The Potala Palace, Tibet, China – an architectural masterpiece

With Walk East ...

SanQingShan is a renowned Taoist sacred site located 25 miles (40 km) north of YuShan County in JiangXi Province. With outstanding natural scenery, plants and wildlife, the park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that in all covers 230 square kilometers. SanQing means the “Three Pure Ones” in Chinese as Mount SanQing is composed of three main summits: YuJing, YuShui, and YuHua, representing the Taoist trinity. YuJing (rising 1820 meters above sea level) is the highest. 三峰峻拔、如三清列坐其巅 SanQing Mountain in Jiangxi Province, although not very well-known to many people today, was regarded as a sacred place for Taoists in the Tang Dynasty period (618-907), when Taoism was at its most popular. With beautiful clouds, mist and strange-shaped pine trees, Sanqing Mountain is a fairyland far from the hustle and bustle of city life. The mountain is shrouded in mist for about 200 days each year. On misty days, dense fog envelops the mountain completely and makes you think you are wandering in the clouds. Once in a while, wind blows away the mist, and a stiff, imposing peak suddenly appears right in front of you. http://www.sanqing.com/english/

With Walk East ...

Near the border with Korea in north east China, the city has a large ethnic Korean population.

Yes, we're still alive ; )

Great Wall of China Tour This itinerary takes you on a comprehensive journey along the Great Wall of China, starting from the western end in Jiayuguan and ending at the eastern end in Qinhuangdao. Week 1: Western End - Jiayuguan and Dunhuang Begin your journey at the western end of the Great Wall in Jiayuguan, Gansu Province. Explore the Jiayuguan Fort, an ancient military stronghold at the western terminus of the Ming Dynasty Great Wall. Visit the nearby Overhanging Great Wall and the First Beacon Tower to experience the rugged beauty of the western desert landscape. Travel to Dunhuang to visit the Mogao Caves and the Crescent Lake oasis, and learn about the Silk Road history of the region. Week 2: Central Section - Shanxi and Hebei Travel eastward to Shanxi Province to explore sections of the Great Wall at locations like Datong and Yanmenguan. Visit the Hanging Temple of Datong and the Yungang Grottoes, UNESCO World Heritage Sites renowned for their ancient Buddhist art and architecture. Continue to Hebei Province to visit iconic sections of the Great Wall such as Jinshanling and Simatai, known for their scenic beauty and well-preserved architecture. Week 3: Beijing and Surroundings Arrive in Beijing, the capital city of China, and explore the famous Mutianyu and Badaling sections of the Great Wall. Visit other historical and cultural attractions in Beijing, such as the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, and the Temple of Heaven. Take day trips to lesser-known sections of the Great Wall, such as Huanghuacheng and Jiankou, for a more secluded experience. Week 4: Eastern End - Liaoning and Hebei Travel northeast to Liaoning Province to visit sections of the Great Wall at locations like Shanhaiguan and Jinzhou. Explore the Old Dragon's Head, where the Great Wall meets the Bohai Sea, and visit the nearby Shanhaiguan Pass, known as the "First Pass Under Heaven." Return to Hebei Province to visit the eastern terminus of the Great Wall at Laolongtou (Old Dragon's Head) in Qinhuangdao.

A late afternoon trip through the famous karst peaks, plus views of the Li River at sunset. GuangXi province.

With professor Ken Hammond ... Bonus film ...

Featuring the timeless and heart-wrenching Wish You Were Here and Comfortably Numb (wow - don't miss this) ... Dark Side of the Moon (1973) - begins, and ends, with the pulse of a heart (this acclaimed album is like one awesome track). When you have a free hour, listen all the way through to what many regard as the greatest music album ever created. Features Time and Great Gig in the Sky (wow) ... So much time lost, chasing this and that; and then it's all over, before we really began.