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The Dream Trip to China is for people who believe that life is a spiritual adventure. It is for souls that hunger for the riches of ancient wisdom in faraway lands, and seek to merge them into the present moment. "Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take,but by the places and moments that take our breath away". |
China Dream Trip 2008
In Lao Tzu's footsteps: a Qigong Journey to Sacred Taoist Mountains
Core 16 Day Journey: May 12 — May 22, 2008
Full 22 day Journey with optional week for "Taoist Cave & Monastery Contemplatives"
May 12 to June 2, 2008.
Note: If flying from USA, you must be at Los Angeles airport evening
of Sunday, May 11.
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A Taoist monk meditates in China's sacred mountains. |
China Dream Trip 2008
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Led by Michael Winn
Michael is founder and Director, Healing Tao University, past President of National Qigong Association, and an experienced traveler who has been to over 100 countries. He is an ex-war correspondent in Africa & Asia turned spiritual guide — exploring the shadow and light sides of humanity. He has led dozens of adventure & sacred tour groups over the last 30 years. This is his 11th trip to China.
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Michael Winn, holding a rare Red Panda in China. |
| Assistant Trip Leader: Barry Spendlove, Senior Healing Tao Instructor from Wales. Barry was Assistant Trip Leader on the 2002 Dream Trip. |
Barry Spendlove is actually a magical Elf. Doing tai chi atop a stone dolmen. visit www.healingtaobritain.com |
| Cherry Li is our main Chinese guide on the 2008 trip, assisted by local guides in each area of China. Cherry has a degree from the prestigious Xian Foreign Language Institute, and has done a wonderful job guiding past China Dream trips. She is both a tai chi and yoga practitioner, is the mother of a 4 year old girl , and is interested in Christianity (a perfect mirror to western interest in China's spiritual life) but knows her way around the Taoist sacred mountains. She brings a lovely and sincere heart to her work of making China and Chinese people as accessible to us as possible. |
Cherry LI takes up a dare to fly over the Great Wall..... |
Trip Co-Stars: Everyone who comes on the trip! Why are China Dream Trips so special, and very different from typical tourist trips? We attract a fabulous group of Tao-minded spiritual adventurers.Not mere curiosity seekers or jaded tourists, but fascinating folks who are excited about literally following in the footsteps of Lao tzu and doing powerful qigong ceremonies in China's highest spiritual energy spots.
After every Dream Trip is the same refrain: "the incredible people I met and grew to love were as important as China itself". This is the kind of trip where you make lifetime friends or might find your partner.
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China Dream Trip Mission: "To experience the spiritual essence of China. To meet & study with spiritually powerful Taoists. To do qigong in its most sacred and beautiful landscapes and connect to its ancestral chi. To deeply taste China's ancient culture and peoples, and feast on its local cuisines at sumptuous banquets. To share the very best secrets I discovered on eight previous trips to China — before it disappears in China's madly modern rush to forget its rich history. In short, The Dream China Trip I would give to myself, if I could only visit China once.
This trip explores new riches not offered on the previous Dream Trips. The trips are designed to keep the door open between Western and Chinese Taoist adepts, and to deepen the ground of our personal practice. Our qigong practice will connect us to the uniquely powerful Qi currents flowing in China's sacred mountains. If your heart feels drawn to China's mystery, I advise you to trust your soul's guidance, and trust the Tao will supply the time and resources to GO."
A few succinct testimonials from earlier Dream trips:
"I am still unpacking the chi from my unforgettable experiences doing qigong in China's sacred mountains. This trip gave me continuous ecstasy, amazing landscapes, superb food and powerful sacred temples and monasteries - all with a crazy bunch of warm-hearted western adepts accompanied by a premium group of Tao immortals! Thank you all for such an extraordinary experience!"
"The Qi (chi) I experienced in China was simply mind blowing. I got a transmission from being in those mountains that has totally opened up new levels of my inner vision."
"Thanks seems extremely insufficient to express my gratitude to you for making this trip to China possible - but, anyway, please accept my sincere gratitude. It was the most powerful experience of my life and continues to have a palpable moment-to-moment effect upon me."
"I can't begin to tell you how much we enjoyed the trip and what a profound effect it had on us and our practice".
"Thank you, thank you, thank you! You have been the gateway to what my soul was seeking for. This China trip is a milestone in my life, a profound spiritual development. Each time I think about you and the group my heart beats faster and a big unstoppable smile takes over!
The outer trip was set up perfectly, to make our inner spiritual trip go perfectly!From start of the trip to the end, it was like yin and yang making love… it was so beautiful! Poetic…simply magnificent!
The trip to China is not only beautiful in the way Michael carefully and meticulously selected these amazing places, but also the spiritual growth, the marvelous people, the enrichment in my Taoist practices, in my martial arts, in every single daily activity - this makes the Dream Trip very special and unique.
After this dream trip, even months later I keep digesting. China is still in my heart, the connection has been made. The qi created in those amazing places and with the group is already part of me. It is like having lived a journey of thousand years reduced in a couple of weeks, time was frozen and the earth opened to let us into it's entrails, to speak with the gods and to connect with all the beings of the mountains, the trees and the rivers, with old spirits and immortals, with pixies and most important with my brothers and sisters of thousands of years... The experiences shared with each of them were amplified thanks to the energy of the earth, moments of pure love, happiness, songs, monasteries, temples, roads, smells and flavors, clouds, sacred mountains, healing crises, smiles and tears, all of them gifts from the universe flowing in an eternal instant...
Some special times for me: Talks with the Abbottess in the temple at the base of the Qingchenshan. Her feminine ancestral wisdom, very inspiring, nurturing, yin qi like the mountain itself....The retreat on Mt. Qing, a day of fasting, feeding myself only with qi from the earth, from the north star, the big dipper, from the sun and the moon, from the gingko trees, imbuing ourselves with that beautiful magical forest...The 8 Immortals temple in Xian, a gate to communicate with the spirits of the immortals that live in the statues, in the murals, in the altars, in the gardens...
Deep 'Thanks to Michael and the Elementals and all of my new tribe for this Dream Trip!
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2008 DREAM TRIP HIGHLIGHTS NEW DESTINATIONS in 2008:
Note: Because of the fantastic and unique historic opportunity in eastern China, I am dropping Wudang Mtn. from the 2008 schedule. Wudang is quite remote and takes extra travel days to reach,and cannot be fit into the 2008 schedule along with Tai Shan. I prefer to keep Mt. Qingcheng and Mt. Hua as the other two sacred mountains on this trip, as they have more coherent and focused chi than Mt. Wudang, which is really 72 mountains spread out over a wide area.
If you were coming in 2008 mostly for Wudang Mountain, I suggest you wait for my 2010 trip to visit Wudang. Or consider the 2009 trip, which will focus on Taoist sites in my favorite part of China - Yunnan province - and includes a visit and training at Tao Garden in northern Thailand.
PHOTOS:
For NEW PHOTOS from 2007 Dream trip, see:
Money back guarantee: on returning home, you will not be the same person who left!
Trip cost is $4495. including international airfare from Los Angeles + all domestic air (six flights) and all land costs within China, at 4 star hotels where available. (Note: the 6 flights within China cost nearly as much as the international flight. For perspective: our flights within China are equivalent to flying from New York to Maine, from Maine back to New York, New York to San Diego, San Diego to Denver, then back to New York. Price will not change even if itinerary changes.
I've done my best to keep this trip affordable. It is priced about $2000. below comparable quality tourist trips to China, which don't cover the same range of exotic locations. High inflation - increase of 15 % a year in the cities - higher airfuel costs, and a strongChinesecurrency are driving up travel costs.
The 2008 Olympics, whose crowds we will completely miss, is widely being used as an excuse to raise prices.In the travel market, this trip is a good bargain given all that is packed into it. Given what you'll experience, the trip is priceless!
Travelers NOT flying from Los Angeles: cost for trip starting in Beijing is $3995. You will meet us in Beijing Hotel.
Optional Cost, Taoist Cave & Mountain Meditators Week: $835. covers all expenses (meals, lodging, travel, coolies to carry gear up mountain, extra guides,, and donations made to support Taoist monasteries in appreciation for their teachings and loan of caves for meditation. No Single Supplement available.This week is offered only to those attending the core trip.
$100. DISCOUNT to my personal students, Healing Tao instructors, past China trip members or any attendee of Healing Tao USA summer retreats in the past three years.
Single Supplement $495. (for core trip only; no singles available in Tao monasteries).
RESERVE YOUR PLACE with $600. deposit, subject to terms of cancellation policy posted on website. Credit cards accepted for deposit, but checks or wired funds are requested for balance of payments. If you need to finance the trip with credit cards, please call me to arrange.
Low cost round trip connections to LAX (Los Angeles) from domestic US cities and Mexico City will likely be available. Not included in trip cost: airline fuel surcharges, visa fee, trip/medical insurance (about $150. strongly recommended). It does not include tips to the dozens of porters, drivers, interpreters or guides, which I simplify by asking each to contribute in advance $75. for core trip or $105. full trip (less than $5./day).
BALANCE DUE: Trip fee due by Feb. 15, 2008. All checks payable to trip organizer: Dao Alchemy Research Institute (or its educational branch, Healing Tao USA).
TAX DEDUCTIBLE: As an IRS approved 501c3 non-profit activity, US nationals may claim 40% of total trip fee as tax deductible. Depending on your tax bracket, this may substantially reduce the actual cash cost of trip (in 30% bracket, over $500 savings).
TO MAKE A DEPOSIT FOR CHINA TRIP:
You may call in your deposit to our office at 888-999-0555 inside USA, or phone 828-505-1444, or fax 828-505-1044. Or email: info@healingdao.com
A phone call or email will "time stamp" your deposit for several days while you mail a check payable to:
Healing Tao USA ,19 Merrrills Ridge, Asheville, North Carolina 28803
Trip registrar is Wendy Leighty. It is safe to leave credit card information on the message machine, or send an email with card number in two sections for security.
PLEASE CONFIRM YOUR DEPOSIT WITH EMAIL TO: info@healingdao.com. Please cc: winn@healingdao.com
DONT DELAY in making an advance deposit — reserve your space as early as possible. Last minute applications are accepted on space available basis.
Questions? Contact registrar at 888-999-0555 or email: info@healingdao.com
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China Dream Trip 2008 Itinerary
Daily Itinerary for 16-Day Core Trip: Monday May 12 to Tuesday 27, 2008.
Full 22-Day Trip with Optional Week "Taoist Cave & Monastery Contemplatives": Monday May 12 to Monday June 2, 2008.
Note: If flying from USA, you must arrive at Los Angeles airport evening of Sunday, May 11. On the return date, arrival time in Los Angeles is 5:45 pm.
If you are flying direct to Beijing to meet the group, you should arrive on May 12 in Beijing, and plan to depart afternoon or evening of May 27 or June 2, 2008.
This schedule does not have talks on Taoism or qigong practice times in it.
Day 1: Travel day to Los Angeles and Beijing. Since plane leaves LAX early in a.m., its your option as to either arrive early, take a layover day with L.A. hotel at your expense and visit the beach until its time to go to the airport. OR get an evening connection to LAX, individually check in at Air China at 9 pm, and then hang at the airport until 1:40 am next morning for theAir China #984flight to leave. The plane is kept dark for most of the way to facilitate sleeping. The flight is 12.5 hours.
Day 2: We arrive Beijing 5:20 am (one day later due to International Date line). Stay at 4 star Tiantan Hotel, near the wonderful Temple of Heaven park. The Qi in Beijing is very powerful, partly due to good feng shui from the ring of mountains surrounding it. You will have powerful dreams here.
We immediately visit the Temple of Heaven (Tien Tan) park, the most sacred place in Beijing. Morning at Temple of Heaven park, Beijing's largest and most colorful potpourri of people. It is filled each morning with qigong & tai chi players, ballroom dancing, gambling, folk singers & musicians.
Qigong class in park. Tour the magnificent Taoist "open sky" Altar of Heaven with its white marble stones in patterns of 9, and the Temple of Heaven, an extraordinary three tiered circular temple that looks like an antique spaceship — built without a single nail. The Emperor, as Son of Heaven, had to visit here twice a year to receive Celestial instruction. Afternoon free, or optional trip to Forbidden City and Tianmen Square. Beijing.
Day 3: Qigong early morning in the park next to hotel. Morning visit to the White Cloud Taoist Temple, headquarters of the Complete Perfection Dragon Gate sect. This is a powerful place to meditate & practice qigong.Drive to Great Wall of China.The Wall is very impressive, a wonder of the World, part of a 2500 mile long wall. We'll hike and do wuji qigong on the Wall at sunset. Evening banquet and talk on Taoism. Beijing.
Day 4: Fly to Jinan, in Shandong province, and transfer to White Cloud Mountain outside the city to attend one of the opening ceremonies of China's first College of Laotzu, a non-denominational Taoist university for the study of Lao-Tzu's principles of chi cultivation. Expect this event to attract both Complete Perfection and Celestial Master Taoists, as well as pure"Lao-ists" and non-uniformed mountain hermit Taoists of all stripes. There will undoubtedly be Taoist musical ceremonies and rituals of empowerment. This new College of Laozi is being co-sponsored by the China National Daoist Association ( with headquarters at White Cloud Temple in Beijing). If available, we will stay at the College, otherwise in a hotel near Jinan.
Day 5: Training with Master Jiang Nan in his Female Immortal Path lineage, in the ancient shamanic Seven Star Big Dipper Qigong ceremony. This form is unlike any other form I've ever seen, and generates a completely different chi field from any I've ever felt. It feels really ancient. It's movements look like a kind of "brain gym" of alternating hand and foot movements while walking a big dipper star pattern. It forces you to stay very centered while invoking different energetic frequencies - which may be challenging for some of us (smile!). Jinan.
Day 6: Drive to nearby Tai Shan, the sacred Taoist peak of the East visited by many emperors seeking to enhance their admission into the ranks of the immortals. It is a four hour climb to the top, with optional cable car going up half way. There are many famous calligraphy inscriptions carved into the stone. We will stay in one of the guesthouses on top, and practice our Big Dipper and Wuji ceremonies there. Mt. Tai.
Day 7: Rise early for sunrise ceremony atop Mt. Tai. Free time in morning to explore the mountain and its many temples.Descend in afternoon and transfer to airport to flyto Chengdu,capital of Sichuan province, on the opposite side of China, bordering Tibet. Transfer to "Dream Mansion", a traditional Chinese courtyard style hotel situated in the heart of Chengdu's "old city" with traditional Chinese architecture. Chengdu.
Day 8:Walk to nearby Qingyanggong "Green Goat" Taoist Temple. It's one of my favorite temples in China, with lovely feng shui on three hills and a powerful sequence of temples. It has a magnificent I Ching pavilion and printing presses for ancient Taoist alchemy texts, which can also be purchased in their bookstore (texts are in Chinese, but the vibe still transmits). We'll feast at a nearby restaurant on Sichuan's famous cuisine.
Afternoon free to practice qigong in Chengdu's lovely parks, shop, or hang out in the many teahouses. Another option is to visit the School of Chinese Medicine to get medical massage, acupuncture, and moxibustion. Orvisit the wonderful Panda Preserve, the largest collection of captive pandas (about 30) in a natural habitat of refreshing bamboo forest. They play, chomp on bamboo, and have tiny adorable babies kept in incubators. We'll see smaller "red pandas" (related to the raccoon). We'll enjoy the lovely bamboo forest, and visit interesting museum on these "bear cats" (pan-da in Chinese). Evening banquet, followed by the fabulous Sichuan Opera, with its amazing "mask-changing" technique and dozens of performing artists (far superior to Peking Opera). Chengdu.
Day 9: Bus 2 hours to one of China'a most famous Taoist Holy Mountains: the lovely, magical Qingcheng Shan (Azure Mountain), birthplace of 2000 yr old Celestial Masters Taoism. Covered with soft forest trails and temples tucked in caves, this Taoist holy mountain has a lot of nature spirits present in addition to its 150+ Taoist monks & nuns. If available, we will meet with the female abbott and head of the local Taoist Association. She is,very open about sharing her Tao practices.
Mt. Qingchenghas a very soft, "yin" quality that invites you into the fold of endless layers of peaks. it is somewhat akin to being in a "waking dream'. We'll take the cable car up to save time, andshare simple but delicious begetarian meal with the Taoist monks and nuns at the Supreme Purity Temple near the top of the peak. Nearby is a 60 ft. high bronze Lao Tzu riding a buffalo, over looking a vista of endless mountain peaks. Its an easy one hour hike down where we will stay in the extremely peaceful Celestial Cave monastery for two nights. Porters will carry our bags to the monastery separately. There is a powerful 1800 year old ginkgo tree here. Rooms are recently renovated to 3 star level. Mt. Qingsheng.
Day 10: Morning qigong. Day free for relaxing and meditating, or hiking to various temples nestled within the soft valleys. We will meet with local Taoists, perhaps hear a talk on the Complete Perfection Taoist sect approach to immortality. Perhaps a musical concert on the gu zheng (zither) or flute by my monk friends (if they haven't wandered off to another mountain!), or some demonstrations of local martial arts. This is a powerful place to practice qigong, and we'll spend extra time training here.
Day 11: Morning Qigong. Easy 45 minute hike down the mountain. Return to Chengdu airport. Short flight to Xian, arrive mid-afternoon. Our hotel is in the very center of Xian, China's ancient capital from Han to Ming dynasty (200 b.c. — 1400 a.d.). Immediately behind our hotel is the Taoist "City God" temple, which has a very powerful chi field. Afternon free.After dinner, walk to the nearby lively Moslem Bazaar, which has the best craft bargains found anywhere in China, and delicious local foods. Xian.
Day 12: Free day exploring and shopping inXian. It was the ancient capital of China for fifteen hundred years, and is a giant outdoor museum, with China's many ancient layers of history exposed.We'll visit the enormous city walls and famous gates, and the 1400 year-old Taoist 8 Immortals Temple, still one of the most revered seats of Taoism in China. The temple dedicated to "Doumu" the Ancient or Primal Mother, is especially powerful. Time to meditate and do qigong inside the temple compound, and visit its Taoist gift shop with paintings by local monks.
Next to the temple is a colorful flea market filled with curiosities, sculptures, jade & Han dynasty antiques dug up by farmers from their fields (another chance to sharpen your bargaining skills!). Xian has the best bargains in China, and we'll visit a Jade factory, a silk carpet/clothing outlet, and a freshwater pearl outlet, which has beautiful low cost cultivated pearls of all colors. You can leave your purchases and extra baggage in Xian while we journey off to Mt. Hua. Evening free. Xian.
Day 13: Visit the impressively vast Terra Cotta Army of Emperor Qin's tomb (the size of 5 football fields), the #1 tourist attraction in China. Then a short drive to visit the oldest and most famous Taoist sacred mountain in all China, Hua Shan. Check into hotel at base of Huashan. Tour nearby Jade Spring Monastery where, according to legend, the famous Taoist adept Chen Tuan did dream practice for 3 years continuously. Chen Tuan is the designer of the famous "tai chi" or yin-yang symbol. We may catch the local Taoists doing their evening ceremony and arrange a teaching on the Huashan tradition of Taoism with one of my longtime monk friends. Huashan village.
Day 14: Take the spectacular cable car ride (the highest in all of Asia) half way up the 7,000 ft. Mt. Huashan, and spend rest of day hiking on its five summit peaks, which form a giant 5-petalled flower (Hua shan means "Flower Mountain"). The views are stunning, with many temple shrines (mostly female deities) built in caves along the trail. There are thousands of stone-carved steps, which also make it impossible to get lost. The precipitous granite cliffs have the majesty of Yosimite Park, but this is far more amazing for its feeling of human will carved into the granite since ancient times.
Those attending the core trip only will descend by cable car and return to the village below. Those staying for the extra week will stay in a monastery atop Mt. Hua or hike to the cave area where they will stay. Huashan peak or Huashan village.
Day 15 - FOR THOSE ON 16 DAY CORE TRIP: Morning transfer by van from Huashan village to same hotel in Xian. Afternoon free in Xian for last minute shopping or visiting other historical sites. This group will have its own guide. Those staying on for the additional week, see Optional Itinerary below beginning with Day 15.
Day 16 - FOR THOSE ON 16 DAY TRIP: Depart Xian in late morning for Beijing, then connect to Air China #983 at 8 pm, arriving in Los Angeles at 5:15 pm same day (miracle of International Date Line).
PHOTOS:
See a collection of my China Dream Trip photos at: For NEW PHOTOS from 2007 Dream trip, see:
http://www.healingdao.com/china_2007.html
Optional: Taoist Cave & Mountain Meditators Week
Read this article: For Michael Winn's experience of living in a Taoist cave at Huashan for a week with no food or water, see article "Taoist Alchemy & Breatharians" originally published in Qi Journal: http://www.healingdao.com/cgi-bin/articles.pl (you must be subscribed to "Tao News" on homepage or articles page to enable reading of articles).
Also, please read the intense experiences from previous cavers following this itinerary.
Who should attend this extra week? It is open to everyone with the time and interest. I've kept the cost minimal to encourage you to stay - you've come all the way to China, why not go a bit deeper?
The core 16 day trip gives everyone exposure to three sacred mountains and the highlights of Chinese culture. It's a pretty action-packed travel itinerary. The extra week is time to stop moving around, to go within, to digest the powerful earth chi that is unique to these cultivated mountains. This week gives us time to relax, to sink in deep and attune ourselves to the spirits of Taoist masters who merged with the spirit of the mountains, opening an earth-centered portal to immortality.
For people who have already developed a serious meditation practice, it is suitable to spend part of this week fasting in caves on Huashan. For others, it will be far more comfortable and useful to sleep in a Taoist monastery atop Mt. Hua and explore its peaks and caves for shorter periods of meditation and qigong.
To sleep in the caves requires bringing special camping gear (sleeping bag, pad, extra warm clothes). It is a hassle to schlep this extra stuff across China for just a few nights in the caves. So you really have to deeply DESIRE this experience to go through the extra hassle.
It also requires extra hiking up a steep mountain opposite one of Huashan's peaks. The caves can be cold even when its hot outside. You are not given any food (you can bring your own if you are not comfortable fasting). But basically it is a physical hardship to live in a hard cave.
I've designed the extra week to satisfy the needs of both paths of contemplation, one staying in mountain peak monasteries, the other spending part time in caves. Let me know which you feel called to follow when you put your deposit down. There are limited cave spaces and I may have to figure out a complex schedule to satisfy everyone.
Priority for reserving caves will be given to 1) my Kan & Li alchemy students 2) date when firm deposit is made, 3) general virtue and commitment to meditation, 4) willingness to explore bigu (fasting on food while feasting on chi) in the cave.
The Extra Week Itinerary:
Day 15: Those staying atop Mt. Hua after climbing on the peaks (see Day 14) will already have divided into two camps.
The cavers will have hiked down for one hour from the cable car landing area, and then hiked up for 1.5 hours to the Pole Star cave area. So today they will be waking up in a cave. There is a wonderful Taoist hermit, whose spiritual name is "Master Stone of Perfection", living in the cave area and maintaining the caves physically and with meditation. Even though you are there to fast, he will undoubtedly offer to feed you in case you've had enough of fasting.
The rest willl be waking up in a monastery atop Mt. Hua, next to a temple dedicated to the "White Ruler God" of the mountain. White refers to the metal/white gold element; this temple is the ruler of all the gods and immortals who are attracted to this mountain.
The monastery group will stay for a total of three nights in this Taoist monastery nestled beneath Huashan's peaks and giant old pine trees. It has superb feng shui.There is a great courtyard for practicing qigong or talking to the Taoists living at the temple about their life as mountain adepts. In one corner of the courtyard is a cave, open for meditation with a small shrine inside it. The cave is said to have been used by San Simiao, a famous Chinese doctor from the Tang Dynasty.
The food at the monastery is excellent. The rooms are shared dormitory style, with two, four, eight or more beds in each room. The rooms will be divided into men and ladies rooms. By this point on the trip, we will be quite intimate after traveling for two weeks together, so this will feel somewhat like a spiritual slumber party. The monastery will be reserved exclusively for our group, not open to the streams of tourists who visit Huashan. We'll have electricity, but no running water or heat. Hot water buckets available for bathing, and simple latrine. Mt. Huashan
Day 16: After spending two days in the cave, some of the cavers may wish to hike up to the monastery (four hours hiking) and join that group atop Mt. Hua in order to explore the peaks. And some of the monastery folks who are scheduled to stay in the caves may want to hike down (and back up, total 3.5 hours hiking) to the cave area. This exchange will depend on how many people are seeking the cave experience. We have a total four days atop Mt. Hua, and cavers may be limited to two days in caves in order to allow others to stay there. Usually some people end up loving the caves and stay all four days if there is room.
These caves have been used for hundreds of years by Taoist adepts, are carved from solid granite, and thus generally free of mold, dampness or water seepage. Their location has been kept secret, and thus energetically protected from the polluting influence or desecration of caves found on the main peaks by government and tourists. No cooking or heating fires permitted. Weather should be warm, even hot in June, but can still be cool at night. Come prepared for sudden changes in mountain weather (equipment list is provided). Some caves are large and may be shared by two people, both expected to maintain respectful silence.
Those staying at the monastery atop Mt. Hua will find plenty to occupy themselves exploring its different peaks and sheer cliffs. Many Chinese climb Mt. Hua to view the sunrise from the East Peak. The sunsets off the West Peak are amongst the most sublime I've found on planet earth, and strange paranormal events have been known to occur here (flying immortals showing up, etc.)
For the more adventurous, there are steep ladders and a "board walk" across the backside of the South Peak cliff that leads to a cave carved into the sheer side of the cliff. See photos of this on my photo page (one has me sitting on a tree growing out sideways from the mouth of this cave). This group will also have the opportunity to practice the Primordial Qigong and Seven Star Big Dipper Qigong in a very powerful place.Mt. Huashan.
Day 17:Those staying atop Mt. Hua at the monastery will descend to Huashan village where they can get a hot shower. You have the option of leisurely hiking halfway down the mountain and then taking the cable car, or continuing to hike down the other half of the mountain. This is a very beautiful hike, through a valley with a river filled with giant boulders and magnificent views of Mt. Hua in the background. It will take an extra three hours, more if you stop to explore caves and play in the river.
Day 18: The group that has already descended to Huashan village can either relax and explore the village or the Jade Spring Monastery at the base of Mt. Hua. If enough are interested, we can organize a morning trip to Huashan Temple a few miles from the village. This large temple is laid out atop a ley line that connects directly to Mt. Hua, and was the temple the emperor (and most pilgrims) would first visit to pay his respects to the mountain.
Any remaining cave dwellers will descend to Jade Spring Monastery (baggage assist by porters), about a three hour hike. They will shower in the rooms of the other group. The two groups will join together at a lunch banquet. Then we will drive 4 hours across the Shaanxi plains to the smaller but exquisitely beautiful Zhongnan mountains.
We'll stay at Louguantai, the Taoist monastery built on the spot where Lao Tzu is said to have written the Tao Te Ching after being stopped by the guardian of the pass to the West. The modern guest house here has hot baths & showers, and good clean food. There is a possibility we will stay up a nearby valley at a resort with waterfalls, about a half hour's drive from the main temple complex at Louguantai.
Day 19: Rest, explore, meditate at Louguantai monastery or its nearby Lao Tzu Temple. The vibration here is soft but intensely spiritual, very different from Huashan's strong yang rock & earth. A nice balance, and a good place to digest and internally cook the powerful Huashan experience. We may have a chance to meet with my friend the Abbot, Ren Fa Rong, if he is available. One of the most famous Taoist adept-scholars in China, he is very busy these days as he is currently the president of the China Taoist Association.We may spend some time with the vice abbott Ren Xing Zhi, who is also very accomplished in meditation and Taoist esoterics of the I Ching.
In the afternoon we'll visit the Lao tzu Ascension Site. The chi is very ethereal here, and it takes a while to quiet down the mind enough to be able to entrain with it. We will also hike the small mountain behind this site to a temple atop the hill, with a special cave dedicated to Lao tzu. This cave is famous for healing many people of illness. Louguantai
Day 20: Relax, another free day at Louguantai to meditate. We'll tour the famous large temple and statue dedicated to Lao Tzu. Or hang out and do qigong or tai chi in a beautiful courtyard with red lanterns hanging from the Palace of Lu Dong Bing, the Taoist immortal who is the patron guide of inner alchemists. Another option is to rent horses and ride a short distance (or hike) to a majestic 10th century pagoda built by Nestorian Christians. The Taoists were generous and open minded to allow them to build near their most sacred site. Louguantai.
Day 21: Depart in the morning to Xian. Two hour drive, then check into same 4-star hotel where we stayed previously. Time for final shopping spree in Xian's wonderful bazaars and crafts shops, or explore the rich history of China's ancient capital with its city walls still intact. Evening free in Beijing for packing. Xian.
Day 22: Depart to Xian airport in late morning, take afternoon flight to Beijing, connect to Air China #983 at 8pm, arrive in Los Angeles at 5:15 pm same day (miracle of International Date Line).
The most transcendental experience of all was the retreat on Huashan. It feels the most alive in qi of all the Chinese sacred mountains. Everything started at the Jade Spring Temple at the base of the mountain, a magical place. That day we arrived at sunset, the rain and the fog mystified the place even more. I reached the temple at the exact time the taoist monks were having a ceremony, ancient chants, almost tribal, beautiful, they touched my heart, elevated my spirit... From that moment on everything happened as in dreams...
The next day 6 members of the group left the town with the sunrise, and climbed to the top of Huashan... Kuan Yin and all of the deities of the Jade Spring Temple blessed our trek, the rain was cleansing our hearts, preparing us for the climb with no egos, no obsessions.. The mountain showed its power and beauty from the very beginning - a Chinese man carrying a staff and buckets, was singing and dancing a song for us that said "wo ai ni" (I love you)...
A cycle of primordial qigong for each cycle of hiking representing stages of our life... Each step, each stone, each rung, the mountain was becoming more beautiful, imposing, magnificent, she was smiling to us, penetrating us with its wisdom, she made us laugh and cry. A cave in the middle of the mountain suddenly appears; there Juju was waiting for us, he invited us to go inside, in to the underworld, to talk with our own ghosts and the spirits of the centre of the earth....
Climbing up for hours, sometimes almost vertically, we went through the dragon's column, it's 7 chakras; travelers inspiring us, an old lady with a cane showed us courage, an old couple taught us love, children gave us hope... Finally after more than 10 hours we arrived to the Zhongyue monastery. When we arrived Michael gave us a cup of special Pu-er tea from Yunnan. It was a ritual, now the qi of the mountain was running in our blood, living in our body. Climbing Huashan was our initiation in China he said, when you walk the mountain it talks to you.
From that moment time stopped for me... the sunsets, the south, west, north and east peaks of the mountain, each of them with an indescribable beauty, the mountain's qi, white qi, metal qi, was cleaning my lungs, and finally a healing crisis, to confront my fears, my grief, to cleanse my soul... my soul brothers and sisters were always present, in the most difficult times, in the most beautiful moments, communion of souls, unconditional love, remembering what we are, what we have always been, transmutation, ecstasy, freedom...
All of this is marked in my soul; everyone is in my heart... Again thanks to Michael, Janette, my tribal family, Tonantzin and Kuan Yin, to all the elementals, for this dream trip.
Odette
- Michael Winn
(longer testimonials below from those staying in caves):
- Aurelio, Mexico City
- Mark, Fla.
- Very Happy Camper
- Couple with minimal previous qigong experience
- 2nd generation Chinese man, living in Toronto
- Odette (London & Mexico)
The opening ceremonies last for nearly a month, and are sure to attract Taoists from all over China, from all different sects, including mountain ineages (non-monastic Taoists) l similar to the hermit One Cloud, who transmitted the Seven Tao Formulas for Achieving Immortality used in the Healing Tao. My group has been invited to attend any one of the opening ceremonord as honored guests.
I will introduce you to Jiang Nan, one of my teachers in China, a non-uniformed Taoist in the tradition of Ni Xian Pai, or Path of the Female Immortals. Jiang Nan designed the fengshui of the new Lao Tzu College, perfectly sited at the base of White Cloud Mountain (Bai Yun Shan). Powerful dragon ley lines of the surrounding mountains embrace the temple and college complex. I've seen photos of the site and it is not only beautiful, but has a profoundly peaceful energy.
This Big Dipper shamanic qigong generates a very special and powerful chi field. It was used in ancient times to build a protective field around one's community or before going into battle. The Pole Star- Big Dipper stars are said to control human destiny. Are you ready to take control of your destiny?
In this way we follow Lao Tzu's own life journey from his birth site in Shandong, his journey to the West where he was royal archivist at the ancient capital in Xian, and his ascension as celestial immortal at Louguantai. After you feel the chi at his ascension site, you may believe in the possibility of your own immortality….
If you want to increase your resonance with all things Taoist, this is the trip for you!
See a collection of my China Dream Trip photos at:
http://www.healingdao.com/china_dream_trip_photos.html
http://www.healingdao.com/china_2007.html
A Qigong Journey to Sacred Taoist Mountains
http://www.healingdao.com/china_dream_trip_photos.html
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OPENING TO SPIRIT IN THE CAVE-TEMPLE
This past summer on Michael's trip, I spent 3 days in a Temple "cave" near Bei Tou Ping (Big Dipper Portal). Sharing a Temple "cave" with a close friend, we spent the days and nights in deep appreciation for our presence there. We called on many spirits as always and we felt completely supported and always safe. I have not written about this previously because the time spent there is so sacred and special to me.
We made a proper Temple out of the "cave" again, giving the space total respect and appreciation. We swept it out, placed pine cones, bird feathers, fresh incense & lit 3 candles that burnt the entire stay. We said a prayer, played a Tibetan Singing Bowl, agreeing not to vocally speak to one another for three days.
I did Primordial qigong in there several times. Each time was a deeply moving experience. The ceremony was always preceded with hours of prayer & mediation & soul sounding. One day, we spent from sunrise to sundown inside the cave meditating together. We had gods and angels visit. They were quite supportive of our practices.
"Cooking" might be a good word to describe that temple after a day of activation. At some point I realized we had the temple so incredibly vibrant and the ethereal spirits all called that we really did not have to do anything active. Just go deep into the "presence" that deep inner light, where our souls sing infinity.
I did not see any foxes, but I did see a Spirit Goat! And what a cool goat it was. I went out for a walk above the temples on the first day and there was a goat just above me. He took off and guided me for a couple of hours all the way to the top of the mountain. This goat was obviously a high spirit in physical form. Once I got there I found a set of three pinecones in a very cool display. After taking a roll of slides I climbed back down and added the pinecones to the shrine.
Ohhhhh and just for the record we did not fast. I tried for one day and made it until lunch time, oh well, i just like food too much it was very funny. We ate apricots, dried nuts and chocolate scored in the village below. We were fresh and charged as ever after 3 days. Good chocolate is the most expensive thing you will every buy in China, stock up!!!!
It was a very special privilege to spend time there. I'm still baffled that anyone would call them "caves" as they are clearly temples. Something to keep in mind. You are sleeping in a space that was carefully crafted for spirit. I don't think you could be surprised to find some spiritual visitation when you perform powerful practices and sleep in such a sacred/activated place.
You attract what you ask for or resonate with. We asked for love, light support and received nothing but love, light and support. It was quite a celebration.
The morning we left we gave a thanks to the temple & it's spirits .... & left the offerings and the candles burning.... If I every left, I certainly want to return.
Mike Teeters(www.ArrowofMoonLight.com has photos of the cave-temple)
MAGIC, MYSTERY, AND POWER HIDDEN WITHIN FLOWER MOUNTAIN
Hua (‘Flower") Shan ("mountain") is a mixture of danger, magic, and high spiritual force. It has smooth curving rock faces, pine trees and impossibly high cliffs anchored deeply in the heart of a mountain rising up from the plains of red earth into five mysterious granite petal-peaks.
A south face cave is my warm up for the longer cave experience on the sheer West face. I sit on the edge of emptiness in soft, powerful and refined energy, with the warm smoothness of a tree and wind spirits playing in the air. I dissolve inside the womb of a small cave, lost in the depths of internal thunder.
Finally, the great initiation. Inside a large domed cave for three days, slowly being inducted into the collective self of Hua Shan. I feel the presence of the immortals, the deep earth energy and the primordial self, all being pulled into the dark womb of the mysterious female, the portal to the Tao that Lao Tzu wrote about. My deep collective inner self is slowly filled with the shimmering sound of crystal light.
The Huashan experience for me was the most powerful meditation I have ever experienced. It is a connection with the collective consciousness of all the humans that have cultivated there, and with the deep earth: it gradually drew me deeply into a dark womb of shimmering light-sound that took a focused intention to sustain. My outer self was resistant, and constantly trying to get my attention. But the cave proved to be a powerful container for it.
This trip gave me the incredible opportunity to connect with the land and people in places of the world where there has been an ancient and continuous presence of powerful meditation practitioners.The result of this has been that I have developed a deeper connection with my inner self. These experiences inspired me to go on Michael's Dream Trip twice; it became more powerful with repetition.I am considering a third trip.
Chris Dewreede,Vancouver, Canada
CONVERSATION WITH THREE GOLDEN SPIRIT BEINGS ON HUASHAN
To preface my experience: I am a hardcore - 25 year Kriya Yogi. I added chi kung to the mix 5 years ago for grounding reasons and now consider myself a Taoist Yogi???! My profession is brain science, brainwave biofeedback, research as well as being a clinician and teacher. So with my hardcore yogic (jnana) background and scientific investigative tendency, I usually have to see and/or experience something before I buy into it.
My Huashan experience of three days in the Cave of Sun & Moon went like this:
First night I realized I could not push any practices - the place had it's own energy which I simply opened up to and surrendered. What happened next was on an inner plane. I was fully conscious of where I was and of my physical body - I even narrated the events as they unfolded to my partner. I did lose awareness of time and space at a certain point but I will explain that in a minute.
These three gold adorned beings came to my inner vision as clear as a bell. I immediately 'mentally' said, "I don't acknowledge ghosts, disembodied beings, etc. - it (you) is all one thing: it's all the Tao!".To this statement there was what I can best describe as a resounding applause - like, "allright! he's one of us!" So, I thought, "I've lost it now! This altitude, fasting, maybe even some acid I took 30 years ago, has made be hallucinatory!"
Then I decided to engage in back and forth communication just to see and sure enough it was really happening. The interesting thing was that I believe they could have easily known everything there was to know about me but they were respectful or non-intrusive enough to ask (telepathically) me questions.
MW is me.DB is disembodied beings
First question:DB, "What is your lineage?"MW, "Mahavatar Babaji of the himalayas is top guy in my lineage - I am direct disciple of one of Yogananda's last living disciple's."DB, "Oh! Babaji visits here often!"MW, "Wow!"
(this was like some guy was there with a clipboard and they had a checklist of questions to go through!)
Second question:DB, "What would you like? A new house, car, money, better job?"MW, "No, I want full liberation!" (I should have asked for lottery numbers!)DB, "Okay! - this you'll have."
Third question:DB, "Anything else we can do for you now?"MW, "Yes, two things: One, please show me the nature of the universe and, two, please reveal the true alchemy of the human journey."
And just like a "GOOGLE" search I got a download that lasted several hours - not 'knowledge about' the universe but 'Experience of' the universe - this is where I lost physical body consciousness - I went into other realms.
Then alchemy was revealed on all the scales from elemental to human to planetary to universal (this was before I knew about Kan & Li) and I really got the "as above, so below" thing.
The next two days were spent going in and out of this experience. I have only shared this with a handful of friends.
Now, the access to this plane remains. I spend 3 hours every AM in practices. It has also made me quite clear about my mission and purpose this life (which is service to humanity on a large scale).
I'm going back to Huashan next trip with Michael - I may ask for the Big Dipper cave/temple this time!
Marty Wuttke,Atlanta, Ga.
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TESTIMONIALS from earlier CHINA DREAM TRIPS
I asked the question: How did the China Trip change your life? Names withheld for privacy. I will note that two Dream Trip members moved to China as a result of the trip! As you can tell from these letters, this trip is not for simple tourists. It's for people open to intense transformation - my definition of inner alchemy.
A. How did China change me? That is too difficult a question, I will stick with, What did China change in me? My practices, I seem to have acquired a much stronger Chi field. Meditations have a lot more depth and in some meditations what were just words or thoughts are now strong physical/energetic/spiritual feelings, experiences. I have a much deeper understanding/connection with my bodies.
Same with Qigong my arms are moving through a much denser chi field. I find myself experiencing a much deeper experience of Tai Chi. I find it easier and easier to connect with the energies of the cave and various monasteries. I have had some great experiences connecting with Lao Tzu's ascension site then taking it into the cave.
I have been working on converting my garage to a practice place. My father pointed out that I was sawing timber in straight lines and hammering nails without bending them (and without hitting my thumb) This Is most unusual and my father noticed right away. Was it worth it? Absolutely undeniably yes. A great group of people. I look forward to the next trip.
B. Your China Dream trip changed my life. One experience in particular comes to mind. On our first day on Mt. Huashan, I crawled out on a rock ledge and sat there drinking in the beauty of the incredible vista before my eyes. I was looking down on the tops of clouds. I didn't have anything particular in mind, just a little rest and a few moments of solitude to drink in the beauty before me.
I easily settled into meditating and immediately began to feel so light. Quite spontaneously, fears, the existence of which I had never fully acknowledged, surfaced and were released down into the emptiness in front of me along with more than a few tears. In that moment, on that ledge up above the clouds, I knew I was no longer able to settle for less than living my life fully. ..
Days after returning from China, I filed for divorce, something I had been trying to do for years. It was a peaceful parting. Thank you so very much for all you did to make that trip an incredible experience for everyone involved. You did a fabulous job!
C. Just writing to thank you for organizing the trip to China. I had an amazing time! I met a lot of fun and interesting people, ate a lot of great food, and the places were powerful and spectacular. Thanks to you my entire life is about to undergo a huge change. I will be moving to Chengdu in Sichuan province in January, and living in China for at least a year to learn the language at Sichuan University. After that, who knows, the possibilities are endless! Thank you Michael, I hope to meet you again. I hope your life has changed for the better as radically as mine. (Note: this young Australian did move back to China and married my Chinese tour guide!)
D. China was an extraordinary trip for me! I am still swirling in the experience and richness of it all! My world feels much bigger and at the same time, the exquisite sameness of all people is resonating throughout my being. I will try to get some words down to describe some of it before too long, but meanwhile wanted to thank you!
E. I do think about the group often. I don't take it lightly. Our time together was important to me. Being a novice at these practices. I wish I had consulted with you more on your experience. Our time together was short but intense. There wasn't a person on the trip that wasn't an inspiration for me. But I do feel lucky with my roommate, as he was my greatest inspiration. Nothing bothered this guy, and I found myself doing meditation on that. What kind of attitude would a person need to have this positive way of looking at things, events, life? Thanks!
F. Now for my life changes after China:
G. After successfully reaching the Peaks of Mt Huashaun, I felt re-empowered, that it was not over for me at my age….. that I could still do more with my life.
The connections I felt during primordial qigong allowed me to feel my goal of connection to God (within) is possible. Primordial is extremely powerful... not just arm waving. I made new friends, and plan to visit them. I have really come to appreciate the Chinese people and their lifestyle. I love Temple of Heaven park and all the people there, just hanging out.
H. I spent three days at the group's "secret spot" atop Mt. Hua. During Primordial Chi Gung I saw the clouds mystically rise like angels and dragons and daggers. I could sense the clouds as the dragons breath. I stripped naked once, and laid down on the rocks, My spine aligned with the spine of the granite mountain. Now that I am home, I am feeling my spine aligning with the mountains. I rode a cloud dragon up a spiral towards heaven, taming my wild mind as the wind washed through me, playful & euphoric. I thought: THE IMMORTALS ARE THE MOUNTAINS. I saw them through the eyes of the dragon, a bat, and a butterfly. I feel altered forever. I still ride the dragon now that I am home.
I. The most special part of the trip was bonding with others and sharing laughs in our group. Christina and I bonded immediately as if we had known each other our whole lives. We stayed awake each night sharing our experiences of the day and talking about everybody. We giggled like little school girls and wondered how Michael paired us up so perfectly…???
I am a loner at heart, but I so enjoyed my time with everyone. I grew to love many of you. Memories spent together still pop into my head out of nowhere, and I and miss everyone. Michael, I told you that Huashan was difficult for me, but I knew one day I would be grateful. When I returned, I had lost 10 pounds and got my high school wash-board belly back!
J. I arrived in China still asleep. I woke up in Weibaoshan's Jade Emperor temple! The Journey became a blissful, incredible, moment-to-moment experience of great love and compassion.
I actually met the Jade Emperor when I prayed to him alone, and gave myself up completely. It was the first time I ever prayed in a Taoist temple. I became transparent and was not afraid to let God, or Original Spirit or whatever people call it see me… all my good, all my bad. In total openness I truly saw my self…
But then some crazy stirrings happened in the lower tan tian. Rumbling, earthquake... explosion in my head. Feeling pressure.. mouth open wide, eyes shut tight, indescribable feelings in whole body... then boom!! It expressed through me as great laughter, I laughed like never before, my whole body was shaking in laughter, my lungs gasping for breath, my eyes tearing like crazy from laughter... Then crying…like never before crying and crying.. Then dancing and spinning like never before..
I was being guided by some very strong invisible force. Chi? Spirits? I'm not sure what but I felt it hold me in key points on my body as it moved me effortlessly. I was just there watching my body dance in wonder! Then the strong force made me run outside and dance and sing before everyone I met. I loved everyone and everything!!! Life felt incredible! so fun!!! so amazing!!!!!
I was flying, jumping, doing flips, spinning, and running all over Weibanshan mountain expressing my joy, love and compassion to all! I believe I was taken over by my own spirit. There was nothing that could make it unhappy, I could be slapped in the face, or beat up and I would still be in love and happy!
I was drunk with life! I remember running, hugging and kissing everyone from the group. Some were happy and touched, and some thought I went crazy! Some thought I was possessed - but to me it didn't matter! I saw and felt so much love and beauty in everyone, I loved everyone so much and wanted to be one with all.
When I got back home, I did primordial chi kung with the intention to connect all the power spots in China, to help bring change, inspiration and new life to Toronto. It was very very gray, dark, lifeless. During the form, the sun broke through the clouds and shined a bit. When I finished the whole sky was blue with beautiful white clouds, birds were flying and chirping, insects were buzzing, and life seemed to have arrived.. It was just such a wonderful feeling and reponse from nature...
Your China Dream Trip taught me to HAVE FUN in life! Enjoy, relax, be with the flow, be open.. be in the middle.. between and beyond yin and yang…
Also, I really miss the food in China...you picked great restaurants! The food back here is so tasteless and lifeless! I might have to move to China just because the food there was so great, so rich in life and flavour! The food, the people, the group, and the experiences in the China trip has made me feel and be younger, more loving and compassionate.. So many incredible positive things have resulted, the list is endless. Thank you so much! - Teddy C, Toronto
K. Things were definitely rocky the first couple weeks after the trip. I was physically in Los Angeles, but I was mentally and spiritually back in China. I still float off to the caves, the various peaks at Huashan and other places whenever time and situations allow. My wife will often ask me where I am if I'm being quiet, and the reply is always the same - China.
All my computer desktop pictures are China pics. Amazingly, I find little pieces of everyone I met in China here at home, reflections of you all. One of the people I train with could be Russell's little brother, another reminds me of our lovely guide Cherry. I try to bring Teddy's excitement on Weibaoshan to all the Tai Chi classes that I teach.
The few lessons I received from the monks have served me well and my own Tai Chi is really rocking lately. Like many I think I'm still digesting it all and lessons I didn't understand or even realize were happening now surface when I least expect it. The spiritual awakening I experienced doing tsunami relief work in Sri Lanka was really kicked into overdrive in China.
I came back from China a much calmer, more well balanced person. Situations that might have resulted in arguments or just general negativity now bring on compassion. And if I am brought to the darkness of anger I'm immediately embarrassed and sorry.
I've had a couple moments where I'm positive an immortal is present. Words of encouragement from people I've never met from out of the blue or just a simple look in the eyes of a passing stranger. I know, that sounds nuts. But the overwhelming rush of emotion in these situations and the sense of peace that consumes me after it's passed are very powerful.
My friends have sensed profound change in me as well but I realize I'm very much a work in progress.I'm already on the list for the next China trip as is another Tai Chi student from my school. I'm still getting used to the new me, but I like the changes so far.
- Michael Winn
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Cancellation Policy:
There is no penalty for canceling before midnight Oct. 31, 2007 (full refund of deposit).
Note: Low cost travel insurance is made available to all trip members. (Last year it cost average $150.- 200. depending on your age & trip length). You are strongly urged to obtain it. If you do NOT obtain it, you must sign a legal release.
SARS has been officially eradicated in China according the World Health Organization. If SARS or some other killer bird-flu virus should it break out before the trip date, I personally believe the trip will still happen. Two reasons.
1. During the last epidemic there were virtually no cases where we are spending most of our time.
2. Chinese health system is much better prepared and alert this time around.
3. Extensive instructions are given to all trip members on how to stay healthy before and during the trip. These are my time tested travel methods to keep immune system at peak operating level. This strategy has proven very effective on previous trips.
Fees for cancellation are as follows:
1. if cancellation notice is received between Nov. 1, 2007 and Dec. 31, 2008 - $250. fee.
2. If cancel Jan. 1 to Feb. 29, 2008 - $500. fee.
3. If cancel between March 1, 2008 and departure date of trip, full trip cost is forfeited (NO REFUND). This is why it is essential you get trip insurance.
4. No refunds for termination of travel AFTER trip begins. If a member must involuntarily cancel for physical health reasons AFTER the trip within China has begun, and does not use a portion of their already pre-paid services, no refunds will be made. It is simply too difficult to collect in China, and not worth the trouble. No refunds are made for unused excursions and special program activities.
We will supply you with a reliable and inexpensive travel insurance option (or you can choose your own). Check the terms and conditions of the issuer of your travel insurance policy as they are defined in the policy's cancellation clause, which outlines your coverage, its limitations and exclusions.Usually written medical excuse from doctor or proven death in family are accepted.
I hope to hear from you soon!
Love, chi, blessings,
Michael