2007 HIGHLIGHTS

Xi'an and Rural Shaanxi Province

September 2-17, 2007

Lead by Mary Warpeha, USCPFA-MN Chapter President

through the cooperation of the

Staff of the Shaanxi Provincial

Office of Friendship with Foreign Countries

In September 2006 I scouted our itinerary intending to customize a tour highlighting the people and places of Shaanxi and emphasizing the strong Minnesota connections. Hard-working people with calloused hands extended in welcome convinced me that others would like to share a relatively strenuous and rewarding adventure. Perhaps you can throw off some comforts of life and reach out your hand to our Shaanxi sisters and brothers.

HIGHLIGHTS

BEIJING (1 night, 1+ days)

Tour the Imperial Palace and Temple of Heaven

Optional days available

NIGHT TRAIN from Beijing to Xi’an

XI’AN (2 nights, 2 days)

Travel to the World Class site of the Terra Cotta Army

Experience newly opened Tang Paradise Park

Peruse the Helen Foster Snow Museum

Enter into the actual barracks of the 8th Red Army

Spiritual tradition survives in the Great Mosque

Be awed at the ultra-modern Agricultural Development Zone

Stroll in city parks along the City Wall

Savor local cuisine including vegetables, eggs, tofu, fish, grains, hot pot and traditional Muslim specialties

AN SHANG VILLAGE ( 2 nights, 2+ days)

Be enriched by the stories of Sino-American Society President and Friend-of-Minnesota, An Wei, in his childhood family home

Explore this village of 900 people at a leisurely pace

Marvel at the modern primary school funded and built through Project Peace, a project of Minnesota-based Global Volunteers — consider how we can make a significant donation to this project

In April be honored guests at the opening ceremonies of the village’s first annual Folk Art Festival

In September marvel at the labor consuming harvest of the staple crop of corn and preparations for the hardships of winter

Take rest in the hospitality of housing and meals in farmers’ homes

Hike the nearby Loess Plains and river gorge

HANZHONG (Night train and 1 night hotel, 1 day)

Visit local historic and ecological sites

Enjoy a day of exercise

Purchase school supplies and fresh foods in the market for mountain village schools

CHANGQING NATIONAL NATURE RESERVE (5 nights, 5 days)

Experience the beauty of the Qin Ling Mountains in spring and autumn on daily treks in this remote area of Southern Shaanxi Province

Meander lowland and highland trails at altitudes of 2500m in search of protected Panda, Takin, Golden Monkey, Crested Ibis, Golden Pheasant and Giant Salamander

Delight in spring and autumn foliage and flowers in 4-5 hour treks with stops for picnics and vistas of newly protected forests of birch and pine

Learn from the expertise of local eco-tourism guides versed in the biodiversity of the high country

Rest nights in the Nature Reserve Hotel at 1100m altitude with healthy authentic meals in the only restaurant in Huangyyangjie village

Be warmed by the hospitality of a farm family as they open their homes, kitchens and bedrooms for meals and overnight farmstays

Chat with teachers and students in primary and secondary schools serving farm community children

Enjoy the escort of village elders in a meander through farms to learn of age old cultivation of subsistence crops of rice, corn, peanuts, garden greens and cash crops of wolfberry, mushrooms and chestnuts

Active adults who are excited about adventure travel

in a remarkable developing country

filled with interesting people and places

will enjoy traveling with USCPFA-Minnesota.

We will explore destinations unlikely on most itineraries

as we visit the heart and hearts of Minnesota’s Sister Province.

Join us with an extraordinary positive attitude

Travel in good health—we will be in remote areas with primitive medical care

Plan on walking at a good pace uphill at altitudes less than 2500m (8,000 ft) - no remaining behind

Anticipate the need for tolerance for unexpected changes which are inherent in exploration of a developing countryside

Anticipate wholesome local cuisine, prepared in kitchens less hygienic than yours — our emphasis will be on high quality, low-meat meals

Come with a sense of adventure for Asian-style toilets

Volunteer to share a meditation/reading as well as research on a topic pertinent to the itinerary

Plan on limited luggage: Carry-on size luggage for easy transport — a folding bag can be brought for shopping along the way

Includes:

Hotels, farmstays, meals, domestic airfare, train fare, van transport, Membership and donation to USCPFA—Minnesota and National, supply and book donations to local schools

Does not include:

International airfare to Beijing

Necessary visa and courier service

Purchase of necessary travel insurance to include

(we can assist you with this purchase)

Trip cancellation

Lost luggage

Trip delay

Medical and dental care in-country

Medical evacuation

Not included: All the fascinating souvenirs which will tempt you along the way