Theme Tour
Art of Travel: Oct 20-30, 2025
Nestled in the verdant vestiges of the Himalayas, the ancient kingdom of Dali enchantingly hugs the shores of one of Asia’s largest alpine lakes - Er Hai. It is in this basin that the spiritual traditions from South Asia and the Middle East collided with the greater Sino-Tibetan religious beliefs. The result is one of the most vibrant and diverse spiritual environments in the world.
Travel with The Linden Centre on a journey into Asia’s spiritual past, where daily lectures and engaging, thought-provoking workshops are followed by visits to ancient temples, mosques, cathedrals, and sacred mountains. The Ben Zhu beliefs of the Bai ethnic group who inhabit Dali exist alongside the timeless traditions of Buddhism, Taoism, Christianity and Islam.
The Art of Travel takes place in a nationally-protected villa in the small historic village of Xizhou. The Centre is housed in the former home to one of the Southwest Silk Road's leading merchants and has been restored to its dynastic elegance by Americans Brian and Jeanee Linden. They are the first and only foreign couple to take over a Chinese Nationally Protected Relic, and their quest to preserve China’s past has garnered domestic and international media attention and unprecedented government support. They lead only a few retreats a year to select group of visitors who participate in the Centre's programming.
Status: Now taking reservations
Download application form for 'Art of Travel'
Please fill in the application form and email it to us, reservations@linden-centre.com
Art of Travel: Sep 20-30; Oct 12-22, 2026
Yunnan Province is one of Asia's most popular tourist destinations due to its natural beauty, year-round spring-like weather, and cultural and ethnic diversity. In 2008, the first heritage mansion-to-hotel opened outside the ancient city of Dali, founded by American couple Brian and Jeanee Linden. As co-founders of the Linden Centre, they attempted to create a sustainable tourism model for China's rural villages. They lead a select group of people every year throughout this dynamic region.
When the Linden family first set foot in Yunnan in 2004, the province's significance struck them as unforgettable. They sought to establish a hub for travelers to explore the less-widely known parts of China's cultural traditions. They discovered their own Shangri-La, situated just below Tibet and close to the Buddhist Kingdoms of Thailand and Burma.
On this trip, the Linden Centre team will take participants on a journey that mimics their beginnings in Dali, Yunnan. They will arrange lively experiences with interesting people, guide thought-provoking discussions, and walk you into sacred mountains. For the Lindens, the journey, not the destination, has always been the reward.
Corey and Laurene Chan will be Travel Mentors on the Art of Travel program, accompanying the group throughout its itinerary and providing opportunities for Chinese art, culture, and history storytelling, personal reflection and inspiration, and Chinese qigong exercises (Threading the Nine Pearls and Jingang Ruyigong, a Baugua exercise).
Laurene was formerly the Director of Youth Ministries at the Donaldina Cameron House in San Francisco's Chinatown. Her daily work for immigrant children from Asia and their families taught her how to cultivate bridges between cultures and people.
The recent opening of Linden Centre's hotels in Shaxi and Shangri-La fulfills their dream of creating a safe and attractive adventure circuit through alpine lakes to snow-capped mountains. Enjoy a carefree, all-inclusive, and intellectually stimulating journey with the Lindens while getting to know the Tibetan, Bai, and Yi peoples. Together, let's travel through colorful regional cultures, historical sites, and culinary arts with other like-minded travelers.
Status: Now taking reservations
Download application form for 'Art of Travel'
Please fill in the application form and email it to us, reservations@linden-centre.com
