If you found yourself wanting more of China than you saw during the Beijing Olympics, you're in luck. The BBC's "Wild China"—just released on DVD—is a gold medal tour of that vast land of surprising contrasts.

Within its far-flung borders, China is a land more complex and diverse than any other on the planet. From the oxygen-starved heights of the Himalayas to the desert wastes of the north to the lush green of the south, the BBC's high definition cameras capture it all in eye-popping detail.

"Wild China" is more than a travelogue. Its five episodes—each focusing on a single region—look closely at the complicated interplay between the land, wildlife and expanding human population. Yes, urbanism poses a serious threat to creatures that thrive in even the most hostile environments. Yet those same modern pressures also threaten to undo the wisdom of ancient human cultures. China is a puzzle with no easy solutions.

While I enjoyed "Wild China" more than expected, its satellite photo-style maps lack the clarity needed by those unfamiliar with that mysterious land. And children under 13 will likely find it slow and uninteresting, the occasional panda scenes notwithstanding.

Even so, if you're curious at all about China, "Wild China" is an outstanding introduction to its natural wonders.

Rating: NR Studio: BBC Worldwide Americas Format: DVD and Blu-Ray Running Time: 300 minutes Special Features: "Hunting Dragons" (making of program) Release Date: 08/05/2007 Genre: Documentary