Grade 9

Taipei, Taiwan

The Hutong

With a mix of mainland Chinese, local aboriginal, and even Japanese culture, unique and exciting experiences await those traveling to Taiwan. Become immersed in Taiwanese traditions by biking past scenic wetlands, traversing old streets, creating ceramic pieces, learning traditional cloth dyeing, crafting floating lanterns, and hiking up Mt. Keelung, exploring different night markets throughout. Visit landmarks of historical, natural, and modern value, such as the Sun Yatsen Memorial, Taipei 101, and Shifen Waterfalls. Students will also participate in a a wetland clean-up to understand the issues facing environmental conservationists.

TENTATIVE FLIGHTS (TBC):
Depart Sunday, March 15 11:50 arrive 13:30
Depart Friday, March 20th 16:20 arrive 18:15

Draft Itinerary

Day 1

Flight to Taipei

Transfer to Taipei City for lunch

Visit to Sun Yatsen Memorial

Check-in to hotel

Opening Taiwan Dinner

Reflections

CHIANG KAI-SHEK AND SUN YATSEN MEMORIAL HALLS

These landmark monuments are two of the most historical places we will visit on this program, when referring to modern Taiwanese history.  Students will have the opportunity to watch the unique, very precise and rigorous changing of the guard. Both of these sites provide excellent spots for the opening and closing of the program, giving the visit to Taipei a well-rounded feel with these two historical giants as bookends for the students. Despite the fact that these two men were political leaders; however, their memorials are spots where locals gather for exercise, a conversation, or even to breakdance in the wide open spaces and shelter provided by the awesome architecture.

Day 2

Breakfast

Bike Safety talk followed by biking to Tamsui.  Lunch provided along the way

Visit to historical fort in Tamsui and reflections

Dinner and returning to town for night market before settling into the hotel for the evening.

Biking to Tamsui

Biking has become a huge hobby for local Taiwanese, both for exercise and for transport. Taipei has one of the longest and most extensive city biking routes located just next to the Tamsui River, heading out into the sea. Students will get a chance to experience this safe and scenic bike path on day 2 as we bike North from Taipei City to Tamsui, stopping along the way for lunch. Biking to Tamsui we’ll pass wetlands, temples, see wild birds and see different plant species, as well as visit a protected National Mangrove conservation area. This activity will give students a good chance both for exercise, and for site-seeing of the surrounding area, Nature, and smaller community outside of Taipei City.

NIGHT MARKETS AND CULINARY CHALLENGES
Students will be able to explore the night markets on this program. They will get a chance to order their own food and try local specialities. Given the opportunity to take “risks”, step outside of their comfort zones and try new foods, students will gain confidence and have fun while trying the local fare. Each of the small night markets or towns we visit will have its own speciality and students will be able to give full introductions of the new delicacies they tried while “embracing diversity” with their adventurous pallets.

Day 3

Transfer to Yingge

Visit Ceramics Museum and participate in a ceramics workshop and ceramics performance in park

Lunch

Visit to Yingge Old street

Transfer to Sanxia Old Street and temple

Return to Taipei for dinner and reflection

CERAMICS IN YINGGE

As nearby Yingge has a long history associated with ceramics, it is filled with opportunities for students to participate in hands-on experiences with pottery. Besides the old street with many ceramics shops, there are also areas for workshops where students can create their own ceramics pieces of artwork. Students will visit the nearby Ceramics Museum where they will get to participate in their own ceramics workshop. They may have a chance to meet with international artists in residence in this rich cultural city. Finally students will also be able to meet some of the interesting personalities associated with ceramics in Yingge as they explore the old street and the Ceramics Park behind the museum.

Day 4

Transfer to Jiufen

Hiking Mt Keelung

Exploration of Jiufen Old Street and lunch in same location

Viewing Shifen Waterfalls

Students make and release sky lanterns

Dinner, daily reflections and return to hotel

HIKING UP MT. KEELUNG IN JIUFEN
On one of the days for the Taipei program, we’ll leave Taipei altogether for the nearby small towns of Jiufen and Shifen. Originally part of the Japanese gold mine enterprise during the colonization period, Jiufen is one of the most scenic spots nearby Taipei, and on a good day when there is no rain, we will be able to have a gorgeous panoramic view of the sea, as well as being able to spot Taipei 101 off in the distance from atop Mt. Keelung where we will hike above Jiufen.

EXPLORING JIUFEN AND SHIFEN
Hayao Miyazaki was said to be so inspired by Jiufen’s enchanting alleys and mysteries around every corner, that he based his fantasy world in “Spirited World” on the architecture and layout of the small city. Students will have a chance to explore the inspiration behind “Spirited Away” with their own eyes as they criss-cross the many alleys
and ubiquitous food street that seems to pop up in each Taiwan town. Not to be outdone by Jiufen, nearby Shifen is also a great a spot for students to view the beautiful “Niagra Falls” of Taipei before taking part in creating their very own floating paper lanterns that they will write their wishes on before sailing into the horizon.

Day 5

Participate in the Wetland Conservation Project

Hike on Four Beasts for fantastic views of the city.

Final night Market Dinner followed by reflections and return to hotel

WETLAND CONSERVATION PROJECT

Taiwan is known for its excellent food, friendly people, and its beautiful nature. One of the most important things to keep in mind, especially with the growing challenge of global warming, is the balance between Man and Nature. We will visit one of the nearby wetlands to work with professionals in the wetland conservation area to better understand the issues facing environmental conservationists. Additionally, we will be able to have students take part in a wetland clean-up during this time by getting some hands-on experience in the wetlands. Expect to get down and dirty on this day, but you’ll come away with a greater sense of achievement and understanding for Mother Nature and her needs.

Day 6

Wake-up and checkout

Final reflections at Chiang Kai-shek memorial

Early lunch followed by flight back to Macau

Trip Highlights:

Estimated price: 11,500 MOP