* The 2008 program features the theme of culture vs. nature, with the cross-country trip of Yangtzu River and Three Gorges.

* The Peking University just completed and opened its new guesthouse right by the Eastern entrance to campus. It is closer to everything: ten-minute walk to Wudaokou, where most local actions center and a major subway station is located.

* The Chinese government has raised the fee for Chinese visa application, believed to be a reprisal to the US government that did the same. The new fee rate is US$130.

* The Chinese currency, Renminbi (RMB), continues to its its long climb against the US dollar. As of February 2008, the exchange rate is that every US dollar equals to 7.2 Chinese RMB. By June, it is estimated, the rate may go as low as below 7 RMB for every dollar.

* Professor Mary Hanneman, co-director of the program, returned from a trip to India in 2007 and prepares for a study tour to Japan.

* In November 2007, the 2007 program alumni gathered in the Silky Thai Restaurant, Tacoma, WA, for a reunion. Over 15 people showed up, and they exchanged photos of the summer trip, and updated each other about their new progress in the coninuous pursuit of Chinese language and culture learning.