Discovering a Different Culture in China
Wendy Fong | Aug. 25, 2010
Fong at the summit of Phoenix Mountain.
August was the first month I took a good look at my calendar. I could not believe seven weeks had already passed. Reflecting on my experience in Beijing so far, I definitely enjoy the most talking to and spending time with my friends at Computer Network Information Center (known as CNIC) at the Chinese Academy of Sciences. I always look forward to discussing the similarities and differences between Chinese and American societies as well as the history, politics, and culture of China. Not only do I learn a great deal from these conversations, but also realize the importance of being educated about other cultures. The chats have not always proceeded smoothly, but the dictionary has been immensely helpful in overcoming the language barrier, which has also been a source of good laughs. In the time I have been here, I have even learned a few Chinese words—bing ji ling (ice cream) being my favorite—and settled into playing badminton every week.
During the first half of the trip, the routine of going to work at CNIC was countered by facing the massive crowds at famous tourist spots during the weekend. The Forbidden City, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is an icon of ancient Chinese architecture and history. A countless number of people visit the palace everyday to capture the essence of royal life. The magnificent Forbidden City stands in stark contrast to the ruins of the Old Summer Palace, which was sacked during the Second Opium War. The famous ruins demonstrate cross-cultural influences and are a solemn reminder of the importance of preserving historical relics. Both the Forbidden City and Old Summer Palace were remarkable in their own respects. I left wishing I could travel back in time to see them first-hand in all their glory.
Despite enjoying the astonishing sites of Beijing, I was definitely relieved knowing we finished visiting all the big tourist spots, especially before the summer heat bore down on us. I was ecstatic to go hiking with our friends at Phoenix Mountain. Phoenix Mountain is not only away from the hustle and bustle of main Beijing, but it also boasts of fresh air and a blue sky. It did not disappoint. Unlike Fragrant Hills Park, where most of the hike consisted of stairs, Phoenix Mountain had actual dirt trails, minor rock climbing and crevices we had to fit through. The high-pitched cries of the cicadas followed us persistently throughout the hike, but they added to the tranquility of the surrounding mountains and foliage. We were rewarded for our intense energy expenditure by the view at the peak. I was able to look down and see our starting point, appreciate the blue sky with my back lying against a rock, and feel a strong breeze analogous to a San Francisco wind minus the cold bite.
While I have had a lot of cultural experiences, I have also progressed in my project. Encountering obstacles was not always pleasant, but it has pushed me to try new methods to approach a problem and be independent in overcoming roadblocks in general. The good news is that I no longer panic when my research does not go as planned. Work days can be long and busy, but I cannot imagine a better host site for research and cultural learning than Beijing.
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