How to get to China
You will be leaving from San Francisco International Airport. Your first destination in China is the city of Shenzhen. Can you get a direct flight? If not, what do you need to do to get to Shenzen? How much will it cost (remember June is concerned with the cost of this trip)?
Traveling in China
Keep these travel plans in mind while making your notes for the travel narrative:
- You will be traveling from Shenzen to Guangzhou after you arrive in China to meet your father's relatives.
- You will travel from Guangzhou to Shanghai to meet your sisters.
- You will travel from Shanghai to Kweilin to trace your mother's trip on foot to Chungking.
Be forwarned--some of the names of towns and cities might be different. For example, "Chungking" and "Chongqing"are perfectly acceptable spellings. Also, the town of Kweilin is also known as Guilin. There might be more differences!
*This site provides a good overview of China as a whole: http://www.china.org.cn/english/index.htm
*This site will give you detailed information about what you as a traveler might want to see in China: http://www.lonelyplanet.com
*This site has maps of China and has several links to other maps and information on cities: http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/china.html
*The site outlines how to travel by train in China: http://www.seat61.com/China.htm
*This site provides a basic history of what was happening in Suyuan's time in China: http://www-chaos.umd.edu/history/toc.html
The Writing
After you have finished gathering all your research on China and travel, you will begin work on your travel narrative.
*This site from Gonzaga University gives characteristics of a travel narrative. Compare similarities and differences between your narrative and these conventions.
*This site from George Mason University gives a brief history and a few examples of travel narratives.
*Use some Joy Luck Club vocabulary in your narrative. Look here.
Remember! The novel itself is a great resource!
