“The same stream of life that runs
through my veins night and day
runs through the world
and dances in rhythmic measures”
— Rabindranath Tagore
Held in an intimate and supportive environment within the beautiful surroundings of Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden (KFBG) and Kadoorie Centre, this three-day retreat invites women to slow down - to gather, sit, listen, and notice what is already here.
Through the simplicity of sharing tea, walking and spending solo time at KFBG on the slopes of Tai Mo Shan, we are offering space to soften the boundaries between ourselves and the earth.
On our second day, we will embark on a full day pilgrimage to the summit of Kwun Yum Shan, interweaving tea, quiet reflection, deep listening and authentic sharing. In this way, we nourish our pilgrim souls and with every step, we arrive.
Tea becomes a bridge into this deeper presence, while time on the land allows us to settle into the rhythms of this place - and into our own. Together in silence, ceremony, and shared celebration, we reconnect with ourselves, one another, and the living world, remembering that we are part of an ever-evolving web of life.
Tea Ceremony
For hundreds of years tea has grown on the slopes of Tai Mo Shan, as well as more widely in the territory of HK; and so holds a special relationship with this land.
We will experience the medicine of the tea plant through a simple bowl Tea Ceremony which will help guide us to connect with the essence of simplicity, and aid in our cultivation of inner harmony and awakened presence. When drinking Tea in ceremony we are invited to dance with nature's elements, connecting deeply with the land, ourselves and others.
Facilitators
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Deborah McAulay
Deborah was blessed to grow up with plenty of time exploring the foothills of Kwun Yum Shan. The moments of magic and encounter which she experienced have left a permanent impression on her Heart. She spent many childhood hours painting with KFBG’s resident botanic art sifu, and after studying fine arts in US and UK, she later returned to plant the seeds for KFBG’s community arts program. She is a mother, and her passion lies in creativity, nature, community and healing. She is deeply grateful to her teachers for the practices of Yoga, Meditation, Cha Dao, and nature vigil, which help to guide her path in this world. Deborah offers her time on the KFBG board as well as the KEP committee and with various retreats.
Ying Liang
Ying Liang is an Earth citizen and life explorer dedicated to bridging East and West, Spirit and Matter, Doing and Being, Soul and Social change. Her path was profoundly transformed a decade ago during a rite of passage on Dartmoor, initiating a deep apprenticeship to Wilderness, Earth wisdom, and indigenous elders. As the founder of Schumi Learning Garden, she has become a pioneering force in soul-based wilderness rituals in China, guiding participants through Vision Quests and transformative nature-based processes.
In recent years, her daily practice of morning tea meditation has opened a vibrant gateway to her own ancestral roots and traditional Chinese wisdom. Ying holds an MA in Economics for Transition from Schumacher College (UK) and an MA in Peace Studies from the University of Notre Dame (US).
Date: 20-22 November 2026 (Friday to Sunday)
Time: starts at 16:00 on first day and ends at 13:00 on the last day
* Participants are expected to be in residence and participate in the entire programme.
Venue: Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden (experiential activities) & Kadoorie Centre (accommodation)
Language: English
Target Audience: Women, aged 18 or above
No. of Participants: Maximum 13
Total Fee
- Course Fee: HK$3,100
The course fee includes: activities, vegetarian meals, logistic arrangements during the retreat. - Accommodation (2 nights): from HK$720 (varies by room type)
Application: CLICK HERE
- To apply for this residential retreat, please complete the enrolment form and pay for the programme fee.
- The retreat team will carefully review and consider all applications to ensure a diverse and cohesive experience for all participants. We will notify you of your enrolment result within 10 working days.
- The programme fee is non-refundable unless your application is declined.
Enquiry:
Please email Ms Jamie Ngai at jamie.ngai@kfbg.org
Terms & Conditions:
Upon submission of your application and payment, you are deemed to have accepted all Terms and Regulations of this retreat, and the guidelines below:
KFBG Visitor Guidelines
Kadoorie Centre Rules and Regulations
In case of any dispute, the organiser has the right to the final decision.
Kadoorie Earth Programme (KEP) is co-created by KFBG and its network of collaborators and volunteers. By integrating the various strands of KFBG’s nature conservation, sustainable living and holistic education programmes, it provides life-transforming learning experiences that reconnect people with themselves, each other and the rest of nature and enable them to cultivate resilience in the face of climate crisis, economic uncertainty and other related challenges.