EXPERIENCE XIAN JOURNEY THROUGH TIME. Beijing City International School

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Kimberly Fisher
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1 EXPERIENCE XIAN JOURNEY THROUGH TIME Beijing City International School

2 KEY EDUCATIONAL CONCEPTS Creativity, Action, and Service In accordance with The Hutong s Educational Mission, we aim to broaden students horizons by exposing them to unique experiences throughout China. The Hutong places particular emphasis on experiential learning, and works increasingly to give its students the opportunity to service the communities they visit. They leave the trip with a renewed sense of their strengths and abilities, as well as a more solid understanding of ethical tourism and global development. Ancient vs. Modern History We will explore China s illustrious history via interactive activities at The Museum of The Terracotta Warriors, Xian s City Wall and The Big Wild Goose Pagoda. At Xian s Terracotta Army, the students will complete a site scavenger hunt that takes them back in time. The For the trip s whole, we will complete a workbook designed to have the students dig deep into Xian s history and travel through space and time. Team Building Many activities naturally lend themselves to aiding the students to break down barriers, work as teams and utilize leadership qualities, but none more so biking along the ancient city wall and navigating a scavenger hunt through the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. The activities will push physical, emotional and cultural boundaries necessitating the need for students to work together. 3

3 SCHEDULE BCIS Contact: Alex Davies Date of Program: 9 th -12 th September 2014 No. of Students: Approx. 60 No. of Staff: 6 In The Hutong s Xi an: Journey Through Time, we will meet China s world famous, ancient Terracotta Army, bike along the city s historical wall, experience Xian s art and customs, taste its delicacies, and also interact with the community. The trip begins and ends in Xian. Meals provided indicated in schedule as Breakfast (B), Lunch (L), and Dinner (D). Day Location 1 Beijing- Xian Activities Evening: Train from Beijing to Xian 9/9 2 9/10 3 9/11 Train, Bus Xian Bus B, L, D Xian Bus B, L, D Morning: Transport to and check into hotel Welcome Talk Big Wild Goose Pagoda scavenger hunt Afternoon: Tang Bo Art Museum Workshop Evening: Muslim Quarter Night Market Bingo Soup Dumplings at Jia San ( 贾三灌汤包 ) Morning: Terracotta pottery factory workshop Afternoon: Terracotta Warriors Museum activities Visit local traditional cave dwelling Return to hotel 4

4 4 Xian 9/12 Bus B, L, D Morning: City Wall Biking Activity Traditional Paomo Lunch Afternoon: Hanyanglin Mausoleum Visit 5 9/13 Xi an- Beijing Evening: Return Train to Beijing Morning: Arrival back in Beijing Note: The Hutong works closely with each of its client schools to develop a trip that fits its curriculum and unique requirements. Hutong trip leaders also travel regularly to destinations to develop relationships with local contacts to provide the most authentic cultural experiences possible. As such, trip itineraries are subject to change, pending the discovery of an even better activity or destination. Itineraries may also be subject to change due to weather, traffic, or government policies. For large groups, and after consulting with the school, The Hutong may decide to separate the students into subgroups and rotate the itinerary. We welcome open discussion and collaboration to design educational, interactive, and relevant excursions. 5

OVERVIEW OF ACTIVITIES DAY 1: Giant Wild Goose Pagoda 大雁塔 We visit one of the quintessential examples of classic Chinese architecture, the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda.

literary classic, Journey to the West. We will start by splitting up the group into smaller battalion groups that they will group into during every interactive group activity.

5 OVERVIEW OF ACTIVITIES DAY 1: Giant Wild Goose Pagoda 大雁塔 We visit one of the quintessential examples of classic Chinese architecture, the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda. Originally built in 652 during the Tang Dynasty to house the sutras, figurines, and teachings that the monk Xuanzang brought back from his travels to India; the voyage that inspired the Chinese literary classic, Journey to the West. We will start by splitting up the group into smaller battalion groups that they will group into during every interactive group activity. We will embark on a scavenger hunt around the grounds and up the seven stories of the famous pagoda to find clues and unravel the story behind the ancient epic. Tang Bo Art Museum Workshop In this afternoon activity, students will use art as their lens to delve deeper into Chinese history. From ancient pottery and paintings to traditional folk arts and paper cutting, we will trace the progression of Chinese art through the millennia. We ll get a chance to pick up our own brush and canvas to learn those basic strokes of Chinese Calligraphy from the museum curator. Muslim Quarter Market The terminus city of the ancient Silk Road and one of China s four ancient capital cities, Xi an has historically been a cosmopolitan city that has attracted merchants and traders from all four corners of the globe. Students will have structured free time to explore the bustling market for delicious snacks, shop for gifts, and to enjoy the one of the most unique neighborhoods in the entire country. Rose petal rice, persimmon cakes, and pulled pork sandwiches are just a few of the culinary treats that we ll graze upon before tucking into our own feast right off the main street. 6

DAY 2: Terracotta Pottery Factory We will jump right in with a visit to a local pottery factory to learn about the production process of the originals terracotta warriors that we will see later in

Terracotta Warriors Museum - 兵马俑 The crown jewel of Xi an and hailed as one of the Eight Wonders of the Ancient World, Emperor Qinshihuang s Mausoleum is one of the most significant archaeological

6 DAY 2: Terracotta Pottery Factory We will jump right in with a visit to a local pottery factory to learn about the production process of the originals terracotta warriors that we will see later in the Mausoleum. Our students will get the chance to work alongside the craftsmen and women to make their own small terracotta warrior, to decorate and give it their own individual identity and flair. Terracotta Warriors Museum - 兵马俑 The crown jewel of Xi an and hailed as one of the Eight Wonders of the Ancient World, Emperor Qinshihuang s Mausoleum is one of the most significant archaeological finds in history. Housing over 7,000 life-sized terra cotta figures of warriors and horses aligned in battle formation, built to protect the legendary first Emperor of China in his afterlife. Students will re-group into their battalions and take part in a site-wide scavenger hunt that will have them taking out their critical eyes with the devil lying in the details. Traditional Cave Dwelling We ll make a brief stop at one of the last remaining examples of traditional cave houses left in the Xi an area. Very common in the Loess Plateau of Northern Shaanxi as the porous yellow soil is very amenable to these structures which provide warmth in the harsh winter and cool relief during the summer. 7

DAY 3: Ancient City Wall Biking One of the oldest and best preserved city walls in all of China, students will be asked to complete an interactive scavenger hunt on their bikes as they navigate the

Biking with their battalion groups, students will be tasked with collecting clues and keeping their eye peeled because you never know what you ll see when you when you step back into history!

7 DAY 3: Ancient City Wall Biking One of the oldest and best preserved city walls in all of China, students will be asked to complete an interactive scavenger hunt on their bikes as they navigate the wall. We ll start at the historic southern Yongningmen Gate and ride through history on our way to the north gate watchtower. Biking with their battalion groups, students will be tasked with collecting clues and keeping their eye peeled because you never know what you ll see when you when you step back into history! Hanyangling Mausoleum A closer and more intimate site than the massive excavation at Qinshihuang s Mausoleum, this is the burial place of Emperor Jing, the fourth emperor of the Western Han Dynasty. We will have a chance to get right down on the ground level of the excavation and get to look history right in the eye and see the final resting place of the emperor thought to have unified early dynastic China Return to Beijing We will take an Evening overnight train and arrive back in Beijing the next morning. Through our interactive approach students will not just be passive recipients of cultural knowledge but will have fun and get a deeper insight by actively participating. They will return home with a better understanding of China s history, culture and an appreciation of its arts and customs, while having taken a little step in the direction toward social awareness and responsibility. 8

8 VALUES AND CHALLENGES Throughout our programs, we challenge students to not only push their boundaries and explore their surrounding culture but we encourage them to take responsibility for their actions through embracing sustainable travel, making good decisions and supporting their classmates. These notions are born out of our own company Core Values: 1. Be a good egg! 2. Embrace diversity! 3. Light a spark! 4. Go the extra li (mile)! 5. Seek challenge! 6. Smile more! We like to challenge students to adopt these practices and award those who demonstrate such values during the trip, through notions such as: The Chopstick Challenge Each student is given their very own set of sustainable bamboo chopsticks with a stylish pouch to keep them in. Why? Forests are being chopped down for producing chopsticks 20 million trees per year to produce 80 billion disposable chopsticks for China alone. To discourage deforestation and wasteful consumption we avoid using disposable chopsticks and encourage responsibility for possessions. Students who demonstrate best sustainability practices will earn the Golden Chopstick Award. The Hutong Helmsman Mao Zedong was known as "The Great Helmsman" because of his ability to steer the PRC to the right course of action. At The Hutong, we will choose our Helmsmen and Helmswomen based on who has lived up to the The Hutong's Core Values that day, thereby helping steer us to a more successful trip. We typically have each teacher choose someone from their group, and by the end of the trip each student ends up being recognized for their positive contributions. 9

Join Us In China (Beijing, Xian and Shanghai) This Spring, June 13 24, 2016.

Join Us In China (Beijing, Xian and Shanghai) This Spring, June 13 24, 2016. Visit Tiananmen Square, Great Wall of China, Terracotta Warriors and much more! For any questions, please contact Charlene Littleton