Chengdu, Day 27

 

 

 

The cultural visits that we had today are a tour around the more practical sites that is essential to the lives to the Sichuan people. From that ancient dams created by the forefathers of the Chinese culture to the sacred temples of Taoism, we were able to learn the struggles that the people of Sichuan had to endure to develop their province into what it is today.

 

 

 

 Entrance to the river dams

 

 Fish-Mouth Dividing River Dam

The visit to the ancient and newly made dams located at the river literally shows the ongoing efforts of the Sichuan people in their effort of create a better life for the people. I was astonished to learn of the great strides that the people took to create the dams. Since the whole river is virtually mountain run-off from the snow in the nearby mountains, the local residents had to manually heat up the entire river and slowly carve their way through to divert the river and prevent floods from occurring. Simply learning of the history of the creation of these dams is enough to raise interest and respect for the Sichuan people.

 Boat shuttle service

 

 View from cable car

 

Highest temple in Lao Jun Tu

 

 

The second visit is a tour around the Lao Jun Palace. It is a sacred place in the Taoism religion, with temples dotting the mountain tops. The relaxing visit turned out to be a long hike up the mountain to get to the cable car station. Obviously, being my size, the short hike is really a challenge for me and a task that I was eager to accomplish. Although tough, I took it as a personal challenge that I undertook to achieve something more in this trip.

The cable car journey, although short, was an experience that I will surely treasure; being the first time I rode on one. The view of the surrounding from the top of the cable car is enough of a reason for the high climb.

The temples of Taoism on the mountain tops are something new that I have never had the privilege to see up close. Although similar to Buddhism, in terms of the architecture, there are distinctive differences between the temples; mainly the idols. Taoism has many idols of past Taoist monks that has reach a high level of enlightenment and a focuses on the harmonious living with the Tao. Buddhism, however, is a practice of the Buddha that promotes peace amongst all living things and strives to reach Nirvana. By knowing the differences, I will be able to better appreciate the beliefs of the people here and not simply stereotypically refer the religions of the Chinese people to be similar while being more sensitive to their culture.  



Chengdu, Day 26

 

Buckets of Dico's for dinner

 

 

The common test has just ended and this is the first outing and was planned out by ourselves to unwind and also to celebrate the birthday of one of the participant of the trip. Although not very far, the trip was sufficient to recharge our batteries and keep our spirits up for the rest of the trip. We started the trip with a trip around the supermarket to, unusually; buy local snacks that could also be bought in Singapore.

However, the highlight for the short trip for me would definitely be the lunch at Dico’s where I finally had a chance to sample food that I am more used to. Although the Muslim stall in campus provides good food, nothing beats the taste of deep fried foods. That moment was definitely one that I was anticipating since my first taste of Dico’s back in Jiuzhaigou.

The day ended with a coffee break at, what we call, the ‘atas’ place, which could also be referred to a high end coffee shop. The long chat and jokes really allows us to get to know one another more intimately and clear any doubts that we have regarding one another. It also helps to relieve the stress from the common test that we just had. All in all, it was a good day.

 



Chengdu, Day 21 ( Jiuzhaigou, Part 3)

The final day of the Jiuzhaigou trip was a long as we head back to the campus while stopping at several places of attraction. The last day was another early trip with everyone having to be in the bus by 7 am. Although tired and sleepy, everyone geared up for one last trip in the mountains.

 

 

 

The day started with an early lunch at the same place as we did when we came to the Jiuzhaigou Valley However; this time more of my friends had lunch at the Hui Muslim stall, even the non-Muslim students joined in to sample the food. However, before that, we were given an opportunity to look around the area to take in the scenery while also sampling on some local dried fruits and nut. The freshness of these foods made many people demand scrambling to purchase them.

 

The second destination was a local factory that creates combs and other accessories from yak horns. It is truly a sight to behold as the craftsman and woman delicately cut slice the horns in to long pieces and cutting ridges into them to make the combs. We were even able to engrave our names into the combs, as a reminder of our trip there.

 

The last stop is at a Tibetan village. Although I opted not to go for the cultural show, I did however spend a great time exploring the many stalls dotting the other side of the river. Everyone had a great time bargaining with the local while getting to know them better. We had a lovely time laughing and joking around with the locals as we bargained ridiculous prices just to see them react.

 

The whole trip to the mountains was a remarkable experience that I will cherish forever. Other than spending time with my friends and aweing at the beauty of the mountains, I was also able to get a more intimate contact with the people living there.

Chengdu, Day 20 ( Jiuzhaigou, Part 2 )

Entrance to Jiuzhaigou Valley

 

The whole of the second day was spent in the Jiuzhaigou Valley.  The Jiuzhaigou Valley is part of the Min Mountains on the edge of the Tibetan Plateau and spans over 180,000 acres. It is known for its many multi-level waterfalls, colorful lakes, and snow-capped peaks. Jiuzhaigou Valley was inscribed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 1992 and a World Biosphere Reserve in 1997. Simply by looking at the whole valley, with its lakes and waterfalls, it easy to understand why.

                                                                    Journey up the valley 

 

Everyone started off together from the entrance and soon separated into respective group even before we reached the first stop in the trail. The trip in the shuttle bus was enough to awe the visitor as the breath-taking views past us, one after another. Every new mountain range was a new sight and experience that I have never encountered.

The first stop is at the Arrow Bamboo Lake. The many small waterfalls cascading into the pure and clear pond was like a scene in the old kungfu movies. The cool and clear water is enough to keep us engaged in the atmosphere of the valley.

 

The next stops were at the Swan and Panda lakes. Although we were not fortunate enough to witness any of the animals in their natural habitats, we were lucky enough to experience a small part of their lives as we walk around the lake sides.  Although the walk around the area was a long and somehow dangerous, many did not even notice it as we were all too engrossed in the surrounding views.

 

 

The snow-capped mountains in the distance caused me and my group to try travel to the highest peak of the valley to get a better view of them. Though the bus rides were enjoyable, getting on the bus was a whole other story. Everyone, even the elderly, showed no mercy to anybody else when the buses arrive, as everyone scrambles to get on. My patience was truly tested at those times as, my character of respecting the elderly became my own weakness.

The Long Lake in Jiuzhaigou was one of the last stops in the valley. Although it was not totally covered with snow as we initially thought, the partly frozen lake is already quite an amazing sight to behold. The snow-capped mountain background and half-frozen lake was an astounding setting to the day.

Chengdu, Day 19 ( Juizhaigou, Part 1)

The first day of the trip started out very early at around 5 am in the morning, leaving many of us to try our best to stay awake so as to not be late when the time comes. Personally, the time spent with many of the participants during the night allows us to truly bond with one another more deeply after only being classmates for the past 2 weeks.

 View of mountain ranges

 

 

The whole trip to the Jiuzhaigou valley was filled with many stops and sights that were truly worth the trip. The first stop of the trip was already a phenomenal sight to behold and it was only the beginning. The view of the mountain ranges was an amazing view for many of us whom has never been fortunate enough to be that intimately close with mountains. The temperature itself was a shock to many; being colder that the campus.

 Arriving at our first stop

 

 Stone tablet memorial

 

 

 

Parts of the distroyed school

 

The first place that we went to is a memorial to remember the disastrous tragedy that occurred in the Sichuan area or better known as the Sichuan earthquake. The place preserved several fractured buildings that have better survived the earthquake, to act as a reminder of the tragedy to anyone the visits the place. The atmosphere was a solemn one as the visitor quietly paid their respects to the victims and awed at the destruction of the buildings. The trip was more impactful to me as the mangled structures were once a school. The memorial even premiered a stone tablet that portrays the fighting spirit of the Chinese people after the disaster, as they work together to rebuild their community. This is a great example of the Chinese culture which celebrates the bond between the people of China, regardless of their race or background.

 

 Signboard to the restaurant

 

A small kitchen used to prepare our meal

 

The next stop was our lunch where we were able to sample the culinary delicacies of the people of the mountains. Being a Muslim, I have very strict restrictions when it comes to the food that I eat, which usually leaves me to always bring my own food during outings, even if it is provided. I was happy to know that many of the Tibetan or Hui people in the mountains are also Muslims and can provide the halal meal that I require. Although we spoke different tongues, we were able to understand one another through hand-sign and also through our similarity in faiths. This experience opened a whole new vision of China for me as I was able to witness the diversity of culture, even in the most faraway place.

 

The food that was served was very different than what I usually eat. Sampling the food of the Tibetan people was a new experience for me and I am glad to have done so. The owner of the stall is very welcoming, offering me and my friends whatever little items in the menu that they have. The food, from the bread to noodles to dumplings, was simple fair, but tasted delicious to the point that I had to pack some for the journey ahead.

 First snow sighting near the path

 

 The largest waterfall in the valley

 

 Snow coverd roads

The next stop is a sight-seeing tour around an area further up in the mountains. The place exhibits many majestic waterfalls that were truly a treat for the eyes. However, the most amazing factor of the trip there, more than the waterfalls, was the small patches of snow that was still visible around the area. I was delighted to have my first glimpse of real snow after experiencing only artificial snow back home. The stop at the waterfalls got even better when the rain that had already started turn into snowflakes. Apart from the life changing snow sightings, I was still able to experience the freshwater waterfalls that dot the area.

 The Tibetan dinner

 

 

 Local singers in the village performing 

The final stop for the first day is at a small Tibetan village higher up in the mountain. We were greeted warmly by the locals. We were given sacred yellow shawls to celebrate our arrival into the village and even had our pictures taken as soon as we arrived. We were even given an opportunity to take part in several to their cultural activities like spinning the bells in front of their homes, washing our hands with the water and seeking blessing from their idols. For these activities, I had to be especially open-minded and accept them as cultural exchanges between them and me.

We were then directed into their dining hall where we sampled to their cuisine and even wine, which I had to politely decline. The Tibetan cuisine is more inclined towards meat rather than grains as seen from the dinner we had. We were all even entertained by the local villages who sang in their native language while also displaying their dance and costumes. The beat of the music was surely enough to get everyone into the partying mood.

 

 

Chengdu, Day 18

 A lesson on the festivals celebrated in China





An impromtu play of one of the myths of China

Today is the last day of the IS module. The lesson today is mostly a recap and summary of almost all of our IS lessons and our cultural visits around Chengdu with some new discovery regarding the festivals celebrated by the Chinese. A short comparison between the festival celebrated here and back in Singapore is enough to deduce that there is much difference, even the festivals celebrated by the common chinese. Many of the ceremonies and festival in Singapore are religion based. However, the festival here are more commonly related to incidences in the Chinese history, where people of respect are celebrated by the people. Although different, I am able to appreciate the difference and learn, with understanding, the reason for their beliefs and what myths or legends played their part in formation of these festivals.

Chengdu, Day 17

 A group photo outside the museum.

 

 Me and friends at one of the exhibits.

A miniature model of the ancient town.



 



The cultural trip for today takes us to a nearby museum that premier ancient relic from a civilization that once thrived there. Unlike many museums, both in Singapore and in other countries, the museum based here in Chengdu is very different in terms of its design and layout. While many simply focus on the exhibits inside, this museum focuses equally on the outside. Displaying a very Chinese-themed park, the museum portrays a more subtle approach towards the preservation of its history by including the public with its intentions. I believe that this is a very effective way of preservation as, rather than forcing the history, they allow people to slowly create their own interest by being in that surrounding.   

The trip inside the museum was a very informative journey into the ancient history of China. It shows that China has their own ancient civilization comparable to those around the world like the Maya and Aztec. Their ancient relics really create an interest in me as it allows me to ponder on how they could be made and why they are made in that particular way. The trip also shows that China was once a very artistic and skilled in the art of working gold into beautiful sculptures. Having an open mind and accepting the actual facts is very important in trying to learn another culture and not simply be fooled by perceptions.

 

 



Chengdu, Day 16

Playing Chinese chess is a common practice even home. So much so that the playing board is installed on public tables for anyone to just use and play. However, I was not really exposed to Chinese chess much even though it was all around me. Therefore, I was pleased when Chinese chess is being taught as another cultural tradition of China. Although much of the game was still mystery to me, I was still able to learn that much of the game is similar to that of international chess, from the name of the pieces, to the way they are able to be moved. Being given a chance to play the while being taught by a great teacher was as amazing experience. I am certain that I will further look into the game to learn more.

 Moreover, I was able to learn of the cultural background of the game and Chinese chess. Apparently, the game itself has a rich history, being invented by royalty and played by them and not simply being a copy of the international version as I initially perceived. This experience teaches to have an open mind when I learn of another culture and not simply rely on rumors and turn them into perceptions.  

Chengdu, Day 15

Paper-cutting is a very unique to art form, native to China. Unlike the art of paper folding, or origami, native to Japan, this craft requires much more patience and a keen eye to be able to know where to cut or slice to form the desired outcome. Trying my hands at this craft was unlike what I had anticipated. Expecting a very boring class on simply cutting shapes into paper, I was surprise at the level of difficulty that paper-cutting offers, after being stuck at step one. I was delighted to when I achieved the outcome, although not perfect and far different from the one the instructor had created.  I was also able to truly appreciate and aspect of the Chinese culture which was once never occurred to me as a Chinese tradition.

Chengdu, Day 14

It's the second week of the OIP in Chengdu and surely, many of us would have started to feel a little homesick after being away till now. The best experiences of this week have surprisingly occurred in school while some happened during the many trips out of campus. From visiting the ancient town to the modern car factory, I was privileged enough to view China in both the traditional and futuristic point of view. The trips also allowed me to experience life in China which is far different from the common perceptions that Singaporeans have back home. In campus however, I was able to experience the less than comfortable part of living in China which caused me overcome discomforts that I would usually be repelled from. The welcoming ceremony was truly the event of the week, when the China students put in effort to sincerely welcome our stay and invite us into their school.

Chengdu, Day 13

The morning started out different from the other mornings that many of the participants of the OIP. Unknowingly, the water to our rooms was shut, leaving us unable to perform out daily morning routine of bathing and making coffee. The short period of time without the luxury of having water flowing through the pipes was enough to leave us panicking. This activity forces us to relive the lives that many of the Chines have to overcome daily. It truly lets us appreciate the value of water and how fortunate we are to have this luxury unlike many living in this country. Learning to overcome discomfort may be viewed different people, depending on their own daily lives, but for me, this experience is enough to cause me to think.

Chengdu, Day 12

 

 

The table tennis try-out was carried out today due to the friendly match that is planned for tomorrow. Although not knowing much about table tennis, I still took part in the try-out both to have fun and also to learn a new sport. Not known by myself, many of those participating in this OIP is very talented in the sport of table tennis. From singles to doubles, everyone who came had a great time challenging one another in the game.

During the table tennis try-out, there were many other China students who are there playing their own game. To my surprise, they were more than happy to show the ropes to many of us who did not know how to play the game, from the serves to the hits. They showed great sportsmanship and hospitality towards us which, for me, painted a more kind-hearted and softer picture of the Chinese people, which truthfully, has been severely distorted back home with the large number of Chinese immigrants.

 

The school has organised for us an official welcoming ceremony today to formally greet us into their school. Performances and cultural activities were carried out which both portrayed the modern and traditional side of the Chinese culture. Many songs were sung, both in English and Mandarin, to commemorate the event. They even took the time to translate some of the songs into English to accommodate for the non-Chinese speaking students. This humbled me and encourages me to make effort to better communicate with them in their language rather than making them accommodate me.

Chengdu, Day 11

The trip to the ancient town is a new descovery of Chinese culture. From the old architecture to the pre-dated drainage system, the ancient town is trully a world of it's own. Strolling along the streets of the town and you can't help but admire the beautiful works around the places while also peek at the many accessories sold. Being a fan of art, I was delighted to meet a calligraphy expert willing to share his skills and show off his works. I am even more honoured to have him skillfully draw out my name in his unique style. The little items sold around the street, although cheap, also potrays a unique and traditional Chinese culture. From the finely weaved straw sandals to the skillfully crafted bamboo flute, every small item draw a better picture of the Chinese culture.

 The car factory tour is a look into the world of outsourceing workforce done by major companies to gain more profit. The famous VoltWagen and Audi german brand cars are being manufactured here, which caused us to think whether we are getting what we are really paying for. Although, the trip also removes perceptions of a dirty and miserable workplace that most people will think of when they think of products produced in China. Therefore, the trip is an inside look into the manufacturing industry which has it's pros and cons.

Chengdu, Day 10

The IS class on Chinese traditions today touches on the various religious forms that is prevailing in the Chinese community; mainly, touism, buddhism and confusiounism. Unlike Singapore where religions are imported and practiced more by specific groups of people with little or no connections, the traditional chinese religions can be conbined to form a single faith that includes all the basic beliefs of the individual religions. Their traditional religions are more inclined towards being a way of life and the mandatory proper actions one should take rather than being a god-based monothestic religion. Although different, I am glad to be able to learn about them and come to a better understanding regarding the beliefs of several others.

I have also been priveledged enough to be able to take part in a friendly soccer match between the Ngee Ann team and the China school team. Although not being the official match that is planned to take place during the trip, I had a great time playing with them while also learning about sportsmanship when we all humblely shook hands after the game.

Chengdu, Day 9

The IS module lecture today was one describing the political aspect of China. We were taught on how the political structure is formed and maintained here, as well as how different it is from Singapore's. Although the whole view on the governance of China may not be fully understood in a day, I am glad to be able to futhur my knowledge of China's governing force and how much is has progressed from the days of the emperors. Much to my delight also was the fact that China's ruling party is about to gain a new leader and I am present in the country during the prestigious event.

The short trip to the nearby town from where the school is was a chance for me to see how developed the cities and town, apart from the capitals and main cities, are. Apart from being a shopping trip, I was able to witness the normal lives of the citizens in their native city, since the town is not a major tourist destination, they are not expecting and preparing to awe us with spectacular feats which might be different from the actual conditions of the place. Seeing the streets and people living in it made me futhur appretiate the the preservation of the Chinese culture as even in a ever growing city, they are still able to instill some cultural heritage in them.