Being in one province of China is not adequate for one to say that they have seen China. This is one nation that captures the essence of heterogeneity within homogeneity. Every province shows different aspects of China, the historical, sociological, political, cultural, geographical etc. It is hard to embrace the grandeur of China in one visit because there is simply too much to see, to know and be a part of. This trip is of no exception but the span of two weeks enabled understanding to trickle bi-directionally between Singaporeans and the Chinese, igniting sparks of friendship (both internationally and intra-nationally) that can only strengthen with time. Here begins the magical feeling of connection, the appreciation of a different culture, and history.
With this trip, I must say that I’ve begun to appreciate and treasure the beauty of the Chinese language even more than before. I think the way the language has been used has given it a very soothing and melodious touch, such that it always sounds so polite. It’s really refreshing and fascinating to listen to the conversations of the Chinese! Some phrases in hanyu pin yin includes “Xin ku ni le”, a phrase that is used to show one’s appreciation for the hard work of another; “zhe4 bu4 hao3 ban4”, a phrase that is used when they want to let you know that something cannot be done, and even the simple “hao de, wo zhi dao le”, a phrase to inform you that one understands what has to be done. It’s also interesting to note the differences in the way Singaporeans end their questions as compared to some of the Chinese (I’m not sure if I can generalize this). An example of how Singaporeans may ask a question is “You want this hor” versus “Ni yao zhe ge shi ba”. That aside, there are so many different accents in China and it really takes time to get used to it. The profoundness of the language is something else and it is indeed a good time for us to be reconnected to our roots and a reminder to some of us that there is certainly plenty of room for improvement in our command of the Chinese language.
The Chinese has such a rich history and culture that it is certainly not hard to see why they are so proud of their nation. Such pride can only truly be understood if you are there to see it for yourself. And this is also coupled with the rapid changes that are taking place in China. From an outsider perspective, it’s really remarkable to witness how fast things change in so short a period of time. Then again, Singapore has also a very short history… Well, that aside, our Chinese friends are really warm and make really good hosts. It almost feels like they’d go all out to help you in anything and in anyway that is within their limits. They took time out to plan and anticipate where we would like to go, to bring us to the local places to try the local food, to care for the well-being of every student; it’s amazing. Is this what guanxi is all about?
Showing posts with label Reflections. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Reflections. Show all posts
'Of Little Things in Beijing' by Joshua Sim
As I sat down attempting to recollect my most cherished memories of the 5th Sino-Singapore Undergraduate Exchange, it struck me that it was the little things that I remembered most. It was the unique taste of the Chinese Barbeque in Shanghai, the odd smell in my hotel room in Beijing and the sight of cherries in Jinan which I most associate with the Cultural exchange. But most importantly, it was the people and the conversations that we had.
I've been to Beijing on a study trip a year before the 5th Sino-Singapore Undergraduate Exchange. Thus, I have already seen most of the tourist attractions and heard the stories by the tour guide. But this trip felt special. It felt different in the most subtle of ways. Perhaps it was the way in which we rush into every photo or the way in which we attempted to take 'jumping' photos at the forbidden city. I can't really tell. But it felt different. There is a sense of longing, even now, to want to stay at that same spot for a little while longer. Perhaps to finish up a conversation or perhaps to start a new one.
What I do know for sure about Beijing is that the places didnt change. The Great Wall still felt as majestic, the Summer Palace as beautiful and the Tian Tan as awe-inspiring. Everything looked the same.
But what was different this time was the little things that we talked about as we went to these places. The story of the Pink Bear by Shamantha, my discussion of philosophy with Wenqi, hunting for ice cream with Genevieve, complaining about the odd smell with Brandon... For me I guess, the Forbidden City was no longer just the Forbidden City, but the place with the best ice cream.
It is these little things which made the trip all the more memorable, for it was not just an attempt to know another country, another culture and another world. What mattered most is the people who opened their hearts on this trip, sharing their lives and experiences, and in doing so, also share their world with me. For me, this cultural exchange was not just one between our Chinese friends and us, but also between ourselves. A cultural exchange is afterall an attempt to bridge that impossible gap between two individuals. The attempt to share a piece of ourselves with others. Whats a better what to do that, that through little things such as ice cream and pink bears.
To these little things, I forever hold you close to my heart.
I've been to Beijing on a study trip a year before the 5th Sino-Singapore Undergraduate Exchange. Thus, I have already seen most of the tourist attractions and heard the stories by the tour guide. But this trip felt special. It felt different in the most subtle of ways. Perhaps it was the way in which we rush into every photo or the way in which we attempted to take 'jumping' photos at the forbidden city. I can't really tell. But it felt different. There is a sense of longing, even now, to want to stay at that same spot for a little while longer. Perhaps to finish up a conversation or perhaps to start a new one.
What I do know for sure about Beijing is that the places didnt change. The Great Wall still felt as majestic, the Summer Palace as beautiful and the Tian Tan as awe-inspiring. Everything looked the same.
But what was different this time was the little things that we talked about as we went to these places. The story of the Pink Bear by Shamantha, my discussion of philosophy with Wenqi, hunting for ice cream with Genevieve, complaining about the odd smell with Brandon... For me I guess, the Forbidden City was no longer just the Forbidden City, but the place with the best ice cream.
It is these little things which made the trip all the more memorable, for it was not just an attempt to know another country, another culture and another world. What mattered most is the people who opened their hearts on this trip, sharing their lives and experiences, and in doing so, also share their world with me. For me, this cultural exchange was not just one between our Chinese friends and us, but also between ourselves. A cultural exchange is afterall an attempt to bridge that impossible gap between two individuals. The attempt to share a piece of ourselves with others. Whats a better what to do that, that through little things such as ice cream and pink bears.
To these little things, I forever hold you close to my heart.
'Friends of China' by Low Jinrui
There was so many activities planned for us in the 5th Sino-Singapore Exchange that every single day was packed! There is simply too much of China for us to experience - the people, the history and culture... the entire country as a whole. I recall the fatigue of rushing from place to place and experiencing new things every moment. Despite that, it was a truly enriching experience.
In our short stay in China, we visited three renowned cities of China namely Beijing, Jinan and Shanghai. The three cities each have their own flavour. Beijing is infused with a long political history, Shanghai on the other hand is the major economic centre of China while Jinan is the cultural hometown of Confucious. As we visited the cities and explored its beauty, we also explored the Universities which hosted us for the cultural exchange.
We were warmly welcomed by the students of the various universities in every visit. For me, these University visits painted many happy and beautiful memories together. I can still vividly remember how some of them took time off their studies to meet us in the evening to bring us around in Beijing or how we tried kite flying in Ren Min University or how we learnt about Confucianism in Shandong University. Often, leaving a city meant leaving friends who have had made special connections wtih all of us. As we moved from city to city, I cannot help but wish for more time with these new friends.
A particularly memorable experience for me during the trip included picking cherries at Shandong (Jinan). For me, it was a truly enlightening experience to be on the fields picking cherries, thus experiencing what it was like to be a cherry farmer. Moreover, the journey to the cherry fields were punctuated with scenery that was truly breathtaking. The mountain ridges and the cool breeze made me wish I could live there forever. In that moment, I could almost feel one with nature and it was then which I could fully appreciate the significance of mountains in China and how they were considered sacred sites.
Apart from visiting our friends from the various Universities, we also visited local tourist attractions. For me, this part of the trip enabled me to understand and experience the rich historical treasures of China. Or at least (if you would permit a cynic) what is officially preserved. The critical side of me made it an interesting experience to see how China presented and portrayed its history.
One of the thoughts that struck me was how the imperial sacredness of The Forbidden City has been lost. The Forbidden City, which used to be the sacred place reserved only for the emperor and his royal subjects, is now open to hounds of visitors all year round. Previous coats of paint has been replaced by new coats of colour, alluring to the photo-snapping tourists. Rooms along the side of the palace are now replaced by gift shops, refreshment shops selling all forms of merchandise. The imperial silence of the Forbidden City of the past has been replaced by the endless commotion of tourists and peddlers.
The same can be seen for the Imperial Garden (御园) and the Summer Garden (颐和园). From its former majestic and revered sanctuary, it now appears more like a public part than its historical intentions.
Even religious places such as the huge temple Cheng Huang Miao (城隍庙) in Shanghai have rooms that were occupied by hundreds of stalls. "Chinese” goods such as fans, ink seals, paintings were abundant at these tourist attractions. There is even a Starbucks outlet located right smack in the centre of the temple.
As I reflected upon China as a place of great tradition, history and culture, it scares me to think that perhaps the exposure of tourist attractions might negate the significance and grandeur of Chinese culture.
In our short stay in China, we visited three renowned cities of China namely Beijing, Jinan and Shanghai. The three cities each have their own flavour. Beijing is infused with a long political history, Shanghai on the other hand is the major economic centre of China while Jinan is the cultural hometown of Confucious. As we visited the cities and explored its beauty, we also explored the Universities which hosted us for the cultural exchange.
We were warmly welcomed by the students of the various universities in every visit. For me, these University visits painted many happy and beautiful memories together. I can still vividly remember how some of them took time off their studies to meet us in the evening to bring us around in Beijing or how we tried kite flying in Ren Min University or how we learnt about Confucianism in Shandong University. Often, leaving a city meant leaving friends who have had made special connections wtih all of us. As we moved from city to city, I cannot help but wish for more time with these new friends.
A particularly memorable experience for me during the trip included picking cherries at Shandong (Jinan). For me, it was a truly enlightening experience to be on the fields picking cherries, thus experiencing what it was like to be a cherry farmer. Moreover, the journey to the cherry fields were punctuated with scenery that was truly breathtaking. The mountain ridges and the cool breeze made me wish I could live there forever. In that moment, I could almost feel one with nature and it was then which I could fully appreciate the significance of mountains in China and how they were considered sacred sites.
Apart from visiting our friends from the various Universities, we also visited local tourist attractions. For me, this part of the trip enabled me to understand and experience the rich historical treasures of China. Or at least (if you would permit a cynic) what is officially preserved. The critical side of me made it an interesting experience to see how China presented and portrayed its history.
One of the thoughts that struck me was how the imperial sacredness of The Forbidden City has been lost. The Forbidden City, which used to be the sacred place reserved only for the emperor and his royal subjects, is now open to hounds of visitors all year round. Previous coats of paint has been replaced by new coats of colour, alluring to the photo-snapping tourists. Rooms along the side of the palace are now replaced by gift shops, refreshment shops selling all forms of merchandise. The imperial silence of the Forbidden City of the past has been replaced by the endless commotion of tourists and peddlers.
The same can be seen for the Imperial Garden (御园) and the Summer Garden (颐和园). From its former majestic and revered sanctuary, it now appears more like a public part than its historical intentions.
Even religious places such as the huge temple Cheng Huang Miao (城隍庙) in Shanghai have rooms that were occupied by hundreds of stalls. "Chinese” goods such as fans, ink seals, paintings were abundant at these tourist attractions. There is even a Starbucks outlet located right smack in the centre of the temple.
As I reflected upon China as a place of great tradition, history and culture, it scares me to think that perhaps the exposure of tourist attractions might negate the significance and grandeur of Chinese culture.
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