In the summer of 2005 eight educators from Connecticut, New York, Texas and Minnesota traveled to southwestern and northwestern China on a field study, as the conclusion to a year-long program of studying about ethnic minorities and transition in China. The tour was led by Dr. Eileen Walsh, Luce Assistant Professor of Asian Studies, Skidmore University, and Jeffrey Levick, Programs in International Educational Resources (PIER) Director of External Affairs, Council on East Asian Studies at the Yale Center for International and Area Studies (YCIAS). The project was made possible through a generous grant from the Freeman Foundation, which has dedicated its efforts to improving the quality of teaching about Asia in the nation's schools.

The group traveled to Kunming, Lijiang, Lugu Lake, Zhongdian, Urumqi, Kashgar, Tashkurgan, Turpan and Shanghai to explore and study China's most diverse, but least known habitat of assorted ethnic communities. From a vibrant evening of singing and dancing in a Mosuo village to a quiet walk through Id Kah Mosque in Kashgar, participants witnessed and experienced firsthand the dynamic lives and cultures of the ethnic communities of the region. Lectures by local scholars, visits to rural schools, and one-on-one interactions with local villagers provided the context in which to understand the regional politics and societies. The educators studied how the interaction of these ethnic groups with the Han Chinese over the centuries and how the impact of such ethnic co-existence on our understanding of the era of globalization. In addition, the educators grappled with the complex issues facing Yunnan and Xinjiang--from understanding the nexus of tourism and culture to the environmental issues plaguing the region. The final stop in Shanghai helped bring into focus the disparity of income between inland and coastal areas.

To participate in the summer field study the participants completed the 2004 Summer Institute, "China in Transition: Tradition in Change." The institute was followed by an online course in which the participants developed lesson plans based on the materials covered in the institute. Participants were required to document their experience through journals, photographs, and a summary, all of which appear on this website.

Special thanks to Eileen Walsh for her tireless work and for making this tour truly educational. Also this trip would not have been possible without the assistance of Betchart Expeditions and their dedicated guides. Finally, many thanks to Alison Zhou and Jing Zhang for their simultaneous Chinese to English interpretation and helping the group navigate our way through the far reaches of China. Additional thanks to Jing for his dedication to making this website a reality.