The Greatest Wall on Earth

Long a symbol of the country's strength, The Great Wall of China has captured the imagination of people worldwide throughout its history. I've always been facinated by the construction of the 4000-mile-long structure and the massive scale--so massive that it's even visible to the human eye from the moon. I often thought about when I get to see this piece of history, and I wondered who I'd be with? Will it live up to my expectation? And what memories will I create during the journey.

The first time I laid my sleepy eyes (cat nap on the bus) on The Great Wall, I was wide awake in seconds. Captivated by the grand scale, I was speechless (for the first time on this trip!) Stretching out in front of us into infinity... It was completely magical, because not often do you get to witness history to such magnitude. And, being with my classmates were simply amazing...

We had to take a cable car up to The Great Wall?! (I seriously thought we were going to hike or climb.) I was scared to death of heights, and Jolene took the only machanical engineer we had to sit with her! I sat very still and noticed Lewman writing/drawing on the cable car wall! Scared of heights and getting arrested (for Lewman not following rule #3), I decided to take pictures of us breaking the rules and marking the little history of our own during the ride up. We laughed a lot along the way, my cable car buddies and the view were simply spectactular.

Once we were up at The Great Wall, it was crazy! So many people... our class got split up right away and we ended up with several small groups walking on the wall. There were several steep sections and several spots smelled incredibly bad! We walked for hours--it seemed like days according to Ron's face. ;) Roos & I ran up a section of The Wall. It was a nice day for a run. I wish I could of done it longer, but there were too many people there. Strolling on the wall, it was the little moments that I had with my classmates/friends that I will cherish for a life time. I know that they will be Great - The Greatest Leaders of our time.

At the highest point, I looked out and The Great Wall stretched as far as I could see. I thought about the 2-3 million Chinese men & women that lost their lives building The Great Wall. . . Then I remembered that - Big, Hairy, Audacious Goals are the only kind of goals to have.

WU in Beijing

Beijing is China's cultural and political center. People here are a bit more conservative than in Shanghai. The city is lovely and extremely clean. We went to visit the Forbidden City, also known as Imperial Place, to learn the mysteries of China's imperial past. The palace was grand and extend for miles... The skyline of the classic Chinese landscape and architecture is truely remarkable. I enjoyed every minutes of strolling along inside the palace walls with my classmates.

Adjacent from the palace is the Tiananment Square. It is a massive open space surrounded on all sides by imposing official buildings. Apart from being a popular gathering place for tourists, it is still often used for any big celebration and for the government leaders to address the people. We were there while the sun was setting. Eventhough the air in Beijing is so poluted, the sunset was still beautiful.

We stayed at a hotel next to this one. This hotel architecture impressed me and it's georous at night. There were lots of markets and little shops around our hotel, which makes it great fun to walk around. We also went and got massages almost every night! :)

Journey in Shanghai

Where to begin... one of my favorite day so far was when we were on the Clippard Express tour through Shanghai. We saw Shanghai old Street (see pic), Shanghai Museum, Former French Concession District, Shanghai Art & Crafts, Xin Tian Di and Feng Yang market. We had a local tour lady named Fenny along with us and she was so fun to be around. We enjoyed learning and experiencing the city from the local point-of-view.

I also enjoyed our class trip to Zhu Jia Jio, located in a suburb of Shanghai city. Zhujiajiao is an ancient water town glimmers like a bright pearl in the landscape of lakes and mountains. Lots of unique old bridges across streams, small rivers shaned by willow trees, and houses with courtyards. We ride along the canals on a beautiful boat. It was lovely...

Shanghai "Commercial Captial of China"

Nee How from Shanghai!

Class of EMBA 09' are having wonderful experience exploring this great city. We spent the weekend enjoying several city attractions that I will blog more on later.

Shanghai population is 20 million people! GDP of 10.3% and 3rd wealth ranking in the world! One of my favorite place that we have seen so far is called, The Bund (see pic).

The skyline of this city is amazing.... I am enjoying this one in a life time experience in China with my classmates.

The Clippard Express!

(Adapted from the song "The Polar Express")

All aboard! All aboard!
Tickets please, tickets
Cicerone named Fenny is waiting . . .
Welcome to The Clippard Express!

It’s a magic Benz-van on a rail

Never takes a rest

Flying through Shanghai old-street and the museum

Ride for a small fee and join the fun

Eddie, Julie, Tim, Corliss, Scott, Gordon, Melanie & Montira said yes!

Cause that’s the way things happen

On the Clippard Express... You bet!

Beep Beep the van horn blows

That’s the sound of her singing

Ding ding the bell will ring

Golly look at her go... to the French Concession - yo!

You wonder if we’ll get there soon
Anybody’s guess...

Dragonfly massage at 19:00 (3/13)
Cause that’s the way things happen
On the Clippard Express

When we eat Shanghai cuisine lunch we’ll scream “Yes!” (Yeah)
We’ll arrive with a bang bang bang
Gan bay, gan bay, gan bay
Laughing all the way!

It’s a choo choo with a stunning view

That rivals all the best

But you won’t see it advertised

It’s a simple fact we stay on track
To Shanghai Oriental Art Center

But that can only happen on the Clippard Express

Hiss hiss Corliss is piss

That’s the sound of Tim snoring

Clang clang Julie gets bang

What a wonderful trip!

With a comfy seat and lots to eat (BYOS)

Boy is this the best!

Wish it wouldn’t ever have to end

With a little luck we’ll be on time (hotel lobby at 9:00 am sharp)

There’s no need to stress

Cause that’s the way things happen On the Clippard Express

Lights are gleaming far across the crowd

You’re not dreaming

May I present the Xin Tian Di!

If it’s Grumpy, the Pig, you expect to view

You surely haven’t guessed

He live down at the other end

With a little luck we’ll be on time

There’s no need to stress

Shopping at Xiangyang market artificial famous brands

Cause that’s the way things happen

On the roller coaster Clippard Express!

Next stop perhaps the tailor

ahhh ahh that is not a toy crazy old man

(Fhong Lao Tho - Gordon)

That's not a toy!

Take your seats please

Take your seats ...

And enjoy the journey on the Clippard Express!

The Clippard Express song lyrics is the modified version of the Polar Express. Practice is not needed ... ;)

Mandarin Chinese Pocket Guide

After listening to Julie attempting to speak Mandarin Chinese to me, I thought. . . A+ for effort, but geezz... do you really have to butcher pronouncing Wu Chiang Wei! (j/k)

I am very proud of my roommie for attempting to learn Mandarin. Here are a few more words to practice such as, Nah-lee you tser-swoh? (Where is the restroom?) Then, which restroom door to enter?: Nahn or Nwee? Find out . . .

(click on the image to enlarge, then print)

Hotel Addresses in Mandarin Chinese

If you get lost in Shanghai or Beijing and unable to find English speaking person, no worries... have these hotel addresses in Mandarin Chinese handy in your back pocket ;)

Also, print these labels and have them handy to put them on your luggage tags too.


Address to Marriot hotel in Shanghai:
上海豫园万丽酒店 (Renaissance Shanghai Yuyuan Hotel)
上海 黄浦区 河南南路159号
电话号码: 34111225 或者 34111335 (telephone number)


Address to Park Plaza hotel in Beijing:
北京丽亭酒店 (Park Plaza hotel)
金宝街 97 号 , 东城区 北京 100005 , 中国
电话号码: 85221999 (telephone number)


I spoke to a few Shanghai locals last night and they said bullet train would be a neat experience. For those that want to ride bullet train, check out this site:
http://www.lovetoeatandtravel.com/Site/Intl/China/Shanghai/Lodging/transportation.htm


Two more weeks . . . very exciting! :)

Next blog will be on important Mandarin Chinese words to know before you venture to China. Such as... gan bay 干杯 (Cheers!)

Stay tuned . . .

WU - there it is!

你好 (Nee how)

Growing up in Thailand with a set of Chinese grandparents was a fun experience. My grandparents migrated from China to Thailand and ended up in a town call Chonburi. My grandmother had TWELVE children and they were all BOYS! My father is the youngest of the 12 children and he is one of only three still alive. My grandparents used to call me Chiang Wei, which is a species of rose native to China. Wu is my Chinese last name and I am grateful for the 50% Chinese blood that I have.

We moved to Taipei, Taiwan when I was 13 because of my father's job. My first few months in Taipei were tough from a communication perspective. I really struggled with learning to communicate in Chinese effectively. It was one of the most difficult languages that I have tried to learn.

So tonight, I thought I would practice my Chinese and it brought back memories of my "WU" grandparents. I am happy for getting a chance to visit their homeland - WU there it is!