Embedded Files
China Tour Information:
China Tour Information:
Dates: July 10-20, 2026
Dates: July 10-20, 2026
In order to arrive in Beijing by July 12th (see itinerary below), we will need to depart Cincinnati on July 10th to allow plenty of travel time. After the Ode to Peace International Art Week, we will travel back to Beijing for a couple days before flying back to Cincinnati.
Lanzhou
Lanzhou
The Gateway to the Silk Road
The Gateway to the Silk Road
Lanzhou, the capital of Gansu Province, is a major industrial city and transportation hub nestled in a narrow valley along the Yellow River. Historically, it was a crucial point on the ancient Silk Road, where caravans would stop and resupply before facing the challenges of the Hexi Corridor.
The Yellow River: The city's lifeblood. The iconic Zhongshan Bridge, the first permanent bridge over the Yellow River, is a symbol of Lanzhou. You can take a relaxing stroll along the Binhe Road (Riverside Road) or experience a traditional sheepskin raft ride on the river.
Lanzhou Beef Noodles: This is arguably Lanzhou's most famous export. A steaming bowl of hand-pulled noodles in a clear, flavorful beef broth, topped with chili oil, cilantro, and tender beef slices, is a must-try culinary experience.
Bingling Temple Grottoes: Located about 80 km from the city, these are a series of magnificent Buddhist cave temples carved into the cliffs along the Yellow River. The statues and frescoes date back over 1,600 years.
White Pagoda Mountain (Baitashan): Offering panoramic views of the city and the Yellow River winding through the valley. It's home to the historic White Pagoda Temple.
Dunhuang
Dunhuang
The Oasis of Art and History
The Oasis of Art and History
Located on the edge of the Gobi Desert, Dunhuang was a vital oasis and a crossroads of civilizations on the Silk Road. Its name means "Blazing Beacon," reflecting its role as a frontier garrison town. It is home to one of the world's most significant treasure troves of Buddhist art.
Mogao Caves (Caves of the Thousand Buddhas): A UNESCO World Heritage Site and the crown jewel of Dunhuang. This is a sprawling complex of 492 caves adorned with exquisite Buddhist murals and statues, created over a millennium from the 4th to the 14th centuries. It is an unparalleled repository of art, religion, and history.
Singing Sand Dunes & Crescent Lake (Mingsha Shan & Yueya Quan): An incredible natural wonder where massive, echoing sand dunes surround a serene, crescent-shaped oasis. Visitors can climb the dunes, listen to the "singing" sound the sand makes when sliding, and enjoy a camel ride.
Yangguan Pass and Yumenguan Pass: These are the remains of two great Han Dynasty fortresses that once guarded the imperial borders. Standing at these remote passes, you can feel the isolation and imagine the caravans and soldiers that passed through these gates into the vast desert.
The Silk Road Dunhuang Hotel Night Market: A vibrant market where you can sample local delicacies, buy souvenirs, and soak in the atmosphere of this historic town.
Unlike the industrial feel of Lanzhou, Dunhuang is a place of profound spirituality and stark, breathtaking desert beauty. While both cities are in Gansu Province and deeply connected to the Silk Road, they offer distinctly different experiences:
Lanzhou is a bustling, modern city defined by the Yellow River and its role as a gateway.
Dunhuang is a desert oasis, a historical and spiritual sanctuary, defined by the Gobi Desert and its unparalleled artistic heritage at the Mogao Caves.
Together, these cities offer a window into China’s extraordinary diversity—from the deserts of the northwest to the rivers and hills of the south.
Cost & Payment Schedule:
Cost & Payment Schedule:
The total cost for singers is $2500. The total cost for family members is $5000.
Total cost includes: international airfare, domestic airfare within China, meals, hotels, ground transportation, tickets for all scheduled activities (museums, historical sites, national parks, etc.), tour guide, travel insurance, registration fee, and travel visa.
A United States passport is required and NOT included in the total cost.
Payment Schedule:
January 30, 2026: Commitment form & $500 deposit for all travelers
February 28, 2026: $500 singers, $1125 family members
March 27, 2026: $500 singers, $1125 family members
April 24, 2026: $500 singers, $1125 family members
May 22, 2026: $500 singers, $1125 family members
Payments can be made through Zeffy or via check made out to "Cincinnati Youth Choir"
Zeffy 👉 https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/china-tour--2026
Please note: CYC anticipates offering fundraising opportunities and pursuing outside funding. As a nonprofit organization, any funds raised must be distributed equitably and cannot be applied to a specific individual singer.
Contact:
Contact:
About Shuo:
Teacher of Chinese Culture at Maple Dale Elementary School
Guest at the World National Film Festival, NASDAQ kite promoter
Examiner for the classification of the flute at the Chinese Academy of Music
Judge for the Beijing Circuit of the Macau Opera Festival
Member of the jury on the NDRC show
Champion Junior International Youth Olympic judge
Invited teacher of Chinese cultural music at the Cincinnati School of Music
Invited faculty at the Duke University School of Music
A note from Shuo:
Hello, parents. This is a wonderful travel experience. I have sent you all the activities from last year, along with my personal introduction, and the introduction of Gansu [Province]. If you have any questions, please contact me. We have a family meeting to answer your questions and all related concerns at any time. My phone number is (513) 356-3176. Please feel free to contact me at any time and I will answer all your questions.
Page updated
Report abuse