TCA News

16 – 30 October 2024

Don’t miss this unique opportunity to learn Health Qigong from the world’s leading experts. You will also meet people from other countries with the same interests, explore the rich culture of the minority groups in Yunnan, walk the Great Wall, cross Tiananmen Square and enter the Forbidden City. Absorb the ancient history and culture. Taste the exotic smells wafting from street stalls and enjoy the colourful spices displayed in open sacks and vibrant textiles draped over clothes lines. Explore ancient alleyways and temples all leading to big city multi storey shops or small rural marketplaces. The highlights are endless.

Itinerary

Day 1

Melbourne – Beijing

Day 2 – 5

Beijing – Kunming

Kunming is in Yunnan Province. Translated it means the GoldenTriangle. Sophisticated modern boulevards contrast with ancient narrow streets lined with traditional houses and shops.Street life is busy. Other features include grand parks, hotels, restaurants, open markets and evening food stalls.

1. You will participate in the Health Qigong competition at the 2ⁿᵈTraditional Sports International Festival – a multi-sports Festival includingHealth Qigong, Dragon Dance, Lion Dance, Wushu and Weiqi from 18 to 20 October.
   By participating in this event, you can practice your skills, exchange friendship and make friends with other Chinese traditional sports’ fans all over the world.
   You are also able to participate in other activities: Health Qigong forums/lectures, local cultural programs, enjoy authentic cuisine and visit famous scenic spots arranged by the organising committee. As thisFestival is an international sport gathering, it is also an opportunity to discover Chinese culture and civilisation.
2. Sightseeing
   Time permitting you will visit some of the following tourist attractions: Western Hill Forest Park (Xishan Forest Park) to enjoy the panoramic view of the Dianchi Lake - "the Pearl of thePlateau'', Crescent shaped it is the sixth largest freshwater lake in China measuring 39 kilometres by 13kilometres.  Afterwards you will climb the cliff stairway to the impressive Dragon Gate (Longmen) completed in the Qing Dynasty (1616-1911AD).  Carved from the cliff stone it features caves, balustrades and numerous figures of Buddha.  On the way you will visit several temples and pavilions, including the 14th century old Hualing and Taihua Temples and the Sanqingge Pavilion.  
   In the evening you will stroll around the colourful Bird and Flower Market.  Since 1983 it has become a major leisure, shopping and trading venue. Well known for the localfood, many stalls also sell flowers, birds and fish, antiques, curios such as, coins, jade, marble, jewelry, porcelain, pottery, stone carvings ethnic costumes and headdress.  

Day 6 – 7

You will take a train to Dali, an ancient town that was once an old trading post featuring many historical architectural treasures.

The Three Pagodas is our first destination after arrival. As the name implies, it comprises three independent pagodas forming a symmetrical triangle. It is important to China as it records the development of Buddhism in the area. You will visit the walled Old City of Dali with its impressive historic town gates and the Foreigners’Street. Narrow streets are lined with buildings that have traditional wing-roofs and whitewashed walls. Cafes and bars compete with shops offering local ethnic arts and crafts.  The daily open markets are synonymous with the Old City of Dali and well worth the visit.  

Xizhou Town ‘Museum of Bai Residence Architecture’ is one of the best places to understand minority culture in Yunnan.  Consisting of well-preserved traditional architecture of the Bai minority, it features the unique blend ofBai and Han Chinese styles. The ‘Museum of Bai ResidenceArchitecture’ is the best places to understand minority culture inYunnan.  The town still retains the ancient Bai dwellings that have different characteristics from the Ming, Qing, and new China dynasty. You are also treated to the vibrant traditional markets, where you find various local foods, sample local delicacies, handmade crafts, and talk with the friendly locals dressed in beautiful traditional Bai costumes.

You will enjoy Shuanglang Ancient Village backed with green mountains and facing Erhai Lake.  For over a thousand years, the local Bai Minority people have made their living fishing in the lake. However, the past 10years have brought a change to their lives. The small tranquil village is now popular with visitors looking to unwind and enjoy a slower tempo.

Yuji Island - one of the three islands in the Bohai Sea. Yuji Island is a peninsula at Shuanglang AncientVillage at the western bank of Erhai Lake. The island has been home to the Bai people for hundreds of years. Dotted with Bai buildings, you will experience the culture of the Nanzhao Kingdom (738 – 902) as well as Bai ethnic culture on the island.

Your 3 hour bus trip to Li Jiang passes through spectacular countryside. Nestled in a wide fertile valley surrounded by towering snow-capped mountains is the ancient town of Li Jiang.  Established more than 800 years ago, LiJiang’s original architecture and ancient customs have hardly changed.The Old City is a living museum with ornately carved wooden buildings and teahouses.

Day 8 – 9

LiJiang is rich in the Naxi minority culture. The morning market in the OldCity is the ideal way to appreciate the Naxi women in their traditional dress. You will visit the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. A cable car will take you to the summit (over 4267 metres above sea level) to appreciate the stunning views below and the barely changed lifestyle of the minority groups.  

Blue Moon Valley is nestled in the towering mountains of Lijiang. The vivid turquoise river has its source from the melting snow of the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. BlueMoon Valley is the not-to-be-missed part which is located at the entrance of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain Scenic Area. With luck you may see a rare snow leopard.

On a clear day, water in the Blue Moon Valley is azure, and the valley is crescent-shaped, which from a distance, looks like a blue moon inlaid at the foot of a Jade Dragon. Blue Moon Valley received its name from the English writer, James Hilton in his book, Lost Horizon. As the turquoise river passes over the beautiful terraced-valley, it forms four large colourful lakes, dozens of miniature whitewater waterfalls, combined with flowers, gorges, and meadows that surround them, making Blue Moon Valley one of the most attractive scenic spots in Lijiang.  

Day 10

You will take a return 2 hour train trip toKunming. and then travel 120kilometres northwest to the magic “fairyland”of The Stone Forest (a World Geo park),where masses of giant limestone rock needles thrust themselves into the sky, some standing like solitary sentries, others in clusters. Dating back over 200million years the forest covers an area of over64,000 acres and exploring it is a daunting experience.

Day 11

Flight to Beijing

Free night to go out together

Day 12 – 14

Beijing is the capital of the world’s most populous country and one of the world’s great historical cities, offers many tourist attractions…the home of government and the cultural heart of China.

You will visit the world’s largest public square, Tiananmen Square recognised for its political and historical significance and enter the gates of the Forbidden City, (Imperial Palace or Palace Museum).  A home of the Emperors of the Ming and Qing Dynasties, it is a‘city’ within a city comprising 9000 rooms. Constructed by 100,000 artisans and one million workers between 1406 and1420 it spreads across 250 acres and is the largest complex of ancient buildings in the world. It includes political, residential and entertainment zones.

Afterwards you journey to the hills outside Beijing to the Summer Palace, (Garden of Harmonious Unity) which was built in 1750 and was used by the emperors and empresses of the QingDynasty as a summer palace and villa. Breathtakingly beautiful, the gardens feature ornamental lakes, picturesque, wooded hills, large halls, towers, pavilions, corridors, decorated walkways, and many bridges.  In 1860 it was burnt by the British-French Allied Army but was restored in 1888.

You travel to Ju Yong Guan to explore the Great Wall, China’s most famous landmark and one of mankind’s greatest engineering achievements.  One of the Seven Wonders of the World, it was built more than 2000 years ago and stretches 2700 miles.

On the way back to Beijing you drive past the Bird's Nest (the National Stadium) and the Water Cube (the National Aquatics Centre).  Both these venues were built for the 2008 Summer Olympics and Paralympics. After an authentic Donglaisun Lamb Hotpot for dinner you finish the day with a foot massage.  

Day 15

Beijing – Melbourne

Home Sweet Home!

The above itinerary is subject to final confirmation.

Cost: $2999 (based on a 20 people minimum before 31 July 2024) which includes:

• Return economy class airfares, internal Chinese airfares, coach fares, twin share accommodation, sightseeing and most meals in China.

The tour will be fully escorted by TCA chief instructor Master Han Jin Song who is an official representative and tour organiser from Beijing Sport University. He speaks fluent Chinese and English and will be of valuable assistance to you in any way he can, including bartering. Since 1991, Master Han has built an enviable reputation of professional and quality service whilst escorting over 500 Australians, many of whom have accompanied him on several occasions for Cultural Tours all overChina and Tai Chi Study tours at the Beijing Sport University and Chen Jiagou ,the birth place of Tai Chi.  His accumulated in-depth knowledge of what Australians really like to see and do will make this 32nd Tai Chi China Tour one of the most memorable holidays that you could possibly have.

The 32nd Tai Chi China Tour is open to all TaiChi students and their relatives or friends who are interested in China’s fascinating culture, traditions and history of China.  It includes many famous sightseeing and historical sites.

*Please note that we will endeavour to keep the itinerary and prices as advertised. However, we reserve the right to change aspects of the tour should it become necessary.

The tour is limited to 20 persons, so book early!

Contact Song for further details on (03) 9889 9999 or email info@taichiaustralia.com.au

If you are interested in the 32nd Tai Chi China Tour and would like to get detailed information and a booking form, please download the form from the link below, fill in and email to: info@taichiaustralia.com.au