Preliminary Day by Day Itinerary
May 29 Meet in Los Angeles
Friday
Today make your way to Los Angeles where our Air China flight departs, nonstop for Beijing. Add-on flights can be arranged from many U.S. cities. In the evening, meet Dr. Scott Walker and your travel companions with whom you will share this remarkable journey. We’ll have a short briefing before boarding our Boeing 747 soon after midnight. You’ll feel your Chinese experience has already begun, since we are using the national carrier of China, Air China.
May 30 Depart LAX
Saturday
Depart LAX Air China (CA984) 1:40 AM (after midnight). Cross the vast Pacific and the International Date Line en route and lose a day. In spite of the excitement, it will be easy to sleep on a nighttime flight. (Meals aloft)
May 31 Beijing
Sunday
Arrive Beijing International Airport at 6:20 AM. Welcome to China! We will be met by our guide and driver and proceed to the hotel for check in and a rest until noon. Refreshed after lunch, in the afternoon our guide will introduce us to the architectural and historical highlights of Beijing.
Tien An Men Square is the second most famous sight of China located in the heart of Beijing. The Memorial Hall of Chairman Mao Zedong dominates the square, and his enormous portrait hangs above the Gate of Heavenly Peace. Behind this gate lies the Forbidden City, where the Chinese emperors ruled their world in absolute isolation for centuries. The imperial palaces of the Ming and Qing Dynasties are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In the 15th century over one million workers built the 980 buildings, which until the last few decades was open to only the powerful rulers and their subjects. It is amazing to think that during this time in history we are privileged to see the interior. Look for evidence of the influences of Manchu Shamanism, in the Palace of Earthly Harmony; Taoist shrines in the imperial garden and the Inner Court; and Tibetan Buddhism in the Inner Court. If possible we’ll see the Pavilion of the Rain of Flowers. (L-D)
Overnight Beijing
June 1 Beijing
Monday
When one thinks of Beijing, the Great Wall immediately comes to mind. An optional (but free of charge) excursion to the most scenic section, Badaling, will be available for those who have not yet seen this world landmark. On the return drive, we’ll stop to see the Ming Tombs. There is no reason to go underground as the Museum at the top contains the most exquisite treasures. (B-L-D)
Overnight Beijing
June 2 Beijing
Tuesday
We’ll explore the religious history and impact of Buddhism and Confucianism with a visit to the recently popular Yonge Gong (Beijing Lama Temple), a Yellow Hat Tibetan Buddhist Complex where many faithful come to pray and light incense. The Lamasery contains an over 50 feet tall Buddha carved from a single sandalwood tree. Nearby is the beautiful and tranquil Kongmiao (Confucian Temple). No visit to Beijing now would be complete without seeing the 2008 Olympic Sites as final preparation is made for the Summer Games. (B-L-D)
Overnight Beijing
June 3 Beijing – Chengdu
Wednesday
Today we fly south to Chengdu, which is our gateway to Tibet. The ancient capital in Sichuan Province is known for the first use of natural gas (618 BC), birthplace of the tea culture, first relief printing system (680 AD), as well as spicy Sichuan food. In the afternoon visit Qing Yang Gong Taoist Temple (Grey Sheep Temple), dating from the Eastern Han Dynasty (25-220 AD). It is structured according to Ying and Yang philosophy with a Bronze incense burner at the entrance, where you can add your offerings. Here Lao Tzu, said to be the birthplace of the first patriarch of Taoism, preached the Way. Be sure to rub the noses of the Magic animal in front of the Hall of Three Purities. Relax over a cup of tea, a favorite Sichuan pastime.
An introduction to Qi Gong with Dr. Lu Li Jiang, medical Qi Gong instructor and clinician specializing in orthopedics is tentatively scheduled. (B-L-D)
Overnight Chengdu
June 4 Chengdu
Thursday
We won’t miss the opportunity to visit the Panda breeding center in Chengdu. Enjoy a walk through the bamboo forests and pause to watch the amusing and playful panda. In the afternoon, another opportunity for Qi Gong demonstrations with Dr. Lu Li Jiang is tentatively. (B-L-D)
Overnight Chengdu
June 5 Chengdu-Tibet
Friday
We’re off to Tibet, the Rooftop of the World! We’ll be on the first plane available to Tibet departing at 6:50 AM for Lhasa via CA4401 and arriving at 8:50 AM. Upon arrival at Tibet’s Gonggar Airport, you’ll immediately feel that you are at a high elevation of around two miles above sea level. We will take time to adjust to the altitude gradually. (B-L-D)
Overnight Tsedang
June 6 Tsedang
Saturday
We’ll spend an exciting day in Tsedang. After breakfast, we’ll head to the Samye Monastery—the first Buddhist monastery in Tibet. The buildings of the Samye Monastery are laid out in a Mandala depicting the structure of the universe. The exquisite murals and monks chanting in the background make this aged monastery even more mysterious. A climb up the hill above Samye will bring you to a view of the whole mandala from above. This will be an ideal place to meditate. (B-L-D)
Overnight Tsedang
June 7 Tsedang - Gyantze
Sunday
Today’s journey will begin just after breakfast when we board our coach and travel to the “hero city” of Gyantze. Here the Tibetans resisted the British siege of the Younghusband expedition in 1904, before being overcome. Travel along the comfortable and newly paved road, seeing Yamdrok Lake and enjoying a picnic lunch in a tranquil setting. Make a stop at the pilgrimage site of Palkhor Monastery (meaning lucky and happy monastery), where devotees make elaborately carved yak butter offerings. The architecture of the spectacular multi-tiered Kumbum stupa built in the 14th century, blends harmoniously with the temple. Among the thousands of statues and murals within (Kumbum literally mean 100,000 images), you’ll find Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, Vajras, Dharma Kings, Arhats, and Disciples. (B-L-D)
Overnight Gyantse
June 8 Gyantse - Shigatse
Monday
This morning we’ll depart from Gyantse for an hour-long scenic journey to Shigatse (in Han, Xigase), which once rivaled Lhasa for the political and spiritual control of Tibet. We’ll visit the Tashilhunpo Monastery (Heap of Glory Monastery), seat of the Panchen Lamas. Built in 1447, it is the head monastery of the Yellow Hat sect (Gelukgonpa). Today, it is one of Tibet’s most active monasteries. You can also browse the monastery market, see, and perhaps purchase a Tibetan hand woven carpet. (B-L-D)
Overnight Shigatse
June 9 Shigatse - Lhasa
Tuesday
We make the drive to Lhasa. After check in, proceed to the Jokhang Temple, home of the most precious Buddha image, the Sakyamuni Buddha (also Shakyamuni, sage of the Sakyas, the clan into which the Gautama Buddha was born). A memorable event will be to join in the circumambulation of Jokhang with those who have come on pilgrimage. You’ll have the opportunity to spend some time with the locals bargaining on Barkhor Street. (B-L-D)
Overnight Lhasa
June 10 Lhasa
Wednesday
This morning will be spent at the famous Potala Palace. One of the sites listed in 1,000 Places to See Before You Die, it has a colored history. Towering on its hill above Lhasa, the Potala Palace is said to have first been built by King Songzamgambu in the 7th century. A thousand years later, it was reconstructed by the order of the Fifth Dalai. As we explore inside the Palace, we’ll witness many frescoes, statues and fabulous jewels. Spend some time at the gift store where you may purchase hand painted thangkas.
After lunch, we will explore one of Tibet’s three largest monasteries, the Drepung Monastery, once the largest and wealthiest in Tibet. Built in 1416, the magnificent architecture is stunning. The monastery is so big that it resembles a town. The monastery consists of a number of grand halls chambers, and the Dalai Lamas’ palaces. Before he moved to the Potala Palace, the 5th Dalai Lama lived here. (B-L-D)
Overnight Lhasa
June 11 Lhasa
Thursday
This morning when we visit Sera Monastery, there is a chance you will hear the monks chanting and debating. In the afternoon we’ll visit the Tibetan Medical College, Institute of Tibetan Medicine and Tibetan library/healing center/pharmacy. And finally the Gandan Monastery. Celebrate our amazing journey tonight with your fellow travelers over a farewell dinner. (B-L-D)
Overnight Lhasa
June 12 Lhasa - Beijing
Friday
Transfer to the airport, an hour’s drive from Lhasa, and take the early morning flight CA4402 (9:00 AM) to Chengdu. We’ll have lunch at the airport hotel restaurant before connecting with CA4503 at 3:00 PM. Arrive in China’s capital city Beijing where we’ll be met and transferred to our hotel. (B-L-D)
Overnight Beijing
June 13 Beijing - Los Angeles
Saturday
We have the day in Beijing. Visit the Temple of Heaven and have some free time. Transfer to the airport for our trip home. Depart Beijing via Air China flight CA983 at 9:00 PM to Los Angeles arriving at 6:00 PM! We’ve just regained the day we lost en route. Welcome home!
(B and meals aloft)
Flight schedule always subject to change.
Foundation
