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Monique
Crick, President of SFECO together with a Curator from
one of the museums in Zhejiang, will accompany the group
visiting museums, ancient kiln sites and potteries. The
trip will be conducted in French and English.
XIAMEN (Amoy): appears in records as early as the
Song Dynasty but it was in the middle of the 14th
century, in the early years of the Ming Dynasty that the
city walls were constructed and it was established as
a major seaport and commercial centre. Portuguese, Spanish,
Dutch and British traders found their way there over the
centuries. The SWATOW kiln sites are to be found west
of XIAMEN.
QUANZHOU: until the end of the 14th century was
probably one of the greatest commercial centres in the
world from which Chinese silks, satins, sugar and spices
were exported to India, Arabia and western Asia. It was
from here that Kublai Khan's invasion fleets set sail
for Japan and Java. Marco Polo was awed by its splendour
and evidence of its arab traders can be seen in their
architecture and tombs. Between 1403-1433 seven major
maritime expeditions were despatched to South-East Asia,
Sumatra, Java, India, the Persian Gulf, up the Red Sea
and the east coast of Africa. To the north-west of QUANZHOU
are to be found the kiln sites of DEHUA, famous for its
production of Blanc de Chine and Qingbai. Travelling north,
following river valleys we climb up towards WUYISHAN one
of the most scenic mountains in south east China. Travelling
by boat along the river, high up, wedged in the cliff
face are boat shaped burial tombs dating back more than
three thousand years.
LONGQUAN: town lies in a river valley, surrounded
by hills and mountains. "Some of the kilns producing the
finest quality celadon wares lay well to the south, high
up in the steep mountain valleys characteristic of the
southern half of Zhejiang Province."
SHAOXING: is one of the prettiest and most unspoilt
towns in China, criss-crossed with canals filled with
white-washed houses and ancient bridges. Birthplace of
the 20th century writer Lu Xun and home of Shaoxing Wine.
From 770-211 BC it was the capital of the Kingdom of Yue.
Close by, near SHANGYU are to be found the Yue Yao kiln
sites.
HANGZHOU:
Capital city of the Southern Song Dynasty where the 'Official'
Guan ware was made. Situated on the banks of West Lake,
a large freshwater lake surrounded by hills and gardens,
its banks dotted with pavilions and temples, is also known
for its tea, silk and wood-block printing.
SHANGHAI:
the most famous of the Treaty Ports. We will be staying
at the famous Peace Hotel (The Cathay) which was completed
in the 1930's. Some of its suites laid out in Art Deco
Style representing the concessions of the time: French,
British, American and Japanese as well as Chinese. When
China began opening up again in the 1980's old members
of its jazz band appeared with their instruments to start
entertaining its visitors once again. Over the years the
members have got younger and visitors have replaced the
worn out drum sticks! Situated overlooking the Bund at
night we can look out onto its bustling, trading sea-port
A visit to the new Shanghai Museum will be a fitting end
to an incredible journey.
This
Tour is now completed... "Bon Voyage!"
THE
SILK ROAD
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