Northern Yunnan: the Tea & Horse Caravan
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NORTHERN YUNNAN: THE TEA & HORSE CARAVAN OCTOBER 2018 PREPARED BY THE HUTONG FOR: THE BRITISH SCHOOL OF BEIJING KEY CONCEPTS TEAM BUILDING ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY AND DEVELOPMENT Our aim is to help students develop leadership, communication, and The program offers students’ first-hand experiences with Yunnan’s interpersonal skills under challenging circumstances while also improving biologically diverse environment. Students will participate in a variety of their understanding of team dynamics. The Hutong’s carefully planned hands-on, strategically engineered activities that will get them critically outdoor activities, will test students’ abilities to work effectively as a analyzing various threats posed to the region’s natural environment. team. In order to successfully participate in and complete the course, Students will also assess a range of sustainable solutions to these students must work together and collaborate effectively. By the end of challenges. By the end of the program students will be able to recognize the program they will understand and be able to identify the benefits distinct features of the region’s biodiversity, as well as thoughtfully and challenges of TRUE collaboration. evaluate the impact of human activity and the importance of sustainable development in Yunnan. PHYSICAL CHALLENGE CULTURAL IMMERSION AND PRESERVATION Our aim is to offer students a rewarding physical challenge that pushes personal and physical growth. The Yunnan Adventure will test their tenacity Throughout the program students will be participating in a range of and move them beyond their perceived comfort zones, all in the spirit of carefully selected, meaningful cultural activities, all with the purpose of a safe, controlled and mediated adventure. Yunnan province has some of immerse students in the unique cultures of the region. Students will also the most spectacular, rugged and underrated scenery in all of China and experience up close how different groups have coexisted and prospered students will try their hands at a number of different outdoor challenges for centuries. Moreover students will learn about efforts by local, national, throughout the program. By the end of the program students will have and global organization to preserve the region’s cultural heritage. By the developed a greater appreciation for and ability to exert themselves end of the program students will have an increased appreciation of the physically, mentally and emotionally. similarities and differences in contrasting human cultures, as well as a greater sense of global awareness and international mindedness. NORTHERN YUNNAN 2018 2 DESTINATION: NORTHERN YUNNAN The Hutong’s Tea Horse Caravan program brings students on an exploration of the misty mountains, gaping gorges, and colorful cultures of Northern Yunnan. Located on the threshold of the Himalayas, visitors are treated to some of the most spectacular mountain scenery in the world. For centuries the rugged terrain shielded local people from the Han dominated empires of China’s past, resulting in a host of vibrant ethnic minority groups each with its own language, cuisine, distinctive form of dress, festivals, and belief systems. Our adventure will have students tackling the arduous terrain and interacting with the local communities. Each day, students will have the opportunity to participate in carefully designed activities that are sure to bring new challenges, new flavors, new stories, and new friends. From the breathtaking views of Tiger Leaping Gorge to friendly villagers around Shaxi, students are sure to experience China like never before and take home a new, unique perspective of the Middle Kingdom. NORTHERN YUNNAN 2018 3 ITINERARY & DAILY SCHEDULE GROUP A Meals provided indicated in schedule as Breakfast (B), Lunch (L), and Dinner (D) DAY LOCATION ACTIVITIES 10/14 Beijing - Lijiang Afternoon Take afternoon flight to Lijiang Accommodation: Evening Hotel Hotel check in Lijiang Old Town Dinner Program Introduction Meals: D 10/15 Lijiang - Tiger Morning Leaping Gorge Breakfast and checkout Transfer to Tiger Leaping Gorge (approx 2.5 hours) Begin Tiger Leaping Gorge trek Accommodation: Guesthouse Afternoon Lunch at a local Naxi guesthouse Continue Tiger Leaping Gorge trek including 28 bends Meals: B, L, D Check into guesthouse Clean-up and showers Evening Dinner Evening games and reflections 10/16 Tiger Leaping Gorge Morning - Shaxi Local breakfast Continue Tiger Leaping Gorge trek from guesthouse Accommodation: Guesthouse Afternoon Complete Tiger Leaping Gorge trek Meals: B, L, D Late Lunch Transfer to Shaxi village (approx. 2 hours) Check-in to homestay in Shaxi Old Town Clean up and explore village Evening Dinner Reflections NORTHERN YUNNAN 2018 4 ITINERARY & DAILY SCHEDULE GROUP A Meals provided indicated in schedule as Breakfast (B), Lunch (L), and Dinner (D) DAY LOCATION ACTIVITIES 10/17 Shaxi Morning Breakfest at our guesthouse Accommodation: Cycle ride through the countryside to Hoshan Village Guesthouse Afternoon Meals: B, L, D Lunch with local family Famring activities with local family (seasonal) Continue cycle ride through Bai Minority Villages Evening Structured free time to explore Shaxi old town Dinner at local restaurant in an old theater Evening Bai music performance at the theater Reflections 10/18 Shaxi Morning Breakfast at our guesthouse Accommodation: Hike to Shiboshan Guesthouse Visit Shihongzi Temple and Buddhist grottoes Sketching activity atop mountain Meals: B, L, D Afternoon Lunch Rotational activities at Pear Orchard Temple -Bai cooking lesson -Bai Handicraft workshop Evening Dinner in Shaxi Old Town Reflections 10/19 Shaxi - Lijiang - Beijing Morning Breakfast at homestay Accommodation: Visit legendary Shaxi Friday market N/A Lunch Meals: B, L Transfer to Lijiang for afternoon flight Afternoon Fly to Beijing NORTHERN YUNNAN 2018 5 ITINERARY & DAILY SCHEDULE GROUP B Meals provided indicated in schedule as Breakfast (B), Lunch (L), and Dinner (D) DAY LOCATION ACTIVITIES 10/14 Beijing - Lijiang Afternoon Take afternoon flight to Lijiang Accommodation: Evening Hotel Hotel check in Lijiang Old Town Dinner Program Introduction Meals: D 10/15 Lijiang - Shaxi Morning Breakfast and checkout Accommodation: Naxi cultural activities in Baisha Old town Guesthouse Lunch Afternoon Meals: B, L, D Transfer to Shaxi (2 hours) Guesthouse check-in Structured free time to explore Shaxi old town Walk to Duan village Evening Dinner at local restaurant in an old theater Evening Bai music performance at the theater Daily Reflections 10/16 Shaxi Morning Breakfest at our guesthouse Accommodation: Cycling Workshop Guesthouse Cycle ride through the countryside to Hoshan Village Meals: B, L, D Afternoon Lunch with local family Famring activities with local family (seasonal) Continue cycle ride through Bai Minority Villages Evening Dinner in Shaxi Old Town Daily Reflections NORTHERN YUNNAN 2018 6 ITINERARY & DAILY SCHEDULE GROUP B Meals provided indicated in schedule as Breakfast (B), Lunch (L), and Dinner (D) DAY LOCATION ACTIVITIES 10/17 Shaxi Morning Breakfast at our guesthouse Accommodation: Hike to Shiboshan Guesthouse Visit Shihongzi Temple and Buddhist grottoes Sketching activity atop mountain Meals: B, L, D Afternoon Lunch Rotational activities at Pear Orchard Temple -Bai cooking lesson -Bai Handicraft workshop Evening Dinner at Pear Orchard Temple Evening chores with local farmers including feeding the animals Daily Reflections 10/18 Shaxi - Tiger Leaping Morning Gorge Breakfast and checkout Transfer to Tiger Leaping Gorge (approx 2.5 hours) Accommodation: Begin Tiger Leaping Gorge trek Guesthouse Afternoon Meals: B, L, D Lunch at a local Naxi guesthouse Continue Tiger Leaping Gorge trek including 28 bends Check into guesthouse Clean-up and showers Evening Dinner Daily Reflections 10/19 Shaxi - Lijiang - Beijing Morning Local breakfast Accommodation: Continue Tiger Leaping Gorge trek from guesthouse N/A Afternoon Meals: B,L Complete Tiger Leaping Gorge trek Lunch Transfer to Lijiang airport Evening Late afternoon flight to Beijing NORTHERN YUNNAN 2018 7 TRIP HIGHLIGHTS COURTYARD GUESTHOUSES During our time in Northern Yunnan, the group will be based with friendly local families at their compfortable and cozy courtyards. The courtyards have been renovated to serve groups and includes showers, bathroom facilities, and cozy lounge areas. THE OLD TOWNS OF LIJIANG COUNTY During the program we will spend time visiting the old towns of Lijiang county. The beautiful old towns of Baisha, Shuhe, and Dayan are incredible places to learn and interact with the people of the Naxi minority group. Home to over 300,000 residents, Lijiang county is the largest concentration of the Naxi people in China and therefore a great place to learn about this colorful culture. We will take time to learn about Naxi Dongba writing and religion, hear stories about Naxi traders on the Tea and Horse road, watch Naxi craftsmen at work, sample delicious Naxi Cusine, and take in the beautiful architecture by waundering the streets of the old towns. NORTHERN YUNNAN 2018 8 TRIP HIGHLIGHTS THE BAI MINORITY VILLAGES AND OLD TOWN OF SHAXI VALLEY One of our stops on the Tea and horse Caravan route will be the sleepy region around Shaxi. Once a major trading stop, Shaxi is teeming with beautiful landscapes, deep history, and rich Bai culture. While seemingly straight out of a time capsule, the Shaxi region is also facing rampant changes and development thanks to a new highway which has opened up the area. However, the local