Healing Tao USA Summer Session
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China Dream Trip 2006

Inside: • China Dream Trip mission • Trip highlights • Registration info • Daily Itinerary • Trip Testimonials • Cancellation policy

China Dream Trip 2006

A Journey to Sacred Taoist Mountains

Led by Michael Winn

Core 16 Day Trip: May 20 – June 3, 2006

Full Trip: 23 Days: May 20 - June 10

Taoist Caves & Sacred Power Spots (optional week added)

These are TENTATIVE DATES – may be adjusted slightly.

Michael Winn is founder and Director, Healing Tao University. An experienced traveler who has been to 95 countries, an ex-war correspondent in Africa & Asia turned spiritual guide – covering the worst and the best of humanity. He has led dozens of Third World adventure & sacred tour groups over the last 25 years. This is his 9th trip to China.

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.

The optional week offers meditation in various “Tao power spots”, including caves at Mt. Huashan used for centuries by Taoist adepts and the “Lao Tzu’s ascension site” at Louguantai. For those not ready to sleep in a cave without food, you can stay in a more comfortable nearby Taoist monastery (not open to tourists) with hot food and still participate in daily nearby cave meditations.

This 2006 trip will have new riches and improvements not offered on my last trip in 2004. The final itinerary will depend on the results of a scouting trip I am making in Fall 2005 to investigate a Taoist school of inner alchemy in Wudangshan, as well as the mountains of Yunnan. Space is limited. I am never certain when/if I will offer the trip again due to the enormous work involved, but certainly not before 2008. I am doing these trips primarily to keep the door open between Western and Chinese Taoist adepts. If in your heart you feel drawn to China’s mystery, I advise you to follow your soul instinct, and trust the Tao will supply the time and resources to GO.” -- Michael Winn

Two succinct testimonials from earlier Dream trips:

“The Qi 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."

2006 DREAM TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

• Delivers China as a life-changing spiritual experience. We visit the “must-see” highlights of China but focus on developing a profound “earth chi connection” in mountains where Taoist adepts have cultivated for thousands of years.

• Learn and practice 800 year old lineage Primordial Qigong from Wudang Mountain, an amazing form that combines qigong, inner alchemy, feng shui, and tai chi. Get free video/DVD in advance. This form feels different in China! Regular qigong training in China by Michael Winn.

• NEW PLACES in 2006 (to be announced): Journey to famous Wudang Mountain to stay in a school of inner alchemy, OR a visit to Tao monastery & tribal cultures in beautiful mountains of Yunnan, including the Stone Forest.

• NEW PEOPLE in 2006: It had been earlier announced that World famous Taoist scholar Prof. Livia Kohn (Boston University) would join our trip and give regular lectures on Taoist history and culture. Due to a recent change in her personal plans, she regrets she cannot make it in 2006 but hopes to make it in 2008.

China scholar David Palmer plans join us again in the Sacred Taoist mountains. His fluency in translating Taoist terminology was extraordinarily helpful in our group exchanges with Taoists on the 2004 trip. David lives in Hong Kong and has a Chinese wife. He did his PhD thesis on Qigong in Communist China. He and scholar Elijah Siegler plan to publish their research from the 2004 trip on the influence that western Taoists are having on Chinese Taoists.

• Climb on breathtaking famous Mt. Huashan (“the Taoist Yosimite”) and retreat on gentle Mt. Azure City, two of China’s oldest Taoist sacred mountains. Meditate in Xian’s famous “8 Immortals Temple” and Chengdu’s Green Goat Temple.

• China’s top cultural highlights: Do qigong on the Great Wall, in the Temple of Heaven in Beijing, view the magnificent Terra Cotta Army near the ancient capital of Xian, hike in the largest panda bear Reserve in the world, experience amazing theatre & dance troupes.

•Optional Week: Live in a spectacular Mt. Huashan monastery and meditate in ancient Taoist adept’s caves not open to the public. A few other caves are available for private retreats & fasting. Later we stay in Louguantai Temple, built where Lao Tzu wrote the Tao Te Ching. Lao Tzu’s nearby ascension site is a top Taoist power spot.

• Money back guarantee: on returning home, you will not be the same person who left!

16 Day Cost in 2004 was $3695. including airfare from Los Angeles, all air (the 5 flights within remote parts of China cost more than international flight) and all land costs within China, at 4 star hotels where available.

The 2006 COST will be higher due to inflation and a likely currency revaluation in China. Exact cost will be announced in fall 2005 after my scouting trip – but expect a 5 to 10% increase.

Single Supplement $495. (main trip only, not applicable when staying in Tao monastery).

$100. DISCOUNT to my personal students, Healing Tao instructors, or any attendee at Dao Mountain summer retreats the past three years.

RESERVE YOUR PLACE in the line of applicants with $100. deposit (fully refundable up to Oct. 31, 2005. If trip is oversubscribed priority is given to Healing Tao students. After that an additional $500. is needed to hold a space (total $600. deposit is subject to cancellation policy). Credit cards accepted.

Low cost round trip connections to LAX from domestic US cities may be available. Not included: visa fee, porter or guide tips, trip/medical insurance. In the travel market, this trip is an inexpensive bargain given all that is packed into it.

For travelers NOT meeting group in Los Angeles, cost for trip starting in Beijing in 2004 was $3294.

Optional Week Cost $795. in 2004. It covered all expenses (meals, lodging, travel, coolies to carry gear up mountain, and donations made to support Taoist monasteries in appreciation for their teachings and loan of caves for meditation. No Single Supplement available. Price may change for 2006.

Additional $100. DISCOUNT on optional week for any “LIVE” STUDENT of mine, past or current, as of Dec. 31, 2005.

BALANCE DUE: Trip fee due by Feb. 15, 2006. 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, you 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).

Note: Due to lack of long term planning by Chinese domestic airlines, there may be minor adjustments to both cost and itinerary. Local airfare inside China is expensive, and usually costs as much as the international ticket.

Mail check to: Box 24, Lodi, NJ 07644. CONFIRM DEPOSIT WITH EMAIL TO: info@healingDao.com. Please cc: winn@healingdao.com

DON”T DELAY in making an advance deposit. The 2002 and 2004 TRIPS SOLD OUT IN ONE MONTH after final itinerary and price announcement. All deposits are 100% refundable until at least Oct. 31st, 2005 with no cancel fee.Cancellation policy listed at end.

Questions? Contact registrar at 888-999-0555 or 973-777-4442 (-3753, fax)

Taoist Temples and Caves

TENTATIVE Daily Itinerary May 20 – June 3, 2006 Final to be announced in Oct. 2005

This schedule does not have all the talks on Taoism or qigong practice times in it.

Day 1: Travel day to Los Angeles. Since plane leaves early in next a.m., your option as to whether to take a layover day/hotel and visit the beach in LA or get an evening connection. We’ll meet at 11 pm for group check in.

Day 2: Depart Los Angeles 1:40 am on Air China #984. If your connection is very tight, arrive the evening before to be safe. Arrive Beijing 5:20 am. (12.5 hrs later). Stay at 4 star Grand View Garden Hotel, next to a wonderful park with lake and pavilions. Hotel is one of the few in Beijing with classical Chinese architecture, based on the famous novel “Dream of the Red Mansion”. 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. Beijing.

Day 3: Qigong early morning in the park next to hotel. Drive to Great Wall of China, visiting a Jade factory along the way. 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. Evening banquet and talk on Taoism. Beijing.

Day 4: Fly to Chengdu, capital of Sichuan province, bordering Tibet. Transfer directly to one of China’a most famous Taoist Holy Mountains: the lovely, magical Qingcheng Shan (Azure City 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. The mountain has a very soft, “yin” quality that invites you into the fold of endless layers of peaks. We’ll take the cable car up to save time, but allow an easy hour hike halfway down where we will stay in an extremely peaceful monastery for two nights. Porters will carry our bags to the monastery separately. There is a powerful 1000 year old ginkgo tree here. Rooms are simple, but neat. Mt. Qingsheng.

Day 5 Morning qigong. Day free for relaxing and meditating, or hiking to various temples nestled within the soft valleys. We will meet with local Taoists, and hear a talk on the Complete Perfection 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 qigong and martial arts. We’ll share a simple but delicious vegetarian meal with the Taoist monks and nuns at the Supreme Purity Temple near the top of the peak. Nearby is a 50 ft. high bronze Lao Tzu riding a buffalo! Mt. Qingsheng.

Day 6 Morning Qigong. More free time on the mountain to hike or meditate or play. When we descend in the afternoon, we’ll meet with the female abbot of the temple at the bottom of the mountain to discuss her practice. Return to Chengdu for evening banquet, and check into the four star Tibet Hotel. Chengdu. .

Day 7 Morning visit to 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 (in Chinese, but the vibe still transmits). We’ll feast on Taoist vegetarian food during a visit to Green Goat Temple. Afternoon free to practice qigong in Chengdu’s lovely parks, shop, or hang out in the many teahouses. Evening banquet of Sichuan’s famous local cuisine. Then the fabulous Sichuan Opera, with its amazing “mask-changing” technique and dozens of performing artists (far superior to Peking Opera). Chengdu.

Day 8 Morning visit to 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 racoon). We’ll do qigong in the lovely bamboo forest, and visit interesting museum on these “bear cats” (pan-da in Chinese). Qingsheng. Afternoon fly to either Wuhan (near Wudangshan) or Kunming, Yunnan province.

Day 9, 10, and 11: These three or possibly four days of the itinerary are under development for either Wudang Mountain or mountains of Yunnan. Day 10 late afternoon fly to Xian. Transfer to Bell Tower Hotel. Evening free. Xian.

Day 12 Xian is a giant outdoor museum, with China’s many ancient layers of history exposed. Our hotel is in the very center of Xian, China’s ancient capital from Han to Ming dynasty (200 b.c. – 1400 a.d.). Morning free. Walk to the nearby lively Moslem Bazaar, which has the best craft bargains found anywhere in China, and delicious local foods. Free time for shopping in other districts, or visit magnificent Bell Tower (it still rings) across the street from our Hotel. PM: We 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. Time to meditate and do qigong inside the temple compound, and visit its Taoist gift shop with paintings by local monks and nuns. Next to it 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!). 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 most famous Taoist sacred mountain in all China, Mt. Huashan. Check into hotel at base of Mt. Huashan. Tour nearby Jade Spring Monastery where, according to legend, the famous Taoist adept Chen Tuan did dream practice for 3 years continuously. We’ll meet some local Taoists and have a discussion on the Huashan tradition of Taoism with my longtime friend the vice abbot, and may convince him to give us a concert on the zither. Huashan.

Day 14 Take the spectacular cable car ride 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 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 more amazing for its feeling of human will carved into the granite since ancient times. We descend by cable car, in time to enjoy our final banquet that evening with those trip members not staying on for the optional week. Huashan.

Day 15 - FOR THOSE ON 15 DAY TRIP: Transfer to Xian airport, fly to Beijing on afternoon flight. Evening free in Beijing for packing or last minute shopping. Those staying on for the additional week, see Optional Itinerary below. I will be staying behind with this group, but will arrange for airport-Hotel transport and dinner/breakfast in Beijing for returning group.

Day 16 Free day in Beijing for shopping, visit Forbidden City, etc. Depart Beijing on Air China #983 at 8pm, arriving in Los Angeles at 5 pm same day (miracle of International Date Line).

Optional: Taoist Cave & Temple Meditation Week

June 3 - 10, 2006

NOTE: 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).

Day 1: Pack gear for 3 day journey up into a hidden valley where a small monastery sits beneath one of Huashan’s most dramatic granite peaks. (Its name is not disclosed here to preserve it from unwanted intrusions by the public). We’ll have an orientation on living in either a cave or a monastery for the next three days, with possible additional training by the Vice Abbot on the techniques of Taoist cultivation traditionally used at Huashan. It will be only the third time in the known history of Huashan these methods will be taught to westerners – the first two times were on my previous groups visit. We will also ask for an audience with an 80 year Taoist female adept who has been in the bigu (Breatharian) state for most of the last 20 years. She spent almost 50 years at Huashan, and is considered one of the Eight Living Tao Immortals by the China Taoist Association.

We’ll hike from Jade Spring Monastery to this hidden valley, assisted by Chinese porters so we are free to explore and photograph carrying only a daypack. The hike begins along a river, the majestic peaks of Huashan looming high above its waterfalls, with side trails leading to caves of Taoist adepts (now empty except for the more remote). Most of the 2-3 hour hike is leisurely, only the last part is up increasingly steep stairs.

We all stay this first night in a Taoist monastery nestled beneath Huashan’s peaks, considered by resident Taoist monks and nuns to have superb feng shui; it’s their favorite place to meditate on Huashan. The food is vegetarian and excellent, and the rooms recently refurbished. The monastery is 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. Group will have interpreter, so we can ask questions of the Vice Abbot and others Taoists about their life as mountain adepts. Mt. Huashan

Day 2: Those who are staying in caves for the next two days will depart, some to nearby caves, others climbing steeply uphill for 1.5 hours to another hidden place known since Han dynasty times for its Big Dipper (Beitou) cave, where the ancients meditated on the stars. The modern cave practitioners will be escorted to their caves, where they will fast for two days and two nights (water only. If you don’t want to fast, you may bring your own light food. The Taoist adepts living nearby will probably try to feed you).

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. Mt. Huashan.

Day 3: Second day spent in cave or monastery meditation practice, working with earth elements and the Spirit of Huashan mountain. According to tradition, many Taoists have achieved immortality on Huashan, perhaps due in part to its very strong yang earth energy. In my own experience, the mountain itself is quite alive, much more alive than mountains not yet awakened by the presence of serious adepts, especially Taoists who know how to communicate with natural forces.

Those staying in the monastery shall also be on genrally silent meditation retreat communing with the mountain, but will receive cooked meals. There will be talks on Taoism and training in qigong. They may also visit a large and especially beautiful nearby Spring Flower cave every day for group meditation. I will also offer a qigong class each day. Those in the monastery may choose to hike up to the Pole Star or other nearby areas (every place is scenic here) to meditate outside during the day. There are spectacular views of the Huashan peaks (also visible from some caves).

Priority for reserving a night (or two, if there is room) in the limited number of caves will be given to 1) my Kan & Li alchemy students 2) date when firm deposit is made, 3) general virtue and commitment to Taoist meditation, 4) willingness to explore bigu (Taoist fasting on food while feasting on chi) in the cave.

Day 4: In the morning both the cave dwellers and monastery meditators will leisurely descend to Jade Spring Monastery (baggage assist by porters). After a final banquet with our Taoist hosts, 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. Louguantai.

Day 5: Rest, explore, meditate at Louguantai monastery or its nearby Lao Tzu Temple. The vibration here is intensely spiritual, more human and Heavenly fire in it, very different from Huashan’s blend of human and yang earth. A nice balance, and a good place to digest and internally cook the powerful Huashan experience. We’ll ask for either a talk or meditation instructions with my friend the Abbot, Ren Fa Rong, if he is available. One of the most famous Taoist adept-scholars in China and vice president of the China Taoist Association. Louguantai.

Day 6: Relax, another free day at Louguantai to meditate. There’s a large nearby temple and statue dedicated to Lao Tzu worth visiting. 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. If you are sensitive, you may find (as I did) that the chi here is so intense that it’s difficult to sleep, yet I never felt tired! 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. After another session with Abbott Ren Fa Rong, optional hike into surrounding forests and hills with their small Taoist temples perched atop nearby peaks. One has a special cave in it dedicated to Lao Tzu with a statue reputed to have healing powers. Spend final night at Louguantai, perhaps doing spontaneous dream practice. Louguantai.

Day 7: Depart early morning to Xian. Time for final shopping spree in its wonderful bazaars and crafts shops. Then transfer to Xian airport to catch afternoon flight to Beijing. Evening free in Beijing for packing or last minute shopping. Beijing.

Day 8: Full free day in Beijing for shopping, sightseeing, etc. Depart Beijing on Air China #983 at 8 pm, arrive in Los Angeles 5pm same day. --------------------------------

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 of the thirty six 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. Its for people who are open to intense alchemical transformation. Michael Winn

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.

-couple from 2004 trip with minimal previous qigong experience

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.

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:

1. immediately after the trip I began to realize that the JUDGMENTS I have are just my judgments. I can now feel the separation they create. And now know that its not the way things and people really are.

2. my main Tango dancing partner told me I was DANCING better because I am softer and more relaxed!

3. several friends are saying that my VOICE on the phone has become softer, slower, somehow changed.

4. the shaman I sometimes see says I am "more myself" - whatever she means by this. I can feel what these feedbacks are referring to and I'm happy about it. -----------------------------------------------------------------------

Cancellation Policy:

covers Administration fees, Refund of $600.00 deposit, and Refund of balance of full trip costs.

Note: Low cost travel insurance is made available to all trip members. (Last year it cost average $150. 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. Our main exposure would have to occur during the narrow window in Beijing at beginning and end of trip.

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.

Administration fees for cancellation are as follows:

1. if cancellation is received 121 or more days (Nov. 1 to Jan. 19, 2006) prior to departure date - $200. administrative fee only.

2. If cancel 120 to 60 days (Jan. 20 to March 19, 2006) prior to departure - $400. administrative fee, plus any out of pocket costs of cancellation.

3. If cancel 59 days (March 20 or later) prior to departure, a $600. administrative fee is charged IF and only if a replacement is found. If no replacement is found, full trip cost is forfeited (NO REFUND). This is why it is essential you get trip insurance.

OUT OF POCKET CANCELLATION COST: If receipt of your written notification of cancellation is received after you have paid your full travel fees, the refund of travel fees will be made after deducting any out-of-pocket expenses necessary to effect cancellation of overseas arrangements including forfeitures to hotels, airlines, and overseas agents and any other unrecoverable costs. These unrecoverable amounts are often substantial (may easily run to 80%) and it may take up to 120 days to determine their amount and the refund due, if any.

No refunds for voluntary 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 and its limitations and exclusions.