TraveLearn Cybertravel News
China - Volume 92

China Trivia
The signature project for the 2008 Olympics in Beijing will be a nearly $500 million dollar, eighty -thousand seat stadium which has been likened to a” giant bird’s nest and a block of ramen noodles.”
It will be enclosed in a gracefully curved, crosshatched net of steel and will be open over its center, sending a beam of white light over the city.

Express postal delivery would seem to be a modern invention, but writings on ancient bamboo slips suggest that China had such a service 2,223 years ago. Researchers made this determination about the express post after finding the characters “Kuai Xing,” or “Fast Delivery,” on some 20,000 bamboo slips in Hunan, China in June, 2002.

The Great Wall is 4,500 miles long – the distance between Miami and the North Pole. It’s estimated that the cost in modern terms of the Great Wall would be $260 billion, which would pay for roughly half of all annual construction in the U.S. The death toll in the building of the first Great Wall was astounding: More than a million people died building this 3,000 mile section, more than 300 people per mile.

China Book and Video Selections
Yesterday and Today.--- These Book and Video selections reflect TraveLearn’s tour philosophy of exploring, explaining, and teaching not only about ancient traditions and cultures but also providing insights into contemporary local customs and the current social and political situation in various destinations.

China Yesterday and Today

The River at the Center of the World by Simon Winchester, 1996, (available through Henry Holt and Co., paperback). Aptly subtitled, “A Journey Up the Yangtze and Back in Chinese Time,” Simon Winchester, a seasoned writer with long experience in China, chronicles his 3,964 trip up one of the world’s longest rivers. Winchester is an exceedingly fine scholar who knows his history, his geography and the fine art of story telling. He uses the river to provide the reader with an understanding of China’s historical past and also of its present culture. If you are planning a trip to China or just dreaming about it…Winchester’s book is a must.

China Inc.:How the Rise of the Next Superpower Challenges America and the World by Ted C. Fishman 2004,(available through Scribner Co. New York, NY.) This book is an entertaining and informative read overflowing with information such as population statistics, economics, impact of China on domestic finances, industry, prices, job losses, trade policy, and much, much, more. A great way for the prospective traveler to become informed about modern economic developments in China - especially covering the last ten years. The author also shows how China will force all of us to make big changes in how we think of ourselves as consumer, workers, citizens, and even as parents.

China Recipe Selection
In the spirit of TraveLearn’s people-to-people experiences, which often provide the opportunity for our participants to break bread with strangers and to leave the table as friends, we offer you this recommended recipe for China:

Crossing the Bridge Noodle Soup
(MAKES 4 SERVINGS)
An elaborate chicken noodle soup from Kunming in Yunnan Province with a tale. A scholar studying for the imperial examinations isolated himself on an island so he would have no distractions to prepare for this arduous test. His wife would daily bring him rice noodles along with other condiments to add to a rich chicken broth with a layer of fat on top to keep warm until she reached him “across the bridge.” Fully nourished, he passed the examination.

INGREDIENTS
10 cups roasted Chicken Stock
1-tablespoon sesame oil
3-tablespoon vegetable oil
½ cup dried wood ear mushrooms
16 ounces rice noodles
1 boneless thick cut pork loin
1 boneless, skinless chicken breast
¼ pound mixed deli meat that can include ham, chorizo, hot dog, salami,etc
1 bunch cilantro
4 scallions
2 gloves garlic
4 cups baby spinach
2 eggs
Garlic Chili Sauce

PREPARATION
1.) In large cast iron pot, bring chicken stock to a boil with oils.
2.) In separate pot, bring 10 cups of water to a boil. Once water is boiling, transfer two cups to a small bowl. Add wood ear mushrooms and cover with plastic wrap. Let sit 10 minutes.
3.)Meanwhile, chop cilantro, thinly slice scallions, and mince garlic. Set aside in serving bowl.
4.) Slice pork chop and chicken breast into paper-thin slices. Slice deli meat in large bite size pieces depending on the meat. Arrange on a serving plate.
5.) Remove mushrooms from liquid. Strain liquid and add chicken to stock. Roughly chop mushrooms and place on serving dish.
6.) Poach eggs in boiling water for about two minutes or until white has set. Remove to paper tow. Add noodles to boiling water and cook according to package direction. Drain and transfer to serving bowl.
7.) Add spinach to chicken stock. Cover pot with lid and leave to simmer.
8.) Bring all side dishes to table including raw meats, deli meats poached eggs, scallions, cilantro, and garlic, mushrooms, noodles, and a small dish of chili sauce.
8.) Remove cast iron pot from heat and place on table. With everyone present add raw meat, then the eggs, followed by the deli meats, vegetables, mushrooms and noodles. Ladle noodle soup into bowls. Allow each person to season with chili sauce as desired.

This recipe comes from the CD Kitchen

China Geography Quiz
1 What famous Chinese philosopher said, “It is a delight to have travelers coming from afar?”
2 In what Chinese city did the ancient Silk Road originate?
3..According to an ancient Chinese saying, “There is paradise in heaven and on earth” in these two cities. Name them.

Quotes from past participants in TraveLearn’s China Programs
“Unlike many tours, which bombard the traveler with date/name/place information, TraveLearn provides opportunities for interacting with the Chinese people by providing an excellent national guide who accompanies the group from arrival to departure, local guides who board at each city and offer insights into the local history and character, as well as “people-to-people” experiences that enliven, enrich and personalize each city.”

"I enjoyed meeting the University students in Xi’an and the lecturer in Beijing and the one-child policy lecture. The visit to Mrs. Lee’s home in the Hutong was memorable. I had a wonderful experience with TraveLearn; I would recommend TraveLearn to anyone who wanted more than just a cursory look at the scenery."

“The smooth handling of all aspects, which is critical to a successful learning experience, that makes the best of your time. The trip on the Yangtze River was very informative and a welcome break from a tight schedule. The opportunities to visit schools and the embassy were very special and gave excellent insights into China and its tremendous progress.”

For more lengthy participant descriptions of TraveLearn China programs visit our website at www.TraveLearn.com and see Memories of….. or A Day in the Life…. (Can be found by clicking on TRAVELERS EXPERIENCES on the top banner of TraveLearn’s Home Page)..

What’s Happening at TraveLearn and The TraveLearn Network of Partner Educational Institutions
Napoleon said in the early 1800’s, “When China wakes the world will quake.” Well, China has awakened and the world is taking notice. With the addition of TraveLearn’s new Southwest China and Tibet Program in 2008 together with our well established China: A Confucian Odyssey ,China Highlights: Yangtze River, and China’s Far West : The Silk Road programs ,TraveLearn now provides travelers to China an exciting array of Learning Vacations to every area of one of the world’s most fascinating destinations.

TraveLearn has been offering our well-established China: A Confucian Odyssey program for over 17 years. In addition to visiting and learning about the well-known and popular sites such as the Forbidden City in Beijing, the Terra Cotta soldiers in Xian, the classic gardens of Suzhou, and the newly opened Shanghai Museum of Art and History, this program takes you to the birthplace of Confucius in Qufu where you will have a chance to meet the people and to learn about the ancient culture of rural China. As we say at TraveLearn, “Without contact with local people when visiting foreign places, these experiences often feel empty as if you had only viewed them on television.” A specially arranged lecture on “Confucius’ Life and his Philosophic Thought” allows our travelers to learn about the profound influence that Confucianism has had on the governments, societies, educational practices, and family life not only in China but also throughout East Asia for well over 2,000 years. Participating in a lesson on calligraphy also gives our participants a vital understanding of the importance of writing and educational success in China. Finally, most travelers to China are unaware that the Temple of Confucius in Qufu is second only to the Forbidden City in Beijing as one of the three greatest architectural complexes in China.

TraveLearn’s China Highlights Yangtze River Program which we introduced in 1999 combines visits and learning about the well-known and popular sites of Beijing, Xian, Suzhou, and Shanghai together with the opportunity to experience the essence of China and learn about one of the early cradles of Chinese civilization on a six day cruise along the Yangtze River, the third longest river in the world. Aboard the Yangtze River President, one of the premier cruise ships on the Yangtze, you will view the spectacular cliffs and peaks of the famous Three Gorges which have inspired Chinese landscape artists and poets for thousands of years. Shipboard lectures will help you to better understand the culture, geography, and peoples of China and also prepare you for your tour of the famous Three Gorges Dam Project – China’s “Modern Great Wall.” On June 1s t of 2003 the Three Gorges Dam closed its gates beginning the process that will transform a 350-mile stretch of the mighty river into a long narrow lake. Ocean going vessels will now be able to travel hundred of miles upstream to Chongqing, which is quickly becoming the Chicago of central China . Professor Williams traveled on the Yangtze River in October of 2003. Having been on the Yangtze River three times prior to the recent closing of a portion of the Dam, he found that the natural beauty of the Three Gorges area has not been compromised by the near completion of the Dam. Indeed, he found the cruise on the river even more pleasant than in the past, as the slag and coal heaps along parts of the river were now covered by the water of the new reservoir.

China, TraveLearn’s China’s Far West: The Silk Road program will also introduce you to the people of China. You will learn about China’s 55 national minorities at the Qinghai Institute for Nationalities and during your travels on the Silk Road you will visit the schools and also the families of Khazak, Uygur, and Tu families and learn about the legendary customs and life styles of these minority ethnic groups that have populated the Silk Road since its inception. You will also visit and learn from one of TraveLearn’s outstanding specialist guides about the famous Magao Grottoes in Dunhuang, the greatest repository of Chinese Buddhist cave art and a World Heritage Site. One of the highlights of this trip for past visitors to China who have visited the eastern Great Wall to the northeast of Beijing, will be the opportunity to visit the colorful drum towers rising above the rammed-earth walls at Jiayuguan, the westernmost gate of the Great Wall. For centuries, China – and therefore the civilized world – ended at Jiayuguan, along the Silk Road in northwest China. Other highlights of this exceptional program include China’s largest reclining Buddha, the 113 foot-long giant that impressed Marco Polo; Turpan which at 505 feet below sea level is the lowest continental point in the world and was also the backdrop for several scenes from the popular movie, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon; and also the opportunity to spend time at Kashgar’s famous Sunday Bazaar. Walking through one of the world’s oldest and largest bazaars, allows you to truly experience the smells, speech, and looks of the ancient Silk Road.

TraveLearn’s new Southwest China and Tibet program will allow you to experience the magnificent mountains, the mild climate, and the mysterious beauty of Yunnan Province and the Tibetan Plateau of China, a land that has long had a hold on the imagination of the world as "Shangri La," or "The Roof of the World." Learn about a part of China that has one third of all the ethnic minorities, more than half of the country's plant and animal species, and is also a World Heritage area as the source of the three great rivers of Asia, including the Yangtze and Mekong. You will meet and learn about the Tibetan and Naxi people, visit the former home of Joseph Rock, the Austro-American botanist and ethnologist , and see the Pandas in Chengdu. Extended time in Lijiang and in Tibet will enable you to more fully experience and learn about the history, people, food, and culture of this remote part of the world that was connected by the ancient Tea-Horse old road.

** As Lhasa, Tibet is over 11,000 ft above sea level this program itinerary was specially designed to gradually acclimate yourself to the effects of high altitude. You will be going to progressively higher altitudes from Kunming at almost 6,000 ft to Zhongdian at 7,000 ft above sea level in Yunnan Province over a seven day period of time before flying to Tibet. This will help to assure that you more fully enjoy your Tibetan experience by not feeling the ill effects of high altitude.

Finally, in the belief that food can carry you into the heart of an experience or that food, like laughter, may be viewed as a connecting thread thrown across borders of culture and language, we are pleased to inform you that China is also now one of the destinations, along with Italy, Greece, Morocco, Spain, Turkey, and Vietnam, that we highlight for its special culinary as well as its historical and cultural attractions.

Join one of TraveLearn’s four featured programs to China in 2008 and experience the essence of China.

For more information about these programs visit our web site at www.TraveLearn.com. Please give us a call at 1-800-235-9114 if you have any further questions about China or if you plan to join us on any of our China Learning Vacations in the year 2008

China Geography Quiz Answers – 1.Confucius; 2. Xian; 3. Suzhou and Hangzhou