This was my 3rd time in Beijing in the past 4 years with the first being in 2004 for dragon boat, and the 2nd time in summer 2007 during my trip around the world. I had expected to see a lot of changes due to the Olympics taking place last summer and I was not disappointed. The cleanliness, hygiene, and English proficiency had all markedly improved, although not to the point where it no longer felt like the China I knew.
This time in Beijing was also particularly special as it was part of our school's China Study Trip elective - instead of just seeing touristic sites, we were meeting with business leaders, Ivey alumni, and touring factories. It was an irresistible opportunity to see a side of China most people never get to see. We also had a chance to dine with the Tsinghua MBA class, considered to be the "Harvard of China", which was quite nice. I was also fortunate enough to meet an old colleague on my own time and get an update on the medical industry in China (across from the bizarre new CCTV building shown below)
Along the way, we did however, do *some* touristic things. Quite memorable was climbing the Great Wall while it was covered in snow and ice. The lack of tourists and the crisp sunny and cold weather really created an indescribable timeless atmosphere which I would like to experience again. The Olympic venue (both at day and at night) was very impressive and the scale of it doesn't hit you until you visit it when nobody is around.
All in all a great start to a month-long vacation!
2 comments:
Hey Joe!
Cool pictures.. you always have a way of capturing the perfect moments on camera. It certainly motivates me to go back to China to visit to see more of it. I hope all is well
Take care
Damien
Simply incredible, Joe. Your photos never cease to amaze me. :)
Ryan.
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