Chinese New Year presented NYU Shanghai students with the perfect opportunity to travel around Asia; however, traveling during the New Year season can be stressful, hectic, and expensive. In order to escape the city, a few friends and I opted to take a bus trip to climb a mountain in the Xianju County of Zhejiang Province, only about a five hour ride from Shanghai. We booked through a tour group so we paid a flat fee which included all bus tickets, lodging, and three meals a day. (Photo by: Annie Seaman) Before arriving on the mountain, we stopped in the nearby city to buy snacks, water, and most importantly, fireworks. During Chinese New Year, firecrackers are set off to ward away the evil and bring in a safe new year. Fireworks can be seen and heard at all hours of the day during the week of Chinese New Year celebrations. (Photo by: Annie Seaman) After arriving at the base of the mountain, we were told our village was a three hour, uphill hike away, so with all of our gear, we headed up the mountain. After only an hour, our legs started to get tired and by hour two we were all completely exhausted. As we reached higher altitudes, the air was getting colder and crisper. Every time we would stop for a break, we would take a long inhale to breathe in the rejuvenating mountain air. (Photo by: Annie Seaman) As soon as the sun went down we joined in the celebrations by setting off fireworks and firecrackers to ring in the new year. Late into the night, we could still hear the cracking and popping of exploding fireworks. (Photo by: Annie Seaman) On New Year’s Day we set out on an early morning hike destined for a modest temple. We hiked along side our local guide through a thick bamboo forest. The guide had to be in the front so that he could cut through the bamboo and create a walking path for everyone behind him. Before long we arrived at a temple created by the local people. Inside we lit incense and wished for a happy and prosperous new year. (Photo by: Annie Seaman) These mountain peaks were the first things we would see when we woke up. Every morning, we would gather in the village to eat a homemade breakfast. My favorite dish was a tofu (made from scratch the night before) and noodle soup with salty peanuts and pickled vegetables. I would also eat steamed bread with a tea egg, an egg hard boiled in tea. (Photo by: Annie Seaman) Upon returning to our village after a long hike, we came across this swatch of terraced farming. Because of the village’s remote location, the local people must grow or gather their own food. (Photo by: Annie Seaman) We were treated to three deliciously homemade meals a day. Every meal was served family style, very typical of traditional Chinese food. Every meal was different every day but the most popular ingredient was bamboo because of the rich abundance of bamboo in the forest. When we would set out for our hikes in the morning, our local guide would stop along the way to dig up the bamboo shoots we would later enjoy for lunch and dinner. (Photo by: Annie Seaman) Our Chinese New Year trip to the Xianju County in Zhejiang Province was very relaxing and rejuvenating! Getting out of the city and being able enjoy the fresh air and beautiful scenery alongside good friends was the perfect way to start off a new semester and a new year. (Photo by: Annie Seaman) Share: Facebook Twitter Weibo All Years202420232022202120202019201820172016201520142013 Apply Applied Learning Apr 19 2016 Triple Bottom LineApr 18 2016 Shaoyang Schooling Apr 15 2016 Tea RoomApr 14 2016 Reef EncountersApr 13 2016 Starting UpApr 12 2016 Green Glam Apr 11 2016 Library Congress Apr 11 2016 Basketball BrawlApr 5 2016 Jazz Jury Apr 1 2016 Capital Connections Mar 30 2016 High NotesMar 29 2016 Smart Start Mar 29 2016 Hot Tracks Mar 28 2016 Caring Spirit Mar 23 2016 Pagination « First First page ‹ Previous Previous page … 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 … Next › Next page Last » Last page
