Shangri-La
China’s Majestic Yunnan Province
October 9, - 22, 2003

ROOFTOP OF THE WORLD

In 1933, British author James Hilton wrote of an idyllic society in a secluded valley, somewhere high in the mountains of Central Asia. Shangri-La, first coined in his romantic adventure novel Lost Horizon,   signified a “heaven far away from the mundane world.” Actually, Shangri-La is a Tibetan word meaning “land of sacredness and peace.”
     The idea of a such a heavenly place would go on to capture the imagination of readers the world over. Alongside such other fabled cities as Atlantis and Eldorado, Shangri-La has become part of contemporary mythology as an aspiration, a dream world, often sought but seldom found. But can such a place really exist or is it a wholly spiritual concept? Some say that it may indeed be a real place.
     Although Hilton’s book is set in Tibet, many noted anthropologists believe that Shangri-La’s  description perfectly matches that of Yunnan Province in China, specifically the town Zhongdian. Although he never set foot in the region, Hilton based his book on the writings of Joseph F. Rock. (Rock was a US botanist who lived in Naxi near Zhongdian for 27 years and wrote a series of articles for National Geographic until Chinese Communists expelled him in 1949.)
     The area features much the same detail of landscape as depicted in Hilton’s book—snowcapped mountains, blue lakes, broad grasslands and a huge, beautiful monastery wedged into the hillside. Even the novel’s pyramid-shaped mountain roughy approximates the 22,000-ft. high Kawaboge Peak, the highest of the Meilixue Mountains near Zhongdian.
     Hilton said that his readers would not find Shangri-La on any map, but that has not stopped the Chinese government from officially renaming Zhongdian as Shangri-La. They may be on to something, as this place is like no other in China. Quite a distance from the country’s most populous cities, this area is still relatively unspoiled and not yet overrun by hoards of Western tourists. Shangri-La is the China of most visitors’ dreams.
     The snowy peaks form a beautiful backdrop that is a feast for the eyes. Lakes scattered across the vast expanse of grassland look like rich jewels inlaid on a beautiful tapestry of grassy meadows and luxuriant flowers. The surrounding forests are an exotic world of rare birds and animals. Mother Nature has endowed Shangri-La with bountiful natural wealth, making this land a happy home for 100,000 people of various ethnic minorities, including a great many Tibetans. Indeed, one of the great benefits to traveling here is the chance to experience the culture and lifestyle of Tibet, without the bureaucratic hassles of actually traveling there.
     The lamasery of “Shangri-La” is the Ganden Sumtseling Gompa, which houses 600 lamas and resembles Potala Palace of Lhasa in its layout. The five-story Tibetan style building is covered with wooden carvings and gold-plated copper tiles. A mysterious tranquility seems to pervade every inch of the ever-changing landscape. This destination, as yet unknown to more than a handful of Western visitors, has all the hallmarks of an adventure out of another time. Such opportunities are rapidly disappearing from the face of the earth!
     China is a huge, multi-national empire whose population, geography, natural beauty, and racial diversity span more than any distance which can be measured in miles.  Traverse much of this awesome spectacle with Toto Tours as we travel over 4000 miles from Shanghai on the eastern coast to Yunnan Province near the country’s southwestern border with  Burma, finally traveling north to end the tour in Beijing, home to many of China's marvels.
     This tour is designed for true adventurers who like to pioneer travel to new, untouched destinations. If that describes you, arrange your calendar now to join this—the first all-gay expedition to Shangri-La.

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ITINERARY

Thursday, October 9, 2003
Leave Home / Fly to China

Depart your home city today bound for Shanghai, China. Group airfare is not available for this tour. Let us know if you would like us to help you search for the best airfare from your home city.

Friday, October 10, 2003
Arrival in Shanghai

Today you arrive in Shanghai, the largest city in China and the most populous one in the world. You will be met and transferred to the world famous Peace Hotel on the Bund. Late this evening we have arranged a welcome dinner at the Sea Gull Restaurant, located on the eastern bank of Huangpu River, with beautiful views across to the river walk along the wide tree-line boulevard of Bund.     (Dinner included)

Saturday, October 11, 2003
Tongli / Shanghai Sightseeing

After breakfast at the hotel, depart on a 90-minute/75-mile journey to Tongli, the best preserved water township. Set among five lakes, the town is divided into seven islands by 15 different rivers and connected by 49 bridges. These townships provide a glimpse into the past since the waterways kept them safe from conquerors during wartime, thus preserving ancient buildings. Visit this ancient town’s unique houses, private gardens and its zigzagging waterways.
     Upon our return to Shanghai in the early afternoon, take a sightseeing tour of the city’s highlights, including the Jade Buddha Temple and the Shanghai Silk Museum. Tonight dinner has been arranged in the famous Green Wave restaurant, located in the Old Shanghai Town area. After dinner, the evening is free.    (All Meals)

Sunday, October 12, 2003
Hangzhou

After an early breakfast transfer to the train station for the express train to Hangzhou, one of the seven ancient Chinese capitals. After hotel check-in, enjoy lunch in a local restaurant. In the afternoon, cruise the Xi Hu, or West Lake, whose beautiful, forested shores are often shrouded in romantic mists. Visit Lingyin Si, a monastery dating back to the 4th Century, and the lovely Six Harmony Pagoda. If time permits, we may also visit the Dragon Well Tea Plantation. The evening is free.     (All Meals)

Monday, October 13, 2003
Kunming

After a relaxed breakfast transfer to the airport for our flight to Kunming. Lunch today will be in-flight. After hotel check-in take a city sightseeing tour. Kunming enjoys a protected location with mountains to the north, east and west, giving it a mild spring-like climate all year round.
     The great variety of nationalities, customs and cultures in Yunnan, and its delightful southern atmosphere, can be enjoyed while strolling through the quaint market streets and the big avenues. Also hike the city’s West Hill, an ascent which sometimes tunnels through the cliffside and ends at the carved Dragon Gate. The evening is at your leisure.     (All Meals)

Tuesday, October 14, 2003
Stone Forest

After breakfast take a 90-minute drive to the Stone Forest, one of China’s most famous scenic spots. This massive collection of grey limestone pillars, split by rain water and eroded to their present fanciful shapes over the course of 250 million years, covers a total area of 217 square miles. We hike some incredible trails and enjoy lunch at the Stone Forest Hotel, returning to Kunming in the late afternoon for dinner and overnight. The evening is free. (All Meals)

Wednesday, October 15, 2003
Dali

Today we have an early morning drive to the airport for the flight to Dali, with a box breakfast provided by the hotel. Arrive later this morning and check in at our hotel. This afternoon we tour this historic and scenic city. The Cangshan Mountain juts up like a huge screen wall in the western part of the city, soaring to13,500 ft. and a snowy summit that never thaws.
     No visit to Dali is complete without a visit to the Three Pagodas of Chongshen Monastery. These Pagodas are emblems of the city’s long and celebrated history. We end our day of adventures with a cruise on Erhai Lake, with breathtaking views of the mountains.     (All Meals)

Thursday, October 16, 2003
Lijiang

This morning visit the Xizhou Bai Minority Village and share their famous 3-course-tea while enjoying a native dance show. Lunch will be at a local restaurant. This afternoon drive to Lijiang, a UNESCO World Cultural Legacy site. Built in the 12th Century, Lijiang boasts many breathtaking natural wonders, and the old town has inspired such superlatives as “Venice of the Orient.” Check-into our hotel with rooms facing the old town. Dinner is at the hotel and the evening is free.     (All Meals)

Friday, October 17, 2003
Long Quan Village / Jade Dragon

After breakfast our group visits the Long Quan Village—a Naxi Minority village. After lunch we visit the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, a massif comprised of 13 peaks, riding a cable car to a look-out point at 14,700 feet above sea level. Dinner is served at our hotel, after which we take in a minority tribes cultural show.  (All Meals)

Saturday, October 18, 2003
Tiger Leaping Gorge / Zhongdian (Shangri-La)

This morning transfer to Zhongdian by motorcoach. Along the way see the historically significant first bend of the Yangtze River. Called the “China Maker,” all of history would have been forever altered had this river not taken this first turn.
     Our next stop is the Tiger Leaping Gorge, believed to be the deepest river-gorge on the surface of the planet. It is an almost unimaginably deep declivity formed where the Jinsha-Jiang, the River of Golden Sand, has forced its way between two 18,000-foot peaks, the Dragon Snow Mountain and the Jade Snow Mountain. Miocene uplifting forced them up, the river cut them down. The combination of 5 million years' worth of thrusting and slicing has produced something stupendous indeed.
     Having at last arrived in Shangri-La, dinner tonight will be at our hotel and the evening is free to perhaps enjoy another cultural minority performance.     (All Meals)

Sunday, October 19, 2003
Tibetan Monastery

This morning visit the Ganden Sumtseling Gompa—a Tibetan Monastery first begun in 1679 and now home to 600 monks. This is the likely setting of Shangri-La in James Hilton's Lost Horizon. We return to the hotel for lunch.
     This afternoon drive to Bita Hai Lake, a nature reserve with a pristine highland lake dotted with many small isles. There will be some free time to hike, explore the area and photograph this beautiful and serene setting. Dinner tonight is at a local restaurant before returning to our hotel.     (All Meals)

Monday, October 20, 2003
Zhongdian / Kunming / Beijing

After breakfast transfer to the airport for an early flight to Kunming, connecting to another flight to Beijing. Upon arrival, we check in at our hotel and the evening is free to explore the city on your own.     (All Meals)

Tuesday, October 21, 2003
Great Wall / Ming Tombs / Farewell Dinner

After breakfast enjoy the unforgettable adventure of climbing on the Great Wall of China. Also included is a visit to the Ming Tombs. Tonight Toto Tours hosts a festive Farewell Dinner of Peking Roast Duck at the He Ping Men Quan Ju De Restaurant to celebrate the conclusion of our magical journey to Shangri-La.     (All Meals)

Wednesday, October 22, 2003
Departure

After breakfast at the hotel enjoy free time until our group transfer to the airport for our departing flights. We will be happy to make all arrangements for those who wish to extend their time in Beijing.     (Breakfast)