KEI organizes cultural activities in Beijing during the semester and summer, plus two overnight field trips to Shanghai and Xi’an during the semester. Transportation, lodging and admission for planned activities are included in the program fee. Below are the most commonly organized excursions and activities. KEI reserves the right to change planned excursions for destinations of equal value and interest. Excursions may change based on availability, local festivals and interest. Academic year and multiple term students participate on planned excursions during their first term of study.

Beijing

Beijing, the great capital of China, beats so many world records: it holds the world’s longest wall, The Great Wall; the largest public square, Tiananmen Square; and the largest ancient palace, The Forbidden City. The Temple of Heaven serves as an outstanding example of ancient Chinese architectural wisdom, with the round center hall representing heaven, the inner four pillars representing the seasons, the middle twelve symbolizing the months, and the outer twelve symbolizing hours of the day. Other possible excursions include the Beijing Zoo and Peking Opera.

Shanghai

Shanghai has a unique combination of east and west, past and present. In the old days, Shanghai was the center of western powers in China, shared by eight nations, from the British and French, to the Japanese, each had their own district language – except Chinese itself. Sometimes called “Paris of the East” due to the neoclassical buildings along the Bund, Shanghai also retains much of its old Chinese character in the giant Jade Buddha and the Old Shanghai Street.

Xi’an

Xi’an served as the capital for 12 dynasties across a time span of 1500 years. No other city in China has such a great antiquity. It was here the Silk Road started or ended. Xi’an was the center of trade with the West, making it the world’s largest, richest and most cosmopolitan city in medieval times. Present-day Xi’an is enclosed by a massive, well-preserved 14th century City Wall, which was built to protect the city from “uncivilized” enemies. Xi’an also boasts the famous Terracotta Army, with thousands of life-size warrior sculptures, magnificent temples, ancient architectures and cultural relics, including the Big Goose Pagoda that holds the precious Buddhist scriptures.