This year's cohort visited the Crescent Moon Oasis and Singing Sand Dunes in the Gobi Desert; the Mogao Caves located on the ancient Silk Route where ancient Buddhist art survives; the Yardang National Geopark; and the Labrang Tibetan Monastery in Xiahe County. Another weekend excursion is a visit to Shenzhen in southern China, a unique economic zone located in Guangdong Province. The visit included tours of the Shenzhen Stock Exchange; the flagship store for the DGI drone company; GAC Motor Trumpchi automotive factory; and the African section of Guangzhou.