China Heritage Program

For many adoptees and families, returning to a birth country is deeply personal. It can bring excitement, curiosity, joy, grief, unanswered questions, and unexpected emotions – often all at once.

Unlike traditional group travel, our Heritage Program is intentionally designed for adoptees and the people who love them. Every aspect of the journey, from the itinerary to the support provided along the way, is built with adoption in mind.

Whether you’re reconnecting with your birth country for the first time or continuing a lifelong journey of identity and belonging, you’ll travel alongside families who understand the unique experience of adoption.

Our Heritage Program combines cultural immersion with the expertise Gladney has developed through decades of international adoption and post-adoption support.

Families benefit from:

• Adoption-informed guidance throughout the journey
• Opportunities for reflection and meaningful conversation
• Experienced staff with deep knowledge of China’s culture and adoption community
• Cultural experiences intentionally selected to deepen understanding and connection
• Optional opportunities to visit a child welfare institution or birth province, when available and appropriate

More than sightseeing, this tour creates space for connection – with culture, with family, and with others who share similar adoption stories.

Over ten days, families will travel through four remarkable cities, each offering a unique perspective on China’s history, culture, and traditions.

For many adoptees, returning to China includes a desire to reconnect with places that shaped their earliest story.

Depending on circumstances, families may have the opportunity to extend their experience with:

• Visits to a child welfare institution
• Visits to a birth city or province

These optional experiences require additional coordination and may not be available for every participant.

• Four- and five-star hotel accommodations (double/triple occupancy)
• Daily breakfast
• Select group lunches and dinners
• In-country transportation
• First-class high-speed rail travel
• Guided sightseeing and cultural experiences
• Entrance fees included in the itinerary
• Professional guides and driver services
• Airport and train transfers associated with the group itinerary

• International airfare
• Passport and visa fees
• Gratuities
• Personal expenses
• Meals not included in the itinerary
• Optional excursions
• Single-room supplement

The Heritage Program welcomes:

• Adoptees of all ages
• Parents
• Siblings
• Extended family members
• Families who adopted through Gladney
• Families who adopted through another agency

Whether you’re seeking a deeper understanding of your birth country and personal story or hoping to create meaningful cultural connections for a younger child, our team is here to help determine whether this experience is the right fit for your family.