Baltimore Youth Symphony - China

The itinerary is the starting point to your tour, but it’s not set in stone. Your group leader may make changes leading up to departure.

Day 1, Saturday July 10: Overnight Flight

Departure from the United States.

Day 2, Sunday July 11: Tianjin

On arrival at Beijing, meet your tour managers and transfer to your hotel in time for dinner (D)

Day 3, Monday July 12: Tianjin

This morning after breakfast spend time with your hosts at Tianjin Juilliard School (own arrangements), including a rehearsal and possible performance.

Day 4, Tuesday July 13: Tianjin

After breakfast travel to China's capital Beijing. Our first visit today is to the Forbidden City, dating back to the 1400s and arguably the most famous site in all of China. Discover the seat of many Chinese Dynasties for over 500 years, and explore the largest royal palace complex in existence world wide. Visit nearby Tiananmen Square, site of the founding of the current Peoples' Republic of China. Later rehearse and perform your next concert in a prestigious venue such as the Beijing Daixing Theater Hall, before dinner together (B,D)

Day 5, Wednesday July 14: Tianjin

Today we'll explore the city of Tianjin, one of the largest in China, and a major economic, cultural and scientific hub. Visit the Five Great Avenues featuring many European-style streets, where you could take an optional carriage ride, trolley ride, or just explore the district. Continue to the Ancient Culture Street, a traditional maritime district housing many historic buildings, temples, stores and food outlets. Tonight sees your next performance in a venue such as the Tianjin Concert Hall, before dinner together (B,D)

Day 6, Thursday July 15: Tianjin

Today after breakfast board your bullet train which will whisk you back to the capital in under an hour! Spend time at the city's section of the Great Wall: this amazing structure, dating back as far as the 7th Century, is said to be the only man-made structure visible from space! Remember to take sturdy footwear, parts of the wall are extremely steep! Continue your visit with a tour of the Olympic Stadium, known as the 'bird's nest', built for the 2008 Olympic Games. Return to Tianjin in time for a traditional 'Peking Duck' dinner to round off your visit to Tianjin (B,D)

Day 7, Friday July 16: Xiamen

This morning check out and transfer to the airport for your flight to Xiamen, a major port city in the southeastern Fujian Province of China and the sister city of Baltimore! The afternoon is free to explore the city and settle in before dinner together tonight (B,D)

Day 8, Saturday July 17: Xiamen

This morning take a trip to Gulangyu Island, a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of China's most visited tourist locations. The island is renowned for its beaches and winding lanes just a short ferry ride from the bustling downtown; our visit takes in the nation's only Piano Museum which gives the island its nickname of 'Piano Island'. Later this afternoon rehearse and perform your final concert of the tour, possibly in connection with the sister city organizations (pending confirmation) in a venue such as the Fujian Southern Opera House (B,D)

Day 9, Sunday July 18: Xiamen

Today sees a day trip to the ancient Nanjing Tulou villiage, built by the Hakka people in Fujian several hundred years ago, andlisted as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Return to Xiamen for a farewell dinner to round off your epic China trip (B,D)

Day 10, Monday July 19: Departure

Transfer to the airport for your flight to Beijing or Shanghai and then your return flight to the United States.