Shaxi Village Project

Itinerary

Day 1 – Tuesday
Location: San Francisco
After meeting and greeting your flight leader and the other students joining the Shaxi Village Service Project, we’re off to Hong Kong! This is an easy, non-stop ride across the Pacific – and most students find that after dinner and a movie, they’re able to manage dozing off to sleep for a while. So sit back, have a chat with your new friends, and enjoy the flight!

Day 2 – Wednesday
This day is ‘lost’ as you cross the International Date Line. But don’t worry– you’ll get it back when returning home!

Day 3 – Thursday
Location: Shaxi
Arrive at Hong Kong International Airport, where you’ll meet your program leaders and have time for a long awaited stretch. You will have a few hours in the airport before connecting onwards.  Next, we’ll grab our bags (preferably small and manageable!) and check-in for our connecting flight to Kunming.  The flight takes about 1 ½ hours, and then you will be setting down in mainland China!  Arriving into Kunming International Airport, you will meet up with the rest of the staff awaiting your arrival, and then catch a flight up to the city of Lijiang.  This flight is very short, about 45 minutes long, and as you gaze out the window, you will watch the city of Kunming fade away and be replaced with the lush mountains of Northern Yunnan Province. 
Once we arrive into Lijiang Airport, grab your bags, and hop on a private bus to take you to the village of Shaxi.  The drive is about 2 ½ hours, and you will arrive in the early afternoon.  Once arriving into the village, you will be warmly greeting by our head staff member in the village, Yunxin Wu.  Born and raised in the area, Mr. Wu is an integral community member in Shaxi Valley.  For 13 years, Mr. Wu was an English teacher at the primary school and most recently been a welcoming friend to local travelers looking to spend a night in this special place, and a proud husband and father. 

Settling into the village, you will move into your home while here in Shaxi – a 200 year old monastery restructured to hold Rustic Pathways students during the summer months.  Inside the monastery grounds, which are your home away from home, there are 3 main structures.  The first is a common area where you will have time to relax, chat with friends, practice your Mandarin that you pick up while here, and discuss the service work you are performing while on this program.  The second building is made up of the sleeping quarters, all brand new Western guest rooms with private bathrooms.  There will be 2 students per room here, and the accommodations are extremely clean and comfortable.  The third structure inside the monastery walls is an ancient traditional Chinese open-air theater, where local villagers have put on performances for the Shaxi people for centuries.  This unbelievable “home” overlooks the rolling farmlands in the valley, and is truly a magical place to spend your time here.  This first evening in Shaxi, sit down to a welcome feast of local Shaxi dishes (food ethnic to the Bai Minority and considered some of the best food in China!)  Vegetarians need not worry, China is known for its savory vegetarian and tofu dishes.  Also spiciness can be added or left out at request.
You will have your orientation after dinner, bringing you up to speed on the community service projects that you will be a part of in the weeks to come.  As you drift off to sleep, with the peaceful quite of this little village surrounding you, and the stars ablaze above your head, you will truly be part of this special corner of the world.  Welcome to Shaxi!

Day 4 – Thursday through Day 9 – Wednesday
Location: Shaxi
The daily itinerary will be mainly the same for your time here in Shaxi, and will run as follows:

Morning:

Waking early, you will sip on some local tea and dine on local Shaxi delicacies (the mushrooms in this valley are world renowned, selling for exorbitant prices but you get them for free and cooked by locals) and some Western dishes, all prepared by the villagers and served in the monastery.  If you are up for it, you can lend a hand in preparing these meals, but you will have to be ready to rise very early in the morning!    After breakfast each day, there will be a short orientation to go through the day’s activities of service work in the area.  Students will break up into groups of 2 or 3, and be paired up with specific Shaxi families with which they will be working on this morning service project.  Students will be working alongside families as they perform their daily projects. Each morning service project will run for approximately 3 hours and most often include:

Stalk fortification and Hoeing in corn fields;
Basket Weaving (they sell the baskets);
Straw Shoe Making;
Plum Picking (seasonal);
Grass Cutting (students donate to local families for animals);
Cementing, liming, painting, trimming walls;
Classroom maintenance: Sweeping, painting etc.;
Exterior restoration to entrance way of school;
Chinese Character restoration to entrance;
Fishing with locals for nightly meals;
Environmental preservation and cleanup.

Mid Day:
Taking a break from the morning service projects, return to the monastery to rest up for a bit, grab a shower, take a stroll through the village, hang out with some of the school children and village elders, or just hang out with friends.  Lunch will be taken in the monastery, which will consist of traditional Shaxi & Chinese dishes.  

Afternoon:
The afternoon service projects will be working directly within the village.  These are often designed in cooperation with Mr. Wu; his favorite is to take a short hike up the valley’s gorgeous hills, offering food, materials and goodwill to the “Yi” people, proud bearers of another minority community in the diverse and splendid Yunnan Province.  Other times, you will help take elder citizens blood pressure and ask them about their diets.  Then later that night you will help cook a nutritious meal for them and then deliver the food to their front door.  The following day you will check in with them and g for a walk with them down the road.  These comprehensive programs will prove that many hands make for lighter work and you will also gain invaluable experience, understanding how other cultures live, work and think.  After your time in Shaxi is complete, you will walk away a more informed and compassionate global citizen.

Late Afternoon/Evening:
After finishing up the afternoon service projects, there are various afternoon activities to choose from in the village.  While serving an important role in learning about both the culture of the Shaxi locals, as well as Chinese culture as a whole, these are not primarily community service projects.  These optional afternoon activities may include:

Calligraphy and Character lessons
Traditional games: Mah Jong, Chinese Chess and Cards
Musical performance by 7 local musicians
Hike to Temples with Buddhist carvings from the 800s
Ping Pong
Cooking lessons
Market Visit with shopping challenge in which students are given money to bargain for fruit and snacks for the week
 
Night:
Dinner each night will be as a group in the monastery, and on many evenings there will be locals in the village joining in the festivities.  Dining on traditional Shaxi and Chinese dishes, sitting around the table with new friends, the stars above and the quiet countryside surrounding you – this is the Shaxi Village Service Project!

Day 10 – Thursday
Waking up early on this final day, you will pack your things, say your final goodbye’s to the new friends you have made in the village, and hop on your private bus and ride back to Lijiang.  Arriving into the city of Lijiang, you will catch a 1 ½ hour flight down to Shenzhen, where an Airport Coordinator will pick you up and escort you to the Hong Kong Airport via bus (approx. 1 ½ hours.)  Once arriving into the city of Hong Kong, you will either meet up with your flight leader and board the Group Flight back to the USA, or connect to another Rustic Pathways program.  Say goodbye to the friends you have made, the adventures you have had, and the country you have come to know – China! 

An Important Note about Schedule Changes:
Rustic Pathways reserves the right to change, alter, or amend the daily itinerary for this trip at any time. Changes can be made for various reasons including changes in flight or program schedules, changes in the scheduless of various external tours incorporated in our trips, the addition of new activities into a trip, or the substitution of an old activity for a new activity. The itinerary shown here provides a good outline of the anticipated daily schedule for this program. As with any travel program, some changes may occur

Shaxi Packing Lists

The Most Important thing you can bring is an open mind and big heart.  The Chinese people are incredible hosts; with the right attitude you will have the chance to experience this firsthand, sharing endless stories and cups of tea.

Should you also choose, a small donation to the local school is always appreciated.  Little items like stickers, pencil cases and pens go a long way to making quick friendships.

IMPORTANT: PACK LIGHT! Domestic airlines in China have a check-in baggage weight limit of 20 kilos (about 44 lbs). If your bags weigh more than this, the airline may charge you an excess baggage fee for every kilo over the allowed limit. In past years, we have had students incur SIGNIFICANT charges for excess baggage.

Most Important Item:
• Running Shoes - 1 pair (This is a must have and they should be well-worn in before you come here to avoid blisters.)  Also be aware to not bring shoes that you aren’t prepared to get very dirty and wet.

Carry-On Luggage: A small backpack is the best carry-on bag:

• Passport or ID Card - you can't get on the plane without this
• Photo Copy of Passport (2 additional photocopies should be carried in checked luggage)
• Sunglasses
• Good Book (trade with buddies)
• Medications (Must alert staff)
• Digital Camera, 35mm camera and/or disposable camera - Be aware that cameras can easily get broken, lost, or stolen in China so only bring a camera which you are prepared to part with.  Also, don't forget to bring your chargers, batteries and memory cards.  You can also bring your USB cords for downloading pics for emails. (For all ipod photo / video users, try and practice putting pictures onto your ipod at home before coming out here)

(TIP: BRING ALL OF YOUR FILM IN YOUR CARRY-ON, AND ASK THE STAFF AT EVERY X-RAY STATION TO WALK THE FILM AND YOUR CAMERA AROUND THE MACHINE. DO NOT PACK YOUR FILM IN YOUR CHECKED LUGGAGE!)

Checked Luggage: We reccomend a hiker’s-style backpack.

• T-Shirts with sleeves (6 t-shirts), remember that you will be working hard so don’t bring any shirts that you aren’t prepared to get dirty.
• Long Pants (2 pairs - I suggest something lightweight i.e. linen or a quick drying material)
• Underwear (7 pairs)
• Socks (5 pairs)
• Tank Tops (1-2)- Remember that you want to be culturally sensitive with your dress, so don't bring anything too tight or revealing
• Long Sleeve T-shirt - Two - they help keep off the sun and keep in a little warmth in the evenings
• Rainproof, Lightweight Jacket - a small travel one is best
• Shorts (3 or 4 pairs) - not too short or tight, as this is offensive in Chinese culture.
• Sandals that are strapped (Chaco's or Teva's are recommended) or basic flip flops for walking around in.
• Hat or cap for sun
• Towel (1 towel - NOT white) - white towels get rather gnarly looking after a while
• Medications (must alert staff about these) - bring with you any medications that you will need while you are away. You will need to tell staff what medications you have brought during your orientation period. This is done privately, but it is essential that you disclose to your staff all medications you are carrying.

Toiletries (Please pack all items that could leak in a PLASTIC or ZIPLOCK bag and remember only a limited amount of them can come on the plan with you, so unless you really need them, throw them into your checked luggage.)

• Deodorant: You will have a very hard time finding deodorant in Shaxi
• Toothpaste and Toothbrush
• Contact lenses and accompanying supplies - if you use contacts, bring all of your contact solution with you
• Sunscreen
• Chapstick- make sure that it has sunscreen in it. Lip balm without sun protection actually attracts the sun. Burt's Bees has some nice products.
• Sunburn cream or Aloe Lotion - if you are someone who is prone to sunburn, we suggest that you bring a small tube or bottle of sunburn relief cream just in case you get too much sun.
• Hand Sanitizer- one bottle. Always use this before you eat as many germs are passed from your hands to your mouth and keeping your paws clean helps keep you healthy wherever you are traveling!

Optional:

• Snacks – comfort food that won't melt - granola, dried fruit, etc. You don't need much, but just in case you don't like the airplane food.
• iPod or other MP3 player.  Also please remember that any nice electronic device can easily get broken, lost, or stolen in China so only bring a camera which you are prepared to part with.
• Deck of Cards - fun for the plane and with your friends in China too
• Small packs of Kleenex Tissues - public toilets in most of Asia do not supply toilet paper - you are meant to bring your own. It's always handy to have a few packs of Kleenex tissues with you when you travel in Asia, but be rest assured that if you run out or do not bring them then you can buy them on most streets for a very cheap price.
• Personal First Aid Kit - optional but recommended - all staff will have basic first aid recourses but if you prefer a specific brand or have allergies, we strongly encourage you to bring your own basic first aid supplies, such as:

          - Band aids
          - Triple Antibiotic Ointment
          - Medical Tape
          - Moleskin or preferred blister care
          - Preferred Mild Pain Reliever
          - Antihistamine (Benedryl or preferred type)
          - 2 Non-adherent, sterile dressing
          - 2 Gauze dressing
          - 5-8 After Cuts and Scrapes Wipes

• Other toiletries - shampoo, soap, etc.  (Note: You can find basic soap and shampoo all throughout China, so bring only if you have any allergies or prefer one brand over another.)
• Frisbee, Hacky-sack, Football, Soccer Ball or Volleyball

1 - How long is the flight to this country?
The direct flight from San Francisco to Hong Kong takes approximately 14 hours.  The return flight to San Francisco is a bit quicker, taking 12 hours.

2 - Will there be a flight leader to this country?
Yes. All flights between Hong Kong and the USA will have a flight leader starting when the fight leader meets the students at the airport in San Francisco.  Unless you are traveling on the Wonders of China each of your Mainland Asian flights will be unescorted -- these short, usually less than an hour and a half flights will always have Airport Coordinators to help them check in and receive them once they exit baggage claim.
 
3 - Do we need to get visas for this program?
China requires a visa for US citizens which students must obtain themselves before departure. Information about obtaining your visa is provided with your acceptance letter. If your stay in China is longer than 30 days, please contact our office for information regarding additional visa requirements. Students who are not traveling on a US passport should check online for their visa requirements.

4 – What Chinese province(s) does this program pass through?
The Shaxi Village Service Project is located in Shaxi, a village community 3 hours from Lijiang and Dali (Where our language programs are based out of.)  All of these locations are located in Yunnan Province.

5 - What immunizations do we need to get for this trip?
Rustic Pathways does not make recommendations regarding immunizations.  We strongly suggest that you consult with a travel doctor or your family physician for medical recommendations based on the area where the student will be traveling (as listed above).  You can also check the Center for Disease Control website at www.cdc.gov for more information. 

6 - How does this program connect to other programs?
Throughout Mainland Asia, Thursdays are our travel days.  This allows you to connect to other programs in China or other countries in mainland Asia easily, quickly and safely.  While their flights to the starting destinations of connecting programs are often unescorted, they will be dropped off at the airport by their previous program leader and met at the arrival airport by their new program leader.  For more information about connecting to other programs, please contact our Ohio office or e-mail us at china@rusticpathways.com.

7 – How long is the flight from Hong Kong to this program?
This program takes the longest to connect to but it is definitely worth it.  The flight from Hong Kong to Kunming is a 1 ½ hour flight, then a 50 minute flight to Lijiang and finally a 3-hour private bus ride to Shaxi. 

8 – What is the climate in the region where this program takes place?
Due to Shaxi’s proximity to the mountains, there is a nice cool breeze throughout the days and nights can be cold at times.  A hoodie or long-sleeve t-shirt should do the trick.  Also, be prepared for rainstorms, we will often try to find community service initiatives to do inside (i.e. painting, basket weaving, etc) but when it doesn’t rain there will be an abundance of clean, fresh mountain air.

9 - Is this a good program for students interested in practicing their Chinese?
Shaxi Village Service Project does not include formal Chinese language instruction; however students will have multiple opportunities to practice Chinese with the locals and are often encouraged to learn on-the-go by a Rustic Pathways staff member who speaks the language.  Next to the Dali language family of programs, this offers the best opportunity to learn the Chinese language via osmosis and community involvement.
Most students like to take 2 weeks at the Dali Language Program and then connect it with nearby Shaxi because there is no additional connection fee.  For more information on these programs, check out the following websites.

Intensive Chinese Language: (Private Study):
https://www.rusticpathways.com/china/intensivechineselanguage.php
Chinese Language Immersion (Group Study):
https://www.rusticpathways.com/china/chineselanguageimmersion.php
Definitive Dali Experience (Senior Study):
https://www.rusticpathways.com/china/dali.php

10- What service projects will I work on and how are the projects identified?
After breakfast each day, there will be a short orientation to go through the day’s activities of service work in the area.  Students will break up into groups of 2 or 3, and be paired up with specific Shaxi families with which they will be working on this morning service project.  Students will be working alongside families as they perform their daily projects. Each morning service project will run for approximately 3 hours and most often include:

1. Stalk fortification and Hoeing in corn fields
2. Basket Weaving
3. Straw Shoe Making
4. Fruit Picking
5. Grass Cutting (students donate to local families for animals)
6. Cementing, liming, painting, trimming walls
7. Classroom maintenance: Sweeping, painting etc.
8. Exterior restoration to entrance way of school
9. Character restoration to entrance of school
10. Building a Cobble-Stone Sidewalk for the Local School from Scratch;
11. Plastering New School Walls;
12. Hoeing and Fertilizing Corn Plants – Donating Harvest to Villagers;
13. Cutting and Collecting Grass to Feed Local Livestock;
14. Making Local Tools and Donating Them to Village Workers;
15. English and Reading Tutoring plus Art and Sports enrichment programs at Duan Village Primary School;

In the afternoon, you will often go to work on other similar projects that are all part of a well-organized and comprehensive plan which hopes that many hands make for lighter work while also gaining an invaluable experience: understanding how other cultures live, work and think. 
11 – How physically strenuous is this program?
Since this is a service-oriented trip, be prepared to physically work for at least three-five hours a day.  Often this work will be in the rice fields so be sure to listen to the locals who will help you learn he best way to work efficiently and stay fresh.  We strongly encourage drinking a lot of water during this program and we will be happy to find you some if you request it.
12- What costs are not included on this trip?
The majority of costs associated with the program are included on this trip. Students should have extra allowance money if they wish: to buy souvenirs, artwork and handicrafts from local artisans or additional snacks or sodas from the local grocery stores. Students should bring extra money if they choose to participate in optional activities that are not included in the trip costs.

13 – What are the optional activities available at an additional cost on this program?
None.

14 - What kind of food will we be eating? Where?
Since Rustic Pathways program costs include all meals, we prefer to stay with a strictly Chinese food diet.  This is often not a hard compromise since it offers some of the best food in the world and each province offer amazing diversity for flavors and cooking methods.  In addition, by sticking with the local diet, your body becomes adapted to traveling in a  foreign country much easier; however, should a student really crave fast food or some sweets, we allow ample time for students to use their own allowance to quench this hunger.

15 - Can we cater to specific diets?
Contrary to belief, China is not just about rice.  In fact, often Chinese people will ask you “Do you prefer noodles or rice?”  Better yet, the Chinese cuisine is one of the most suitable for vegetarians.  China’s vegetable dishes are plentiful and savory and spiciness can be increased or left out all together at a simple request.  One thing we do ask is that students are forthright about their food allergies, often China will use a lot of cooking oil and home spices, thus it’s important for us to know what you can and can not eat.  This will not mean you go a day without food; rather the simple ingredient is aksed to be left off.

16 - Will the kids be drinking bottled water?
With all your meals and activities in China, Rustic Pathways buys bottled water and soda for the students.  Drinking tea made with boiled water presents no problems and students can use tap water for brushing their teeth; however, all other times it is imperative to buy bottled water or soda, which are easily purchased at side stalls and supermarkets.

17 - What will the accommodation on this trip be like?
You will be staying at a 200-year old, newly renovated monastery.  Each room has at least 2 beds, a bathroom with Western toilet and shower head (i.e. no tub.)  Eating will be in the room right next to the bedrooms and meals will be prepared by Mr. Wu’s wife, who at this point may be the best known cook in Rustic Pathways program… get ready to eat good food ‘til your heart’s content.

18.  What are the bathroom facilities?
We will tell you straight up, public toilets in China can be frightening.  If you can avoid going to bathrooms at gas stations or in heavily trafficked locations, there are often no problems.  At your guesthouses all toilets will be Western-style and when eating in restaurants, the “squatters” are often clean and well-maintained.  The bathroom issue is a sensitive one in China since most Chinese people prefer the squatters, believing less contact offers cleaner situations; however, we understand your concerns and often can recommend the best place to go when you really have to go.

19 - How many girls and boys are usually on this trip?
We expect a good mix between genders, however the exact numbers vary from week to week and usually lean to the side of more girls than boys.

20- What is the ratio of guides to students?
Rustic Pathways generally strives to maintain a ratio of approximately 1 guide for every 6 students. There will be 2 guides on this program, one will be a Mainland Chiense bi-lingual staff and one Western staff with CPR/First Aid Training supervising (Between these two staff members, there will be one male and female leader.)  Lastly, our guides go through a rigorous selection process including interviews with our program managers and a full background check.

21-Is your staff qualified in First Aid?
Because safety is our number one priority, all of our programs have staff that is certified with First Aid and CPR training. Many of our guides are also qualified Wilderness First Responders, EMTs, Wilderness EMTs, or Life Guards.

22 - How often (if at all) will students be able to do laundry on this program and what will it cost?
There will not be an opportunity for laundry to be done until the very end of the trip so make sure you pack some clothes that you are happy to get dirty and some shoes that can get soaked.  This is all part of the rewarding fun that is village service work, everybody’d clothes will get dirty but you will still be able to take a hot shower in the morning and after you return from the fields.

23 - How often will they have access to phone and internet?
For those on the Shaxi village service project, one of the greatest parts of your program is that you are living in an authentic Chinese village, not yet influenced by China’s fast-growing economy; however, this also means that the Internet is not very reliable.  Usually you will be able to sign on for 1 or 2 times a week to provide an update.  While we know everyone will want to stay in touch as much as possible, we believe that the lack of a constant connection to Facebook and IM Chat only adds to a student’s experience.

Also, parents please remember that we will always send you safe arrival e-mails and should you have any further questions or ask that your child sends an update, please let us know and we’ll be happy to pass on a friendly reminder.