China has the world’s fastest growing economy, yet it also has many ancient traditions. Starting in Beijing, we see where the direction for the blend of ancient and modern originates, since China is still ruled from this political center despite its decentralizing economic changes. We also visit country villages where peasants live more closely to ancient traditions. Everywhere, powerful diversifying forces are accelerating, especially in cities such as Shanghai, and in mammoth rural dam building projects, which contrast with what remains of Confucian, Taoist, and Buddhist philosophical-religious practices.