Journey
to the (North) West
Beijing-Datong-Pingyao-Lanzhou-Linxia-Xiahe-Shanghai
17 days
Monthly departures on the 2nd Saturday, June -September 2010-2011.
$ 3,450 USD per person, double occupancy.
Guaranteed departure with a minimum of 6 people.
Special Note: Jasmine Zheng-Behrens will personally guide the following
departures: September 2010 and July 2011. |
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| Tibetan woman in Xiahe (Photo by David Lane) |
This special expedition takes the “road less traveled” to reach
the historical, cultural and scenic wonders of China’s remote northwest—the
perfect choice for those who want to explore areas less visited by foreign
groups. After visiting the monuments of Beijing, including the Great Wall,
we travel by train to Datong, in Shanxi Province, catching glimpses of the
Wall as it snakes along the distant hills. In Datong, we visit the amazing
Yungang Buddhist Grottoes, a series of caves and cliffside niches holding
thousands of magnificent religious sculptures; and visit a Qing Dynasty
customs post and Great Wall gateway on the border of Inner Mongolia. Travel
south by road to visit the unique Hanging Temple, suspended from the side
of a cliff, and the walled city of Pingyao, once the banking center of Imperial
China. Then fly on to Lanzhou in Gansu Province, a surprisingly large and
modern city on the banks of the upper Yellow River. From Lanzhou, travel
south by road to the Moslem cultural enclave of Linxia and then up a winding
mountain valley to reach Xiahe, a small Tibetan town on the edge of broad
grasslands. We will mingle with the red-robed monks of the large Labrang
Yellow Hat Tibetan Buddhist monastery in Xiahe, and travel out onto the
grasslands to visit the homes of Tibetan people in an ancient walled village.
The tour finishes with two days touring the modern cityscapes of Shanghai. |
| 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.
Guaranteed departure with a minimum of 2 people.
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| Monks performing festival dances at Songzanlin
Monastery in Zhongdian. (Photo courtesy of Sue Wright, Toronto, Canada) |
A perfect introduction to China for the first-time visitor,
as well as an excellent choice for repeat visitors who want to return for
a more adventurous, in-depth experience. Our travels range from the Great
Wall to the Tibetan highlands of Yunnan Province, said to be the inspiration
for the mythical land of Shangri-La. Start with the magnificent imperial
monuments of Beijing, continue to Xi’an for a visit to the stupendous
terra cotta army, the Moslem Quarter and intriguing Shaanxi “cave
homes”, and go on to cruise the spectacular Li River and bicycle through
the countryside beneath the stunning karst pinnacles of Guilin and Yangshuo.
Finally, explore the rugged mountains and colorful minority people’s
cultures of southwestern Yunnan Province, where we wander the cobblestone
lanes of Old Town Lijiang, home of the Naxi people, and marvel at the prayer
halls of Zhongdian’s Songzanlin Tibetan Buddhist monastery, one of
the largest Yellow Hat monasteries outside Tibet proper. Home visits and
easy bicycling and hiking day trips are included to bring you closer to
local life. Special option: Stay at a local family’s courtyard house
in Lijiang. |
| China
Panorama
Beijing--Xi'an--Guilin-- Yangshuo-Shanghai
14 days
Monthly departure on the 2nd Saturday of the month, all year around, 2010-2011.
$2,900 USD per person, double occupancy. Guaranteed departure with a minimum
of 2 people.
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| Li River fishing boats (Photo by
Sue Wright) |
Another wonderful introduction to China, particularly for those with more
limited time, this tour hits the cultural, historical and scenic highlights
while also giving you the opportunity for a deeper look at rural village
life in one of the country's most spectacular regions. Start by visiting
the monuments of imperial Beijing-Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City and
the Great Wall-along with a glimpse of the hidden life of its backstreet
"hutong" neighborhoods. Then go on to Xi'an for the stupendous terra cotta
army and a walk through the Moslem Quarter of this one-time Silk Road terminus.
After that, enjoy a day cruise down Guilin's Li River through the spectacular
karst peak landscape-many visitors call this one of their most memorable
experiences in China--followed by two days exploring the small farming villages
and bustling farmers' markets nestled among the rivers and hills of this
verdant region. Finally, finish up with two days touring the incredible
cityscapes of Shanghai before returning home. |
Dragon
River Odyssey
Beijing-Xi'an-Chengdu-Chongqing-Dazu Grottoes-Yangtze
River Three Gorges Cruise-Shanghai.
17 days
Monthly departure on the 2nd Saturday of the month, all year around, 2010-2011.
$3,450 USD per person, double occupancy. Guaranteed departure with a minimum
of 2 people. |
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| Dazu Grottoes (Photo by Paul Behrens) |
Combining ancient monuments and modern cities with China’s most spectacular
river cruise, this special odyssey takes you to the very heart of the Middle
Kingdom. As you explore by foot through the hidden back streets of Beijing,
sail through the fabled Three Gorges of the Yangtze River (including a passage
through the locks of the massive Three Gorges Dam), and wonder at the futuristic
skyscrapers of Shanghai’s Pudong New Development Area, you’ll
experience firsthand the diversity and dynamism that make China one of the
world’s most fascinating countries. Special visits to Xi’an’s
terra cotta army, the magnificent sculptures of the Dazu Buddhist Grottoes,
and the Panda Breeding Center in Chengdu—along with a chance to try
out the fiery Sichuan cuisine—will introduce you to other memorable
aspects of Chinese history and culture. |
Classic
(and Modern) China
Beijing-Xi'an-Guilin-Yangshuo-Huangshan-Shanghai
17 days
Monthly departure on the 2nd Saturday of the month, all year around, 2010-2011.
$3,650 USD per person, double occupancy.
Guaranteed departure with a minimum of 2 people. |
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| Woman with hand loom in the cave house near Xi'an (Photo by Neil Deans) |
Combining the craggy mountainscapes that once inspired traditional Chinese
scroll painting with the dramatic skylines that now inspire architects and
designers worldwide, this tour highlights the contrast between China’s
urban and rural worlds. The tour begins and ends on the urban side, visiting
the imperial monuments and futuristic skyscrapers of China’s two largest
cities, Beijing and Shanghai. In between, the tour turns to the quieter,
rural side, offering a cruise down Guilin’s spectacular Li River beneath
the stunning ranks of karst pinnacles, visits to farm villages and bustling
farmers’ markets, and the chance to view sunrise above the “cloud
sea” from the top of Huangshan (the Yellow Mountain). |
Journey
to the Roof of the World
Beijing-Lijiang-Zhongdian (Shangri-La)-Lhasa-Gyantze-Shigatse-Train
Travel to Xining--Beijing
19 days
Monthly departure on the 2nd Saturday of April-October 2010-2011.
$4,480 USD per person, double occupancy.
Guaranteed departure with minimum of 2 people.
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Songzanlin Monastery, Zhongdian
(Photo by Paul Behrens) |
Ranging from the Forbidden City to the Potala Palace, this dramatic expedition
gives you China with a particular focus on Tibet. After exploring the imperial
monuments of Beijing, travel directly to Lijiang in southwestern Yunnan
Province, the highland home of the Naxi minority nationality people. Overlooking
the cobblestone lanes of Lijiang’s Old Town is the 18,000-foot Jade
Dragon Snow Mountain, the southeastern anchor of the monumental Himalayan
Range. From Lijiang, take another step towards the Roof of the World, traveling
by road to the Tibetan town of Zhongdian (Shangri-La), stopping along the
way to visit Tiger Leaping Gorge, where the upper Yangtze River rushes beneath
the great mountain. Then fly from Zhongdian to Lhasa, the spiritual heart
of Tibet, for six days exploring the heartland of this mystical highland
realm, including visits to monasteries, temple markets, rural villages and
sacred lakes. Finally, ride the highest railway in the world from Lhasa
to Xining in remote Qinghai Province, traveling in a sleeper car with a
special supplemental oxygen system for this 24-hour trip, before returning
to Beijing by air. |
| Finally, I can offer customized and individual extensions to any of my regular tours, and I even can develop
a fully-customized tour for your group of four or more! Please contact me for details and prices. |
