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China.... so many countries, planets even, all in that one little word.
"The Middle Kingdom" perhaps says it better. In the last three years Enzo & Eliza have been there almost 10 times, all in some way connected with rowing. And now they can boast a very special, very exclusive, Sister Club agreement with the Zhejiang Provincial Sports Bureau. China-speak, as far as we're concerned, for the Hangzhou rowing world.... Hangzhou being the most beautiful, spectacular, leisurely, otherworldly jewel in the heart of Zhejiang Province. It includes the poetic West Lake, where the younger kids row, and the breathtaking Thousand-Islands Lake... where the Chinese National Team trains - where the water is so clean that they bottle it.

This is China from an international, rower's, persepctive. Leave behind your water-purification tablets, your antibiotics, your preconceptions about this incredible country. In fact, bring as empty a suitcase as you can! There'll be plenty to fill it with on the way home. Oh, and don't forget your cameras!

November 1st to November 8th - Meeting place: SHANGHAI
Minimum number of participants 4 – maximum 16.

Skill level required: Intermediate

Proposed schedule:

Day 1: Arrive in Shanghai, settle into the historical Pujiang Hotel. Quiet get-acquainted dinner and then off to bed.

Day 2: We'll explore Shanghai together, seeing some of the traditional sights and also do some unstructured strolling around.

Day 3: Leave Shanghai for Hangzhou. We’ll check into the hotel, relax a bit then meet our friends of the Hangzhou rowing community for lunch. Afterwards we’ll head to the rowing club, stretch out a bit, then hit the water. Coach Enzo will be on the launch, with on eye on technique and avoiding collisions. Jet lag will be factored into technique evaluations :) Afterwards we’ll head to a local teahouse for dinner.

Day 4: A row in the morning, followed by showers, etc. at the hotel. We'll go exploring in Hangzhou and surrounding spots today, looking at the Buddhist temples, tea plantations, and other local beauties. We’ll have dinner and then explore the night time scenery along the West Lake promenade.

Day 5: Today is dedicated to a little hedonism... whatever you feel like seeing in the area, or shopping around. We'll have lunch together and then have a rest or row, depending on everyone’s energy level. A very light dinner early in the evening will be followed by a relaxing end-of-the-day full-body massage.

Day 6: Off to QianDao Hu! A 1.5 hour drive into the hills to the most incredible lake, where there are truly 1000 islands scattered across the lake. We'll go for an invigorating row and then have lunch with the athletes. A nice nap in the cool mountain climate will feel good, and then in the afternoon we'll go out for a cruise around the islands.

Day 7: From QianDaoHu we’ll take off to explore one of the ancient water towns dotting the Chinese landscape, like ZhouZhouang, Xitang, or Tongli. From there we’ll proceed to Suzhou.. another jewel like Hangzhou with much to offer in the way of beauty, flavours, and exploring.

Day 8: Today we’ll visit the Suzhou Gardens, recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage site. Many different gardens dot the city, we’ll explore the most famous one, the Humble Administrator’s Garden… which are anything but humble! In the afternoon we’ll relax or have some free time.

Day 9: After a nice breakfast in Suzhou we’ll transport you back to Shanghai, either to fly home or to continue your trip to Beijing, Guilin, or any other spot.

The following are included in the quoted price:

1. All meals
2. Overnight stays in Western-standard hotels
3. Use of boats
4. English-speaking coach for all training sessions
5. English-speaking guide for sightseeing
7. All transportation within Zhejiang Province
8. Insurance for any eventual damages to 3rd parties (please arrange for travel & health insurance)

Price – 2200 USD (excluding airfare) per person double occupancy, add 100 for single occupancy. Price subject to change based on exchange rates or special requests.

To see some interesting things about China, click here: http://www.chinahighlights.com/travelguide.html

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