Field Trip Outline

Our itinerary has been specially designed to best illustrate many of the fundamental characteristics of China's physical and cultural geography. The specific locations chosen are ideally suited for field research and as such contain a broad range of study topics. The distances are approximations, precise figures may vary.

Five Stages of the Field Project

1) Beijing - Capital of the People's Republic of China and rapidly changing urban center.

2) Xian - An ancient capital of China and once major metropolis of the Silk Road, situated in the historic Wei River Valley, a major tributary of China's famous Yellow River.

3) Northwest China/Tibet Borderland - This stage takes us across a dynamic frontier where the cultures of Han China, Islam and Tibet meet and interact. Tracing our way through the upper reaches of the Yellow River Valley, we transit from the province of Gansu to Qinghai, a province that is better known to Tibetans as Amdo. Significant sites include the great monastery complex of Labrang, the important agricultural and cultural center of Repkong and Kumbum, the birthplace of Tsongkapa the great reformer and founder of the Gelug tradition of Tibetan Buddhism. The road to Lhasa takes us from the remote Qaidam Basin up and over the vast open spaces of the Changtang, enroute we cross the lofty Tang La (5231m/17158ft) marking the divide between the drainage basins of the upper Changjiang and the Nujiang (Salween).

4) Lhasa and the region of U - Lhasa, including the Jokhang Temple, the Potala and the 3 major monasteries of the Gelug tradition; Sera, Drepung an Gandan will be explored in depth. The adjacent area of U including the heartland of Tibetan culture around Tsetang and the Yarlung Valley contains some of the most significant places associated with the development of Tibetan culture and Buddhism. Our visit to Samye, the site of Tibet's first Buddhist monastery, corresponds to its annual religious festival while such less known sites as Keru Gompa and Dranang feature some of the most significant examples of early Buddhist art.

5) Shigatse and the region of Tsang - Our journey continues with an extensive exploration of Central Tibet. In addition to visiting such important places as Gyantse and its great chorten; Shigatse, with its monastery complex of Tashilumpo, seat of the Panchen Lama and ancient Sakya, we will search out and find more remote and unexplored sites - such places as the ruins of Yemar/Iwang with its Central Asian inspired art, Shalu known for its Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368) murals, the great chortens at Gyang and Jonang near Lhatse and the nearby monastery of Pindsoling.

Note: The exact sequence of this journey may change due to unforeseen circumstances. In order to ensure the safety and integrity of this journey, the instructor reserves the right to modify the itinerary and adjust the choice of destinations, activities, transportation and accommodations.