Beijing

Photos by Lorraine Thomas

Beijing is the capital of China and is over 800 years old.  It is one of the most popular places to visit in China because it is the home of the Great Wall of China at Badaling, Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, the Temple of Heaven, and the Summer Palace.  For the past 30 years, Beijing has developed progressively and now there are over 20 million residents living in Beijing. 

Tiananmen Square.  Photos by Lorraine Thomas

The Forbidden City.  Photos by Lorraine Thomas

Temple of Heaven.  Photos by Lorraine Thomas

Summer Palace.  Photos by Lorraine Thomas

The Great Wall of China at Badaling

Photos by Lorraine Thomas

This side of the Great Wall is the most popular for tourist.  I was completely culture shocked to see Chinese themselves climbing the wall for the first time with the same enthusiasm that I had.  It was thrilling just standing on history itself; knowing all the Chinese dynasties that renovated the wall to their own military specifications. I was also grateful just knowing that one of my childhood dreams came to full fruition.

Beijing Foreign Studies University

Photos by Lorraine Thomas

Beijing Foreign Studies University is the top foreign language and international studies university in China.  My visit to the university was to meet with Dr. Chenshan Tian, Director of the Center for East-West Relations, and engage in an intellectual debate over globalization and global economy.  Dr. Tian also told me about their annual Confucian Studies Summer Institute program from June 6 – July 3 this year.  The program is great for students interested in Confucianism and allows them to read Chinese classics with world-renowned scholars at the birthplace of Confucius in Nishan, China.  Later on that evening, we were invited to the Xu Xiang Zhai vegetarian restaurant.  This restaurant is inspired from Confucianism and the food was so remarkable delicious!

Xu Xiang Zhai Vegetarian Restaurant.  Photos by Lorraine Thoma