Arsip Kategori:China

Beijing, China. What’s not to Miss?

It’s my second time here in Beijing. I still remembered how I used to dislike this city, since… you know, I couldn’t seem to understand the language well. That time, ordering food seemed to be a big day-to-day problem to me. I even wrote about this language thing on How to Survive in China Without Knowing How to Speak Chinese. It shows how desperate I was, 4 years ago. Even worse, not only that I feel people are generally unfriendly, but I feel that they are also angry all the time. And it’s because I don’t understand the language.

So, several months back, before our departure to Beijing this year, Fred and I learned Chinese language for like, 2 – 3 months. I can say that it has helped us a lot during our trip. We could listen a bit of what the Chinese said, and ordered our food in Chinese. And hey, suddenly Beijing doesn’t feel that bad! It’s pretty nice, really. 

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Beijing Zoo

Going to the zoo has always been exciting for me. No matter how many animals they got in there, I just love walking around and taking a closer look of the animals.

I remember my first zoo visit in my hometown, Jambi. The zoo is really badly maintained. I’m not even sure if there is any maintenance. It’s like you would think that the zoo will be closing really soon. They only got several animals, like elephants, Sumatran tigers, ostrich, some snakes, monkey, and a couple of wild boar. And I don’t even know why they put some pigs in there. It’s like, pig is not even a rare animal, is it?Lanjutkan membaca “Beijing Zoo”

How to Survive in China Without Knowing How to Speak Chinese

You are a Chinese Indonesian, aren’t you? Why can’t you speak Chinese? 

Well, when I was a kid, my mom used to forced me to have a Chinese lesson. I did actually. But I stopped without even mastering the language at the end. I used to hate learning to speak Chinese. I mean, it’s so hard to be pronounced, to be written, and to be read. Everything about it just seems so difficult to me… Who’s with me? Raise your hand!Lanjutkan membaca “How to Survive in China Without Knowing How to Speak Chinese”

Dinosaurs come alive at China!

When I was a little kid, I used to be a fanatic fan of Jurassic Park. It’s like I could and I always wanted to re-watch all of the Jurassic Park movie. Even if the earlier movies seem not real enough, it doesn’t matter to me.

I knew exactly that Dinosaurs are not longer alive since 65 million years ago or so. But I often caught my self wondering and imagining that I’m living in a world where dinosaurs are still alive, when you can see them with your own eyes, and you have to run away escaping from the T-Rex. Life will be so much exciting, I thought.Lanjutkan membaca “Dinosaurs come alive at China!”

The Beauty of Gulangyu Island

Have you ever dreamed of living in an island which is traffic-free & has a great view that you think you don’t wanna go back to the city you used to live in? Well, I never thought about it actually. And I don’t even know that this kind of island does exist. Not until I found this beautiful island during my last visit to Xiamen (also known as Amoy), China last September.

Gulangyu Island is located in the southwest of Xiamen City (厦门). People know it for its natural beauty, its varied architecture, and the ancient relics. Only electric-powered vehicles are permitted here so there will be no pollution or noise. But who needs a vehicle? This island is only 2 square kilometres in area! Quite small, but it is a home for some people & it’s the favorite tourist destination in Xiamen.Lanjutkan membaca “The Beauty of Gulangyu Island”

Walking the Great Wall of China!

At the end of August 2012, my friend and I went to 北京 (Beijing), China for the first time. I was so excited since I’ve never actually been there before. I couldn’t imagine living in a city where most of the people can’t understand English. Even the receptionist in the hotel we stayed can only speak Chinese Mandarin. Here, language is such a trouble for me. I was like : “Hmm. I should take a Mandarin course as soon as I go back to Indonesia”Lanjutkan membaca “Walking the Great Wall of China!”