As a website owner, I have received many emails asking me to promote their products. I ignored most of them even though they passed the spam filter which did require some efforts. However, I’m willing to post this article for Adam Shepard for his new book One Year Lived. The reasons?

1. In the email, he addressed my name and spelled it correctly. (It shows great respect.)
2. I agree with his premise “in this increasingly global world, it is essential that more Americans step foot out of the country.” (As an expat myself, I know it broadens one’s perspective to interact with other people from different cultures.)
3. I just published my first book last summer so I understand how difficult it is to get your name out there. (well, it’s in Chinese so I’m not going to promote it here.)

One Year Lived is available at Amazon both in print and kindle version. Enjoy reading and if you don’t have a passport, it’s time to get one.

The website of One Year Lived.

One of Adam’s captures during his travel:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PFn7a6eEhb4&feature=youtu.be

• Dates: 09/16/2013 ~ 09/30/2013
• Duration: 15 days
• Price: $2850.00
• Activity: trekking, cultural activities, sight-seeing

Overview:

This 15-day wilderness trekking adventure will start on September 16, 2013 in Chengdu China, the capital of Sichuan province. Sichuan is the home of the giant pandas, delicious spicy foods, and the famous Sichuan opera – all of which we will take in before traveling across the Tibetan Plateau to Kangding. Kangding is a beautiful Tibetan village famous due to a well-known folk song. The elevation is about 8,400 feet, and we will stay there to do some day hikes while adjusting to the high altitude.

From Kangding, we head on to another more remote Tibetan village that will be the launching place for our trekking adventure. This village, Litang is close to the Genyen Massif, a stunningly majestic mountain range that is the home of the glaciated Mt. Genyen (20,354 ft), considered sacred to the Tibetans.

From there, we will put on our packs and trek into the grand Himalaya, setting up a small base camp in front of the magnificent Lenggu Monastery. This is one of the very few Tibetan monasteries which was not destroyed during the Chinese Cultural Revolution because of its remoteness. There we will enjoy several days of exploring the valley, and hiking amongst the meditation caves that look out on the breathtaking granite spires nearby.

We then will travel  south to the city of Daocheng. Daocheng is a cute Tibetan city with a different flavor from Litang. We will explore the city and dance with the locals along with the wild Tibetan dance music. From there we can take an option day tour to Yading which is famous of the three astonishing snowy peaks which were believed to be three Guanyin’s (i.e. goddess).

After soaking in the majesty of the Tibetan Plateau, we will fly back to Chengdu from Daocheng/Yading airport. (This airport is scheduled to operate in May 2013 but if it is delayed, we will bus back to Chengdu).

We are so excited to share this trip as it encompasses such spectacular scenery, energy and amazing cultural diversity.

Inclusions & Exclusions:

Price includes the following: food during the trek, meals in town, all lodging (camping & shared hotel rooms), ground transportation, packhorses and horse packers, admission to parks, permits, bilingual guide, and Mandarin conversational lessons. The price does not include airfare, checked baggage fees, dinners in town, visa fee, travel insurance, personal gear, immunization, personal snacks, drinks, and gratuity.

Physical Requirement:

The trek is supported by pack horses and porters.  Participants will carry a day pack during the trek.  A day pack should have water, snack, extra layers, rain gear, personal medicine and other personal items. Any avid day hikers will be able to finish the trip.

Tentative Itinerary:¹

Day 1: Our trip kicks off in Chengdu, Sichuan. We will use this day to explore the city, visit pandas, watch Sichuan Opera, and taste spicy Sichuanese cuisine. Chengdu is the capital of this province. It has a unique historical and cultural background and it is known for its relaxing atmosphere and slow urban pace. Parents are warned not to send their kids here for school in case kids “play” more than they study.

Day 2-3: We start our journey towards the Eastern Tibetan plateau and will explore Kangding. Kangding is a neat Tibetan town and is well known because of a timeless folk song called “Romancing Kangding.” It is an important trading hub from the ancient Tea-Horse trade route. Currently, it is much like a melting pot, displaying both Chinese and Tibetan cultures. We will visit some historical sites and stroll through the city on day 2 and take a day hike in near-by grassland on day 3.

Day 4-5: On day 4, we arrive in Litang, which is close to the Genyen Massif. The average elevation of Litang is 13,000 feet. Due to the high elevation we’ll spend time in this lovely town to acclimatize to the thinner air. We will also explore Litang’s Tibetan-style architecture, drink some yak butter tea, visit the biggest Tibetan monastery in Eastern Tibetan plateau to learn about Tibetan Buddhism, and interact with the friendly Tibetan locals.

Day 6-10: On day 6 we will trek into the amazing Genyen Massif and set up a base camp near the Lenggu Monastery, which was spared from the demolishment of religious architectures during the Cultural Revolution because of its remoteness. From the base camp, we have the view of the awe-inspiring sacred snow peak, Genyen. For the next several days we will have the opportunity to meditate in caves, take day hikes, and simply enjoy the beauty of this natural terrain.

Day 11-14: In the morning, we will have time to wind down from our trek, take a stroll in Litang and shop for souvenirs. In the afternoon, we’ll travel south and arrive at the city of Daocheng which is also a Tibetan town but has a distinct flavor from Litang. In Daocheng we will explore the city and dance in circles with locals with Tibetan dance music. We then will explore the near-by scenic area, Yading, which is famous for the three snowy peaks believed to be the three sacred goddesses.

Day 15: fly back to Chengdu and conclude our lovely expedition.

Payment Info:

Related Links and Articles:

• Short Film: Chasing Ghosts and Dreams Along the Tibetan Plateau
• Photo Album: Trekking in the Majesty of Tibetan Plateau 2012
• Photo Album: Explore the Tibetan Plateau
• Photo Album: Return to Genyen I
• Photo Album: Return to Genyen II

Annie Wilson is one of the participants of Trekking in the Majesty of the Tibetan Plateau 2012. We invited her to talk about her experience on this trip and received this detailed write-up. We’re excited to share it with you all! Photos used in this blog post are taken by Annie Wilson and we thank her for her generosity to use her article and photos.

Annie Wilson's new friends in Genyen Massif

As a former NOLS instructor and all around travel enthusiast, I have visited many countries around the world. My recent trip to China with LittlePo Adventures was by far the most memorable and special experience I have had to date. The culmination of our chosen route and the organization & guidance of Dave Anderson and Szu-ting Yi were primarily responsible for what made this experience so extraordinary. The adventure started in Chengdu where I met our group that included Dave, Szu-ting, Rinchen, Karen and Reidun. The first few days were spent adjusting to jet lag and doing last-minute outfitting before heading to the mountains. We also enjoyed the specialties of Chengdu such as local cuisine, a trip to see the pandas and Chinese opera. As few people speak english in this area, I had expected to feel a shock to the system and frustration for being unable to communicate. Not only is Szu-ting fluent in Mandarin, she is very well-versed, well-read and well-experienced in the food of every province of China. She knows the ingredients of each dish as well as how each is prepared in the finest of details. Quite impressive! Her fluency of the language and vast knowledge of the geography and food culture succeeded in making my entry to China as seamless as possible.

What should have been a 6 hr journey turned into a 12 hr bus ride inching along high construction zones from Chengdu to Kangding. Here we spent two nights exploring the area and acclimatizing to the higher elevation. This was followed by two nights in Litang where we arrived after an epic 14 hr bus ride along narrow & treacherously muddy roads to acclimatize to the higher elevation, check out the sights including the local monastery, and as always, enjoy the local cuisine. From Litang, two jeeps transported our group approximately 60 miles to the base of the great Genyan Massif. After two nights base-camped at the “new monastery”, we hiked 2.5 miles up a trail that led us to the “old monastery”, better known as Lengu Monastery.  At this point the majority of people we interacted with were of Tibetan descent. Fortunately Rinchen being of Tibetan descent himself, was able to be our interpreter.  It was because of this we had the opportunity to interact with the 250 + monks that occupied both new & old monasteries, an experience that I will never forget. Another 5mile hike up the river from Lengu led us to our final base camp which was our highest camp in terms of elevation. While Rinchen & Reidun stayed to enjoy Lengu for a few days, Dave, Szu-ting, Karen & I explored the area around our high camp in an attempt to gain more mountain views.

Sadly this is the point in which it was time to turn back. After two nights at high camp, we walked back to Lengu met with Rinchen & Reidun to start our journey back to Chengdu via Litang & Kangding where we spent one night in each respectively. Since the leg between Litang & Kangding had been so harrowing the first time around, Szu-ting arranged for us to take an SUV rather than the bus. Though more expensive, the SUV proved to be much more comfortable and worth it in the end!

Between past injuries, adjusting to altitude and over-all physicality, our group was at varying levels of ability when it came time for the trekking component of the journey. Dave & Szu-ting handled this situation effectively as they devised differing scenarios allowing each participant to gain the most out of their experience according to individual level. Instead of a circuit, our route consisted of exiting the same path we entered in on. This allowed individuals the option to stay put if they so desired and not feel pressured to go beyond their comfort zone. It was also successful in that it allowed those who wanted to move forward do so. Our varying levels of ability could have posed a problem, but Szu-ting and Dave dealt with each with ease and efficiency.

I think it worth mentioning that the weather had not been ideal as it rained each day from the time of our departure from Chengdu on. This became increasingly evident as we entered the mountains and began utilizing our tents for sleeping and mega-mid for kitchen staging/cooking area. Despite the rainy conditions, Dave and Szu-ting did what they could to make our group as comfortable and dry as possible. During the heaviest of downpours, they were in the kitchen to ensure each of us had a hot drink and a hot meal. This I understand can be a very challenging feat at times, but they handled it beautifully and as a result, we were all very happy.

In addition to their general knowledge of the area, high tolerance for adversity & uncertainty, and ability to lead & navigate in the backcountry, Dave & Szu-ting really listened to our individual needs/limitations throughout the trip. Whether we were tired, cold or suffering the effects of high altitude, they effectively addressed each issue with compassion while maintaining the pace of our group in order to complete the planned route. For these reasons it was a total success and I would do it again in a heartbeat!

Red rocks in Liming, Yunnan

Ever want to take a wilderness trip in China with LittlePo but have questions about booking flights, applying for visa, packing bags? Check out our FAQ Document. This document answers all that and more!

An FAQ document on wilderness travel in China: http://www.littlepo.com/faq

Here are a few examples:

Do I require any shots/vaccinations?

What and how shall I pack? What shall I bring?

How fit do I have to be to be on this trip?

Hesitate no more, sign up for our upcoming trip in fall 2012:

1. Trekking in the Majesty of the Tibetan Plateau, A Qigong and Wilderness Adventure – 09/09/2012 – 09/22/2012
2. Discovering the Lost Horizon, An Active Journey to the Heart of Yunnan – 10/28/2012-11/10/2012

Zhong zi (Bamboo leaves wrapped rice dumplings)

I love to eat, cook, and read culinary literature. During the Discover the Lost Horizon, an Active Journey to the Heart of Yunnan Spring 2011, I was very lucky to have two very inquisitive participants who always asked me interesting and sometimes challenging questions about local cuisine – how, why, what about the ingredients and skills involved in cooking up the delicious dishes. During one of my explanation in front of a local chef, they turned to me and asked, “so… you are good at cooking?” And that question planted the seed for this special event – Yimama’s Cooking Class. I am a good cook but I learned all my skills from my mom (Yimama), and thus I invited her to be the teacher.

This special event was held in Seattle on May 10, 2012. The main item we talked about was Zhong zi (Bamboo leaves wrapped rice dumplings. This is a special food item for Dragon Boat Festival). We also demonstrated Mochi (rice cake), Tohua (tofu pudding), and other small side dishes. Participants had hand-on practices on how to wrap Zhong zi and make Mochi.

I helped my mom translate her recipe, and she generously permitted me to share them. So here they are! Thank you, mom and happy Mother’s Day!

combo of white and purple rice - the inside of a zhong zi

Handout: Yimama’s Taiwanese Chinese Food Cooking Class

1. Mochi – glutinous rice cake. a typical tea snack or dessert item

Ingredients: (make 15 bite-size mochis)

1. dough – glutinous rice flour 1.5 cups; tapioca starch 2 table spoons; water 1 cup
2. filling – sesame powder 75 grams, powder sugar 56 grams
3. topping – coconut flakes

Instructions:

• put all the ingredients (1) in a big container, mix well
• steam the mixture until it is completely cooked and it will become a dough (takes about 10 minutes, medium heat)
• oil the inside of a plastic bag, put the dough in the plastic bag, knead the dough well
• prepare the filling by mix (2) well in a bowl
• divide the dough into 15 pieces
• take a piece, flatten it and wrap some filling inside. roll it on coconut flakes
• enjoy

2. Mung bean sprouts

Ingredients: organic mung beans

Instructions:

• soak organic mung beans for over 7 hours
• drain the water and then put the beans in an opaque container
• wet the beans 4 times a day by pour the water in the container and drain it
• for about 6 days mung bean sprouts are ready for salad, stir-fry dishes, or soup

3. Tofu Flower (tohua) or Tofu Pudding – a common dessert item made from soybeans. the difference between tofu and tofu flowers is the solidifying agent

Ingredients:

1. soy milk 900 grams (a rule of thumb – 1 gram of soy bean can make about 7 grams of soy milk)
2. tohua powder (some kind of yam starch) 2 tea spoons, calcium sulfate 1/4 tea spoon (a by-product when making salt), water 50 grams
3. sugar, ginger

Instructions:

• mix (2) well
• boil (1) and pour the mixture of (2) in the pot
• cover the pot and wait until it cools and it will solidify and become tohua
• make syrup with (3)
• put a few spoonfuls of tohua in a bowl with some syrup, enjoy

4. Bamboo leaves wrapped rice dumplings (Zhong zi)

Ingredients: (for about 36-38 zhong zi)

1. round white glutinous rice 1334 grams
2. purple/black glutinous rice 681 grams
3. pork 798 grams (can be cut into about 38 cubes, and each one weighs about 21 grams)
4. peanuts 393 grams
5. Chinese dried mushrooms 64 grams
6. shallots 100 grams
7. dehydrated shrimps 20 grams

Instructions:

• marinate the pork with red fermented rice paste, cooking wine, sugar, and little salt
• soak the purple/black glutinous rice for at least 6 hours
• cook peanuts until they are soft
• soak mushrooms and then cook them
• in a big wok, heat up some oil, put in chopped shallots and dried shrimps. stir-fry a bit until the fragrance comes out. season it with 100 grams of soy sauce, 1 tea spoon of white pepper powder, 1 tea spoon of sugar, 2 tea spoons of salt, some sesame oil. Pour in all the rice (white and black), peanuts, mix well. (This will be the filling)
• use bamboo leaves to wrap zhong zi (This is a complicated process, and it needs real time demonstration and hand-on practice)
• boil a pot of water, put zhong-zi in (make sure all the zhong zi are under water line), cook for 1 hour
• enjoy

5. Kung-fu Tea

Kung-fu Tea is how people in southeastern China and Taiwan drink their tea. we’ll bring a set of tea set and some good oolong tea from Taiwan to share.

It takes time and patience to master the art of wrapping a zhong zi

Check out our event Photos on Facebook:

Album Special Event – Cooking Class @ Seattle

Erhai Lake Dali Yunnan

Fall trip alert: Discovering the Lost Horizon, an Active Journey to the Heart of Yunnan. Co-led by Szu-ting Yi @ LittlePo Adventures and Karen Fletcher @ QiDancing.

In addition to “Trekking in the Majesty of the Tibetan Plateau, A Qigong and Wilderness Adventure,” LittlePo and Karen team up again to offer another magical fall trip which consists of day hikes, bike tours, cultural activities, and qigong practice in the beautiful and diverse Yunnan province, south of the clouds. Oct 28-Nov 10, 2012. We had a successful trip in this lovely place in spring 2011 (check out our photo album) and we can’t wait to share this awesome experience with more friends!

Karen will be the one teaching Qigong lessons and leading Qigong practices. Scroll down you can read more about Qigong in the section “A few words about Qigong” and of course Karen’s website (http://www.qidancing.com) provides more in-depth information!

Stone Forest National Park

Overview:

Yunnan, literally means “south of the clouds,” is located in the southwestern corner of China. The climate of Yunnan is usually mild and pleasant. Its capital city, Kunming, is well known by the nickname “spring city.” Yunnan is situated in a mountainous area and has exceptional geographical features: karsts topography, deep mountain gorges, and distinctive canyons. In addition, Yunnan contains extraordinary cultural diversity as it is home to 25 different minority groups, and is home to one of the last matriarchal societies at LuGu Lake. Friendly people living a simple life, surrounded by amazing scenery of high mountains and countless lakes, makes Yunnan a unique paradise. Many believe that the utopia described in a best-selling book, The Lost Horizon, was inspired by Yunnan.

Our journey starts at Kunming, follows the railroad to Dali, and arrives in Lijiang to further explore some signature northwestern areas, including the stunning Tiger Leaping Gorge and Laojunshan National Park. In addition to exploring the mystical limestone formations, scenery and featured hikes of Kunming, we will also take in its local culture, culinary style, and history. Our tour will focus on the traveling through and staying in the historic sections of towns of the region, where you can re-live the era of Dali kingdom among real residents. Trekking along the Tiger Leaping Gorge, one cannot help but be awed by the sheer cliffs and mountain peaks overhead. The unknown Laojunshan National Park is like an unrefined diamond – its pristine natural beauty is enticing and waiting to be explored. Qigong instruction and daily practice will be offered throughout this mystical, exciting and delicious adventure.

Dates: October 28-November 10, 2012

Duration: 14 days

Price: $2,650.00

Activity: Hiking, Qigong, Cultural Events

Laojunshan National Park

A few words about Qigong:

Qigong practice is a powerful way to both cultivate your own health and vitality, as well as develop your spirit and soul. In China, we will be using Qigong practices to tap into the teachings of the vast Lands of the Far East.

China, the home of a most powerful system of Chinese Medicine, of Qigong, of Daoism and many mystical arts, is born from its Lands, its mountains, rivers, trees, gorges, plateaus, and is channeled through its people. Qigong is one simple and profound practice to develop our innate abilities to more fully receive from our environment, our Earth – both energy and information – Qi. Come receive, experience, and explore in ancient, yet ever-evolving magnificent terrain!

Tentative Itinerary for Discovering the Lost Horizon, an Active Journey to the Heart of Yunnan

Day 1: Our Yunnan trip starts in Kunming, the capital city of the province. With pleasant weather year-round, this city has won the nickname of “the spring city.” Many westerners also refer it as “Seattle of China.” While in Kunming, we will visit Stone Forest National Park and explore the stunning karst topography and taste the signature Yunnan dish, “bridge-crossing rice noodles.”

Day 2-3: We will arrive in Dali old town in the evening of Day 1. On Day 2 and Day 3, we’ll embark on a bike tour circumnavigating the serene Erhai Lake. In the evening of Day 2, we’ll stay in the little fishing town, Shuanglang, which is located at the northeast corner of the lake. During this bike tour, we’ll have the opportunity to interact with local Bai minority folks, and if you dare you can try the signature dish of Bai cuisine (slightly roasted pork with the specialty dipping sauce.)

Day 4-10: We’ll take a morning train from Dali to Lijiang. Lijiang is an important hub of the ancient Tea Horse Trail. Many minority groups reside here, though the majority of the people are from the Naxi group. Recently Lijiang has attracted countless tourists because of its central location to many adventure destinations, and therefore this city has a somewhat commercialized appearance. We’ll stay in the neighboring and more low-key old town called Shuhe and use Shuhe as our base camp to explore the following three side tours (each side tour typically takes 2 days):

1. Laojunshan National Park. You might call this place the Zion of China. Both places have red rocks and display stunning land formations; yet they also have some distinct differences. Because of the interesting relative locations of mountains here in Laojunshan, in fall/winter months, people can witness the legendary three sunsets in a day. The Lisu minority group also resides here, and, in the evenings you might have the opportunity to dance with them and taste their homemade rice wine. We’ll hike in this magical place and explore the special scenery and cultural activities.
2. Shaxi old town and Stone Treasure Mountain. Shaxi was also a very important commercial hub of the ancient Tea Horse Trail. Yet unlike Lijiang, this city has not become a touristy “adventure hub.” Once the money-making salt wells dried out, this town has kept much of its historical authenticity. We’ll walk on the ancient stone bridge and streets and visit the near-by Stone Treasure Mountain to play with wild monkeys.
3. If you come this far to Lijiang, you have to check out the Tiger Leaping Gorge. Yunnan is well-known for its steep mountain cliffs and deep-carved canyons. This geological signature of Yunnan had made traveling between villages difficult and therefore cultivated huge regional and cultural differences. Tiger Leaping Gorge is the representative location to witness the magical work of mother earth. We will hike along the river and awe the contrast between sharp peaks and ragging rapids.

Day 11-14: We will arrive at our final destination, Shangri-la. The majority of the people in this town are Tibetan. Before we enter Shangri-la, numerous stupas will welcome us along the road and soon we will see Tibetan-style houses decorated by prayer flags. We will have chance to take a stroll on the cobble stone paved streets in the old town and visit a Tibetan monastery and museum to learn about Tibetan Buddhism and medicine. Most importantly, we will take hikes to explore the famous Meili Snow Mountain, which is a sacred peak in the hearts of locals. We then can wind down and take back unforgettable memories with us back home.

Payment Info:

Deposit: A $500 deposit is required to reserve your spot. 50% of your payment is due 75 days before your trip (August 14th 2012). Full payment is due 45 days before your trip (September 13th 2012).

• If you cancel 60 days or more in advance of your trip: $200;
• If you cancel 30-59 days in advance: $50% of trip tuition.
• If you cancel within 30 days or less: 100% of trip tuition.

You can pay through paypal here:

 

Options

Deposit$500.00 USD 50%$1,325.00 USD 100% minus deposit$2,150.00 USD 100%$2,650.00 USD

 

Photo Albums:

Discovering the Lost Horizon 2011

Discovering the Lost Horizon, an Active Journey to the Heart of Yunnan

Wild Monkey at Stone Treasure Mountain Shaxi Yunnan

Prayer Flags Shangri-la Yunnan

Photographers: Kevin and Yung Sheng Fu – more photos here.

We are thrilled to announce an upcoming journey of a lifetime in the Western Wild Lands of China:

Sep 9-22, 2012.

Trekking in the Majesty of the Tibetan Plateau, A Qigong and Wilderness Adventure

The trip will be led by Szu-ting Yi @ LittlePo Adventures & Karen Fletcher @ QiDancing.

This is an active, cultural journey, which will immerse you in the local flora, fauna, and majesty of the wilderness terrains as well as the cultural and culinary flavors. My friend and colleague, Karen Fletcher, who is the founder of QiDancing, will offer Qigong lessons and lead Qigong practices.

This Qigong & Wilderness Adventure is a trekking and qigong expedition into the heart of the Tibetan Plateau to experience the wild scenic beauty and teachings of the Himalayan Mountains and the vibrant culture of the local people who live there.

Dates: September 9-22

Cost: $2,600

Fee includes: ground transportation, admission fees, local guides and horse packers, lodging, food for the trek, all breakfasts and lunches. Fee does not include: airfare (international or domestic), visa fee or tips.

Activities: trekking, service, qigong, cultural activities

Overview:

This 14-day qigong and wilderness adventure will start on September 9, 2012 in Chengdu China, the capital of Sichuan province. Sichuan is the home of the giant pandas, delicious spicy foods, and the famous Sichuan opera – all of which we will take in before traveling across the Tibetan Plateau to Kangding. Kangding is a beautiful Tibetan village famous due to a well-traveled folk song. The elevation is about 8,400 feet, and we will stay there to do some day hikes while adjusting to the high altitude.

From Kangding, we head on to another more remote Tibetan village that will be the launching place for our trekking adventure. This village, Litang is at the foot of the Genyen Massif, a stunningly majestic mountain range that is the home of the glaciated Mt. Genyen, considered sacred to the Tibetans. In Litang we will have an optional service component to share about Western culture and/or English with the young children at local Tibetan, Rinchen Chuta’s language school.

From there, we will put on our packs and trek into the grand Himalaya, setting up a small base camp in front of the magnificent Lengu Monastery. This is one of the very few Tibetan monasteries which was not destroyed during the Chinese Cultural Revolution because of its remoteness. There we will enjoy several days of exploring the valley, receiving from the terrain, practicing qigong and hiking amongst the meditation caves that look out on the breathtaking granite spires nearby.  Our journey will conclude by traveling south to Yunnan province visiting the mythical town of Shangri-La and ending up in this ancient and magical city on September 22, 2012.

We are so excited to share this trip as it encompasses such spectacular scenery, energy and amazing cultural diversity.

A few words about Qigong:

Qigong practice is a powerful way to both cultivate your own health and vitality, as well as develop your spirit and soul. In China, we will be using Qigong practices to tap into the teachings of the vast Lands of the Far East.

China, the home of a most powerful system of Chinese Medicine, of Qigong, of Daoism and many mystical arts, is born from its Lands, its mountains, rivers, trees, gorges, plateaus, and is channeled through its people. Qigong is one simple and profound practice to develop our innate abilities to more fully receive from our environment, our Earth – both energy and information – Qi. Come receive, experience, and explore in ancient, yet ever-evolving magnificent terrain!

Tentative Itinerary:

Day 1: Our trip kicks off in Chengdu, Sichuan. We will use this day to explore the city, visit pandas, watch Sichuan Opera, and taste spicy and delicious Sichuanese cuisine. Chengdu is the capital of this province. It has a unique historical and cultural background and it is known for its relaxing atmosphere and slow urban pace. Parents are warned not to send their kids here for school in case kids “play” more than they study.

Day 2-3: We start our journey towards the Eastern Tibetan plateau and will explore Kangding. Kangding is a neat Tibetan town and is well know because of a timeless folk song called “Romancing Kangding.” It is an important trading hub from the ancient Tea-Horse trade route. Currently, it is much like a melting pot, displaying both Chinese and Tibetan cultures. We will visit some historical sites and stroll through the city on day 2 and take a day hike in Mugecuo National Park near Kangding on day 3. We’ll have a chance to see the highest peak of Sichuan, Gongga, from Mugecuo.

Day 4-5: On day 4, we arrive in Litang, which is situated at the base of Genyen Massif. The average elevation of Litang is 13,000 feet. Due to the high elevation we’ll spend time in this lovely town to acclimatize to the thinner air. We will also explore Litang’s Tibetan-style architecture, drink some yak butter tea, visit the biggest Tibetan monastery in Eastern Tibetan plateau to learn about Tibetan Buddhism, and interact with the friendly Tibetan locals.

Day 6-9: On day 6 we will trek into the amazing Genyen Massif and set up a base camp near the Legu Monastery, which was spared from the demolishment of religious architectures during the Cultural Revolution because of its remoteness. From the base camp, we have the view of the awe-inspiring sacred snow peak, Genyen. For the next several days we will have the opportunity to meditate in caves, practice Qigong, take day hikes, and simply enjoy the beauty of this natural terrain.

Day 10-11: We’ll travel further towards the heart of Tibetan Plateau and base ourselves in the town of Derong. Here we will explore the sacred land of Wengjia and check out how a Tibetan monastery was built and integrated into the natural rock faces among the soaring peaks.

Day 12-14: We arrive at our final destination Shangri-la, Yunnan. We will take hikes to explore the famous Meili Snow mountain, which is a sacred peak in the hearts of locals. In town, we will have time to wind down, take a stroll on the cobble stone paved streets in the old town, visit various museums and shop for souvenirs.

A few friendly reminders and suggestions (more info in our FAQs document):

1. Our trip starts at Chengdu, Sichuan and concludes in Shangri-la, Yunnan. For your flights, we suggest you buy a round trip ticket from your near-by US city to Beijing, and buy a one-way ticket from Beijing to Chengdu and another one-way ticket from Shangri-la back to Beijing.
2. Please pack light. You will be happier and as our major ground transportation includes public buses and 4-wheel drive vehicles, and we will use pack horses during our trek, luggage space is limited. If you have any questions about packing, please refer to our packing list and feel free to ask us.
3. The areas where we will be traveling are remote, and therefore sometimes we may make changes to the proposed itinerary to accommodate unforeseen situations. We ensure that you will have life-long memories after this journey and we will ensure that you make your return flights!

Payment Info:

The price is based on a minimum group size of 4 trekkers.

Deposit: A $500 deposit is required to reserve your spot. 50% of your payment is due 75 days before your trip
(June 27th 2012). Full payment is due 45 days before your trip (July 26th 2012).

Cancellation Policy: If you must cancel a trip, we will refund your payments less the following fees:

• If you cancel 60 days or more in advance of your trip: $200;
• If you cancel 30-59 days in advance: $50% of trip tuition.
• If you cancel within 30 days or less: 100% of trip tuition.

You can pay through paypal here:

 

Options

Deposit$500.00 USD 50%$1,300.00 USD 100% – Deposit$2,100.00 USD 100%$2,600.00 USD

 

Additional Media Reference:

1. A video “Chasing Ghosts and Dreams along the Tibetan Plateau.” This video depicts a climbing trip which takes place in Genyen Massif.

2. Photo Albums:

• Explore the Tibetan Plateau
• Return to Genyen

Tibetan monks collecting logs for cooking and heat

wild flowers

horse racing festival

Shangbi Tunnel

While the most well-known climbing destination in Taiwan is LongDong (龍洞), there are many adventure secrets await for exploration. Among which, Siangbi Tunnel is one that you should not miss. Taiwanese climber & adventurer Lubin Hsu provides LittlePo Adventures with the following description and images of the breathtaking beauty of the Siangbi Tunnel, which is located in the east coast of Taiwan. Lubin opened up a line here (5.9). For approach, you can either hike on the sandy beach or paddle in with a sea kayak.

Approach on the beach

Climbing in Shangbi Information Page