Name: The Buddha Path
Brand: WildChina
SKU: 1

Set out on a pilgrimage through five provinces as you piece together the history of Buddhism in the Middle Kingdom. You’ll marvel at cave art in far-flung desert grottoes, defy gravity in the “Hanging Monastery,” and find inspiration amid the “ten-thousand Buddhas” of sacred temples.

About this Journey

Take the road less traveled on this exploration of China’s Buddhist history. Specially designed for those of you interested in understanding Buddhism’s influence on Chinese life and culture, this adventure will see you traveling through five provinces as you witness wonders constructed as a result of Buddhist belief. The Hanging Monastery, which has been clinging to a sheer cliff face since the 5^th century in apparent defiance of gravity, is just one example of how Buddhist devotion has manifested itself in the most unexpected places in China. Go off the beaten path on this pilgrimage-like journey.

What we love

Being dazzled by the 10,000 gleaming Buddha statues in one of China's oldest Buddhist temples
Marveling at the creative genius behind the breathtaking Hanging Monastery, which has been clinging to a sheer cliff face for 1,400 years
Experiencing Marco Polo's "rumbling sands," the vast expanse that is the Mingsha Sand Dunes along the Ancient Tea Horse Road

Map

Itinerary

Day 1 - 4Beijing

Step off the plane in Beijing and meet your local WildChina guide in the airport arrivals hall • Explore the Forbidden City, a 600-year-old imperial palace once exclusive to royalty • Walk through ancient hutongs, stopping by the homes of some of the city’s more traditional residents • Savor Peking duck: watch lacquer-crisp skin crack like caramel, then cradle imperial perfection in whisper-thin pancakes • Conquer Jinshanling Great Wall while hiking along ramparts that defended China’s northern frontier.

Day 4 - 5Datong

Board the high-speed train and travel to Datong • Marvel at the 5th-century Yungang Grottoes, where cave art represents the successful fusion of Buddhist religious symbolic art and Chinese traditions • Admire the wondrous Hanging Monastery, an ancient, surreal structure of pavilions clinging to a sheer cliff.

Day 5 - 6Wutaishan

Journey to sacred Mount Wutai (Wutaishan), the “Five Terrace Mountains” and earthly abode of Bodhisattva Manjusri, where pilgrims and gaokao students alike seek wisdom • Visit Xiantong Temple, one of the oldest Buddhist temples in China with a dazzling Bronze Hall with ten thousand gleaming Buddha statues • Explore the wealth of monasteries on Mount Wutai. Immerse in devout serenity, breathing incense-laced air alongside saffron-robed monks and pilgrims.

Day 6 - 8Pingyao

Visit the Wang Family Residence, the sprawling courtyard estate of a once-prosperous local family • Enjoy a walk on Pingyao’s turtle-shaped ancient city wall and take in a commanding view of the old town • Explore Zhangbi Underground Castle, an ancient defense structure with a network of underground tunnels • Stroll down what used to be China’s “Wall Street” by strolling through Pingyao’s narrow streets • Head to the old merchant town of Jingsheng and visit the Wang Residence, a sprawling complex featuring Qing Dynasty architecture • Walk through the sutra chanting halls of Shuanglin Temple for a closer look at the countless bodhisattva figurines which grace the temple.

Day 8 - 9Xi'an

Ride to Xi’an on bullet train • Walk atop Xi’an’s ancient city wall and enjoy a commanding view of the old city • Pilgrimage to the Great Mosque, where Islam thrived in China after arriving via the Silk Road a thousand years ago • Follow the scent of cumin and grilled lamb through Xi’an’s vibrant Muslim Quarter, where Silk Road flavors have thrived for 1,300 years • Marvel at 8,000 life-sized Terracotta Warriors standing guard for China’s first emperor over 2,200 years • Admire Xi’an’s iconic Big and Small Wild Goose Pagodas blending Indian, Persian, and Chinese influences • Experience Xi’an with more than just your eyes by sampling some of Xi’an’s famous dumplings at a renowned local restaurant.

Day 10Day Trip to Luoyang

Spend a day at the awe-inspiring Longmen Grottoes, where Buddhas hewn in stone tower above you • Visit legendary Shaolin Temple to learn kung fu alongside student monks.

Day 11 - 13Dunhuang

Fly to Dunhuang • Set out for the Mingsha Sand Dunes, which Marco Polo dubbed “the rumbling sands” for the sound they make when the wind blows. Hidden within these golden waves lies Crescent Moon Lake, an oasis situated in the notoriously inhospitable Taklamakan Desert • Score a thrift haul at Shazhou night market, bargaining for handicrafts, tea and local products as Silk Road traders once did • Explore the Mogao Grottoes, also known as the Caves of the Thousand Buddhas, an ancient treasure trove filled with numerous manuscripts, frescoes, paintings, and sculptures • Learn about Dunhuang’s rich past by visiting Dunhuang Museum, home to thousands of ancient artifacts • Your WildChina guide will escort you to the airport and help you check in for your flight home.

Hotels

EAST Hotel Beijing

Local Boutique

Inspired by sunshine, urban life, and the youthful energy and creativity of the neighboring 798 Art District, EAST Hotel’s approach to art and design offers a fresh and unconventional twist on traditional ideas.

Datong Yunzhong Traditional Courtyard

Local Boutique

Nestled in a quiet neighborhood just a short walk from the city’s must-see attractions, here is a welcome respite brimming with historic charm.

Friendship Guesthouse, Wutaishan

Guesthouse

Conveniently located in the Wutai valleys, Friendship Guesthouse is the best accommodation in the area.

Jing's Residence, Pingyao

Luxury Boutique

Hidden deep in the heart of Pingyao is Jing’s Residence, a charming boutique hotel housed within the former mansion of a wealthy Qing dynasty silk merchant.

The Ritz-Carlton, Xi'an

5 stars

The newest offering to Xi’an’s luxury hotel scene, The Ritz-Carlton is set in the heart of the city’s central business district.

Silk Road Hotel Dunhuang

4 star

Boasting unbeatable views of rolling sand dunes and a traditional design, this hotel brings out the character and history of the ancient Silk Road.

Photos

Details

What’s Included

Services of an English-speaking WildChina guide
Accommodation based on double occupancy with breakfasts included
All overland transfers with private chauffeur and in-transport refreshments
Private chauffeur service to and from airport at start and end of your trip
All admission fees and activity expenses, as noted in the itinerary
Meals as noted in the itinerary with complimentary drinking water

What’s Excluded

International and domestic flights, domestic trains, plus relevant taxes
Chinese tourist visa, which is required for most foreign passport holders
Travel and medical insurance
Meals, apart from those included in the itinerary, and alcohol
Expenses of a personal nature
Excursions and activities not included in the itinerary
Discretionary gratuities for guides and drivers

Next Steps

How do I book this tour?

Please use the inquiry form on the right-hand side of this page or email info@wildchina.com to get started. One of our travel designers will be in touch accordingly to start the process of planning your custom China trip!

What is the payment schedule?

Deposit:

Once you are ready to book, a $500 USD per person planning fee is required to begin reserving your arrangements. This will go towards your total trip costs and will be taken off your final balance amount.

Full payment:
Full trip payment will be requested 60 days prior to departure. If you’re booking within 60 days of your departure, you may be asked to pay make the full payment straight away.

Payments can be made via credit card, bank transfer, WeChat or Alipay.

Is this trip guaranteed to run?

We will need a minimum sign up of six travelers to run this trip (maximum sign up is ten). Should the journey be canceled due to lack of sign-ups or for any other reason, WildChina will fully refund any deposits or fees paid.

What is your cancellation policy?

See our full booking conditions here.

Why WildChina

We’re on the ground with you

Our team of advisors will design every detail of the trip with you through close consultation, then orchestrate your entire journey while on the ground. We’re in the same time zone as you, so we can fulfill requests and handle issues without a hitch. With over 40 staff in Beijing and an expansive network of operational partners across the country, we have the manpower to ensure your journey is safe, reliable and comfortable from beginning to end.

Your trip, your way

Flexibility is our highest-ranking compliment. We pull off journeys for pioneers with a 6-hour layover to Hollywood’s elite, and everywhere in between. Our team regularly pulls off unprecedented logistical feats; nearly any time frame or budget is within our realm. No matter how you wish to experience China, we are here to bring that dream to life.

We embody passion

WildChina guides are carefully handpicked for their knowledge and charisma, then meticulously trained to maintain our exceptional service standards. They are expert storytellers and passionate natives of the regions where they guide, having the perfect combination of local insights and service know-how to bring you seamless once-in-a- lifetime moments all across China.

The little things, the big picture

Supporting inspired local economies allows you to experience the soul of the destination, while also protecting and cultivating China’s artisanal culture. From watching artisans hand make shoes in Yunnan, to picking organic vegetables for dinner on a local farm in Fujian, our tours are designed to showcase and protect China’s heritage, both natural and human.

The Buddha Path

Have questions?