PROGRAMME CONTENT AND DESCRIPTION
Discover the rich and dynamic culture of China in a week of integrated learning and
discovery with our English speaking Chinese co-ordinators. This programme takes
you beyond politics, away from the big cities, normal tourist attractions. It takes
you into the traditional lives of the rural communities, understanding their culture
and everyday activities. You'll see beyond hearing about ‘face’ and ‘guanxi’ into
a real understanding of what they mean.
You will go to the Confucius temple, not just to look, but to understand what it
meant, how it felt, to be the No 1 scholar in the Emperor’s examinations and the
route through the temple that only you could travel. Of course you will learn about
how to make dumplings, taste oil tea, and learn the rudiments of the language, practice
calligraphy, learn some of the rituals. But the focus is on developing a deep understanding
of everyday China and its cultural roots.
It is the ideal start point for anyone visiting China. Many participants come on
this programme before attending other programmes. Your schedule will alter depending
on weather and time of year which would relate directly to the local event and festivities
happening at the time of your programme. However you are also able to focus your
program depending on your interests and further volunteering programs you might
be following onto.
A typical week in the Cultural Immersion Programme is:
- Monday:
Start your day with a typical Chinese breakfast, followed by Chinese language lessons
and a tour of Fengyan village, which will include the Old house. After lunch you
will learn about Chinese philosophy and what is found Taboo. In the evening you
will have the opportunity to visit a local family for a welcome party and learn
how to make oil tea.
- Tuesday:
Your second Chinese lesson will follow breakfast and then you will visit Lianhua
town where you will register and you can do some shopping. After lunch you will
have a culture session about Chinese festivals which will lead onto a late afternoon
visit Hongyan village and a climb up one of the mountains and finishing the day
with Bamboo rafting.
- Wednesday:
Your morning will be spent studying and participating in Chinese language lessons,
Calligraphy and painting, followed by a Chinese culture session focused on the History
of China. In the Afternoon you will visit the Confucius and Guangong temples and
walk along the Cha river. You won't just look at the Confucius temple, you'll understand
what it felt like to be the number one scholar in the Imperial city, to pass the
Emperor’s examinations and the path through the temple that only you were allowed
to walk. In the evening if you would like, you can join the Gongcheng BBQ.
- Thursday:
Today you are going to learn how to buy and bargain in Chinese, and then visit the
Market of Lianhua to buy some food and practice what you have learned. The afternoon
will be filled with further culture lesson and an introduction into Chinese cooking,
where you will learn how to make Dumplings amoung other things.
- Friday:
This morning not only will you further improve on your Chinese but also learn different
Chinese songs. Your final lesson for the day will be the art of paper cutting, which
is strong in Chinese culture as paper was originally invented in the Eastern Han
Dynasty in the 2nd Century AD. Free time will be given in the afternoon for preparation
for your weekend.
- Saturday and Sunday:
You are able to travel freely today and visit Yangshuo and Gongcheng, explore the
culture with your newly acquired knowledge in culture and language, or alternatively
you can stay at the centre and rest before your next adventure.
Most evenings are spent learning how to play Chinese games like; Mah-jong, Chess
or watching Chinese films.