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China Caves International Symposium
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| Draft Programme |
| Hotels and Field Trip |
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China is a land of superlatives and its spectacular cave systems are no exception. For many years, these mysteries lay hidden from Western cavers who could only look eastward and dream of what lay beneath 910,000 square kilometres of stunning karst scenery. |
| The parting of the bamboo curtain in 1982 led to a flood of joint Western and Chinese exploration with in excess of 2,000 kilometres of underground systems surveyed. The China Caves Project was born, creating 17 Sino-British expeditions which – alongside Chinese joint ventures with cave explorers from Italy, France, Japan, Poland, USA, Spain, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Slovenia and Croatia and others - led to the discovery of 108 caves of more than 3000m in length. China’s caves still have many secrets to unearth and more than two decades on, the UK-based China Caves Project, the Committee on Speleology and The Chinese Geological Society are co-hosting a major international event at The Royal Geographical Society, London, to bring together those with a passion for caves and China. Stunning underground images will illustrate the key-note talk by China Caves Project coordinator Andy Eavis that will form the focus of Friday evening, September 24th. In addition to conventional photography, there will be a series of spectacular 3-D images and the premiere of a new China Caves film by award-winning cameraman Gavin Newman. Guests – members of the joint Chinese/Western expeditions from the past two decades as well as friends, academics and sponsors– will have the chance to reminisce and exchange stories. A wealth of information has been gathered over the past two decades and a series of presentations, on Saturday 25th, will share and coordinate the research efforts of the many different international groups, taking Chinese cave exploration into the future. Many Chinese cavers and academics are expected to attend and it is hoped some will also present papers at Hidden Earth, the National Caving Conference, based this year at the Brewery Arts Centre in Kendal in the Lake District, October 1 to October 3 |
| This is an opportunity to experience a wonderful China/Caving-related week in Great Britain. Participants will have the chance to enjoy some home-grown cave experiences with a series of trips to the major karst areas of the UK during the following week. |
Field Trip |
| The China Caves International Symposium will be followed by a week of cave-related activities to showcase some of the United Kingdom's best karst areas to cavers from around the world. A field trip has been arranged taking participants from the Symposium to South Wales and The Yorkshire Dales culminating in Hidden Earth 04, the British national caving conference at The Brewery Arts Centre in Kendal in the Lake District, October 1 to 3. Using good quality accommodation in fantastic locations, this will be an excellent and cost-effective way of seeing some of the best the UK has to offer. The field trip will cost approximately £250 per person for transport, accommodation and breakfasts, based on two people sharing. Please note, participants will pay each hotel directly during the trip. The draft itinerary is as follows: 26.09.04 (Sunday) 10.00 AM Depart London by minibus to South Wales. Overnight at Ramada Hotel, Swansea. 27.09.04 (Monday) 10.00 AM Field trip in South Wales Overnight at Ramada Hotel, Swansea 28.09.04 (Tuesday) 10.00 AM Field trip in South Wales Overnight at Ramada Hotel, Swansea 29.09.04 (Wednesday) 09.00 AM Depart South Wales on minibus for Yorkshire. 13.00 PM Visit to Black Country Museum with Canal Tunnel visit and lunch. 15.00 PM Resume trip to Yorkshire. 18.00 PM Arrive Austwick, North Yorkshire. 19.00 PM Short presentation, dinner and social event at Dalesbridge Centre. Overnight Dalesbridge. 30.09.04 (Thursday) 08.30 AM Breakfast then Yorkshire Dales field trip. 18.00 PM Return to Dalesbridge for Dinner Overnight Dalesbridge 01.10.04 (Friday) 08.30 AM Breakfast then field trip/workshops around Dalesbridge. 18.00 PM Drive to Kendal for Delegate Registration for Hidden Earth. 19.30 PM China Caves Spectacular at Brewery Arts Centre to raise funds for the Ghar Parau Foundation. Overnight Dalesbridge 02.10.04 (Saturday) 08.30 AM Breakfast at Dalesbridge then depart for Kendal. 09.15 AM Hidden Earth Opening Ceremony. 10.00 AM Start of Hidden Earth lecture sessions 13.00 PMLunch break and transfer to Kendal accommodation. 14.00 PM More lecture sessions. 18.30 PM Buffet Dinner 20.00 PM China Caves Spectacular. 21.30 PM Disco and entertainment. Overnight at Stonecross Manor Hotel, Kendal. 03.10.04 (Sunday) 09.30 AM-16.00 PM Lectures/activities at Hidden Earth Overnight at Stonecross Manor Hotel, Kendal 04.10.04 (Monday) 08.30 AM Breakfast at Stonecross Manor 10.00 AM Travel by minibus to London or to Northern Airports for departing flights. |
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| The Royal Geographical Society (RGS) is situated in Kensington, London, next-door-but-one to the Royal Albert Hall The Society is located approximiately half a mile north of South Kensington underground station on Exhibition Road and bus routes 9, 10 and 52 stop directly outside. There are no car parking facilities at the RGS but a public car park can be found nearby at Kingston House North, Princes Gate. Please visit our Accommodation and Excursions Page for details of London accomodation deals. |