One of the many benefits of studying abroad? The opportunity to venture outside of your host city and explore the surrounding area! Excursions are offered for all semester, year, and summer programs; typically, semester students are offered between two to three excursions and summer students are offered between one to two excursions. You’ll receive a calendar of the specific CEA excursions offered for your program during orientation. To give you an idea of the possibilities, we’ve collected typical experiences offered to students in the past.
Beijing
China’s capital stands as one of the world’s most populous cities and China’s cultural and political center. Beijing is surrounded by three sides on mountains and guarded by the Great Wall to the north. It’s also home to the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, the Beijing Opera, the Temple of Heaven, Olympic Park, and the Pagoda of Tanning Temple. While in Beijing, take the chance to absorb the sights, smells, and sounds as you stroll through the Forbidden City; practice Tai Chi in a quaint park; savor a meal of Peking Duck in a bustling downtown restaurant; and lose yourself in the energy that radiates throughout this bustling metropolis. You’ll grow enamored by the city’s rich history and unique culture.
Xi’an
For centuries, Xi’an was the capital city of 11 dynasties and one of the world’s largest cities. In the 1990s, Xi’an re-emerged as a relevant cultural, industrial, and educational center in northwest China. During this three-day excursion, you’ll stay near Muslin Street, where you’ll find famous local foods such as lamb kebabs, Rou Jia Mo, rice cakes and spicy tofu. You’ll visit the Qin Dynasty terracotta warriors, a Tang Dynasty pagoda, China’s best history museum, and various Emperors’ mausoleums, and ride a bike along a Ming Dynasty city wall. Take a hike on Mt. Huashan — known for steep paths and majestic, breathtaking crags — and conquer all of the five peaks of the mountain; the amazing views of the sunrise and the sea of clouds below make it worthwhile!
Chengdu
Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan Province, is a center of politics, economy, culture, and transportation. Known as “traveler’s heaven,” Chengdu boasts a pleasant climate, scenic views, historical sites, and tons of delicious street food – and it’s also a hometown for pandas! On this three-day trip, you’ll visit the National Panda Breeding Base, which provides an unparalleled opportunity to see pandas and their newborn cubs up close. You’ll also visit the San-xing-dui Museum, explore the site of the 4,000-year-old Shu Kingdom, admire Leshan Giant Buddha (the world’s largest stone Buddha), marvel at the 2,000-year-old Dujiangyan Irrigation System, hike in beautiful Taoism Mountain, and treat your stomach to delicious hot pots and countless Sichuan snacks.
Hangzhou
Marco Polo described Hangzhou as one of the world’s finest cities, so it’s no surprise that its nickname is “Paradise on Earth.” About 100 miles south of Shanghai, Hangzou is one of China’s ancient capital cities and a popular tourist destination, thanks to its scenic resorts: West Lake, Fuchun River, and Thousand-Islet Lake. Ride a bike around the shore and take in the weeping willows, stone bridges, leach trees, rockeries, and ancient tombs and temples. While in Hangzou, you’ll visit a tea plantation where Chinese
Dragon Well tea is produced, visit the Chinese Academy of Art on the shores of West Lake, and stroll along Qinghefang Old Street, where you can browse the souvenir stalls, tea houses, and traditional puppet theaters.
Suzhou
About 60 miles west of Shanghai lies Suzhou, a.k.a. “Venice of the East.” Crisscrossed with canals and rivers, this ancient city is known for its waterways, mild climate, and stunning gardens. Suzhou has long drawn artists and scholars, and is home to the Wumen Fine Arts School, known for its poets, calligraphers, and painters. Explore Suzhou’s historic embroidery, brocade, and silk production industries, and climb the nine-story North Temple, the tallest pagoda south of the Yangtse. Catch a glimpse of ancient China at the Kunqu Opera, Pingtan, and Suzhou Museums during your time in this scenic city.
