Lines & Colors 2027

15 Days · Beijing · Xi'an · Dunhuang

📅 Info Webinar: February 7, 2027 (Sunday)
📅 Journey Dates: August 27–September 10, 2027

Who Is This Journey For?

Lines & Colors is created for travelers who want to experience Chinese art and culture from closer than the usual visitor route.

With just 8 participants, the journey combines specialist access, expert-led encounters and hands-on experiences—from calligraphy, painting and guqin to the special-access Mogao Caves, mineral colors, traditional craftsmanship and an immersive stay at the foot of the Mutianyu Great Wall.

It is especially suited to:

  • Artists, painters and calligraphers who would like to explore Chinese ideas of line, color, material and artistic expression in their cultural context.
  • Art and culture lovers who enjoy museums and historic sites, but also want opportunities to meet, listen, practise and make.
  • Curious travelers interested in Dunhuang, the Silk Road, scholar culture, traditional crafts and the connections between different forms of Chinese art.
  • Those who prefer intimate travel over large group touring—sharing experiences, conversations and meals around the same table.

No previous painting, calligraphy, music or Chinese-language experience is required. Curiosity is enough.

This is not a journey designed around seeing as many attractions as possible. It is a carefully composed cultural experience, created for one small group to look closely, learn directly and take part.

Meet Our Team

At the heart of our cultural tour is a passionate, dedicated team with one goal: to share the richness of Chinese traditional arts and culture in the most authentic, enjoyable, and inspiring way possible.

Every element of this journey has been carefully curated—from the destinations we visit to the experiences we offer—to bring you closer to the spirit of China. With deep knowledge of local traditions and a true love for cultural exchange, our team is here not only to guide, but to accompany you through every moment.

You’ll explore ancient art forms, take part in hands-on workshops, visit heritage craft studios, and witness daily life in historic towns. Along the way, we’ll share stories, insights, and laughter, and of course—savor some truly delicious local dishes.

We’re not just leading a tour. We’re creating a journey full of creativity, discovery, and connection—and we can’t wait to share it with you.

Fiona Sheng

Your Painting Guide & Program Host

Fiona Sheng, instructor of the Oriental arts, whose journey began in China and has since taken her talents to Belgium. From the age of five, Fiona has immersed herself in the intricate world of traditional Chinese painting and calligraphy—a dedication that has earned her hundreds of awards both nationally and internationally.

Beyond her artistry, Fiona has years of experience organizing cultural activities for international audiences, including students, adults, and MBA participants. Her programs have brought people from around the world closer to the beauty and philosophy of Chinese traditions.

Fiona is deeply committed to sharing the rich tapestry of her cultural heritage with a global audience.

Gloria Wu

Your Tour Coordinator & Cultural Companion

Gloria Wu plays a key role in keeping everything running smoothly throughout our journey. With a background in biology and a sharp mind for logistics and numbers, she brings structure and clarity to the experience—managing schedules, assisting with translations, and supporting participants throughout the trip.

Gloria’s connection to traditional Chinese painting and calligraphy runs deep. Trained from a young age alongside Fiona, she shares not only a lifelong friendship but also a cultural foundation that enriches the atmosphere of our program. Her calm presence, attention to detail, and understanding of both East and West make her an invaluable part of the team.

The Spirit of the Journey

A line begins with a brush—but it does not end there.

It can be carved into stone, become the contour of a painted figure, preserve the gestures of an ancient melody, or continue through the movement of the body. Color, too, carries its own stories: ground from minerals, painted onto cave walls, fired into enamel and preserved across centuries.

Lines & Colors is a journey following these languages of Chinese art from Xi’an to Dunhuang and Beijing.

Along the way, we move between art and archaeology, music and painting, ancient monuments and living traditions—not simply collecting places, but discovering the connections between them.

Why Lines & Colors?

Line and color provide two threads through which we explore the journey.

In Xi'an, we begin with the line: calligraphy, inscriptions, brushwork and the written language of the guqin. In Dunhuang, line meets color in the extraordinary art of the Mogao Caves and the mineral pigments that have survived across centuries. In Beijing, these ideas continue through craft, everyday life and movement.

They are not simply an artistic theme, but a way of connecting places, histories and experiences that might otherwise seem very different.

Why A Small Group?

This journey is limited to 8 participants—small enough for us to experience it as one group. It allows us to enter smaller studios and cultural spaces, spend meaningful time with the artists, experts and craftspeople we meet, and leave room for questions, conversation and a more flexible pace.

But there is also a simpler reason: we want to be able to sit around the same table. Sharing meals is an important part of travelling in China. With a small group, we can eat together, share dishes, exchange impressions from the day and experience the journey as companions rather than as members of a tour group. Eight people allows the journey to remain personal—not only in the places we visit, but in the time we spend together.

More Than a Tour

This journey is not designed around seeing as many famous places as possible. We will certainly encounter extraordinary sites—from the Terracotta Army and Mogao Caves to the Great Wall—but observation is only one part of the experience. We will write, paint, listen, make, taste and move. Expert lectures sit alongside hands-on practice; museums and historic sites alongside homes, workshops and landscapes. The intention is to experience Chinese culture as something living, rather than something that exists only behind museum glass.

A First Journey

2027 marks the very first edition of Lines & Colors.

Only 8 participants will join us for this inaugural journey through Xi'an, Dunhuang and Beijing. There is something special about being the first. For this first group, we want the journey to feel particularly personal—with small details prepared especially for our inaugural travelers, time to share discoveries together, and a few surprises along the way.

You will not simply be joining Lines & Colors. You will be part of the group with whom its story begins.

Program Highlights

· The Art of the Line
· Words Carved in Stone
· Inside the Scholar's Studio
· Beyond the Public Mogao Caves
· The Colors of Dunhuang
· Following the Silk Road
· Crafting Color in Beijing
· A Day in the Hutongs
· Movement beneath the Great Wall
· Limited to 8 Participants

Calligraphy · Steles

Explore the expressive power of line through Chinese calligraphy and historic stone steles. From carved inscriptions to the movement of the brush, discover how rhythm, structure, pressure, and variation give each line its character.

These encounters reveal how the written line can become both language and image.

Mogao Caves · Mineral Pigments · Expert Teaching

Enter the extraordinary artistic world of Dunhuang through special-access Mogao Cave visits, expert lectures and hands-on study of mineral pigments, materials and painting traditions.

Exact caves are subject to conservation requirements and final arrangements.

History · Desert · Cultural Exchange

Follow the traces of the Silk Road through Dunhuang, where religions, peoples and artistic traditions met and transformed one another. Journey into the desert landscapes that shaped this remarkable cultural crossroads.

Hutongs · Guqin · Scholar Culture

Experience traditions not only through museums, but through people and daily life—from the quiet world of the guqin to Beijing's Hutongs, local markets and making dumplings together in a traditional home.

Dunhuang Pigments · Jingtailan Cloisonné · Snuff Bottle Painting

Discover three distinctive approaches to colour in Chinese art: the mineral-rich pigments of Dunhuang, the brilliant enamels of Jingtailan cloisonné, and the delicate tones of miniature snuff bottle painting.

Together, they reveal how colour can be layered, fired, outlined, and painted across very different artistic traditions.

Great Wall

Experience one of China’s most remarkable landmarks at Mutianyu, a beautifully preserved section of the Great Wall surrounded by mountain scenery.

For this part of the journey, we will stay at a hotel located at the foot of the Mutianyu Great Wall, allowing us to experience the area at a more relaxed pace and enjoy the atmosphere beyond a brief day visit.

We will have time to explore the Wall, take in its sweeping views across the surrounding mountains, and experience this extraordinary historic landscape as part of our stay in the area.

Program Schedule*

Day 1

Aug 27 — Beijing

• Arrival in Beijing
• Hotel check-in & group gathering
• Welcome evening

Day 2

Aug 28 — Beijing → Xi'an

• High-speed train to Xi'an
• Arrival & introduction to the ancient capital
• Welcome to the theme of Line

Day 3

Aug 29 — Xi'an

• Terracotta Army Museum Visit - Qin history, sculpture & traces of original color
• Calligraphy session: The Art of the Line
• Explore Xi'an

Day 4

Aug 30 — Xi'an

• Xi'an Beilin Museum / Forest of Steles
• Chinese calligraphy & inscription
• From Line to Color: An Introduction to Chinese Painting

Day 5

Aug 31 — Xi'an

• Guqin cultural experience
• Introduction to guqin playing
• Discover qinpu (琴谱) notation
• Scholar culture & the relationship between writing and music

Day 6

Sep 1 — Xi'an → Dunhuang

• Flight to Dunhuang
• Arrival in the Silk Road landscape
• Rest & introduction to the Dunhuang program

Day 7

Sep 2 — Dunhuang

• Dunhuang Academy expert program
• Silk Road & surrounding historical landscape
• Expert lecture
• Dunhuang cultural experience

Day 8

Sep 3 — Dunhuang

• Special-access Mogao Cave visits
• Expert-guided study of selected caves
• Lecture on Mogao history & Buddhist culture
• Artistic exchange along the Silk Road

Day 9

Sep 4 — Dunhuang

• Further special-access cave visits
• Dunhuang art, materials & mineral pigments
• Expert lecture
• Hands-on color / painting experience

Day 10

Sep 5 — Dunhuang

• Guided excursion to Yadan National Geopark
• Desert landscapes & geological formations
• Final evening in Dunhuang

Day 11

Sep 6 — Dunhuang → Beijing

• Flight to Beijing
• Hotel check-in
• Rest & free time

Day 12

Sep 7 — Beijing

• Local market visit
• Shop for ingredients
• Hutong neighbourhood exploration
• Dumpling-making in a Hutong home
• Snuff Bottle painting workshop

Day 13

Sep 8 — Beijing → Mutianyu

• Visit a Jingtailan cloisonné workshop
• Hands-on experience with local craftspeople
• Check in near the Mutianyu Great Wall

Day 14

Sep 9 — Mutianyu

• Guided visit to Mutianyu Great Wall
• Farewell evening

Day 15

Sep 10 — Beijing

• Breakfast
• Return towards Beijing
• Journey concludes

*Like lines and colors in a painting, this journey follows a thoughtful composition, with room for natural flow and minor adjustments along the way. A detailed itinerary will be shared before departure, allowing you to prepare with clarity and peace of mind.

What’s Included

ACCOMMODATION

14 nights in carefully selected hotels, including our final stay in the mountains near Mutianyu Great Wall.

Beijing Hotels: 

  • Country Inn By Radisson (1 night)
  • Dasein Youlan Hotel (2 nights)
  •  Brick Yard Hotel (2 nights)

Xi’an Hotel:

  • MC Maiyue City Courtyard Hotel (4 nights)

Dunhuang Hotel: 

  • ROY · Tiansi Art Inn (5 nights)

TRAVEL WITHIN CHINA

Transportation

All scheduled transportation is included during the program, including:

  • Beijing–Xi’an high-speed train
  • Xi’an–Dunhuang flight
  • Dunhuang–Beijing flight
  • Private ground transportation throughout the itinerary
Travel Accident Insurance

Travel accident insurance is included during the official program period for certain unexpected accidents and related emergencies. This is supplementary coverage and does not replace participants’ own travel or medical insurance.

DUNHUANG SPECIALIST PROGRAM*

Through a specialist program centered on the Mogao Caves, we will explore the history, visual culture, and artistic traditions of this important Silk Road site.

Our program is intended to include special-access caves beyond the standard public route, together with expert-led interpretation and study. We will look closely at mural composition, Buddhist imagery, line, movement, and the exchange of artistic ideas across the Silk Road.

Color is another major focus. We will explore the mineral pigments associated with Dunhuang painting and take part in a hands-on session that connects these historic materials with the practical language of painting.

ART & CULTURAL EXPERIENCES

Hands-on artistic experiences are woven into the journey alongside museums, historic sites, and specialist visits.

From calligraphy and stone steles to Dunhuang pigments, Jingtailan cloisonné, and snuff bottle painting, each activity offers a different way to engage with Chinese traditions through line, color, material, and craftsmanship.

These experiences are designed not only to observe, but to participate—to see how artistic ideas are shaped by history, technique, place, and cultural exchange.

VISITS & ENTRANCE FEES

All scheduled visits and entrance fees included in the Lines & Colors 2027 program are covered as part of the journey.

This includes access to museums, historic sites, cultural landmarks, specialist venues, and other programmed visits. Where special reservations or timed-entry tickets are required, these will be arranged in advance as part of the program.

Participants will only need to budget separately for optional visits or personal activities not included in the official itinerary.

MEALS & SHARED EXPERIENCES

All meals during the official program period are included in Lines & Colors 2027.

From regional specialties to shared group meals, dining is treated as part of the cultural experience—an opportunity to discover local food traditions, spend time together, and experience each destination beyond its museums and historic sites.

Meals or refreshments outside the official program period remain at participants’ own expense.

*Exact cave access remains subject to conservation requirements and final arrangements.

Pricing

🐦 Early Bird: -€100

Confirm your place before February 15, 2027 and receive a €100 Early Bird reduction per participant.
As this journey is intentionally limited to a small group of only 8 participants, early registration not only secures your preferred accommodation option, but also helps us carefully prepare each workshop, visit, and cultural experience with greater attention and care.
• €100 Early Bird reduction per participant until February 15, 2027
• Limited to only 8 participants in total
• Join the free online introduction webinar to discover the journey in more detail

🎒 Solo Explorer: €6790

Designed for independent travelers who wish to experience the journey with additional comfort, flexibility, and privacy, while still sharing meaningful moments with a small and welcoming group throughout the program.
This option is ideal for participants who appreciate having their own personal space after each day of workshops, travel, cultural visits, and shared experiences across Xi'an-Dunhuang-Beijing.
• Private single room throughout the journey
• Includes workshops, accommodations, meals, insurance, local transportation, entrance tickets, and cultural experiences

🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Shared Journey - 2 Travelers, Shared Room €6390 / Person

A comfortable shared option designed for two participants travelling together and wishing to fully experience the journey side by side.
• One shared room for two participants
• Full access to all workshops and classes
• Includes accommodations, meals, insurance, local transportation, and workshop materials
• Ideal for close companions who wish to travel lightly while sharing the experience more deeply

⚠️ This journey includes carefully selected accommodations chosen to match the atmosphere and rhythm of the experience, as well as all local transportation within China, entrance tickets, workshops, meals, insurance, and cultural experiences throughout the program. International flights, Chinese visa fees, and personal expenses are not included.

🏦 Payment Information

To make your payment experience as smooth and efficient as possible, all program fees will be paid directly to our team in China. This approach allows us to manage local arrangements more effectively and avoid unnecessary third-party fees — helping us keep the journey personal, streamlined, and thoughtfully curated.

Once you’ve completed your registration form, you’ll receive a confirmation email with the next steps. To secure your spot, simply follow the bank transfer instructions provided and submit your deposit by the indicated deadline.

We appreciate your understanding and support in helping us keep this experience small, authentic, and community-driven.

For full details such as deposit deadlines, refund options, and coverage, please refer to the
👉 [Program Terms: Payment, Cancellation & Refund Policy – Cultural Journey 2027].

 

📋 What You'll Need After Registration

Once your spot is confirmed, we’ll be in touch to collect a few important details to help us prepare for your journey. These include:

  1. A copy of your passport (for hotel and travel bookings)

  2. Your dietary preferences or restrictions (if not already submitted)

  3. Emergency contact information

A detailed welcome pack and next steps will be sent to you after registration.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Do I need experience in Chinese painting or calligraphy?

Not at all. Lines & Colors is open to both artists and non-artists.

The calligraphy, painting, guqin and other hands-on sessions are designed to introduce you to different aspects of Chinese art and culture. Experienced artists may discover new perspectives for their own practice, while complete beginners can simply enjoy trying something new.

Curiosity is much more important than previous experience.

Q2: How physically demanding is the journey?

The journey involves a fair amount of walking, including museums, historical sites, the Mogao Caves, Hutong areas and the Great Wall. Some locations may include uneven ground, stairs or periods of standing.

You do not need to be particularly athletic, but you should be comfortable walking and exploring for several hours during the day. The Taichi and Kungfu sessions will be adapted to the group and do not require previous experience.

Q3: What makes the Dunhuang experience different from a regular visit?

Our Dunhuang program is arranged with specialist guidance connected to the Dunhuang Academy (敦煌研究院) and combines expert lectures, cultural study and hands-on experience with visits to the Mogao Caves.

Importantly, our cave program is expected to focus primarily on special-access caves beyond the standard public visitor circuit, giving us an opportunity to study Dunhuang’s art in greater depth.

The exact caves and program may change according to conservation requirements and the final arrangements of the Academy.

Q5: What kind of accommodation and transportation can I expect?

Q4: Can I join if I am travelling alone?

Absolutely. You do not need a travel companion to join the journey.

With only eight participants, Lines & Colors is designed to become a small travelling group: we explore together, take part in workshops together and regularly share meals around the same table.

There will also be moments for rest and personal time, so travelling together does not mean that every moment of the day needs to be spent as a group.

 

We will stay in carefully selected hotels throughout the journey, including our final stay near the Mutianyu Great Wall.

Between destinations, we will travel by high-speed train from Beijing to Xi’an and by domestic flights between Xi’an, Dunhuang and Beijing. Private/local transportation will be arranged for the group’s scheduled activities and excursions.

Detailed hotel and transportation information will be provided to confirmed participants before departure.

Q6: Is the program suitable for vegetarians or those with dietary needs?

Yes! We do our best to offer a balanced and flavorful variety of local dishes, with vegetarian options available. Please let us know any specific dietary requirements in advance.