This is a comprehensive trip that will introduce you to China's dynastic history, brutal communist past and its seemingly bright future.

Your expedition begins in exciting Shanghai, the engine of modern China. You will walk along the city's ever-changing waterfront, meet a few of the personalities who are reshaping modern China and learn why "what happens in Shanghai today will happen in the rest of China tomorrow."

Next, you will travel by fast boat up the Yangtze River, exploring lesser-known river towns of the Three Gorges along the way. This is a different way to experience the Long River. Nothing will be sugar coated for you. You will see how both the rich and poor live in the world's most populous country. You can even opt to teach a few phrases of English to school kids whose families were relocated by the Three Gorges Dam.

You will then enjoy ancient Buddhist relics and experience traditional tea culture in the laid back city of Chengdu before flying over the Tibetan Plateau to Shangri-la, one of the world's most important centers of Tibetan Buddhism. Here you can sit down with a senior monk at the mystical Songzanglin Temple and join 54 orphans for an M&G hosted dinner at Tendol Galzur's children's home.

An exciting four wheel drive trek from Shangri-la to Lijiang (an ancient Ming village that is a Unesco World Heritage site today) will take you deep into the spectacular Tiger Leaping Gorge.

Next you will fly north to Xian, China's ancient dynastic capital. Here you can brush up next to the famed Terracotta Warriors and learn why China has yet to excavate the tomb of China's first emperor.

Any trip to China would not be complete without a visit to Guilin, the birthplace of Chinese landscape painting. You will enjoy a private sampan ride down a tributary of the Li River and visit a rural village where you will dine with the locals in their homes.

A final flight takes you to Beijing, a city that is stuck somewhere between China's tumultuous past and its bright future. You will have three days to explore Tian'anmen Square, the Forbidden City and the Great Wall before a lavish Peking Duck farewell feast with an eclectic mix of Chinese friends in a local restaurant hidden in the city's disappearing Hutongs.

Journey Details:

* Departure date for 2008: May 2, October 8 (meet in Shanghai)

* Length: 19 days, 18 nights

* Price: US$ 4,950 per person in double room.

Price includes land, 8 domestic flights and Travel Insurance.

Please Contact Us for more information and a detailed day by day itinerary.