Wong How Man Centre For Exploration

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Ethnographic Exploration Programme Field Trip to Shangri-la in Yunnan, China

This programme is an immersive, interdisciplinary research and exploration experience in Shangri-la of Yunnan in China, with a particular focus on the Tibetan community and its rich cultural and ecological landscape. It aims to enhance students’ research skills, cultural understanding, and digital documentation capabilities, while fostering collaboration with local partners and contributing to heritage conservation projects.

During the 8-day service-learning cum research exploration trip, students will work with the China Exploration and Research Society (CERS) and the HKU Wong How Man Centre for Exploration to learn more about the preservation of tangible cultural heritage through structured archival practices and contribute to the development of a digital archive. There will also be site visits, guided analysis, as well as interviews with the local community to explore various themes in the Tibetan context. Pls. click HERE for details on the itinerary.

Participants are expected to deliver a post-trip group presentation and compile an individual report in multimedia format in April/May 2026.

Date

9 – 16 March 2026 (8 days)

In Collaboration with

Centre of Buddhist Studies, Faculty of Arts, HKU

Wong How Man Centre for Exploration, HKU

Location

Shangri-la in Yunnan, China

Targets

Full-time undergraduates:
• Who have declared Buddhist Studies Minor; or
• Students from Arts Faculty who have enrolled in at least one
Buddhist Studies elective

Field trip leaders

Prof. Georgios T. Halkias, Glorisun Professor in Buddhist Studies, Centre of Buddhist Studies
Prof. Catherine Hardie, Assistant Professor, Centre of Buddhist Studies

Fee

Accommodation, food and transportation of the trip will be fully covered.

Admitted students will be required to settle a HK$4,000 deposit and provide the record of their purchased flight tickets (basing on the suggested flight) at least 6 weeks before departure.

*The deposit will be refunded and full amount of airfare will be reimbursed upon successful completion of the trip and completion/submission of all required presentations/report(s).