Thanks for all the good comments guys, good to know people are reading (maybe even enjoying) the blog.
Yesterday, Haiping (a Shanghai local) arranged a trip to Hangzhou for 7 of us who got in early. We left early in the morning and took a 2 hour train ride out there. The train was very modern and smooth (although the bathroom was a hole in the ground). Upon arrival, we took a 45 minute bus out to a “top 10 temple in China”. Hangzhou is on a giant lake which is super beautiful and surrounded by wooded mountains, a very stark contrast to Shanghai. When we got out to the temple we were exploring the grounds, which had tons of Buddha’s carved into the stone cliffs and rivers running through the woods. I convinced the group to climb this little mountain next to the temple, which led us to amazing views and also heated us up a bit (it was well below freezing). After our hike we went into the temple, which was made up of a few temples. Each temple had giant golden buddhas which were in incredible condition, considering the temple is 1700 years old. Haiping taught us how to light incense and pray for our wishes which was pretty neat.
Yesterday was definitely the coldest I have ever been though. Even the New Yorkers in our group were struggling. I had on a sweatshirt, gloves, ear muffs, a scarf and my Dad’s ski jacket and I was still shivering so hard my neck was sore. We went to lunch, but the restaurant wasnt heated, so we took turns holding on to the tea pot. After lunch we walked around the lake for a bit and then huddled in a pizza hut to stay warm and wait for our train. Pizza Huts here are fancy and are popular date destinations. Weird.
I am going to die in Beijing which is 20 degrees lower.
We took a train back, and then I checked into our hotel. We are staying at the Westin, which is pretty incredible. It is super nice, has a gym and hot tub and an insane breakfast buffet. It has a full american buffett, full chinese one including made to order dim sum and also tons of tropical fruit. Best way to start the day. Jon my roommate is Starwood double secret ultra platinum, so we are in a suite (a very small one) and I get access to the executive lounge which means free food and drinks all day. Score!
Today the trek officially began, and it was great to see the other 50 people. We went to climb the World Financial Center which is the worlds 3rd highest building (was 2nd 2 days ago, damn you Dubai!). The views were incredible, and defintely made me a bit dizzy. Shanghai’s skyline is unlike any other I have seen, there are tons of skyscrapers of all different shapes with no apparent theme and at night they are all lit up crazy colors.
After a huge lunch, we went and visited J&J’s China Medical headquarters. The guy presenting was interesting and it is amazing how much growth there is in China. Another thing which was surprising is that even with that growth there is very little opportunity for American MBAs. There are now so many American educated Chinese that if you don’t speak Mandarin, most companies have no use for you.
After the visit, we went out to a great dinner which spanned featured 10+ courses over 2+ hours and many many beers. Then we went to a bar for a bit and I came back to sit in the hot tub, write the blog and get some rest. I am still a bit jet lagged, so hopefully I will sleep well tonight.
you who claimed you wouldn’t encounter any hole-in-the-ground toilets!
p.s. i had been assuming it was colder where you are, but i just googled it and it’s colder here. we got 10 inches of snow overnight and went for a lovely walk today and you’re officially a cold-weather wimp!
Sounds like an wonderful trip-despite the cold! Can’t wait to see the pics of the temples (and the food). Hope your hotel is nice and warm. Bundle up!!! I bet if you look you can find a nice warm sweater or coat that fits you before you head for the Great Wall
Don’t you wish you had taken by wool ski cap and special ski gloves! Sorry you’re so cold. I was in an REI tonight and thought of you …
Glad you’re having fun–thanks for doing the blog!
can you pick up some warm and cheap-ish cold weather gear there before you go to beijing?
Brie – Apparently Nan totally lied to me. The squatters are everywhere, I have never been more glad to be a man.
The cold hasn’t been bad these past few days since we have been going in and out of buildings all day. I think it was just spending 8 straight hours outdoors on the lake. I will look for some clothes, although I am pretty sure nothing in this country will fit me.
Is it crowded? How’s the spitting? What do you think about Shanghai food? Dumplings are the thing.
The cold will not get you. I got sick for you so you have nothing to worry about.
chris i am glad your first encounter with a squatter went without to many hickups, many foreigners cannot say the same.
note 1: how is pizza hut being a popular first date destination weird? it is heavy in the rotation of places i take girls on first dates here in the states. maybe that has something to do with the lack of second dates….
note 2: china is the land with the most 7 footers in the world. i am calling shenanigans on no clothes in the country fitting you.
I’ve stayed at that westin b4… super nice…. btw best breakfast is the four seasons though…. amazing dim sum.