Full text of message sent by Utta Ra to Dan Windsor on December 16, 2004

Subject: CHINA ADVENTURE
Date: Thu, 16 Dec 2004 15:35:21 +0700
From: "Utta Ra" <uttara@guoxun.net>
To: "Dan Windsor" <HIHH@ddallwood.co.th>

Dear Dan,

Hi again and here are my thoughts for the Great China Adventure. I thought of 3 options ( 8 days with time in Bai and Naxi regions and then to the Tibetan region of Gyalthang, a journey full of variety , a gentle  6 days with time in Lijiang and Gyalthang and 5 days with time in Gyalthang focused in the Eastern Tibetan region only. So loet me have your thoughts.

 So here again :

OPTION 1 ( 8 DAYS )
Day 1 ( 28 July Thursday ) - KUNMING
Fly Chiangmai / Kunming arriving around 1400. You will be met and transferred to Camillia Hotel ( good 2 star) or Holiday Inn Sakura (3 star) or Greenlake Hotel (5 star).
Depending on how you feel we could check in and after a short rest drive and walk out to Cui Hu Lake or Green Lake, a lovely tree lined Lake in the center of the city with traditional tea houses and cafes. We will visit the Yuanthong temple the oldest Buddhist temple in the valley and drive out to a lovely dinner of Yunnan specialties at a traditional courtyard house.

Day 2 ( 29 July ) - DALI
We will vist the Bamboo Temple and see the life-like 500 erhats and enjoy a meandering walk through the forested temple grounds or if you want ta more relaxed day then visit the old heart of the city and the flower and Bird market and have some free time. Dinner of Yunnan specialties at a traditional courtyard house. We will then depart for the station for the Train to Dali, the autonomous region of the Bai people.

Day 3 - (30 July) - IN DALI
Arrive in Dali in the morning and you will be transferred to a hotel. Dali is a long valley ( 1900M) and town on the plains between the Cangshan mountains and Erhai Lake.  The historic home of the Bai people,  Dali is the capital of the region and the old town of grey granite stands at 1900 M.  The valley  is dominated by 19 peaks of the Cangshan mountains which average 4000m. Dali was the capital of the Nanzhao kingdom during the 8th and 9th centuries and at its height conquered much of Burma, parts of Vietnam and parts of Sechauan province.  Later Kublai Khan conquered the stone city. Dali is well known for its colourful people, its embroidery, rich agriculture, famous marble and excellent breed of horses.You will stay at Asia Star Hotel and visit the old walled city.

Day  4 and 5 ( 31 July and 1 Aug ) - TO LIJIANG
Drive along Erhai Lake to Nanzhou village away from the trodden path  to see a way of life that has hardly changed. On the way to Lijiang we will stop at Xizhou village to see the Mansion of the ancient prosperous tea merchants and enjoy the countryside. On arrival you will be met and transfered to the Grand Lijiang Hotel. Lijiang is at 2400 M and so we will request you to have some rest before taking a gentle walk through the streets of the ancient town. Overnight at hotel. The morning will be spent exploring Lijiang ,  the cultural  center and capital of the Naxi people, a small matriarchal tribe with a rich culture. Lijiang, now a World Heritage site, has existed for at least 800 years and has its own Tibeto Burman language with a unique pictographic script and its own tradition of unique music and musical instruments.  Women have traditionally run the market and businesses and men have had more creative pursuits such as gardening, making music. Now, of course there is a definite change towards more modern ways of living but women continue to be very active in business. We walk to the Dongba Cultural Center, Black Dragon Pool and the Naxi Museum and spend time in the ancient town. Lijiang was at one end of Tibet's trading route and we will visit the ancient trading square and other interesting sites in the old town.

Day 6 ( 2 Aug )  -   TO GYALTHANG
After breakfast we depart  5 hour drive to Zhongdian, Shangrila, the Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture. You will take the pleasant journey to Shigu (Stone Drum Village) to view the first bend in the Yangzi River (the Yangzi flows south from Tibet into Yunnan and then turns north again for approximately 60 miles) at Shigu. Continue to Shigu for a visit to the Red Army Memorial commemorating the crossing of the Red Army during the Long March in 1934-1935. You have a chance to see great views of the Yulong Shueshan  Mountain before continuing north to Zhongdian (Gyalthang in Tibetan) now also called Shangrila, the County capital of Diqing Tibetan Autonomous County. The drive north passes through rich Naxi farmlands growing tobacco,corn,beans and sorghum and numerous forested hills and onto the high plains and meadows of Gyalthang.  Here the land levels off into large expanses of grassland dotted with chalet-like villages with Gyalthang town in the center.  Stay at Huanthai or Songsan Hotel (depending on how many signups we have). Time for rest and acclimatization to altitude before dinner of Tibetan specialties.

Day 7 ( 3 Aug ) -   IN GYALTHANG
Visit Ganden Sumsanling Monastery where at least 700 Buddhist monks spend their time engrossed in Buddhist learning away from their families and homes.  Built in the 17th century by the 5th Dalai Lama, the monastery with numerous chapels, woodcarving and paintings is like a living museum of Tibetan culture. Parts of the monastery are being reconstructed and there is a great regeneration of the religious spirit. Visit the old town  which is the old heart of the town and in ancient times a bustling center for caravans arriving from the south laden with brick tea and copper and brass wares and the famous arak from the south, on their way to Lhasa and northern regions and many caravans traveled for over half a year to reach Kalimpong where a good trade in silk thrived. Take a leisurely walk in the old town of Gyalthang, see the interesting old homes. After lunch we depart for the Valley of Ringha and the temple of the 5 Wisdom Budhas. See the chalet like Adobe farm homes the Tibetan people of the region. Here cattle and sheep mingle with Yak in the grasslands. In springtime, the hills are covered with Azalea. Walk and drive to the temple of Ringha . At this most important and quiet pilgrimage site local Tibetan people go to pray and leave their problems behind. Here we will have a wonderful afternoon of Horse races ( If we have more than 30 participants) . The Khampa Tibetans are well known for their horsemanship. After that we will visit the home of a Tibetan farming family and after some teas drive back for the evening. Return for dinner of Tibetan specialties.

Day 8 ( 4 Aug )  - TO KUNMING AND BANGKOK
Early morning departure flight for Kunming and onward connection toBangkok.

OPTION 2 (6 DAYS)
Day 1 ( 28 July Thursday ) - KUNMING

Fly Chiangmai / Kunming arriving around 1400. You will be met and transferred to Camillia Hotel ( good 2 star) or Holiday Inn Sakura ( 3 star ) or Greenlake Hotel ( 5 star). Depending on how you feel we could check in and after a short rest drive and walk out to Cui Hu Lake or Green Lake, a lovely tree lined Lake in the center of the city with traditional tea houses and cafes. We will visit the Yuanthong temple the oldest Buddhist temple in the valley and drive out to a lovely dinner of Yunnan specialties at a traditional courtyard house.

Day 2 and 3 ( 29 and 30 July ) - TO LIJIANG
Early morning transfer to the airport for the flight to Lijiang. On arrival you will be met and transfered to the Grand Lijiang Hotel. Lijiang is at 2400 M and so we will request you to have some rest before taking a gentle walk through the streets of the ancient town. Overnight at hotel. The morning will be spent exploring Lijiang ,  the cultural  center and capital of the Naxi people, a small matriarchial tribe with a rich culture.  Lijiang, now a World Heritage site,  has existed for at least 800 years and has its own Tibeto Burman language with a unique pictographic script and its own tradition of unique music and musical instruments.  Women have traditionally run the market and businesses and men have had more creative persuits such as gardening, making music. Now , of course there is a definite change towards more modern ways of living but women continue to be very active in business .  We walk to the Dongba Cultural Center, Black Dragon Pool and the Naxi Museum and spend time in the ancient town. Lijiang was at one end of Tibet's trading route and we will visit the ancient trading square and other interesting sites in the old town. One evening we will see a Naxi music and dance concert.

Day 4 ( 31 July )  -   TO GYALTHANG
After breakfast we depart  5 hour drive to Zhongdian, Shangrila, the Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture. You will take the pleasant journey to Shigu (Stone Drum Village) to view the first bend in the Yangzi River (the Yangzi flows south from Tibet into Yunnan and then turns north again for approximately 60 miles) at Shigu. Continue to Shigu for a visit to the Red Army Memorial commemorating the crossing of the Red Army during the Long March in 1934-1935. You have a chance to see great views of the Yulong Shueshan  Mountain before continuing north to Zhongdian (Gyalthang in Tibetan) now also called Shangrila, the County capital of Diqing Tibetan Autonomous County. The drive north passes through rich Naxi farmlands growing tobacco, corn, beans and sorghum and numerous forested hills and onto the high plains and meadows of Gyalthang.  Here the land levels off into large expanses of grassland dotted with chalet-like villages with Gyalthang town in the center. Stay at Huanthai or Songsan Hotel ( depending on how many signups we have). Time for rest and acclimatisation to altitude before dinner of Tibetan specialties.

Day 5 ( 1 Aug ) -   IN GYALTHANG
Visit Ganden Sumsanling Monastery where at least 700 Buddhist monks spend their time engrossed in Buddhist learning away from their families and homes.  Built in the 17th century by the 5th Dalai Lama, the monastery with numerous chapels, woodcarving and paintings is like a living museum of Tibetan culture. Parts of the monastery are being reconstructed and there is a great regeneration of the religious spirit. Visit the old town  which is the old heart of the town and in ancient times a bustling center for caravans arriving from the south laden with brick tea and copper and brass wares and the famous arak from the south, on their way to Lhasa and northern regions and many caravans traveled for over half a year to reach Kalimpong where a good trade in silk thrived. Take a leisurely walk in the old town of Gyalthang, see the interesting old homes. After lunch we depart for the Valley of Ringha and the temple of the 5 Wisdom Budhas. See the chalet like Adobe farm homes the Tibetan people of the region. Here cattle and sheep mingle with Yak in the grasslands. In springtime, the hills are covered with Azalea. Walk and drive to the temple of Ringha. At this most important and quiet pilgrimage site local Tibetan people go to pray and leave their problems behind. Here we will have a wonderful afternoon of Horse races ( If we have more than 30 participants) . The Khampa Tibetans are well known for their horsemanship. After that we will visit the home of a Tibetan farming family and after some teas drive back for the evening. Return for dinner of Tibetan specialties.

Day 6 ( 2 Aug )  - TO KUNMING AND BANGKOEarly morning departure flight for Kunming and onward connection to Bangkok.

OPTION 3 (5 DAYS )
Day 1 ( 28 July Thursday ) - KUNMING

Fly Chiangmai / Kunming arriving around 1400. You will be met and transferred to Camillia Hotel ( good 2 star) or Holiday Inn Sakura ( 3 star )  or Greenlake Hotel ( 5 star). Depending on how you feel we could check in and after a short rest drive and walk out to Cui Hu Lake or Green Lake, a lovely tree lined Lake in the center of the city with traditional tea houses and cafes. We will visit the Yuanthong temple the oldest Buddhist temple in the valley and drive out to a lovely dinner of Yunnan specialties at a traditional courtyard house.

Day 2 ( 29 July ) - GYALTHANG SHANGRILA
We take an early morning flight to Zhongdian, Shangrila, the Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture. You will be met and transfered through the meadows of Gyalthang dotted with chalet-like villages with Gyalthang town in the center. Stay at Huanthai or Songsan Hotel ( depending on how many signups we have) you will check in and have the morning for rest and acclimatization to altitude. In the afternoon visit Ganden Sumsanling Monastery where at least 700 Buddhist monks spend their time engrossed in Buddhist learning away from their families and homes.  Built in the 17th century by the 5th Dalai Lama, the monastery with numerous chapels, woodcarving and paintings is like a living museum of Tibetan culture.  Parts of the monastery are being reconstructed and there is a great regeneration of the religious spirit. Dinner and early evening.

Day 3 ( 30 July  ) -   IN GYALTHANG
Visit the old town  which is the old heart of the town and in ancient times a bustling center for caravans arriving from the south laden with brick tea and copper and brass wares and the famous arak from the south, on their way to Lhasa and northern regions and many caravans traveled for over half a year to reach Kalimpong where a good trade in silk thrived. Take a leasurely walk in the old town of Gyalthang , see the interesting old homes. After lunch we depart for the Valley of Ringha and the temple of the 5 Wisdom Budhas. See the chalet like Adobe farm homes the Tibetan people of the region. Here cattle and sheep mingle with Yak in the grasslands. In springtime, the hills are covered with Azalea. Walk and drive to the temple of Ringha. At this most important and quiet pilgrimage site local Tibetan people go to pray and leave their problems behind. Here we will have a wonderful afternoon of Horse races ( If we have more than 30 participants). The Khampa Tibetans are well known for their horsemanship. After that we will visit the home of a Tibetan farming family and after some teas drive back for the evening.  Return for dinner of Tibetan specialties.

Day 4 ( 31 July )  - IN GYALTHANG
Drive north along the Yunnan Tibet road  towards the Tibetan border passing the potters village of Nishi where attractive black pottery is crafted. You will then descend into the upper Yangtse river gorge with its limestone mountains. We will cross the confluence of the Gonjo and Yangtse rivers and descend into Punzera at 2100M.  This is a warm oasis valley where oranges, pomegranates and olives grow.  Continue along the Yangtse river as you leave behind the lush forests and drive into the rocky limestone spires of the Yangtse Mekong divide, windy and arid. You will stop to see the half moon bend of the river ( time permitting and visit a poor school we support. Here you will see the architecture change to that of the flat roof villages of central Tibet.  Time permitting visit Dhondupling Monastery further north and see the change in architecture to the flat roof villages of central Tibet. Visit this second largest Monastery of the region and on the return drive you will stop at craftsmans villages where the wonderful Tibetan tea cups and Tsampa bowls are made. On our return we will have an evening of wonderful Tibetan songs and dancing after dinner.

Day 5 ( 1 Aug ) -  TO KUNMING AND BANGKOK. Early morning departure flight for Kunming and onward connection to Bangkok.

Let me know your thoughts and cheers. All three will be fun. It depends on how much time people can afford and how much everyone would like to see. Warm regards, Uttara

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