China Part II: Scenic Learning

The overall reason for our trip to China was a liaison-opportunity with Hunan University. We had the opportunity to explore the university grounds and to interact with the students.

Having experienced Stellenbosch Main Campus – a beautiful campus – it was a pleasant surprise to explore an equally beautiful (albeit differently so) campus.

Walking from the main building after our official welcoming by the university chairman and professors. Hunan University dates back to 976AD and was one of Chairman Mao Zedong’s self-proclaimed favourites. Note his statue in the background.

We spent most of our time at Yuelu Academy, the oldest and most prestigious part of the university. Also one of the most beautiful parts. This was taken walking from the main building to the Academy.

The influence of Confucianism is very clear and interesting on the campus. Much of the philosophies and appearance speaks thereof.

And there are Confucianism Temples and monasteries around the Academy.

This contains a list of things one must do in order to be a good student. I cannot remember them all, but one of them is “not to spend any time on matters that are unrelated to academics.” So that must be the reason I am such a bad student…

A map of the campus with Kai, whom we called “Our fearless leader”.

My favourite view at the university.

Note that our interaction with the Hunan students was just as beautiful and far more interesting, but writing about that will take a considerate amount of time – something not at my disposal during exam times.

China Part 1: Awestruck in Zhangjiajie

Part of my trip to China in September included a three day trip to Zhangjiajie, a World Heritage Site and the first National Park of China. Certain scenes of the movie Avatar were shot there (I have never watched the movie, and now that I have seen the real-life place I am afraid the movie will bore me).

Stop 1: Huanglong Cave

Immense – covers an area of 48 hectares and up to 15 kilometers in length. There is a river that runs through the cave and the stalagmites are another level of beauty. Probably the one thing that bothered me a little was the artificial light in unnatural colours, but the place remains stunning.

A lot of the structures in the cave have very imaginative names, but I can’t remember any of them. Huanglong, for example, means Yellow Dragon Cave.

"Eagle Looking for Food"

Stop 2: Zhanjiajie Park

The park is characterised by tall rocky outcrops and more colours of green that I have ever seen (green is my favourite colour). It offers a cable car ride that is breathtakingly scary. My friend with a fear of heights, Clinton, says it is worth it.

Panorama taken by Charl Engels

On the cable car ride

By the way, Zhangjiajie also house the world’s tallest and fastest outdoor elevator – the Bailong Elevator. It is 326m tall and moves at a speed of 3m/s.

Stop 3: Baofeng Lake

It was a rather hot day and all I wanted to do was swim in the beautiful water. The photos hardly do justice to this place.

Zhangjiajie is home to the Tu minority (which must be pronounced properly otherwise it means some expletive). So anywhere you go, you see their traditional dress and hear their traditional song. It is lovely. An awesome moment was when, after our tour guide sang a folk song to us in the Huanglong Caves, our group sang the South African National Anthem. Pretty cool.

Heading to China, I expected many things. Beauty was not one of them. As a South African, I have always firmly believed that my country is the most  beautiful. And because it is home, it probably will always be. China was certainly an experience that opened my eyes – and I thought they were already open.

I am still here

I know I have been awfully quiet, but I have a good excuse, I promise…

I was in CHINA! It was awesome. Eight students from my university went to liaise with students from Hunan University.

Unfortunately I now need to study for Haematology on Friday, so I will only be able to give adequate feedback then. Watch this space!

The team at Baofeng Lake