Travel to the Land of Cathay and Explore Its Ancient and Modern Culture
June 6 - June 21, 2006
China is both an ancient culture and an awakening giant driven by its contributions in mathematics, science and technology. Come with us to visit this enigmatic and alluring country whose inhabitants comprise 1/5 of the world's population. We will have the unique chance to learn about the rich history of Chinese mathematics from some of the country's leading experts, while at the same time visit a number of China's most outstanding cultural sites. We will learn how mathematics is intimately related to the Forbidden City itself by a visit to its rarely seen library and treasures of mathematical books and instruments. Visits to the Institute for the History of Natural Science of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, East China Normal University, and Northwest University in Xi'an are scheduled. We will be guests at the Inner Mongolia Normal University where the history of mathematics during the Song, Yuan, and Ming dynasties (960 A.D. -1644 A.D.) will be discussed. Four cities, Beijing, Huhhot (Inner Mongolia), Xi'an, and Shanghai comprise our mainland itinerary. At each of these destinations we will have the opportunity to hear mathematicians talk about their research on the most important aspects of classical Chinese mathematics. We will tour important museums and libraries where ancient Chinese mathematical texts and mathematical tools are preserved. We will travel to the Great Wall and the Ming Tombs, the Temple of Heaven in Beijing, the Mausoleum and "terra cotta warriors" of the First Emperor of China in Xi'an; and the beautiful Scholars' Gardens in Suzhou. A performance of the Peking Opera at the Liyuan Theater will delight your senses and the world renowned Shanghai Acrobatics Troupe will enchant you. We complete this Far East adventure with a two day stay in the cultural kaleidoscope of Hong Kong.
COST :$5,285 per person double occupancy. Single room supplement $1,200. Cost does not include international air to China, Chinese Visa (mandatory), or trip cancellation insurance.
CONTACT INFORMATION :
Lisa Kolbe
Development Manager, MAA
lkolbe@maa.org
202-293-1170
Number of travelers is limited to 30.