I cannot remember the last year I let a new year arrive without having written a list of ways I plan to improve. From the cliched physical fitness goals to “This is the year I'll actually keep a journal,” I pin my hopes for the “new and improved me” on the arrival of a new year.
Jan. 1, 2016, was much the same, but I found my list to be a lot different than in previous years. I have such goals as, “Learn to utterly love the girl you see in the mirror,” or “Cut the self-deprication and start with the self-adoration!” Instead of, “Go to the gym three times a week,” it's “Get ready – you're hiking some mountains this year!” I framed a new year built on self-promotion and adventure – and so far, it's been much easier to work toward these goals.
This will be my first full year living abroad. I dove head-first into expat life in Beijing, following my friend around as we toured the city. Most of my weekends have been spent haunting the city's temples – like the eerie Dongyue Miao (Daoist Temple) or the Lama Temple in the Dongcheng District. I've sampled every craft brewery the city has to offer, and converted to vegetarianism while eating my way through a number of locally-owned restaurants. And yet, I've barely skimmed the surface of what this city has to offer, let alone the possibilities in China and Asia.
Jan. 1, 2016, was much the same, but I found my list to be a lot different than in previous years. I have such goals as, “Learn to utterly love the girl you see in the mirror,” or “Cut the self-deprication and start with the self-adoration!” Instead of, “Go to the gym three times a week,” it's “Get ready – you're hiking some mountains this year!” I framed a new year built on self-promotion and adventure – and so far, it's been much easier to work toward these goals.
This will be my first full year living abroad. I dove head-first into expat life in Beijing, following my friend around as we toured the city. Most of my weekends have been spent haunting the city's temples – like the eerie Dongyue Miao (Daoist Temple) or the Lama Temple in the Dongcheng District. I've sampled every craft brewery the city has to offer, and converted to vegetarianism while eating my way through a number of locally-owned restaurants. And yet, I've barely skimmed the surface of what this city has to offer, let alone the possibilities in China and Asia.
I've mapped out my plan for this year, and invite you all to join me as I knock out my 2016 Haidian District bucket list.
In Beijing
1) Take a trip out to the following:
The Great Wall of China – Shockingly, I haven't made it to one of the biggest tourist destinations there is near Beijing. There are dozens of sites where you can join the wall and hike for as long as your feet hold out, and expats all have their own favorites. It's best to research well not only how to get to the site in question, but whether it has been restored, is available for hiking and/or camping, etc. Click here or here for a few good resources for this, though word of mouth is the most useful in finding the best spots to visit.
The Olympic Park – Despite my teaching a course nearby, I haven't taken the time to tour the Olympic Park area. In 2008, the games brought a facelift to Beijing in the form of new policies – ie: less spitting on the sidewalks – as well as gentrification of some of the poorer parts of the city. It also brought unique architecture to the park itself in the form of the Bird's Nest, among others. Most conveniently accessed from Line 8 on the subway, you'll exit at Forest Park South Gate, Olympic Park or the Olympic Sports Center stations. (Note: Security at these stations is higher, so have your water bottle out of your back and be ready for a quick wave of the wand from the guards on duty.)
2) Try the snail noodles: While not actually made of snails, there's a shop outside the Huaqing Jiayuan apartment complex that boils its noodles in a snail broth. Per my coworker's recommendation, it's delicious, and doesn't technically break my vegetarian resolve to try. While the smell that comes from its dumpsters has deterred me thus far, I'm ready to take a bite.
Related: In the U Center in Wudaokou, there's an Indian restaurant recommended by a number of expats as some of the best Indian food in Beijing. Located across the city – and with one location in Xi'an – this restaurant has a menu that'll make you drool. You can check it out here: http://www.ganges-restaurant.com/en/. Better yet, go to the sixth floor of the U Center and try it out yourself. That, or visit the website for their other locations across Beijing.
3) Join a book club: From philosophy to feminism to fan fiction, there's a book club for nearly every genre somewhere in Beijing. You just have to find the right one for you. In typical expat fashion, I found one while making a new friend over pizza. In fact, most people find connections to these things through WeChat groups, conversational recommendations or from publications like The Beijinger (https://www.thebeijinger.com/) . Bookstores also often have postings for book club and meet-the-author events. The Bookworm in Sanlitun (https://www.thebeijinger.com/) is a great resource to get your foot in the door with like-minded book lovers.
4) Attend a speaker's event or symposium: At The Bridge, in Wudaokuo, they host regular speaker series on topics that range from political culture to a closer look at China's role in the global economy. Typically weekday evenings, at 7 p.m., these events draw in speakers well-versed in the topic, and allow a sort of dialogue with audience members. Other venues also host these types of events, and advertise them around coffee shops in the area. You can also find them on similar sites as listed before (ie: The Beijinger, The Bookworm, etc.)
5) Dance along at the Park Prom: Well, that's what I call it, anyway. Just outside the Wudaokuo subway station, there's a plaza commuters use to cut the corner to the train. But nearly every evening, a group will congregate there, boombox in hand. Soon the music crackles on and they're off – the dance has begun. From elderly couples stepping in a well-rehearsed box, to men and women anywhere from their 20s to 50s learning new dance steps, they all fall into rhythm and dance the night away. From what I hear, they are also very welcoming to the curious foreigner, as long as you join the festivities respectfully.
6) Get the creative juices flowing: While I'm already a storytelling regular at a bar in the Gulou area, there are a number of great weekly events that create a collection of communities based on interests. Modernista, for example, has a weekly Drink and Draw night on Tuesday evenings. They select a model or selection of items that folks sketch as they sip on a discounted cocktail. The Four Corners Bar hosts a weekly storytelling event every Wednesday evening – take the stage and tell a story from your past for a free drink. http://these4corners.com/ For any expat, these events are excellent ways to make new friends and step outside your work circles to expand your own community.
7) Invite a local out to dinner: While I've had my fair share of meals with Beijingers, I'm rarely without an expat pal or two, and rarely is it my suggestion. It was my adult students who invited me to a nearby restaurant. It was my roommate who asked if my friend and I would join her group for dinner. But in hopes of forming those Chinese connections – and improve my own spoken language in the process – I want to take the first step and ask them to join me for coffee or a quick meal. In my experience, many are helpful and welcoming – and know well where the best baozi is in town.
In China
In a country this large and diverse, it's impossible to think I'll make it to every place on my list this year. But in an effort to be realistic, I'm aiming to stop by the following before 2017 arrives:
Kunming: The capital of the Yunnan Province, down in the southern part of China, Kunming holds a number of temples and natural parks that caught my eye while perusing China cities one day. Most alluring was the Stone Forest, a karst formation with rock caves, arches and pavilions that draw in tourists from across the country. You can find more information on this city here.
Macau: With another trip to Hong Kong in my future – once just wasn't enough! - I vowed to include Macau in my next visit. While it's known for its gambling, I've never been one for spending my money that way. What draws me is more the promise of unique and varied architecture and culture. Definitely worth a day, and only a quick ferry ride from Hong Kong. Find more information here.
Suzhou: Tucked in the Jiangsu Province, this city lured me in with photos I can only describe as idyllic. A basic Google image search had me fascinated, and I immediately added it to my list for this year. A hub of historical importance, too, the city was a center for economic and cultural change in China for decades. You can find more information here.
In Asia
I have a week-long trip to Vietnam already booked for February. We'll be traipsing around Hanoi and nearby villages – as long as we find the right bus – and enjoying some much-needed time in a warmer climate. As for the rest of 2016, I have my sights set on Japan and Myanmar. The former has been on my wish list for a long time, and so I've decided it shall be my birthday present to myself this year. Myanmar, well, that's a new obsession, one fueled by my new Beijing pal's fascination of that place. That, and the countless photos of a land dotted in centuries-old temples that crop up along my Instagram feed.
Personal Goals
Without going too deep down the “personal goal” rabbit hole, I have a few directly related to my time in China. To say I want to get a better grasp of the Chinese language is too simple. The true test of my Chinese knowledge will be when I can hold a conversation with a cab driver for at least a few minutes of the ride. Widely known as nearly unintelligible when they speak – a thick Beijinger accent is hard for even the more practiced laowai speakers I know – it would mean a lot to converse with them. I'd have to really know my stuff to pull that off. Along with the language, though, I have a number of “must reads” on my 2016 literary bucket list pertaining to Chinese culture and history. Next to the Penguin Classic Modern History of China is Midnight in Peking by Paul French and nearly anything by Peter Hessler.
Do you have suggestions on what I should add to the list? Send them along! I would also love to hear about your own 2016 bucket lists.
In Beijing
1) Take a trip out to the following:
The Great Wall of China – Shockingly, I haven't made it to one of the biggest tourist destinations there is near Beijing. There are dozens of sites where you can join the wall and hike for as long as your feet hold out, and expats all have their own favorites. It's best to research well not only how to get to the site in question, but whether it has been restored, is available for hiking and/or camping, etc. Click here or here for a few good resources for this, though word of mouth is the most useful in finding the best spots to visit.
The Olympic Park – Despite my teaching a course nearby, I haven't taken the time to tour the Olympic Park area. In 2008, the games brought a facelift to Beijing in the form of new policies – ie: less spitting on the sidewalks – as well as gentrification of some of the poorer parts of the city. It also brought unique architecture to the park itself in the form of the Bird's Nest, among others. Most conveniently accessed from Line 8 on the subway, you'll exit at Forest Park South Gate, Olympic Park or the Olympic Sports Center stations. (Note: Security at these stations is higher, so have your water bottle out of your back and be ready for a quick wave of the wand from the guards on duty.)
2) Try the snail noodles: While not actually made of snails, there's a shop outside the Huaqing Jiayuan apartment complex that boils its noodles in a snail broth. Per my coworker's recommendation, it's delicious, and doesn't technically break my vegetarian resolve to try. While the smell that comes from its dumpsters has deterred me thus far, I'm ready to take a bite.
Related: In the U Center in Wudaokou, there's an Indian restaurant recommended by a number of expats as some of the best Indian food in Beijing. Located across the city – and with one location in Xi'an – this restaurant has a menu that'll make you drool. You can check it out here: http://www.ganges-restaurant.com/en/. Better yet, go to the sixth floor of the U Center and try it out yourself. That, or visit the website for their other locations across Beijing.
3) Join a book club: From philosophy to feminism to fan fiction, there's a book club for nearly every genre somewhere in Beijing. You just have to find the right one for you. In typical expat fashion, I found one while making a new friend over pizza. In fact, most people find connections to these things through WeChat groups, conversational recommendations or from publications like The Beijinger (https://www.thebeijinger.com/) . Bookstores also often have postings for book club and meet-the-author events. The Bookworm in Sanlitun (https://www.thebeijinger.com/) is a great resource to get your foot in the door with like-minded book lovers.
4) Attend a speaker's event or symposium: At The Bridge, in Wudaokuo, they host regular speaker series on topics that range from political culture to a closer look at China's role in the global economy. Typically weekday evenings, at 7 p.m., these events draw in speakers well-versed in the topic, and allow a sort of dialogue with audience members. Other venues also host these types of events, and advertise them around coffee shops in the area. You can also find them on similar sites as listed before (ie: The Beijinger, The Bookworm, etc.)
5) Dance along at the Park Prom: Well, that's what I call it, anyway. Just outside the Wudaokuo subway station, there's a plaza commuters use to cut the corner to the train. But nearly every evening, a group will congregate there, boombox in hand. Soon the music crackles on and they're off – the dance has begun. From elderly couples stepping in a well-rehearsed box, to men and women anywhere from their 20s to 50s learning new dance steps, they all fall into rhythm and dance the night away. From what I hear, they are also very welcoming to the curious foreigner, as long as you join the festivities respectfully.
6) Get the creative juices flowing: While I'm already a storytelling regular at a bar in the Gulou area, there are a number of great weekly events that create a collection of communities based on interests. Modernista, for example, has a weekly Drink and Draw night on Tuesday evenings. They select a model or selection of items that folks sketch as they sip on a discounted cocktail. The Four Corners Bar hosts a weekly storytelling event every Wednesday evening – take the stage and tell a story from your past for a free drink. http://these4corners.com/ For any expat, these events are excellent ways to make new friends and step outside your work circles to expand your own community.
7) Invite a local out to dinner: While I've had my fair share of meals with Beijingers, I'm rarely without an expat pal or two, and rarely is it my suggestion. It was my adult students who invited me to a nearby restaurant. It was my roommate who asked if my friend and I would join her group for dinner. But in hopes of forming those Chinese connections – and improve my own spoken language in the process – I want to take the first step and ask them to join me for coffee or a quick meal. In my experience, many are helpful and welcoming – and know well where the best baozi is in town.
In China
In a country this large and diverse, it's impossible to think I'll make it to every place on my list this year. But in an effort to be realistic, I'm aiming to stop by the following before 2017 arrives:
Kunming: The capital of the Yunnan Province, down in the southern part of China, Kunming holds a number of temples and natural parks that caught my eye while perusing China cities one day. Most alluring was the Stone Forest, a karst formation with rock caves, arches and pavilions that draw in tourists from across the country. You can find more information on this city here.
Macau: With another trip to Hong Kong in my future – once just wasn't enough! - I vowed to include Macau in my next visit. While it's known for its gambling, I've never been one for spending my money that way. What draws me is more the promise of unique and varied architecture and culture. Definitely worth a day, and only a quick ferry ride from Hong Kong. Find more information here.
Suzhou: Tucked in the Jiangsu Province, this city lured me in with photos I can only describe as idyllic. A basic Google image search had me fascinated, and I immediately added it to my list for this year. A hub of historical importance, too, the city was a center for economic and cultural change in China for decades. You can find more information here.
In Asia
I have a week-long trip to Vietnam already booked for February. We'll be traipsing around Hanoi and nearby villages – as long as we find the right bus – and enjoying some much-needed time in a warmer climate. As for the rest of 2016, I have my sights set on Japan and Myanmar. The former has been on my wish list for a long time, and so I've decided it shall be my birthday present to myself this year. Myanmar, well, that's a new obsession, one fueled by my new Beijing pal's fascination of that place. That, and the countless photos of a land dotted in centuries-old temples that crop up along my Instagram feed.
Personal Goals
Without going too deep down the “personal goal” rabbit hole, I have a few directly related to my time in China. To say I want to get a better grasp of the Chinese language is too simple. The true test of my Chinese knowledge will be when I can hold a conversation with a cab driver for at least a few minutes of the ride. Widely known as nearly unintelligible when they speak – a thick Beijinger accent is hard for even the more practiced laowai speakers I know – it would mean a lot to converse with them. I'd have to really know my stuff to pull that off. Along with the language, though, I have a number of “must reads” on my 2016 literary bucket list pertaining to Chinese culture and history. Next to the Penguin Classic Modern History of China is Midnight in Peking by Paul French and nearly anything by Peter Hessler.
Do you have suggestions on what I should add to the list? Send them along! I would also love to hear about your own 2016 bucket lists.
My fellow BASEDtravelers have their own bucket lists for the new year. Check them out, and then get inspired to map out your own 2016 adventures.
Follow along with Liz as she tries new things in Wiesbaden:
Let Emily take you through some must-do's in Plymouth this year:
Rachel has great plans for Shenzhen in 2016, even after four years there:
Last year was packed with adventure, and it looks like much of the same for Jordan in Goseong:
Follow along with Liz as she tries new things in Wiesbaden:
Let Emily take you through some must-do's in Plymouth this year:
Rachel has great plans for Shenzhen in 2016, even after four years there:
Last year was packed with adventure, and it looks like much of the same for Jordan in Goseong: