An Archaeological Study Tour

The Ancient Kingdom of Tibet
Art, Architecture & Buddhism in the Land of the Snows
August 30 – September 16, 2007
Led by Professor Gregory Hillis


Sharing borders with India, Nepal, Bhutan and Burma, Tibet is a land of traditional monasteries, awesome views, ancient relics and extraordinary people. It is sequestered among the highest mountains of the Himalayas, bordered on the north by the great Taklamakan Desert and traversed by very few motorable roads, which has left it unexplored by tourists until recent years. Our journey will take us through constantly changing landscapes of huge boulders, rich grasslands, grazing yaks and horses, towering mountains and tiny hamlets of stone and mud-brick houses.

Tibet’s history is marked by the development of its unique form of Buddhism. Tibetans are often called the most religious people in the world, as religion is an integral part of their everyday life. Women are seen walking down the streets twirling small prayer wheels; the monasteries are filled with monks and worshipers and prayer flags flutter in the breeze. We will study the many orders of Tibetan Buddhism with its special features absorbed from Bon, Tibet's ancient animistic religion. We will see monks at study and at prayer and learn why this religion has withstood the pressures from China. Our visits to the monasteries will introduce us to Tibetan Buddhist paintings and sculpture, while in the cities and villages we will observe the unique and beautiful architecture of its public and private buildings. Throughout our tour we will be spellbound by the stark beauty of the country, drawn to its colorful markets and enchanted by the warmth and friendliness of its people.

Thursday, Friday, August 30 & 31: BEIJING: Depart San Francisco midday. We arrive in Beijing on Friday and transfer to the deluxe Grand Hotel Beijing, centrally located a short walk from Tian’an Men Square.

Saturday, September 1: BEIJING: After an introductory lecture by Dr. Hillis, touring begins with visits to the Temple of Heaven, considered to be a masterpiece of 15th-century architecture, the Confucian Temple, and the Yonghegong Temple, the most colorful temple in Beijing. This Tibetan Buddhist Temple has a long and important history and was declared a major historic relic after it survived the Cultural Revolution. Today novices study the Tibetan language and the religious practices of the Gelukpa Sect. Its lovely frescoes and tapestries will provide an introduction to the splendors that await us.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Sunday, September 2: TSEDANG: An early flight takes us over the spectacular snow-covered mountain peaks and deep river gorges of eastern Tibet to Gonggar Airport. Our drive to Tsedang is via the Gonggar Chöde Monastery, which has fine murals of the Sakya tradition, and continues past other monasteries and villages along the swift-running Yarlung Tsangpo River, Tibet’s principal waterway. The Yarlung Tsangpo cascades from high glaciers in western Tibet and travels 1,800 miles, ending in Bangladesh. The next three nights will be spent in Tsedang at 11,150 feet, which will give us time to adjust to the altitude before traveling to higher altitudes. We encourage all to rest this afternoon. Tsedang Hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Monday, Tuesday, September 3 & 4: TSEDANG: Monday’s excursion will be to Tibet’s first monastery, Samye Monastery, founded in 779. The Great Hall is a combination of the architectural styles reflecting the traditions of its builders, who came from India, the desert oasis of Khotan and other areas of China. Each of the chapels has unique statues and treasures, including some rare, partially damaged murals. On Tuesday touring includes Tandruk, one of Tibet’s oldest and most unusual monasteries, the castle of Yambu Lhakang, alleged to have been the home of the Yarlung kings, and the ancient royal tombs in the “Valley of the Kings.” The largest of the numerous tumuli we will see is believed to belong to King Songtsen Gampo, 7th century.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner daily

Wednesday, September 5: LHASA: This morning we will drive to Lhasa, stopping en route at several monasteries, including Dongbu, built in the 11th century, Netang, and Mindroling, one of the most important and the only remaining monastery of the ancient Nyingmapa Order (Red Hat). The Nyingmapa sect (Ancient Ones) retains many elements of the pre-Buddhist Bon faith. Lhasa Hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Thursday, Friday, Saturday, September 6, 7 & 8: LHASA: Our three-day stay in Lhasa will give us ample time to visit all of the sites in the area and to absorb the special ambiance of narrow lanes and whitewashed houses of rough-hewn stone and painted woodwork in the old district. Touring begins in the oldest part of Lhasa at the 7th-century Jokhang Temple, Tibet’s most sacred spiritual center. Encircling the temple is the Barkhor, the sacred pilgrim path, a narrow street of market stalls and people from all over the country, all circumambulating the temple in a clockwise direction. Friday and Saturday’s touring includes some of the 1,000 rooms of the Potala Palace, the former winter residence of the Dalai Lama and the government center, two of the most outstanding monasteries of Lhasa, Sera and Drepung as well as Nechung, home of Tibet’s state oracle. We will also visit the beautiful Ani Sangkang Nunnery, Ramoche, the site of the Jowo Mingyur Dorje (Tibet’s second holiest Buddha image), Gyuto Monastery, the original home of the famous chanting monks and the Summer Palaces scattered throughout Norbulingka Park.
Meals: Breakfast & lunch daily & 1 dinner

Sunday, September 9: GYANTSE: An early start today will give us time to enjoy the magnificent scenery as we traverse three mountain passes, each commanding spectacular views en route to Gyantse. Situated at the junction of two major caravan routes, Gyantse was a gathering point for yak caravans loaded with wool and is still a center for rug weaving. As is typical of trading centers, ideas and art traveled with the people. At the Palkhor Chöde Monastery, the impressive Nepalese-style stupa, Kumbum, is considered the finest example of 15th-century Newar art in the world. Traditionally each of the four major sects of Tibetan Buddhism had temples and small monasteries in this walled complex. Our visits will include Palkhor Chöde Monastery as well as the wonderful old areas of the town. Gyantse Hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Monday, September 10: SHIGATSE: After completing our touring, we will drive through fertile farm valleys and vast grasslands where multitudes of yaks, sheep and horses are raised, ending in Shigatse, a virtual treasure trove of ancient buildings. At 12,800 feet, Shigatse is the second largest city in Tibet and the traditional seat of the Panchen Lama, Tibet’s second highest incarnation. Shigatse Hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner daily

Tuesday, September 11: SHIGATSE: Touring begins with the walled complex at Tashilunpo Monastery, a warren of chapels and shrines housing a huge nine-story-high Thangka Wall, an 86-foot Maitreya Buddha and marvelous jeweled statues. The facade of this large complex is in itself wonderful and provides a perfect backdrop for the city. We will travel a few miles south of the city to see the fine murals at Shalu Monastery. Upon return, there will be time to visit the colorful markets in the old section of Shigatse and see local craftsmen at work.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner daily

Wednesday, September 12: SHIGATSE: We will make a full day’s excursion to the architecturally unique Sakya Monastery. Built in 1244 in purely Mongolian style, Sakya Monastery ruled the whole of Tibet during the reign of Kublai Khan (13th century). Its massive earthen walls with corner towers are typical of Mongolian fortress style and can be seen from a great distance.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner daily

Thursday, Friday, September 13 & 14: LHASA: Our drive back to Lhasa will be along the northern route via the high Gampa Pass at 17,000 feet, providing lovely vistas of snow-capped mountains. We have not planned any touring for our last day in Tibet so that we may revisit our favorite sites, make our own new discoveries of small temples, street stalls, courtyards and traditional lanes and finish our shopping in the Barkhor Bazaars. Lhasa Hotel.
Meals: Breakfast daily, 1 lunch & 1 dinner.

Saturday, Sunday, September 15 & 16: BEIJING: A morning flight returns us to Beijing. We will be transferred to the Sino-Swiss Beijing Airport Hotel and gather for our farewell dinner in one of the hotel’s private rooms. Our Northwest Airlines return flight to San Francisco departs midday Sunday.
Meals: Breakfast daily and 1 dinner

Please Note: This tour is considered strenuous. It involves travel at altitudes exceeding 17,000 feet, as well as long but spectacular drives often over rough roads. Some of the hotels and facilities are basic. This tour is not recommended for anyone with a heart or lung condition or any condition that might require medical attention, or a special diet.