We will depart San Francisco for Beijing China! We were lucky and were able to upgrade to business class with points (got to love those credit cards) and so we are looking at the 12 hour flight without that UCK of having to be can-opened out of our seats!
We have been before but this trip we plan to explore many more temples including the Temple of Heaven where worship for good harvest occurs, take a couple of Tai Chi and Qi Gong classes and of course become steeped in teahouses!
We will fly down to Chengdu the capital of Sichuan. Tea production mainly occurs in the southwest region, close to China’s borders with Burma and Laos in a tropical region of Xishuangbanna. Known for spicy food and natural beauty we are excited to explore.
We will drive to Green City Mountain, a remote tropical mountain range not often on the tourist trek. To deepen the experience we plan to spend the night here in a Daoist Monastery. This will be our first visit and we are looking forward to the solitude.
This is where Kuding tea is found and we will meet with a local tea company and learn more about this unique tea.
OK by now we should be in the China “mood” so we are going to see what a night in a native ethic groups’ village might be like by staying in the Ecological Museum Guesthouse. Many of these tribes are disappearing as they are getting absorbed by modern society so we are looking forward to taking a lot of video here to try to preserve the “feeling” and learn the customs of Miao Village
Back to Guiyang for some serious shopping! This area is known for its’ art such as lacquer ware, double sided embroidery and bamboo work. I am bringing that tuck away and FILL bag along!
To the place where all those gorgeous misty mountain photos are taken; Huang Shan in the Anhui Province is also home to many famous and fabulous teas including the huge world of Wu-longs’ or what we call in North America Oolongs!
We have been once before and are REALLY looking forward to spending time to further explore and of course drink tea!
You guessed it, don’t’ think we will want to leave just yet. Want to spend one more night with Wu-longs’ in the gorgeous Yellow Mountain Range.
We know we will hate to leave but also soooo looking forward to Hangzhou the capital of Zhejiang in the Yangtze River Delta along the eastern coast. Known for its’ natural scenery, West Lake its most famous from a travel perspective, but from a tea perspective it is the home of Dragon Well tea, the National Tea Museum, the Tea Research Center and a University that gives a PHD in TEA!
Heading north we will soon be in Yixing along the Tai Lake. YES this is the same Yixing where the cute little teapots come from! We plan to visit the ancient “Dragon Kiln” check out a few factories and of course find some new teaware treasures.
Today is Shanghai with all her busy streets, the famous Mid-Lake Pavilion Teahouse and many tea trade executives. We have a couple of meetings planned.
Our last day in Shanghai and time to take a few classes at the legendary Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital.
So this is our PLAN but who knows what will actually happen as travel always brings such exciting and unexpected happenings. We will embrace each opportunity and will be posting this blog as often as possible. Remember we may not have internet in some of the remote places we will visit so be patient and look often!
Beautiful and informative website! Sounds like you have a wonderful trip planned to China, both scenic and educational. Full of new, unexplored experiences! Stay safe and in touch when you can.
It's great to know that your flight was great and also that you are having a wonderful time. thank you for sharing your trip, stay safe and keep sharig your trip when you can.
Keep sharing! This is great!! I can almost picture being there and sipping tea......... Post pictures when you can. Enjoy and stay safe. Susan
What a WONDERFUL adverture and most exciting to see the agenda. A typical HIGH QUALITY Donna and Nez quest. Are you going to offer similar trips to interested parties? The Tai Chi and Qi Gong classes will be a great beginning to clear the mind and bring oneself to a good space enabling you both to enjoy your venture. Travel safely.
The photos are GREAT please keep posting. It looks like you are having a Wonderful trip. Travel safe and enjoy your experiences
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