China Study Tour 2013 Itinerary
*This itinerary is based on the information we have currently available, but is subject to change. Please
contact Julie Aziz, Student Services and Career Specialist, for questions or concerns.
FIRST 4 DAYS IN BEIJING
The tour of Beijing will include Beijing Tian’anmen Square, the Forbidden City, and the Summer Palace.
Also, there will be a full day excursion to the Great Wall and Ming Tombs, and an outside view of the
Bird Nest Stadium and Water Aquatic Center.
CHENGDU
WELCOME CEREMONY CHENGDU
Morning: Official Welcome Ceremony hosted by the President, Vice-President, teachers and translators
of Chengdu University. Campus tour & orientation.
Week 1
STUDY AT CHENGDU
First week of training and study at the University. Students may study in departments of their choosing.
Acupuncture, Herbs and Tuina are available. Seminars are scheduled in the afternoons, four days a
week. Students may meet specialists in a wide range of areas such as pediatrics, internal medicine,
dermatology, gynecology and orthopedics. Expert faculty members will offer clinical theatre-like
discussions and special seminars. Evenings are free for students to explore Chengdu.
Saturday
A University bus will take students to visit Qingchen (Green City) Mountain, long considered the cradle
of Taoism, as Zhang Daoling, the founder of Taoism, once taught here. We’ll also visit Du River Dam,
constructed more than 2000 years ago.
Sunday
Free day or visit the antique market and the Chinese painting market. Possible visit to the Sichuan
Opera, home of the famous face-changing artists (optional).
Week 2
STUDY AT CHENGDU
Second week of training and study at the University. Morning: Students may again elect where they wish
to learn and will be able to assist in treatment, as well as observe. Afternoon: TCM seminars on
acupuncture and Chinese herbal treatment of diseases, four days a week.
Saturday
A University bus will take students to visit Hehuachi (Lotus Pond), the largest herbal market in China.
Students will be introduced to many different herbs and shown how to distinguish quality levels. This is
an excellent place to identify and purchase herbs (note: you may not be able to take some kinds of herbs
back to the USA, so check with US customs before you purchase herbs).
Sunday
Either free day or visit Wuhou Si Temple or the Giant Panda Preserve (optional).
Week 3
STUDY AT CHENGDU
Third week of training and study in areas of specialization. This may include study at the inpatient
department of the teaching hospital. Afternoon seminars are scheduled four days a week.
Week 4
MOUNT EMEI
A University bus will take students to nearby Leishan (Happy Mountain) to see Lingyun temple, Wuyou
temple and Leishandafu (the largest standing Buddha in the world). Leishan is Dr. Wu’s hometown and
the site of an extensive collection of quartz crystals. Later that day, we will arrive at Mount Emei where
we will practice Qigong and meditation. Emeishan (High Eyebrow Mountain), the highest of the four
sacred Buddhist mountains of the Middle Kingdom, was once home to some 70 temples of which a few
still remain. We will practice at Mount Emei for the remainder of the week. The University is
responsible for the group and will provide teachers and translators. Those who wish may make the
optional climb to the Summit where, if you are lucky, you will have a chance to see the Buddha’s image
in the sunshine over the famous “Ocean Of Clouds” when the morning sun rises.
A University bus will return the group to Chengdu. Free day to rest or explore the city. Local Chinese
students will be available to greet and assist us.
Last day in Chengdu
CLOSING CEREMONY (evening)
Celebrate at the final ceremony & closing banquet. Farewell to our hosts, teachers, translators and new
friends. Students receive certificates of coursework completion.
Students will then either return to the United States, or can choose to attend the Tibet tour (or another
tour if the Tibet tour is not available).
TIBET/BORDERLANDS DRAFT ITINERARY
*This information is taken directly from the travel agent, and is subject to change.
Glimpse Tour of Lhasa and Shigatse
Highlights: Visit Lhasa and Shigatse via Yamdrok Yumtso Lake & Gyantse
Experiences:
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One week Tibet tour with the cultures and natures in Lhasa & Shigatse
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Visit main sites in Lhasa, Gyantse and Shigatse
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Excursion at Yamdrok Yumtso Lake, one of three scared lakes in Tibet
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Gain the insight into the ancient Tsang regions
Duration: 5 Nights & 6 Days
Tour Overview:
The tour covers Lhasa and Shigatse, two cultural parts of the heart of Tibet and Tsang. Besides the
activities in Lhasa, you will visit Shigatse, the second largest town of Tibet. You will pass by Gyantse,
explore this tiny but typical Tibetan town, the devotional Tibetan pilgrims and the green farmland
scenery surrounded. Pelkhor Chode and Kumbum Pagoda will be also not missed. One of the most
important highlights is Yamdrok Yumtso Lake, where you will enjoy its breathtaking beauties merging
with the snow-capped mountains and Karola Glaciers along the 30km lake shores. Although the tour is
short, it is actually relaxed for day by day activities, which gives you sufficient time to gain the
knowledge of each highlight and gives you photography time along the way; when you return to Lhasa
from Shigatse, it even leaves you some spare time for more free explorations in Lhasa.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 01: Flight to Lhasa from Chengdu
Morning, we will pick you up in your hotel and transfer to Chengdu airport, where you will take the
morning flight to Lhasa. Lhasa is the capital city of Tibet, and boasts Holy City and Sunny City too. Upon
arrived at Lhasa Gongga Airport or the Lhasa Train Station, our local guide and driver will pick you up
there with Tibetan style welcome by presenting the white Khatag (a thin, long and white scarves that
Tibetan and Mongolian present for welcome and farewell, gifts, worship and the other etiquettes). Then
drive to Lhasa downtown and check in the hotel located at Barkhor quarter. Rest time is free for plateau
acclimation or leisure walking around. Dinner will be served as the welcome dinner, with Tibetan food
during Tibetan singing and dancing performances.
Day 02: Lhasa Sightseeing
After got one night good acclimation for the altitude, we start our Lhasa explorations today. In order to
avoid suffering from the altitude sickness, Potala Palace is recommended to be visited next day in Lhasa
due to its highest position. Today morning you will first visit Norbulingka Summer Palace, which is
located in the western suburb of Lhasa. Norbulingka, literally meaning “Jewel Garden”, was the summer
palace for the Dalai Lamas. The palaces are shaded by the flourish and green trees, the murals on the
main hall’s walls show a long history here. Later we drive to visit Drepung Monastery, which is the most
important monastery of Gelugpa sect. in Tibet. Built in 1416, Drepung Monastery gains the name of
“Heap of Rice” due to its white structure appearance. The monastery has a large collection of historical
relics and Buddhist scriptures. Then we visit Sera Monastery, one of the three largest monasteries in
Lhasa. Except the treasures and well-preserved original murals in the monastery, you will also have a
great chance to view the heated scriptural debates of the monks.
Day 03: Lhasa Sightseeing
Morning we can’t wait to visit the Potala Palace, the world's highest construction. With the 13 stories
and 119 meters in height, Potala Palace is composed by the two parts of the White Palace and the Red
Palace with the different functions. The White one is used for Dalai Lamas’ living, working and studying.
The Red one consists mainly of various chapels and stupas. After lunch, we will drive or walk to visit
Jokhang Monastery, which is located in the heart of Lhasa’s old section of Barkhor. Built in seventh
century, Jokhang Monastery is the oldest monastery and is the earliest timber construction in Tibet. It is
also the spiritual focus for the Tibetans, where you can see the most devotional pilgrims and worships
from morning till dark. Encircling of the Jokhang, here is Barkhor Street, which the pilgrims are walking
around the temple for centuries already. In this crowding medieval street, the old bazaar is bustling with
the masses of stores and shops, Thangka (Tibetan Painting), clothes, jewelry, antiques, prayer flags,
Nepali and Indian merchandises and other Tibetan daily stuffs are sold here. Visit Mentsekhang, Tibet’s
traditional medicine hospital.
Day 04: Drive to Shigatse via Yamdrok Yumtso Lake & Gyantse
After breakfast, drive out of Lhasa to Shigatse via Yamdrok Yumtso Lake and Gyantse. You will pass by
Chuchui and Gangpa La Pass (4,990m). At this Pass, the indescribably beautiful Yamdrok Yumtso Lake
will first come into the eyesight, which is 4,441 meters above the sea level and is one of three sacred
lakes in Tibet. Excursion at the long lake side, visit such turquoise lake surrounded by Mt.
Nyinchenkhasa, Mt. Chetungsu and Mt. Changsamlhamo. Later you will pass through Karola Glaciers
(5,030m), which is part of the Mt. Nojin Kangtsang (7,191m) and is one of the glaciers closest to the
highway. Then we will visit Gyantse, a small and simple town with more than 600 years history. Visit
Pelkhor Chode and Kumbum Pagoda, a remarkable monastery coexisting three Tibetan Buddhism sects
of Gelugpa, Sakyapa and Kahdampa and its pagoda consists of hundreds of chapels with shapes of iconic
religious figures in layers. With extra 1.5 hours driving, we will arrive at today’s destination Shigatse, the
second largest city of Tibet, its history could be traced back to more than 500 years. Explore the town
and the interesting local market.
Day 05: Drive back to Lhasa
Morning, transfer to visit Tashilumpo Monastery, the seat of Panchen Lhama. It has an impressive scale
and retains the highest gilded bronze statue of Champa Buddha in the world. Visit the monastery and
Kora it by following with the local Tibetans. After visiting, we drive back to Lhasa via the northern route.
Rest time in Lhasa is free leisure. You can have the last chance to explore of Lhasa old section, swept
around in that exotic quarter of Barkhor, or do nothing but hang out yourself for a cup of café in the
small restaurant and enjoy the great sunshine on the roof of the world.
Day 06: Fly back to Chengdu