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We do not currently offer this tour or workshop.
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Buddhist Sacred Sites
Teachings of Empowerment & Wisdom
Day 1 / USA
Depart Los Angeles (LAX) and cross the Int'l Date Line.
Day 2 / Shanghai
Arrive in Shanghai and check into our hotel in the early evening.
Day 3 / Shanghai
Today we will have a very relaxed tour of beautiful cosmopolitan Shanghai, the Paris of Asia. Touring Nanjing Road, the world renowned Shanghai Museum and the historic Bund area during the afternoon. We will then make a visit to a Traditional Chinese Massage Clinic for foot and shoulder massage to help us recover from our jet lag. (all meals)
Day 4 / Shanghai - Chengdu
Morning travel and flight to Chengdu. Arrive in Chengdu and drive to see the world's largest statue of the Buddha, The Buddha of Leshan. Carved out of a hillside in the 8th century and looking down on the confluence of three rivers, truly an amazing wonder. We then visit the local temples and shops. Check into our lodgings, and have a relaxing dinner. (all meals)
Day 5 / Chengdu - Emei Shan
Visit Manjushri gardens, the very traditional Taoist temples of Qingcheng Shan, antique alley and a local bazaar for shopping. Early this evening we drive to Emei Shan for our two-night stay on this sacred mountain. (all meals)
Day 6 / Emei Shan
Our highlight today will be our full day at the great Buddhist sanctuary of Mount Emei, a pilgrims destination for centuries. During the ascent to the temples we will have time to enjoy the beautiful and majestic scenery. We will spend time with the local masters learning about Buddhism and the sacred practices that take place on Emei Shan. Overnight on the mountain in the guest quarters. (all meals)
Day 7 / Chengdu - Tibet
This morning you will fly over the panoramic Himalayan Mountain Range. We will drive to the fabled birthplace of Tibetan civilization, Tsedang. A typical rural monastery we will visit on the way is Gongkar Chode. This monastery has very interesting wall paintings depicting various heavenly scenes and Buddhist Deities. Our average altitude in Tibet, about 3,500 meters, is not much lower than Mont Blanc. This evening, therefore, we will do as little as possible to give our bodies time to adjust to the thin air. (Tsedang Hotel) (all meals)
Day 8 / Tibet
Our second day, although gentle, misses none of the nearby sights. Believed to have been built in the first century BC by a heavenly king, the ancient castle of Yumbu Lakang is posed dramatically over the fertile Tsedang valley. In the afternoon, we will visit the Valley of the Kings, which contains the burial mounds of past rulers. (all meals)
Day 9 / Tibet
Today, we drive to Tibet's third largest town, Gyantse. Traversing the Kamba La Mountain pass and skirting Yamdrok Lake we will enjoy breathtaking vistas across vertiginous, snow-capped mountain ranges and over wind-swept, steep-banked valleys. Upon arrival at Gyantse, we visit the beautiful Newari frescoes of the multi-storied Kumbum Stupa. (Gyantse Hotel) (all meals)
Day 10 / Tibet
We drive along the Gyantse plain, punctuated by pagoda-shaped telegraph poles, to Shigatse. Tibet's second largest town and the seat of the Panchen Lamas. This afternoon, we tour the raised chambers of the labyrinthine Tashilhunpo Monastery. We will have a chance to practice meditation and spend time with the local monks and teachers here. (Shigatse Hotel) (all meals)
Day 11 / Tibet
The day begins with a tour of the world famous Potola Palace- the trapezoidal, red and white Winter Palace that oversees the growing city of Lhasa beneath. Amazing as this is, the intensity of worship at the intimate Johkang Monestary the holiest of Tibetan temples, is still more so. We will spend time here meditating and studying with the local monks. After we visiting this unforgettable place, you will stroll on the Barkhor about the temple's circumference, meeting locals and feasting your eyes on some of the strangely clad clansmen from the outlying regions. (all meals)
Day 12 / Tibet
This day we visit Drepung and Sera Monasteries on Lhasa's outskirts. Once boasting thousands of monks these wealthy monasteries vied for power. Now operating once more, you will see young monks meditating and studying in the debating gardens and chanting halls. The rest of this day is left free to relax in the old Tibetan quarter of Lhasa. (all meals)
Day 13 / Tibet
This is our last day in Tibet. It is a free day. A day to wander and stroll about the old Tibetan quarter of Lhasa, visit the Potola Palace, Johkang Monestary, or do some last minute shopping for gifts to bring home. (all meals)
Day 14 / Tibet - Shanghai
Morning travel and flight to Shanghai. Arrive in Shanghai and transfer to our beautiful four star hotel. Taking time to relax from our journey we will take a trip to a Traditional Chinese Massage Center for much needed bodywork today. We will also visit the Longhua Temple, the oldest and largest Buddhist temple in the Shanghai area, built during the Song Dynasty. This evening we will take a magical cruise on the Huangpu River, enjoying the majestic lights and sights of Shanghai at night. (all meals)
Day 15 / Shanghai
Today we see the Jade Buddha Temple, which holds a majestic statue of Shakyamuni Buddha composed entirely of jade, sacred to most Chinese. We will also visit the beautiful Yu Yuen Garden. This evening we will see the world famous Shanghai Acrobat performance. Tonight will be our farewell dinner as we fondly remember our time in China. (all meals)
Day 16 / Shanghai - USA
Relaxing breakfast and then departure to the airport for our flight back to America, saying goodbye to beautiful China.
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