The Tao of Faith - China's Religious Traditions (2010)
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Itinerary
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- Days 1-2: USA or Canada/Shanghai, China
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Board an overnight flight bound for Shanghai. Once the great treaty port known as the "Paris of the East," Shanghai continues to be China's most cosmopolitan and innovative urban center.
The Peninsula Shanghai - Day 3: Shanghai
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After breakfast, meet your Tour Director Gerald for a briefing and a short discussion on the rich religious and philosophical traditions that have shaped the Chinese experience in the past and present. Then join Patrick Cranley, a respected Shanghai historian and prominent business personality, for a morning orientation that traces the development of Shanghai and touches on one of the city's most remarkable and intriguing religious experiences: the Jewish community that flourished in Shanghai from the late 19th century through the end of World War II. Afterward, visit Xintiandi, a charming city-center plaza of restored buildings and spacious courtyards with an intriguing array of shops, bars and restaurants. After lunch, continue to the Shanghai Museum to meet with a former curator and leading expert in antiquities for a private tour. The museum houses an impressive collection of some 120,000 art treasures. At this evening's welcome dinner, Tour Director Gerald gives a talk on the three main waves of Jewish migration into the city and the remarkable legacy left by these distinctive communities.
The Peninsula Shanghai B L D - Day 4: Shanghai
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Discover China's Buddhist heritage when you visit the historic Longhua Temple, housing a magnificent collection of ancient sculptures, exquisite sutras (scriptures) and seals. Among the most important images are those dedicated to Maitreya, the future Buddha. Continue to the early 17th-century Xu Jia Hui Catholic Cathedral (St. Ignatius Cathedral), the oldest church in the city. Jesuit priests who journeyed to China to seek a foothold for Catholicism founded the church and exchanged ideas with the ruling emperors. Always respectful of knowledge, the imperial household held the Jesuits in high regard and invited many to serve as advisors at court. Then visit the White Cloud Temple to learn about Daoism, the one original Chinese belief system. Daoism is steeped in mysticism and a reverence for the natural order, seeking to find harmony in nature. After lunch, view a collection of Chinese antiques and contemporary paintings in a private home in the former French Concession. Dinner this evening is at M on the Bund, the city's most popular Western restaurant.
The Peninsula Shanghai B L D - Day 5: Shanghai/Zhengzhou
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Fly to Zhengzhou, where more than 6,000 years of cultural history have been played out in and around the city. After lunch, embark on a city tour that takes you to the Henan Provincial Museum. Its vast collections include Neolithic tools and pottery, oracle bones, Yangshao and Longshan culture works, Xia and Shang bronzes, Zhou period jades and Han Dynasty funerary objects. In the theater next door, see a performance featuring ancient Chinese musical instruments — some that are more than 3,000 years old.
The Yu Da Palace Hotel B L D - Day 6: Zhengzhou/Dengfeng County/Zhengzhou
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Travel to Dengfeng County, the location of the sacred Daoist mountain Songshan, the "central pillar holding up the world." It is also home of the Shaolin Temple, the Chan sect Buddhist temple that is known for Shaolin wushu, the martial arts practiced by the fighting monks. This rich tradition, which dates back more than 500 years, has drawn legions of followers from around the world who come on a pilgrimage to the birthplace of modern martial arts. Explore the temple complex and then watch a private performance of martial arts by a local wushu school.
The Yu Da Palace Hotel B L D - Day 7: Zhengzhou/Kaifeng/ Zhengzhou/Xian
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This morning, visit the ancient city of Kaifeng, renowned in recent years as the home of China's only true Jewish community. During the reign of the Northern Song, Jewish traders from central Asia took up residence in the city. Because of their contribution to the community, the emperor bestowed upon them the use of seven Chinese surnames that would forever be identified as being Jewish. Meet a Jewish family in their home and listen to a talk on the history, problems and hopes of this remarkable community. Later this afternoon, fly to Xian. This evening, dine à la carte at your hotel.
Shangri-La Hotel, Xian B L D - Day 8: Xian
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The discovery of the Terra Cotta Warriors and Horses was one of the greatest archaeological finds of the 20th century. This morning, listen as Gerald discusses the history of the Xian region and the remarkable legacy of the excavation. Then explore the site, which includes three dig "pits" and the Bronze Chariot Hall. Although it is just a portion of a greater funerary site that has the tomb and satellite tombs of the first emperor of the Qin Dynasty and his retinue, the current dig is made up entirely of military figures. These are said to represent a classic example of secondcentury BC Chinese military might. After lunch, wander through Xian's Great Mosque, a fusion of traditional Chinese temple architecture and Persian and Arabian embellishments, and meet its current imam. From there, visit the Shaanxi Provincial Museum that houses a remarkable series of colorful royal funerary murals excavated from three imperial Tang tombs dating to the early eighth century.
Shangri-La Hotel, Xian B L D - Day 9: Xian/Taiyuan/Pingyao
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When road workers struck into a cache of terra cotta funerary objects in 1990, they discovered the burial ground for the fourth emperor of the Western Han Dynasty. This became the Yangling Museum, containing more than 10,000 tombs of different sizes and importance. Visit the museum and see some of the 100,000 artifacts and treasures that have been uncovered so far. Afterward, fly to Taiyuan, the gateway to the historic wonder of Pingyao. Stop at the Jinci complex of temples and shrines en route to Pingyao and your hotel in the historic district, established in the former courtyard home of a wealthy Qing Dynasty silk merchant.
Jing Residence B L D - Day 10: Pingyao
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UNESCO and the Chinese government have taken great efforts to preserve Pingyao's stately brick architecture, set within a magnificent city wall. Spend the day visiting the town's major historic sites: the Daoist Temple, the first merchant bank in China, the Yamen's quarters, the Buddhist Temple and the ancient battlements that line the city wall.
Jing Residence B L D - Day 11: Pingyao/Taiyuan/Beijing
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Fly to Beijing, the cultural and historic heart of modern China. Beijing's warren of traditional hutongs (alleys), city markets and charming art shops help it retain elements of its imperial heritage. After lunch, join a resident architect for an architectural tour, beginning at the Urban Planning Exhibition Center and continuing to various neighborhoods that have established Beijing as "the city of many villages."
The St. Regis Beijng B L D - Day 12: Beijing
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The Forbidden City was once the imperial residence of the emperors and their families. Today it is the National Palace Museum, with halls and galleries that you can explore. You also have special access to Yang Xin Dian and Chong Hua Gong, two halls that are normally closed to the public. Continue to Tiananmen Square, the world's largest public plaza. After lunch, visit Yonghe Gong, a Tibetan Buddhist temple, and the Temple of Confucius that is now the Capital Museum.
The St. Regis Beijng B L - Day 13: Beijing
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The Great Wall winds its way through the high peaks of the Yan Mountains. Its magnificent vistas and solitude evoke the grandeur and dazzling achievement of 5,000 years of Chinese civilization. Drive to the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall for stunning views of the surrounding countryside. After lunch, return to the city to visit Beitang, the Catholic cathedral that played a prominent role in the 1900 Boxer Rebellion. Gather tonight for a farewell dinner at your hotel.
The St. Regis Beijng B L D - Day 14: Beijing/USA or Canada
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Board your international departure flight.
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