In late November, HNC students took advantage of their well-deserved fall break—a week-long opportunity to travel, either within China or abroad, solo or with classmates. Altogether, students explored more than 13 different destinations, including Japan, Taiwan, South Korea, Beijing, Hong Kong, Jiangxi, Shenzhen, Thailand, and Nepal. Japan was the most popular destination, with 15 students visiting! With help from fellow student Ryan Cheng, who organized a post-break symposium for students to share their travel experiences, this blog highlights a few memorable moments from their adventures.
HNC Fall Break Sharing Session Hosted by current student Ryan Cheng
Ryan compiled travel statistics from his classmates to create this diagram detailing all the locations HNC students visited, including a list of fun facts. Japan was the most visited location outside of China, but the farthest was Phuket, Thailand. The highest elevation any student reached was in Tibet at 5000 meters above sea level. The lowest elevation is debatable, but likely in Thailand as students engaged in some diving and snorkeling activities.
Prior to the sharing session, students were encouraged to share presentation slides of pictures from their travels as well as tips for classmates that may wish to travel to these locations in the future. Pictured on the right is MAIS student Mary, sharing her travel tips for Japan.
Zhangjiajie 张家界 and Guilin 桂林
A group of six students, including HNC student bloggers Carolyn and Hannah, decided to take advantage of the "off-season" in China and travel to these two famous scenic spots in the Hunan and Guangxi provinces. While normally bustling with crowds in the summer and during China's holidays, students found that these places were pleasantly empty in November.
Zhangjiajie Segment
On day one, taking into account the rain, students visited the Zhangjiajie glass bridge and the Huanglong Cave. Including the walk over the 430 meter long glass bridge, the ticket package also included a zip-line across the canyon, elevator ride up and down the mountain, and a short ferry journey across the canyon river.
On day two, students spent an entire day at the Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, home to the mountains and rock formations that inspired James Cameron's Avatar. The fog was intense in the morning, but students were able to see most of the landscape. Back in Nanjing, the weather had already transitioned to a chill that meant taking out the coats and gloves. In Zhangjiajie, the cold and wind at the peaks of the mountains could almost be forgotten looking at the sights of the area's unique rock formations rising out of the mist, and the jagged dark bodies against the large swaths of white fog reminiscent of Chinese ink-wash shanshui 山水 paintings.
One of the most memorable parts of the trip were the cable cars that took visitors up the mountain. Especially on day three spent at Tianmenshan, where the cable car begins in the midst of the city, slowly making its way out of the urban sprawl to rural houses and farmland in the forested hills, then rising sharply to a height of 1,279 meters along impossibly steep cliff drops.
Guilin is known for some of the most beautiful landscapes in all of China. A popular saying goes “桂林山水甲天下”, (guìlín shānshuǐ jiǎ tiānxià) meaning Guilin’s mountains and waters are the best under heaven.
Despite near-winter weather all around China, walking in Guilin felt like taking a stroll in springtime. The weather was perfect, and the vibe in the sunny city was relaxed and easygoing. Students tried out the famous Guilin rice noodles as well as Luosifen (snail noodles, with the soup made from snail slime), and beer fish in the nearby town of Yangshuo.
In the city, students checked out the Sun and Moon pagodas, whose brilliant gold and silver reflections on the lake water lit up the night. They also visited the Elephant Trunk Hill and Dongxi Alleys next to the Lijiang River where people both young and old fished and played leisurely.
Outside of the city, students experienced Guilin's famed mountains and waters by embarking on a bamboo raft cruise down the Lijiang River. The waters were clear and turquoise, and the round shape of the mountains on both sides made the scenery feel like a different world. Students also headed up to Xianggongshan to get a panoramic view of the beautiful Lijiang River valley. On the taxi ride back home, the stars, untouched by the pollution in big cities, could be seen clear and many in the dark skies.
Hunan 湖南 and Jiangxi 江西 Provinces
MAIS student Allie Yarashevich embarked on a solo trip to explore China's ultra spicy cuisine. For her spicy food tour, she visited Jingdezhen 景德镇, Nanchang 南昌, Pingxiang 萍乡, and Changsha 长沙.
Allie's first segment of the trip in Jingdezhen was only a 2.5 hour train ride away from Nanjing. Jingdezhen is one of the famous capitals of ceramics in China, known for its blue and white Jingdezhen porcelain. It was the largest center of porcelain production in the 14th century, and emperors throughout the Ming and Qing dynasties controlled imperial kilns in the area. In our modern day, it's recommended to go to the markets to buy some cheap, high-quality ceramics. Jingdezhen is also home to a well renowned museum. It is a small city with no metro system, so getting around by taxi is your best bet.
Next, Allie went to Nanchang, which is known for its spicy food. There were "great vibes and fantastic food." Most of the notable attractions were outdoors like temples, squares, and museums; however, the weather was unfortunate during her visit as it poured down rain the entire time, so she recommends planning in advance.
In Pingxiang, another smaller city, the most popular activity is to go up the mountain. The Anyuang District in Pingxiang had a multitude of historical attractions and an old street. Allie didn't encounter any other foreigners, and everything from hotels to food was very affordable and the place was fantastic to travel around. Pingxiang is known as the spicy capital of Jiangxi, and the food was indeed very spicy! Allie travelled over to the Hunan Province, where she visited the capital of Hunan, Changsha. Changsha is a large city with a robust metro system, IFS (International Finance Sector) shopping district, and many monuments, including a famous statue of former chairman Mao Zedong.
Four students went abroad and visited Phuket and Chiang Mai in Thailand. In Phuket, students went on a little boat trip to the Phi Phi islands. The boat trip was fun, relatively cheap, and a day-long excursion. There were many boats open for business, so it was unnecessary to book in advance. The waters at the beaches were very clear, and aided students in watching out for sharp rocks and sea urchins in the water. In contrast to the city, much of the local population actually lives on the small islands near the mainland, so in a way, it feels closer to the “real Thailand.” After ten minutes of walking out in any direction, there would be no other tourists.
In Chiang Mai, students visited temples and recommended the elephant sanctuaries. The baby elephants were "top tier" (really cool), and the large animals had a very wide and open space with a river to live in. Students also recommended visiting the coconut market. Generally, fruit in Thailand is much sweeter than in other places, especially durian, which some students sampled and found to be super tasty. If you think you're not a durian fan, try it again in Thailand! Other recommendations from students included going to see a boxing match, as well as leaving some space in the budget to eat a nice meal because of the cheaper prices in the country. Students were able to enjoy an omakase dinner that didn’t break the bank. While traveling in China, many students use the app Xiaohongshu 小红书 for recommendations, but while abroad in Thailand, it would be best to get off the app to avoid the crowds of tourists. Instead, look to other sources for travel information.
MAIS students Jiapei and Jay undertook a weeklong journey in Nepal, where they completed the Annapurna Base Camp trek. The Annapurna Base Camp trek is one of the best trekking trails in Asia, as well as one of the most famous in the world. The infrastructure is well done and secure, and the sightseeing is amazing. Right after the plane landed, the two students first exchanged currency, saw a traditional marriage while exiting the airport, and then ate a fantastic curry for breakfast. It was a 4 day trek to the mountain peak, with the trail consistently going above 4000 meters above sea level. On the way to Annapurna Base Camp, they weathered all sorts of conditions, from rain to snow, but the beautiful scenery made it all worthwhile. They could see the snowy mountains along the whole trail. Fish Tail Mountain, in particular, had sharp and beautiful lines which are beyond compare. On the fourth day, the pair experienced a sunrise, a wonderful culmination of their efforts. They also visited a temple with Nepali-style sculptures.
Jiapei recommends finding a local tour guide as the best choice for trekking in Nepal. Tour guides can help arrange lodging, point towards the best places to stay, provide food recommendations, and can help you acquire the necessary hiking permissions (which are difficult to obtain alone). When traveling in November, be sure to prepare sufficiently for the cold. In total, the two students walked an impressive 110 kilometers on the trail.
Shenzhen and Hong Kong
HNC Certificate + SAIS MAIR students Carlos and Dylan spent the fall break exploring two of East Asia's premier cities of Shenzhen and Hong Kong. These cities are very close, Shenzhen being only a 15 minute bullet train ride north; however, due to Hong Kong's status as a specially administrated region it is akin to traveling to a different country when entering and leaving to return to mainland China.
Shenzhen Segment
Shenzhen is a newer metropolitan city that has seen drastic development over the last 40 years. The majority of the population are not locals but are living there for work. The city has a gorgeous skyline and many elaborate malls you can spend days exploring. The city is home to a wide variety of foods and stellar restaurants with cuisine from all over the world. The city is separated into several districts, the most notable being Bao'an and Futian. Locals joke that the best thing to do in Shenzhen is to leave, but this is more a testament to the convenient location of Shenzhen to access cities across southern China as well as the several countries of South East Asia.
The pair of students visited several of the museums and public exhibitions across the districts. Shenzhen houses one of the most impressive exhibition centers in the world with multiple floors of product showcases. Shenzhen is also the manufacturing and tech capital of China, so any tech gadgets are recommended to be bought here. One of the students even purchased an extremely affordable high quality mini movie projector. The students stumbled upon a marathon in which they unsuccessfully attempted to join to acquire the free backpacks and tee shirts. Shenzhen offers countless hiking opportunities and striking architectural landmarks that can be admired even on the shortest of walks. The students recommend shopping around High Tech Park and the many malls at Coco Park, as well as visiting Window of the World for an Epcot-style experience
Hong Kong Segment
Hong Kong is one of the most diverse cities in the world with many justified comparisons to New York City. The city has a rich history and culture that can be felt no matter where you walk. Hong Kong offers a wide range of world-class restaurants featuring authentic cuisine from around the globe. The city’s many ports are perfect for a scenic walk and offer excellent photography spots, with views of the skyline and nearby islands. As a more expensive city, Hong Kong can be surprising—just 15 minutes north, a coffee might cost $1, but in Hong Kong, the same drink could be $5. The city is also known for its iconic film industry, with numerous museums and statues honoring legendary figures like Bruce Lee.
One of the biggest attractions in Hong Kong is the stunning skyline view from Victoria Peak. The students opted for the easy route up, a charming tram ride that winds through streets and buildings before climbing steeply up the mountain. Be sure to stay seated, as the tram gets surprisingly steep and it’s easy to lose your balance without holding on. The view from the top is breathtaking and a must-see for any first-time visitor. The students also recommend checking out Kowloon Park—see if you can spot the rainbow panda waving hello in the maze! One tip they shared: walk with purpose. People in Hong Kong move fast and won’t hesitate to nudge you out of the way, but it’s all part of the charm of such a fast-paced city.
Written by Carolyn Chen HNC Certificate 25' and Carlos Vicente Sanchez HNC Certificate + SAIS MAIR 26'
