Jasmine's China Adventure Tours - Ancient Capitals and Scenic Wonders

Bicycling country roads near Yangshuo.
(Photo courtesy of David Harrigan, Pembroke, New Hampshire)

Ancient Capitals and Scenic Wonders

Beijing--Xi'an--Guilin--Yangshuo--Lijiang--Zhongdian (Shangri-La)
17 days
Monthly departure on the 2nd Saturday of April –October, 2010-2011
$3,650 USD per person, double occupancy
Land cost only; does not include international airfare
Guaranteed departure with a minimum of 2 people

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Tibetan-style house in Shangqiaotou Village, near Zhongdian.

Tibetan-style house in Shangqiaotou Village, near Zhongdian. (Photo courtesy of Sue Wright, Toronto, Canada)

This is probably my favorite among my tours, and the most popular with my customers. Combining China's most significant historical and cultural sites with some of its most spectacular landscapes, it is the perfect introduction to China for the first-time visitor. You'll see the famous monuments and the "big" sights, but you'll also go beyond them to discover the real life of the Chinese people. And for 2010 and 2011, I will offer two very special options: the chance to stay at my local Naxi friend's beautiful courtyard home in Lijiang; and stay at my friend’s family guest house in a stunning ancient village near Yangshuo. Even experienced "China hands" may find that my approach to travel brings them into contact with Chinese life in a new and deeper way.

Buddhist monk in the kitchen of a Tibetan home

Buddhist monk in the kitchen of a Tibetan home

A special highlight of the tour is our visit to Zhongdian, a Tibetan cultural area in the remote highlands of Yunnan Province. Local people like to say that this is the land that inspired the myth of Shangri-La. Be that as it may, Zhongdian lies in a breathtaking landscape of broad grasslands and towering snow mountains where prayer flags flutter over whitewashed Tibetan houses and monasteries teem with red-robed monks chanting prayers amid smoldering incense sticks and bowls of flaming yak fat. Our visit there will be a wonderful climax to a tour that I believe brings you the best of China.

We start in Beijing, which holds the major monuments of the Chinese Empire: Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, the Summer Palace and, above all, the Great Wall. But China’s capital is also a city of hidden residential alleyways where families live quietly in ancient courtyard homes, city parks where elderly people gather to do morning exercises, crowded street markets bursting with unusual produce, and night food streets offering unsuspected culinary treasures.

Naxi man with his grandson, in Yuhu Village near Lijiang.

Night market food vendor, Xi'an.

Xi'an, of course, offers the world-renowned terra cotta army. But the city also holds an intriguing Moslem Quarter, where the traveler can find traces of Xi'an's past as the terminus of the fabled Silk Road in the colorful and aromatic spice markets and the Central Asian faces of their vendors. We will also have a chance to visit my local friends in their village of traditional "cave houses" that are a unique feature of the Shaanxi plains.

For centuries, poets and painters have tried to capture the fairy-tale landscape of Guilin and Yangshuo. Our boat cruise down the Li River through the heart of this magnificent scenery is one of the highlights of China. Most group tours spend a day on the cruise, stop in Yangshuo for no more than an hour and then head back to Guilin by road and on to their next destination. They miss one of the most enjoyable experiences in China. Yangshuo is a fascinating small town where the timeless rhythms of rural life mingle with the sounds of jazz from the international cafes on "Foreigner's Street". We spend three days in Yangshuo, walking and bicycling into the surrounding countryside past Ming Dynasty stone bridges and farmers plowing with water buffalo to visit nearby market towns and farming villages. A highlight is the easy bicycle ride to an ancient village, where you will have a lunch at my local friend Mr. Li’s family restaurant—he is an excellent cook! And you are welcome to go to the kitchen to learn how to prepare local specialties. (As a special option while we are in Yangshuo, I can arrange for you to stay at Mr. Li’s guest house in the village for 1 night. If you are interested in this option, please contact me for more details.)

Naxi women in traditional dress, Old Town Lijiang

Naxi women in traditional dress, Old Town Lijiang

From Guilin, the tour continues to one of the most fascinating parts of China, the rugged mountain landscapes and colorful minority cultures of Yunnan Province. Located in China's far southwest, bordering on Vietnam, Laos, Burma and Tibet, Yunnan is a land of shining snow peaks and deep river gorges. In spring, the fields glow with the bloom of yellow rapeseed flowers; in autumn, the stone and mud-brick farm houses dress themselves up with garlands of corn and red chili peppers. Blue skies and abundant sunshine make Yunnan one of the most photogenic parts of China.

Naxi man with his grandson, in Yuhu Village near Lijiang.

Old Town Lijiang, the home of the Naxi minority people, has been named as a World Heritage Site by the United Nations. We’ll have time to stroll through the maze of narrow cobblestone lanes, past courtyard houses and small shops offering local crafts, such as wooden plates decorated with the local “Dongba” pictographic script. We’ll also hear an orchestra of Naxi musicians performing folk songs and courtly music that dates back to the 8th Century T’ang Dynasty. (As a special option while we are in Lijiang, I can arrange for any of you from the group to stay at my local Naxi friends' beautiful home, with a courtyard full of blooming flowers, and to have a traditional Naxi breakfast there. If you are interested in this option, please contact me for more details. )

From Lijiang, the road heads north to Zhongdian (Shangri-La). This is the main highway to Tibet, and when we reach Zhongdian we’ll be on the southernmost grasslands of the Tibetan Plateau. Along the way lie two of the great scenic wonders of Yunnan: the sweeping First Bend and the tremendous Tiger Leaping Gorge of the upper Yangtze River, where the river forces its way between two giant snow peaks, Haba Snow Mountain and Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. Just outside of Zhongdian, the large Songzanlin Yellow Hat Monastery overlooks the city from its hilltop location, reminiscent of the famous Potala Palace in Lhasa. We’ll explore the prayer halls of this active monastery, mingling with the red-robed monks, and visit the homes of Tibetan families living nearby.

Songzanglin Monastery in Zhongdian. (Photo courtesy of Paul Behrens)

If you are looking for a tour that will introduce you to China's historic monuments, its magnificent landscapes and its fascinating people, this is a perfect choice. Designed to give you adventure without sacrificing comfort, it's a tour fit for people of all ages, for novice adventurers and "old hands" alike. Although we get close to local life, all accommodations are in clean, comfortable modern hotels. All of our bicycle and walking excursions can be done by anyone of reasonable fitness. Please read the detailed itinerary that follows, and contact me for more details on this tour.

Please Note: This tour visits areas of high elevation (over 10,000 feet). Please consult your personal physician regarding travel to high-elevation areas if you are considering this tour. If you have experienced difficulty with high elevations in the past, we recommend that you do not take this tour.

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1 (Saturday): Depart from the United States or Canada.

Day 2 (Sunday): Arrive in Beijing. Transfer to hotel.

Days 3-5 (Monday-
Tuesday-Wednesday): Sightseeing in and around Beijing, including: an all-day excursion to the Great Wall, a visit to Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City and the beautiful Summer Palace; wander around in some old neighborhoods of "hutong" alleyway courtyard homes; walk through the lively Wangfujing area with its interesting night food street. In the morning, get up early to take part in local people's morning exercises at the park--you will be surprised how many people there are! In the evenings, enjoy a performance of Chinese acrobats and taste the famous Beijing Roast Duck in a neighborhood restaurant--where the local people enjoy it. On the late afternoon of Day 5, fly from Beijing to Xi'an. Overnight in Xi'an.

Day 6 (Thursday): Sightseeing in and around Xi'an, including a full-day excursion to the terra cotta army, and a visit to a family living in a village of unusual Shaanxi-style "cave homes". In the evening, enjoy a wonderful dumpling banquet in a 100-year-old restaurant.

Day 7 (Friday): Take a walk to get to know the Moslem Quarter of this ancient city, including the Great Mosque, the Drum Tower and a visit to the 600-year –old city walls. In the afternoon, fly from Xi’an to Guilin. Overnight in Guilin.

Day 8 (Saturday):
Boat cruise on the picturesque Li River through the stunning landscape, stopping along the way to visit an underground cavern; arrive in the small town of Yangshuo in the afternoon and have the balance of the day to explore the town.

(As a special option while we are in Yangshuo, I can arrange for you to stay at Mr. Li’s guest house in the village for 1 night. If you are interested in this option, please contact me for more details. )

Day 9 (Sunday): Sightseeing in and around the beautiful countryside of Yangshuo, including a bicycle ride on country lanes and paths to a village for lunch at my farmer friends' home; a visit to nearby market towns and villages to see local produce fairs and traditional farming methods where rice cultivation is done by hand or with the aid of water buffalo.

Day 10 (Monday): This day is set aside for you to have a free day to relax or to discover the countryside on your own. (**Lunch and dinner are not included for this day. This is a lively small town with a lot of restaurants and cafes, many of which have English menus.)

Day 11 (Tuesday):
Drive from Yangshuo to Guilin to catch your flight to Lijiang, with a change of planes in Kunming. Transfer to the hotel after arrival in Lijiang and explore the Old Town Lijiang if time permits. Enjoy a unique performance of the Naxi ancient music orchestra in the evening.

(As a special option while we are in Lijiang, I can arrange for any of you from the group to stay 1 night at my local Naxi friends' beautiful home, with a courtyard full of blooming flowers, and to have a traditional Naxi breakfast there. If you are interested in this option, please contact me for more details. )

Day 12 (Wednesday): Sightseeing in and around Lijiang, the home of the Naxi minority people. Including: Walk in the nearby countryside through the beautiful Naxi people's villages to an active local Lama Temple, a visit to the local colorful fresh produce farmer’s market; wander through the beautiful Jade Spring Park, with its splendid view of 18,000-foot Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. In the evening, enjoy a special dinner of Naxi-style home cooking at my local friends’ home.

Day 13 (Thursday): This day is set aside for you to have a free day to relax or to discover the Old Town Lijiang on your own. (**Your lunch and dinner are not included for this day. There are a lot of very good restaurants with beautiful décor inside the Old Town Lijiang, and many of them have English menus.)

Day 14 (Friday) Drive from Lijiang to Zhongdian, stopping along the way to view the First Bend of the Yangtze River and to visit the tremendous Tiger Leaping Gorge, where the river forces its way between Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and Haba Snow Mountain. Continue upcountry to Zhongdian, on the edge of the Tibetan plateau. Overnight in Zhongdian.

Day 15 (Saturday): Explore Zhongdian and the surrounding Tibetan cultural areas. One highlight is the short trip to the large Songzanlin Monastery, where you can see the daily life of the monks. On the way, stop at a nearby village to visit my local Tibetan friend Yangzong at her traditional home. You will also have chance to visit the local farmers’ market (where you will find cone-shaped local yak and goat cheeses), and to explore the Old Town Zhongdian on foot. In the evening, you can even join the local people’s dancing group in the town square!

Day 16 (Sunday): Fly from Zhongdian to Beijing, changing planes in Kunming. Enjoy a farewell dinner in the evening. Overnight in Beijing.

Day 17 (Monday): Depart from Beijing and fly to Canada or the United States, arriving home the same day.

C.S.T. Number 2034611-40

Web Design by Brian H. Day

Day 1 (Saturday):	Depart from the United States or Canada.
Day 2 (Sunday):	Arrive in Beijing. Transfer to hotel.
Days 3-5 (Monday- Tuesday-Wednesday):	Sightseeing in and around Beijing, including: an all-day excursion to the Great Wall, a visit to Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City and the beautiful Summer Palace; wander around in some old neighborhoods of "hutong" alleyway courtyard homes; walk through the lively Wangfujing area with its interesting night food street. In the morning, get up early to take part in local people's morning exercises at the park--you will be surprised how many people there are! In the evenings, enjoy a performance of Chinese acrobats and taste the famous Beijing Roast Duck in a neighborhood restaurant--where the local people enjoy it. On the late afternoon of Day 5, fly from Beijing to Xi'an. Overnight in Xi'an.
Day 6 (Thursday):	Sightseeing in and around Xi'an, including a full-day excursion to the terra cotta army, and a visit to a family living in a village of unusual Shaanxi-style "cave homes". In the evening, enjoy a wonderful dumpling banquet in a 100-year-old restaurant.
Day 7 (Friday):	Take a walk to get to know the Moslem Quarter of this ancient city, including the Great Mosque, the Drum Tower and a visit to the 600-year –old city walls. In the afternoon, fly from Xi’an to Guilin. Overnight in Guilin.
Day 8 (Saturday):	Boat cruise on the picturesque Li River through the stunning landscape, stopping along the way to visit an underground cavern; arrive in the small town of Yangshuo in the afternoon and have the balance of the day to explore the town. (As a special option while we are in Yangshuo, I can arrange for you to stay at Mr. Li’s guest house in the village for 1 night. If you are interested in this option, please contact me for more details. )
Day 9 (Sunday):	Sightseeing in and around the beautiful countryside of Yangshuo, including a bicycle ride on country lanes and paths to a village for lunch at my farmer friends' home; a visit to nearby market towns and villages to see local produce fairs and traditional farming methods where rice cultivation is done by hand or with the aid of water buffalo.
Day 10 (Monday):	This day is set aside for you to have a free day to relax or to discover the countryside on your own. (**Lunch and dinner are not included for this day. This is a lively small town with a lot of restaurants and cafes, many of which have English menus.)
Day 11 (Tuesday):	Drive from Yangshuo to Guilin to catch your flight to Lijiang, with a change of planes in Kunming. Transfer to the hotel after arrival in Lijiang and explore the Old Town Lijiang if time permits. Enjoy a unique performance of the Naxi ancient music orchestra in the evening. (As a special option while we are in Lijiang, I can arrange for any of you from the group to stay 1 night at my local Naxi friends' beautiful home, with a courtyard full of blooming flowers, and to have a traditional Naxi breakfast there. If you are interested in this option, please contact me for more details. )
Day 12 (Wednesday):	Sightseeing in and around Lijiang, the home of the Naxi minority people. Including: Walk in the nearby countryside through the beautiful Naxi people's villages to an active local Lama Temple, a visit to the local colorful fresh produce farmer’s market; wander through the beautiful Jade Spring Park, with its splendid view of 18,000-foot Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. In the evening, enjoy a special dinner of Naxi-style home cooking at my local friends’ home.
Day 13 (Thursday):	This day is set aside for you to have a free day to relax or to discover the Old Town Lijiang on your own. (**Your lunch and dinner are not included for this day. There are a lot of very good restaurants with beautiful décor inside the Old Town Lijiang, and many of them have English menus.)
Day 14 (Friday)	Drive from Lijiang to Zhongdian, stopping along the way to view the First Bend of the Yangtze River and to visit the tremendous Tiger Leaping Gorge, where the river forces its way between Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and Haba Snow Mountain. Continue upcountry to Zhongdian, on the edge of the Tibetan plateau. Overnight in Zhongdian.
Day 15 (Saturday):	Explore Zhongdian and the surrounding Tibetan cultural areas. One highlight is the short trip to the large Songzanlin Monastery, where you can see the daily life of the monks. On the way, stop at a nearby village to visit my local Tibetan friend Yangzong at her traditional home. You will also have chance to visit the local farmers’ market (where you will find cone-shaped local yak and goat cheeses), and to explore the Old Town Zhongdian on foot. In the evening, you can even join the local people’s dancing group in the town square!
Day 16 (Sunday):	Fly from Zhongdian to Beijing, changing planes in Kunming. Enjoy a farewell dinner in the evening. Overnight in Beijing.
Day 17 (Monday):	Depart from Beijing and fly to Canada or the United States, arriving home the same day.