Unknown Hangzhou

Praised by emperors, revered by poets and saluted by the Venetian merchant Marco Polo, Hangzhou and its magnificent lake have intoxicated the Chinese imagination for centuries. Far from the bucolic West Lake’s shores, the temples and pagodas, this RAS Weekender proposes to explore another side of the city, its northwest part, more mysterious, more unknown where the ancient jade carving civilization was first discovered. During a weekend stay (arriving Friday evening / departing Sunday evening) we’ll visit another Hangzhou, discover the secret Liangzhu Culture, explore a vast green bamboo forest, and enjoy the refreshing atmosphere of a easy cruise on the river stream. This “Unknown Hangzhou” trip, designed for Royal Asiatic Society members and friends, promises to be a great experience discovering an ancient culture and a perfect getaway to recharge your batteries in a lush and graceful nature setting.

25^th June: Departure from Shanghai Railway Station at 6.00 pm.

26^th June: Breakfast at the Hotel. Guided Tour of the Liangzhu Culture Museum and the Archaeological Site attached to the Museum. Free time in the afternoon to enjoy the surroundings and relax. At night time, we will go downtown to see the light show on the West Lake.

27^th June – Breakfast at the hotel. Hike over the minor hills in the Shangougou Scenic Area, followed by lunch at a Farmer’s Restaurant (Nongjiale). After lunch have a relaxing slide on bamboo rafts on the river stream. Return to Hotel and depart for Shanghai.

The Liangzhu culture (3400-2250 BC) was the last Neolithic jade culture in the Yangtze River Delta. It succeeded the Majiabang culture and later became part of the Shang Dynasty. The Liangzhu culture consists of over 100 sites, of which 30 have been excavated, residing south and east of Lake Tai on a peninsula formed by the Yangzi River and Hangzhou Bay. The culture possessed advanced agriculture, included irrigation, paddy rice cultivation, aquaculture and was highly stratified, as jade, silk, ivory and lacquer artifacts were found exclusively in elite burials, while pottery was more commonly found in the burial plots of poorer individuals. The inhabitants left significant evidence to reveal a pronounced social structure, reckless consumption labor, extensive human sacrifice, and iconography of power. However, the most remarkable part of the Liangzhu culture is their large number and high quality of green jade artifacts. There were two kinds of prominent jades called bi and cong jades. The bi is a disc used to worship heaven, and the cong is a cylinder used to worship earth. Over 5,000 jades commonly incised with the taotie motif have been collected so far. Many other cultures that were contemporary to the Liangzhu culture also had jades, but none could compare to those of the Liangzhu culture. We’ll have the pleasure to admire those pieces at the Liangzhu Culture Museum. Completed in 2008 by the well-known British architect David Chipperfield this beautiful and poetic Archaeological Museum composed of four bar-formed volumes made of Iranian travertine stone, equal in 18 m width but differing in height, is set on a lake and connected via bridges to the park. The sculptural quality of the building ensemble is definitely worth the visit.

Located in « Liangzhu Culture Village », the five-star Aigrette Resort features simple, unsophisticated and classic design. The main part of the courtyard-style architecture is composed of ten individual areas, which spread amid the hills, green land, wetland and lakes and cultivate a harmonious atmosphere of cultural and natural ecological landscape. Each guest room has a balcony and a small garden to relax and enjoy the beauty of the scenery.

RAS MEMBERS: RMB 2400.00 per person sharing   

NON MEMBERS: RMB 3000.00 per person sharing

Package Includes: transportation, accommodation, all meals, snacks and refreshments.

Package does not include: alcohol beverages and tickets for light show

RSVP

By the latest 22 June 2010 to our enquiry desk:

enquiry@royalasiaticsociety.org.cn

MANDATORY REQUIREMENTS

A minimum of 12 Participants is required (two RAS Council Members will be present on this trip). 

PAYMENT

To be made in full at the RAS or to our enquiry desk by the latest 22 June 2010

RULES OF PARTICIPATION

Everyone who participates in the RAS Weekender “Unknown Hangzhou” is asked to read and agree to the following:
1)   I agree not to hold any organizers or affiliates responsible for injuries I may sustain during the RAS Weekender Unknown Hangzhou.
2)   I agree to follow the rules and guidelines as set forth by the organizers with particular emphasis regarding personal safety and conduct.
3)   I agree to inform the organizers of any medications, diet restrictions or health problems I have. (Privacy will be assured)
4)   I agree to leave the group peacefully if I cannot meet the rules and guidelines as set out by the organizers



and affiliates and those stated in this document.