Hi, I’m Eve and I’m currently half way through a five week internship organised by InternChina in Zhuhai! Myself and five others decided to come to Zhuhai as part of a five week placement period organised by our university.
I had absolutely no idea what I was heading into when I decided to come to China. Having not even left Europe before I was definitely diving into the deep end, but since arriving I’ve been amazed every day! I have only been here for two weeks, however I already feel like I’ve gained a lifetime of new experiences and memories.
Since being in Zhuhai, I think we have managed to get lost every time we decide to explore somewhere new, however it is all part of the fun! Every night is a new adventure, even when we think we’re just going down the street to get some food we end up out for 4 hours having walked 3 miles. I’ve been in fits of laughter all whilst experiencing this amazing city through wandering aimlessly.
So far we’ve ventured into Macau (we managed to walk 30,000 steps that day), and we have also been camping in the island of Wai Ling Ding; these have been entirely contrasting experiences yet equally as incredible and I’ll remember them both for a very long time!
My internship has been incredibly fascinating too. I am working in a Chinese company so I have managed to learn a lot about Chinese Business culture, working in a Chinese company comes with a lot of benefits, for example, I’ve been taken to a rice farm, a rural farm, a rice factory and I’ve even been Chinese cake testing. I’ve drank so many flavours of Chinese tea!
The amount of things they make out of rice has continually shocked me, I have tasted a hot rice drink and even a ‘cake’ that’s made out of the stuff. I can’t say I don’t miss a good Victoria sponge but I think it’s fascinating being in and amongst the Chinese culture everyday. After trying the cakes my boss bought two boxes to take back to the office, and all my colleagues were munching on them throughout the afternoon.
Considering I’m only two weeks into my Internship, I think I’ve experienced quite a lot, and I’m very excited to continue my journey to see where else I can explore!
If you want your own experiences, I recommend exploring China with the help of InternChina by applying here
10 Amazing Places to Visit in China
When you think of visiting China you immediately think of the famous destinations- The Bund in Shanghai, Beijing’s Forbidden City and the Terracotta Army of Xi’an among many, many others. But if you want to be able to go home and have people saying “tell me more” rather than “I already know that”, then you’ll want to visit some of the amazing destinations our interns have discovered over the years, all close enough to visit in a weekend (which isn’t nearly long enough of course.)
From Chengdu
Emei Shan
From Chengdu, Emei Shan can be easily reached by both bus and train so it is an ideal overnight trip.
Emei Shan is a well-known attraction to many because of the deep cultural and religious associations with Buddhism. The first Buddhist temple, Huazang, was built here in 1AD, and the largest Buddha in the world, LeShan’s Giant Buddha (which stands at an awe inspiring 71 metres tall) is also located here.
In addition to the cultural, religious and historical importance of Emei Shan, the area is a huge conservation effort. You can find over 3,000 diverse species of plants and trees over a millennium old all around the mountains, as well as over 2,000 kinds of animals.
Emei Shan will leave you speechless- its beauty, fascinating history and religious calm will make this a trip to remember. So stroll up the mountain, take in the view, and relax as the monks from over 30 temples remind you of the spiritual importance of this place.
Kangding
Kangding, also known as the Land of the Snows, is a trip for those who don’t mind braving the cold in order to experience a fascinating combination of Chinese and Tibetan culture. While you will have to endure a 10 hour bus journey from Chengdu, the sights that will welcome you throughout Kangding will make you forget all about the journey.
You will get to experience true Tibetan cuisine and customs while here- one intern said they felt as if they’d travelled to Tibet without ever leaving China.
Highlights of the trip include the Tagong and Dordrak Monasteries, Guoda Mountain, Hailuogou Valley, the Taong grasslands and the Mugetso Scenic Area. Arguably the best time of year to visit is in Autumn, but whenever you decide to visit, make sure you pack warm clothes!
JiuZhaiGou
JiuZhaiGou National Park is yet another area of astonishing national beauty in China… blue lakes only seen in paintings, sprawling mountain ranges, waterfalls and forests to entertain you for hours. Similar to Kangding, JiuZhaiGou will give you the opportunity to experience some Tibetan culture. While you do need to pay admission into the park, you have acres to explore and hours to do so- you can even camp out if you’re feeling adventurous.
If you want to see the park in all its glory, visit in Autumn to be surrounded by every colour imaginable while the weather is still enjoyable.
From Dalian
Shenyang
Located close to Dalian is the capital of Liaoning province, Shenyang. Shenyang is an ancient city filled with great artistic, cultural and historical importance- namely due to the excellent preservation of the Shenyang Imperial Palace. Shenyang is also widely believed to be the birthplace of the Qing Dynasty (which lasted from 1644 to 1911!), so it is a city filled with more than 2000 years of history.
Other notable relics from the Qing Dynasty include the Fuling Tomb, in which the founder of the Qing Dynasty (Nurhachi) and his Empress are interred, and the Zhaoling Tomb, home of Nurhachi’s successor Huang Taji and his Empress.
And if you are interested in more than just the history of the city, there is a curious natural phenomenon for you to play with- Guaipo. The “Strange Slope”, as it is otherwise known, is a sloping piece of land approximately 80 metres long which doesn’t abide by the rules of gravity. Cars, bicycles and tourists alike all have to accelerate to go downhill, yet can enjoy a leisurely roll back up the hill… just a little confusing!
Of course, there is the usual abundance of bars, restaurants and KTV venues to keep you occupied at night.
From Qingdao
Beijing
While Beijing is far from being an “off the beaten track” destination, it’s a popular trip for the Qingdao interns. After all, it would be a little disappointing to go to China without seeing the Great Wall when it’s only a few hours away on the train! If you aren’t aware of what China’s capital city has to offer you, a quick summary would be the Summer Palace, the Ming Tombs, Tiananmen Square, the National Grand Theatre, the panda base, the Silk Market, the Lama Temple and the Forbidden City. Oh, and the Great Wall of China.
Beijing is a city with millions upon millions of people from all walks of life, and with a history spanning three thousand years it’s obvious why this is one of the most traveled to destinations in the world. You’ll have the opportunity to see ancient and modern China with your own eyes all in one place!
You can reach Beijing from Qingdao in around five hours via train, or even quicker by plane, however travelling by train is a whole other experience everyone should have in China!
Laoshan
Qingdao is famous for two mountains- Fushan and Laoshan. While FuShan has the attraction of being located in the middle of Qingdao, LaoShan provides a much more interesting challenge and experience… and who doesn’t love a challenge?
Located approximately a 30- 40 minute drive from Qingdao, visiting Laoshan will mean you can see rivers, waterfalls, ancient temples, beautiful forests and amazing scenery all from one place. The Laoshan National Park covers an area of around 450 square kilometres, so you will have plenty of sights to see on your climb to the top of Mount Lao. Or if the climb seems too daunting, take the cable car to the top, and relax with some local Tsingtao beer or Mount Lao green tea while you enjoy the view.
ZhouZhuang
ZhouZhuang in the Jiangsu province, arguably the most beautiful water town in China, is located near Shanghai and is very easily travelled to from Qingdao by bus, train or plane in just a few hours.
If you want to be transported back to quieter times in China, then a day trip to Zhouzhang will be perfect for you. The opportunity to float along the waterways of this village on a traditional gondola and witness the locals go about their daily lives entirely on the water is not something you can see anywhere else- who wouldn’t want to witness someone doing their shopping from a boat? With the added bonus of being surrounded by ancient architecture almost a thousand years old, which has been virtually untouched by the recent developments in China, ZhouZhuang is the perfect relaxing day trip.
From Zhuhai
Macau
Macau, also known as the “Las Vegas of Asia”, is a fast paced, energetic city that you will struggle to fit into a weekend trip. Unfortunately this trip is only possible if your visa allows multiple entries, so if not it may be best to wait until you are leaving China to spend a weekend here. To visit Macau from Zhuhai, you can take a ferry across the bay or even walk!
Macau will offer you an interesting mix of Cantonese Chinese and Portuguese influences, and it is highly recommended to take time to walk around the city and take in the mix of architecture and cultures surrounding you. Make your way from Sendao Square around the streets, sampling traditional Macau food, visiting Golden Lotus Square and the ruins of St. Paul’s Cathedral. In the evening, spend some time around the famous casinos!
Foshan
Foshan is both one of Guangdong province’s oldest cities (5,000 years old!) and one of the most modern. With a history heavily focused on the arts, including opera, martial arts and traditional ceramic crafts, there no shortage of cultural activities in the city for the art lovers among you.
If you want to try your hand at creating some traditional Chinese pottery, you can do so using the Nanfeng Kiln, otherwise known as the oldest kiln in China.
There is a much more recent connection to the martial arts as well- you can visit the house of Bruce Lee’s ancestors! If that isn’t to your interest, then the Zumiao Commercial Street filled with malls, plazas, restaurants and tea houses might be more to your taste.
To continue your cultural development, visit the Ancestral Temple, or the Qinghui Garden.
Yangshuo
If you’ve ever held a 20RMB note, then you are already familiar with the mountain scenery that will greet you from the Li River in Yangshuo.
There are several reasons to visit Yangshou, including the incredible change of pace you’ll be thrown into (compared to Zhuhai’s easy going atmosphere). You can start the trip with a lazy rafting journey down the Li River, before visiting the incredible Silver Cave below:
There’s also the abundance of amazing local food, including Beer Fish, stuffed Li River snails, bite size Li River fried shrimp and of course, street barbecues.
https://youtu.be/tjQAb0WOHoA?list=PLEzizmiPiASbVVWfezkIz4Si5rqWqp4dm
If you want to visit these amazing cities yourself, then apply now to experience China yourself!
Type ‘China’ into any search engine and a bewildering mishmash of skyscrapers, shopping centres and super-sized monuments flood the screen. From photos, at a casual glance, one city can look quite similar to another. But in a country that spans 9,600,000KM² and what should be 5 different time zones, there’s a wider variety of cultural differences than first meets the eye. So what sort of local culture can you expect to encounter doing an internship in Qingdao, Chengdu or Zhuhai?
Lucky for me, I’ve had the opportunity to visit or live in all three cities now. From my internship in the central western metropolis of Chengdu, to living and working in Qingdao out on a peninsula on the east coast of China, and finally visiting Zhuhai for business in the far south coast bordering Macau. I’m starting to develop a real sense of the local flavours in terms of food, culture and general attitudes to life. Let me see if I can summarise it for you:
|
|
|
The Food (in my opinion the best way to get a feel for any Chinese city)
Far east Qingdao meal times are all about, yes you’ve guessed it, the famous local brew Tsingtao Beer. Whether the Qingdaonese are eating out in the late evening at the street BBQ round the corner or cooking at home, there’s a jug of Tsingtao on the table. Interns here over the summer months often see people winding their way home with a few plastics bags full of beer swinging from the handle bars of their E-bike or scooter. It’s the perfect accompaniment to a plateful of sautéed clams or BBQ chicken wings.
Out west in Chengdu is renowned for its tongue numbing SPICE. Moving here most interns learn to develop and iron lining to the inner stomach pretty quickly, but the flavours make it absolutely worth it. The locals don’t just leave the restaurants to the visitors either, the Sichuanese love a regular family night out. They can spend hours around a pot of Ganguo (Dry Pot) or Huoguo (Hot Pot) chatting noisily, chilling and drinking copious amounts of beer to quell the numbing thirst.
Down south in Zhuhai the flavours are much more delicate but just as mouthwatering. Meals here usually start off with the careful observed tradition of rinsing your cups, bowls with the hot water provided. It quickly becomes a habit that you miss when visiting other cities. The best thing about Zhuhai though is the breakfasts! Arrays of Dim sum (variety of small stacks mostly consisting of steamed shrimp and meat dumplings) accompanied by a warm bowl of rice porridge that sets you up nicely for the day to come.
|
|
|
The Elderly
I always think the elderly are of the best indicators of local culture. China’s ageing population are noticeable wherever you go. The Chinese love spending most of their morning practising Taiqi and their days with their grand kids, but all three InternChina cities have their fair share of elderly Chinese Chess (Xiang Qi) players and card sharks too.
In Qingdao you’re more likely to find these groups in the peaceful parts of Old Town, congregated under the shade of big trees planted in the German colonial period. With the grand-kids running around them the scene looks pretty idyllic but I’m fairly sure at least some games of Baohuang (Protect the Emperor!) and Gouji (High Level) end badly for at least some of the players involved! Both are local card games invented in Shandong province.
Over in Chengdu it’s the tea houses that draw in the Sichuanese senior citizens. A fellow intern once told me of a disastrous time they bet against the grandmother of her host family in a game of Mahjong. Trust me, they won’t go easy on you, the only way is to learn their tactics the hard way! It might be hard on your self-esteem but it’s not a bad way to practice your local Sichuanese accent outside of the language classroom.
Down in Zhuhai, it’s a fair bet that they take no prisoners either when betting on card games like Tuolaji (Tractor) and Doudizhu (Fight the Landlord). With such close proximity to the world’s largest gambling centre Macau just over the border, it’s no wonder the gambling spirit has permeated Zhuhai’s local population too. At any rate, when their not at the cards you’re likely to find most of Zhuhai’s pensioners wandering along Jida Beach and Lover’s Walk.
|
|
|
The Stereotypes
People from Shandong Province where Qingdao is based are renowned for having a hospitable nature. However there’s also a strict and disciplined streak in there. Qingdao-ren get things done! That’s why Qingdao’s port is one of the busiest in the world. Weekends are often spent fishing from the shoals or relaxing in a tent on the beach make up for the bustle of the city centre.
Chengdu people can have a bit of a spicy temperament, just like their food. But in day to day life the locals are extremely easy-going. They like to take things slow which is a direct contrast to the booming development of the city growing up around them. For the younger generation, resident foreigners and visiting students though, Chengdu is fast becoming a party capital for China.
Zhuhai-ren is also incredibly laid back. They also have a reputation for pragmatism, a pinch of ambition but also a warm dose of hospitality. The truth is that very few Zhuhai people are originally from Zhuhai, due to its location bang in the middle of Hongkong, Macau, Shenzhen and Guangzhou it’s attracted people from all over the country as well as many a foreign face. This also makes Zhuhai a hot-spot for big corporations from Hong kong breaking into the Chinese mainland market.
The first cities that usually come to mind for people in search of a competitive work environment, where you can learn new skills in China are usually Beijing or Shanghai. But if you’re really up for a new encounter, and a chance to get immersed in a different culture whilst discovering what makes China’s economy tick, then find out more about some of the internships on offer in Qingdao, Chengdu and Zhuhai. Apply now!
Hi, everyone,
My name is Ali, I am turning 25 this year (sadly) and currently live in Manchester UK. I’ve been luckily enough to work for a worldwide bank in a very successful sales role where I was rewarded significantly for my efforts there in my first ever job fresh out of college as a fresh faced 18/19 year old.
I am so immensely proud to be joining the InternChina team as their first ever full time UK employee! It’s my first few weeks in the role of Bookings Administrator and it has been very busy but I have enjoyed every minute so far. Our managing director Jamie has made me feel very welcome along with all the other staff based in the Chinese offices.
After spending a considerable amount of my free time in Manchester as all my friends were located there, I decided to take the plunge and move to a big city. There I was successful in acquiring a role for the government as an Information Advisor for the UK public in relation to their employment rights. In this role that I highly enjoyed, I meet some fantastic people but when I found out InternChina was hiring I put all my efforts into pursuing a career that meant more than just your average 9-5 role.
Fortunately in the last 10 years I have been able to visit a few countries around the world with friends and family. These include going to the Caribbean for a family wedding, touring through most parts of Europe with friends on skiing and summer holidays and the best trip of my life to Asia in spring 2014.
My holiday to Asia was great for so many reasons, none more so than the amount of places I was able to fit in to the trip. Starting out with a few days Hong Kong, I then got the ferry to Macau where I made it rain in the Venetian, that was followed by some eventful to say the least nights out in Zhuhai and Shanghai. From there I took the cultural element of the trip a little bit more serious and went on to visit the giant pandas in Chengdu, the Terracotta warriors in Xi’an, and the Great Wall of China in Beijing. The trip which lasted just over 3 weeks then sadly came to end in Korea where I had an equally fantastic time in Seoul.
All in all I couldn’t recommend Asia more but in particular China! From the incredibly friendly and warm locals to the amazing cities, landscapes and superb cultural experiences on offer it most certainly has something for everyone.
I am now really excited to start my career with InternChina, help the company grow to best of my abilities and hopefully get to visit China and Asia on many more occasions.
My Chinese New Year journey started on 30th January when we finished work. That night we first went out to dinner and then spent the rest of the evening drinking with all the interns in Zhuhai. It was a very good night with some amazing fireworks to celebrate the start of the new year.
The next day I woke up quite early (with a slight hangover) to take the ferry to Shenzhen which is actually very close to Zhuhai. A friend of mine was there on holiday so we decided to meet up. When I arrived in Shenzhen I first met my friend and we then rushed to take the bus to Hong Kong. The bus ticket to Hong Kong was quite cheap and on a quiet day the journey only takes around 50 minutes, which thankfully for us, it was!
Once we arrived in Hong Kong we walked around the city and got lost. I didn’t mind as I actually find this the best way to explore a new city. Later that evening when we managed to find our bearings we returned to Shenzhen and spent the next two days there. My time in Shenzhen was very relaxed, we spent the days walking around, eating and chilling in the sun., which is my ideal holiday!
Because my first trip to Hong Kong was such a short trip I decided to go there again but this time all on my own and then return to Zhuhai the same day by ferry. But this time round the bus to Hong Kong was terrible, it was slow and overcrowded.
Once again when I arrived in Hong Kong, I spent the day walking around and sightseeing. I didn’t keep track of time and didn’t feel like rushing to take the ferry to Zhuhai, so I decided to find a hostel and stay in Hong Kong for the night. Easier said than done. Because it was Chinese New Year it was extremely busy time in Hong Kong and every hostel/hotel I came across was full!
After 2 hours of searching, I finally found a hostel with the one bed available. At the hostel I met some nice people who I then I went to dinner with. I was also able to discover the Hong Kong night life with them.
I had initially planned to wake up early to do some last minute sightseeing and allow myself plenty of time to get the ferry to Zhuhai. But as I overslept, I had to rush anyway. When I finally arrived to the port I heard the ferries to Zhuhai were full for that day. But it wasn’t a problem as there were other ways to get back to Zhuhai, this was to take the ferry to Macau and then cross the border. After hours of waiting, taking the ferry ride and a bus ride through Macau, I finally made it home! The remaining 2 days of the holiday, I did what every teenager loves to do, just sit back and relax.
There are plenty of cultural and fun activities to do in China during Chinese New Year. And more places to travel to than you can dream of. Do an internship in China and be here for the next Chinese New Year, apply now!
Nun bin ich schon fast drei Monate hier in Zhuhai und mache mein Praktikum bei InternChina. Glücklicherweise habe ich noch gute zwei Monate vor mir.Ich möchte euch mehr über das Leben hier in Zhuhai erzählen. Unter der Woche kann man hier in Zhuhai tolle Sachen machen. Nach der Arbeit treffe ich mich meistens mit anderen Praktikanten die bei unseren Partnerunternehmen arbeiten.
Häufig gehen wir zusammen Abendessen und die Auswahl an guten Restaurants ist ziemlich groß. Hier in Zhuhai bekommen wir Gerichte so gut wie aus jeder Provinz Chinas. Zusätzlich gibt es eine große Auswahl an westlichen Restaurants, d.h. was das Essen betrifft, kann man sich kaum beklagen. 🙂
Nach einem guten Abendessen gehen wir gerne mal Inlineskaten, Bowlen, Billard, Tennis oder Badminton spielen. Wenn ich mal nicht unterwegs mit Freunden bin, setze ich mich zu Hause hin und lerne chinesisch oder gehe spazieren in einem von den vielen Parkanlagen, die wir haben oder einfach nur an der Promenade entlang.
Natürlich sind die Wochenenden am Besten! An Freitagen gehen wir normalerweise alle gemeinsam aus. Wir treffen uns am BBQ oder bei jemandem zu Hause, trinken dann ein paar Bier und dann geht es auch schon los zur „Barstreet“. Dort gibt es viele gute Clubs, in denen wir oft die ganze Nacht tanzen und Spaß haben. Hier läuft auch ganz normale Musik, wie wir sie aus unserer Heimat kennen aber auch ab und zu Beats aus den Chinesischen Charts.
An anderen Wochenenden fahre ich gerne auch mal nach Guangzhou (1 Std. mit dem Zug) um meine Freunde zu besuchen oder aber auch nach Hong Kong (1 Std. mit der Fähre) zum Shoppen.
In Zhuhai lässt sich das Wochenende sehr leicht gestalten und die Auswahl an Aktivitäten ist ziemlich groß. Neben den vielen Sportaktivitäten wie Tennis, Badminton, Beach-Volleyball usw. kann man auch Paintballspielen gehen, auf den Berg hier in Zhuhai klettern, um die Aussicht zu genießen oder zu den Hot Springs fahren, um sich zu entspannen, zur Massage gehen, die hier ziemlich preiswert ist und vieles mehr. Unter anderem kann man wunderschöne Wochenendausflüge auf Inseln in der Umgebung buchen. Rund um Zhuhai sind mehr als hundert kleine Inseln, auf denen man zelten oder auch Hotels buchen kann – ein Wochenende an einem herrlichen Strand.
Zhuhai ist eine Stadt in der es nie langweilig wird. Die einheimischen sind super freundlich und hilfsbereit. Man lernt auch sehr viele Leute aus unterschiedlichen Ländern kennen, was sehr interessant ist.
Zhuhai ist eine tolle Stadt mit vielen interessanten Praktika. Bewerbt Euch jetzt und erkundet die Stadt mit Monika.
As I had to pack my baggage for China it was impossible for me to take everything I need. I had to compress my whole life in only 23Kilo. But what can I leave at home? What do I really need? That leads to the main question: What can I buy here in China?
You can find nearly everything here in Zhuhai. There is the big underground market, the walking street and a lot of shopping centres, where you can buy clothes, shoes, handbags and stuff for your mobile phone and a lot of other things.
The underground market in Gongbei is located right at the boarder to Macau. It’s like a huge labyrinth – two floors and loads of corridors. One small shop is next to the other. In these shops they nearly use every centimetre to place their products. From very cheap over handmade up to “brand” clothes and handbags: every sector is available. You can find some shops for the men’s world as well, like electronics, mobile phones, DVDs, watches and outdoor equipment. However, you have to be careful – when you are a foreigner and you don’t have an idea of the prices they try to rip off your money. So you have to know that these prices aren’t fixed – you HAVE to bargain. For me it’s kind of fun, though, to walk around and bargain with these people for the price.
If you want to shop in common stores like H&M you will be disappointed. Zhuhai itself has no H&M store but we have “Only” and “Vero Moda” which are more or less the same quality-wise. If you really can’t live without H&M you can go to the three big cities next to Zhuhai: Hong Kong, Macau and Guangzhou. As these stores are all over the world, the prices are the same as everywhere. For more Western shops you can go to the international plaza – a huge shopping centre with Western brands. Fast food chains like McDonalds, KFC and Starbucks can also be found there.
You are also interested in the local shops? Then you can go to one of the many Shopping centres in our city and the famous pedestrian zone of Zhuhai. There you find common Chinese stores that are similar to the European H&M.
Keep in mind sizes are smaller than in Europe – so don’t be ashamed to take a bigger size. The Chinese women naturally have a smaller and tinier figure than we have.
Would you like to help Pia bargaining in Zhuhai? Then apply for an internship now!
Before coming to China, I remember thinking that when my six month internship in China is finished, I want to be able to say I’ve really seen China. During my initial emails with current Office Manager Morgan Dolan before I arrived, I told her this, and she replied with “I don’t think you realize how big China really is!” Six months later, I can actually say that I have seen a lot of China!
The truth is, China is really big! It’s very easy for me to get overly ambitious with my travelling ideas, so when I initially got here I aimed for the closer places – Hong Kong, Guangzhou, Macau, etc and finally got over the idea of ‘seeing’ China. Then one day when I was sitting at the park with a bunch of my friends (fellow interns), a few of us came upon the topic of all the places in China we’d like to go. Pretty soon we had all agreed on the great places we’d all want to go. A few of us girls ended up making plans to go see these places before our internships are over; Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, Xi’an. These were our goals.
Planning trips can tend to be very overwhelming, so we decided to tackle one destination at a time, and planned one trip per month. After doing a lot of research and talking to some of our Chinese friends, we found that the best websites to use for traveling within China are: www.skyskanner.com, www.ctrip.com, http://flight.qunar.com/. These websites offer a wide variety of frequent flights from all of the nearby airports (from Zhuhai, the easiest airports to depart from are either Zhuhai or Guangzhou). There are also many buses that go from Zhuhai to either the Zhuhai airport or the Guangzhou airport directly, and they run really frequently so it is really easy to just hop on the bus after work on a Friday and go straight to the airport. Prices for flying within China also are not too expensive; for example my flight to Shanghai was 1000rmb (125€), to Chengdu and Xi’an were both 1300rmb (163€), and the flight to Beijing was 2000rmb (250€). From what our Customer Relations Manager Sunny tells me, flights within China can be a lot cheaper, however this all depends on when you buy the tickets and the time of year that you decide to go – we however didn’t have that much time and simply wanted to ensure that we would go there, so we were happy with these prices.
There are arrays of cheap, and great, hostels to choose from in each city. By visiting www.hostelworld.com you can check out all the local hostels and pick the best one for you. Most hostels also help you plan your trips, and can usually cater them around for you. For example, in Xi’an the hostel arranged for a private bus to take us to and from the Music and Dance Show and arranged our tickets and everything for us, so all we had to do was show up at the door. In Beijing, our hostel arranged our trip to the Great Wall, so we did not have to worry about anything when we arrived, but instead just got to relax and enjoy our trip and know that we were being taken care of.
Even if you are unable to get any days off or holiday time from your internship, it is still very possible to travel. Because we all intern in different companies and weren’t able to get the same days off, we decided it would be easier if we focused our trips to be on the weekends, meaning for every trip we’d choose the latest flight on the Friday night, and the latest flight on the Sunday night to ensure that we got the full weekend. So on the Friday, we’d leave straight from work to the airport and usually only arrive at our destination really early in the morning, but at least it meant that we had the whole Saturday and Sunday and that we were not wasting any time. Monday was always a little difficult, as we were all tired from our hectic weekend and arriving back really early in the morning, but it’s totally worth it!
Another great way to see China is through InternChina itself – we plan many cultural trips around China, some of our most recent trips were to Zhangjiajie (the scenic spot where the Avatar Mountains were filmed), Yangshou, Phoenix Town, Xiamen and Fujian. These trips are a lot of fun as all the interns join on these trips, and we all get to experience them together. InternChina also plans out everything from transportation, accommodation, trip details/itinerary and food, so the interns never have to worry about anything and just get to enjoy the amazing trips! InternChina usually plans a trip every 5 weeks, so whenever you arrive you will have the opportunity to go on a trip within China and have a great weekend away with all the other interns! You can see some of the Zhuhai teams’ blogs from our trips here: Zhangjiajie, Phoenix town, Yangshou, Xiamen.
If you have dreams of seeing more of China during your stay, don’t let the distance throw you off! It’s so easy to travel within China, and it’s so worth it! My stay here would not have been the same without all my weekend travel trips – it also gives you such a better understanding of China as a whole, and the area you are living in. It allows you to experience all of the different Chinese dialects, styles, cultures, and types of food.
Are you interested in coming to China for experience and cultural awareness? Come to China and travel to all the great sites! Apply now for an internship or send us an email for more information.