 CHINA: EXPLORING THE WORLD HERITAGE SITES OF THE HEARTLAND
With Professor Robert W. Foster
The east is the historic heartland of China and the cradle of its civilization, and more than half of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites are located here. Far Horizons proudly presents a 20 day trip, beginning in Beijing and wending our way south until we reach Shanghai, which includes 14 of the 26 cultural properties inscribed on the World Heritage List, along with four others on the UNESCO Tentative List. From the Ming tombs in Beijing to the sacred mountain of Huangshan, to the canals and gardens of Suzhou to the Taoist temple complex at Wudangshan, we immerse ourselves in the history of this region. Along the way, we visit the famed Longmen Buddhist Grottoes and the startlingly well preserved ancient villages of Xidi and Hongcun.
We will learn about China’s first woman general with a visit to the Tomb of Fu Hao, experience first-hand the wealth of the merchant class at Wang’s Courtyard, view parts of the earliest and longest man-made canal in the world, and stroll through the medieval village of Hongcun, which formed part of the backdrop for “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.” Whether we are walking along the Great Wall or sipping Dragon Well tea near Hangzhou, taking a Wudang Taiji lesson in the soft martial art or floating on heavenly West Lake, we are inevitably absorbing history and making connections at every turn.
Our various drives take us through farmlands of corn and wheat, into the mountains, over streams and past villages and cities and onto the plains of the south giving us glimpses into the ancient ways of the land and then drawing us back into the 21st century. In the walled city of Ping Yao we tumble back in time to learn about China’s first financial center and visit its first bank, and continue to have the past recreated for us in Dengfeng where we view the Shaolin Temple as well as the oldest surviving observatory in China. From the history of porcelain in Jingdezhen to the story of silk in Suzhou, from the Song to the Ming and Qing dynasties, we are regaled with Chinese art, culture, and history at its most inspiring and potent.
ITINERARY:
(B)
breakfast, (L) lunch, (D) dinner |
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Day 1: Depart Los Angeles LAX airport for our flight to Beijing.
Day 2: Arrive in Beijing and transfer to the 4-star Bamboo Garden Hotel, a classical Chinese garden-style structure in a quiet lane, or hutong, west of the Drum Tower, where we will overnight for the next three nights. Said to be the former residence of the infamous Qing dynasty eunuch, Li Lianying, Bamboo Garden was the first major courtyard-style hotel in Beijing and is full of authentic Chinese charm and tradition.
 Day 3: Ancient monuments mingle with residential quarters in Beijing, and many of the city’s famous antiquities have been declared World Cultural Heritage monuments by UNESCO. Today’s all-day tour of Beijing includes two stunning World Heritage Sites – the Imperial Palace and The Temple of Heaven. Begin in the Forbidden City, the cardinally-oriented imperial palace of the emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties and one of the most magnificent of Chinese treasures. The almost 10,000 rooms contain exquisite furniture and precious works of art. The huge walled compound was the seat of supreme power for over five centuries and constitutes a priceless testimony to Chinese civilization. Climb Coal Hill, the highest point of the city and from the summit enjoy a panoramic vista that reveals the city's axis which was aligned toward the north pole of the sky. Continue to the UNESCO World Heritage designated Temple of Heaven, built in the 15th century. The complex was used by the Emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties for annual ceremonies devoted to prayers for a successful harvest. A masterpiece of architecture and landscape design, the layout symbolizes the relationship between earth and heaven – the human world and God's world – which stands at the heart of Chinese cosmogony, and also the special role played by the emperors within that relationship. Also, tour the newly reopened Capital Museum of Beijing interesting not only for its architecture but for the many exhibits it houses including several on the history, culture, and folk customs of Beijing. Gather this evening for our welcome dinner party at one of Beijing’s fine restaurants. (B/L/D)
  Day 4: The renowned Great Wall, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, straddles China for almost 4,000 miles from the sea in the east to the Gobi desert of Gansu. Begun in 220 BC, it formed a united defense system against invasions from the north and by the 14th century was the world's largest military structure. Today we see the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall, one of the best-preserved segments of the wall, which defended the capital and the imperial tombs from invading armies. Upon our return to Beijing, we visit the beautifully preserved Ming Tombs, another UNESCO World Heritage Site. The first tomb, Changling, was created for Emperor Zhu Di and his empresses and the remaining 12 tombs for the subsequent emperors. Located on the southern slope of Mount Taishou in the Yanshan mountain range, the site was chosen by the third Ming Emperor Yongle who moved the capital of China from Nanjing to its present location. Finally, we will see the Beijing Ancient Observatory, on the UNESCO Tentative List. Located on the top of a fort-like building at Jianguo Gate, it is one of the oldest observatories in the world. Here, we will view the eight bronze, ornately carved astronomical instruments dating from the Qing Dynasty. Dinner is free to enjoy one of Beijing’s impressive restaurants. (B/L)
  Day 5: No visit to Beijing is complete without a tour of the Summer Palace, or Yíhé Yuán, literally "Garden of Nurtured Harmony,” an imperial garden located a few miles west of Beijing. Another UNESCO World Heritage Site, this is a former summer retreat for royalty and the largest ancient preserved garden in China. There are more than 100 traditional pavilions, mansions, towers, halls, temples, and bridges and an enormous clear water lake. We also visit the Yonghe Lamasery popularly known as the Lama Temple. Situated in northeastern Beijing, it is one of the most important temples and monasteries for Tibetan Buddhism, and has been put on UNESCO’S Tentative List for World Heritage status. The temple’s construction began in 1694 during the Qing dynasty and originally served as a residence for court eunuchs as well as a palace for Prince Yong, subsequently the Yongzheng Emperor. Following the Yongzheng Emperor’s death the temple was given an imperial designation and the turquoise blue tiles changed to the imperial yellow. Experience time travel on our rickshaw ride through the hutong district, a quarter that developed during the Yuan dynasty (1271-1368). For a moment we glimpse Beijing as it was before modernization. The word hutong derives from the Mongolian hottog which means “well.” As in all cultures, the presence of water lends itself to the growth of villages. Today hutong means “lane” or “alley” and refers to the passages formed between the house and courtyard compounds in the ancient part of the city. After dinner, transfer to the airport for our evening flight to Ping Yao and late night arrival at the Tianyuankui Guesthouse, a courtyard hotel and our home for two nights. (B/L/D)
 Day 6: Today we explore the UNESCO World Heritage site of Ping Yao, an exceptional well-preserved example of a traditional 14th century Han Chinese city whose history goes back 2,700 years, and with the only remaining fully intact city wall in China. The layout of this ancient fortification, including six barbican gates distributed according to the compass points, resembles a turtle and has earned Ping Yao the nickname “Turtle City.” We will gain a glimpse of the past as we travel around this remarkable 40-foot tall battlement by rickshaw. The city retains many of the characteristics of its original construction. It was the financial center of China during the Qing Period and we will visit the Rishengchang, the first bank in China and the First Armed Escort Agency in China. Many of the 4,000 Ming and Qing-style residences have been preserved and the streets and storefronts remain largely unchanged. (B/L/D)
 Day 7: During the Ming and Qing dynasties (1368-1911), merchants of Shanxi left their homes to seek opportunities outside their home province. Successful traders built elegant mansions with their wealth. Wang’s Courtyard, or Wangjia Dayuan, is a luxurious private palace beautifully sited on the slope of a mountain. It is one of the Shanxi Businessmen’s Courtyard Houses that has been placed on the Tentative UNESCO World Heritage List. This huge residence covers about 147,637 square feet and contains 1,118 rooms built around 23 courtyards. It took half a century to build and is reputed to have housed 1,000 members of the Wang family during its prosperous days. It is admired not only for its size but for the exquisite detailing of the vernacular architecture. Our long afternoon drive takes us to Anyang, where we overnight in the 4-star Anyang Hotel. (B/L/D)
 Day 8: Yin Xu, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was an ancient capital city of the Shang Dynasty from 1300-1046 BC. The nine square miles of remains testify to the golden age of early Chinese culture, crafts and sciences, a time of great prosperity of the Chinese Bronze Age. A number of royal tombs and palaces, prototypes of later Chinese architecture, have been unearthed on the site, including the Palace and Royal Ancestral Shrines Area, with more than 80 house foundations, and the only tomb of a member of the royal family of the Shang Dynasty to have remained intact, the Tomb of Fu Hao, China's first woman general. Inscriptions on oracle bones found in Yin Xu bear invaluable evidence to the development of one of the world’s oldest writing systems, ancient beliefs and social systems. In the afternoon we drive on to Zhenzhou and overnight at the 5-star Sofitel Hotel. Dinner is on our own. (B/L)
 Day 9: This morning’s drive takes us to Dengfeng, nestled near the foot of the Song Mountains and one of the Five Sacred Mountains. Dengfeng offers a myriad of interesting sites including Zhongyue Miao, a Taoist temple dating to the late 18th century with many unique features including 30 white pines said to date from the Tang and Song Dynasties, Guanxing Tai, the oldest surviving observatory in China, as well as Songyue Pagoda, one of the oldest surviving brick pagodas in China. No visit would be complete without a tour of the famous and possibly infamous Shaolin Monastery founded in 495 AD by the monk Ba Tuo. A visiting Indian sage, Bodhidharma, developed a series of physical exercises for the monks to perform after their mediations. From this encounter and teaching emerged the basis of the wushu or martial arts which developed and flourished at the temple. We witness a demonstration of this martial art during our visit. Continue to Luoyang and the 5-star Huayang Plaza Hotel, our home for the next two nights. Dinner is on our own. (B/L)
 Day 10: The city of Luoyang is almost 3,000 years old and was a state capital throughout ten dynasties. Our tour today includes a visit to the Luoyang Museum which houses four special collections of bronzeware, ceramics, gold and silver artifacts, and jadeware. These exhibitions provide an overview of the development of the area from the Neolithic period to the Tang. One of the highlights of our journey will be an opportunity to explore the Buddhist caves carved into a cliff along the Yi River just outside Luoyang. The Longmen or Dragon’s Gate caves document the early importance of Buddhism in China. Longmen Caves were created by devout artisans from all walks of life over a period of 600 years. The site includes some 1,350 caves and 40 pagodas, which are filled with thousands of Buddhist statues carved out of the hard limestone cliffs. The Longmen Caves were designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000 for their spectacular works of Chinese art, especially of the Tang Dynasty. Tonight’s dinner will be a ‘water banquet’, the city’s culinary claim to fame. (B/L/D)
 Day 11: Leave Luoyang this morning for our all day drive to Wudangshan in northwestern Hubei Province. Before our departure (time permitting) we visit the Luoyang Museum of Ancient Tombs, imperial burial sites of Eastern Han emperors and the emperors of the Western Jin and Northern Wei dynasties. We overnight for two nights at the Wudangshan Hotel. (B/L/D)
 Day 12: The Taoist monasteries and buildings of Wudangshan, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, represent Chinese art and architecture at its height. In the 15th century, the Ming emperor sent 300,000 soldiers and workers here to build 160 monasteries, temples, and pavilions. It took them more than ten years to complete the construction. The Grand Purple Cloud Palace is the most magnificent and best-preserved Taoist building on Wudang Mountain. The Palace of Harmony complex contains the Forbidden City, the Gutong Hall, and the 500-year-old Golden Palace (Golden Peak), built of gilded bronze. The mountains of Wudang have long been known not only for their scenic beauty but as a center for the teaching of meditation, martial arts, Chinese medicine and much more. Tai chi originated in Wudangshan as a martial art; it has been transformed over the centuries into a sort of meditative dance. We are fortunate to have an opportunity to participate in a lesson of this “soft” or “internal” martial art with its slow, light movements. (B/L/D)
Day 13: Depart for Wuhan, capital of Hubei province and comprised of the three towns of Wuchang, Hankou, and Hanyang clustered around the Yangtze River. As the heaviest musical instrument in the world, the set of bronze chime bells unearthed from the Tomb of Marquis Yi of the Zeng State can be found in the Hubei Provincial Museum. The set of bells consists of 65 pieces; the biggest bell is five feet high. This afternoon we will tour the museum which has an important and fascinating collection of relics from the state of Zeng, a small Zhou kingdom. Dinner is on our own tonight. Overnight for one night at the 5-star Shangri-la Hotel. (B/L)
 Day 14: Jingdezhen, long the ceramic center of China with kilns in operation since before the Tang dynasty, is today’s destination. The development of porcelain produced from local clays increased the area’s fame and Jingdezhen is still one of the major porcelain centers in the country. We explore the town visiting the section where the old kilns are located as well as the Ceramic Research Institute. Overnight for one night at the Kaimenzi Hotel. (B/L/D)
 Day 15: Leaving Jingdezhen we travel to the UNESCO World Heritage villages of Xidi and Hongcun situated in the Huangshan, or Yellow Mountains, in southern Anhui province. These unusually shaped granite peaks are iconic in traditional Chinese painting and literature. En route we will visit Qimen, famous for the black tea which it produces, particularly Keemun tea which is named after the region. The village of Xidi was built during the Song dynasty and is known for its 124 preserved wooden residences which boast superb carvings and date from the Ming and Qing dynasties. Hongcun village, which formed part of the backdrop for “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon,” was originally laid out in the shape of an ox. The several hundred houses represent the body of the ox while the stream which runs through the village is thought to be the ox’s intestines. A crescent-shaped pond is regarded as the ox’s fourth stomach and a larger lake nearby is considered the second stomach. We explore this unique and picturesque village and its 140 preserved homes. Overnight at the 4-star Huangshan International Hotel. (B/L/D)
 Day 16: Huangshan Mountain, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is unique not only for its peculiar rock formations but for the pine trees which cling to its sides and cluster amidst the peaks. The mountain is regarded as China’s most beautiful and has been the inspiration for a number of famous poems and paintings. Time permitting, we will travel by cable car to the top. Then it’s on to Hangzhou, the capital of Zhejiang province known for its numerous water ways and rice fields and often called the ‘land of rice and fish’ as a result. Hangzhou itself lies on the bank of the Qiantang River at the southern end of the Beijing-Hangzhou Canal 100 miles south of Shanghai. Famous for its West Lake, depicted in paintings and praised in poetry for centuries, we overnight by the lake for two nights at the 4-star Ramada Plaza Hotel, located on the northeastern shore of the famous lake. (B/L/D)
 Day 17: West Lake is on the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List, and this morning we explore it by boat. As we motor along the shore, we will see several spectacular sites including Gushan, or Lonely Hill Island, the largest island in the lake as well as the pagodas and gardens scattered along the shore. We visit Lingyin Temple, founded by an Indian monk in 326 AD, and one of the most famous Zen temples in China. The monk believed that a rock formation along the path to the temple, now known as the ‘Peak that Flew’, was a piece of Grdhrakuta Mountain, or Vulture Peak, in India and that its appearance at West Lake was a miracle wrought by the Buddha. The town of Longjing, or Dragon Well, near Hangzhou is known for the cultivation of a distinctively flavored green tea of the same name, and we will visit a tea plantation here. Dinner is on our own tonight. (B/L)
 Day 18: The fabled gardens and canals of Suzhou beckon and we depart Hangzhou. Suzhou is located in the south of Jiangsu province on the Grand Canal, the earliest and longest man-made canal in the world. We will visit this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Almost 1,000 miles long, it begins in Beijing in the north and ends in Hangzhou. Suzhou’s gardens were built from the 10th to early 19th century to adjoin homes in the city. The fame of the gardens enticed New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art to recreate one in its Asian Art wing. The integration of dwelling, water, rocks, and plants is essential to the esthetic of a Chinese garden and it is essential that all the elements of nature are to be reflected in the perfect garden. Upon arrival we visit the gardens, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Suzhou, from the time of the Song dynasty, has been important for its silk production and to this day its silk embroidery is considered among the finest. We will tour one of the famed silk production facilities. Our hotel for the next two nights is the Pingjiang Lodge, converted from a Suzhou ancient complex of houses in Si-jin style (literally means "four times of entry"). The hotel was once the residence of the Fang Family in Ming Dynasty and has a history of more than 450 years. Built in traditional Chinese architecture, the rooms are set around a number of small courtyards. (B/L/D)
 Day 19: Tongli is one of the villages built along the delta of the Yangtse. The charming houses built along the stream showcases over 1,000 years of history and cultural heritage. An example of the rich tradition of local craftsmanship can be seen at Jiayin Hall. Built in 1922, it is known for its collection of more than 100 well-preserved wood carvings of classical Chinese figurines. There are 49 bridges in Tongli, three of which have become the cultural symbols of the town. Named Taiping (peace), Jili (luck) and Changqing (celebration), local inhabitants walk over the three bridges to wish peace, fortune, happiness and health for their family and friends. Upon return to Suzhou, the afternoon is free. Gather this evening for our farewell dinner party in one of the city’s best restaurants. (B/L/D)
Day 20: Transfer to the Shanghai airport for our return flight to USA. (B)
 STUDY LEADER: Robert W. Foster is Chair of the History Department at Berea College. He received his B.A. degree summa cum laude in History from Kenyon College, his M.A. and Ph.D. degrees from Harvard University's Regional Studies-East Asia and East Asian Languages and Civilizations programs, respectively. Dr. Foster studied at Peking University during his doctoral work in Song Dynasty history. He is a professor of history, chair of the department, and for the last eight years has been the coordinator of Asian Studies at Berea College. Since joining the faculty at Berea College, he has led student and faculty groups to the People's Republic of China and Japan. He has contributed translations to the Hawaii Reader in Traditional Chinese Culture, as well as writing chapters on Neo-Confucianism, Song military concerns, and the Silk Road in Chinese history for various edited volumes. Dr. Foster speaks Modern Chinese, Classical Chinese, and Modern Japanese. With a genial personality, an excellent ability to convey information as well as a gift for bringing history to life, Professor Foster is an ideal study leader.
TRIP DATES: May 30 – June 18, 2009
TRIP COST: $8,795.00 (per person, double occupancy) includes all hotels; most meals (as listed in the itinerary); entry fees; and land and air transportation within China.
COST DOES NOT INCLUDE: Roundtrip international airfare from the United States to China; a donation as outlined below; airport transfers for flights other than designated group flights; meals other than those listed in the itinerary; food, alcoholic and other beverages not on set menus; passport and visa fees; airport fees and taxes; excess baggage charges; gratuities to guides and drivers; email, telephone, and fax charges; laundry or other items of a personal nature.
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: $925.00. Should a roommate be requested and one not be available, the single supplement will be charged.
FUEL SURCHARGES: Far Horizons must pass on price increases for uncontrollable charges such as flights and other services due to additional fuel charges.
 NOTE ON DONATION: As a tour company that benefits from the cultural and natural riches of our destinations, we have a policy of donating to the scientific and cultural projects and museums we visit. This has created a bond between Far Horizons and the academic and local communities that has helped us establish an extensive list of lecturers and contacts in each of our destinations. We ask that each participant write a check to the noteworthy project we designate. The donation amount is $150.00 per person and is made by check directly to the donation project. Note that the donation is required as part of your registration for the trip and that it is non-refundable. We will be designating a donation project for this trip shortly.
REGISTRATION: A deposit of $500.00 to Far Horizons and a non-refundable, separate check for $150.00 to the donation project are required upon making your reservation, along with a completed and signed registration form. Final payment is due 75 days prior to departure. Upon receipt of your deposit and completed registration form, you will be sent a reading list and tour bulletin containing travel information. An information book designed for this trip, including maps of archaeological sites and articles of pertinent interest will be sent upon receipt of final payment.
CANCELLATION AND REFUNDS: Cancellations received in writing at least 75 days before departure will receive a refund less a $250.00 per person administrative fee. Cancellations received less than 75 days before the departure date will not receive a refund. If for any reason you are unable to complete the trip, Far Horizons will not reimburse any fees. Registrants are strongly advised to buy travel insurance that includes trip cancellation.
 PRIVATE TOURS OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES: Private tours of archaeological sites and talks by specialists are scheduled in advance and include a donation to each. Specialists working at these sites are excited about showing their work to interested enthusiasts. However, please be aware that there may be times when the director or a member of the staff may not be onsite when our groups arrive due to other commitments.
TRAVEL IN THIS PART OF THE WORLD: To reach several of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites, we must travel into remote areas of China. The itinerary has been designed to be as comfortable as possible, but this part of the world is still under-developed and we will have several long travel days. We have carefully chosen hotels that are the best available – they will frequently be charming, but several are not 5-star international class. There may be no bellboys and participants must be prepared to, at times, carry their own luggage. Long walks may be required to reach some areas, including walks over steep gradients and over poorly maintained paths. Changes in our itinerary, accommodations, and transportation schedules may occur. The adventurous nature of the itinerary makes it essential that participants be in good physical condition and have the ability to maintain a flexible attitude. A good book to read as well as positive team spirit and a good sense of humor are essential! If you have questions about your ability to handle this sort of challenge, please call us.
LIMITED TO 17 PARTICIPANTS
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