Yunnan Province: Religions, Ethnicity, and History

Yunnan trip

CEL Immersive Learning Trip
Yunnan Province: Religions, Ethnicity, and History
 
Sponsors: Academic Affairs CEL Office and Dean of Arts & Sciences
 
Faculty Leaders
  • David G Atwill, Professor, Global China Studies and Dean of Arts and Sciences
  • Yurong Atwill, East Asian Studies Librarian & Coordinator of East Asian Academic Resources

Dates: March 29-April 1, 2024

Locations: Kunming and Dali, Yunnan province

Yunnan is a singular region in China. While the province’s notoriously rugged terrain insulated it from neighboring political states, Yunnan society has retained deep ties to Southeast Asia, the Himalayas, and China since ancient times. Guided by two faculty with decades of experience in Yunnan, this CEL Immersive Learning Trip will visit both Kunming and Dali to introduce students to one of China’s most culturally, ecologically, and politically unique regions “south of the clouds” in southwest China.

Cost
The estimated cost is RMB 3,050 with a breakdown as follows:

  • Trip fee: 800 RMB
  • Flights: Around 2,300 RMB. Note that the actual prices at your time of flight booking may change. 

Most expenses in Yunnan will be covered, including hotels and local transportation. You will be expected to pay for some meals and incidentals on your own and to book and pay for your own flights.

Expectations About The Trip
We expect students who participate in the field trip to desire first-hand exposure to Chinese communities and to be interested in Yunnan’s multi-ethnic social fabric. To better prepare, there will be some required background reading before departure. During the trip, there will be short discussion sessions at the various sites and upon return, all participants will be asked to submit a report on one site of their choice.

Application Instructions 
Apply here by January 30 at 11:59pm Shanghai time. Spots are limited. 

Itinerary (subject to change)

March 29, 2024
11:00 - Bus departs from campus
14:20 - Flight to Kunming (MU 5219)
20:00 - Check into hotel and self-organized dinner

March 30, 2024
In the morning, there will be a guided walking tour of the following historical sites:

  • Wen Yiduo Memorial
  • Yunnan Military Academy
  • Lu Han Mansion
  • Home of Zhu De

In the afternoon, we will visit these sites: 

  • Kunming Museum
  • East and West Pagodas
  • Jinma Biji Square

In the evening, there will be free time and dinner is self-organized. 

March 31, 2024
In the morning, we will go to rural Duqu Village to meet with Artist Li Kunwu who will show us the art projects he is doing in the countryside. Then, we will travel to Dali by bus (about 4-5 hours). 

The afternoon will consist of a walking tour of Dali Old Town followed by free time and self-organized dinner in the evening. 

April 1, 2024
In the morning, we will visit the Three Pagodas and Chongsheng, as well as Xizhou.

In the afternoon, we will go to Zhoucheng.

The trip will conclude with a group dinner.