China

Braving Beijing

Wednesday June 6, 2012

We have reached our final destination in China and my first thought is that we have had a very comprehensive experience here for such a short amount of time. After visiting Shanghai and Chongqing, Beijing seems to be the most balanced in terms of the old world coexisting with the new. At times I almost I forgot that I was in China during my time in Shanghai and while in Chongqing I was constantly reminded that I was in China. Beijing has all the modern conveniences you could ask for, but this city is also decorated with beautiful remnants that serve to remind you of the richness of Chinese culture. The Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven and Summer Palace all pepper that same landscape as Ferrari and Maserati dealerships, which makes for interesting sightseeing as well as sparking a conversation regarding the future of Beijing.

How will the history of this city and China as a whole continue to coexist with the rapid growth the country is experiencing? In my opinion, China will continue to protect heritage and its place within the modernization of the country. The reason I believe this is first due to the choice of location for the Olympic Games. Why Beijing and not Shanghai? I believe Beijing was chosen because the city is a perfect symbol for China’s rich history, current development and future potential. A tangible timeline of the country’s history, positive and negative, that boasts the best of what China has to offer in terms of business, recreation, tourism, and cuisine. Thus far Beijing is my favorite city of the Asian experience for the previously stated reasons and has made the biggest impact on my view of China.

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