You will stay overnight in the 1800 years old Bailin Zen Monastery, the only active Zen temple in China that accepts foreign guests and allows you to stay with the monks. However, don't be put off by the idea that you'd have to live like a monk--the dormitories have soft beds, hot water for bathing, and Western toilets.



Spend a weekend in the temple: learn about "the art of life" from the monks themselves, join the monks for daily meals (lots of fresh fruit, mianbao, fried vegetables and rice congee) and sleep in the comfortable dormitory equipped with all the basics. Participate in actual prayer ceremonies and meditation with the monks inside the temple, and have a discussion with monks on Zen and life. The experience will open your eyes and your mind.



Then we will drive to the Yu Family Stone Village (Yujia Shitou Village), one of the least touristy villages of north China. Located in Jing Jing County, 80 kilometers from Shijiazhuang, it is the best example of stone architecture, the only national-level protected ancient village in Hebei. Yujia Village is nick-named stone city because it owns 4000 stone houses, 3700 meters long stone slab paved street, over 1000 stone well and pool, and 200 stone stelas. The local villagers' life haven't been changed so much as in other villages near the big cities.

Bailin Zen Temple





The 1800 years old Bailin Zen Temple (Bailin Chan Si), the ancestral home of Chinese Zen Buddhism, is one of the most famous Zen Buddhist temples in China. It is an important teaching altar for Zen Buddhism which advocates self-knowledge through meditation. 


 

* Bailin Temple is the only active Zen temple in China that accepts foreign guests and allows you to stay with the monks (but you have soft beds, hot water and western toilets)

* The Stone Village is typical vilage of old northern China, one of the least touristy villages of north China, and the best example of stone architecture.

* Local villagers still live their life like it was several decades ago.

The peaceful and secluded temple is an ideal retreat in the journey "to know one' s self".

* Note: Our visit with the Zen monks requires special observance to the dignity and sanctity of their routine. As such, we regret that children are not eligible for inclusion in this activity.

Itinerary

Day 1. Beijing / Shijiazhuang / Zhaozhou

• Catch the CCC coach at the China Culture Center in the morning 08:30 am. 
• Drive 3 hours to Shijiazhuang, capital of Hebei.
• Have lunch in a restaurant in Shijiangzhuang.
• Head to Bailin Monastery in Zhaoxian County (one hour's drive).
• Check in the monastery dormitary and then tour around the compound.
• Learn basic information about Zen buddhism and  rules of meditation. Follow monks to enter into their canteen and perform ritual and have dinner.
• After dinner break and then join the evening meditation pracise.
• Stay overnight in the temple.

Day 2.  Zhaozhou / Jingxing (Yujia Stone Village) Shijiazhuang / Beijing

• Get up in early morning (06:00) for breakfast.
• Break, attend their daily routine, e.g. morning chanting. 
• Leave the monastery for Jingxing County after lunch in the monastery.
• Visit the Yujia (Yu Family) Stone Village, the best example of the ancient rural North China. As the only national-level protected ancient village in Hebei, it is much less touristy than the villages around Beijing.
  Yujia Village is nick-named stone city because it owns 4000 stone houses, 3700 meters long stone slab paved street, over 1000 stone well and pool, and 200 stone stelas. Besides, many stone
• Drive back to Beijing around in the evening.

Note: 

• Our visit with the Zen monks requires special observance to the dignity and sanctity of their routine. As such, we regret that young children are not eligible for inclusion in this activity.
• The time to go to bed and morning wake-up (06:30) are much earlier than our usual schedule. The room is very basic, with only one simple bed
  and bedside light. No any entertainment in the room or in the monastery.
• You will stay overnight in the temple but will not share room with monks.
  You will have your own rooms shared with other CCC travellers. Three to four beds in one room. You have to share with other people of same sex (no couple are allowed to sleep in one room).
• You will have to eat monk's vegetarian food together with the monks in their canteen.
• No speaking or free chat during the daily routine and meal time.