C o n t e m p o r a r y C o l l e c t o r s p r e s e n t s : Imperial & Modern China OCTOBER 11 - 25, 2008 B E I J I N G • X I A N • H A N G Z H O U S U Z H O U • S H A N G H A I WITH OPTIONAL HUANG MOUNTAINS OR GUILIN POST-TRIP EXTENSIONS IMPERIAL & MODERN CHINA I T I N E R A R Y OCTOBER 11 • San Francisco/ Los Angeles - Beijing construction. Many local Chinese practice early morning Depart from SF/ LA for your flights to China. Arrive in exercises such as Taichi and Qigong in the surrounding gar- Beijing on October 12th. Transfer to the Raffles Beijing Hotel. dens and park. Built in the early 1900’s, renovated with grand style in 2006, Next, we will visit the Red Gate Contemporary Art this magnificent Five Star property stands as an icon amidst Gallery. Located inside a massive ancient watch tower, the Beijing’s historical heritage. Superbly located within one of building is nothing short of a suitable home for one of the Beijing’s most distinguished addresses near the Forbidden most important galleries in China. We will be received by City and Tiananmen Square, the hotel receives consistent gallery director and founder Brian Wallace, who will lead us awards and honors thanks to its beautifully appointed rooms on a private viewing. Brian, who hails from Australia, is cred- and impeccable service. (Landmark rooms) ited with establishing the first foreign-owned contemporary The evening will remain unscheduled so that you may gallery in China. enjoy your first night relaxing at your own pace. Restaurant This evening, we will savor a traditional Peking Duck ban- suggestions will be provided so that you may enjoy dinner quet at the lovely Dadong Restaurant in Dongzhimen. independently. (B,L,D) OCTOBER 13• Beijing OCTOBER 14 • Beijing After breakfast, we will take a short bus ride to the pictur- The Great Wall of China presents a visual experience that esque Houhai District where we will explore the fascinating consistently exceeds visitors’ expectations. A rugged and “hutong” neighborhood which dates back to the Zhou less-traveled section of the wall, located at Mutianyu, will be Dynasty (1027-256 BC). Houhai still contains preserved old the site of today’s visit, offering a striking perspective of the courtyard homes which are becoming increasingly rare in surrounding hills (cable cars available). Scholars estimate hyper-developed Beijing. Gathering our troops in a convoy that the Wall, averaging 25 feet in height and nearly as of pedicabs, we will enjoy an up-close-and-personal tour of thick, once stretched for 3,700 miles, weaving through six- traditional Chinese life as we meander through the intricate teen provinces. Lunch will be enjoyed at the Schoolhouse at Mutianyu. lanes. A traditional Chinese lunch will be served to us at the Located inside an abandoned elementary school that was home of several local families who have graciously agreed converted into a sustainable tourism project, the compound to receive our group and prepare a memorable home-style contains art facilities and a glass workshop where local arti- meal. sans hone their skills and showcase their wares. After lunch, we visit the new CCTV building designed by Following lunch, we will visit the 798 Dashanzi Art and OMA Rem Koolhaas for a private tour. Culture district (est. 2002). This renovated factory district is Following this visit, we will head to the Temple of Heaven, distinguished for the abandoned German Bauhaus ware- considered one of the finest expressions of Ming Dynasty houses it comprises, built in the early 1950’s. 798 is known as architecture. Built during the 15th century, the architecture the “Soho” of Beijing: more than 60 gallery spaces are of the temple represents the most highly-advanced princi- housed in the district, in addition to artist studios, fashion ples of mechanics and geometry available at the time of boutiques, furniture showrooms, and design ateliers. New clubs, quirky cafes, hip restaurants, • Accommodations at the deluxe and other art-related venues open 5 star Sofitel Hotel in downtown. each month. Exhibitions feature an international range of estab- OCTOBER 17 • Xian lished and emerging artists. We Our second day in Xian begins meet with the curators and artists with a viewing of the extraordi- for a closer glimpse into the rapid- nary 2,300-year-old terracotta ly-growing contemporary art warriors, the tomb of China’s first scene in Beijing. Then we visit the emperor, Qinshihuang. The war- nearby Caochangdi, a newer art riors still stand on the original site venue with more studios and gal- of the emperor’s burial complex, leries. Recently many artists have where peasants discovered them moved into here driven out by the in 1974. high rents of 798. Later, we will stop After lunch we will explore the by PekinFine Art Gallery, owned History Museum and its artifacts by Meg Maggio, which features spanning many dynasties. The contemporary art. museum curator will greet us and The evening will remain give us an introduction of their unscheduled so that you may unique collections. explore the district independently; In the afternoon we have an an optional performance at the opportunity to stroll Muslim Street newly opened China Grand and visit its Grand Mosque. Theatre may be possible after din- Chinese Muslim culture traces its ner. (B,L) heritage from the flourishing Silk Road culture of the Tang dynasty. OCTOBER 15 • Beijing Our day concludes with a special banquet at This morning, we will visit the Forbidden City, the abiding Tangyuegong Restaurant. (B,L,D) symbol of imperial China. Truly one of the greatest wonders OCTOBER 18 • Xian/ Hangzhou and achievements of human civilization, its construction A morning departure by coach will bring us to Xian employed hundreds of thousands of workers between the Airport to catch our flight to Hangzhou. Upon arrival, we years 1406 and 1420. We will marvel at its expansive archi- will check in at the West Lake State Guest House (Building tecture and majestic imperial gardens, in addition to the #8 Garden View Room), a beautiful Qing Dynasty garden splendid Chinese antiquities and treasures housed within resort with sublime landscaping, mature tree-lined paths, the complex’s many museums. During a special meeting extensive lush gardens, a modern golf course, and a superb with the experts of the Palace Museum at Emperor Kangxi’s setting on a lovely lake. Hangzhou is the most idyllic city in private courtyard, Shufangzhai, we will have an opportunity China, exemplifying a successful merging of traditional and to observe the incredible ancient relics collected for cen- modern that exudes the cultural sophistication of southern turies by China’s great emperors. Chinese aesthetics. When Marco Polo visited China in the In the afternoon, we will drive by the Olympic Village to 13th century, he ruled as governor from Hangzhou and marvel at the new stadiums. The National Stadium, fre- called his home “Heaven on Earth.” quently referred to as the “Bird Nest,” was designed by We will tour the elegant Qing Dynasty Guo Zhuang Herzog & de Meuron, while the National Swimming Center, Garden near the hotel and stop by the lovely better known as the “Watercube,” was designed by the firm Quyuanfenghe Park and end our walking PTW. tour on the famous Su Causeway built by We have been invited by an accom- the famous Song Dynasty artist Su Dong- plished art collector and dealer to join him po. for afternoon tea at his private residence. Then we will enjoy a boat ride by He resides in a traditional courtyard home smaller boats to the elegant in the heart of Beijing where he displays his Santanjingyue Isle in the middle of the West Lake. fine collection of contemporary and tradi- The evening will remain unscheduled; tional Chinese art. you may pursue individual activities and This evening, we will delight in an enjoy dinner independently at one of the exquisite dinner banquet at the elegant many fine restaurants in West Lake China Club, located in the once Qing Xintiandi. (B,L) prince’s private courtyard residence. OCTOBER 19 • Hangzhou (B,L,D) Our day will begin with a pleasant OCTOBER 16 • Beijing/Xian morning walk to the lovely Huagang Park, We fly to Xian in the late morning, a beautiful and elegantly landscaped upon arrival, we tour the Han Emperor’s park on the West Lake where locals prac- Tomb, Yangling Museum, to view recent tice their morning exercise and medita- archaeological finds on the excavation tion. site. Later, visit the Wild Goose Pagoda and marvel at its intricate architecture. Evening is free. Dinner is on own. (B,L) elegance and impeccable service. Boasting views of Shanghai’s crystalline skyline, the hotel stands in one of the city’s most desirable locations and is praised for its luxurious comforts and sleek design. After enjoying lunch independently, we will embark on an afternoon tour of the Shanghai Biennale where we will meet with curators for a briefing before we explore the differ- ent venues in the People Park. Jesse’s Restaurant will be the location for our first dinner in Shanghai. Situated in Xujiahui District, Jesse’s is an ever- popular local establishment featuring traditional Shanghai cuisine.(B,D) OCTOBER 21 • Shanghai After breakfast, we will tour the Shanghai Museum. Designed by French architect Chapentier, this neo-Oriental building boasts glass on all sides which glitter like crystals at night, and a traditional Chinese rooftop. This world-class institution con- We will visit the China Academy of Fine Art, where many tains a wonderful collection of Chinese bronzes, jade, pottery contemporary artists study.