These study tours occurred in may 2014.

Scheduled to coordinate with the first ICMA International Regional Summit and the spring meeting of the ICMA International Committee, the ICMA China Center study tours provide opportunities to learn through interaction with professional local government officials, combined with personally enriching tourism. ICMA members, their families, and friends are invited to join the tour.

During the pre- and post-summit study tours, participants can learn from presentations by local government professionals and capture the magic of China. They will be able to visit the enchanting sites of Beijing, enjoy the spectacular natural landscapes, amazing historical sites, and architectural wonders of Yangzhou, Wuxi, Hangzhou, and Xi'an, savor the rich culture of an ancient town, and embrace the city life and modern wonders of Shanghai.

The schedules allow for additional site visits, shopping, or time to explore on your own, depending on your preference.

PRE-SUMMIT ITINERARY: BEIJING (MAY 7 – 11, 2014)

The adventure begins on May 7, 2014, in Beijing, and it wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the Great Wall, Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, Summer Palace, the Temple of Heaven, and other famous sites, as well as a Chinese Kungfu Show. There will also be meetings with the China University of Political Science and Law (CUPL, ICMA's partner in the ICMA China Center), the Mayors’ Academy of China, the 798 Zone Administration Committee, and the National Energy-saving Center of the National Development and Reform Commission.

After the Beijing portion of the study tour, participants will fly to Yangzhou for the International Regional Summit on May 11 – 15.

Price: $946 per person for a double room; $1,242 per person for a single room.

POST SUMMIT ITINERARIES (MAY 16 – 20, 2014)

OPTION A: WUXI – HANGZHOU – SHANGHAI

After the summit, participants will take a bus from Yangzhou to Wuxi (2.5 hours) for a day to walk around the beautiful national parks and visit the Fresh Water Pearl Factory for shopping. After Wuxi, participants will have a scenic bus trip (3 hours) on which they can observe the beautiful countryside on the way to Hangzhou, the largest city of Zhejiang Province in Eastern China. In Hangzhou, they will enjoy a cruise on the lake and visit the Silk Museum and the Lingyin Temple. They will also meet with the Hangzhou City Government. Participants will spend two nights in Hangzhou.

After Hangzhou, participants will take a bus (3 hours) to the last stop—Shanghai, where they will find everything that modern China has to offer combined with the rich traditions and culture of the past. They will visit the French Concession, take a cruise along the Bund, and have meetings with the Shanghai Trade Zone Administration Committee and the State Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs (SAFEA).

Price: $789 per person for a double room; $1,046 per person for a single room.

OPTION B: XI'AN – SHANGHAI

After the summit, participants who chose this option will take a bus (1.5 hours) from Yangzhou to Nanjing Airport, where they will take a two-hour flight to Xi’an. In Xi’an, they will visit the breathtaking Terracotta Soldiers and the Big Wilde Goose Pagoda, in addition to meeting with city officials at the Xi’an Institute of Environmental Protection.

Participants will stay in Xi’an for two nights. Then they will take a flight to the magnificent city of Shanghai, where they will find everything that modern China has to offer combined with the rich traditions and culture of the past. They will visit the French Concession, take a cruise along the Bund, and have meetings with the Shanghai Trade Zone Administration Committee and the State Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs (SAFEA).

Price: $1,155 per person for a double room; $1,412 per person for a single room.

INFORMATION ABOUT THE TOUR PACKAGES

Both study tour packages are reasonably priced and of high quality. The prices include four-star hotels, domestic transportation, entry fees, and all meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner). The price does not include the China visa fee, international flights, and travel insurance.