Take the Grand Tour of the Grand Canal
Nowadays the Grand Canal is a quaint artifact of China’s Imperial wealth and splendor, but once upon a time it was a water-borne superhighway which made those who lived along it rich. This unique three day trip hits up four of the cities which prospered along with the salt and rice trade: Nanjing, Wuxi, Yangzhou and Yixing. Experience the grandeur of Nanjing’s well-preserved city walls and enjoy a flower boat river cruise that night. In Yangzhou, sample authentic Yangzhou friend rice. In Yixing, pick up real examples of famed purple sand pottery. In Wuxi end up at scenic Turtle Head Isle. RMB4,500, October 24-26. China Culture Center, www.chinaculturecenter.org, Tel: (10) 6432-9341

Drive an SUV for charity in Sichuan
Combine adventure and doing-good on this week-long holiday. Qu Travel hooks you up with a driver’s license, puts you behind the wheel of an SUV and turns you loose into western Sichuan. You’ll race along the G318 highway to the Tagong Grasslands and finally reach the Four Sisters Nature Park before heading back to Chengdu where you’ll spend a day volunteering to help thjose affected by the quake. RMB25,593, Oct. 26-Nov. 3. Qu Travel, www.qutravel.com, Tel: (010) 5878-4000

Live the Five Star Life in Sanya
The Hilton Hotel Sanya, which was recently awarded official five-star status, currently has one of the best room deals you can find. For RMB1,400 per night (tax included), set yourself up in a deluxe room in exclusive Yalong Bay. Hilton Hotel Sanya, Tel: (898) 8858-8888, sanya@hilton.com

Super Cheap Airfare to London
How much did you pay for your last airline ticket to London? Well, you paid too much. Through March 2009, FASCO is offering round-trip airfare to the capital of jolly old England for RMB6,448 (taxes including) on China Eastern. Amazed yet? FASCO, Tel: 6472-3131