May 14 – May 29, 2011 – Secrets of Sichuan: A Journey to Jiuzhaigou
The New England Wild Flower Society, with the Wellesley College Friends of Horticulture, announce the upcoming tour The Secrets of Sichuan, to take place May 14 – 29, 2011. This unique expedition to explore the flora, fauna, and culture of Sichuan will be led by Ted Elliman, leader of NEWFS botanical forays to China for many years.
The rhododendron will be in flower during this visit. This is good news because China, a global center of diversity for many plant groups, supports more than 400 endemic species of rhododendron. Most of these grow in the Hengduan Mountain region, where the tour will be based. You may not see them all, but if this is your first trip to southwest China, you will probably see more than you ever have before. Wild mountain nature reserves are the focus of the journey. Natural areas on the itinerary include Emei Shan, a revered and sacred 10,000 foot mountain with spectacular flora, Tanghiahe Nature Reserve, with dense broadleaved forests and a rich bird fauna, and Wanglang Nature Reserve, where subalpine conifer forests of spruce, larch and juniper grow up through understories of tall rhododendron and a sparkling array of forest wildflowers. In Wanglang, at 11,000 feet elevation, the high elevation wildflowers will be blooming at and above timberline. Tangjiahe and Wanglang are also home to wild populations of giant panda.
A major highlight will be a two day visit to Jiuzhaigou National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site of incomparable beauty, that is another great place to view and photograph spring wildflowers. Jiuzhaigou is a valley complex of crystalline lakes and streams, connected by a superbly designed network of boardwalk trails. Accessible parts range in elevation from 7,000 to 11,000 feet, and it is an ideal place to explore on foot. Frequent shuttle buses provide ready access to the boardwalk trails. Other stops will be Leshan, where a seated Buddha image 200 feet tall, carved from red sandstone, overlooks an auspicious river confluence, Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan Province, and Sanxingdui Museum. For a complete itinerary, log on to http://www.wellesley.edu/WCFH/Courses/Sichuan%20Brochure.pdf. Trip fee is $3,945 per person, double occupancy, plus air fair of $1,195 from New York, round trip, through Betchart Expeditions, Inc. Call Renee Apostolou at 800-252-4910 for additional information.
