PROGRAM ITINERARY

FIRST WEEK


1. Day 1
   Travel with ARTIS group leader; depart USA on International flight and fly across International Date Line. Lose one day. Arrive Guangzhou, after dinner check in Huaqiao hotel (4 star or similar.)
   
   
2. Day 2
   Fly to Kunming in the morning. After lunch check in Holiday Inn (4 star or similar.) In the afternoon orientation of short-term study in local Kunming arts college. Rest, recuperation and unpacking. Orientation meeting and if time allows a walking tour.
   
   
3. Day 3
   We'll walk through our neighborhood's buzzing streets to our first Buddhist Temple. This thousand year old Yuantang Temple is located in beautiful Yuantag park, famous for its flowers and blooming trees. Here also is the location of the city's zoo. In the afternoon attend the course. Lecture on Yunnan and its art.
   
   
4. Day 4
   Meet with English speaking art students and teachers for social interaction. Afternoon Art classes.
   
   
5. Day 5
   Today we drive out to visit the 700 years old Bamboo Temple. Quietly hidden in the wooded hills outside of Kunming, famous for it's 500 statues of Buddha's disciples and examples of Buddhist art. Afternoon art classes.
   
   
6. Day 6
   Free day.
   
   
7. Day 7
   We'll spend the morning in the Westerns hills, (the sleeping beauties) with their scenic view overlooking Dianchi Lake. Here we'll visit several temples, pagodas, the San Qing Pavilion and the caves at Dragon Gate. Afternoon art classes.
   
   SECOND WEEK
   
   
8. Day 8
   This morning we'll tour the exceptional museum of Yunnan Province, home of superb cultural art treasures, including 3000 year old bronzes and traveling art shows. Afternoon art classes.
   
   
9. Day 9
   The day will be spent at the huge Park of Minorities Villages to experience first hand the people and customs of over 25 villages of Yunnan's ethnic cultures. See villagers in traditional clothing and activities showing everything from cooking to arts and crafts.
   
   
10. Day 10
    Today we'll drive out to Phoenix Song Mountain and after a good climb through a pine forest we'll walk through the heavenly gates to the Copper or Golden Temple, where almost everything is made from copper, actually 300 tons of cast copper to be exact! Last day of art classes.
    
    
11. Day 11
    We'll start our early morning day excursion to the Stone Forest, where we'll hike through and explore an extremely rare geological phenomenon of stunning beauty. Stone forest is special karst limestone formations that have eroded into caves, arches and pavilions, all connected by a labyrinth of trails. Back to Kunming in the evening.
    
    
12. Day 12
    This morning visit the newly built world Eco Exposition in Kunming. Afternoon free.
    
    
13. Day 13
    Free Day
    
    THIRD WEEK
    
    
14. Day 14
    Beginning of a 6 day excursion into the remarkable high country of western Yunnan to experience Dali and Lijiang. Dali, it has been remarked, "is so charming it makes you whimper". A remote village of the Bai minority situated in the foot hills of the Anjure Mountains, along Erhai Lake, considered one of the most blessed spots in China, and to some in the whole world. Lijiang, an 800 year old remote village of the Naxi people, a matriarchal society. Located beyond the mysterious Iron Armor Mountain. It can be reached only by passing through spectacular countryside and is truly a trip back into time. Leave for Dali by morning flight. After lunch, visit the ancient city of Dali, the Butterfly Spring, and a Bai cultural village, with its unique brick houses, where you will taste Yunan "three course" tea, enjoy traditional Bai dance and examine some ethnic handicrafts. Attend a welcome banquet featuring local specialties this evening. Stay at Manwan hotel (4 star or the same class)
    
    
15. Day 15
    Dali- Today's highlight is a visit to the famous Changshan Mountain, follow by Erhai Lake, and the Dali Three Pagodas - the symbol of ancient Dali.
    
16. Day 16
    Dali/Lijiang After breakfast, travel by coach to the scenic mountain area of Lijiang. Afternoon sight-seeing features the old towns of Lijiang and Dayan, and the Dong Ba Culture Center, where you can hear about the unique cultures of the ancient Bai and Miao peoples. Stay at Gongfang hotel (4 star).
    
    
17. Day 17
    Continue the tour and Sight-seeing of the frescoes in Lijiang.
    
    
18. Day 18
    Visit the local museum and Jade Pead Temple. Free in the afternoon.
    
    
19. Day 19
    Lijiang/Kunming Take an morning flight to Kunming. A full day excursion will take you for a boat ride on the scenic Dian Chi Lake, the biggest lake in Yunnan Province, as well as to the Golden Shrine and Xishan Forest Park, a colossal natural forest reserve. Stay at Holiday Inn. Last day in Kunming.
    
    
20. Day 20
    Finish packing for return to USA. Kunming/Guangzhou Afternoon air flight takes you to Guangzhou, capital city of Canton Province. Stay overnight at Huaqiao hotel (4 star or similar)
    
    
21. Day 21
    Free in the morning, fly back to USA. Fly across international time zone and arrive the same day on west coast.