhouzhang, Hangzhou, Guilin, and Yangshuo
Program Starting City: Beijing
Program Ending City: Beijing (we can help you arrange travel to your city of departure)
Accommodation: Next Step China Luxury Accommodations or 3 Star Hotel
Program Fee: $4,895 (double room); $5,895 (single room)

Arrangements can be made for students looking to spend additional time studying in Beijing for longer than the allotted 4 weeks. Also, individuals only looking to take part in the travel portion are welcome, as well. Please email Info@NextStepChina.org for details and prices.

Detailed Itinerary:
June 24: Begin 4 weeks of Mandarin Instruction in Beijing
July 22: Train from Beijing to Xi`an
July 23: Visit the Bell and Drum Tower, Old City Wall, and Muslim Street
July 24: Visit the Qin Shi Huang’s mausoleum and the Terra Cotta Warriors; Huaqing Hot Spring; Neolithic Banpo Village
July 25: Flight from Xi’an to Guilin, Afternoon Li River Cruise
July 26: Biking through Yangshou and other outdoor activities such as swimming in the country side
July 27: Visiting the famous and protected Minority Area
July 28: Morning flight to Shanghai
July 29: Visit Shanghai Urban Planning Hall, Nanjing Rd, the Bund, the HuPu River Cruise, the Pearl Tower, and the Lujiazui Economic Zone
July 30: Visit Yuyuan Garden, the French Concession Area, the Shanghai Acrobatic Show, and Social Night
July 31: Day trip to the Canals and Water Townships of Zhouzhuang and Tongli
August 1: Daytrip to Hangzhou
August 2: Free morning in Shanghai, afternoon flight back to Beijing

NSC Study and Travel Program (6 Weeks) #2

Dates: July 20, 2010 – August 31, 2010 NSC Intensive Tutoring or Beijing Language and Culture University
Description: 4 weeks of study in Beijing, 2 weeks travel to Xi`an, Shanghai, Zhouzhang, Hangzhou, Guilin, and Yangshuo
Program Starting City: Beijing
Program Ending City: Beijing (we can help you arrange travel to your city of departure)
Accommodation: Next Step China Luxury Accommodations or 3 Star Hotel
Program Fee: $4,895 (double room); $5,895 (single room)

Arrangements can be made for students looking to spend additional time studying in Beijing for longer than the allotted 4 weeks. Also, individuals only looking to take part in the travel portion are welcome, as well. Please email Info@NextStepChina.org for details and prices.

Detailed Itinerary:
July 22: Train from Beijing to Xi`an
July 23: Visit the Bell and Drum Tower, Old City Wall, and Muslim Street
July 24: Visit the Qin Shi Huang’s mausoleum and the Terra Cotta Warriors; Huaqing Hot Spring; Neolithic Banpo Village
July 25: Flight from Xi’an to Guilin, Afternoon Li River Cruise
July 26: Biking through Yangshou and other outdoor activities such as swimming in the country side
July 27: Visiting the famous and protected Minority Area
July 28: Morning flight to Shanghai
July 29: Visit Shanghai Urban Planning Hall, Nanjing Rd, the Bund, the HuPu River Cruise, the Pearl Tower, and the Lujiazui Economic Zone
July 30: Visit Yuyuan Garden, the French Concession Area, the Shanghai Acrobatic Show, and Social Night
July 31: Day trip to the Canals and Water Townships of Zhouzhuang and Tongli
August 1: Daytrip to Hangzhou
August 2: Free morning in Shanghai, Afternoon flight back to Beijing
August 4th to August 31st: Begin 4 weeks of Mandarin Instruction in Beijing

Info about the Cities being visited!

Xi’an

Home to the famous terracotta warriors unearthed only 30 years ago, Xi’an is undoubtedly the historical center of China. Over the millennia, Xi’an has been host to more than a dozen Chinese dynasties. It was also the terminus for the ancient Silk Road and was visited by merchants from all over the world.

Today, the rich and deep-rooted historical and cultural heritage of Xi’an is visible through a wealth of cultural relics, museums, and historical sites, including the world-famous terracotta army of China’s first Emperor, Qin Shi Huang. The highlights of this section include the Bell and Drum Tower, the Stone Forest, the Neolithic Banpo Village, a visit to the Huaqing Hot Springs, and of course Qin Shi Huang’s great mausoleum and the terracotta warriors.

Shanghai and Outlying Areas

Shanghai is the largest city in all of China. It’s the financial heart of China’s massive economic growth, and also the site of its modern cultural and political renaissance. This is new China. Strategically located where the Yangtze River Delta meets the Pacific, Shanghai is one of the world’s most modern cities and pulses with a vibrancy of a people on the cusp of world greatness. The highlights of the Shanghai tour include the Oriental Pearl Tower, the Hu Pu river cruise, Shanghai acrobatic show, the Bund, the French Concession, and the Yuyuan Garden.

From Shanghai, students will be taken on daytrips to Hangzhou, which Marco Polo proclaimed the “most beautiful city in the world,” and to the water townships of Zhouzhuang and Tongli, the “Venice of China.” Canals run throughout both of these villages, and their inhabitants traverse from place to place in small boats and gondolas. Here, students will experience well-preserved ancient residential houses, boat rides through the canals and under bridges, and observe local customs as merchants sell their wares from their gondolas.

Guilin

The Chinese government thinks so highly of Guilin’s natural wonder and beauty that they have placed its iconic image on the back of the 50 yuan bill. Before this, its cloud-covered peaks have adorned water colorings and inspired Chinese poets for centuries. In fact, the Seven Star Park, thus named because it resembles the Big Dipper, has been a tourist attraction since 517 AD. After touring Guilin’s famed peaks, caves and cruising along the Li River, prepare for bike rides and hiking through the nearby Yangshou countryside.

*All hotels stays, entrance tickets, and transportation from Beijing to the Program ending city on the tour are included in the cost of the program.