Day 1
-Today is the first day, when we arrived in the Shanghai airport. I wasn't really adapted to the language they use there. I feel that Singapore's airport is much more advanced and the environment and ambience in China is not as good as compared to that of Singapore's. Upon leaving the airport, we took a bus to our very first destination, the Bund. The scenery that can be seen from the Bund is extremely beautiful, and the Oriental Pearl Tower could be seen from there. What's even more interesting is that there are several couples taking their wedding photos there. It is definitely an enjoyable and relaxing place to be at. We had our very first meals in Shanghai too. Although all of us were not really used to the food there, we tried our best to finish them so as to not waste any of the food. At night, we took a ride on a boat at the Huang Pu Jiang river. The boat was extremely big and had 2 levels. Our class headed to the second level, as we could see the beautiful scenery on the upper deck. As the boat was moving, what lay before our eyes were many different types of buildings. There were those that were shaped like a saber. As it was at night, the buildings were being lit with LED lights, giving an even more serene atmosphere. Unfortunately, the strong winds at that time made a lot of us not enjoying the ride to its fullest.
Day 2
-We woke up extremely early and had breakfast in the Shanghai Rayfront Xuhui Hotel. After that, we headed to the Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Hall. It was a place built specially for us tourists and even their locals to understand how Shanghai had developed throughout the years. Inside there were many different sculptures which further enhances our understanding. What surprised me was the large sculpture of the overview of the whole of Shanghai. There was a big screen there which showed us how Shanghai has grew economically. Also, the information that was provided was extremely meaningful and I had learnt a lot from there. Next, we went to French Concession. To be honest, the French Concession is one of my favourite places that we have went throughout the whole trip. It was built when foreign aggression took place and the French built it there. Now, it has became a tourist attraction. Moreover, this place was preserved for a long period of time already, with a bit of the modern world mixed into it. Places such as Starbucks were built there, attracting even more people to visit this place. Next, we went to Tian Zi Fang, a street full of shops that sells different interesting things. There were items ranging from sweets to keychains and even yogurts! It was an enjoyable place to be in. On the very same day, we went to dine at Hai Di Lao. The food there was delicious and was to my liking. What impressed me was the service that was provided. They gave us spectacle wipes and hand phone covers so that we won't dirty them. They also went to the extent in helping us on the tap to wash our hands in the toilet. I would want to visit there again, definitely would.
Day 3
-We took another boat ride in the Slim Western Lake. It was build in the past to please the Chinese Emperor when he came to visit Yangzhou and it is the second largest lake in China. There are many houses and pavilions, bridges around this place that are being well preserved, and each of this places are of great historical value and also have an interesting story behind each of them. Tourists would be able to know more about Yangzhou's history after visiting this place. Later on, we went to visit a shopping street, with the name of 东圈街. It is a very traditional place and it is one of the more preserved streets in Yangzhou. There are many traditional shops that sell things from traditional Chinese handicraft to Yangzhou's speciality, 扬州三把刀. It is the perfect place for tourists to experience how the people in Yangzhou lived in the past.
In the afternoon, we went to Yangzhou's block printing museum, where there is a live demonstration of different types of block printing. Each type has its own speciality, and what was surprising is that one mistake made from it, and the whole thing needs to be restarted. The demonstrators are also extremely careful and concentrated. I have learnt a lot from this museum too, as it teaches us about the historical value of different types of block printing. At night, we went to watch a performance mainly by women as it showcases the beauty of Yangzhou women. The performance also shows Yangzhou's traditions and cultures by singing songs using their dialect and playing their Chinese traditional instruments such as 古筝 and 二胡. This performance also allows us to understand more about their traditional food and activities in Yangzhou.
Day 4
-We went to the Yangzhou school! It was a little awkward at first, but after a while of conversing and understanding each other, both parties, Singapore and China students, made friends really quickly. We went to attend some of their lessons and we realized their education culture is worlds apart from ours. They sit up straight throughout the whole lesson, unlike us, slouching every once in a while. We also realized that they way they conduct their lessons is totally different from ours, but we still enjoyed it no matter what. After that, we went to dine at the traditional restaurant, the Lushi Old Mansion. It was built according to a theme, which was a man with the surname of Lushi. There is a rich history and culture value in this restaurant, which allows us tourists to visit and understand more too. Delicious Yangzhou food, including expensive dishes that can only be found in certain places are served here. At night, we went to the Beijing-Hangzhou grand canal, a colorful and lively area where almost everything is decorated with LED lights. Many people are taking a stroll and having relaxing activities there. This shows that life in Yangzhou is slow paced, unlike that of Shanghai, where people live in a fast-paced lifestyle.
Day 5
-We attended more of the China school's lessons and learnt a lot. We tried paper cutting and how to 包粽子, something we don't usually do in our daily lives. We also did many more different activities that we had never done in our whole life before. Other than this, we did not really go to any places of interest.
Day 6
-Early in the morning, we headed to Geyuan garden. It has a very nice and calm scenery, along with clean fresh air and serene environment. The ponds and plants with the different shapes and sizes of rocks provided us with peace. There are also staircases made out of jagged and uneven rocks, giving a sense of uniqueness since we seldom see nature being made used of as stairs. Overall, this garden is rich in its natural beauty and special landscapes. We then headed to the 剪纸博物馆. It is a traditional place and there are many displays of Chinese paper cutting done by professioners. The cuttings are extremely complicated and has many detailed parts in them. There is a workshop for paper cutting and we were able to a hands on experience. We were given several 宣纸, some pictures of animals for us to cut from and special Chinese paper cutting scissors that we could bring home after the workshop. Whenever we faced difficulty, the trainers there would voluntarily step ahead and help us in any way that we need. On the lower floor, there was a souvenir shop selling many different works, like different designed hand held fans and bookmarks made up of the Chinese paper cutting. It was no doubt an enjoyable and meaningful experience. Next, we went to The Former Residence of Zhu Ziqing. The Former residence of Zhu Ziqing (朱自清故居) is located in a small alley and it was where Zhu Ziqing (朱自清), a renowned poet and essayist lived. Zhu Ziqing migrated to Yangzhou at a young age, away from his family, and he was well known for his love for Yangzhou. The Zhu Ziqing's Former residence is preserved and turned into a tourist attraction to remember his contribution to Yangzhou. At Zhu Ziqing's former residence, his books and his handwritten work are also displayed there. In the afternoon, we went to the Daming Temple. The Daming Temple is a popular tourist attraction. Over there, we were welcomed with an extremely big entrance with small stores selling praying items. There is also a very big hall of different Buddhas, including the Guanyin Buddha. The Daming Temple is an ideal place to make a prayer for blessings and well being. There are rooms that display pictures and statues to commemorate some renowned poets and the person who played a big part in spreading Taoism to Japan. Later in the afternoon, we went to somewhere which I was excited to go to, the Shanghai Volkswagen Company. It is extremely big and there are many Volkswagen cars at the side of the exhibition, and all of them were new and cool. There is also a brief 3D map of the whole of this Volkswagen company on display. We were brought into a meeting room to watch a short clip of the success of Volkswagen and how it progressed to be this successful throughout the years. After the video, we were split up into 4 different groups to board onto 4 different electric cars to bring us for a tour around the whole of its factory. While we were on the trip in exploring how they manufacture their cars, the driver would explain to us what was going on using a wireless MP3 that was given to each of us. We were also provided safety goggles, that we had to put on in case any bits of metal or sparks fell on our face. Inside the factory, there were many many machines used to help out in their work. These machines were extremely efficient and useful and they do things well in the shortest amount of time possible. The different processes of making a Volkswagen car was extremely complicated as the car had to be extremely safe and secure. Many checks on the cars were being held out and they use fake people to test it out. In the factory, there were many banners found in every part of it
Each banner wrote something motivational, to motivate their workers to strive for the best and work as hard as they could to satisfy every customer they have. I feel that they were extremely hardworking and disciplined in doing this job. The trip through the enormous factory gave me a deep impression of this place, and it gives me a deeper understanding on how cars are made and manufactured. It is not easy to make a car, however, I really enjoyed this experience and will never forget it in my entire life. Day 6 was the most interesting of them all, in my opinion.
Day 7
-It was our very last day. We were sad to leave China, but no matter what, we had to. The bus uncle drove us to the Bullet Train platform, where we would be taking the train back to Shanghai. That was the last few times we would be meeting him, and we were sad that we had to leave the bus uncle too. It was tough for him having to drive us for the whole 7 days, and we appreciate what he had done for us. We went into the train platform and waited for our train to come. Upon its arrival, we entered the train and found a place to sit. The seats were extremely comfortable and the train was extremely spacious and clean. There were also toilets and mini stores, selling food and drinks, in the train. What amazed me was that the seats were able to turn around so that we could face each other throughout the 1 hour journey. Throughout the whole journey, I enjoyed the fast and steady train ride, and I would love to take another bullet train ride in the future.
It was time to leave China and our classmates, and not forgetting, our very beloved tour guide. He had been there for us for the whole trip and without him, this trip wouldn't have been what it was. I am extremely grateful for what he had done for us, and would never forget him. We still had to leave each of us and head back to where we started, our home. I had learnt and enjoyed a lot during this 7 day trip, and I hope we can go overseas as a class again in the future.
-Danson Tan (31)
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