Teaching on the Road in Revolutionary Jiangxi – Nanchang and Neighboring Areas
China Reflection’s two “teaching on the road” choices are as different as night and day as one option visits the North of China in Shanxi, while this option visits towns typical of Southern China in Jiangxi. Jiangxi is the home of Chinese porcelain, as well as laying claim to some of the most beautiful bamboo-covered mountains and scenery in the Chinese countryside and one of the largest freshwater lakes as well. Jiangxi is also the spot where China’s Long March originated in 1934 in which Mao Ze Dong and Zhou En Lai led approximately 100,000 troops as they retreated from the Kuomintang (KMT) forces. The March is one of the greatest feats of human endurance extending over 12,500km, through 11 provinces, 18 mountain ranges, and 24 rivers in the southwest. Read below for a description of the locations we will visit for our Southern teaching on the road adventure.
Nanchang
Translated from Chinese to English, Nanchang literally means “a prosperous city in China’s south.” Nanchang lies along the Gan River, providing scenic views and excellent walking. With a history of over 2,200 years, Nanchang most notably known for its 20th century history in which the Communists fought against the Chinese Nationlists. At the heart of Nanchang lies “Bayi” Square, China’s second largest public square, the largest being Tian’an men. This Square commemorates the August 1st uprising Zhou Enlai led against Chiang Kaishek to take Nanchang after a 5 hour street battle. Another must-see sight Nanchang has to offer is the Tengwang Pavillion, built for Teng Yi Yuanying in 653. Destroyed and rebuilt 28 times, the pavilion was finally rebuilt in Song Dynasty style in 1989 where it stands impressively to this day against the banks of the Yangtze River as one of the four most famous pavilions in China. Enjoy Nanchang’s history, architecture, and spicy food for your short visit with China Reflection.
Yichun
As the city of “pleasant spring” implies, Yichun will give visitors a feeling close to Nature. More renowned for its scenery and fresh air, Yichun is also developing fast. In the city center is a large sports arena used sometimes for national sporting events. If you travel just outside of Yichun’s city limits, you can really get a true sense for what life is like in the agricultural south of China, where you can see farmers and water buffalo hard at work harvesting rice. Not far from Yichun is Ming Yue Mountain (Bright Moon Mountain), one of Jiangxi’s many bamboo-covered mountains near Yichun. After a day’s hike up the mountain to view the waterfalls, visitors can enjoy soaking their feet and relaxing at the mountain’s base where there is a local hot springs. Nearby to Yichun is the even smaller town of Wanzai, famous for its local cave and fireworks industry, many of which are made by hand and shipped internationally to countries in Europe. Staying in Yichun will help give visitors a chance to see a beautiful area, as well as a typical Southern town.
| Schedule of Activities | Meals Included | Accommodation | Transportation | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Pick-up at Nanchang airport/train/bus station. Afternoon is free. Evening meet in Bayi square. Have typical Nanchang dinner together. |
Dinner | Local hotel in Nanchang | Transportation from Nanchang airport to hotel. |
| Day 2 | After breakfast, visit local school in Nanchang for 2 hours. Have lunch with teachers/students. In the afternoon visit Tengwang Pavillion, one of 4 most famous pavilions in China. Evening is free. | Breakfast and lunch | Local hotel in Nanchang | Bus or private car to school and Tengwang Pavillion. |
| Day 3 | Go from Nanchang to Yichun after breakfast. Have lunch together. Check into hotels or with host families. Evening is free. | Breakfast and lunch | Host family or local hotel in Yichun | Bus or train to Yichun |
| Day 4 | After breakfast go to a local school/college for 2 hours in the morning. Have lunch with teachers/students. Afternoon is free (option of visiting senior’s home with students). In evening join students at Yichun University for “English Conversation Corner.” | Breakfast and lunch | Host family or local hotel in Yichun | Bus to school |
| Day 5 | After late breakfast, visit Ming Yue (Bright Moon) Mountain and hot springs for a day’s hike/enjoy scenery. Return in late afternoon in time for dinner. | Breakfast, lunch, and dinner | Host family or local hotel in Yichun | Bus to Bright Moon Mountain |
| Day 6 | After breakfast, drive to nearby Wanzai, and visit local firework’s factory. Have lunch with students/teachers from local middle school. Visit middle school in afternoon for 2 hours. In the evening stay in Wanzai. | Breakfast, lunch, and dinner | Host family or local hotel in Wanzai | Bus to Wanzai |
| Day 7 | After late breakfast visit local cave in Wanzai. Return to Yichun after lunch. Board train for Beijing in the afternoon (3:47 pm). Arrive in Beijing the following morning (9:52 am) | Breakfast, lunch, and dinner | Sleeper car on train | Bus back to Yichun and train to Beijing |
| Day 8 | Arrive in Beijing in the morning. Rest after checking into hotel. In the late afternoon visit a local school for 2 hours. Have dinner together. | Lunch and dinner | Hotel in Beijing | Bus/private car to local school. |
Price:
- 1 person – US$1000/person
- 2-5 people – US$800/person
- 6-10 people – US$600/person
Price includes:
- Transportation
- Interpreter/guide
- Meals on schedule
- Activities with students and teachers
- Accommodation (homestay included)
- Tickets for Tengwang Pavilion, Mingyue mountain, and any other entrance fees mentioned above
Price does not include:
- Tips to guide/interpreter
- Gifts you wish to buy
- Insurance
- Tickets to parks or places of historical interest not mentioned in the schedule
- Meals that are not mentioned in the schedule
- Alcoholic beverages, laundry, mobile phone rental