BLISSNDREAMS: Study Trip to Beijing

(Above) The Forbidden City - Beijing

Just came back from Beijing where I was on a cultural and industrial study trip with my Management and Leadership course mates. Really cold weather hovering from -7C to 4C. Enjoyed visiting different schools and industrial places like Levono HQ which provided a new perspective into the Chinese people and their thoughts. Really could sense the Chinese peoples' passion, drive for improvement, progress and knowledge, a hunger which I feel is sorely lacking in our youths today in school who are maybe too comfortable with life in Singapore.
Along our learning, we had fun at the Great Wall, Forbidden city, alot of makan and of course the Singapore pastime - lots of shopping.

(Above)Gathering together after arriving at Beijing airport

(Above) Our nice accomodation at the 5 star Joy City Hotel, conveniently located near shopping malls and the subway.

(Above)The hotel room i shared with my course buddy - Joe

(Above)A nice luxurious toilet and shower area in our hotel room to come back for a gd hot shower after a long cold day.

(Above) Our group en route to the Forbidden City near the North Gate.

(Above) Posing by the 10 metres high walls and deep moat outside the forbidden city.

(Above) Me outside the Forbidden City with Chairman Mao's portrait.

(Above)Posing on the grounds of the Forbidden City

(Above)In front of the Gate of Great Harmony where the Emperor used to hold court with his ministers, generals and officials on state affairs.

(Above)A framed picture of the palaces on Jingshan hill from the Forbidden city

Above)Tight security with many army and policemen around since it was the week of the CCP Congress. Beggars and destitutes were seen being picked up by the security people and ferried away in security vehicles.

(Above) Tiananmen across the road.

(Above) At Tiananmen Square - the winds were pretty strong and very chilly to the bones.

(Above)Observing the make-up artists course students at work at the top vocational school in Beijing - student profile similar to our ITE students.

(Above)Pastry students at work. Their teachers are celebrity chefs from both China and overseas and are quite strict with them.

(Above)At the vocational school hairdressing classroom - really modern!

(Above) At the spa classroom in the vocational school.

(Above) Visiting Beijing Sino Bright School No 8 Campus - offering classes from primary to senior high(Pre-university) and combining the best of both the Chinese national curriculum and the Canadian educational curriculum. Students can gain entry to either local university in China, NUS in Singapore or any Canadian/British university.

(Above)Passing by new high rise private apartments in Beijing. This block was going at SGD$5000 per sq feet which means $5.1 million SGD for a 1000 sq HDB 4 room sized apartment.

(Above) At Dr Tea Tea shop observing Chinese tea ceremony where i bought some pu-er tea home.

(Above)We were met with heavy overnight snowfall. Outside our hotel, the snow is coming back! white christmas in march once more!

(Above) With our bus stuck in the snow, we spent time taking photos while waiting for the snow to be dug out.

(Above) Me and the guys clearing snow on the road leading to the Great Wall.

(Above) A cuty doggy watching us as we walked up to Mu Tian Yu.

(Above) Trudging around in the deep snow

(Above) Posing at the Great Wall under the heavy snowfall

(Above) At the plaque declaring the Great Wall of China as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site.

(Above) The whole group at the entrance to the cable car station.

(Above)Climbing down stairs was tedious with the slippery iced steps so we went down the kiasu method - by our bums!

(Above) My bowl of Ramen for dinner at only 6 yuan (SGD$1.22)at a foodcourt.

(Above) My plate of spinach puree spaghetti with pork and bacon that I had at a restaurant for 23 yuan or about SGD$5. Quite tasty

(Above)Standard fare in Beijing - dumplings.Servings were huge.

(Above) Visiting the Bird Nest Olympic Stadium

(Above) Me and Joe inside the Birdnest stadium. Heard from our guide that the authorities will be converting the VIP galleries at the stadium into hotel rooms.