China Trip 2011
The trip will now take place from Saturday 2nd April to Saturday 15th April 2011.
For More Detail, Prices, Booking Form and Costs Please Contact-
Graham Horwood A Visa for China is obligatory c.£65, details of how to obtain will be posted on to the site soon.
Day 1 Depart London Heathrow - Flight to Hong Kong via Dohar
Day 2 Arrive Hong Kong. Met on arrival and transfer to Hotel
Day 3 Free day (Breakfast)
Day 4 Free day (B)
Day 5 Free day (B)
Day 6 Transfer to airport for flight to Xi'an. Met on arrival and transfer to Xi'an Hotel (4 star) (Breakfast)
Day 7 Travel by coach to Huashan. Transfer to Yinhe Hotel (3 star) (B)
Day 8 Free day with local guide service (B)
Day 9 Free day with local guide service (B)
Day 10 Free day with local guide service (B)
Day 11 Free day with local guide service (B)
Day 12 Transfer to Xi'an airport for flight to Hong Kong. Connect directly to flight to London Heathrow,
arriving early morning of Day 13
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To obtain a Chinese visa please visit:
For More Detail, Prices, Booking Form and Costs Please Contact-
Graham Horwood *************
HONG KONG
The trip will be a balance of Eastern delights, both ancient and modern; starting with Hong Kong being an exotic gateway to China with a hint of its past colonial influence. Exciting and interesting with spectacular sights to be enjoyed including the high rise buildings and the traditional areas around the port and the bay; also a chance to visit the well preserved temples and shrines offset by the unique consumer shopping in the super malls or the more interesting markets and shops of the older quarters. Transport is much easier, modern and convenient than Shanghai and Beijing.
The famous Star Ferry
The ferry besides being a convenient way to cross Victoria Harbour between Kowloon and Hong Kong Islands to explore the offshore delights, allows one to take in the sights of the bay including the sampans and the plentiful water life.
The Tian Tan Buddha on Lantau Island near the Po Lin monastery
Unique and reliable transport is a legacy of the colonial past
The hustle and bustle of a Hong Kong Market
There are several dedicated shopping where one can haggle the price of traditional Chinese goods, clothes as well as modern consumer gadgets at reasonable prices.
Hopewell Centre and the 66 Restaurant
The building has a revolving Restaurant which serves a first class blend of Oriental and Western cuisine at reasonable prices. Another way to digest the diversity and splendour of Hong Kong .
A view from The Victoria 'Peak'
The peak is an area above Hong Kong with fantastic views, eateries and of course shopping, worth an outing.
For More Detail, Prices, Booking Form and Costs Please Contact-
Graham Horwood
XIAN CITY & The infamous Terracotta Warriors
The fortified city of Xian is the original capital of China set up by the despotic ruler Huangdi who subdued the Warring states in the second century BCE, enforcing the one state of Chin (central land). Here one can visit the ancient citadel, specatcular bell tower and old markets as well as the astounding collection of Terracotta Warriors, horses, chariots and weapons, near the tomb of Hungdi the first emperor of China, nearby.
There are in excess of 40,000 terracotta warriors so far discovered with several more pits to be excavated. Each face and body are unique, modelled on existing soldiers of the time.
A proud looking officer.
A set of horses and a chariot re-assembled after being buried for over two thousand years.
HUA SHAN
Entrance to Hua Shan
Now to the esoteric, Hua Shan has been a destination for thousands of years to restore mind, body and spirit. The mountains have a mystical and intruiging feel not only due to its situation but as a spiritual enclave.
Huashan Mountain, also called "Xianren (celestial being) Mountain", is also called 'pay laiz' in the language of the Zhuang Peoples, which means a mountain with colorful paintings. It is a mountain of many peaks where the dramatic ridges undulate in unique and spectacular scenery. Hua Shan is one of the five sacred Taoist Mountains of China specialising in healing as well as Tai Chi, Chi Kung, and many Taoist health arts and disciplines as well as the esoteric. The I Ching and Nei Ching were studied and edited here at this centre of learning.
The Tomb of Huo Tuo one of China's most famous Healers
One of China's greatest Medics practiced medicine martial arts and was laid to rest at Hua Shan. He was an historical doctor who also founded many disciplines including the Five Animal Frolics which are the basis of many Taoist forms that mimicked the healing rituals of animals. These were therapeutic drills devised by Hua Tuo who lived at the time of the Han Dynasty (around 200 ad). His calisthenics are somtimes known as “animal frolics,” Wu Quin Xi, “five animal play.” He had observed that creatures possess qualities that, if imitated, will enhance an individual’s health. Hua Tuo also noticed that certain animals naturally perform movements to stay alert, fit, and healthy for survival purposes, using their instinctual chi. The creatures he observed in particular were the tiger stretching out its limbs; a deer extending its neck and head; a bear crouching, then extending up to its full height on two legs; and the movements of birds flapping their wings on the ground and in the air. All of these are incorporated in the Tai Chi form; for example, in the central route the “bird” postures evolved into the “crane” kicking sequence of the Original Yang Style. These also filtered into Wu Hsing I and Pa Qua Chang.
100 year old monk (2007)
Rock paintings 2500 years old
Besides the spectacular mountain and devotional structures of Hua Shan, there are the mysterious rock paintings which were painted many years ago covering an area of of about 8000 square meters. There are still about c.1900 images in about 110 groups, it is surprising that they are still visible and often discernible.
The paintings depict people barefooted, in a half squat with hands raised and knees bent, along with images of horses, dogs, pots, knives, swords, dials, ships, roads and the sun, etc.
The many pictures reflect the ancient social activities of the disappeared Luoyue people. The Huashan Mountain rock paintings (including the Zuojiang River rock paintings) have survived many troubled, historical eras including the Warring States, the Western Han and the Eastern Han dynasties.
The Amazing Rock Paintings from 500 BCE
Southern Peak
Hua Shan Peaks
The Blue Dragon Way
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For More Detail, Prices, Booking Form and Costs Please Contact-
Graham Horwood