Your way. Your style. Your rules.

The DIY Chinese Study Adventure Program is a completely unique program that allows you, the adventurous independent traveler, to safely wander through the vast urban and agrarian wilds of China. Rome was never conquered in a day, and nor should it be seen in one. You are believe in taking your time at each destination, exploring every nook and cranny, savoring every exotic morsel you taste, and finding time to have tea with locals. No tour guides, no schedules, no wake-up calls, no waiting for the rest of a group to finish their shopping.

Why DIY Chinese Study Adventure

Imagine traveling through China, either by yourself, or with your friends, and feasting on the rich sights and sounds that surround you. You are on your own schedule, and can take as little or as much time as you’d like at each destination. You may fumble with your pronunciation of words, or turn down a wrong road, or wonder what you have just eaten, but all of your daily exploits will add to your incredible adventure and will make for a volume of entertaining stories to tell when you are back home. The theme of this program is adventure, and the best part about it is that it will be different from anyone else’s because you have chosen it and put it together. It is designed to fit you.

You have so many options to choose from, and we are there only at the very beginning, to help you get started. Where you go once you receive your map, your cell phone, and don your backpack is up to you. Watch the sunset over the Silk Road, sip a pure Chinese tea at the foot of the Huangshan Mountain, share life experiences with local people in the beautiful Lijiang Old Town, camp in the vast grasslands of Inner Mongolia, or learn martial arts at Shaolin Temple. It’s all up to you. And no matter what you choose, you can be sure that you will have an unforgettable experience, because you will experience real China – your way.

See how we rank among the other options:

Our Part

Of course, we’re not one to utterly abandon our ducklings. We are here whenever you need us. Our service includes:

• 24 / 7 emergency number (in English)
• Local orientation in each city
• An English map and list of things to be concerned about before you go
• Accommodation arrangement if desired

*Advice: If you are staying at a particular destination for more than one week, choose to have only your first few days’ accommodation in each place arranged; that way, you can have a few days to settle in, explore, and find your own lodgings after you arrive. Only by immersing yourself in the real Chinese world will you find real Chinese life.*

• A cell phone with 100 Yuan for travel use
• 2 days intensive survival Chinese training (in Beijing) before you depart on your adventure
• Medical and travel insurance
• Booking for air or train transportation
• An English-Chinese electronic dictionary

Your Part

Traveling on your own in a foreign country is thrilling and full of adventure, but there are some risks involved. Please read through the following list carefully.

Issues to be aware of:

• If you are not physically very well, you must be selective in the cities and towns you choose to
       visit and make necessary adjustments and arrangements.
• In most of the towns and cities we recommend for you to visit, you may not always be able to
       eat western foods; if you are on a special diet (eg, vegetarian) you may need to provide your
       own food
• You don’t have to know a lot of Chinese since we will provide English speakers as local
       assistants for the first day in each city, and we provide you with a package that includes a
       dictionary and map, but in some cities where there are few international students, some
       basic Chinese language skills will be necessary.
• You must have prepared everything we mentioned in our DIY guide before you go

Destinations

• Yangtze River (3 Gorges)

  Suggested duration: 1 week
  To learn more about Yangtze River, Click here



• Silk Road (Xi’an, Dunhuang, Jiayuguan, Xinjiang)

  Suggested duration: minimum 10 days
  To learn more about Silk Road, Click here



• Lijiang Old Town

  Suggested duration: minimum 1 week
  To learn more about Lijiang Old Town, Click here



• Guilin (Li River)

  Suggested duration: minimum 1 week
  To learn more about Guilin, Click here



• Inner Mongolia

  Suggested duration: minimum 2-3 days
  To learn more about Inner Mongolia, Click here



• Tibet (Potala Place, Tashilhunpo Monastery)

  Suggested duration: minimum 2 weeks
  To learn more about Tibet, Click here



• Xi’an (Terra Cotta)

  Suggested duration: minimum 3 days
  To learn more about Xi’an, Click here



• Mt Huangshan

  Suggested duration: minimum 3-4 days
  To learn more Mt Huangshan, Click here



• Shaolin Temple

  Suggested duration: minimum 2-3 days
  To learn more Shaolin Temple, Click here

Requirements

Applicants must be:

• 18 to 60 years old (with exceptions)
• In good health
• A high school graduate

Getting Here

Free transport from the airport in city you choose to your accommodation is provided. The following important pieces of information are required at least 10 business days before your arrival:

Application

For On-line Application, click here.
For Application Guide, click here.
For Application Form, click here.

Related Links

• Chinese Language
• Cities
• China Tips

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