During my final year of high school I spent my spring break tagging along with my grandmother on her usual trip back to Hong Kong. It was my first time leaving North America and I was so excited to go back to my roots and see the places my grandparents grew up in! Since it was my first trip we also went to Beijing and rural outskirts of China around Hong Kong. 

 

Hong Kong is a magical city! It has the charm of Asia, but is clean and filled with Western amenities such as an awesome transit system, clean streets and plenty of good wifi connections. Three things I loved about Hong Kong: 

 

1. Food! In particular, the Dim Sum. It was amazing. I will dream about it until I go back. 

2. The view from the peak! It was a stunning back drop of concrete buildings and foliage. 

3. Lantau Island. Ever seen pictures of the big buddha? That's it! It was amazing, and a great workout climbing it. 

 

China was a reality shock in comparison to Hong Kong. Much more traditional, I was exposed to a different style of government & living. Poverty is much more apparent there, but so is the rich history. Three things I loved about China: 

1. Walking the Great Wall of China! It was a top ten on my bucket list and absolutely incredible to walk + a major test of endurance despite being so small! 

2. The palaces. We walked inside many major monuments and Chinese architecture cannot be paralleled. 

3. Hot Pot! A traditional Chinese food, one that I love, is best in Beijing. So yummy!

 

See some pictures here: