Shanghai in 50

I have been in China for about a month now and time is really starting to fly by. Now that I am getting settled in to my environment, learning the language and successfully navigating the city, I am realizing that my time here is too short. However, I am just happy that I have this chance to be in Hangzhou and learning new and life changing things. Today in our lecture about family life and cultural customs within China, our professor reassured us that we made the right choice of coming to China. "Chances like this only happen once in a lifetime and you all made the best decision of your lives to come to such a diverse and interesting culture." It really made me realize that I am actually in China and that I need to really start taking in every single second of my time here.

This past weekend, we traveled to Shanghai and it was absolutely amazing! Leaving Hangzhou early on Friday, we arrived in Shanghai, 120 miles away, in 50 minutes! Our train was going over 190 miles per hour!! I was blown away at how fast, easy and smooth the trip was. At the train station, we used the metro system to get to our hostel. If anyone has experienced metro or subway systems in the united states - come to China! They are so easy to understand and you can literally get anywhere you want or need to.

While being a part of the 24 million population, I really soaked up the culture and scenery! The pictures below are some of my favorite highlights.

Looking at the Bund from a boat on the Huangpu River! 

Shanghai is such a beautiful city at night!!

As a group, we went to a Jade Buddha Temple and got to see this religion in real life! It was all so interesting and I went crazy taking pictures. This picture of a god is my favorite; we also got to see the Jade Buddha but I couldn't take any pictures in the room. 

I don't know what I would do if I didn't have my camera with me at all times!

Shopping in the old part of Shanghai

This blog is fairly short because I experienced so much I have no idea where to start or what to talk about. Either way, I had a great time and I can't wait to go back! This weekend we are going to Beijing which kicks off our spring break. The real adventure starts then when I will be backpacking from Northern China back to Hangzhou. I can't wait!!

Sending love to all at home! I will write in two weeks when I return from this huge adventure. I'm sure I will have lots to share!

Bye for now!

Like always,

Tyler