Dear Members and Friends of The Royal Oak Foundation,

As the world's longest continuous civilization, China conveys to the visitor a sense of exotic discovery. A very special journey has been arranged for members of The Royal Oak Foundation. We invite you to step into China's imperial past and witness its historic and contemporary ties to Great Britain and other western powers. Travel with us to explore the art, archaeology and landscapes of this extraordinary country.

Accompanying us as lecturer on this fascinating trip is Dr. Yu Zhou, Associate Professor of Geography and Director of Asian Studies at Vassar College. Dr. Zhou was a World Bank Visiting Fellow at the China Center of Economic Research at Peking University and continues to be a frequent traveler to China.

We begin in Beijing, where visits include the awe-inspiring Great Wall, the Forbidden City and the Temple of Heaven, the architectural wonder of the Ming Dynasty. From Beijing we will journey to Xi'an, where vestiges of a proud imperial history are everywhere in evidence, including the tomb of the First Emperor Qin with its legendary 7,500 terra-cotta soldiers. At Dazu we will see the thousands of rock carvings that represent the pinnacle of this ancient art form.

Cruising aboard the new M.S. Victoria Anna for three nights on the mighty Yangtze River, we will sail past gorges, sheer rock walls and temples. In the vibrant city of Shanghai, long the seat of British mercantile interests in China, we will stroll along the Bund and visit the Shanghai Museum with its outstanding collections. A day trip to Suzhou, one of China's oldest and most beautiful cities, includes a visit to the Garden of the Master of the Fishing Nets. Constructed during the Ming Dynasty, this garden served as the model for the Astor Court at The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Hallmarks of our international tours are traveling with congenial members, as well as special events. You may look forward to some delightful surprises.

              Sincerely yours ,
            
              John Oddy
              Executive Director
              The Royal Oak Foundation