Day 1
At 6 o clock in the morning of 26 May, I woke up feeling very exhilarated. It is finally the day of the long awaited overseas trip! My dad offered to drive me to the airport, which had saved me a lot of time. At the airport, all of my classmates were chatting animatedly, excited to be embarking on this immersion trip. After a four and half hours flight, we finally arrived at Shanghai. China. We went to The Bund (外滩）immediately after that. We were appalled at the amazing sight of city, with the skyscrapers, the river and the oriental pearl tower. It was a memorable jaw dropping night view. Everyone took a lot of pictures, especially group pictures and videos. Following that, we went on a cruise tour on Huangpu River. There were many locals and tourists taking photos of scenery, mainly the oriental pearl tower. The LED light on the oriental pearl tower at night made it look very magnificent and I unknowingly snap many photos of it. After the cruise tour ended, we happily went to check in to the hotel, where we will be spending our first night in Shanghai...
Our class photo airport
Oriental Pearl Tower
Our first dinner in Shanghai
Day 2
Early in the morning, we went to Yang Zhou by coach. We first visited the Ge Yuan Garden (个园). It is a very beautiful place with the decoration of nature. As we were touring the place, it began to rain very heavily. It was actually a wonderful sight to see all the different colors of umbrella held by my classmates. Following that, we went to the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal(京杭大运河). We boarded a boat for a tour on the canal. We are allowed to open the window of the boat so the cool breeze was very refreshing. We made our way to the Chinese Paper Cutting Museum（剪纸博物馆）. We are given a scissors as a gift from the museum. This visit is interesting as we get to have hand-on experience of paper cutting. Lastly, we visited the local supermarket. It was very crowded with shoppers. Our form teacher gave us some questions:
- What are the items sold cheaper in China? Cup noodles.
- What are the items sold more expensive in China? 1L drinking water.
- Items China have but Singapore don't? Chewing gum.
- Items Singapore have but China don't? Sushi, Prata, Milo.
After the supermarket visit, we check-in to the hotel. We are very excited for the next day because we will be visiting the local school.
个园
京杭大运河
剪纸博物馆
Day 3
Today, we spend our whole day in Shu Ren School. When we arrived there in the morning, we were awed by the size of the school. The principal was very welcoming and she even went to our hotel to accompany us. The school had many events planned for us and the day was rather packed. I was quite touched by their efforts to welcome us and treat us like an important guest. Firstly, we went to observe a Chinese lesson. Their students in China are very proactive in answering questions. They are attentive and actively participate in discussion. I think this stood in great contrast to Singaporean kids. After that, we had many events planned such as both parties sharing the cultural in their country and learning Wushu.We took a tour in the school garden. The garden is big and beautiful. Sadly, the limited land space in Singapore don't allow schools to have such a big garden in them. Following that, we played friendly games with the China students. There are 3 games, first game we had to put a ball in 2 person backs and then run, second game we have to jump in a rice sack and the third game we had to throw shuttlecocks into a bin. The winners were surprised by the soft toys they give as rewards. Even though i did not participate in the games, i had a lot of fun cheering for my classmates. Last but not least, we have a friendly basketball match with their school basketball school team. I was part of the team, and i had a lot of fun playing the game. Our classmates cheered their hearts out and i was touched. In the end, we got a soft toy too as present. After everything ended, I can't help but noticed that our school spirit stood in great contrast with the China students. We were cheering for one another, shouting 加油 throughout the whole game, whereas the China students only cheered when their team scored. I feel that this is something we can be very proud of.
Some observations:
What are things we have in RV but shuren school don't?
- Lightning alert
- School Spirit
- CCA
- Wifi
- More variety of foods
- Uniform
- Clean toilet
- Whiteboard
- Locker
- Fan
What are things they have in shuren school but RV don't?
- Chalkboard
- Garden
- Staff canteen
- Calligraphy Room
- Coffee Lounge
- Can draw on walls
- Indoor Carpark
In conclusion, I still feel that the overall facilities in RV are better and i should appreciate what i have.
树人学校
Staff canteen where we had our lunch
The school garden
Day 4
Today, we went to another school campus. In this campus, there are only seniors who are aged 16 and up. We proceed to learn knot tying. I think this lesson is fun and enjoyable because I really like my final product. At first, i face a lot of difficulties but fortunately, the teacher is kind to walk around and help those in need. Next, it is finally the time for the highly anticipated performance time. Before the OELP, all of our classmates practiced hard during recess and after school to perfect the performance. After the both parties exchanged performances, everyone sang "朋友" together. It is very touching song and i'm glad we have the opportunity to do an exchange program with them. I enjoyed all the performances and it was my favorite program of the day.
Following that, we went to have calligraphy lesson. As we regularly have calligraphy lesson in RV, I do not face difficulties throughout the lesson. However, the biggest problem was that the China students couldn't understand what I was trying to say. It could be probably due to my lack of accent. It was very difficult commuting to them. In the end, I show her my meanings through actions. Lastly, we bade farewell to the school. I was genuinely touched by their warm welcome and our treatment as an important guest. The school principal was very nice to us. We proceed to Xinhua bookstore next. I bought a book there which seems interesting. Most of the books cost 25 yuan(5 SGD), which I think is cheap. The book store is very big, with 7 stories and a lift.
Difference between Yang Zhou bookstore and Singapore (popular)
Things Yang Zhou sell but Singapore don't :
- Sport Equipment
- Rice Cooker
- Vases
- Children corner
- Lift
Things Singapore sell but Yang Zhou don't:
- Printing paper
- Decorative materials
- English books
- Food
- Baskets
The last place we visited for the day was the local supermarket. I bought a lot of chocolates there because in Singapore, my mum would always limit the chocolate i buy. There was not much difference in the prices of the chocolate between Yang Zhou and Singapore. I enjoy the supermarket visit because of the variety of things to buy, but i feel that the duration given to shop was too short.
Photo with my 2 buddies
Dance performance that i took part in
Singing "朋友" together
Day 5
We went to Slender West & 24 Bridges (瘦西湖)in the morning. The place has magnificent scenery. I think that the 24 bridges is interesting as it is called by that name because there are 24 steps in the bridge and in history, there will be 24 pretty girls standing on each step. Next, we went to visit the former residence of Zhu Ziqing. There, it exhibits the poems and stories that he wrote. One of the shprt stories he wrote was “背影”。I have read this story before and i think this stories hold a lot of meaning. Actually, i have never knew that Zhu Ziqing was the author of the story until that day. After the visit, i immediately thought back to Singapore founding prime minister, Lee Kuan Yew. There are many talks around the country whether the government should preserve the house. Personally, i feel that his house should be made open to public and Lee Kuan Yew had mention before he wish to keep his house private after he passed away.
Following that, we went to Dongguan Street, which is a shopping place. There are a variety of things sold there and the place is enormous. I bought a tea made locally from a tea house and some local handmade food. I can't wait to try it with my family. By the time we are done with shopping, my legs are extremely sore. Nevertheless, i feel that the time they had given to explore the place and shop was not enough. We went up the the tallest building there and took a group picture with the amazing view of the whole street in the background. I think this is a very good tourist place to visit which can benefit the country economically when tourist spend their money there.
Photos at Slender West Lake
Group Photo at Dongguan Street
Day 6
Today, we travelled back to Shanghai. It was a rather busy and eventful day as i visited 5 tourist attractions. I was happy today as the class finally get a chance to wear our class tee because it is bright neon pink which make it easier for teachers to differentiate us in Chenghuang Miao, the first place we visited for the day. The tour guide only give us 1 hour to shop the huge place. It was very rush and in the end, my group only managed to tour half of the place. I was disappointed when i saw my classmates that went to the other half bought delicious food like mochi, as the side that we went to was mainly handcraft items and bags. Following that, we went to the Shanghai Science & Technology Museum. We went into the Animal World and the highlight of the visit was a short 20 min 4D animated film of how germs harm our body. Through this cute film, i have learnt a lot. Lastly, we bought a lucky clover necklace as our group identity.
Next, it was finally the much anticipated visit to the Oriental Pearl Tower! The class went up all the way to a whopping level of 263! It is undeniable that my legs was trembling a bit at firstas i stared down below the transparent floor at the observatory. I feel like the floor is going to give way and then i will drop down from the tremendous height! ;p As glanced as the view from the top, it was truly an eye-opening experience! No words could describe the exotic view of Shanghai! I was so glad to have the opportunity to come up to the observatory. Even though i have came to Shanghai before, i did not managed to go up to the 263 floor. It was packed with tourists and the memory will definitely be etched in my mind for a long time to come.
We went to the Old French Concession next. It was just a short walk through of the place but i think the place hold quite a deep historical value. The buildings are traditional and in a french style. Lastly, we went to the Tian Zi Fang. It is a shopping place. I feel that the things sold there are very expensive, with 90% of the items are more expensive than Singapore. I was very curious as to why, because from what i have known, the cost of living in China are much lower than Singapore. It was a very hectic day and i have a lot of fun.
Chenghuang Miao
Queuing for the lift to go to 263 floor
View from 263 floor in Oriental Pearl Tower!
Day 7
I woke up with a very heavy heart today morning, knowing that this trip is coming to an end in just a few more hours.
The schedule was light as we only visited 2 places. Firstly, we went to the Qibao Ancient Town. It is a another shopping place! For the past 3 days, we have been endlessly shopping, and i actually enjoyed it even though i can almost feel a hole in my wallet ;_; Qibao Ancient Town is rather similar to Dongguang Street. There are a huge range of items we can buy. Finally, it is time for our last visit of attractions in China... which was the Shanghai Museum. It is a 4 stories museum and there are 16 exhibits halls in total. I managed to view around 10 of the exhibits. I think Singapore's museum is incomparable to China because China has a written history of 4000 years! My favourite exhibit was the ancient coin exhibit. There are so many different types of coin, some even as old as the BC and the AD era.
Lastly, we had to go to the airport for our flight back to Singapore... even though sometimes i do feel a sense of homesickness, but i really do not want to trip to end so quickly. It was a very very incredible overseas trip. Most importantly, it is how my classmates have bond so well with one another over the past 7 days. I miss how we would play games during meal times and organize "illegal" meeting in hotel... I really love 2I and the 2 years we have been together was a fun filled times. I feel very lucky to be in 2I. <3 I will remember this trip forever !!!!!
Ancient coins from Shanghai Museum
Byeee China :(
ACTUALLY WE ORGANIZED AN OVERNIGHT CLASS CHALET TO CURE EVERYONE'S POST OELP DEPRESSION! :D
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