Ninhao!

Part of the reason we wanted to come to China was to experience a completely different way of life, try everything on offer and meet a lot of new people! The internship itself was really rewarding and being based in Zhuhai is so much fun we didn’t sit still for one minute – ok maybe unless we were hungover! Being the busy people we are we’ve made a little list of all the things we have done whilst in Zhuhai and our time in China…

Doumen and the Jintai Temple-

This was our first intern trip after we had landed 8 hours earlier! It was a 40 minute cab ride to Doumen and the water was an incredible colour! It was great to meet the other interns and here about their jobs here too. The Jintai temple was full of people, we are still amazed by how fascinated the Chinese people are by their own culture! We did a mountain hike, (half a mountain hike maybe but we still got good pictures) near the temple which overlooked the lake, it’s something we would definitely recommend as it’s so close to Zhuhai and probably one of the closest temples.

Shijingshan Park-

We hadn’t been in Jida that long and went to Shigingshan park to do the cable cars up the shiging mountain. It is literally down the road from where live which costed about 10 RMB. You have the option to walk up and down the mountain but as we went to get the cables cars up which we were happy to do because the view of Zhuhai was amazing! Seeing all the mountains and the buildings just sums up china all in one. Once your up you get a bit of attention from the locals and tourists their wanting to take a few snaps.

Getting the toboggan down started off not so well as the worker was trying to explain to us what to do and we just had no clue what he was saying so he shared the ride down with us which was hilarious.

This is a good little trip to do just see the whole of Zhuhai and doesn’t take long.

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Chimelong Theme Park-

We made friends with some of the performers from Chimelong on one of our first nights here. It’s a really famous theme park in China, and we’ve found from being with them a few times that as soon as they tell a Chinese person that’s where they work it’s as if they are a celeb! Its in Hengqin 40 minutes from Jida where we live. The entry is 400rmb and you can go on the rollercoasters, see the parade and go to about 5 shows! There is a dolphin and Beluga Whale Show and the aquariums with polar bears. Then at 8pm the water show our friends perform in with Jetskis, flyboards and fireworks!We found out the owner of the theme parks owns a chain of them and tries to put an attraction in each park that is nowhere else, at Chimelong they have the worlds largest TV projector which was really hard to get a picture of cause it’s huge!

The rollercoasters aren’t quite Alton Towers but it was still a day we really enjoyed!

Taekwondo-

Before coming to china we both really wanted to join Taekwondo. As soon as Henry mentioned he did this, we was both buzzing and went for two free lessons. Got the full uniform and got to witness a belt award on the first night and saw henry get awarded his blue belt which was really nice to see! The taekwondo teachers where so lovely and really helpful even though they didn’t speak English, we just followed what they did and hoped for the best ! They loved us being there and every time we did a good kick or punch they would give us a round of applause. We both really wanted to join the class but due to money we couldn’t afford it but would definitely recommend it, as we had so much fun and did a good work out.

Guangzhou fabric and accessories centre-

With our internship we travelled around a lot, which was really fun but the highlight of it for us was visiting the Guangzhou fabric and textiles centre of china. It’s a place, even if you aren’t directly interested in fashion or textiles it’s good to get pieces of jewellery or just to see where the top or bag you bought from a shiny shop actually comes from! 7 floors starting from the actual floor outside of every single fabric you can imagine, carts weaving in and out of each other bikes flying across the road and men sat on the fabric as if it’s a bed! The roads in Guangzhou are chaos!

Shenzhen -

One weekend we wanted to go skiing in Shenzhen, we got the ferry there which took around 40 minutes then the subway to window of the world. This area is really cool as it’s a one stop site of replica iconic landmarks. We didn’t pay to go in there but we could see quite a few of the things there, we couldn’t find the skiing area and after walking back and two about 4 times we decided we would go ice skating instead so we didn’t waste the day! Ice skating in China, who knew?!

Dongguan-

As we are fashion students going the Dongguan shoe accessories market was an experience for us to witness and to see how everything is started from in the fashion industry. Seeing how it all starts was a massive eye opener. We travelled by bus which took 2 hours and at cheap price.

Jida beach

The beach day and night is a lovely part of Jida and so lucky to just live round the corner from it. The sea you cant swim in but it’s just nice to have a place that isn't as built up, neither of us expected it whilst being in china. We go a lot at night to eat our take outs and chat to the locals as they just come up to us asking questions which is really nice. It’s very newly built so it’s very clean and looks lovely.

At night time we were amazed by the random assemble of people that dance on the beach near the lit up waterfalls. You go down at around 8 and a little woman comes out with her speaker and everyone starts copying the moves, we gave it a go and managed to convince our reluctant flatmate Sam to aswell ha! We were amazed to find this is something that happens all over Zhuhai, it was like a very slow motion version of “Step Up.”

Massage-

Our friend Tess took us to the massage spa opposite Jida Beach, it was 70rmb for an hour foot massage! Living the life of absolute luxury for so little English money we went back for a full body one for 100rmb. Little did we know as we were half undressed you keep your clothes on for this one, we were given one uniform between us, we waited about 10 minutes, still no sign of the other uniform. So 15 minutes later with one top on Chloe and the pants on me the woman gives us the second uniform and starts laughing her head off! Well worth the money!

Go karting at Shijiang park-

We got told about go-karting and thought it would be miles away , it was in the same park we visited to go to the Shijang mountain! It cost 45rmb, or something very similar for 15 minutes, which was enough! The go karts were crazy but at least we got a helmet, rare they consider health and safety in China! Perfect for grandma drivers like me and Chel!

Bike riding on the island-

We made friends with a girl called Tess from Australia who has lived in China for 4 years and she took us to an island to go on a bike ride and to drink coconuts. We started off with a three seater bike and oh dear it didn’t go to plan. Running over the Chinese people and kept loosing our balance. The Chinese people were just laughing at us. We just then kept to our own bikes and road round the island that didn’t take long.  Again its not far at all and had such a funny day.

Fisher Girl-

Fisher girl is a famous part of Zhuhai and is seen as a lucky charm to fishermen to keep them safe. It’s seen as a iconic symbol of south China.  We drove past it a lot in the taxi day and night so we didn’t stop to see it. It always looks busy in the day and at night has a romantic feel.

Guilin Yangshou intern trip-

We went to Yangshou with the interns for a weekend, it was an 8 hour bus journey but was worth it once we were there. The Li River is the landscape scenery on the back of the 20rmb note, and this was our first stop where we did the bamboo river cruise.  One of the most memorable experiences we’ve had in our lives and something you have to do if given the opportunity! We visited the west street which was absolutely crazy ! you feel literally like a sardine in a tin, you blink too much you’re going to lose someone; but the buzzing atmosphere is what makes it so attractive to everyone. We visited the banyan tree scenic spot, a beer fish restaurant and the butterfly spring park. It was a really busy trip.

Huafa Mall-

In Zhuhai we love living in Jida but the main place we spent most of our time was Huafa! The Huafa Mall is very new and has a few clothing stores, including designer boutiques- we cant afford- and the more appealing H&M. It also has a host of restaurants which when you have had enough of Chinese food is a nice change! There is also a large supermarket inside which has a load of international imported food too.

Outdoor Swimming Pool

The outdoor swimming pool is next to the Starbucks in Jida, it was a bit of a maze to find and at first we was in the Zobon Hotel being quoted 120rmb for an hour indoor swimming session! Luckily we found the pool just behind , outdoors 35rmb for all day! Sunbeds, a big pool and the sun, we were happy!

Got our nails done

Just to say we had experienced it and to compare to at home, we went to a nail bar, we paid 160rmb for gels that are meant to last 4 weeks, they came off in less than 2. Not a fan!

Xi’an-

We have two friends that are living in Ningbo, which is two hours away from Shanghai and we went to meet up with them in Xi'an to see one of the 8^th wonders of the world, Terracotta warriors. Was really incredible to see how the terracotta army was discovered and how each soldier was built.  We stayed in the centre of Xi'an near the bell and drum tower. The hostel was for international travellers and we shared a room with two people that only cost 60rmb. We went to look at the bell and drum towers at night, which was all lit up and had a walk down the Muslim quarter, which really showed us the real china. Street food, making fresh noodles, cooking meat full of smoke, getting pushed around as it was so busy and all quirky Chinese shops. Was similar to West street in Yangzhou but not as many western bars. Muslim quarter is seen as a really good food place in china.  As we are interning in the week we went at the weekend and didn’t have long to stay but was just the right amount of time and  we still managed to witness all the main attractions.

Shanghai-

We planned our trip to shanghai and it started in the most disastrous way! Our flight was delayed from 4pm and at 11pm we were told it was cancelled and they were moving us to a hotel to be flown out in the next morning. The hotel was next door to our district! The next day we were woke up at 4am for us still to be waiting at 2pm with no guarantee of a flight. Determined to get there we looked at the train options and the only way was a 16 hour standing ticket from Guangzhou. Luckily Paul booked it for us as the wifi was terrible. Paul you’re forever a legend for that! We took the 3 hour cab to Guangzhou and naively English we didnt realise we were actually meant to stand up for 18 hours in the aisles of a packed train. We cornered off the smoking area and four of us slept in some human twister shape on top of our bags for 18 hours not 16! Luckily what was about to happen in Shanghai made it the best decision ever! The most incredible amazing place ever.

We had rented out scooters, which we're so happy we did as you get to see Shanghai in such a better view and it's easy to get around. Make sure to be very careful as they are mental divers! We also went to the bund as soon as we got them which has the most surreal view, it feels like you’re in a computer game almost! To see it from a better view we went to the rooftop peninsula bar the view was insane as the sun was out so you could see further as the pollution had cleared slightly. We also went to other areas such as Nanjing Road and Peoples Square Gardens, Nanjing Road is so pretty at night as all the trees and stores are all lit up. Then finally went to the Jinamo tower to do a sky walk and have the view of the whole city! We stayed in an area called the French concession as one our friends had a friend that lived in that area so we could meet up with him. We visited his rooftop, which had an amazing view of Shanghai, got to eat and pre drink on the roof top. Staying in the French concession was so different as it was full of western people and western restaurants and bars. We stayed at the ‘SUPER 8 HOTEL,’ which was 800rmb each for four nights, which is good price for staying in Shanghai. The nightlife was wild! There is a massive western community and every bar is packed, every night! The first night we went to Yongkang road to Funkadelle an Italian style bar with really quirky interior, this was buzzing people pouring out onto the streets drinking and chatting, the police came around 2 to push everyone indoors as outdoor drinking time was over! The second night we went to DaDa an underground club which reminded us of sankeys from back home! We found it weird as there is a lot of movement in one night. clubs seem to be packed and empty within the space of two hours so from DaDa we moved to LaBron. LaBron, being the complete opposite with quilted seats and chandeliers. Like two different worlds in one night! The third night was the most crazy, we went to club Mint, a superclub at the top of a hotel with an aquarium full of baby sharks in! A return trip to there will be made one day!

Nightlife-

We had some great nights at the weekend in Zhuhai, there is bar street with Baba, Cassa Pepe’s and Conneelys Irish Bar we tried with a few others but Huafa New Century was the better area for clubs, Miu Miu, 919, M2 and A Club to name some that we liked. And the Huafa mid town has a lot of new bars opening, such as Azur! There was never a dull night wherever it was and internationals get in for free everywhere!

Food-

The first week was really challenging food wise as we both where worried about everything we was eating but as we got into it all started to find our way around it got a lot better. Had a lot of papa johns that week. We both are really into all the vegetables they make here and we didn’t eat meat or fish, only little bits here and there. Once youve seen a load of pigs in a truck or chickens hung upside down in restaurants it put us off!  As we got familiar with everywhere we started to realise what Chinese food we liked and now we love it! Our fave is a 2 min walk from where we live and we call it hot pot place. You picked all the food you want and they cook it up for you. They ask if you want it spicy or not but we always get spicy as its so much better. We have got friendly with the people that work their and always have a giggle with them as we don’t understand what their saying and they live in the same district as us so always seeing them.

We always buy coconuts from the fruit shops and now know where the best place to go to get one from. There's a fruit shop we always go to that cuts up the fruit as a lot of them don’t. We have also got friendly with them and always say how wonderful and beautiful the fruit is and they love it!

We went to spicy ribs place for an intern china dinner, which was really good as it was spicy food and went again on our own. A Chinese lady came up to us trying to ask if we could teach her English and telling us about her son who is a F 1 driver from Macau. She got her English speaking Chinese friend on the phone to us explaining and gave her details. When we asked for the bill they said the lady had paid for us ! just shows how friendly the Chinese are and we was very grateful.

We loved a small restaurant that did little dishes and clay pots that served egg and tomato and lots of veggie type foods. We went one day and found a worm just chilling in the dish and we both just looked at each other and our faces dropped, we wont be going back. (gutted)

We do miss the British food and go to western places for a treat at Conneelys and the London lounge, which are closer to us and near bar street. We tend to go more to Huafa New Town to eat and go out which has ‘The Garden’ (they do big salads) and ‘The Factory’, which does toasties, pizza, pasta, chicken and chips etc.

The worst place we have been was the roman restaurant and it was awful! Imagine something to look amazing and taste the opposite, we ordered pasta and made us both feel really sicky – do not recommend.

Good bye-

Being here only a short time there are still things we’d love to have done but haven’t, such as going to an island, the cinema in Huafa new century and paintballing.  We are finishing our trip going to Beijing, Hong Kong and Macau. Overall we have tried to do a lot of things ourselves whilst we have been here but if it wasn’t for the intern china team, Paul, Henry, Ana and Janice always answering our 101 annoying questions and being on hand to help us out every time, we would have really struggled to do everything, so thank you! We really appreciate all the help you have given us and are so jealous and excited for all the upcoming interns coming to China! We’ve had the best time ever!

 Chelsea and Chloe xx