China Ties
21+
Our adult adoptee program — open to adoptees and their loved ones ages 21+
OCT - NOV 2026
BEIJING • SHANGHAI • GUILIN • GUANGZHOU
21+
Signature or Lite - which fits your journey?
CHOOSE YOUR EXPERIENCE
Signature
Oct 23 - Nov 5, 2026
● 13 days of guided heritage experience
● Beijing, Shanghai, Guilin & Guangzhou destinations
● 4 - 5 days in your birth province
● Full group activities and community time
● Optional excursion add-ons available
● Financial assistance available
● Registration deadline July 1, 2026
from USD
$3,799
Lite
Oct 23 - Nov 1, 2026
● 10 days of guided heritage experience
● Beijing & Shanghai’s top heritage destinations
● 4 - 5 days in your birth province
● Same Ties team support and community
● Optional excursion add-ons available
● Financial assistance available
● Registration deadline July 1, 2026
from USD
$3,249
Questions about which journey is right for you? Contact Autumn, China Ties Program Manager — she's happy to help.
SAMPLE ITINERARY
Signature Journey • 13 days
This is a representative overview of what to expect during China Ties 21+.
DAYS 1 & 2
Arrive in Beijing
orientation & first cultural experiences
DAYS 3 - 5
Beijing Exploration
Great Wall and take the high speed train to Shanghai to explore
DAYS 6 - 9
Province Visit
4 - 5 days in your birth province, fully personalized to your story
DAYS 10 & 11
Guilin
Travel to Guilin and hike the Longji Rice Terraces
DAYS 12 - 13
Guilin, Yangshuo, Guangzhou & Departure
Final cultural experiences, group celebration, and flights home
Lite Track
9-day Version
Focuses on Beijing, Shanghai and your province. Departs for home on Nov 1 rather than Nov 5.
Full sample itinerary and optional excursion add-ons are available by requesting our info packet.
The heart of your experience.
Your province visit - completely yours
4 - 5 days are set aside exclusively for your province visit. The Ties team works closely with you to shape what this experience looks like.
● Create your own meaningful experience
● Visit your orphanage (where permitted)
● Locate your finding spot
● Connect with foster family if possible
● Explore your birth city
● Review files at orphanage or archive center (where permitted)
● Support from the group before and after your visit
*Province visits are not included in the standard program fee because each experience is individually planned based on the adoptee’s location, travel needs, requested visits, and goals for the journey. Our team works personally with each adoptee and family throughout this process to coordinate a customized province experience tailored to their story.
Frequently asked questions about China Ties
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Yes! The province visit is built into the China Ties itinerary in the middle of the trip, with 4–5 days allotted for this portion. We price this portion separately from the main program fee because it is completely customizable— each adoptee can choose whether they’d like to visit their orphanage, try to locate foster family, see their finding spot, and/or do some sightseeing. The Ties team works closely with you to shape what this experience looks like. Every adoptee’s province experience is unique. After the province visits, the group reunites, giving everyone time to decompress, share experiences, and reconnect before continuing on.
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No, Ties does not process China visas directly for adoptees and their loved ones. However, we provide detailed instructions, trusted partners, and step-by-step guidance to make the process as smooth as possible. Our team is also available to answer questions along the way so you feel confident about submitting your application.
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Yes! Families/groups with two adoptees are welcome, and we can work with you to visit both provinces. Depending on the locations, this may require additional planning, travel time, or costs, but our team will help coordinate logistics. The province portion is designed to be flexible and customizable, and we’ll do our best to make sure both adoptees have meaningful experiences within the time allotted.
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Yes, when possible. The Ties team will work with local officials to request permission for an orphanage visit. Approval is not guaranteed and can vary by province. In recent years, many orphanage policies have changed, and in some cases, original buildings have been torn down or replaced with new facilities. If you are curious about your specific orphanage, you can always inquire with our Program Manager, who can check whether visits are currently allowed and share the latest information about its status. If an orphanage visit isn’t possible, we’ll help create a meaningful alternative, such as visiting the finding spot, connecting with previous staff of the orphanage, or exploring the local area.
YOUR CHINA TIES PROGRAM MANAGER
Autumn Ackerson
Autumn is a Chinese adoptee and the Program Manager for the China Ties program, as well as the organization’s Marketing Coordinator. Her Ties journey began in 2014 as a traveler, later transitioning into travel staff before stepping into her current roles. Based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Autumn brings a unique dual perspective to her work. As an adoptee herself, she combines professional marketing precision with a deep personal understanding of the significance these heritage journeys hold for families.
Please note: Autumn may not travel on every trip.
Autumn@thetiesprogram.com
(303) 418-8051
Ready to begin?
Your birth country is waiting.
Request information about 2026 or upcoming 2027 tours.