Asia’s longest river has shaped China’s history, culture and economy like no other feature of the landscape. Students on this course will gain firsthand insight into the lives of the 550 million people who live along the banks of this vital waterway.

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS

• Explore the dramatic mountain gorges of the Yangtze’s upper reaches in Yunnan Province
• Learn about environmental issues in China and the importance of flood control and irrigation in Chinese history
• Travel from Tibetan villages in China’s remote southwest to Shanghai, the world’s busiest port

Beginning in Yunnan Province, where the river winds through deep gorges amidst spectacular mountain scenery, we begin our exploration of China’s ethnic and ecological diversity, visiting Tibetan Buddhist monasteries as well as ethnically Lisu, Yi, Naxi and Pumi communities. Our downriver journey takes us next to Chongqing, one of the fastest growing cities in the world. In this “Mountain City”, porters still haul cargo on bamboo shoulder poles amidst a forest of towering new skyscrapers and luxury shopping malls. We learn about the city’s role in modern Chinese history and the devastation of the Japanese invasion during a time when Chongqing was China’s capital. From Chongqing, we travel by boat 360 miles downstream to the world’s largest hydroelectric project, the Three Gorges Dam, learning about issues related to economic development, environmental destruction, and China’s age-old struggle to control water resources. We also explore the folk stories and poetry that make this area so renowned throughout China.

Continuing east, we conclude our journey in Shanghai, where we explore the vibrant cultural scene and unique history of the world’s busiest port, and reflect on how this river shapes and has been shaped by all of the people who rely on it for food, transportation, power, and inspiration.