The China Itinerary (Updated 2008 – Subject to Change)

Educational goals

• To discover China as a developing major economic player in the world
• To explore Israeli – Chinese economical and business relations
• To understand the history and origins of the local Jewish Community
• To learn about the rich Chinese culture and history.
• To understand the historical and political moves that shape China of today

Sunday, Day 1,
Theme:  Welcome to China!
Sites:  On arrival, chanichim will go to Tiananmen Square, the heart of Beijing, where the Forbidden City meets modern China; and you'll be able to really appreciate the size of the capital city of the Chinese republic. Also the site of the pro democracy protests in 1989, this site has tremendous significance in China and worldwide.  In the evening, enjoy a traditional dinner of the famous local dish: Beijing (Peking) duck and a visit the colourful night market in Wangfujing Street.
Overnight:  Beijing

Monday, Day 2
Theme:  The History that Made China Great
Sites:  Waking up early in the morning, drive to Badaling to visit the Great Wall of China.  Take a bus tour through the beautifully built Beijing.  End up in the Israeli – Chinese trade chambers where chanichim will meet with the Israeli consular and talk about business culture in China and how western capitalism fits into it.
In the evening, see an amazing Chinese acrobatic show.
Overnight:  Beijing

Tuesday, Day 3
Theme: Emperors and Dynasties
Sites:  Visit one of China's famous symbols- Tiantan (Heavenly temple), where the son of heaven (the emperor) prayed for rain. Then visit the nearby Jade Market that presents a variety of unbelievable replicas of any label goods known to a western consumer. Continue to a tour inside the Forbidden City – home to the great Chinese royal dynasties. In the evening, explore the Hou-Hi area, which has pubs, clubs and live concerts to see modern China's night life
Overnight:  Beijing

Wednesday, Day 4
Theme: Champions in Sports and Business
Sites: Visiting the newly built Olympic stadium, learn how seriously the Chinese take both sports and business.  Chinese officials will present their strategies to achieve their goals. Continue to a meeting in the local John Bryce branch to see up close, an Israeli company that teaches hi tech to Chinese executives and students. Biding goodbye to the capital city, take the night train to Shanghai (12 hours' ride) in a sleeper cabin, seeing the views of China on the way, and mixing with the locals.
Overnight:  Train
 
Thursday, Day 5
Theme: The Pearl of the East
Sites:  On arriving at the biggest city in China (and 5th in the world), drive to the “Pearl of the East”, one of the tallest buildings in the world.  Go up in the world's fastest elevator for a breath-taking overview of the city.  Continue to a business meeting and a tour with an executive from Zhangjiang Hi Tech Park, which facilitates 700 Chinese companies and startup companies.  In the evening, head out to the magnificent Bond – a riverside promenade, and Shanghai’s trademark and stop on the way at the colourful night market.
Overnight: Shanghai

Friday, Day 6
Theme:  Classic Shanghai
Sites:  Head out to the famous Yu gardens to see the 400 year old summer palace and gardens from the Ming dynasty. Continue to tour the old city centre, the art Bazaar and have a traditional tea ceremony in the “Shanghai tea house”. Head back to the hotel to prepare for Shabbat, and then to celebrate with services and dinner with the local Jewish community.
Overnight:  Shanghai

Shabbat, Day 7
Theme:  Doing business in China
Sites:  Attend Shabbat service in the local synagogue, followed by Kiddush and lunch hosted in the local Chabad house. Meet and hear from some of the American and Israeli members of the community about their work and life as Jews and business people in China. Take a walking tour of the neighbourhood and the newly renovated Jewish quarter.  In the evening go to the hip 97 Park Area and Mau Ming Street, to view the new Shanghai’s bar/club scene.
Overnight:  Shanghai

Sunday, Day 8
Theme:  Manufacturing in the Far East
Sites:  Take a tour to a nearby city to visit the factory and head satellite offices of the NASDAQ traded Israeli company: NICE Systems  (leading provider of Insight from Interactions TM, offering comprehensive performance management and interaction analytics solutions for the enterprise and public safety and security markets), and discus financial and moral issues created by globalisation. We’ll spend the afternoon in Nanjing Street that has thousands of shops, gardens and galleries and is considered to be the beating heart of Shanghai.  In the evening we’ll catch a Chinese opera show (an amazing cultural and artistic experience).
Overnight: Shanghai

Monday, Day 9
Theme: Goodbye China!
Sites: Choose a museum to spend the morning: Shanghai Natural History (with the biggest dinosaur skeleton in the world and human embryos in formaldehyde), or the Shanghai Art Museum (5600 elements in the Chinese classic and modern exhibits that includes the royal family magnificent outfits and accessories).

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