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Spirit of the Middle Kingdom
At the Linden Centre in Yunnan Province
February 4th - 16, 2010

"Photographers deal in things which are continually vanishing and when they have vanished there is no contrivance on earth which can make them come back again." ~ Henri Cartier-Bresson

Rice Terraces

Trip Information

Photography is the art of both recognizing and honoring life in a single moment. That encapsulated moment becomes transcendental - a frozen still image made in the blink of an eye. Immediately, this photo becomes the past, forever holding a memory in time. The world moves and changes so swiftly, that these instances wash away as if the paint had never dried on what's right in front you. China embodies this revolution.

But the canvas has never really faded. Only painted over, like a hundred flowers covered by snow. Allow us to show you the layer beneath China. Journey with us to a place where the photo is still vibrant, and the romantic China lives on. Join us where the past does not wash away and a moment is never fleeting.

The Linden Centre is proud to host a photography program for the avid photographer of landscapes, architecture, people and cultural events. Led by an acclaimed photographer Douglas Beasley, this program will take photography principles, skills and creativity to a new level in the picturesque regions of Dali, Lijiang and the Yunnan rice terraces.

An accomplished professional photographer for more than 25 years, Doug Beasley will lead and mentor this workshop and tour. As founder and director of Vision Quest Photo Workshops, Beasley provides photography workshops that emphasize personal expression and creative vision. He also shoots various fine art based commercial assignments throughout the country and internationally. For more information on this acclaimed photographer, please visit www.douglasbeasley.com.

"No place is boring, if you've had a good night's sleep and have a pocket full of unexposed film." ~Robert Adams

Jinghong

Details:

February 4-16, 2010, 13 Days, $4500
Fare includes international flight from LAX to Dali and all domestic travel, all accommodations, most meals, medical travel insurance, and all activities and cultural services. Optional or extra-itinerary activities will be offered at basic costs to those who choose to participate. The Centre hosts 14 double occupancy rooms.

Maximum Group Size: 16

While the Linden Centre can comfortably accommodate 30 people, this group is limited to 16 to ensure that all guests can receive personal attention from the Centre's teachers and the Lindens. Many workshops will be hands-on, thus the lower number of guests will ensure ample participation.

To ensure that all can stay within the Centre, we highly encourage double occupancy with a loved one, friend, or colleague, but can assist in finding you an appropriate roommate. Requesting a single room for the duration of the trip is $500 and subject to availability. All rooms are non-smoking.

Proposed Itinerary: February 4 - 16, 2010

February 4: Arrival Day in Kunming
Upon your arrival this day into Kunming, a Linden Centre staff member will meet you at the airport and transport you to the centrally-located New Era Hotel. After you have had a chance to check in and wash up, we will tour the local Bird and Flower market- Kunming's original central market-place- which sells a variety of items ranging from exotic fruits and snacks, books, antiques, artwork and handicrafts-items from Yunnan's 26 ethnic groups. We will help you negotiate for any treasures that catch your eye. We will dine in a restored courtyard mansion and learn more about Yunnan and the upcoming adventures over dinner and tea.

February 5: To the Rice Terraces
After a Western/Chinese/Japanese buffet breakfast in the hotel's penthouse restaurant, we will travel south by a private, comfortable motor coach towards the rice terraces of Yuanyang. The trip will take approximately 6 hours, and we will be making several stops along the way to enjoy the scenery and photograph the timeless ethnic villages. Lunch will be in Jianshui, home to China’s second largest Confucian temple and an intact old town. Our home for the night will be in the mountain top village of Xinjie. Dinner will include a lecture on the cultural history of the unique ethnic peoples from this region- one of Asia's Wonders of the World and a future World Heritage Site.

February 6: Yuanyang
Today’s venture into the recently-flooded rice fields will be preceded by a session on landscape photography by Doug Beasley. The rice fields are an amazing feat of engineering and beauty and stretch across the mountains and valleys for over one hundred miles. We will drive and hike to the most scenic spots, timing our visits to coincide with the best lighting including a breath-taking sunset.

February 7: Onwards to Xishuangbanna
After an early morning tackling the rice terraces, we will enjoy a village breakfast and have an early lecture by Doug. We will drive south through the Red River valley to enter the Mekong River watershed in subtropical Xishuangbanna- “Land of 10,000 rice fields.” Throughout the day, we will pass elegant tea plantations and colorful ethnic villages. Stops will be made for spontaneous, unforgettable photos. Dinner will include a variety of vegetables and fruits indigenous to this tropic paradise.

February 8: A Day Along the Mekong
We will spend the day in Jinghong, the ancient capital of the old Tai kingdom of Xishuangbanna. There are three botanical gardens and parks, including numerous water elements. Doug will hold morning and evening classes, interspersed by a visit to a village along the Mekong River- one of Asia’s most storied waterways.

February 9: Flight into the Himalayas- Arrival at the Linden Centre
After breakfast, we will take a short, forty-five minute flight north to Dali. We will transfer to the Linden Centre and explore the ancient city of Xizhou- your home for the remainder of the trip. After a short orientation meeting during lunch, Doug will present a lecture, followed by a personal escort around the village with glimpses into the local lives of our good friends. We will hold an after-dinner reception with local wines, teas and coffees on our rooftop terrace overlooking the 14,000 foot Azure Mountains and surrounding wheat fields. Optional therapeutic massages will be available in your room throughout the stay (average cost: $18/hour massage).

February 10: The Portrait and the Ancient Town
Our first full day of Linden Centre activities will include Western and/or Chinese breakfast followed by a visit to the morning markets of Xizhou for interaction with the local villagers/ photo opportunities. You will have a chance to choose the vegetables, meats and fruits for the day’s meals. (You can walk to the market every morning with our staff and chefs to pick out foods throughout your stay at the Centre… Our chefs also welcome you to participate with them in the preparation of the food if interested). After lunch at the Centre, Doug will present a workshop about photographing people. He and the Lindens will discuss how to best interact with some of the local villagers for planned shots, and Doug will give all guests the first of their daily exercises. Later in the afternoon we will travel to the old walled city of Dali. The city is renowned for its unique galleries, shops, and cafes. The Lindens will help guests shop for beautiful locally-designed garments, artworks and antiquities. Dinner will be held in Dali's finest local restaurant and will include a brief introduction to Marco Polo's visit to this region 700 years ago.

February 11: The Buddha and the Villages
Today we will focus on the spiritual traditions of the region. We will visit local monasteries, including Gantong temple, and take a cable car up the slopes of the Azure Mountains for a short walk on the Cloud Path. This paved trail is situated at 8,500 feet and offers spectacular views of the Dali valley. In the afternoon, we will visit a rural kindergarten and share tea with village elders in a Taoist temple. The Lindens will introduce the region's unique blend of Taoism, Buddhism and hero worship. We will take a horse cart ride to the shores of the Lake Er to watch the sunset.

February 12: Touching the Sacred- A Journey up Mount Jizu
We will take a photographic journey to the Buddhist Mountain, Jizu Shan, for an all day trip. Today will include some longer periods of hiking, punctuated by stops at the numerous ancient temples and monasteries that surround the ‘Golden Peak’. (An optional cable car ride reached by horseback is available). Jizushan is one of the most important sacred mountains in southwest China. Legend claims that one of the historical Buddha’s main disciples came to Jizushan from India and entered into a hidden gate on the cliff side where he has been ever since in enlightened contemplation. We will eat lunch on the mountain, and return via comfortable bus in the evening for a late dinner and photographic storytelling at the Centre.

February 13: Textures and Culture- Visit to Zhoucheng
This morning we will explore the historic village of Zhoucheng to photograph its renowned tie-dye/cloth-making tradition. We will trace the process from the picking of the indigo leaves to the designing and tying of these works of art. Zhoucheng’s picturesque town square has a Qing Dynasty performance stage and is shaded by a massive canopied Banyan tree. We will have ample time to capture the colors of the lively marketplace that unfolds in this timeless setting. In the afternoon, Doug will conduct workshops in the Centre, and you will have a few hours to relax or explore the village on your own. The Centre’s café and library are open all day, so you can enjoy any type of drinks within the courtyard. Dinner will include a memorable music performance by our local Bai folk music group.

February 14: The Year of the Tiger
Today we join the Chinese in welcoming in the Year of the Tiger! The most exciting day of the year in China, New Year’s Day includes dragon dances, fireworks, temple ceremonies and endless food, drinks and laughter! Today will provide us with some of the most enjoyable photo opportunities. We will celebrate alongside villagers in a manner passed down for centuries. We will have a chance to work with our chefs to make our own “Long Life” noodles- a traditional meal to help ensure continued success in the coming year.

February 15: The First Day of Spring Festival
Today we will work with Doug to finish our assignments. You can accompany some of us as we take a horse cart to the surrounding temples to participate in the day’s special ceremonies. Others can return to Dali to do some last-minute shopping. You are also welcome to take off on our bicycles and explore the many pathways leading through the surrounding rice and wheat fields. We will conclude the day with a special dinner and a photo slideshow of the works taken throughout the trip.

February 16: Thank You
After breakfast, we will accompany you to the Dali Airport in time for your flight to Kunming and beyond. Extended stays can certainly be arranged at the Centre, or we would be happy to help plan a further visit throughout China.

Zhoucheng Dyeing Factory

Summary:

What — 13 day cultural excursion and photography tour in Yunnan, China.

When — February 4th – February 16th, 2010

Who — Anyone who wishes to experience the romanticism and spirituality of the true China. The traveler who hopes to experience many different facets, customs and culture of Yunnan

Cost — $4,500 Includes all domestic travel after arrival in Kunming, all accommodations, most meals unless specified, and all activities and cultural services. Round-trip, international airfare to Kunming from LAX is included. The Centre hosts 14 double occupancy rooms. Single supplement is an extra $500. Price excluding international airfare is $1,200 less the total program price. Medical travel insurance is provided in the price via AIG TravelGuard

Additional costs — Guests are also responsible for their own Chinese visa, costs related to alcohol, beverages not included in regular meals, laundry, personal items, souvenirs, and long distance telephone calls. Airfare to and from Los Angeles is not included. Trip interruption and cancellation insurance. For this insurance, refer to tour contract.

Group Size — Our tour groups are limited to fewer than 28 people due to the size of the Centre and to ensure that all participants receive more personal attention from the staff. Our minimum group size is 5 people; we reserve the right to cancel any tour if the minimum size is not met. All rooms are non-smoking.

Reservations — Call 920-388-4391 or email info@barnsitegallery.com. Non-refundable $500 deposit. Pay your deposit online here.

The Lindens have been living in China since 1984. Their twenty-plus years of contacts will ensure that all participants see and experience aspects of China unknown to other visitors. For most of their previous guests, the experiences throughout these regions of China have been among the most memorable in their lives. Please come and enjoy an indigenous travel experience to one of the world's most storied cultures.

How to reserve space for the tour:

Call 920-388-4391 or email info@barnsitegallery.com for more details on how to reserve space while there are still spots available.

Download your registration packet.

Pay your deposit online.