For the last two weeks, I have been in the Middle Kingdom (中国)and one of it's Special Administrative Regions. It has been a great, long trip and I've gotten a chance to experience a lot in my short time there. China is really a very interesting country, not only politically, but also from a point of view of just trying to get around as a westerner. I visited Beijing, Nanjing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou on the mainland and also Hong Kong. Each region was definitely very distinct and unlike other countries, there was a really such a difference between the mentalities and development of the different cities. One thing I noticed is how many International showcases have been in China in the past 2 years. This I think has been key to a lot of the development of the country and really something great to show off all of the great things China has to show off. 
Beijing was my first stop and I really felt rushed going through it. It seemed like there was so much that I didn't do and see while I was there but I really did do a lot while I was there. It's funny to say but work definitely got in the way of my sightseeing in that case. I wound up visiting 5 different schools while I was there and saw lots, so I was quite busy up until I left for Nanjing. So what did I see you might ask? The Great Wall, Olympic Site, Olympic Water Sports Park, and Hongluo Temple. So not everything, but certainly a good sampling for my first visit. It was really amazing to see how well developed the city was. The good thing about me not seeing everything is that it gives me a great excuse to go back.
Nanjing was my next stop and I was really only there for 36 hours. The weather was quite poor and I was starting to feel a cold coming on so I didn't see too much. I did my school visits and then caught up on some sleep so I was ready for my next destinations. When I was leaving Nanjing, I was treated to some wonderful snow. Just when I thought by leaving the northeast I would be away from winter, but no such luck.
After leaving snowy Nanjing, it was off to snowy Shanghai. Shanghai was another great example of fantastic China. The weather when I was there wasn't fantastic, but I did get a chance to walk around the city. It reminded a lot of Tokyo in that there were just skyscrapers everywhere! The only real disappointing thing was that there was a lot construction around the Bund making walking near the river not as pleasant as it could be. One of the cooler experience I had there was going to a "tea tasting" with some locals that I met while walking around. We went to this place that had 200 types of tea to taste and some rituals to do whilst drinking it. My next stop Guangzhou. This was my shortest stop of the trip with 2 school visits and they right back to the Airport. Just in the change from Shanghai to Guangzhou I liked how it seemed like I was going from a cold coastal climate to a warm tropical type environment. Definitely a welcome change!
Hong Kong was my last stop and really the difference between this and mainland China was really quite substantial. Just the change of which side cars are driving and it seems to change everything. Hong Kong reminded me a lot of Singapore, but with a bit more natural beauty. Much easier to get around as a westerner and without speaking Chinese of any sort. I was only there for 2 days, but I feel like it was a great look into to this amazing place. I had my school visits on Thursday and did a bit of looking around on Friday. The only thing I missed which I had really wanted to see was the huge Buddha on Lantau Island. I was about to go after a morning tour of Hong Kong, but the weather was just really cloudy and I had to pack for a wicked early flight the next day.
Overall the total trip was a success both professionally and personally. I had been waiting for a long time to finally make it to China and Hong Kong and I really was happy with my experience. It was a long journey to get there and an even longer journey to get home (more on that later), but I am ready for my next adventure!
Nanjing was my next stop and I was really only there for 36 hours. The weather was quite poor and I was starting to feel a cold coming on so I didn't see too much. I did my school visits and then caught up on some sleep so I was ready for my next destinations. When I was leaving Nanjing, I was treated to some wonderful snow. Just when I thought by leaving the northeast I would be away from winter, but no such luck.
After leaving snowy Nanjing, it was off to snowy Shanghai. Shanghai was another great example of fantastic China. The weather when I was there wasn't fantastic, but I did get a chance to walk around the city. It reminded a lot of Tokyo in that there were just skyscrapers everywhere! The only real disappointing thing was that there was a lot construction around the Bund making walking near the river not as pleasant as it could be. One of the cooler experience I had there was going to a "tea tasting" with some locals that I met while walking around. We went to this place that had 200 types of tea to taste and some rituals to do whilst drinking it. My next stop Guangzhou. This was my shortest stop of the trip with 2 school visits and they right back to the Airport. Just in the change from Shanghai to Guangzhou I liked how it seemed like I was going from a cold coastal climate to a warm tropical type environment. Definitely a welcome change!
Hong Kong was my last stop and really the difference between this and mainland China was really quite substantial. Just the change of which side cars are driving and it seems to change everything. Hong Kong reminded me a lot of Singapore, but with a bit more natural beauty. Much easier to get around as a westerner and without speaking Chinese of any sort. I was only there for 2 days, but I feel like it was a great look into to this amazing place. I had my school visits on Thursday and did a bit of looking around on Friday. The only thing I missed which I had really wanted to see was the huge Buddha on Lantau Island. I was about to go after a morning tour of Hong Kong, but the weather was just really cloudy and I had to pack for a wicked early flight the next day. 
Overall the total trip was a success both professionally and personally. I had been waiting for a long time to finally make it to China and Hong Kong and I really was happy with my experience. It was a long journey to get there and an even longer journey to get home (more on that later), but I am ready for my next adventure!
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