2012 & 2013 Travel Handbook - Sun Travel

2012 & 2013 Travel Handbook

Cover image by Paul Schlegelmann Photography 2011

Heritage Tours by Adoption Experts: Journeys of the heart, memories for a lifetime.

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Discover China: 18

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5000 Years Young 34

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See something you like? We’ll take you there! 1: Zhangjiajie Nature Park, Hunan 2: Li River, Guangxi 3: Desert Camel Tour, Inner Mongolia 4: Jiayuguan Pass, Gansu 5: Hong Kong Skyline 6: Naxi Woman, Lijiang Old Town, Yunnan 7: The Three Gorges Dam, Hubei 8: Shaolin Temple, Henan 9: Himalayan Mountains, Tibet 10: Tibetan Woman, Lhasa, Tibet

11: Longmen Grottoes, Henan 12: Gegentala Grassland, Inner Mongolia 13: Huanglong Valley, Sichuan 14: Terracotta Warriors, Shaanxi 15: The Stone Forest, Yunnan 16: Tengwang Pavilion, Jiangxi 17: Qiandao Lake, Zhejiang 18: Huangshan (Yellow Mountain), Anhui 19: The Temple of Heaven, Beijing 20: Hakka Earth Towers, Fujian

21: Pudong Skyline, Shanghai 22: Karakoram Mountains, Xinjiang 23: Yu Garden Bazaar, Shanghai 24: The Sichuan Variety Show 25: The Leshan Giant Buddha, Sichuan 26: Tiananmen Square, Beijing 27: Yamdrok Lake, Tibet 28: Bai Girl, Dali, Yunnan 29: Mt. Jiuhua, Anhui 30: Fenghuang Ancient City, Hunan 31: Shanghai World Expo Pavilion 32: The Great Wall, Beijing 33: Panda Breeding & Research Institute, Sichuan 34: Harbin Ice Festival, Heilongjiang 35: Detian Waterfall, Guangxi 36: Black Dragon Pool, Yunnan 37: Flaming Hills, Turpan, Xinjiang 38: Xian Bell Tower, Shaanxi 39: The Three Gorges, Hubei 40: Lijiang Old Town, Yunnan 41: Potala Palace, Lhasa, Tibet 42: Suzhou, Jiangsu

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Message From Sophie: I jumped into China’s travel industry in 1990, fresh out of school. Looking back, it was one of the best decisions I ever made. I have been so privileged to spend my last 15 years serving adoptive families like yours - you all are my heroes!

Sophie Wang General Manager

This handbook represents the best advice and most helpful observations from our years of travel experience in China and helping families grow through adoption. The homeland return can be daunting, but it is also a great opportunity for adoptive families to reinforce the bonds of love. Let us help you sort out the details and prepare, as a family, for this wonderful and moving experience.

Meet Our U.S. Team A lead engineer at one of China’s premiere telecomm giants before becoming a family man and moving to Seattle, Jack is our IT man! He makes sure that we always have a back-up to our back- up so that we can serve our travelers efficiently and effectively. Jack spends his free time playing Jack Ou [email protected] soccer, cooking, and hiking. Raised in Taiwan and Seattle, Irene is fluent in the language and customs of both worlds.. Our angel of organization is hard at work, coordinating travel for our families while keeping the Sun Travel office in top working order. Irene loves hiking, camping, and snowboarding… and the Irene Yu [email protected] thought of finally visiting Tibet!

About us

Sun Travel USA is your full-service travel support team, dedicated to giving you the absolute best experience on your journey to China. Whether you are flying halfway across the world to bring a child home, returning for a homeland tour, or just eager to unlock the mysteries of this magnificent and foreign world, Sun Travel is your connection to China.

Not Your Average Heritage Travel Company Led by Sophie Wang, Sun Travel is not your average heritage tour company. Sun Travel has been leading tours in China since 1990 and has coordinated adoption travel since 1996 - and continues to coordinate adoption travel to this day. Before all things, we are adoption travel experts. We are intimately aware of what your family needs and what your children need. Sun Travel guides are not just tour guides; they are adoption guides. Should your family decide to visit your child’s orphanage, we have the resources to make that happen. If you and your family have been considering making a return visit to China, the beautiful country of your child’s birth, Sun Travel is here to help. Meet Sun Travel’s sincere and knowledgeable team of adoption and travel experts and let us put our heads and our hearts together to see if we can make your trip back “home” as memorable and life-changing as the first time you brought together your forever family. We look forward to serving you.

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David Mistysyn [email protected]

Cecile Henault [email protected]

Art Zhong [email protected]

Part educator, part marketer, and fulltime fan of all things China, David joined the Sun Travel team after spending 3 years in Beijing and backpacking “all over the place.” He loves to travel to the remote & rugged natural landscapes of China (while sampling the local foods) and share his discoveries with fellow Americans. Our resident adoptive Mom (of two lovely girls from China) adds her personal experience and insight to the tours we provide. Cecile holds strong ties to the adoptive community and is an invaluable asset to our growing company. If you would like to chat with someone who’s been there, talk to Cecile!

Art brings both industry experience and a deep personal connection to his work with adoptive families. Himself an adoptive older brother, he returns to China every year to volunteer at orphanages and increase his knowledge of the country’s 5000-year history. This avid China traveler keeps our business growing!

1904 3rd Ave #1015, Seattle, WA 98101 | P. 206-623-3099 | F. 206-623-3098 | [email protected] | suntravelusa.net

Meet Our China Team: Sun Travel employs local and national guides with solid working relationships and extensive experience in adoption travel to serve our families wherever they go in China. Our Chinese operation centers are located in Xi’an, Guangzhou, and Beijing .

Elsie Chen Guangzhou

Tom Liu Shaanxi

Cindy Lee Beijing

George Jiao Beijing

Jennifer Liu Hunan

Bob Peng Sichuan

Michelle Xiong Jiangxi

Michael Li Beijing

Christina Tu Hubei

Celine Niu Shaanxi

Jane Liu Anhui

Michael Huang Jiangsu

Wendy Wang

Heritage Tour Manager

Sarah Gao

Adoption Travel Manager

May Ma

Liaison Coordinator

Xi’an Office

No. 310, Bldg A, High-Tech Zone Feng Hui Rd., Huajing Square, Shaanxi, Xi’an 710075 Tel: 01186-29-88372553

Beijing Office

No. 903, 28 Fl, Shuangyushu East Gate, Haidian District, Beijing, China, 100086 Tel: 01186-10-82126083

Guangzhou Office

No. 80, Suite 1C, Congyun Road, Baiyun District Guangzhou, Guangdong 510420 Tel: 01186-20-36641185

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Sun Travel & Adoption Our experience in adoption travel began in 1996 with Sun Travel’s founder and general manager, Sophie Boling Wang. For more than 15 years, Sophie Ayi (“Auntie Sophie”) and her China team have worked tirelessly to guide families through the emotional journey of discovering China and bringing a child into their lives. Today, Sun Travel has a team of experienced adoption professionals in the U. S. and on the ground in China, and we continue to assist hundreds of families through the adoption process every year. In 2011 alone, the Sun Travel team worked with adoption agencies to help bring home more than 200 Chinese orphans, the majority of which were older and/or special needs. We know that this trip is about your family; with us by your side, your family is your only focus. We are real people who share a real commitment to adoption and your forever family! As adoption advocates, we are sensitive to the needs of adoptive families. As adoption coordinators, we have strong, healthy, and current relationships with children’s welfare institutes and civil affairs centers across China, and we can offer unparalleled access to their resources on our heritage tour programs. When we say we can take you back to the beginning, we mean just that. Our heritage tour guides are the same hard-working and compassionate individuals who lead our adoption travel programs year-round; their role in the process is invaluable. Join us for a heritage tour and you may well be reunited with the guide who introduced you to your child for the very first time.

As Seen on TV... Really!

Sophie was selected to act as guide and advisor to journalist Lisa Ling through the Chinese adoption process for the muchlauded 2004 National Geographic television special, “China’s Lost Girls.” We invite you to watch this special for a closer look at Sophie’s role and experience in the incredible process of becoming a family.

Our Friends in the Adoption World:

Working with Adoption Agencies U.S. adoption agencies such as the World Association for Children and Parents (WACAP), Chinese Children Adoption International (CCAI), Families Through International Adoption (FTIA), Children’s Hope International (CHI) and Great Wall China Adoption (GWCA) have partnered with Sophie's team to help bring thousands of families together halfway across the world.

Not an Adoptive Family?

No worries! - We are here to be the best travel partners you have ever had. Although the Sun Travel team has a special place in their hearts for adoptive families, we are not solely a heritage tour provider. We have been in the travel business since 1990 and have a passion for helping others discover China. The China travel experts here at Sun Travel have significant experience working with student groups and individual travelers. Looking for memories that last forever? The trip of a lifetime? Let us make it happen for you.

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Why Should You Choose Sun Travel? PERSPECTIVE: Sun Travel has led adoption tours since 1996 and still coordinates adoption tours every day. When we plan your heritage trip, we do so with an understanding of adoptive families that no other company can provide. When a family comes back to China with us, we see it as the continuation of the journey that began with adoption. COST: While providing unsurpassed service, Sun Travel’s service fees & overall tour costs are among the lowest of all China homeland tour programs. There are absolutely no hidden charges. PASSION: Sun Travel’s sole focus, specialty, & passion is helping others discover, experience, and love China. CHILDREN: Nothing against adults, but the Sun Travel team has a special place in their hearts for children. We make it a principle that minimal profit is made off of traveling children to make it possible for every adopted child to see their ancestral homeland. PRESENCE: Sun Travel has offices in Seattle, Beijing, Xi’An and Guangzhou, & full-time staff throughout China. Our China team consists of nearly 20 multilingual representatives across China who have reliable & healthy working relationships with Chinese adoption officials & the travel industry at all levels. Their knowledge & outstanding service will follow you every step of the way.

Table of Contents About us: ……………………………………………………………………. 5-7 The Sun Travel Team Adoption Background Our Services Why Travel to China? …………………………………………………… 9 Sun Travel Tour Programs: Heritage Tours …………………………………………………. 11-16 Educational Tours …………………………………………….. 17-21 Returning to China: Trip Preparation & Travel Information Keys to a Successful Homeland Journey ………………….. 23 Our Observations Over the Years ………………………. 24-26 Preparing Your Family for the Big Trip …………………… 27 Heritage Tour Planning Timeline ……………………………. 28 Packing For Your Trip: ……………………………………… 29-30 What to Bring Helpful Tips Travel Notes ………..……………………………………………. 31-32 Packing List ……………………………………………………………. 33 What to Expect in China …………………………………….. 34-36 Visiting Your Child’s Orphanage Preparing For Your Orphanage Visit ……………………….. 38 What to Expect ………………………………………………………. 39 Gift Ideas ……………………………………………………………….. 40 Orphanage Visit FAQ …………………………………………. 41-44 Stories from our Families …………………………………... 45-46

DETAILS: Our goal is to make every family’s trip perfect. If you are seeing something, a Sun Travel rep has seen it before. If you are eating it, a Sun Travel rep has tasted it before. The bed in your hotel room? – You guessed it, a Sun Travel rep has spent a night there too. REFERENCES: Sun Travel prides itself on family satisfaction. Hundreds of adoptive families are on our reference list. Their personal experience will reaffirm and assure you that Sun Travel is the right choice for you and your family. To learn more, read what our families have to say on p. 45-46

We are flexible! We see every trip as a one-of-a-kind experience. Don’t hesitate to ask us about changing your trip. There are many possibilities to explore:  Additional days in your child’s adoption province  Volunteering opportunities—great for families!  Sightseeing adventures off the beaten track

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Why Take a Heritage Trip? In celebration of your family’s multicultural roots Returning to China is not something you do for your child. It is not just about your daughter or your son. It is not about the orphanage visit or the adoption province. Returning to China is about your family— an opportunity for your family to explore, appreciate, and take pride in a heritage that is forever woven into the fabric of your family’s multicultural story. There is no "just American;" your family represents a mix of a number of different cultural heritages. A family that may have been of German and English descent is now, through adoption, also Chinese-American. Discovering China is necessary not just in understanding the context of your child’s adoption, but also as a celebration of your family’s roots. Discovering China together as a multicultural family is essential to your child’s confidence, sense of self, and acceptance of who they are as part of the family. Experiencing the sights, sounds, smells, and tastes of China together as a family will help your child realize that they are a valued and important part of the family. And it should be FUN! Here at Sun Travel, we work hard to make sure that having fun is the only thing you’ll need to worry about. Your Child: Discovering one’s sense of self Let's say you adopted your daughter from China when she was only a year old. She has no clear memory of China. It is essential for her to revisit her birthcountry because without that opportunity, she will always have to base her impression of where she comes from – something so important to her self-esteem – on what she sees on TV and hears from other people. A trip to China is powerful because it lets her draw her own conclusions. Many conflicts between how it is over there versus at home in the U.S. are resolved as they discover that the similarities far outnumber the differences, and that many of these differences are the cultural elements that make it all the more exciting and meaningful to be part of two different cultures. Understanding your adoption context It could take years to answer all the questions your child and your family have regarding the circumstances of your child’s adoption. China is an extremely complicated place, and the advent of international adoption in China cannot be solely attributed to a patriarchal society or invasive governmental policy. A return to China is crucial to collecting the tools needed to make sense of your family’s incredible journey, with each return trip after that bringing even more clarity and understanding to your child and your family . Each visit is your opportunity to better understand your child’s adoption story, and ultimately the multicultural heritage of your family. Without exploring the country of your child’s birth, it would be extremely challenging for your family and your child to reconcile the entire context of adoption, abandonment, and China in a constructive way. Most Importantly If we had to boil it down to one thing, this trip is about making your adopted children feel proud of who they are and where they come from. It's to show them that they came from a magnificent place of ageless wonders, diverse peoples, and thousands of years of tradition. To make sure that they know – through interaction with our exceptional adoption guides, friendly locals, and the kind people who cared for them before they joined your family – that love has no boundaries, and that they are important... not just in the U.S., but even halfway around the world! 9

2012 & 2013 Tour Programs

Deluxe Homeland Group Tour Beijing—Xi’An—Chengdu—Guilin—Birth Province—Shanghai*

Heritage Tours 2012-2013

This wonderful heritage tour incorporates all of our most popular destinations into one incredible package. See the ancient capitals of Beijing and Xi’An, the spectacular landscapes of the southwest, and of course, your child’s birth province. *Depart via Shanghai OR Guangzhou. Day 1 Arrive in Beijing. Your guide will greet you and escort you to the hotel. Have a welcome dinner and get settled. Day 2 We take you to Beijing’s famous Tiananmen Square and Forbidden City, then go on a rickshaw tour of the traditional “hutong” alleyway homes around Houhai Lake Park. After dinner, take in an acrobatics show. Day 3 Make a quick stop at the site of the 2008 Beijing Olympics, viewing the “Bird’s Nest” Stadium and Water Cube. Then off to the majestic Great Wall of China. Day 4 Tour the Summer Palace, an incredible park complex with a view of the city. Wave goodbye to Beijing and hop on the afternoon flight to the old capital of Xi’An. Day 5 Today is all about the Terracotta Warriors, a long-hidden wonder of the ancient world that is still being uncovered. Tonight we will watch the exciting Tang Dynasty Show! Day 6 The tour of China’s former capital begins on the city walls. Stroll or ride a bike above the old city, then tour the Muslim Quarter, Bell Tower, and Drum Tower within. Continue just beyond the walls to the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. Day 7 Arrive in Chengdu, capital of Sichuan. After settling in your hotel, tour the People’s Park and the “Wide and Narrow Alleys,” where you can mingle with the locals and join in a game or two. A Sichuan-style hotpot dinner will be followed by the sensational Sichuan Variety Opera.

Day 8 Visit our panda friends at the Panda Breeding and Research institute, and take the evening flight to beautiful Guilin. Day 9 See some of Guilin’s unbelievable karst landscape and explore the Reed Flute Cave. Day 10 Take a cruise down the Li River to view some of the world’s most unusual and breathtaking landforms on your way to the small town of Yangshuo. Day 11 Fly to the capital of your child’s birth province, and continue to the orphanage site. Day 12 This is your family’s special day to trace back your child’s roots and spend time at his/her orphanage. Day 13 After seeing your child’s hometown, fly to Shanghai* for our final city tour. Day 14 Start in Shanghai’s “Chinese Quarter” and stroll Yu Gardens before continuing to the old marketplace and Shanghai Museum. Our final stop is the colonial Bund. Day 15—Depart for the USA!

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* You may also choose to depart via Guangzhou

Travel Dates & Terms Individual families may join the Deluxe Homeland Group Tour for any of the itinerary dates listed below. Sun Travel is happy to arrange side trips and extensions to your itinerary as an add-on. We also welcome independent groups (play groups, orphanage/province reunion groups, etc.) to contact us for a private custom tour. Independent groups may travel at any feasible time. Sun Travel will waive the costs of one traveler for groups of more than 16 people.

Tour Schedule—2012


DET1 January 4-19, 2012 DET2 January 11-26, 2012 DET3 January18-February 2, 2012 DET4 January 25-February 9, 2012 DET5 February 1-16, 2012 DET6 February 8-23, 2012 DET7 February15-March 1, 2012 DET8 February 22-March 8, 2012 DET9 February 29-March 15, 2012 DET10 May23-June7, 2012 DET11 May30-June14, 2012 DET12 June6-21, 2012 DET13 June13-28, 2012 DET14 June20-July5, 2012 DET15 June27-July12, 2012 DET16 July4-19, 2012 DET17 July11-26, 2012 DET18 July 18-August 2, 2012 DET 19 July25-August 9, 2012 DET20 August 1-16, 2012 DET21 August 8-24, 2012 DET22 August 15-31, 2012 DET23 October 17-November 1, 2012 DET24 October 24-November 8, 2012 DET25 October 25-November15, 2012 DET26 October 31-November22, 2012 DET 27 November 7-23, 2012 DET28 November 14-29, 2012 DET29 November21-December 6, 2012 DET30 November 28-December13, 2012

DET1 January 2-17, 2013 DET2 January 9-24, 2013 DET3 January16-31, 2013 DET4 January 23-February 7, 2013 DET5 January 30-February14, 2013 DET6 February 6-21, 2013 DET7 February13-28, 2012 DET8 February 20-March 7, 2013 DET9 February 27-March 14, 2013 DET10 May22-June6, 2013 DET11 May29-June13, 2013 DET12 June5-20, 2013 DET13 June12-27, 2013 DET14 June19-July4, 2013 DET15 June26-July11, 2013 DET16 July3-19, 2013 DET17 July10-26. 2013 DET18 July 17-August 1, 2013 DET 19 July24-August 8, 2013 DET20 July31-August 15, 2013 DET21 August 7-22, 2013 DET22 August 14-29, 2013 DET23 October 16-31, 2013 DET24 October 23-November 7, 2013 DET25 October 30-November14, 2013 DET 26 November 6-21, 2013 DET27 November 13-28, 2013 DET28 November20-December 5, 2013 DET29 November 27-December12, 2013 DET30 December4-19, 2013

*Group size is typically 15-30 persons, including 5-12 children. Please see our website at www.suntravelusa.net for full tour options, payment policy, and other concerns. Independent groups may contact Sophie directly at [email protected]. 12

Homeland Classic Group Tour Beijing—Xi’An—Guilin—Birth Province—Guangzhou*


See the ancient cities and most beautiful landscapes of China in this fun-filled tour. The modernday capital of Beijing and ancient capital of Xian will cover your urban experience, and the scenic Li River will astound you as you drift along. *Depart via Guangzhou OR Shanghai. Day 1 Arrive in Beijing. Your guide will greet you and escort you to the hotel. Have a welcome dinner and get settled. Day 2 Explore Tiananmen Square and pass through the gate of the Forbidden City, then visit the last of Beijing’s traditional “hutong” alleyway homes. Acrobatics show at night. Day 3 Pass through the Beijing Olympic Village on your way to the Great Wall of China. Hike or ride to the top and get your camera ready for the incredible view. Day 4 Make like an emperor and head to the Summer Palace. This park and royal residence is the ideal last stop before your overnight train to the ancient capital of Xi’An. Day 5 Take a day trip to the excavation site of the spectacular Terracotta Army. After supporting the troops, head back to Xi’An for the amazing Tang Dynasty Show. Day 6 Walk or rent a bike to explore the old city walls, and then continue to the Muslim Quarter, Drum & Bell Towers, and Big Wild Goose Pagoda. What a day in old Xi’An! Day 7 Fly to Guilin and take in the postcard scenery—today we will see the Elephant Trunk Hill and Reed Flute Cave. Day 8 Cruise down the idyllic Li River as you pass by hundreds of incredible karst landforms jutting up along the riverbanks. Arrive in the small but gorgeous town of Yangshuo.

Day 9 After breakfast, hop on a flight to your child’s birth province. Arrive at the orphanage tonight or tomorrow morning. Day 10 Focus on your family—this is why you came. Spend the day at your child’s orphanage and bond over the experience of retracing your child’s roots! Day 11 Enjoy the sights of your child’s hometown before catching a flight to Guangzhou*, where your adoption trip ended years ago. Day 12 Remember this? We’re going back to Shamian Island. Tour the colonial streets and walk down memory lane as you complete the story of bringing your child home. After lunch, visit the Guangdong Museum, and then enjoy our group farewell dinner. Day 13 All good things must come to an end. It’s time to fly back home and reflect upon your experience as a family. Depart for the US from Guangzhou Airport. * You may also choose to depart via Shanghai.

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Travel Dates & Terms Individual families may join the Homeland Classic Group Tour for any of the itinerary dates listed below. Sun Travel is happy to arrange side trips and extensions to your itinerary as an add-on. We also welcome independent groups (play groups, orphanage/province reunion groups, etc.) to contact us for a private custom tour. Independent groups may travel at any feasible time. Sun Travel will waive the costs of one traveler for groups of more than 16 people.



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March 3-14, 2012 March10-21, 2012 March17-28, 2012 March24-April 4, 2012 March 31-April11, 2012 April 7-18, 2012 April14-25, 2012 April21-May2, 2012 April28-May 9, 2012 May5-16, 2012 May12-23, 2012 May19-30, 2012

March 2-13, 2013 March9-20, 2013 March16-27, 2013 March23-April 3, 2013 March 30-April 10, 2013 April 6-17, 2013 April113-24, 2013 April20-May1, 2013 April27-May 8, 2013 May4-15, 2013 May11-22, 2013 May18-29, 2013 May25-June5, 2013


Ancient Wonders Group Tour Beijing—Xi’An—Chengdu—Birth Province—Shanghai*


After the cannot-miss destinations of Beijing and Xi’An, this tour takes you to the heart of panda country on the way to your child’s birth province. See the Great Wall, the Terracotta Army, your child’s hometown, and much more. *Depart via Shanghai OR Guangzhou. Day 1 Arrive in Beijing. Your guide will greet you and escort you to the hotel. Have a welcome dinner and get settled. Day 2 Let’s explore Beijing! Walk through Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City before hopping on a rickshaw to tour the traditional “hutong” alleyway homes. Tonight we will see an acrobatics show. Day 3 After a quick jaunt to the Olympic “Bird’s Nest” Stadium and Water Cube, head to the Great Wall of China for an afternoon of hiking an taking in the views! Day 4 Tour the grounds of the Imperial Summer Palace, a lovely residence and lake park located just outside of the citycenter. This evening board an overnight train to Xi’An. Day 5 Xi’An’s world-famous Terracotta Army has stood vigil for 2200 years. See these brilliant soldier (and horses) bring a long-forgotten chapter of history back to life, then watch the exciting Tang Dynasty Show in the evening. Day 6 The ancient capital of Xi’An still boasts incredible city walls, which you can explore on foot or by bicycle! Afterward, see the Muslim Quarter, Drum & Bell Towers, and the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. Day 7 Get settled in Chengdu and then begin your city tour. We will join the locals for Tai Chi and Mah Jongg at the People’s Park and the “Wide & Narrow Alleys,” then watch the Sichuan Variety Opera in the evening.

Day 8 It’s Panda Day! Visit the Panda Breeding & Research Institute for a closer look and even a photo-op with our furry friends! Day 9 Fly to your child’s birth province to begin retracing your family’s story. Day 10 Spend the day at your child’s former orphanage, and take a closer look at this important chapter of your family history. Day 11 Tour the sights of your child’s hometown, and then hop on a flight for metropolitan Shanghai* and begin your city tour. Day 12 Starting off in the old “Chinese Quarter,” see the tranquil Yu Gardens and then take a step back into the bustling marketplace. Continue on to the Shanghai Museum for a glimpse of the city’s rich history, then see its strong colonial heritage on the Bund! Day 13 Board your return flight to the USA. We hope you had an incredible trip! * You may also choose to depart via Guangzhou.

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Travel Dates & Terms Individual families may join the Ancient Wonders Group Tour for any of the itinerary dates listed below. Sun Travel is happy to arrange side trips and extensions to your itinerary as an add-on. We also welcome independent groups (play groups, orphanage/province reunion groups, etc.) to contact us for a private custom tour. Independent groups may travel at any feasible time. Sun Travel will waive the costs of one traveler for groups of more than 16 people.



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June4-17, 2012 June11-24, 2012 June18-July1, 2012 June25-July 8, 2012 July2-15, 2012 July9-22, 2012 July16-29, 2012 July23-August 5, 2012 July 30-August 12, 2012 August 6-19, 2012 August 13-26, 2012

June3-16, 2013 June10-23, 2013 June17-30, 2013 June24-July 7, 2013 July1-14, 2013 July8-21, 2013 July15-28, 2013 July22-August 4, 2013 July 29-August 11, 2013 August 5-18, 2013 August 12-25, 2013


Educational Tours from Sun Travel In addition to offering excellent adoption and heritage travel products, we pride ourselves on our remarkable educational tours. Sun Travel works with teachers and parents to build fantastic student tours that explore every corner of China. We create tours for students of all ages and groups of all sizes. Go ahead, challenge us. You'll love the result!

Why should I send my son or daughter to study in China? by David Mistysyn, Sun Travel USA

I'll admit it, when I moved to China in 2008, I had no idea what I was getting into. Call it chance or extremely good fortune, but I landed in the best place possible for a young American to receive a global education. I came back a stronger person, with a better concept of the world and my role in it. Many parents and friends ask why I say that they should send their child to study in China. The answers are undeniable. It's the Future... In the past 2 decades, China has undergone economic growth on a scale that the world has never seen before. The new China is one of technological advances, staggering feats of engineering (like the 3 Gorges Dam), stunning infrastructural improvements, and 1.3 billion people striving to re-assert their ancient role of global dominance. There's no mistake that China was selected as the host for the most recent World Expo and Olympic Summer Games. From China's point of view, the past 200 years have been a mere hiccup in the story of the world's oldest and greatest superpower. If you want your child to succeed in the new global market, there is no better place to send him or her to study. It's the Past... As a young country, America tends to forget the contributions of older civilizations. Not just Mah Jong and Kung Fu - China gave the world paper, the compass, ironworking, and gunpowder, to name a few. How about philosophy? How about... noodles? From the intangible to the everyday, Chinese contributions have shaped lives all around the world. We may have Hollywood, but they have 5,000 years of culture under their belts, and a vast landscape dotted with ancient temples, pagodas, and gardens. They have academies that remember when great people like Confucius, Mencius, and Lao Tzu walked their courtyards. Many have devoted their entire lives to disciplines that originated in China. Your son or daughter has much to discover on the far side of the world. It's Different... It's only natural for a child to associate the culture they grew up in as "the way it should be." China, thousands of years old and thousands of miles removed, is about as far away as you can get from American and Western modes of thinking. Yet to visit China is to see a thriving culture where a different approach to getting things done is alive and well, and another completely valid response to "the way it should be." The cultural shift can be jarring for young travelers, which is exactly what makes it a highly valuable educational experience. By witnessing such a different culture at work, your child will have a new lens with which to examine the world around us. And, as we all know, that world is being brought closer together with each passing year. It Opens Minds... Ask anyone who has studied abroad - it is a life-changing experience. According to 50 years of research conducted by IES, 96% of students returning from abroad report having increased self-confidence. 98% report that it helped them to understand their own cultural values and biases. In short, it will open your child's eyes to a broader way of seeing the world. The experience gives your son or daughter the tools to succeed in their studies and in business. They will come back as global ambassadors. They will come back, as I did, with a better understanding of myself, my country, and my world.

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Our Tours A Sun Travel educational tour is something to get excited about. We work with teachers to custom-build each educational tour to match the aims of their particular student groups. Our educational tours incorporate real learning activities, interaction with local students, and volunteering opportunities. Unlike other sightseeing tours with an educational label, we provide an experience that brings real relevance to the sights and sounds of China.

Let's work together!

We love working with teachers to design a unique itinerary. Our educational consultants have many ideas to share and make the process truly collaborative. We invite you to take a look at the Silk Road Explorer and the Southwest Expedition, each built with an educational theme, and offering stops outside of the usual sightseeing destinations. But please don't limit yourself to these options! If you have an idea, we'll build it. Our website features additional itineraries, including those customized for previous student groups. Or for a tour with a broader glimpse of China, look at our heritage tour itineraries - we can build a great educational tour around the same destinations!

Learn Mandarin at our Summer Camp in China!

We are proud to announce the launch of our new Teen Study & Travel Adventure starting this summer in China. Students will combine classroom Mandarin lessons from a native instructor with real-life language immersion practice. Our base camp is in Xi'An, ancient Chinese capital and starting point of the legendary Silk Road. There, they will study Mandarin, meet with a Chinese high school language partner, take part in a homestay, and join in educational field trips and volunteering opportunities. But that's just the beginning. Students will also go on exploratory trips to Beijing, Gansu, and Yunnan. Think of it as 12 days of summer camp and 12 days of exciting travel opportunities. Full information on the Teen Study & Travel Adventure can be found at the end of this section or on our website.

Start planning in advance

Organizing a student tour can be a tremendous amount of work. Don't worry, we are there to guide you through the process. We will help you create timelines for establishing a budget, collecting passport information, completing visa forms, building an itinerary, and everything else you will need to accomplish in order to make this trip a reality. So get started early give us a call today!

Take a look at our SAMPLES

On the following pages, you will find sample itineraries from our educational travel catalog. These are not your only options. We have many more suggestions to provide, and we can custom-build a tour around your curriculum. Consider this a brainstorming session. For more options, please visit our website: www.suntravelusa.net

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Silk Road Explorer Beijing—Lanzhou—Dunhuang—Turpan—Urumqi—Kashgar

Educational Tours 2012-2013

This tour follows the ancient Silk Road from the city of Lanzhou to Kashgar at the western edge of China. Along the way, you will visit oasis towns, temples carved out of mountains, and ancient desert strongholds of the Silk Road. Don’t miss this amazing experience! Day 1 Arrive in Beijing. Your guide will greet you and escort you to the hotel. Have a welcome dinner and get settled. Day 2 Take a domestic flight to Lanzhou, the capital of the Gansu province and your launching point along the Silk Road! Day 3 Follow the Yellow River on a cruise (water level permitting) to Bingling Temple, carved out of a canyon along the river. Tour Bingling Temple and return to Lanzhou. Day 4 Take a domestic flight over the Gobi Desert to Dunhuang, a desert oasis and popular crossroads of the Silk Road. Day 5 Visit the incredible Mogao Grottoes near Dunhuang, famous for its depictions of Buddha and influences that reflect the cultural mix of Silk Road travelers. Day 6 Head to the small town of Liuyuan in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. From here, take the night train to Turpan. Day 7 You will arrive at the oasis of Turpan. Check into your hotel and then we will be exploring the ruins of Gaochang and Jiaohe, two ancient fortresses along the Silk Road. Day 8 Our next stop is Urumqi, capital of the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. Tour the city and soak in the culture of the Uyghur people.

Day 9 After a morning stop at the Xinjiang Museum, we will fly to Kashgar, at the remote Western edge of Chinese civilization. Day 10 Join the locals and other distant travelers at the famous bazaar of Kashgar. Afterwards, visit the Id Kha Mosque and the Tomb of Abakh Hoja. Day 11 Return to the Urumqi and continue your tour of the local sites. A true oasis, Urumqi holds the honor of being the farthest city on earth from any sea. Day 12 Fly to Beijing for one last tour! Day 13 After visiting the desert strongholds of the Silk Road, it’s time to see the eastern Great Wall. Walk the restored wall at Mutianyu with its stunning mountain views. Day 14 Our Beijing city tour will take you to the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, and the hutong homes near Houhai Lake Park. Day 15—Return flight to the USA!

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Southwest Expedition Beijing—Xi’An—Kunming—Dali—Lijiang

Educational Tours 2012-2013

After touring through Beijing and Xi’An, with stops at the Great Wall and Terracotta Army, we will take you to the gorgeous Yunnan province in southwest China. There, you will see unbelievable landscapes and traditional towns that have remained untouched for centuries. Day 1 Arrive in Beijing. Your guide will greet you and escort you to the hotel. Have a welcome dinner and get settled. Day 2 Students learn about modern China as they visit Tiananmen Square and the alleyway “hutong” homes of capital citizens, with a tour of the Forbidden City in between. Day 3 Stop by the 2008 Olympic venues before clambering up the Great Wall of China! After a tiring hike, we will relax and take in an acrobatics show. Day 4 Walk the incredible park grounds of the Imperial Summer Palace, and enjoy the view of Beijing from across Kunming Lake. Later, we will take an overnight train to Xi’An. Day 5 Tour the old city of Xi’An, starting with a bike ride atop the city walls. Continue below to the Muslim Quarter, Bell Tower, and Drum Tower. After dinner, we will attend the wonderful Tang Dynasty Show Day 6 It’s time to see the Terracotta Army! After viewing this incredible array, we’ll hop back on the train for an overnight ride to Kunming. Days 7 Just outside of Kunming, spend the day in the remarkable Stone Forest., a natural spectacle that defies logic. After the Stone Forest, we’ll ride the train to Dali. Day 8 Spend the day in Dali, a picturesque town set against a backdrop of snow-capped mountains. We will see the agricultural trade market and the splendid Three Pagodas!

Day 9 Cruise around stunning Lake Erhai and take in the sights. Afterward, we will explore a local Bai ethnic minority village. Day 10 Take the bus to Lijiang , which, like Dali, is a postcard-ready town that adheres strictly to traditional architecture and customs. Day 11 Walk Lijiang’s cobblestone streets and cross the canals to Mufu, the stone mansion, and Black Dragon Pool. This is also a great town for shopping! Day 12 From Lijiang, we will visit the nearby Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and take a pony ride around Lashi Lake. Day 13 We will hike Tiger Leaping Gorge at the doorstep of Tibet today, and then view the first bend of the Yangtze River and the nearby Stone Drum Town. Day 14 Fly back to Beijing and catch your connecting flight home to the US! 20

Summer Camp in China! Want your student to learn Mandarin and travel China at the same time? This is the program for you!

Teen Study & Travel Adventure July 5th - 30th, 2012 Only $3,850—includes rooms, meals & activities

12 Days of Language & Culture Camp!      

Based in Xi’An, China 20 hours of language immersion classes Join local students in cultural activities Have a homestay with a local family Learn about Ancient & Modern China See the local sights

12 Days of Exciting Travel!         

The Great Wall Tiananmen Square The Forbidden City Terracotta Warriors Mount Hua Lijiang Old Town The Stone Forest Kunming Tiger Leaping Gorge and much more!

ONE INCREDIBLE SUMMER! For students ages 13-18. Prices do not include international airfare, visas, or insurance. Space is limited—join now!