There's a saying in China: Above is heaven, below is Hangzhou. Having visited this city in east central China, I'm willing to vouch for this ancient adage, one that suggests heaven's beauty has somehow trickled do...There's a saying in China: Above is heaven, below is Hangzhou. Having visited this city in east central China, I'm willing to vouch for this ancient adage, one that suggests heaven's beauty has somehow trickled down to Earth. But I would suggest a slight amendment: Above is heaven, below is Hangzhou and people, and people, and people.展开更多
Migratory birds seem to have it all figured out: in the winter it gets cold, so they pack up and fly south to warmer climates. Unlike my feathered friends, when the cold sets in, my winter jacket comes out and I begin...Migratory birds seem to have it all figured out: in the winter it gets cold, so they pack up and fly south to warmer climates. Unlike my feathered friends, when the cold sets in, my winter jacket comes out and I begin a four-month stint of brooding and whining about Beijing temperatures.展开更多
The barrage started on a Friday morning——a few distant booms that soon led to louder explosions and fizzling sounds drawing closer to my apartment. As the day progressed, sotoo did their frequency until night fell and
I’ve always considered myself a law-abiding citizen no matter what continent I’m on.But in the last year,I’ve apparently become something of an outlaw,at
It was another Monday morning as I rode Line 2 toward Fuchengmen, the closest subway station to my office in west Beijing. I had missed the morning rush and a few empty seats near the end of the bench awaited my stil...It was another Monday morning as I rode Line 2 toward Fuchengmen, the closest subway station to my office in west Beijing. I had missed the morning rush and a few empty seats near the end of the bench awaited my still sleepy body.With headphones firmly planted into each展开更多
As if hunting for an apartment in Beijing wasn’t difficult enough-trying to find the perfect fit between proximity to work,price and life’sother little conveniences(such as Jenny Lou’s and other Western grocery sto...As if hunting for an apartment in Beijing wasn’t difficult enough-trying to find the perfect fit between proximity to work,price and life’sother little conveniences(such as Jenny Lou’s and other Western grocery stores)-Iadded another requirement to my search fora new pad: a nearby gym.展开更多
Annual competition promotes Chinese language and culture while forging friendships the world over wearing a white cowboy hat,a checkered shirt tucked in around his blue denim jeans and scuff-less burnished tan boots, ...Annual competition promotes Chinese language and culture while forging friendships the world over wearing a white cowboy hat,a checkered shirt tucked in around his blue denim jeans and scuff-less burnished tan boots, Grant Gilreath, an American college student from Tennessee studying at UCLA, is the quintessential image of an American cowboy. He even has a small American flag hanging from his left shirt pocket.展开更多
As I stared up at the massive ice castle glistening in front of me, a light flurry of snow gently blowing all around as the sun began to set, the lashes on my right eye froze together. With this temporary impairment, ...As I stared up at the massive ice castle glistening in front of me, a light flurry of snow gently blowing all around as the sun began to set, the lashes on my right eye froze together. With this temporary impairment, I was only able to enjoy the castle’s changing lights—blue, red, pink, purple, blue—at 50 percent.展开更多
I can count the number of times I’ve had my breath taken away on the fingers of one hand. China takes credit for two of those instances. The first was my introduction to the noxious cloud of gray that hangs over Beij...I can count the number of times I’ve had my breath taken away on the fingers of one hand. China takes credit for two of those instances. The first was my introduction to the noxious cloud of gray that hangs over Beijing. The second was standing atop a rock looking up and down the展开更多
The rain gods always seem to know when I’m outside without an umbrella. They seldom miss an opportunity;whenever I venture out on an excursion into China’s wild the blue skies turn black, storm clouds rush in and th...The rain gods always seem to know when I’m outside without an umbrella. They seldom miss an opportunity;whenever I venture out on an excursion into China’s wild the blue skies turn black, storm clouds rush in and the skies let loose rains of biblical proportions. On any other day, I would have cursed the heavens and sought cover,展开更多
A number of impressive and relaxing tourist attractions make northeast Hebei a worthwhile trip outside Beijing When it comes to culture and tourism,Hebei Province can’t compete with the imperial palaces,temples,summe...A number of impressive and relaxing tourist attractions make northeast Hebei a worthwhile trip outside Beijing When it comes to culture and tourism,Hebei Province can’t compete with the imperial palaces,temples,summer resorts and other ancient landmarks of Beijing.The province is also missing them useums and monuments to the people’s heroes.But what it lacks in epic tourist attractions Hebei makes up for with smaller,quainter sights that provide a pleasant respite from the busy city life and crowded tourist hotspots of the Chinese capital.展开更多
Northeast Hebei’s Bohai Sea economic zone is set to drive growth and provide another link between China and the rest of the world From technical experts and foreign investors to tourists, Hebei Provinceis trying to d...Northeast Hebei’s Bohai Sea economic zone is set to drive growth and provide another link between China and the rest of the world From technical experts and foreign investors to tourists, Hebei Provinceis trying to draw in a diverse crowd to fuel its development,展开更多
Iwas standing in paradise, or at least that’s what the guidebook I had so blindly followed said. As I scanned my surround- ings, I felt duped. How could this be Shangri-la, that ancient utopia of perfection and youth?
Three years ago, the thought of moving to and working in China was just about as foreign as the country itself. I certainly had the means and interest to visit, but I really had no desire
My seat was in the full, upright position as one of the attendants came by. I showed her my ticket,to which she smiled and said, "Enjoy your trip." The seat was spacious and comfortable.
Endless opportunities to experience rich culture and modern marvels await visitors to Shanghai Although a young city at 700 years old-in its fancy compared with Chinese civilization as a whole-Shanghai has become one ...Endless opportunities to experience rich culture and modern marvels await visitors to Shanghai Although a young city at 700 years old-in its fancy compared with Chinese civilization as a whole-Shanghai has become one of the most recognized and dynamic cities in China.展开更多
If there’s one thing I’ve learned about China since moving here,it’s this:The rules of the road are far different than those Stateside.Actually,perhaps the word"rules"is a bit of an overstatement; "s...If there’s one thing I’ve learned about China since moving here,it’s this:The rules of the road are far different than those Stateside.Actually,perhaps the word"rules"is a bit of an overstatement; "suggestions of the road"may be more fitting.展开更多
In the last year living in Beijing,I’ve been to the Forbidden City and Summer Palace four times. I’ve traversed the Great Wall three times. And I’ve lost track of how many times I’ve walked from one end of the Tia...In the last year living in Beijing,I’ve been to the Forbidden City and Summer Palace four times. I’ve traversed the Great Wall three times. And I’ve lost track of how many times I’ve walked from one end of the Tiananmen Square to another. Even when traveling on business or personal trips to Shanghai,I’ve found myself in the same places numerous times,the Expo site(three times) and the Shanghai World Financial Center(twice) to name a few.展开更多
Istared out at the mountains of sand in front of me-the Taklimakan Desert reaching off into the distance. A few camels yowled somewhere nearby. My guide sauntered over, his feet slipping in the unstable sand. "Re...Istared out at the mountains of sand in front of me-the Taklimakan Desert reaching off into the distance. A few camels yowled somewhere nearby. My guide sauntered over, his feet slipping in the unstable sand. "Ready to go?" he said. "展开更多
Arecent three-week visit to the United States after 18 months of working and traveling in China allowed me to get back into an American swing of things.I spent time with friends
文摘There's a saying in China: Above is heaven, below is Hangzhou. Having visited this city in east central China, I'm willing to vouch for this ancient adage, one that suggests heaven's beauty has somehow trickled down to Earth. But I would suggest a slight amendment: Above is heaven, below is Hangzhou and people, and people, and people.
文摘Migratory birds seem to have it all figured out: in the winter it gets cold, so they pack up and fly south to warmer climates. Unlike my feathered friends, when the cold sets in, my winter jacket comes out and I begin a four-month stint of brooding and whining about Beijing temperatures.
文摘The barrage started on a Friday morning——a few distant booms that soon led to louder explosions and fizzling sounds drawing closer to my apartment. As the day progressed, sotoo did their frequency until night fell and
文摘I’ve always considered myself a law-abiding citizen no matter what continent I’m on.But in the last year,I’ve apparently become something of an outlaw,at
文摘It was another Monday morning as I rode Line 2 toward Fuchengmen, the closest subway station to my office in west Beijing. I had missed the morning rush and a few empty seats near the end of the bench awaited my still sleepy body.With headphones firmly planted into each
文摘As if hunting for an apartment in Beijing wasn’t difficult enough-trying to find the perfect fit between proximity to work,price and life’sother little conveniences(such as Jenny Lou’s and other Western grocery stores)-Iadded another requirement to my search fora new pad: a nearby gym.
文摘Annual competition promotes Chinese language and culture while forging friendships the world over wearing a white cowboy hat,a checkered shirt tucked in around his blue denim jeans and scuff-less burnished tan boots, Grant Gilreath, an American college student from Tennessee studying at UCLA, is the quintessential image of an American cowboy. He even has a small American flag hanging from his left shirt pocket.
文摘As I stared up at the massive ice castle glistening in front of me, a light flurry of snow gently blowing all around as the sun began to set, the lashes on my right eye froze together. With this temporary impairment, I was only able to enjoy the castle’s changing lights—blue, red, pink, purple, blue—at 50 percent.
文摘I can count the number of times I’ve had my breath taken away on the fingers of one hand. China takes credit for two of those instances. The first was my introduction to the noxious cloud of gray that hangs over Beijing. The second was standing atop a rock looking up and down the
文摘The rain gods always seem to know when I’m outside without an umbrella. They seldom miss an opportunity;whenever I venture out on an excursion into China’s wild the blue skies turn black, storm clouds rush in and the skies let loose rains of biblical proportions. On any other day, I would have cursed the heavens and sought cover,
文摘A number of impressive and relaxing tourist attractions make northeast Hebei a worthwhile trip outside Beijing When it comes to culture and tourism,Hebei Province can’t compete with the imperial palaces,temples,summer resorts and other ancient landmarks of Beijing.The province is also missing them useums and monuments to the people’s heroes.But what it lacks in epic tourist attractions Hebei makes up for with smaller,quainter sights that provide a pleasant respite from the busy city life and crowded tourist hotspots of the Chinese capital.
文摘Northeast Hebei’s Bohai Sea economic zone is set to drive growth and provide another link between China and the rest of the world From technical experts and foreign investors to tourists, Hebei Provinceis trying to draw in a diverse crowd to fuel its development,
文摘Iwas standing in paradise, or at least that’s what the guidebook I had so blindly followed said. As I scanned my surround- ings, I felt duped. How could this be Shangri-la, that ancient utopia of perfection and youth?
文摘Three years ago, the thought of moving to and working in China was just about as foreign as the country itself. I certainly had the means and interest to visit, but I really had no desire
文摘My seat was in the full, upright position as one of the attendants came by. I showed her my ticket,to which she smiled and said, "Enjoy your trip." The seat was spacious and comfortable.
文摘Endless opportunities to experience rich culture and modern marvels await visitors to Shanghai Although a young city at 700 years old-in its fancy compared with Chinese civilization as a whole-Shanghai has become one of the most recognized and dynamic cities in China.
文摘If there’s one thing I’ve learned about China since moving here,it’s this:The rules of the road are far different than those Stateside.Actually,perhaps the word"rules"is a bit of an overstatement; "suggestions of the road"may be more fitting.
文摘In the last year living in Beijing,I’ve been to the Forbidden City and Summer Palace four times. I’ve traversed the Great Wall three times. And I’ve lost track of how many times I’ve walked from one end of the Tiananmen Square to another. Even when traveling on business or personal trips to Shanghai,I’ve found myself in the same places numerous times,the Expo site(three times) and the Shanghai World Financial Center(twice) to name a few.
文摘Istared out at the mountains of sand in front of me-the Taklimakan Desert reaching off into the distance. A few camels yowled somewhere nearby. My guide sauntered over, his feet slipping in the unstable sand. "Ready to go?" he said. "
文摘Arecent three-week visit to the United States after 18 months of working and traveling in China allowed me to get back into an American swing of things.I spent time with friends