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Delegation Leader: Kevin D. Steele, Ph.D.
Principal, Communication Consultants, WBS, Inc.
Program Dates: April 13-24, 2010
A delegation of professionals specializing in health and fitness has been selected to participate in bilateral exchanges with their professional counterparts in China, under the auspices of People to People Ambassador Programs.
Proposed Itinerary
The preliminary mission statement and direction for the delegation have been defined initially by both the delegation leader and our overseas planning team. The initial topics of discussion are listed below. These will be further refined as the delegation is formed to incorporate delegates’ specialized areas of interest and expertise. You will be asked to provide a brief biography and specify your particular areas of interest for this delegation; your input will be used to customize the professional meetings.
- The extent to which traditional Chinese medicine practices are still present in society and their impact on health and fitness
- Description of the healthcare system in China and what the country is doing for the prevention of chronic disease states
- Current adult trends in physical activity and their impact on daily health, functionality, and longevity
- The impact of Chinese society and family structures on health and wellness
- Current perspective on the status of obesity/metabolic diseases in China, including their economic impact
- Comparison of the health and lifestyle of people in rural areas to those in major cities
- Current strengths and weaknesses of the Chinese healthcare system from a disease-prevention perspective
A final, detailed itinerary will be provided approximately 30 days prior to departure.
The professional counterparts you meet throughout the program will be invited to join the delegation for a meal to allow further interaction with your hosts.
CHINA
Ancient traditions converge with modern life throughout this exotic country. From bustling cities to rural villages to the top of the Great Wall, you will discover a warm and joyful society, where family and honor play meaningful roles. This mix of ancient culture and contemporary practices makes visiting China one of the most intriguing adventures you’ll ever experience.
Tuesday, Day 1: Depart for Beijing
Depart from the domestic gateway city. Cross the International Date Line.
Wednesday, Day 2: Beijing
Arrive in Beijing, the city that amasses this country’s greatest collection of Imperial-era monuments and treasures. Beijing also serves as the political and executive center of the People’s Republic of China.
Thursday, Day 3: Beijing
Morning Program Briefing: Discuss the political and cultural diversity of China and receive further information on the delegation.
Afternoon Professional Meetings (discussion topics will be finalized as the delegation forms).
Guest program:
Visit the Temple of Heaven. Emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties visited these impressive structures to offer annual prayers to heaven for a plentiful harvest.
Friday, Day 4: Beijing
Morning and Afternoon Professional Meetings (discussion topics will be finalized as the delegation forms).
Guest program:
Spend time with a family in the old hutong area. Gain an understanding of how the locals really live by immersing yourself in their daily lives, if only for a short time.
Next explore the largest and best-preserved royal garden in China. The Summer Palace has been an urban oasis for the last 800 years and was restored to its original splendor in the early 20th century.
Saturday, Day 5: Beijing
Delegates and guests will visit the Forbidden City (Imperial Palace), whose massive stone walls and 9,999 rooms were once the residence of Ming and Qing emperors, and Tian’anmen Square, the large plaza that has been the site of several key events in Chinese history.
The mysteries of construction and conquest have drawn people to the Great Wall of China for nearly 2,000 years. Enjoy breathtaking views from the wall’s high vantage points and meander along a section set in a rugged, mountainous landscape.
Sunday, Day 6: Beijing to Xi’an
Depart Beijing for Xi’an. As one of the six ancient capitals of China, Xi'an served as an imperial seat for 1,120 years and is a world-famous treasure house of cultural relics. The renowned Silk Road, which connected East with West in ages past, started in Xi’an. The late afternoon is yours to relax or explore independently.
Monday, Day 7: Xi’an
Delegates and guests will come face-to-face with the terra-cotta warriors—8,000 life-sized figures of soldiers and horses standing guard over the tomb of Qin Shi Huangdi, the first emperor of a united China.
Tuesday, Day 8: Xi’an
Morning and Afternoon Professional Meetings (discussion topics will be finalized as the delegation forms).
Guest program:
Explore the Provincial Museum, where more than 2,000 ancient artifacts depict the evolution of Chinese civilization. Visit the Great Mosque, the largest and best-protected mosque in China. Construction of this unique complex began in 742, and its stunning architecture masterfully integrates Islamic and traditional Chinese elements.
Later today experience the Xi’an City Wall. The wall is a true display of skill and ingenuity and provides invaluable material for the study of the history, military science, and architecture of the Ming Dynasty.
Wednesday, Day 9: Xi’an to Shanghai
Depart Xi’an for Shanghai, the third largest city in the world and one of China’s most cosmopolitan areas. This large metropolis is a leading cultural and educational center for China.
This evening delegates and guests will enjoy a performance of Chinese acrobatics at a local theater.
Thursday, Day 10: Shanghai
Morning and Afternoon Professional Meetings (discussion topics will be finalized as the delegation forms).
Guest program:
Experience vibrant artwork and a peaceful atmosphere at the Jade Buddha Temple. The temple is famous for two rare statues of Buddha, each carved out of a single piece of white Burmese jade. The original temple, built in 1882, was destroyed during the revolution that overthrew the Qing Dynasty. The statues survived, and a new temple was constructed in 1928.
Guests will see firsthand Shanghai’s achievements in urban planning and construction in the Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Hall. This impressive building boasts the world’s biggest urban model and explores the deliberate and artful development of this metropolis.
Stroll the galleries and cafés of the Xin Tian Di area. Enjoy the contrasts in this unique center that offers a taste of both 1920s Shanghai and today’s high-speed lifestyle.
Friday, Day 11: Shanghai
Delegates and guests will enjoy a stop at the Yu Garden bordering Old Town, filled with stone dragons, teahouses, pavilions, and goldfish ponds. Your delegation also will experience Shanghai’s unique flavor during a visit to the Bund this morning. The former “Wall Street” of the foreign powers, the Bund forms a park-like promenade between the Huangpu River and the Old Town.
Spend time at the Shanghai Museum, perusing more than 120,000 cultural relics representing all the historical periods of ancient China. Established in 1952 and located in People’s Square, the museum is one of the largest in China.
Share your memories of China with other delegates and guests at a farewell banquet.
Saturday, Day 12: Depart for Home
Program Extensions
Optional Pre-program Extension to Hong Kong
Optional Post-program Extension to Yunnan Province
Please inquire for further information upon registration
We work diligently to ensure that the activities described here are available on your program. In rare cases, scheduling conflicts, delays, weather, or circumstances beyond our control may result in program changes. If substitution is required, we make every effort to feature comparable events to retain the content and quality of the program.
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