As I stepped off the plane, the first thing I felt was the really cold climate. After throwing on a jacket my mother had prudently insisted on my bringing, I realized that I was finding it difficult to breathe. The smell of smog pervaded my nostrils and gagged my throat. We got on a bus and a very enthusiastic guide began to introduce us to this foreign land. I learned that we were in the capital, Beijing, which means northern capital in Chinese. Unfortunately, I recall little else, since I had not slept well on the plane, and was only half-awake.

We had the privilege of watching a group of world famous minority dancers in a very important building, although I don't remember exactly the name. I had not realized that there were 56 ethnic groups in China, having always thought of the Chinese as a homogenous race. However, I soon learned that the Han people make up 95 percent of the population while another 55 make up the remaining 5 percent. As I observed the dancers nervously eyeing us Americans, I noticed some of the distinguishing features that made them look different from what I had always considered "Chinese". Although I had been feeling exhausted to the point of unconsciousness, I felt reinvigorated just watching this style of dancing that was so completely different from any other I had seen. It rekindled the memory of a Chinese dance class I had taken for about a year at the age of eight. Their different concept of aesthetic beauty made me realize how a culture can be simultaneously different, yet equal to, or even better than the one you know best.

The next day, we started our grand sightseeing tour with a visit to the Great Hall of the People. We saw the stage on which Chinese government officials discuss national and international issues on televised news releases. Next, we went to the Forbidden City, which I learned was where the emperors and royal families had lived. The first thing I noticed was the exquisitely detailed architecture and painting within the buildings, and further learned that the Chinese use animals to represent different human qualities. There was a heavy symbolism on the part of the architects of the Forbidden City. For instance, there were five bridges, each one representing a different virtue.

We saw the examination rooms where many distinguished scholars had toiled for days, regurgitating classical poems and pieces of literature. I thought it was interesting that high offices were appointed on the basis of academic ability, rather than wealth and power. We also learned about the Empress Dowager Cixi, who wielded power through the manipulation of the young boy she appointed to the throne.

Next we saw the Great Wall. It was amazing to see something so famous. I learned that the Great Wall had been built to keep out the Mongols, who were running out of farming land. The wall was built in segments over several dynasties and finally connected up during the Ming Dynasty (I think). At least one man from each family was sent to help construct the Great Wall, and countless people died during its construction.

We drove back through some of the less developed streets and small one-story buildings dating back to the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644).

The next day we visited the University of Beijing. I was astounded to learn that not everyone in China has the chance to go to college. Only about half of all high school students go to college. The rest finish 12th grade and then begin vocational school. Only those who excel in a series of examinations qualify.

We then went to the Summer Palace, where the emperor would stay during the summer months. We saw the famous marble boat that wasn't really a boat but a teahouse. Along with the impressive architecture, we saw beautiful landscaping. A visit to the rock garden taught me that rocks are just as important in a Chinese garden as green plants.

During our brief stay in China, peddlers, who saw all tourists as their potential fortune, constantly pestered us. Each time our bus pulled into a parking lot, a stampede of peddlers would rush over and try to sell us their knick-knacks, so I had plenty of opportunity to sharpen my bargaining skills. I soon learned that most peddlers price their items ludicrously high. I discovered that an item originally priced at US$200 could be bargained down to as low as US$ 50. The peddlers would go to great lengths to convince you of the great bargain you were getting. For instance, they would say, this dress costs $169, but I'll let you have it for $150. Many of the street peddlers were cheats, and carried fake items that either didn't work, or were made out of material other than what they were claimed to be. This experience taught me to more alert and less trusting of everything I was told.

On our last night in Beijing we ate the world famous Peking duck, which I was astonished to discover consisted of duck skin only.

After leaving Beijing, we went to Hong Kong. According to the people I talked to, Hong Kong had not really been much affected by its return to China. I learned that Hong Kong was advancing at a rapid pace to become one of the world's leading cities.

I found this an extremely enlightening trip, which opened my eyes to a different world. It gave me a brief overview of China and introduced me to places that I would like to go back to and learn about in more depth. This visit was a great opportunity and experience for me.

(Chinatoday 04/11/2001)