Students who choose to study abroad in Shanghai with API will take courses at East China Normal University (ECNU). ECNU a national renowned university under the direct auspices of the Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China, is one of the most prestigious universities in the country. Founded in 1951, it is nationally accredited by the Ministry of Education of the PRC and a member of the prestigious 211 and 985 projects. Boasting one of the most beautiful university campuses in China, the university is reputed as the “garden university.”
Open to 2nd-semester freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and seniors
Open to all levels of Mandarin speakers
Completed API application
University contact information form
One letter of recommendation
Official transcript
One passport photo
Photocopy of passport
Entry requirements: valid passport and student visa
Program Details
What You’ll Study
TOTAL CREDITS - 12-18 credits per semester
Students who choose to study abroad in Shanghai with API will take courses at East China Normal University (ECNU). ECNU a nationally renowned university under the direct auspices of the Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China is one of the most prestigious universities in the country. Founded in 1951, it is nationally accredited by the Ministry of Education of the PRC and a member of the prestigious 211 and 985 projects. Boasting one of the most beautiful university campuses in China, the university is reputed as the “garden university.”
ECNU is a research university with an extensive range of disciplines including education, social sciences, humanities, natural sciences & technologies and administrative sciences. ECNU currently enrolls more than 30,000 students from all parts of China and abroad, of which more than 5,000 are international students. The Global China Program will be hosted in ECNU North Zhongshan Road Campus (Downtown Campus).
The instruction at ECNU stresses the equal importance of listening, speaking, reading, and writing Chinese, in order to lay a solid foundation for students learning. Students in the Chinese Language semester program will choose one of two academic language tracks:
Intensive Chinese Language Track
Offered by the Global Education Center, the Intensive Chinese Language Track runs for 18-20 weeks (it is two weeks shorter in duration than the Standard Chinese Language Track but includes more contact hours). This track offers 29 contact hours per week over the course of the semester, on Monday – Friday mornings (4 classes each day for 5 mornings), and Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday afternoons (3 classes each day for 3 afternoons). Courses are available at varying proficiency levels.
API recommends that students expect to transfer 18-semester credits if they elect to pursue the Intensive Chinese Language Track (this option carries an additional fee), to be verified with home university language departments.
OR
Standard Chinese Language Track
Offered through the School of International Chinese Studies, the Standard Chinese Language Track runs for 18-20 weeks and consists of 20 contact hours per week over the course of the semester. 4 courses (listening, speaking, reading, and writing) are offered at varying proficiency levels for 4 hours each morning Monday through Friday. API recommends that students expect to transfer 12-semester credits for the Standard Chinese Language Track to be verified with home university language departments.
TRANSCRIPTS
API students receive their transcript from East China Normal University upon completion of their program.
Courses
Students in this program will be immersed in Chinese language instruction for 16-18 weeks and can expect to earn approximately 12-semester credits for the Standard Chinese Language track (or up to 18-semester credits if they elect to pursue the Intensive Chinese track for an additional fee). Students in this program will be immersed in Chinese language instruction for 18-20 weeks and can expect to earn approximately 12 semester credits for the standard Chinese language program (or up to 18 semester credits if they elect to pursue the intensive Chinese option for an additional fee)
These two tracks offer immersive and intensive Chinese language instruction for students at all levels, from complete beginners to more advanced language learners. The Intensive Chinese Language Track offers courses at a faster pace, intended for those who want to learn the most in the shortest period of time.
The instruction stresses the equal importance of listening, speaking, reading, and writing Chinese, in order to lay a solid foundation for students learning. Classes are generally no larger than 20 students and meet for 20 (Standard) or 29 (Intensive) hours per week. Both tracks focus on the improvement of listening, speaking, reading and writing skills, integrated with innovative teaching methodology, like games, activities, and multi-media.
CREDIT INFORMATION
The Chinese Language Semester Program operates on the contact hour system, wherein the number of credits earned depends on the time spent in class. ECNU calculates contact hours differently than many of our other partners, and it is our recommendation that students in the Standard Track expect to transfer 12 U.S. semester credits, while students in the Intensive Track can expect to transfer up to 18 U.S. semester credits.
Chinese Language
This program offers immersive and intensive Chinese language instruction for students at all levels, from complete beginners to more advanced language learners. The instruction stresses the equal importance of listening, speaking, reading, and writing Chinese, in order to lay a solid foundation for students learning. Classes are generally no larger than 20 students and meet for 20 hours per week.
Check here for syllabus by level:
[Level 1-1]
[Level 1-2]
[Level 1-3]
[Level 2-1]
[Level 2-2]
[Level 2-3]
[Level 3-1]
[Level 3-2]
[Level 3-3]
Chinese Language
This program offers immersive and intensive Chinese language instruction for students at all levels, from complete beginners to more advanced language learners. The instruction stresses the equal importance of listening, speaking, reading, and writing Chinese, in order to lay a solid foundation for students learning. Classes are generally no larger than 20 students and meet for 20 hours per week.
Check here for syllabus by level:
[Level 1-1]
[Level 1-2]
[Level 1-3]
[Level 2-1]
[Level 2-2]
[Level 2-3]
[Level 3-1]
[Level 3-2]
[Level 3-3]
Intensive Chinese Language
This program offers immersive and intensive Chinese language instruction for students at all levels, from complete beginners to more advanced language learners. The instruction stresses the equal importance of listening, speaking, reading, and writing Chinese, in order to lay a solid foundation for students learning. Classes are generally no larger than 20 students and meet for 20 hours per week.
Check here for syllabus by level:
[Level 1-1]
[Level 1-2]
[Level 1-3]
[Level 2-1]
[Level 2-2]
[Level 2-3]
[Level 3-1]
[Level 3-2]
[Level 3-3]
Chinese Language
This program offers immersive and intensive Chinese language instruction for students at all levels, from complete beginners to more advanced language learners. The instruction stresses the equal importance of listening, speaking, reading, and writing Chinese, in order to lay a solid foundation for students learning. Classes are generally no larger than 20 students and meet for 20 hours per week.
Check here for syllabus by level:
[Level 1-1]
[Level 1-2]
[Level 1-3]
[Level 2-1]
[Level 2-2]
[Level 2-3]
[Level 3-1]
[Level 3-2]
[Level 3-3]
Intensive Chinese Language
This program offers immersive and intensive Chinese language instruction for students at all levels, from complete beginners to more advanced language learners. The instruction stresses the equal importance of listening, speaking, reading, and writing Chinese, in order to lay a solid foundation for students learning. Classes are generally no larger than 20 students and meet for 20 hours per week.
Check here for syllabus by level:
[Level 1-1]
[Level 1-2]
[Level 1-3]
[Level 2-1]
[Level 2-2]
[Level 2-3]
[Level 3-1]
[Level 3-2]
[Level 3-3]
Highlights
Immersive Chinese language program (Mandarin)
Intensive, additional credit option available
Faculty
Corrine Zhou
Corrine Zhou will be your Resident Coordinator and a resource for you on-site.
Manuel Ramirez
Manuel Ramirez will be your Program Coordinator and prepare you to go abroad!
During the program, students have the opportunity to broaden their classroom education through several organized excursions, which are included in the price of the program. Overnight lodging, breakfast, entrance fees and transportation to and from the excursion locations are included. Although excursions are subject to change depending on availability, weather and other factors, students are provided with an itinerary for their program excursions prior to departure.
Chinese Palatial Architecture & Chinese Martial Arts (WUSHU) Museum
Shanghai’s many historic buildings have a variety of characteristics, charting the changing fortune of the city over the past century, and university campuses are a prime example of this. Chinese palatial architecture is a common sight in the older, large cities of northernChina, such as Beijing and Xian, but is rarely seen in the south. The former Shanghai Special Government Headquarters (now a Shanghai Sports University office building) is a contemporary version of the Forbidden City’s Taihe Temple .
The Chinese Martial Arts Museum (Wushu Museum) in Shanghai was established to present genuine Chinese Kung Fu to all visitors. Located in the gymnasium of Shanghai University of Sports, the Chinese Martial Arts Museum provides a good platform to help people better understand Chinese martial arts which are beneficial for both self-protection and fitness. This is the first multifunctional museum in the world to display all aspects of the history and culture of Kung Fu.
Shanghai Landmark Tour
Located in the center of Shanghai south of middle Huaihai road, Xin-Tian- Di has become an urban attraction which illustrates the historical and cultural legacy of the city. It is a fashionable pedestrian street composed of both Shikumen (Shanghai’s traditional residential buildings) and modern architecture. Nearby is the historical meeting site of the First National Congress of the Communist Party of China, considered to be the birthplace of Communist China.
The Huangpu River is the mother river of Shanghai. The Bund, the famous and attractive waterfront along the west bank of the Huangpu River, has been regarded as the symbol of Shanghai for hundreds of years. There are twenty-six diverse buildings of different architectural styles, including Gothic, Baroque, Romanesque, Classical and Renaissance. The Bund is a must-see landmark site in Shanghai. The night scene is beautiful beyond description when lights are focused on the World Architecture Exhibition on the Bund which spreads along the 1000-meter-long embankment of the Huangpu River. The most bustling section includes the well-known urban landscape of Shanghai. Taking a boat cruise on the Huangpu River is also a traditional tourist attraction in Shanghai. Cruising the river allows a panoramic view of the urban landscape on both banks. The east bank of the river is the newer district of Shanghai, its financial and commercial hub, named Lujiazui. It is now one of Shanghai’s most charming places. It provides the most substantial cross-section of cosmopolitan Shanghai. Lujiazui boasts not only an “outdoor museum of global architecture,” but also frames the skyline of modern Shanghai with its modern skyscrapers.
Shanghai Local Food Tour and Acrobatics Show
Students will be able to satisfy their taste for traditional Chinese food while on this culinary tour in Shanghai City Center. After sampling some typical Shanghai-ness dishes, the group will then attend an acrobatics show! The ERA is a multimedia odyssey whose inspiration is a direct result of the combination of traditional Chinese acrobatic arts and modern technology. Just like Shanghai, ERA evolves through a constant collision between the past and the future. Not only will the audience be amazed by the acrobats’ control and precision, they will be enchanted by the world that is created by using multimedia technology, lighting and sound effects, elaborate costumes, original live music and much more!
Shanghai's History and Development Exhibition Hall & World Financial Center
Located at the base of the Oriental Pearl Tower in Lujiazui of Pudong New District, the Shanghai History and Development Exhibition Hall is an exhibit of the Shanghai History Museum.The museum is dedicated to the century-long history of the city of Shanghai. Visitors can enjoy a tour of Shanghai’s past via a collection of waxwork figures and historic relics. Equipped with modern technology such as video and simulation, the museum also presents a vivid picture of old Shanghai city, covering six sections including the former concessions and old footsteps in Shanghai.
The Shanghai World Financial Center is a symbol of commerce and culture that speaks to the city’s emergence as a global capital. Located in Shanghai’s Lujiazui of Pudong District, the multi-use Shanghai World Financial Center is a vertical city, containing offices, conference facilities, urban retail and dining spaces, and a hotel. Above the hotel, on the 94th to 100th floors, is a visitor’s center and observatory.
Suzhou
Today, Suzhou is considered a core city of China’s Yangtze River Delta economic zone, due to its high GDP contribution. In recent history, it has been a center of the silk trade and known for its gardens and canals. Suzhou has long been a haven for scholars, artists, and skilled craftsmen, which holds true even today.
Suzhou was the capital of the Wu kingdom from the 12th to 4th century BC. Historically, it was the center of Wu culture, and its dialect (Wu language) is still considered the standard dialect, even though the language is now often called “Shanghainese.” Suzhou is a modern bustling city, although you can still see traces of a very old lifestyle centered around its canals.
Jinji Lake, the largest inland city lake in China, is located in the central part of the Suzhou Industrial Park, just east of Suzhou’s old city. Deriving its name from the legendary golden rooster (Jinji) that once fell into a boat on the lake, Jinji Lake occupies an area of 10 square kilometers. The landmark buildings of Jinji Lake currently include the SSCAC Culture and Arts Centre, the Suzhou Expo Centre, and the Ferris Wheel Park. The Suzhou International Expo Centre intends to become a major venue and host for conferences and exhibitions in the Asia-Pacific region. The shape of the Expo Centre is unique, resembling a huge open fan.The architectural structure of the SSCAC, located on the eastern side of Jinji Lake, bears a resemblance to Beijing’s “Bird’s Nest”, thus sometimes referred to as the Suzhou bird’s nest. There is even a massive LED Sky Screen that is said to be the largest in the world. As Suzhou’s ‘New Heaven on Earth’, Jinji Lake is definitely a must-visit place of interest!
Wuzhen - Water Town
Wuzhen, a 1300-year- old water town on the lower reaches of the Yangze River, is a national 5A scenic area and one of China’s top ten historical & cultural towns. It is located on the Hangzhou-Jiaxing- Huzhou plain in northern Zhejiang Province, at the center of the golden triangle consisting of Shanghai, Hangzhou, and Suzhou. The small town, whose roofs of black bricks and gray tiles contrast sharply with their white walls, appears like a Chinese ink wash drawing. March to May is the best time to visit Wuzhen for the comfortable temperatures and spring scenery. The mist and drizzle make the ancient town even more beautiful.
Beijing
API students will tour the capital of China, where they will be visiting such treasures as the Great Wall, Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, Temple of Heaven, Olympic Center, and the Silk Market.
Shanghai Museum of Arts and Crafts
The regal white building that houses the Shanghai Museum of Arts and Crafts dates back to the early 1900s. Visitors will find a vast collection of local artwork and artifacts that highlight the city’s history, development, and design. Though the museum is relatively small compared to others in the city, travelers say the coin and bill collection and jade and bamboo carvings are some of the best around. What makes this museum different from other museums is that visitors can see the artists at work, while they are seated in different rooms according to their craft. The first floor of the museum showcases paper-cutting, painted lanterns, paintings, and antiques. The second floor showcases various carvings of jade, ivory, wood, ink-stone, bamboo, porcelain, and lacquerware. The third and final floor of the museum showcases Gu embroidery, woolen
needlepoint embroidery, theatrical costumes, woolen knitting, and dough modeling. The Shanghai Museum of Arts and Crafts is a melting pot of two cultures. It showcases the various crafts of Shanghai within the French interior design of carved ceiling swirls, fresh flowers above the fireplace, and red carpet on the spiral staircase. The three exhibition halls of national arts and crafts, sculpture, and brocades respectively and about ten specialized workrooms in the main building bring together about 50 industrious, artistic professionals.
Hangzhou
Hangzhou is known as “Heaven on Earth” due to its stunning natural beauty and rich cultural heritage with a history of over 2,500 years. It was described by Marco Polo as “the finest and most splendid city in the world”, and listed in the “Top 52 places to go in 2016” by The New York Times. West Lake, the legend of Hangzhou, is a symbol of the city, and is famous for its stunning scenery and various historical sites. It was selected as one of the “ 12 superb sunset spots around the world” by CNN.
Chinese Palatial Architecture & Chinese Martial Arts (WUSHU) Museum
Shanghai’s many historic buildings have a variety of characteristics, charting the changing fortune of the city over the past century, and university campuses are a prime example of this. Chinese palatial architecture is a common sight in the older, large cities of northernChina, such as Beijing and Xian, but is rarely seen in the south. The former Shanghai Special Government Headquarters (now a Shanghai Sports University office building) is a contemporary version of the Forbidden City’s Taihe Temple .
The Chinese Martial Arts Museum (Wushu Museum) in Shanghai was established to present genuine Chinese Kung Fu to all visitors. Located in the gymnasium of Shanghai University of Sports, the Chinese Martial Arts Museum provides a good platform to help people better understand Chinese martial arts which are beneficial for both self-protection and fitness. This is the first multifunctional museum in the world to display all aspects of the history and culture of Kung Fu.
Shanghai Landmark Tour
Located in the center of Shanghai south of middle Huaihai road, Xin-Tian- Di has become an urban attraction which illustrates the historical and cultural legacy of the city. It is a fashionable pedestrian street composed of both Shikumen (Shanghai’s traditional residential buildings) and modern architecture. Nearby is the historical meeting site of the First National Congress of the Communist Party of China, considered to be the birthplace of Communist China.
The Huangpu River is the mother river of Shanghai. The Bund, the famous and attractive waterfront along the west bank of the Huangpu River, has been regarded as the symbol of Shanghai for hundreds of years. There are twenty-six diverse buildings of different architectural styles, including Gothic, Baroque, Romanesque, Classical and Renaissance. The Bund is a must-see landmark site in Shanghai. The night scene is beautiful beyond description when lights are focused on the World Architecture Exhibition on the Bund which spreads along the 1000-meter-long embankment of the Huangpu River. The most bustling section includes the well-known urban landscape of Shanghai. Taking a boat cruise on the Huangpu River is also a traditional tourist attraction in Shanghai. Cruising the river allows a panoramic view of the urban landscape on both banks. The east bank of the river is the newer district of Shanghai, its financial and commercial hub, named Lujiazui. It is now one of Shanghai’s most charming places. It provides the most substantial cross-section of cosmopolitan Shanghai. Lujiazui boasts not only an “outdoor museum of global architecture,” but also frames the skyline of modern Shanghai with its modern skyscrapers.
Shanghai Local Food Tour and Acrobatics Show
Students will be able to satisfy their taste for traditional Chinese food while on this culinary tour in Shanghai City Center. After sampling some typical Shanghai-ness dishes, the group will then attend an acrobatics show! The ERA is a multimedia odyssey whose inspiration is a direct result of the combination of traditional Chinese acrobatic arts and modern technology. Just like Shanghai, ERA evolves through a constant collision between the past and the future. Not only will the audience be amazed by the acrobats’ control and precision, they will be enchanted by the world that is created by using multimedia technology, lighting and sound effects, elaborate costumes, original live music and much more!
Shanghai's History and Development Exhibition Hall & World Financial Center
Located at the base of the Oriental Pearl Tower in Lujiazui of Pudong New District, the Shanghai History and Development Exhibition Hall is an exhibit of the Shanghai History Museum.The museum is dedicated to the century-long history of the city of Shanghai. Visitors can enjoy a tour of Shanghai’s past via a collection of waxwork figures and historic relics. Equipped with modern technology such as video and simulation, the museum also presents a vivid picture of old Shanghai city, covering six sections including the former concessions and old footsteps in Shanghai.
The Shanghai World Financial Center is a symbol of commerce and culture that speaks to the city’s emergence as a global capital. Located in Shanghai’s Lujiazui of Pudong District, the multi-use Shanghai World Financial Center is a vertical city, containing offices, conference facilities, urban retail and dining spaces, and a hotel. Above the hotel, on the 94th to 100th floors, is a visitor’s center and observatory.
Suzhou
Today, Suzhou is considered a core city of China’s Yangtze River Delta economic zone, due to its high GDP contribution. In recent history, it has been a center of the silk trade and known for its gardens and canals. Suzhou has long been a haven for scholars, artists, and skilled craftsmen, which holds true even today.
Suzhou was the capital of the Wu kingdom from the 12th to 4th century BC. Historically, it was the center of Wu culture, and its dialect (Wu language) is still considered the standard dialect, even though the language is now often called “Shanghainese.” Suzhou is a modern bustling city, although you can still see traces of a very old lifestyle centered around its canals.
Jinji Lake, the largest inland city lake in China, is located in the central part of the Suzhou Industrial Park, just east of Suzhou’s old city. Deriving its name from the legendary golden rooster (Jinji) that once fell into a boat on the lake, Jinji Lake occupies an area of 10 square kilometers. The landmark buildings of Jinji Lake currently include the SSCAC Culture and Arts Centre, the Suzhou Expo Centre, and the Ferris Wheel Park. The Suzhou International Expo Centre intends to become a major venue and host for conferences and exhibitions in the Asia-Pacific region. The shape of the Expo Centre is unique, resembling a huge open fan.The architectural structure of the SSCAC, located on the eastern side of Jinji Lake, bears a resemblance to Beijing’s “Bird’s Nest”, thus sometimes referred to as the Suzhou bird’s nest. There is even a massive LED Sky Screen that is said to be the largest in the world. As Suzhou’s ‘New Heaven on Earth’, Jinji Lake is definitely a must-visit place of interest!
Wuzhen - Water Town
Wuzhen, a 1300-year- old water town on the lower reaches of the Yangze River, is a national 5A scenic area and one of China’s top ten historical & cultural towns. It is located on the Hangzhou-Jiaxing- Huzhou plain in northern Zhejiang Province, at the center of the golden triangle consisting of Shanghai, Hangzhou, and Suzhou. The small town, whose roofs of black bricks and gray tiles contrast sharply with their white walls, appears like a Chinese ink wash drawing. March to May is the best time to visit Wuzhen for the comfortable temperatures and spring scenery. The mist and drizzle make the ancient town even more beautiful.
Beijing
API students will tour the capital of China, where they will be visiting such treasures as the Great Wall, Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, Temple of Heaven, Olympic Center, and the Silk Market.
Shanghai Museum of Arts and Crafts
The regal white building that houses the Shanghai Museum of Arts and Crafts dates back to the early 1900s. Visitors will find a vast collection of local artwork and artifacts that highlight the city’s history, development, and design. Though the museum is relatively small compared to others in the city, travelers say the coin and bill collection and jade and bamboo carvings are some of the best around. What makes this museum different from other museums is that visitors can see the artists at work, while they are seated in different rooms according to their craft. The first floor of the museum showcases paper-cutting, painted lanterns, paintings, and antiques. The second floor showcases various carvings of jade, ivory, wood, ink-stone, bamboo, porcelain, and lacquerware. The third and final floor of the museum showcases Gu embroidery, woolen
needlepoint embroidery, theatrical costumes, woolen knitting, and dough modeling. The Shanghai Museum of Arts and Crafts is a melting pot of two cultures. It showcases the various crafts of Shanghai within the French interior design of carved ceiling swirls, fresh flowers above the fireplace, and red carpet on the spiral staircase. The three exhibition halls of national arts and crafts, sculpture, and brocades respectively and about ten specialized workrooms in the main building bring together about 50 industrious, artistic professionals.
Hangzhou
Hangzhou is known as “Heaven on Earth” due to its stunning natural beauty and rich cultural heritage with a history of over 2,500 years. It was described by Marco Polo as “the finest and most splendid city in the world”, and listed in the “Top 52 places to go in 2016” by The New York Times. West Lake, the legend of Hangzhou, is a symbol of the city, and is famous for its stunning scenery and various historical sites. It was selected as one of the “ 12 superb sunset spots around the world” by CNN.
Great World (Da Shi Jie)
Many of China’s Intangible cultural heritage is scattered around the venue at this event, showcasing historical objectives from not only just Shanghai but around China. The event features a big stage, events such as traditional opera, amusing instrument performances, tea ceremonies, and magic shows are happening here. Da Shi Jie added in digital technology and contemporary art as well, like a VR room where the audience can see the view of old Shanghai. An artificial cave set up with trippy-looking Dunhuang painting projections.
Chinese Palatial Architecture & Chinese Martial Arts (WUSHU) Museum
Shanghai’s many historic buildings have a variety of characteristics, charting the changing fortune of the city over the past century, and university campuses are a prime example of this. Chinese palatial architecture is a common sight in the older, large cities of northernChina, such as Beijing and Xian, but is rarely seen in the south. The former Shanghai Special Government Headquarters (now a Shanghai Sports University office building) is a contemporary version of the Forbidden City’s Taihe Temple .
The Chinese Martial Arts Museum (Wushu Museum) in Shanghai was established to present genuine Chinese Kung Fu to all visitors. Located in the gymnasium of Shanghai University of Sports, the Chinese Martial Arts Museum provides a good platform to help people better understand Chinese martial arts which are beneficial for both self-protection and fitness. This is the first multifunctional museum in the world to display all aspects of the history and culture of Kung Fu.
Shanghai Landmark Tour
Located in the center of Shanghai south of middle Huaihai road, Xin-Tian- Di has become an urban attraction which illustrates the historical and cultural legacy of the city. It is a fashionable pedestrian street composed of both Shikumen (Shanghai’s traditional residential buildings) and modern architecture. Nearby is the historical meeting site of the First National Congress of the Communist Party of China, considered to be the birthplace of Communist China.
The Huangpu River is the mother river of Shanghai. The Bund, the famous and attractive waterfront along the west bank of the Huangpu River, has been regarded as the symbol of Shanghai for hundreds of years. There are twenty-six diverse buildings of different architectural styles, including Gothic, Baroque, Romanesque, Classical and Renaissance. The Bund is a must-see landmark site in Shanghai. The night scene is beautiful beyond description when lights are focused on the World Architecture Exhibition on the Bund which spreads along the 1000-meter-long embankment of the Huangpu River. The most bustling section includes the well-known urban landscape of Shanghai. Taking a boat cruise on the Huangpu River is also a traditional tourist attraction in Shanghai. Cruising the river allows a panoramic view of the urban landscape on both banks. The east bank of the river is the newer district of Shanghai, its financial and commercial hub, named Lujiazui. It is now one of Shanghai’s most charming places. It provides the most substantial cross-section of cosmopolitan Shanghai. Lujiazui boasts not only an “outdoor museum of global architecture,” but also frames the skyline of modern Shanghai with its modern skyscrapers.
Shanghai Local Food Tour and Acrobatics Show
Students will be able to satisfy their taste for traditional Chinese food while on this culinary tour in Shanghai City Center. After sampling some typical Shanghai-ness dishes, the group will then attend an acrobatics show! The ERA is a multimedia odyssey whose inspiration is a direct result of the combination of traditional Chinese acrobatic arts and modern technology. Just like Shanghai, ERA evolves through a constant collision between the past and the future. Not only will the audience be amazed by the acrobats’ control and precision, they will be enchanted by the world that is created by using multimedia technology, lighting and sound effects, elaborate costumes, original live music and much more!
Shanghai's History and Development Exhibition Hall & World Financial Center
Located at the base of the Oriental Pearl Tower in Lujiazui of Pudong New District, the Shanghai History and Development Exhibition Hall is an exhibit of the Shanghai History Museum.The museum is dedicated to the century-long history of the city of Shanghai. Visitors can enjoy a tour of Shanghai’s past via a collection of waxwork figures and historic relics. Equipped with modern technology such as video and simulation, the museum also presents a vivid picture of old Shanghai city, covering six sections including the former concessions and old footsteps in Shanghai.
The Shanghai World Financial Center is a symbol of commerce and culture that speaks to the city’s emergence as a global capital. Located in Shanghai’s Lujiazui of Pudong District, the multi-use Shanghai World Financial Center is a vertical city, containing offices, conference facilities, urban retail and dining spaces, and a hotel. Above the hotel, on the 94th to 100th floors, is a visitor’s center and observatory.
Suzhou
Today, Suzhou is considered a core city of China’s Yangtze River Delta economic zone, due to its high GDP contribution. In recent history, it has been a center of the silk trade and known for its gardens and canals. Suzhou has long been a haven for scholars, artists, and skilled craftsmen, which holds true even today.
Suzhou was the capital of the Wu kingdom from the 12th to 4th century BC. Historically, it was the center of Wu culture, and its dialect (Wu language) is still considered the standard dialect, even though the language is now often called “Shanghainese.” Suzhou is a modern bustling city, although you can still see traces of a very old lifestyle centered around its canals.
Jinji Lake, the largest inland city lake in China, is located in the central part of the Suzhou Industrial Park, just east of Suzhou’s old city. Deriving its name from the legendary golden rooster (Jinji) that once fell into a boat on the lake, Jinji Lake occupies an area of 10 square kilometers. The landmark buildings of Jinji Lake currently include the SSCAC Culture and Arts Centre, the Suzhou Expo Centre, and the Ferris Wheel Park. The Suzhou International Expo Centre intends to become a major venue and host for conferences and exhibitions in the Asia-Pacific region. The shape of the Expo Centre is unique, resembling a huge open fan.The architectural structure of the SSCAC, located on the eastern side of Jinji Lake, bears a resemblance to Beijing’s “Bird’s Nest”, thus sometimes referred to as the Suzhou bird’s nest. There is even a massive LED Sky Screen that is said to be the largest in the world. As Suzhou’s ‘New Heaven on Earth’, Jinji Lake is definitely a must-visit place of interest!
Wuzhen - Water Town
Wuzhen, a 1300-year- old water town on the lower reaches of the Yangze River, is a national 5A scenic area and one of China’s top ten historical & cultural towns. It is located on the Hangzhou-Jiaxing- Huzhou plain in northern Zhejiang Province, at the center of the golden triangle consisting of Shanghai, Hangzhou, and Suzhou. The small town, whose roofs of black bricks and gray tiles contrast sharply with their white walls, appears like a Chinese ink wash drawing. March to May is the best time to visit Wuzhen for the comfortable temperatures and spring scenery. The mist and drizzle make the ancient town even more beautiful.
Beijing
API students will tour the capital of China, where they will be visiting such treasures as the Great Wall, Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, Temple of Heaven, Olympic Center, and the Silk Market.
Shanghai Museum of Arts and Crafts
The regal white building that houses the Shanghai Museum of Arts and Crafts dates back to the early 1900s. Visitors will find a vast collection of local artwork and artifacts that highlight the city’s history, development, and design. Though the museum is relatively small compared to others in the city, travelers say the coin and bill collection and jade and bamboo carvings are some of the best around. What makes this museum different from other museums is that visitors can see the artists at work, while they are seated in different rooms according to their craft. The first floor of the museum showcases paper-cutting, painted lanterns, paintings, and antiques. The second floor showcases various carvings of jade, ivory, wood, ink-stone, bamboo, porcelain, and lacquerware. The third and final floor of the museum showcases Gu embroidery, woolen
needlepoint embroidery, theatrical costumes, woolen knitting, and dough modeling. The Shanghai Museum of Arts and Crafts is a melting pot of two cultures. It showcases the various crafts of Shanghai within the French interior design of carved ceiling swirls, fresh flowers above the fireplace, and red carpet on the spiral staircase. The three exhibition halls of national arts and crafts, sculpture, and brocades respectively and about ten specialized workrooms in the main building bring together about 50 industrious, artistic professionals.
Hangzhou
Hangzhou is known as “Heaven on Earth” due to its stunning natural beauty and rich cultural heritage with a history of over 2,500 years. It was described by Marco Polo as “the finest and most splendid city in the world”, and listed in the “Top 52 places to go in 2016” by The New York Times. West Lake, the legend of Hangzhou, is a symbol of the city, and is famous for its stunning scenery and various historical sites. It was selected as one of the “ 12 superb sunset spots around the world” by CNN.
Great World (Da Shi Jie)
Many of China’s Intangible cultural heritage is scattered around the venue at this event, showcasing historical objectives from not only just Shanghai but around China. The event features a big stage, events such as traditional opera, amusing instrument performances, tea ceremonies, and magic shows are happening here. Da Shi Jie added in digital technology and contemporary art as well, like a VR room where the audience can see the view of old Shanghai. An artificial cave set up with trippy-looking Dunhuang painting projections.
Housing
Students in Shanghai will be housed in student dormitory accommodations on campus. Dorms are furnished with two beds, two desks, shared bathroom, and free internet, and all students have access to a communal kitchen and shared bathrooms and a shared laundry room. Just outside the dorms are a university dining hall, and outdoor basketball/volleyball/soccer courts.
