Going Back to My Roots in China
Ever
since I was young, my dream has always been to live out of a suitcase and
explore different countries one visa at a time. However, as much as I’d like to
pretend I’m a seasoned traveler with all the knowledge about the world’s most
beautiful places now that I'm already at the beginning of adulthood flying
airplanes with my family in the other side of the world, I’m not. It’s honestly
a pity I had little clue about the beautiful tourist and local attractions
found in my own father’s hometown, China.
Fortunately,
spring of 2017, I had the opportunity to join a ten-day tour to China’s Jinjiang City and Sichuan Province. Lucky for me this tour was hosted by my father’s association in the Philippines. Meaning to say, I got to bring my friend, Sharlynne, with me in
this wonderful journey. And to tell you the truth, even if this blog post is long
overdue, I still look back at this trip with fond memories of the places we’ve
been to and the friends we’ve made.
Allow me to share with you a few of the snapshots I took while in China. And to make up for my absence, below is a summarized 10-day itinerary for you to read as you browse through the photos! Enjoy!
May 16 (D-1): Sharlynne and I requested
and opted to sit together at the back of the plane since the aircraft still had
a lot of vacant seats. I kid you not, we regretted this decision a few days
later. Arrival at the hotel. Camp shirts, IDs, and booklets were handed out to
us while checking-in.
May 17 (D-2): We took a 3-hour bus
ride from Jinjiang to Fuzhou. In the afternoon, there was an open ceremony for
all the people part of the tour and then an activity wherein we got to paint on fans using the Chinese calligraphy brush or "maupi". We likewise visited Sanfang Qixiang (also
known as Three Lanes and Seven Alleys), a historical and cultural area in the
city of Fuzhou. You see, when you’re in a place that has enjoyed such
prosperous history, every corner is filled with exquisite architecture. In
fact, the centuries-old mansions found in Sanfang Qixiang are considered as the
imperial China equivalent of Beverly Hills. From museums, shops, restaurants, fixed
stalls that sell souvenirs, beaded bracelets, and fishballs to art galleries – it’s
impossible for you not to find something that will take your fancy. As it is
today’s most popular tourist destination in Fuzhou, it was once the most
affluent neighborhood in the city and home to more than 400 rich, famous, and
powerful residents.
At night, we checked-in at Jinjiang Metropolo Hotel, a hotel conveniently sitting beside Wanda Mall. Because Sharlynne and I were still struggling to make friends with our tour mates, we decided to munch on bubble waffles by ourselves. We were also able to meet up with Sharlynne’s family friend in a boba shop after taking a stroll along the busy and beautifully lit alley outside Wanda Mall.
May 18 (D-3): Each of us was paired
with a Chinese 泉州轻工å¦é™¢Quanzhou College of Technology student. Lucky
for me, my student partner was so kind! She held my hand as if I was her little
sister and bought me milk tea from her school’s vending machine for consecutive
days! How lucky did I just get?!?! (I’m telling you, she and her best friend
are the only ones doing this to their partners!) Mind you, this is also the day
my Chinese speaking skills were put to the test! Haha
If
it weren’t for this trip, I would never fully understand the
importance of Chinese culture in my life. On this day, we were able to practice
Chinese calligraphy and make the traditional dumplings and mazhang with
our student partners. Yum! We got to eat them too!
The
rest of the afternoon was allotted for outdoor activities involving inflatable
balloon relays. I can no longer recall what the activities were called but I
sure did enjoy myself! All I know is that the child in me was dancing with joy!
May 19 (D-4): For this day, I received
another milk tea from my student partner hehe! We likewise studied the basics
of Lion Dance at the university. As soon as we finished having lunch at a
revolving restaurant in Quanzhou, we began touring the city museum, exhibit
hall, and Anta corporation.
May 20 (D-5): Imagine, one minute
you’re painting on plain white t-shirts with your student partner—and the next
you’re on an adventure in the middle of a well-preserved ancient block in
Southern Fujian. This, exactly, was how I spent my fifth day in Jinjiang. Being
all creative with my student partner and visiting WuDianShi, beaches, and harbors
were the highlights of that day. OH! And not to forget— we finally made some friends
from our tour!
That
chilly night, Sharlynne, Ashley, Jillian, Mitzi, and I went out for a walk,
bought snacks at the convenience store, and ate street food outside the hotel
room/in the hallway (since we didn’t want the room to get all smelly). It was
such a great night with the girls— heart to heart talks and card games over chips
and street food.
May 21 (D-6): We spent our last day
with our student partners paper cutting and making Chinese ribbons. In the
afternoon, there was a friendship game between my tourmates and the Chinese
university students.
There’s
no better way to say goodbye to our student partners than hosting an evening
party. To tell you the truth, I never thought I’d get too attached so quickly.
I honestly enjoyed the company of my partner even when I struggled conversing
with her in Chinese. Now that I think of it, it’s such a shame I couldn’t stay
longer that time. When we were about to leave, the Quanzhou College of Technology
students even opened their phones' flashlights for us to see! It felt as if we
were standing on a stage in front of millions of people, performing a
concert.
As
soon as we got back to our hotel rooms later that night, my tourmates and I walked to a ktv bar, ordered some food and drinks, and had the time of our lives!
Not gonna lie, it was the best ktv I had in years and I don’t think any other
ktv can top that (well, except for the second ktv we’ll be having on our last
day :p). It was probably because of the company. I was surrounded with experienced,
caring, and fun people. There was no pressure on me at all! Yet at the same
time, everywhere I looked, there was always a hint of a wild side in each one of
them.
May 22 (D-7): Our seventh day in
China started early. We were scheduled to go out of the city and head to Chengdu,
Sichuan to visit its oldest road, KuanZhaiXiangZi (which also means Wide and
Narrow Alley in English), and check-in at a new hotel.
That night, the boys staying in the hotel room right in front ours invited us over to their room to play some card games and a game of truth or dare. That nightly routine continued until our very last night in China… Oh how I miss.
That night, the boys staying in the hotel room right in front ours invited us over to their room to play some card games and a game of truth or dare. That nightly routine continued until our very last night in China… Oh how I miss.
May 23 (D-8): After an eventful
morning at Chengdu Research Base of Panda Breeding, we headed to Sichuan
Museum, WuHou Shrine (the memorial place of Zhu Ge Liang, Liu Bei, and other heroes),
and JinLi Street. It was a welcome change of scenery. In fact, you can even say
it’s where the past, present, and future come together. Tea, dishes, wine, craft
stalls, gift shops, bars, traditional market food stalls, play and brocades
with local features appear before your eyes one after another, creating quite a
feast. It was hard not to get interested in politics and history when you’re in
a place like Chengdu, especially with a history as rich as theirs.
Card games in the boys' room again!
May 24 (D-9): For this day, we
visited the DuJiangYan Irrigation System and passed by Guanxian along the way. Even
while chock-full of tourists, I’d probably still be happily lost in Guanxian
county—walking along its cascading alleys lined with quaint little shops and
restaurants. After wandering around DuJiangYan Irrigation System that offers a
different sense of serenity and calm, it’s well worth taking a cable car ride
and a hike through QingCheng mountain, a world heritage site.
Located
in the southwest of the irrigation system, Mount QingCheng is one of the most
famous Taoist mountains in China. Dubbed as the most peaceful and secluded
mountain under heaven, hiking did not become a problem for me. Thanks to the
water bottle that kept me hydrated at all times and to my friends who joked
around and told interesting stories.
Reaching
the peak of the mountain was definitely less stressful and a whole lot more
peaceful. It’s as if nature was showing us how grand and majestic the world is,
making us realize how we’re mere humans in the face of it all.
Some
of us decided to go to a massage house later that night since the hiking did
tire us a little bit. Let’s be honest, haha! We also played cards, rapped music, and shared stories in the boys' room after :)
May 25 (D-10): If Europe has its Stonehenge, China has its Leshan Giant Buddha. This is why a trip to Sichuan wouldn’t be complete without a boat ride to the world’s tallest Buddha statue. This stone Buddha attracts millions of people every year, including Buddhist pilgrims, making it something of a sacred destination and an ancient wonder of the world.
May 25 (D-10): If Europe has its Stonehenge, China has its Leshan Giant Buddha. This is why a trip to Sichuan wouldn’t be complete without a boat ride to the world’s tallest Buddha statue. This stone Buddha attracts millions of people every year, including Buddhist pilgrims, making it something of a sacred destination and an ancient wonder of the world.
Facing
Mount Emei with the rivers flowing below its feet, Leshan Giant Buddha depicts
a stout, smiling monk, calmly sitting, and resting his hands upon his knees.
Thereafter,
we visited Tang Dynasty’s great Poet Du Fu Thatched Cottage and Qingyang Palace.
Both have profound historical and cultural significance, but believe me, their
settings were different in the most appealing way. The moment we got to Qingyang
Palace, one of the most famous Taoist temples in China, I fully understood why
so many people were sitting in the teahouse located at the back of the temple
and admiring the scenery and the temple per se. It was so easy for me to beautifully
capture the traditional architecture in its solemn stillness.
To
cap off the night with my tourmates, we rented another ktv room for the very
last time (someone please tell me I’m wrong though). This time, it was a lot
smaller than the first one. And honestly, it was better and much more intimate.
You could really feel the bond, the joy, and the genuineness in each and every
one of us that night. We were singing our hearts out, hugging, and drinking to our
own limits. If only I could hold onto these people forever, hug them, and never
let go… I would. They were the best company ever, and I guess the word “best”
is even an understatement.
May 26 (D-11): We went back to
Jinjiang for our flight home. This time, Sharlynne and I learned our lesson.
Shoutout to my seatmate, Dawson, on my flight back to the Philippines :)
And
that’s it! My trip to China ends here. For a second there, I almost believed
I was transported to the olden times. Everything was just so simple and charming.
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