|
~
China & Tibet ~
May 19 to June 4, 2006
Qigong & Tai Chi Dream Vacation
Join us, for an uncommon
journey to the most sacred and spectacular sites in Asia.
Learn unique styles of Qigong for Self Healing, Stress
Release, and Anti-Ageing
DAY TO DAY ITINERARY
click here for printer friendly version
Day 1:
May 19, Friday Travel Day - Depart from San
Francisco at 2:20 pm Cross the International
Date Line We will learn Qigong Techniques
for Travelers before departure and have a "recovery from jet lag"
session after we arrive.
Day 2:
May 20 - Saturday, Arrive in Xian, the ancient walled city and
capitol of China. Situated at the end of the famous Silk Road, Xian was
Marco Polo’s destination and will be our first stop in China. We will
stay at the Bell Tower Hotel, in the center of Xian, near the Bell
Tower, Drum Tower and famous Muslim Bazaar. Every evening, there
will be an opportunity for our group to gather and discuss the lessons
and activities of the day.
Day 3:
May 21 – Terra Cotta Warriors, Mount HuaShan; Jade Spring
Monastery: In the early morning, we will meet for optional morning
Qigong Sessions with Mark which include instruction in early Morning
exercises, Daoist Internal Alchemy and Eight Extra Meridian
Qigong/Taiji. After a delicious breakfast buffet we will take a scenic
drive to sacred Mount Hua Shan, along the way we will visit the
incredible site where 16,000 Terra Cotta Warriors from the Qin Dynasty
were unearthed. In Huashan we will meet the Daoist and take a guided
tour of Jade Spring Monastery.
Day 4:
May 22 – Hua Shan: After morning Qigong and a leisurely breakfast
we will take a cable car half way up Hua Shan, one of China’s sacred
Daoist mountains. At 7,000 feet, its majestic peaks rise above the
clouds. We will visit many temples and shrines as we climb the stone
steps to our temple guest house near the top of the mountain. (Those
uncomfortable with heights and primitive conditions may stay at a hotel
in town) Evening meditation on top of the mountain as we watch the sun
setting beneath the “cloud sea” will be followed by a family style meal
shared with the Daoist.
Day 5: May 23 – Hua Shan; Eight Immortals Temple: Morning
will provide free time to explore the mountain or view the sunrise above
the cloud sea. After breakfast, we will take the scenic cable car down
and pass the bazaar at the foot of the mountain on our way back to our
bus. Drive to Xian and visit Eight Immortal Temple with opportunity for
shopping at the outdoor bazaar where farmers sell Han Dynasty antiques.
Evening dinner will be a banquet of the local specialty, Jiaoza
dumplings, in dozens of shapes and flavors followed by delicious flaming
hot pot soup. Stay at Bell Tower Hotel
Day 6:
May 24 - Chengdu; Qingyang Temple: Morning Qigong in the
central town square, followed by flight to Chengdu. We will take a van
from the airport to our hotel. After settling into our comfortable
accommodations we will have free time to explore the area. In the
afternoon we will visit the Daoist at famous Qingyang (Green Sheep)
Temple and tour the printing house with over 10,000 ancient, hand carved
wood blocks still used to print the Daoist Canon. Dinner will be a
Banquet of famous Sichuan cuisine.
Day
7: May 25 - Giant Panda Research Base:
After breakfast, we will take a scenic drive to the spacious bamboo
forest park where the Giant Panda Breeding Grounds and Research Facility
is located. We will have the opportunity to see both Giant Pandas and
the smaller Red Pandas and their adorable babies in their natural
habitat and learn about this beautiful and amazing endangered species.
Our group may have the rare opportunity to actually hold baby pandas.
(This experience delighted our group in 2005) In the afternoon there
will be free time in Chengdu or for those interested in fine food, an
opportunity to attend famous Sichuan Culinary Arts Academy to learn
techniques of preparing delicious world famous Sichuan cuisine. In the
evening we will visit the Sichuan Opera famous for its amazing
performances, including the incredible mask changing show.
Days
8: May 26 - Qingcheng Mountain; Scenic
Cable Car Ride; Ferry on Yuecheng Lake Tianshidong Temple: After
lunch we will arrive at Qingcheng Shan, one of the sacred Taoist
mountains and one of the most beautiful areas in China. Next we will
slowly float across calm and beautiful Yuecheng Lake on a picturesque
ferry and then ride the cable car to the top of the mountain enjoying
scenic views of the forested slopes. We will follow a picturesque trail
flanked by ancient pines leading to Tianshidong Temple (the Cave of the
Heavenly Master). We will enjoy a delicious welcome dinner, featuring
special delicacies, like gingko seed soup, the “five famous foods of
Qingsheng Mountain” and the best steamed buns in China. We will spend
the night in the temple guesthouse under the protective branches of an
ancient giant ginkgo tree planted over a thousand years ago, by the
founder of the Northern School of Taoism, Master Zhang-Daoling. Evening
discussion.
Day
9: May 27- Day on Qingchen Mountain. In
the morning we will enjoy practicing Qigong in the beautiful outdoor
practice area built into the side of the mountain. Special Chinese
Calligraphy classes taught by Mark are always a highlight of our trips.
We will meet in the ancient temple courtyard with our brushes and ink.
Even local Chinese have joined our classes.
Day 10:
May 28 – Ancient Temples; return to Chengdu: Morning Qigong
in Tianshidong courtyard, and breakfast in temple dining room. Then we
are on our way to enjoy a scenic walk and visit several ancient temples
as we leisurely journey to the foot of the mountain. In the evening we
will return to Chengdu.
Day
11: May 29 - Lhasa, Tibet: In the
morning we will fly to Lhasa, the capital city of Tibet, one of the most
spectacular places on earth. At an altitude of over 12,000 feet above
sea level with beautiful mountains that stretch to the horizon on one
side and the blue water of the Lhasa River with picturesque Yak-skin
boats navigating in it on the other. We will travel to our Tibetan style
hotel located in the heart of Lhasa near the Barkor, and Jorkang Temple
and settle into our accommodations. After acclimating to the climate of
Lahsa, we will take a leisurely excursion to explore the local area.
After dinner, our evening discussion group will continue.
Day
12: May 30 - Jorkang Temple, Barkhor Street
Market, Norbulinka Park, - After morning Meditation and Qigong in
the courtyard we will have a delicious breakfast at our hotel. After
breakfast we will visit 1,300 year old Jorkang Temple, considered the
holiest temple in Tibet. The temple is notable for its roof of solid
gold and interior labyrinth of shrines, halls and galleries, and the
many pilgrims who continually visit this holiest sight of Tibetan
Buddhism. Outside the temple is the famous Barkhor Street Market, a
commercial hub of the Himalayas for 1,000 years, and an opportunity for
some extraordinary international shopping and amazing bargains on
handcrafts from Tibet, China, India Nepal. In the afternoon we will
visit the beautiful Norbulinka Park, the former Summer Palace of the
Dalai Lama. In the evening we will enjoy a special Banquet of Tibetan
food with Tibetan Dancing shows
Day
13: May 31 - Potala Palace, Sera Monastery - After morning
Meditation and Qigong and breakfast at the hotel, we will be off to
visit the Potala, one of the architectural wonders of the world. Dating
from the 17th century, it is 363 feet high, and its 1000 rooms cover 102
acres. We will also visit the Tibetan Carpet Factory, where the
weaving process is still carried out all by hand on huge vertical
looms. We will visit the Sera Monastery in the afternoon, if we are
fortunate we will observe the monks debating Buddhism in Sera
monastery.. Dinner followed by evening discussion.
Day
14: June 1 - Yamdrok Lake, Visit a Tibetan
Family in Their Home, Ride Yaks - Day trip to beautiful, deep
turquoise blue, Yamdrok Lake, one of Tibet’s 4 sacred lakes. Along the
way we will travel over Kambala Pass, view a glacier and have the
opportunity to ride Yaks. A highlight will be visiting a Tibetan family
in their home, have butter tea with them as
their guests and learn about Tibetan customs and their daily life.
Day 15:
June 2- Early morning Qigong followed by free time to explore Lhasa.
Optional
afternoon tour of the Tibetan Traditional Hospital to learn and
explore the unique Tibetan ways of keeping healthy. Tibetan medical
science is an arcane field whose theories are influenced by Indian and
Chinese medicine and are backed up by Tantric texts. Farewell Banquet
Day
16: June 3 - Early morning departure for
Chengdu. After setting back in to our hotel we will have free time all
afternoon to explore Chengdu, do a bit of shopping and prepare for our
departure to the US in the morning. We will have a Farewell Banquet
followed by our last evening of discussion and sharing.
Day
17: June 4 - Chengdu, We will depart for the
USA at 1:45 pm. and arrive in San Francisco 2:10 pm the same day after
crossing the International Dateline.
Daily
Classes in Qigong, Tai Chi, Internal Alchemy and Self Healing Techniques
(optional
The daily Qigong sessions lead by Mark Johnson include:
Five Elements Qigong, Daoist Internal Alchemy,
Integrating our Physical, Meridian and Auric Bodies.
The daily
Qigong sessions lead by Rebecca Kali include: Medical Qigong
for Healing Yourself and Others, Bua Duann Gin, (one of the oldest
forms of Qigong), Daoist Meditation, Qigong for
Arthritis, Chronic Pain and Chronic Fatigue, Qigong for Detoxification
and Addictive Disorders, and Daoist Internal Alchemy.
Call 218-365-6330 or click here to send us an
Email
REGISTRATION:
All Inclusive Trip fee:
$3,890.00
All-inclusive cost: Includes international airfare from
San Francisco and all air and land
costs in
China, including meals and
lodging (double occupancy) Single room where available $350
US extra
RESERVE YOUR PLACE NOW with a $600 deposit.
Payment in full due 90 days before departure
Checks, Money order, Credit cards (Visa and MC ) accepted.
*
register by phone - call 218-365-6330
*
register by email
click here to send us an email.
* register by mail
click here
for a printable registration form
* register on
line
click here to go to the registration page
*
the size of our tours is intentionally limited to a small number of
participants in each tour - please do not wait to register, if you are
interested in this tour.
At time of registration
you will receive a detailed list of what to bring, what to wear etc.
A suggested reading list
will also be provided.
What's included: Costs include airfare from San Francisco to
China and back, transportation within China including bus, boats and
private van; all lodging (double occupancy accommodation); study
tuition; excursion and sight seeing; translation; all daily meals,
including banquets; admission charges to temples and tourist sites.
What's not included: Does not include China Visa, travel
insurance (required) , Chinese International ($15) or domestic ($3)
airport taxes; taxi or rickshaw fees for extra excursions during free
time, gratuities to guides, drivers and porters; trip cancellation;
excess baggage charges on airplane, laundry, or personal purchases.
Cancellation and refunds: If the tour participant cancels the
program, cancellation fees will be adjusted according to the following
schedule: refund will be given 75 or more days before departure, less
$300; 74-35 days, less 25%; 34-16 days, less 50%, no refunds within 16
days of departure. We require that all trip participants purchase travel
insurance which often covers cancellation fees. Let us know and we can
provide you with information.
return to top |
