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Dream Journey 2008 Our 2008 Ning Yeh's China Tour will take place in late spring for two reasons: China is hosting the Olympics in the Summer, and we want to visit the Peony Festival in the ancient capital of Luoyang. There will be two main parts of this journey: an in-depth visit to the heartland of China in the north, and a rendezvous with the poetic charm of the dreamy south. |
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Glorious North The glorious Northern China will feature a pre-Olympic visit to Beijing. We will include sites where the opening celebration and main events of the Olympic games will be held. We will focus on the Eastern Yellow Plateau-today's Shanxi Province. With the Gobi Desert to its north, and encircled by the Yellow River, this land is the sedan chair that carried the seed of Chinese culture. The Mongol Topa Kingdom established its capital in Datung and ordered the construction of the Yungang Grottoes in 460AD. It housed over 100,000 Buddhist statues meticulously carved out of rocky cliff in 40 years by 3000 captured families from the Silk Road. The emperor decided to make an all out effort to be Chinese. These statues were simplified and had a down to earth look, wearing a smile. They were modeled after the emperor's image. The imperial order and the religious worship became one, providing the fundamental change of Buddhism taking roots in China. In old China, there were five holy mountains representing four corners of the kingdom, plus one in the middle. Our journey will include two of the five holy mountains. We will visit the spectacular Cliff Hanging Temple of the Holy North Mountain. In the canyon of the Golden Dragon, up on the Jade Screen cliff, two three storied temples stick out from the canyon wall - one thousand feet high. A flying rainbow bridge links the two temples, overlooking the Col River. We will be in three ancient capital cities. Besides Datung, there are Taiyuan and Luoyang. In Taiyuan, we will be in the gardens of the three thousand year old Jin Temple, built first in 1100 BC. Here is where we will find the heartland and origin of Chinese culture. There is a group of ageless cypress trees in the garden. These trees are the real reasons for me to visit this temple. Man, if you like to do trees, check these out. In Luoyang, we will study the second majestic cliff sculpture groupings where the Yi River cuts through the Dragon Gate (Longmen). In my red book, I did a painting of this magnificent place. This masterpiece took a continuous 400 years. Empress Wu built the biggest one among them. We will take part in the Peony Festival to enjoy hundreds varieties of China's national flower. The tree peony is Muh Dan in China. The flower symbolizes good fortune. It is the king among flowers. We will visit the Shaolin Temple, the origin of Chinese martial arts to see the scenery of Sung Mountain-the Middle Holy Mountain of China. |
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Romantic South China Both Lingchi and I came from south China. We will again enjoy a homecoming by going to Shangri-La by the incomparable Westlake. It has been two years since we last visited Yellow Mountain. We will enjoy its magic in springtime both on top of the mountain as well as in its charming villages. The true meaning of the charm of south China will be found in the little water towns, the Venice of the East, in the Yangtze delta. Our dream Journey in 2008 will end in Metropolitan Shanghai, with a visit to its fabulous museum and loads of shopping. |
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Glorious North Day 1 - Monday, 4/14 Los Angeles to Beijing Fly transpacific aboard United Airline's jetliner. Cross the International Date Line. You will lose one calendar day. Day 2 - Tuesday, 4/15 Arrive Beijing Upon your arrival in Beijing, you will be met and transferred to the Capital Hotel. Rest and have a simple dinner at hotel. Day 3 - Wednesday 4/16 Beijing AB L PD We will be painting at Ju Yun Gate of the Great Wall. This will be a once in a lifetime and proud moment. Liu Li Choon (art books, supplies, seals) in the afternoon. Special Peking Duck Dinner at hotel. Day 4 - Thursday 4/17 Beijing AB L HD Tian Men Square/Forbidden City. Optional tour to the Olympic site. Dinner at restaurant. The glorious Northern China will feature a pre-Olympic visit to Beijing. We will include sites where the opening celebration and main events of the Olympic games will be held. We will focus on the Eastern Yellow Plateau - today's Shanxi Province. With Gobi Desert to its north and encircled by the Yellow River, this land is the sedan chair that carried the seed of Chinese culture. Day 5 - Friday, 4/18 Beijing to Datong to Wutai AB L DH Today take an early morning flight to Datong. Arrive Datong, meet and transfer to the Hong An International Hotel (www.honganhotel.com) Early Flight to Eastern Yellow Plateau. Visit Mongol Topa Kingdom's Yungang Grottoes (460AD). It housed giant statues carve out of rocky cliff. Hua Yan Temple in Datung. Visit the spectacular Taoist Hanging Temple on the cliff of Heng Mt. Stay in Yinhai Hotel. The Mongol Topa Kingdom established its capital in Datung and ordered the construction of the Yungang Grottoes in 460AD. It housed over 100,000 Buddhist statues meticulously carved out of rocky cliff in 40 years by 3000 captured families from the Silk Road. The emperor decided to make an all out effort to be Chinese. These statues were simplified and had a down to earth look, wearing a smile. They were modeled after the emperor's image. The imperial order and the religious worship became one, provided the fundamental change of Buddhism taken roots in China. In old China, there were five holy mountains represented four corners of the kingdom, plus one in the middle. Our journey will include two of the five holy mountains. We will visit the spectacular Cliff Hanging Temple of the Holy North Mountain. In the canyon of Golden Dragon, up on the Jade Screen cliff, two three storied temples stuck out from the canyon wall thousand feet high. A flying rainbow bridge linked the two temples, overlooking the Col River. Day 6 - Saturday, 4/19 Wutai Mountain to Taiyuan AB L DH One of 4 Holy Buddhist Mountains in China. At the base of this snow-capped mountain is the giant white Dagoba Temple. Most stunning was the Bronze Hall. The entire structure was cast in bronze with thousands of sculptures lining the walls. The God of Wisdom was told to be here by a monk in India since the 1st century. Stay in World Trade Hotel. We will be in three ancient capital cities. Besides Datung, there are Taiyuan and Loyang. In Taiyuan, we will be in the gardens of the three thousand year old Jin Temple, built first in 1100 BC. Here is where we will find the heartland and origin of Chinese culture. There is a group ageless cypress trees in the garden. These trees are the real reasons for me to visit this temple. Man, if you like to do trees, check these out. |
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Day 7 - Sunday, 4/20 Taiyuan B L DH Visit Jin Memorial. Built by Jin state to honor its founder (1100 BC). This will be the oldest historical site of our trip. The current structure is only 900 years, but the trees planted here were ageless. The Immortal Spring flows through here. Finest iron and terracotta figures (550 AD) are found here. We will visit Chang Family Courtyard, famed by the film "Raise the Red Lantern"; Ancient town of Pingyao, a well preserved Han Dynasty city (206BC-220AD) with their old streets, houses and city walls intact; and Suanglin, where 2000 exquisite painted clay figurines are found dating from Song, Yuan, Ming, Qing dynasties. Many people paint there. Enjoy a special banquet of local flavor tonight. In Loyang, we will study the second majestic cliff sculpture groupings where the Yi River cut through the Dragon Gate (Longmen). In my red book, I did a painting of this magnificent place. This masterpiece took a continuous 400 years. Empress Wu built the biggest one among them. We will take part in the Peony Festival to enjoy hundreds varieties of this new China s national flower. The tree peony is Muh Dan in China. The flower symbolizes good fortune. It is the king among flowers. We will visit Shaolin Temple, to see the scenery of Sung Mountain-the Middle Holy Mountain of China. The Shaolin monks developed a long tradition in Chinese martial arts, we will see a demonstration by the master monks. The forest of dagobas is an awesome sight to see here. We will visit ancient cypress groups known as "Grand Generals," in the town of Dengfeng. Day 8 - Monday, 4/21 Taiyuan to Luoyang AB L DH This morning fly to Zhenzhou. Then drive from Zhenzhou to Luoyang (about 1.5 hours). Check in at the Huayang Plaza Hotel (www.huayanghotel.com). Afternoon attend the peony festival. Buffet dinner in the hotel. |
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Day 9 - Tuesday, 4/22 Luoyang AB L D Visit Lady Emperor Wu's masterpiece Giant Buddha at Longmen cliffs by the Yi River. The most gracefully elegant statues in China. Attend the Peony Festival in the afternoon. Special Banquet at night. Day 10 - Wednesday, 4/23 Luoyang to Hangzhou B L BD Visit Shaolin Temple. See the special sight of the Forest of Dagobas. 250 brick stupas in vermillion and beige of varying shapes, set against the cliffs of Song Mountain. Enjoy a famed martial art performance by master monks. Visit Shong Yang Traditional Library to study the ancient cypress groups "Grand General" in Dengfeng . Fly to Hangzhou. Check in the fabulous Shangri-la Hotel and enjoy the superb buffet dinner in the hotel. Romantic South China Day 11 - Thursday, 4/24 Hangzhou AB L DH Cruise the incomparable West Lake by sculling boat. Visit Flower Harbor Park and its peony garden. Go to Fuyang to make block prints and rice paper. Chinese dinner in the hotel. It has been two years since last time we visited Yellow Mountain. We will enjoy its magic in springtime both on top of the mountain as well as its charming villages. Day 12 - Friday, 4/25 Hangzhou to Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) AB L DH Drive to the foothill of Yellow Mountain. Stay in International Hotel in Tunxi. The charming ancient town where the first rice paper was made some 2000 years ago. The streets are filled with traditional structures untouched by modern world, famous for their product for equipment used in art studio, including ink stick and stones. The poetic mood of China is everywhere. Day 13 - Saturday, 4/26 Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) B L DH Take cable car from Taiping to go up to the top of Yellow Mountain. Full day sightseeing - the scenery that exemplifies the essence of Chinese painting: spectacular rocky peaks, spirited pine forests, crystal-clear mountain springs, and seas of cloud. Stay in Xihai Hotel. Day 14 - Sunday, 4/27 Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) B L DH Another full day of sightseeing at the top of Huangshan. Enjoy the panoramic vistas, inspiration for centuries of Chinese ink paintings and poetry. Day 15 - Monday, 4/28 Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) to Tunxi to Shanghai B LH D Late morning, take the cable car down the mountain. This afternoon, visit the ancient streets of the town of Tunxi, whose architecture is renowned throughout China. This evening, take a flight to Shanghai. Le Royal Meridien Shanghai. Day 16 - Tuesday, 4/29 Shanghai AB SL SD Sightsee the famous Bund, Shanghai Museum's exhibits of dynastic cultural artifacts and Old Town. Enjoy Shanghai Dim Sum lunch at the New Lvbolang restaurant. Special farewell dinner at Qiuping Tea Restaurant Day 17 - Wednesday, 4/30 Shanghai to San Francisco AB Fly home and cross the International Date Line and arrive home the same day. |
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Ning's Summary 2009
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