Explore the Ancient Tradition of Tai Chi
For all of you who have always dreamed of uncovering the mystery behind the ancient Chinese martial art known as Tai Chi, this is the tour for you. On this 11-day tour, you will have the unmissable opportunity to study Tai Chi for 5 days and learn all 24 moves of Yang-style Tai Chi. Not only will you learn the full pattern of Yang-style Tai Chi, you will also learn the practical application of Tai Chi for self-defense.
As we embark on an incredible spiritual journey into the world of Tai Chi, it is only fitting that we should physically explore the roots of this venerable martial art. When we’re not training, we’ll take the time to hike Moung Heng, one of China’s Five Great Sacred Mountains and a key site in the development of the indigenous Chinese religion of Taoism. On our way, we’ll pay a visit to the breathtaking Hanging Temple and the magnificent Yungang Grottoes. We will also have the chance to spend one day hiking along a wild section of the iconic Great Wall of China.
Participants Max:6
Duration: 11 days and 10 nights
Tour in 2023: 16th of Sep - 26th of Sep
A Simple Introduction to Tai Chi
Before we showcase our action-packed itinerary for this trip, we’d like to give you a brief history of Tai Chi and introduce you to the Yang style of Tai Chi.
Tai Chi is hugely popular throughout the world and attracts people of all generations, but it is especially popular with the older generation. This is because Tai Chi does not seem dynamic or powerful from an outsiders’ perspective, so it is often misinterpreted as simply a relaxing form of exercise. While it is undoubtedly great for keeping healthy, Tai Chi is first and foremost a practical style of Kung Fu. In fact, many well-known and formidable practitioners of Kung-Fu, such as Jet Li and Donnie Yen, are advocates for the strength and effectiveness of Tai Chi.
On our tour, lessons will be taught by the venerable Master Zhou Qing, who started his journey to become a martial arts master at just 6 years of age. He has since practiced Tai Chi for over 30 years. In 2016, he competed against masters from across the globe to win three gold medals in the categories for Yang-style Tai Chi, Tai Chi sword, and the tuishou or “pushing hands” style of Tai Chi at the 5th annual Macau International Martial Arts Competition.
Master Zhou will teach you all the 24 movements of Yang-style Tai Chi and will demonstrate their practical applications as self-defense techniques. He will also teach you the basic movements and techniques of the tuishou or “pushing hands” style of Tai Chi. Tuishou is the foundational skill when it comes to the practical application of Tai Chi.
Mount Heng
Mount Heng boasts the highest peak of all of China’s Five Great Sacred Mountains, Tianfeng Peak, which towers in at over 2,100 metres (6,900 ft.) in altitude. To put that into perspective, it’s nearly twice the size of Ben Nevis, the tallest mountain in the UK.
Yet it’s not the mountain’s size that has earned it such prestige, but its religious value. According to the Chinese religion of Taoism, Mount Heng is considered a sacred mountain and has been a site of pilgrimage since the Zhou Dynasty (c. 1045-256 BC). The mountain was held in such high esteem that a temple known as the Shrine of the Northern Peak or Beiyue Temple was erected there during the Han Dynasty (206 BC– 220 AD) and was dedicated to the god within the mountain.
From then onwards, emperors, scholars, travellers, poets, monks, and people from all walks of life came to visit this alluring mountain range. Many of them left behind stone inscriptions extolling its incredible beauty, which can still be seen along the mountain paths today. Nowadays, as you wander along these ancient pathways and admire the mountain’s many temples, you’re bound to come across a few of the local Taoist priests, who are always more than happy to dispense some worldly wisdom to passersby! Read more about Mount Heng.
The Hanging Temple
The Hanging Temple is one of few places in the world that matches up to its unusual name, as it truly is the stuff of legends. Also known as Xuankong Monastery, this teetering temple has been literally embedded into the side of Mount Heng and hangs precariously from the cliff-face. Yet, in spite of its perilous appearance, the temple has stood firm for over 1,500 years. Not only is its placement unique, it is also one of the only temples in the world that is dedicated to more than one religion, combining teachings of Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism. After all, when you’re literally hanging from the side of a cliff, you probably need the help of more than just one god!
No one knows precisely who built the temple or who organised its construction, but many historians believe it was likely to have been masterminded by the King of the Northern Wei Dynasty (386-534 AD). However, according to one local legend, the original temple was built by a single monk named Liao Ran. Either he must have been very tall or very brave! The temple has undergone several rebuilds and restorations throughout the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1912) dynasties to achieve its current glory. Read more about The Hanging Temple.
The Yungang Grottoes
At the southern foot of the Wuzhou Mountains, deep within the Shi Li River Valley, the Yungang Grottoes stretch for over a kilometre and are etched indelibly into the rock-face. This group of 53 caves, 252 grottoes, and over 51,000 statues and statuettes has inspired visitors from all religious backgrounds for centuries. They are categorised as one of the “Four Grand Groups of Grottoes” in China. The grottoes combine features from traditional Chinese art with those from foreign art styles, such as Greek and Indian, while the statues themselves range in height from 2 centimetres (0.7 in.) to 17 metres (56 ft.).
The construction of the grottoes can be split into three time periods: the Early Period (460-465 AD); the Middle Period (c. 471-494); and the Late Period (494-525). Those constructed in the Early Period are considered the most magnificent and contain the five main caves masterminded by the revered monk Tan Yao (caves 16-20). These particular caves are between 13 to 15 metres in height and are generally U-shaped with an arched roof, imitating the thatched sheds that were prolific in ancient India. Each cave has a door and a window, while the main part of the cave is taken up with the central statue and the walls are bedecked with carvings of thousands of smaller Buddhist statuettes. Read more about The Yungang Grottoes.
The Huayan Temple
The Huayan Temple is located at the heart of Datong old town and was originally dedicated to the Huayan branch of Buddhism. It houses five large statues of Buddha and over 18,000 volumes of Buddhist scripture. It was built during the Liao Dynasty (907-1125) and is the largest Liao temple still in existence. What makes this temple still more unique is that it’s the only temple of its kind to face east instead of south. During the Ming Dynasty, it underwent large scale renovations and has thus remained well-preserved to this day. After all, every good celebrity needs a little face lift once and a while!
The Shanhua Temple
The Shanhua Temple was originally founded during the Tang Dynasty (618-907) but has since undergone extensive repairs, meaning its oldest surviving building only dates back to the 11th century. However, thanks to these renovations, the Mahavira Hall or Daxiongbao Hall, the largest of its kind in China, has managed to remain beautifully well-preserved since it was built during the Liao Dynasty. There are 34 statues in the hall, which were carved during the Jin Dynasty (1115–1234), and 190 square metres of murals from the Qing Dynasty.
The Baiyangyu Section of the Great Wall
The Baiyangyu section of the Great Wall is located in Qian’an of Hebei province, beginning at Da’ao Tower in the east and ending at the Laojuntai Terrace of the Sidaogou section in the west. It was originally constructed towards the beginning of the Ming Dynasty and was greatly enhanced during the dynasty’s later years. It stretches for a whopping 4,550 metres in length and includes 1,500 metres of marble walling, which is highly unusual when compared to other sections of the Great Wall. This marble section of the Great Wall is 10 metres high and 5 metres wide. Of the 21 towers that once guarded this section of the wall, 6 of them are still in good condition.
Unlike the Badaling section of the Great Wall, which is arguably the most famous, the Baiyangyu section receives markedly few visitors and has fallen into a state of disrepair, endowing it with a wild beauty that sets it apart from more complete sections of the wall. Thus it represents the ideal opportunity to enjoy a quiet hike through the countryside while simultaneously appreciating one of the greatest architectural achievements of mankind.
Our Tai Chi Retreat
Our Tai Chi lessons will take place at Huangtai Lake in the city of Qian’an, Hebei province. There are six small, isolated islands on the lake that are all connected by bridges and the surrounding park boasts a number of beautiful traditional buildings. Qian’an itself is surrounded by mountains, some of which are home to wild sections of the Great Wall.
Itinerary
Day 1- Arrive in Beijing
Meeting Point: Beijing International Airport, Terminal 3. If your flight arrives at another terminal or if you choose to come to Beijing via an alternative method of transport, please let us know in advance so that we can make arrangements for you.
Once we have picked everyone up from the airport, we will go to the retreat directly, which is the place where we will have all of our Tai Chi lessons.
Food: Breakfast and Dinner Included. We will enjoy a welcome dinner made up of signature dishes from traditional Chinese cuisine.
Accommodation: 4-star Hotel.
Day 2, Day 3 - Tai Chi Lessons
These two days will be dedicated entirely to learning Tai Chi. Before we start the tour, we will provide you with a detailed training schedule, so that you know exactly what techniques we will be studying on each day.
Food: Breakfast and Lunch Included.
Accommodation: 4-star Hotel.
Itinerary
Day 4 - Hiking along the Wild Great Wall
On this day, we’ll enjoy a break from our long days of study! In order to keep the blood pumping, however, we’ll spend the day hiking the wild Baiyangyu section of the Great Wall.
What’s Included: Entrance ticket to the Baiyangyu section of the Great Wall.
Food: Breakfast and Dinner Included.
Accommodation: 4-star Hotel.
Day 5, Day 6 - Tai Chi Lessons
Much like Day 2 and Day 3, we will spend these two days dedicated to our intensive study of Tai Chi.
Food: Breakfast and Lunch Included.
Accommodation: 4-star Hotel.
Itinerary
Day 7 - Review and Practice 
In the morning, we will review everything we’ve learned, ensure that we all remember of the 24 moves of Yang-style Tai Chi, and review the practical applications for these moves.
In the afternoon, we will travel to the city of Tangshan, where we will enjoy a special “thanksgiving” dinner together with Master Zhou. In the evening, we will catch the overnight train to Datong.
Food: Breakfast and Dinner Included.
Accommodation: Sleeper cabin on the train to Datong.
Itinerary
Day 8 - The Yungang Grottoes and the Huayan Temple 
We will arrive at Datong in the morning. After leaving our luggage at the hotel, we will take the bus to the Yungang Grottoes. We will spend the entire morning exploring the grottoes and return to the city in the afternoon.
After checking-in at our hotel and having lunch, we will spend the whole afternoon visiting the Huayan Temple, which is within walking distance of the hotel. An afternoon may seem like a long time, but you are sure to spend several hours entranced by the temple’s beautiful murals.
What’s Included: Entrance ticket to the Yungang Grottoes and the Huayan Temple.
Food: Breakfast and Dinner Included. We will enjoy a few of the signature dishes of traditional Shanxi-style Cuisine.
Accommodation: Traditional Chinese-style boutique hotel.
Itinerary
Day 9 - Hike Mount Heng and Visit the Hanging Temple 
On this day, we will head out to conquer Mount Heng. Let’s start by visiting the Hanging Temple.
Please Note: If you have acrophobia (fear of heights), please let us know in advance and stop us at any point if you feel uncomfortable.
In the afternoon, we will embark on our hike of Mount Heng. If you would prefer to use the cable car to reach the top, please let us know in advance, as we will need to take you to a different entrance to the mountain. The ticket for the cable car is currently 98RMB (approx. £12) as of the end of 2018, but will likely go up.
In order to have the maximum amount of freedom, we will use a private car or minivan for the whole day.
What’s Included: Entrance ticket to the Hanging Temple and Mount Heng.
Food: Breakfast Included.
Accommodation: Traditional Chinese-style boutique hotel.
Itinerary
Day 10 - Shanhua Temple 
It would be a pity if we only visited one temple in this ancient city, particularly since these hidden gems are not as well-known as other more famous temples throughout China but are full of stunning artwork. Although the city is nestled deep within breathtaking mountains and is full of historic attractions, Datong remains one of the lesser-visited cities in northern China. Let’s seize the opportunity to marvel at these beautiful works of art while the temple is still quiet!
In the afternoon, we will take the train back to Beijing, which will take about 5 and a half hours. To make the journey more comfortable, we will stay in a sleeper cabin.
What’s Included: Entrance ticket to Shanhua Temple.
Food: Breakfast and Dinner Included. We will enjoy a dinner together made up of signature dishes from traditional Beijing-style Cuisine.
Accommodation: Traditional Chinese hotel in one of the ancient hutongs of old Beijing.
Day 11 - Your Onward Journey
We will escort you to the airport with plenty of time ready for your flight. If your flight is in the evening, we can arrange a walking tour of Beijing old town in the morning.
If you plan on extending your trip in Beijing for a couple of days and would like our advice, please don’t hesitate to ask! We can design a private tour of the city for you at your request.
Prices and What’s Included
Unlike other tours in China, we do not ask you to tip your tour guides and drivers each day. Instead, we pay our tour guides and drivers a fair wage, so they do not need to ask for tips.
Cost pp: £1,950/4-6 people in one group; £2,950/2-3 people in one group.
Single supp: 350 (Please be advised that, if you are the last person joining the tour or if there is no one in the group who you can share with, you may need to pay for the single supplement. We will advise you if this is the case when you enquire about the tour).
What’s Included: 9 nights of accommodation; all entrance fees to the attractions mentioned in the itinerary; all breakfasts; 4 lunches; 5 dinners; all transportation fees during the designated tour times; the services of an English speaking guide; Tai Chi lesson with Master Zhou Qing; a pdf file with useful information about the places in the itinerary; and any further help or information we can provide if you decide to continue traveling in China after the tour.
Accommodation: We will stay in 4-star hotels in Hangtag Lake and Traditional Chinese-style hotels in Datong and Beijing.
Food: Breakfast will be provided every day and we will also provide lunches and 5 dinners consisting of local cuisine in each city. Aside from this, you are welcome to explore the local restaurants and sample the signature dishes by yourself, although we will always be on hand to translate for you and help you order.
Transportation: The use of a private 7 or 9 seater car as specified in the itinerary; bus to visit the Yungang Grottoes; trains from Tangshan to Datong and Datong to Beijing.
Duration: 11 days and 10 nights.
How can I sign up to this tour?
Step 1 ⇒ Contact us directly to talk about the tour in more detail.
Step 2 ⇒ Book online and pay the £100 deposit. If you have an exclusive discount code, please enter it into the Enquiry box.
Step 3 ⇒ We will send you the invoice confirming you have been booked on the tour. Once you receive the invoice, you have 30 days to pay an additional £500, which will secure your place on the tour.
Step 4 ⇒ Please note that the final cost of the tour will be based on the number of participants and will be split into two payments. The first payment must be made within 3 months of the tour’s start date and is based on the minimum price of the tour minus your £600 deposit. After that, you will need to pay the remaining balance one month before the tour is due to leave based on the tour subscription. In the meantime, we will advise you on how to apply for your visa and keep you updated on the subscription of the tour.
Step 5 ⇒ Once you have made the final payment, we will send you our exclusive tour e-book, which contains a detailed itinerary of the tour and in-depth information on the areas we’ll be visiting.
Step 6 ⇒ Prepare yourself for an unforgettable adventure!
We are happy to answer any questions you may have and we will always keep you up to date on the progress of the tour subscription.