
China/Tibet
The Best of China: Imperial Capitals, Tibet and the Yangtze River
Program No. 19406RJ
Discover Tibet’s nomadic grasslands and explore China’s cultures and countryside firsthand. Walk the Great Wall of imperial Beijing and sail the Yangtze to contemporary Shanghai.
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21 days
20 nights
50 meals
19B 15L 16D
1
In Transit to Program
In Flight
5
The Wild Great Wall
Beijing
15
To Chongqing, Giant Pandas, Yangtze River Sailing
Yangtze River Vessel
16
Relocated Families, Free Time
Yangtze River Vessel
17
Yangtze Gorges, Ferry Through Mini Gorges
Yangtze River Vessel
20
Yu Garden, Xin Tian Di District
Shanghai
21
Program Concludes
Shanghai
At a Glance
Absorb the complex identity of China on a grand journey that brings you face-to-face with the country’s glorious treasures and modern identity. Feel the energy of Beijing and Shanghai, experience life along the Yangtze River and discover the fascinating land of Tibet on the “Roof of the World.”
Activity Level
Keep the Pace
Walking up to three hours daily over varied terrain. Some stairs without railings. Elevations up to 12,000 feet.
Small Group
Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.
Best of all, you’ll…
- Travel to Tibetan grasslands where nomadic families raise yak, sheep and goats.
- Marvel at the massive Buddhist cliff carvings of the Longmen Grottoes, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Voyage down the Yangtze River, sailing through its legendary gorges to the Three Gorges Dam to examine this extraordinary feat of engineering.
Featured Expert
All trip experts

Hongying Yang (Chinese Life Views)
Professor Yang Hongying is an expert in the study of foreign language and linguistics at Xi'an International Studies University, where she leads courses in Chinese culture and international studies. She has received numerous teaching awards, and also has received advanced degrees in cultural heritage studies from the Institute of European Studies in Macau, and in education from the University of New South Wales in Australia. Yang has published numerous papers on museum text translations and international culture studies, and has given lectures on Chinese culture and heritage in China, Macau, and Singapore. She has worked with and taught Road Scholar groups for more than 10 years.
Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.

Hongying Yang (Chinese Life Views)
View biography
Professor Yang Hongying is an expert in the study of foreign language and linguistics at Xi'an International Studies University, where she leads courses in Chinese culture and international studies. She has received numerous teaching awards, and also has received advanced degrees in cultural heritage studies from the Institute of European Studies in Macau, and in education from the University of New South Wales in Australia. Yang has published numerous papers on museum text translations and international culture studies, and has given lectures on Chinese culture and heritage in China, Macau, and Singapore. She has worked with and taught Road Scholar groups for more than 10 years.
Baima (Thangka Painting) Wangdui
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Professor Baima Wangdui is a senior professor in the Art Department of Tibet University. He is an expert on Thangka painting and gives numerous student lectures on the subject. In addition, he has extensive knowledge in Tibetan Buddhism, to which Thangka art is very closely linked.
Suolang (Tibetan Religion) Wangmu
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Professor Suolang Wangmu, a senior professor at Tibet University, received her doctorate in linguistics from the University of Bergen in Norway. She has been a visiting scholar at Sichuan University Department of Foreign Studies, and the University of York in Britain. Professor Suoloang Wangmu has often traveled abroad as an invited lecturer on the subject of Tibetan religion.
Hao Liu
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Liu Hao grew up in a northern Chinese city close to Beijing, near Hebei University where he majored in American literature and English, and completed research on Chinese history and culture. During his spare time, he shows great interest in classical music, calligraphy, tai ji, and Chinese history. Liu has traveled to America, Vietnam, and other countries for cultural exchanges, making him a valued contributor to China's national culture.
Li (Chinese Music) Jiang
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Li Jiang is an instructor of traditional Chinese musical instruments. He started learning the violin at the age of 6 and has remained devoted to this instrument ever since. He extended his study to other musical instruments including the erhu, bawu, guitar and piano. He is a self-taught fluent speaker of English, having studied the language for over thirty years. He has traveled to Japan and Europe for art exchanges, making him a valued contributor to China's national culture and arts development.
Yinghui (John) Zhao
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Yinghui Zhao, known as "John," grew up in Shanghai, China’s economic capital, where he graduated from Jianqiao University. John has led groups throughout China for almost 20 years and has traveled worldwide. When not at work, he spends time with his family, including his wife and two daughters. He enjoys swimming, reading, and exploring his native city of Shanghai.
Suggested Reading List
(1 books)
Visit the Road Scholar Bookshop
You can find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
The Best of China: Imperial Capitals, Tibet and the Yangtze River
Program Number: 19406
China Reading and Film List
An annotated reading and film list is an attachment near the end of the First Information Packet sent to participants three months before departure. To receive it earlier in a separate email, send your email request to Chinese American Educational Exchange: toc@ix.netcom.com. Be sure to include the program number in which you are enrolled and the departure date.