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Been to China with Your School?
During spring break of 2009, TGA's senior class went on a cultural journey across the People's Republic of China. After studying Mandarin Chinese for almost two years, it was time for the students to put their work to good use. To say that they learned a lot would be an understatement. At every turn was a new adventure and an experience quite different from our American comfort zone. The worth of the experience is immeasurable, but no one can ignore the eye opening power of a cross-cultural journey with your closest friends and your dedicated teachers.
Beijing - China's Present
Beijing is the thriving capital of this enormous country. It is historic and modern all at the same time. Ancient hutongs still serve as places of residence, and people bike past Ming Dynasty ruins daily on their way to work. Our hotel was blocks from Tiananmen Square, which is right next to the Forbidden City. Beijing is alive and well, and we were thrown right in the mix. Our stay also included a visit to the Great Wall at Badaling, the Ming Tombs, and the Olympic Village.
Emmanuel Torchon in front of the old city gate at Tiananmen Square on the first full day of our trip.
Little girl posing at the Forbidden City.
Decorative tile wall at the Forbidden City, the residence of Ming Dynasty emperors.
Jay Wilcox on the Great Wall at Badaling.
Our very own boy band, the Badaling Boys. We'll practice singing later.
Brittany Lucas gets adventurous on an excursion to the Night Market. Mmm, scorpion!
Lauren Leggett and Bob Shi ride in a rickshaw during our hutong tour.
During our hutong tour, we got a guest lecture about cricket fighting.
Beautiful fruit near the Drum Tower.
Xian - China's Past
We hopped a plane to Xian, the ancient city of Western Peace. It was the first capital of unified China, over 2200 years ago. It has been the capital of China four times, most famously during the Qin and Tang Dynasties. We got so see relics from both of these ages, which are almost incomprehendible by our 250 years of American history. The impressive Small Wild Goose Pagoda rises to heights that seem impossible for the 1300 year history of the building and the shear quantity of life-sized Terracotta Soldiers is staggering. China's history holds fast in Xian.
The Small Wild Goose Pagoda is not small at all.
Group photo.
Ms. Suddath and Brittany Lucas high in the Small Wild Goose Pagoda.
Suji Jeong and Ms. Suddath ringing a giant bell at the Small Wild Goose Pagoda for good luck.
Soldiers as far as the eye can see, to protect Emperor Qin in the afterlife.
A close up of some terracotta soldiers.
Dumpling Banquet on our last night in Xian. Every kind of dumpling imaginable was present.
Shanghai - China's Future
Shanghai is as modern and European as Chinese cities get. Home to two of the seven tallest buildings in the world, Shanghai will be the site of the 2010 World Expo. We hit its sites and managed to find a little time for shopping. Though not modern at all, Yu Yuan Gardens and its architectural rockery were a highlight.
Lucas Laudermilk, Mr. Adkinson, and Samuel Goddard with Pudong Shanghai at night. The Oriental Pearl, the Jin Mao Tower, and the Shanghai World Finance Center are in the background.
The Bund, with its Art Deco architecture.
These girls really wanted their photo with Gina and her blonde hair.
A view of Yu Yuan Gardens, tucked away in downtown Shanghai.
Yu Yuan Gardens is small, but its engineering and rock architecture make it seem endless.
