China Part 1 - Yuyao, Shanghai & Beijing

My friend Hannah booked a tour to China called 'Walk the Great Wall' with Explore. One look at the itinerary and said, 'I wish I could go'. Hannah replied, 'well, why don't you?'. To which I had to answer, 'I don't have any money' (isn't this the main reason we aren't all travelling all the time)! Anyway, every time I saw her (which is every week because we play basketball together) she kept saying, 'So have you booked yet?' to which my answer was always 'no'.

Then one day she asked again, and I said, 'yes'! I had thought about it and thought, what the hell, put it on your credit card and pay it back later. Next thing you know, I was booking my flights! I mean, I am half Chinese and at age 30, I had never even been to China! My other friend, Camilla, was over in there working at the time, so I could visit her while I was there too. Plus, 'do a cooking class in Asia' was also on my 30 for 30 list (view that blog here).

Day 1 & 2 - Camilla in Yuyao

After 3 flights, 2 metros, a train trip and a ride

in a taxi, I finally arrived at Camilla's school

in Yuyao (approximately 215km south of Shanghai). She was teaching English there and showed me around the school, we then went back to her place and out for dinner. Ironically for my first night in China, we had Korean BBQ.

The following day I went with Camilla to her school and on the way there, we stopped to get breakfast at a local street vendor. Camilla called him the 'egg man', what he made was a thin crepe like egg thing that he filled with whatever you pointed out and then wrapped it up like a kabab. It was delicious and only cost $1 AUD. There was a lady selling pork buns (aka baby clouds of heaven) next to him, so I also got one of those, because how could I resist?

As it was around Easter time, Camilla's school had a fun day on, so I got to help out with the kids and play games with them, it was an awesome day and a great experience. One of my favourite parts was the way they started the day, which I was told they do every day, and that was with a dance. That afternoon we took the train up to Shanghai, checked into our hotel (World Union Service Apartment - Cosmo) and spent the night wondering around the city, eating dumplings, looking at all of the lights and the view of the Bund. The hotel was only 5 minutes for the nearest metro station (Temple Metro Station) and close to restaurants and other shops. The studio was large and had a kitchenette, if you I had been staying longer than one night, I would have been very comfortable there as it had everything I needed.

Day 3 -Shopping in Shanghai

Today we had a leisurely breakfast at a cafe near our hotel, it was very nice and served both Chinese and Western style breakfast options.

We then went to the Xinyang market, located underground at the Science & Technology Museum metro station. This is a knockoff brand heaven, so if you are looking for bags, shoes, clothes, souvenirs and pretty much anything else, you'll be sure to find it here. I went a little bit overboard and was left wondering how I was going to fit all of my new 'brand' name handbags in my backpack for my Great Wall trip.

Tip: Go early in the morning! This is the best time to barter the store holders down to a lower price as the Chinese believe that if they make a sale in the morning, then it will bring them good luck for the rest of the day.

We then went back to our hotel, where we had stored our bags and I squeezed my new swag into my backpack...there was some super Tetris skills involved trying to fit it all in. Then Camilla and I shared one last lunch together (rice cakes...so delicious) and she headed back to Yuyao and I went to the airport to catch my flight to Beijing.

When I got to Beijing, all I had to do was hop in a taxi to my hotel to meet Hannah (I had texted her to let her know that was what I was doing and that my battery on my phone was dying)...in theory, a very easy plan. In reality...I waited in the taxi line, then when I got into my taxi, I showed him the hotel's address. He looked at me with a blank face and said something in Chinese. I then pointed to the address again, next minute he is out of the car with my paper talking to someone else, they both look confused. Then they start taking my bag out of the taxi and pointing for me to get out too. Not understanding what was going on but not wanting to be in a taxi and my bag be on the kerb, I got out. Someone else got in and then the taxi and it was speeding off down the road.

Then a random guy came up to me and said, 'where are you going', I showed him the address and he said, 'yes, I will take you there, follow me'. Tired and not really thinking, I followed him. We went to the car park and up two flights of stairs, he was carrying my backpack. With thoughts of him trying to kidnap me going through my head, we stopped at a car. He then said, 'I will get the driver'. So, he rang someone (this is when I took a photo of him and the licence plate and sent it to Hannah explaining what was happening) and another guy appeared, they put my backpack in the car and the driver and I got in. The first guy spoke to the driver showed him my address and then we were off. I put google maps on my phone and watched to make sure we were going the right direction, all looked good and I was sending Hannah updates on my ETA. When we were 5 minutes from the hotel, my phone battery died and there was some traffic, so it actually took another 15 minutes. By the time I got to our hotel, Hannah was pacing up and down the hallway, she saw me and gave me a big hug. Turns out, she thought I might have been kidnapped too.

WARNING: Although it all ended up fine for me, this was not a situation I should have put myself in or suggest anyone puts themselves in. You need to have your wits about you when travelling, no matter how tired you are.

Lesson: Have your phone fully charged and make sure in China (and other Asian countries) to have the address you want to go to in Chinese characters, not everyone can read English!

The hotel was the Xiao Xiang Hotel, we booked this one as it was where would be staying the following night when our tour began. It is in a great location, right next to the Temple of heaven and the room was nice, clean and comfortable.

Day 4 - Making Dumplings & Noodles in Beijing

Hannah and I went for a small walk around the streets near our hotel this morning to buy breakfast, we stumbled upon some street vendors and got some tasty dumplings. We then went back to our hotel and got ready to go to the cooking class we had booked, but first...to find the nearest metro station! This proved a little bit difficult as it was quite hard to ask for directions, but we got there in the end. Lots of scanners at the metro stations so be prepared to put your bag through security while travelling around on the metro in Beijing.

Tip: learn 'where is the metro station' in the language of the country you are visiting, as well as 'where is the toilet'. Both are very handy phrases!

I booked the cooking class online before we left was through Mama's Lunch Beijing and the communication with Joyce from my initial inquiry was outstanding, she even got me some names of tailors in the area when I asked if she knew any. Her instructions on getting to the meeting place were fantastic and she collected us right on time. It was lovely to have a walk through the hutong before getting to Joyce's quaint little restaurant. The class started with some nibbles which were great and then we got stuck into it.

Hannah and I at our cooking class

Making noodles in Beijing

Proud dumpling makers and Joyce

There was only 6 off us in the class, the maximum she takes is 10, so it was super relaxed, and everyone was very involved. We made one meat and two vegetarian dumplings and also some noodles. Joyce's instructions were clear and easy to follow, she also has a lovely and warm nature which makes you very comfortable. I would highly recommend doing Joyce's cooking class while in Beijing, the dumplings tasted amazing and we even got some surprise chocolate ones for dessert!!! The cost of this fantastic experience is only 350rmb ($70 AUD) for an adult and they run the class with a minimum of 3 people! You even get a link at the end where you can download the recipes so you can make them when you return home.

After our bellies were full and we were confident dumpling makers, we headed to the Forbidden City to meet our tour group for the first time. We were running slightly late and it is VERY hard to find someone you have never met before among the crowds of tourists outside the Forbidden City. Luckily, we found them (20 minutes later) and went inside. Turns out is was very lucky because we just made it in, they close the entrance an hour before it the actual closing time so that people can get to the exit on the other side. To be honest the time in the Forbidden City was very rushed due to our lack of time, but it was an incredible place to visit and I would try and go back and allow for a longer visit next time I am in Beijing.

One good thing about visiting the Forbidden City late in the afternoon is that there aren't as many crowds inside so we did get so see a fair bit even if it was at warp speed, the downside is it is impossible to get a taxi outside afterwards as there are so many people trying to leave. We ended up walking for quite a while before we got a few taxis to take us back to our hotel. That night we enjoyed a banquet dinner at a restaurant down the road from our hotel, we got to know the people we would be spending the next ten days with over some delicious food, including duck pancakes!!!!!!

Tip: I would recommend 2-3 hours to visit the Forbidden City, also note that it is closed on Mondays.

Day 5 - Exploring Beijing

I got up quite early this morning and as our hotel was next to the Temple of Heaven Park, I decided to check it out. The park is massive, and the entrance fee is only 10 - 15rmb ($2-3 AUD), depending on the time of year. A small price to pay for the epic people watching that can be done here, I was also lucky enough to see some beautiful flowers as well as a cherry blossom tree just in bloom. I highly recommend heading there in the early morning as it is buzzing with locals going for a morning stroll, dancing, practicing Tai Chi or even writing calligraphy on the paths with large brushes and water.

I then went back to the hotel and with the day to ourselves, Hannah and I decided to go check out some markets and explore the summer palace. Following our footsteps from the previous day, we jumped on the metro to check out the Silk Market. We browsed the shops and decided to treat ourselves to some relaxation time, I got a pedicure and Hannah got a manicure. I had never had a pedicure before (yes at age 30, I had my first pedicure) and the lady could tell I hadn't had one before as while she was hacking at my feet, she told me it was like peeling a potato. HA! I tell you what though, the pedicure was the way to go with electric massaging boots up to my knees and nail polish all included and still coming out cheaper than Hannah's manicure...she was not impressed.

Having worked up a hunger from our pamper session, we headed out to Wangfujing Food Market. This is the place to go for all things weird and wonderful, think fresh fruits, yummy noodles, rice dishes and just about anything on a stick, including starfish, seahorse, centipedes and scorpions! We opted for safer options and had some fruit on a stick. I can still, to this day, tell you that the strawberries I had in China are the best I have ever had!

We then went to a supermarket and had fun looking up and down the isles to find snacks to take with us on our tour. Although very amusing trying to figure out what things were, it wasn't the most successful trip, leaving with only jelly fruit cups, nuts and some crackers.

Tip: Go and explore a supermarket in a foreign country (especially one where you don't speak the language), it can be very amusing to try and figure out what things are and also to try out new things!

Next stop was out to the Summer Palace, a world heritage UNESCO site. First constructed in 1750, this palace area was destroyed by war in 1860 and by a rebellion in 1900, each time being restored or rebuilt. So, as you can imagine, the walls hold a lot of history within them. With classic Chinese architecture throughout the gardens and the buildings, the Summer Palace is a must see while in Beijing. AND with admission prices approximately 30RMB ($6AUD dependant on the time of year you go), why would you not go and have a look! We also got to see some budding cherry blossom trees in the gardens, which was a bonus.

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Tip: I would recommend 4-5 hours to visit the Summer Palace and wear comfy shoes, there is a lot of ground to cover.

We had a small rest back at our hotel before taking a taxi to Sanlitun for dinner. Sanlitun is an area of the Chaoyang District, and is a very popular and modern area full of bars, restaurants and shops. As we were about to embark on a 10 day trekking trip along the Great Wall, we decided we would have one last Western meal for dinner and ended up having pizza and pasta at La Pizza....who goes to China and has Italian? Haha. I tell you what though, it was very tasty and if you aren't in the mood for Chinese, go here.

Read all about the rest of our trip Trekking the Great Wall here.

Published 23 Mar 2016