THE ORIENTAL CERAMIC SOCIETY OF HONG KONG LIMITED
OCS Tour of the Buddhist Grottoes of Gansu and Ningxia Thursday 20 August to Friday 28 August 2009
The OCS is delighted to announce our upcoming trip to the Buddhist grottoes of Gansu and Ningxia provinces. With the expert guidance of Dr. Wei Wenbin of the Maijishan Research Institute the highlight of the tour will be visits to the important Buddhist sites at Maijishan (麦积山石窟 ), Binglingsi (炳靈寺) and Xumishan (須彌山). Our tour leader, Dr. Wei Wenbin, was born in Dingxi, Gansu Province, and has a Master’s degree from Peking University, where he studied archaeology and history, and a PhD degree from Lanzhou University, where he did research on Dunhuang. Dr. Wei has held posts in various organizations including the Archaeological Research Institute and the Bureau of Cultural Relics, Gansu Province. He is currently the deputy director of the Maijishan Grottoes Art Research Institute; executive secretary of the Gansu Dunhuang Society; secretary of the Gansu History Society; secretary of the Chongqing Dazu Rock Carvings Research Institute; and vice president of the Maijishan Grottoes Art Research Society, amongst other positions. He is active in archaeological excavations and research in Buddhist art. Dr. Wei is the author of The 169 Grottoes at Maijishan and over 50 academic papers.
The Maijishan Grottoes in Tianshui, Gansu province, are set amid steep cliffs and dense forest. They comprise 194 caves containing over 7,200 Buddhist sculptures and over 1,000 square metres of murals dating from the Later Qin era (384–417 CE) to the Qing dynasty (1644–1911). With the expert guidance of Professor Wei, who knows the grottoes well, we will learn about the evolution and development of Buddhism at this important site.
The Bingling Temple or “Binglingsi” is remote, being carved into natural caves in a canyon along the Yellow River. The site can only be reached by boat along the Yellow River from Yongjing in the summer and autumn. The grottoes date from 420 CE at the end of the Western Jin Dynasty, with grottoes being added up to the Qing dynasty. Stylistically and geographically, the art of Binglingsi comes between that of the monumental Buddhas of Bamiyan in Afghanistan and the Yungang Grottoes near Datong in Shanxi province, and that of the Longmen Grottoes near Luoyang in Henan province. Although Binglingsi has suffered damage over the years, 183 caves, 694 stone statues and 82 clay sculptures remain. Wooden walkways lead to hidden cliff-side caves and the giant Maitreya Buddha that stands over 27 metres tall.
The Xumishan Grottoes date from the fifth to the tenth centuries. Located in China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, Xumishan occupies an important point on the Silk Road. Carved out of red sandstone, the grottoes comprise approximately 130 grottoes covering five dynasties, from the Northern Wei (386–534 CE) to the Tang (618–906 CE). Although damaged over the years, around 10 percent of the caves remain in good condition. The construction of the caves reveals both Indian and Central Asian influences. The most prominent statue is that of a 65-foot figure of Maitreya, the Buddha of the future. Maitreya can be found throughout Xumishan's grottoes.
The trip will also include visits to several museums that have important collections. The Gansu Provincial Museum is best known for its important collection of Neolithic painted pottery and Han dynasty bronzes, including the flying horse from Wuwei. The Shaanxi Historical Museum was conceived by Zhou Enlai and was the first museum to be built with modern facilities. It traces the history of Shaanxi from the prehistoric period through its height during the Tang period when Chang’an was the capital of the empire. Some of the most noteworthy items, such as gold and silver objects, tomb paintings and an agate cup with an animal head, date to the Tang. The Guyuan Museum also houses an important collection of artefacts that relate to the history of Ningxia province, and its unique location on the Silk Road, including the mysterious Tangut (Xixia ) period.
Itinerary
Day 1 Hong Kong to Xi’an (MU 1800/2020) Thursday, 20 August 2009 Overnight in Xi’an
Day 2 Xi’an to Lanzhou Friday, 21 August 2009 Gansu Provincial Museum Baitashan Park Waterwheel Museum Yellow River Mother Yellow River iron bridge Overnight in Lanzhou
Day 3 Liujiaxia Gorge Saturday, 22 August 2009 Binglinsi grottoes Overnight in Lanzhou
Day 4 Wushan water curtain cave grottoes Sunday, 23 August 2009 Overnight in Tianshui
Day 5 Maijishan grottoes Monday, 24 August 2009 Overnight in Tianshui
Day 6 Tianshui, Dadiwan prefecture Tuesday, 25 August 2009 Guyuan Museum Overnight in Guyuan
Day 7 Xumishan grottoes Wednesday, 26 August 2009 Pingliang Museum Jinchuan, Wangmugong grottoes South caves Overnight in Qingyang
Day 8 North caves Thursday, 27 August 2009 Great Buddhist Temple of Bin County Overnight in Xi’an
Day 9 Shaanxi Museum (or Forest of Steles) Friday, 28 August 2009 Xi’an to Hong Kong (MU 203 1420/1700)
Trip Cost HK$13,000 per person (twin sharing) based on 16 participants. Single supplement HK$2,500.
Deposit $5,000 due upon application. Balance due upon space confirmation.
Cancellation Policy:
Notice received (Days prior to tour) Cancellation charges More than 30 days Deposit 16-30 days 50% of tour fare 8-15 days 75% of tour fare Within 7 days 100% of tour fare
Remarks:
The tour price includes economy class group air tickets as shown on the itinerary; handling of one piece of luggage of not more than 20 kg per person; 8 nights standard accommodation, double occupancy; meals as per itinerary (8 breakfasts, 8 lunches and 8 dinners); English speaking escort from Hong Kong and/or English speaking local guide throughout the tour; 0.3% Travel Industry Council Levy; Group Travel Insurance of 100,000 per person; sight seeing program as per itinerary by tourist coach; basic gratuity to drivers, escort and/or local guide; and a $1,000 donation to the OCS. The price does not include the cost of visa (if required), excess baggage charges (if any); personal expenses such as wine, mineral water, laundry, room services, telephone, etc.; extra meals and accommodation expenses resulting from delays caused by bad weather conditions or any other circumstances beyond the control of the tour operator; extraneous charges for optional tours other than those stated in the itinerary; personal travel insurance. The fare is based on a minimum of 16 participants, and the trip is limited to 20 participants. Should the group fall below that number, the fare will be increased. The fare is based on prices as of June 2009. In the event of an increase in charges by airlines, hotels or other suppliers, the cost will be passed on to participants. All arrangements are subject to change and the tour may be cancelled in the case of unforeseen circumstances. The Oriental Ceramic Society of Hong Kong Limited (OCS) and its officers, directors, employees and members shall not be liable to the participant for: (1) any injury, damages, death, loss, accident or delay to persons or property directly or indirectly attributable or arising out of or in relation to this tour and (2) any refund due to cancellation of this tour or portion thereof unless such refund is received by the OCS from the tour operator.
REGISTRATION FORM
I wish to participate in the OCS trip to China, 20 – 28 August 2009.
Name (as it appears on travel document):………………………………………………….
Address…………………………………………………………………………………..…
Telephone:………………………………Fax:…….……………………………………….
Travel document number………………………… □ Please reserve a single room for me.
I enclose herewith my deposit of HK$5000 payable to The Oriental Ceramic Society of Hong Kong Limited (cheque number……………………………..)
I also enclose herewith a copy of my travel document.
I understand the terms and conditions outlined above.
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To be mailed to: May Lau 18 Pottinger Street 2/F Hong Kong