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Location: Various locations around China
Duration: 4 weeks
Cost: 800 Euros for the month. All food, accommodation, domestic transfers, 24 hour support and programme acitivities included.
Travel: You will be met at the airport by a project representative, who will arrange and pay for your transfer to the project.
Introduction
Get a full flavour of China with this Combination Experience, taking in Chinese Culture, Society, Food and Nature, whilst giving somethign back to the community.
Itinerary
Week 1: Introduction Week - Fengyan Village
This Introduction Week is the first step towards a great stay in this country! It is designed to ease you into Chinese society, and avoid culture shock. It is a fun filled week that is dedicated to getting to know China and some of its cultural aspects first hand. You will also get time to meet local people, taste the local cuisine and get familiar with the Chinese customs. The Introduction Week will take place in our regional centre located in Fengyan village.
Our schedule is flexible but will usually consist of:
General introduction to China: habits, behavioural aspects, dos & don'ts, local transportation and emergency preparation.
Chinese Culture: Yao customs, history, social issues, art & music, and traditional games like Mahjong (Majiang in Chinese).
Cooking lessons: Making dumplings, local dishes, Oil tea of Yao Minority.
Language Skills: A first contact with the Chinese language, and we will show you how to write your name in Chinese Calligraphy with writing brush, how to pronounce Chinese Pinyin, how to greet, how to bargain etc.
Week 2 -Culture Week - Yangshuo Town
In the Culture Week, you will have the opportunity to experience elegant town of Yangshuo. It is renowned for the beautiful nature, the excellent combination of the Orient and the West culture, and the hospitality of the lovely and warm people.
In recent years Yangshuo has become one of thee most famous places in China.
We will explore and experience the beauty of the Big Banyan, Moon Hill, the Yulong Bridge, the Li River and 'Peach Blossom Paradise'. Also you will have the chance to explore to Fuli culture street and the well preserved ancient city of Daxu or Huangyao with more than 2000 years of history.
We also offer variety of lessons such as Paper crafting, Calligraphy, Taichi etc. to explore Chinese culture.
Week -3 Community Development
Our Volunteer China Program will give you the possibility to experience all these and so much more. Located in the heart of Guangxi lies Fengyan with it's diverse landscape. This enchanting and well preserved village in Gongcheng is 42kms from Yangshuo and 104kms from Guilin city.
This is also a fantastic opportunity to be a responsible traveller and make a positive contribution during your stay.
Volunteering options include:
A. Teaching in the villages or surrounding small towns (All year round, always available)
B. Farming in the forest of fruit trees (Seasonal, October - December )
C. Environmental awareness, cleaning and sustainable environmental projects (Variable, numbers dependent)
The teaching is meant to help children in the villages/towns to have a chance to speak more English; farming will give you an insight into the local lifestyle, the nature and really help the local community; partaking environmental cleaning and protection activities will awaken and enhance the villagers' consciousness and sense of responsibility of protecting the environment and improve their local surrounding;
Our Volunteer China Program will give you the possibility to make real friends among students, teachers and the local villagers.
Week 4- Trekking - Longsheng County
See the more adventurous side of China! Experience the picturesque and quietness of the Longsheng Terraced Field. Trek in the amazing terraced fields and stay in hill-tribe villages.
The old-time water stores, drum-tower and 'Rain and Wind' Bridge of the villages demonstrate the ethnic features that show the culture, life and spirit of local people as well as their nationalities. The Yao and Zhuang people are minority groups in China (95% of the population are Han Chinese). The hills are laced with flood terraced fields that glisten in the morning sun. The natural landscape and human landscape reflects their blaze with each other and shares a unique charm. If you were personally at the scene, you would be enrapt by its beauty and get a sense you never had before.
Enjoy a few days of peaceful scenery. The journey is challenging but it will be worthwhile. Longsheng is known all over China. The senery is great all year round from different perspective but from Dec. to March is low season for Longsheng due to the relatively cold weather.
What's included in this program:
* Met on arrival by our representative
* Transfer arranged in full from airport to project HQ.
* 3 Meals every weekday, 2 meals/day on weekends.
* Chinese language and cooking lessons
* All transfers throughout the program
* Access to 24/7 Emergency Helpdesk mobile phone
* FREE open Wifi while on our centres
* OPTIONAL: Access to weekend culture classes and day tours (arranged on-site together with friends!)
What is not included:
* Light sleeping bag, walking shoes and insect repellent
* Tourist visa
* Travel insurance
* Flights
* Return transfer to airport
* Telephone calls
Accommodation
You will be staying in comfortable yet basic shared accommodation. Each room has its own bathroom with shower. You will eat together in the spacious open air dining room, and have access to free tea and coffee all day. Plus there is free Wireless Internet throughout the living area!
Requirements
* Minimum age 18
* Minimum 4 weeks commitment
* Enthusiasm and interest in Chinese culture and working in Community Development
* Basic English
* Full travel & medical insurance
* Necessary vaccinations
* Necessary flights & visas
In order to guarantee your place on this project, you will need to pay a 20% non-refundable deposit (paid securely via Paypal). The remaining balance must be paid upon your arrival to the project.
Send us an email enquiry to find out more, or click the 'Join this Project' button below if you are ready to get involved. |
