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Visit in China - Week Three

 After arriving to Beijing on Saturday evening we were invited for a dinner with teachers and student from Beijing Union University (BUU). We talked about our universities, educational system, Beijing and China. We could also taste local cuisine including famous Peking duck. During our stay, students from BUU were eager to help us out whenever we needed it.

On Sunday we went to National Aquatic Centre in Beijing also known as Water Cube which after Olympics in 2008 was turned into a water park. Then we went to Beijing National Stadium (Bird’s Nest) where we could get on the very top of this construction and admire the view. Design of both buildings - incredible.

After filling our minds with beautiful designs and landscapes the time had come to fill our stomachs. While waiting for food we could get to know students, talk about Chinese culture and mutual interests.

On Monday we visited Tiananmen Square - one of the largest city squares in the world, Beihai Park which used to be an imperial garden. Once again we were amazed of historical structures, palaces, temples and beautiful scenery. Culmination of our visit was The White Pagoda - a 40-meter high stupa placed on the highest point on Jade Flower Island.

On Tuesday we went to the Forbidden City, where we could see old Chinese architecture - palaces and temples where Emperor lived and prayed.

Later on we decided to visit Qianmen Street, famous for many shops and markets. Qianmen (Gate of The Zenith Sun) symbolise old Beijing. In ancient times Emperor used this street to go to The Temple of Heaven to pray for a good harvest. The whole complex of religious buildings surrounded by a huge park is definitely a place everyone should see.

Wednesday was the most awaited day for us. We were going to visit the most famous place in China - The Great Wall of China.

We started the day with visiting Emperor’s tomb where, thanks to the guide we have hired we could learn some Chinese history. Later we went to Jade Museum where we saw jade jewellery and sculptures. We could also see the process of sculpting in jade.

Finally the time had come for The Great Wall. Because of the lack of time we had to use a cable car. The structure and landscape was astonishing.

On Thursday we went to Dr. Christopher Brighton’s lecture about communication in which took part students and teachers from the University.

In the evening we meet with the students participating in Global Understanding programme. Students were very happy to meet us. We have been talking about our life in Poland, our mutual interests and student’s life. Later on we participated in connection with Chile.

Friday was our last day in Pekin. We spent it on shopping with one of the students we have met the day before.

On Saturday morning we had to leave Beijing and China.

During our stay we have met a lot of people with whom we still keep in touch after coming back to Poland. We learnt a lot about Chinese educational system, methodology and teacher’s approach toward students. We saw many beautiful places and met people who were always kind and eager to interact with us. After our visit in China we can better understand their culture which is often very different but that made every day an exciting experience. We are very grateful for the opportunity of holding our practical assignment in China. We hope that relations with people we have met during our journey will have an effect in meeting them again in Poland or China.

The rest of the pictures can be seen in the picture gallery.