May Term 2012
From one capital to another
We’re now 600 miles and over 1000 years removed from the Tang capital of Xi’an (and a 13 hour train ride) in the capital of China (mostly) since the Mings moved back here to better combat the barbarians from the North. We’re in Beijing, capital of the People’s Republic of China, a city of 16-19 … Continue reading
If you ever had a birthday in Xi’an…
We had a student who had a birthday today, Michael Goldstein, and if you’d been here to celebrate with him, here’s what you might have done: Most people come to Xi’an for the terra cotta warriors, and rightly so, but the first emperor who constructed them ruled China for only 15 years, and his dynasty … Continue reading
Xi’an, the road to Western Peace
We’re in Xi’an, a city of 8 million, but one, as I’m fond of writing, that was the capital of China for over 1000 years (thirteen dynasties, our guide reminds us; can you name more than 3? Qin, Han, and Tang?), but most recently 1000 years ago. It’s a reminder that China was once THE … Continue reading
The New and the Old in Shanghai
I had almost started by saying we were touring the “old”, which is the Jade Buddha temple—built in 1928—when I realized we’d visited the Yu Yuan (the Yu garden) which dates from the 16th century, and spent almost two hours in the Shanghai Museum, where I lingered in the Bronzes, some of which go back … Continue reading
Shanghai: The other capitalist city in China
From Hong Kong (a capitalist enclave in the People’s Republic of China) we took a 21 hour train ride to Shanghai, which has been reclaiming its prerevolutionary title as the center of capitalism (and finance)in China. I think of it, not always positively, as New York. One of the original treaty ports opened to foreign … Continue reading
Eating, shopping, and touring: HK
Our Peak Experience Everybody loves Hong Kong—and with good reason. One is the setting, unlike almost any city in the world, with its center on Victoria Harbor which separates Hong Kong island from Kowloon on the mainland. This is the tourist hub, and the bright lights and shopping meccas that are a second reason that Hong Kong … Continue reading
Palaces and Gurus
Today’s long day (8o miles in 4 hours—each way!) helped us understand a little bit more about South India. We’re 1070 miles from New Delhi, near 12 degrees latitude, which demonstrates in part that India is a country with size and variety. We’re in the state of Karnataka, one of 28 states in India. I’ve been told … Continue reading