DYNASTIES OF CHINA AND T IBET TTHEHE HHIMALAYASIMALAYAS ANDAND TTHEHE YYANGTZEANGTZE May 26 to June 9, 2018 Dear Mizzou Alumni & Friends: Mysterious China and enchanting Tibet—two lands whose stunning beauty forms the backdrop of centuries-old civilizations steeped in legend and tradition. Here, the people’s reverence for ancestral customs has been passed on through dynasties and kingdoms and preserved from one generation to the next, infl uencing life today as well as providing an impetus for change and a springboard for the future. Join us on this exceptional, custom-designed and comprehensive journey encompassing the breadth of China from the Himalayan “Rooftop of the World,” with three nights in Tibet’s spectacular and seldom-visited city of Lhasa, through the dramatic gorges of the Yangtze River and to the historic neighborhoods of Old Shanghai for an in-depth appreciation of the juxtaposition of ancient culture with modern advancements. Experience the imperial dignity of Mandarin Beijing, the dynastic treasures of historic Xi’an and the Tibetan Buddhist “Sun City” of Lhasa with its architectural masterpiece, the Potala Palace, a symbol of peace and the historic home of the Dalai Lama. Ideally located Five-Star hotels have been carefully selected for our land accommodations, including Shanghai’s legendary FAIRMONT PEACE HOTEL and the renowned PENINSULA BEIJING. Our three-night cruise travels the fabled Yangtze River from Chongqing to Yichang through captivating landscapes, historic port cities and resplendent gorges aboard the deluxe VICTORIA JENNA, relaunched in 2016 after an extensive refurbishment. Cruise the magnifi cent Three Gorges, enjoy a private boat tour on the spectacular Goddess Stream in the Wu Gorge and visit the extraordinary engineering marvel of the Three Gorges Dam. Visit eight UNESCO World Heritage sites during specially arranged, included excursions accompanied by experienced, English-speaking guides. Enjoy meeting the fascinating people of China and the friendly people of Tibet, who will welcome you to their modern-day earthly paradise—a veritable Shangri-La that is newly opening up to Western travelers. This small group program is an extraordinary, once-in-a-lifetime travel opportunity, an excellent value and a great highlight for travelers who have had the chance to experience this impressive and comprehensive itinerary. Reserve now while Early Booking Savings and space are still available, as this program sells out quickly! For the Black & Gold, Caroline Lanham, BS ’76 Senior Director Mizzou Alumni Association Tourin’ Tiger Program Director Beijing, China Xi’an The former imperial city of the Mongol, Ancient Chang’an, known today as Xi’an, Ming and Manchu emperors, Beijing is was China’s thriving capital of emperors, one of China’s oldest citadels. Rich in courtesans, monks, merchants and soldiers for historical sites and cultural relics, 11 dynasties. It was a place where many of the this dynamic city of more than world’s great religions coexisted and the fabled 20 million people is the cultural and launching point of the Silk Road, where camel spiritual heart of the country and the caravans introduced Chinese infl uence to ideal place from which to begin tracing back the world and distributed goods from the the fascinating narrative of ancient China. Eurasian continent. Visit the magnifi cent Great Wall of China, Tour the exquisite Yangling Imperial Tomb, a UNESCO World Heritage site and where thousands of captivating fi gurines symbol of imperial grandeur since 500 B.C. excavated from the 2100-year-old tomb Constructed over the course of 2000 years, of Emperor Liu Qi capture the essence of this imposing fortifi cation once spanned daily life during the Han dynasty, a high point more than 13,000 miles. Walk along this in Chinese history, when culture and the arts historic border and marvel at sweeping views of fl ourished as never before. China’s northern plains and valleys. Walk through historic Tiananmen Square, ITINERARY the world’s largest public square and site of Day the memorial of modern China’s founder, Mao Zedong. Then, pass through the imposing 1 Depart the U.S./ Meridian Gate into the mystical UNESCO World Cross the International Date Line Heritage-designated Forbidden City, residence 2 BEIJING, CHINA of Ming and Qing dynasty emperors for almost 3 BEIJING 500 years. Inside, ascend the stone steps of the magnifi cent Hall of Supreme Harmony to 4 BEIJING explore the ceremonial halls, royal apartments, 5 BEIJING/Fly to XI’AN gardens and temples of the Imperial Palace. 6 XI’AN The beautifully landscaped Summer Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage site and 7 XI’AN/Fly to LHASA, TIBET a masterpiece of Chinese landscape 8 LHASA garden design, was the retreat of 19th-century 9 LHASA Empress Dowager Cixi. Walk through Cixi’s private apartments, fi lled with jewel-encrusted 10 LHASA/Fly to CHONGQING, CHINA/ furniture, and see her ornate Marble Boat. Embark VICTORIA JENNA Then, enjoy a small boat cruise across 11 CRUISING THE YANGTZE RIVER/ Kunming Lake’s tranquil waters, which, SHIBAOZHAI along with Longevity Hill, form the key aesthetic features of the Summer Palace gardens. 12 THREE GORGES/CRUISING THE Tour another extraordinary UNESCO World GODDESS STREAM and Heritage site, the Temple of Heaven, a magnifi cent THREE LESSER GORGES/TRANSIT THE complex of religious buildings symbolizing the THREE GORGES DAM elevator relationship between heaven and Earth. 13 SANDOUPING for THREE GORGES DAM visit/YICHANG/ Cover photo: Clay was individually applied to the Disembark ship/Fly to SHANGHAI visages of each fi gure in Emperor Qin Shihuang’s Terra Cotta Army to create distinct facial features. 14 SHANGHAI 15 SHANGHAI/ / Photo this page: Walk along the Great Wall of China, Depart China dotted with thousands of beacon towers and Cross the International Date Line/ fortresses, and feel the mystery and allure of one of Arrive in the U.S. the world’s oldest civilizations. 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This visionary The awe-inspiring Historic Ensemble monarch, the fi rst ruler of a unifi ed China, of Potala Palace, Norbulingka Palace and introduced a standardized writing system, Jokhang Temple are designated reformed the legal code and commenced UNESCO World Heritage sites for their the building of the Great Wall of China, architectural signifi cance. the greatest public works project of its era. Atop rocky Red Mountain, The emperor, as large a fi gure in death as he the magnifi cent 1000-room, 384-foot-tall was in life, lies buried in a mausoleum that Potala Palace, once the winter residence took 36 years to construct and required the of the Dalai Lamas, towers above the city. efforts of 700,000 laborers. The tomb itself Walk up the central stone staircase to remains unexcavated, guarded by row upon this 13-story masterpiece of Tibetan row of charioteers, infantry, cavalry and horses. architecture and see the ornately carved and Each warrior has a distinctive, lifelike facial painted ceremonial hall of the White Palace, expression and bears trappings denoting his where Tibet’s rulers ascended to the throne. rank within the imperial army—general, senior offi cer, junior offi cer or common soldier. Ming and Qing emperors offered sacrifi ces and prayed for Walk along Xi’an’s fortifi ed medieval bountiful harvests in Beijing’s dignifi ed Temple of Heaven, city walls, the best-preserved in China, and founded in the early 15th century. explore the lively streets of the Huimin quarter, infused with a rich heritage infl uenced by merchants who traveled the Silk Road 1300 years ago. From Xi’an’s distinctive, triple-eaved Bell and Drum Towers, watchmen once signaled dawn and dusk with a bell and a drum, respectively. Enjoy a traditional dumpling dinner in one of Xi’an’s most famous restaurants. Dumplings, called jiaozi, are said to have been introduced to Chinese cuisine 1800 years ago. Lhasa, Tibet One of the world’s highest cities at an elevation of nearly 12,000 feet, Lhasa has been a center of Tibetan Buddhism since the religion was introduced here in the seventh century. Today in this captivating city, one can see devout pilgrims, prostrating monks, colorful neighborhood quarters and medieval monasteries. y the Yangtze River through Commissioned by the fi fth Dalai Lama, the landmark Potala Palace served both pe of verdant mountains and as a spiritual site and bureaucratic complex for the Tibetan government. Further up the mountain, visit the stunning The elaborate Jokhang Temple—the most chapels in the Red Palace, where opulent, sacred building in Tibet—was constructed in jewel-laden monuments honor previous A.D.