The International Business Program

 of Gannon University

 is pleased to present

 

Third Annual

Splendid China Study Tour -

Beijing, Shanghai, Suzhou

 

Spring, 2002 Mid-semester Break

March 1 - 8, 2002

 

Tour itinerary includes: Beijing - Great Wall, Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, Summer Palace, Temple of Heaven, Peking Opera, Hutong; Shanghai – the Bund, Nanjing Road, Acrobatic Show, visits to international business firms; Suzhou – Grand Canal, gardens; and more…

 

Escorted by Gary P. Mahan, Ph.D., Gannon University Associate Professor, Economics, and Director, International Business Program (telephone: 814.871.7588; Email: Mahan@gannon.edu)

 

 

Tour Itinerary

Beijing, Shanghai, and Suzhou (8 Days)

March 1 - 8, 2002

 

 [Note:  departure date may be changed to March 02, 2002 if the Detroit - Beijing non stop flight becomes available on that date.  The customized itinerary is subject to change. A final itinerary will be provided prior to departure.]

 

Day 01  US

Your exciting journey begins as you fly from Erie (or other departure city) to Detroit where you board a Northwest Air Boeing 747 for a non-stop flight to Beijing.

Day 02 Beijing

After crossing the International Date Line, arrive early this evening in Beijing, the historic capital of the People’s Republic of China, to begin your visit to one of the most fascinating countries in the world.  Meet your local tour guide, who will accompany the group for the entire stay, and transfer to the centrally located Peace Hotel  (or similar), where you may relax to recover from the jet lag or explore the city on your own. 

Day 03 Beijing

In the morning stroll on Tiananmen Square, the largest square in the world, and visit the Forbidden City, the huge complex of imperial palaces, pavilions, courtyards and gardens that were home to the emperors for over 500 years during the Ming and Qing dynasties.

After lunch visit the Temple of Heaven, an exquisite example of Ming architecture, where emperors performed the annual rites believed to be essential to the well being of the nation.

After a welcome dinner at a local Chinese restaurant, attend a performance of the fascinating and colorful Peking Opera, which features acrobatics as well as singing, with English subtitles.

Day 04 Beijing

The highlight today is a full day excursion to the Great Wall.  This landmark of China is one of the most amazing feats of human labor and the only man-made structure that can be seen from the moon.  A walk along a portion of the enormous undulating towered and turreted 3,700 mile long Wall is spectacular.

Upon return to Beijing, visit the Summer Palace, where the Empress Dowager Ci Xi would go to escape the heat of the city, and where you can walk the famous Long Corridor.

In the evening a dinner featuring Peking Duck toasts the end of an unforgettable day.

Day 05 Beijing/ Shanghai

In the morning you go on a special pedicab tour of the Hu Tong, the “old city” neighborhood of narrow alleyways and authentic courtyard houses where locals have lived for centuries.  Visit the Drum Tower, a Beijing family, Prince Gong’s Palace, and a tea house.

In late afternoon fly to Shanghai, the bustling commercial heart of China, known as the “Paris of the East.”  Meet the local tour guide and transfer to the Jianguo Hotel Shanghai  (or similar).

If time permits, visit Nanjing Road, a shopper’s paradise.

Day 06 Shanghai

In the morning visit international businesses, tour the Poudoug business district, visit the US Embassy, and tour the Bund, the waterfront area that was the center of 19th century colonialism which is lined with gracious European buildings overlooking the Huangpu River.

Those not wishing to participate in the business visits my tour Shanghai on their own.

Enjoy an Acrobatic Show in the evening.

Day 07  Shanghai/Suzhou

Today there is a full day tour to beautiful Suzhou, a city described by the Chinese as a paradise on earth.  Visit the Master of the Nets Garden, Tiger Hill, the Humble Administrator’s Garden, Hanshan Temple, the Silk Museum, and the canals of this “Venice of the East.” 

Day 08 Shanghai/US

Your fascinating journey comes to an end as you board your direct flight to Detroit for connection to Erie (or other destination).  Cross the International Date Line and arrive back in the US the same day.

 

 

Open to All

A limited number of spaces are available to non student members of the Gannon community.  On past tours, faculty, local business people, relatives of students, students from other schools, and members of the local community have participated.  It is possible to depart from a city other than Erie.

 

Tour Price

The all inclusive tour price per person, based on double occupancy, of $1,339 for Gannon students ($200-$300 scholarships available, see below) and $1,429 for others, includes:

 

·         Round trip air transportation from Erie.  Those participants departing from a city other than Erie are

subject to a deviation fee.  All participants, including students, are to arrange their own transportation to/from the Erie airport.

·         Earn 14,264 North West Air World Perk miles, with a value of  $285.

·         All meals, including Western breakfast, and Chinese lunch and dinner

·         6 nights accommodation in four-star hotels:  in Beijing, the Peace Hotel, centrally located (15 minute walk to Tiananmen Square), and the Jianguo Hotel Shanghai.  Both are equipped with fitness center,  business center, several restaurants, shopping arcade, etc.  The Peace also has a pool.

·         Hotel tax and service fee.

·         Transportation and admission to all activities included in itinerary

·         English speaking local tour guide who will accompany the group at all times

·         Experienced tour leader who has traveled to China three times, twice leading highly successful tours.

·         Tour information and pre departure briefing meetings and material

 

The price is based on double occupancy.  Single supplement is an additional $163.  Single students, as well as others, requesting a roommate will be matched with another of the same sex in making room assignments.  In the event of an odd number of participants of the same sex, one half of the single supplement will apply for Gannon students and the full amount for others.

 

Price is based on a minimum of 15 tour participants, current airfares and rate of currency exchange, etc.  Airport departure taxes (US - $50, China - $18), passport (see below) and Chinese visa handling fees (see below), gratuities ($4/day), and items of a personal nature are not included.

 

China Study Grant Fund

A China Study Grant Fund has been established to provide grants to Gannon students to enable them to participate in the tour.  All Gannon students, grad as well as undergrad, are encouraged to apply for the ten available grants/scholarships that range from $200 to $300.  Additional information and an application form are available elsewhere on this Web site as well as from Dr. Mahan. 

 

Faculty Grants

Grants for GU CHBE faculty are also available.  Contact Dr. Mahan for details.

 

China Study Tour Courses

For those students interested in learning more about the culture, history, politics, economy, business environment, and religion of what may be the most important country of this century, there are several courses offered in conjunction with the tour. Students of all majors may enroll in the one-credit China Study Tour course (BI 299).   A regular three credit China Studies course, to be cross listed as an undergrad and MBA course, is also to be offered.  Students at other universities are invited to enroll in the three-credit independent study course. Tuition is not included in tour price.  Information on these courses, including syllabi, is available elsewhere on this Web site as well as from Dr. Mahan. 

 

Additional Information

Additional information on the tour, China Study Tour grants, and courses offered in conjunction with the tour, photos of previous tour, and testimonials from previous tour participants, are available at other areas of this Web site and from Dr. Gary Mahan (telephone: 814.871.7588; Email: Mahan@gannon.edu).

 

 

Terms and Conditions

 

Reservations/Deposits: A deposit of $200 per person is required by Nov. 20, 2001.  The deposit is non refundable and non transferable in the event of cancellation by consumer or agent after confirmation of booking.  Full payment (including tour price plus $50 US departure tax) is required by Dec. 12, 2001.  Use of credit cards for final payment are subject to a 3% surcharge.

Cancellations: The tour operator reserves the right to cancel tour prior to its departure for any reason. In the event of cancellation, the tour operator will refund any deposits and/or payments prior to such cancellation.  After full payment is made, refunds will be made as follows:

If cancellation is made...                                    Refund will be...

More than 46 days before departure…           tour cost less deposit

46-16 days before departure…                        tour cost less $300:

15-08 days before departure…                        50% of tour cost

Less than 8 days before departure…             No refund

Travel documents: Both a valid passport and a Chinese visa are required for travel to China. If a new US passport is needed, it may require up to one month to obtain and costs $60.  A Chinese visa requires a valid passport with at least six month left until its expiration, up to two weeks to obtain and a $30 money order.

Baggage: Two pieces of average size luggage not exceeding 44 lbs.

Accident and trip insurance: is recommended and is available at a cost of $79.

 

Other

All information regarding the tour, other than that provided at the meetings, is to be provided to participants via this China Study Tour Web site and Email. Thus, all participants must have an Email address that is regularly checked.  Since many of the documents provided are in PDF, a computer equipped with the free Adobe Acrobat Reader is required.

 

Tri fold Brochure

 

A tri fold brochure containing the above information, including reservation coupon, is to be soon available at the following Gannon locations:

·         ·         the International Business bulletin board outside Palumbo Center 2212,

·         ·         the Office of the Dean, College of CHBE, Palumbo Center 1202, and

·         ·         the China Study Tour and International Business bulletin boards on the third floor Beyer Hall, as well as 

upon request from Dr. Mahan.

 

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

Reservation Coupon

Those interested are encouraged to deposit soon as this tour was a sell out the last two years.

 

                                                                                                            Date_____________

 

Enclosed find $____________ as nonrefundable deposit for _____ reservations ($200/person) in accordance with the terms/conditions contained herein, and those terms and conditions of purveyors of services expressly contained herein.

Name(s) [print] ____________________________________________________

                                    First                       Middle (full)                                    Last

Address (local mailing) _______________________________

______________________________________

City __________________________________

State _____________ Zip Code ____________

Tel: Home _____________________________

Tel: Bus.  ______________________________

E-mail:  ________________________________

Signature _______________________________

 

All deposits are to be received on or before November 20, 2001.  Please make checks payable to:

China Travel Service (USA) Inc.

And mail to:

Gary P. Mahan, Ph.D.

Box 3188

Gannon University

109 University Square

Erie, PA 16541

 

(last modified 9/15/01)