Considered the cultural heart of Asia since the dawn of civilization, the vast and densely populated People's Republic of China beckons the inquisitive traveler to explore the wonders of her 3,000 years of history.

Your journey to this ageless, timeless empire will unfold as an enticing, marvelous journey through legend, fantasy and fact.

China is not so much another country as another world. Cut off from the rest of Asia by the Himalayas to the south and the Siberian steppe to the north, the country has grown up alone and aloof. Apart from a few ruling elites of Mongol and Manchu origin, who quickly became assimilated, China did not experience a significant influx of foreigners until the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, something which still colors the experience of today's visitors to China.

While empires, languages, nations and entire peoples in the rest of the world have risen and blossomed - then disappeared without trace - China has spent the past two millennia largely recycling itself. It is as though the Roman empire had survived intact into the twenty-first century, with a billion people speaking a language as old as classical Latin.

Activities and Attractions

The Great Wall of China
Journey to one of the worlds most spectacular structures, The Great Wall of China, extending 4,500 miles. To the north of the wall you see the great desert flatlands of the Hun. To the South is like a Chinese painting of layers of rolling hills covered by short brush and trees.

Ming Tombs
The 13 tombs are the world's largest concentration of royal tombs. The Ming tomb of Emperor Wan Li is opened to the public, it was built below ground in a great vaulted brickwork cavern. Outside are gardens of recent vintage and pagodas on the top of distant hills.

Potala Palace Museum in Tibet
The palace was once the religious and political center of old Tibet and the winter palace of Dalai Lamas. The east entrance, painted with images of Four Heavenly Kings, lead visitors to an open courtyard. In large hallways are murals describing the construction of Potala Palace.

Imperial Garden in Beijing
Constructed in1417, it is rectangular in shape and covers about 13,000 square yards. There are some twenty unique structures. Visitors will be astonished how the structures harmonize with the trees, rockeries, flower beds and sculptural objects such as the bronze incense burners.

Terracotta Soldier and Horse Museum in Xian
Once the center of the trade route between Europe and China, Xian is now an archeological treasure cove. At the museum, circa 221--206 B.C., catch sight of the 8,000 Terra Cotta pottery soldiers, hundreds of chariots and a large number of real weapons and much more.

Yangtze River Cruises
Choose from a variety of cruises on the Yangtze. Explore the culture and scenic highlights of the ancient city, Yangzhou. Or take in the scenic beauty of Lushan's sheer peaks and steep cliffs. Journey through time in Nanjing, China's ancient capital, and explore its historic remains.

Province of Guizhou
Journey to the underground wonderland of Dragon Palace which resembles a crystal palace with stalactite and stalagmite formations. Then on to Huangguoshu Falls, a spectacular collection of 290 foot waterfalls. Finally visit the village of Bouyei, which is famous for batik making.

Li River Cruise in Guilin
Creating an aura of timeless mystery, Guilin's landscape has inspired artists and poets for centuries. On your cruise down the winding Li River, the region's dramatic scenery unfolds at every turn. Explore a quaint market town, and return to Guilin through rich countryside.

Tiananmen Square Tour
At 500 yards across and 962 yards north/south, Tiananmen is the worlds largest public square and can hold one million people. Explore the Gate Tower sites, the Monument to the People's Heroes, the Great Hall of the People, Chairman Mao Memorial Hall and the Qianmen gate.

Shanghai City Tour
Friendly monks welcome you to the Jade Buddha Temple where you will see the two thousand-pound jewel-encrusted Jade Buddha brought to China from Burma in the 19th century. Visit the Arts and Crafts Exhibition Center for a glimpse of the handicrafts of eastern China, and more.

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