What a summer! I had an amazing time in China. I previously shared my experiences from my first week in Suzhou. However, there is still more to tell. The best way to share my experiences is through photos. I spent a total of three weeks in China. After leaving Suzhou, I traveled to Hong Kong. Below are some of the sights I saw when riding on the double-decker bus from the airport to the hotel.
Another double-decker traveling ahead of us
Beautiful bridge
About to go through the tunnel
Nice tunnel shot
Hong Kong
Residential buildings
Game time!
The scenery as we got closer to our hotel
During our first night in Hong Kong, we decided to go somewhere to eat that was familiar. You can’t go wrong with McDonald’s, right? I was able to get my regular fish fillet sandwich with fries. However, the Hong Kong menu did differ some from the U.S.
In Hong Kong, the currency is Hong Kong dollars. A meal that costs 30 Hong Kong dollars is a little over 4 US dollars. Not a bad deal!
The items on the far left are very similar to what is offered in the US.
Same name – Different target market – Understanding your audience is important
While in Hong Kong, we had a day dedicated to business visits and one dedicated to exploring the sites. We visited Goodmark-Asia Limited (http://www.goodmark-asia.com/) and Li & Fung Limited (http://www.lifung.com/eng/company/). I truly enjoyed learning more about each business and how each company was able to operate successfully in Asia.
The front desk at Goodmark Asia Ltd.
Group picture at Goodmark Asia Ltd.
Group picture at Li & Fung Ltd. I absolutely loved this company and their facilities.
My favorite sightseeing excursion was Victoria’s Peak. The view was breathtaking. We took as much time as we could to take it all in before the rain decided to make an appearance.
Next Stop: Shenzhen & Guangzhou
In Shenzhen & Guangzhou, we were able to make company visits. For example, we visited Wal-Mart and Sam’s Club.
Wal-Mart’s Corporate office in Shenzhen
Group Photo
We visited the Wal-Mart DC
We stopped for a group picture during the tour.
We were able to check out how the Sam’s Club in the United States differs from China.
Exhibit A: There was a wet market inside of the Sam’s club. When I saw this layout, it gave the word “fresh food” a whole new meaning.
In addition to business visits, we were able to experience more of the culture in Shenzhen and Guangzhou.
The Lotus Pagoda
Temple
Took a sightseeing cruise in Guangzhou
Another boat passing us by…
This bridge was beautiful.
The last legs of the trip: Beijing and Shanghai
At the Temple of Heaven in Beijing
Temple of Heaven
Temple of Heaven
I love the attention to detail.
Sightseeing
On our way up to see the Great Wall
With Marsha and Maria
I absolutely loved our tour guide Frank!!!!
At the Olympic Park in Beijing
The Bird’s Nest at Beijing Olympic Park
Loved this statue
Chinese dining
We were able to take a cooking class. This was the first dish I made with my helper, Paul.
Snack Market – Beijing.
Spiders anyone?
At the snack market in Beijing
Frank is such a brave soul. He ate a scorpion.
At the Great Wall of China
It was foggy but the Great Wall of China was beautiful.
Tiananmen Square
Another view from Tiananmen Square
At a garden
I was born in the year of the dragon.
The best meal I had in China. It was at a restaurant near the Great Wall.
We went to a play.
With Marsha
More sightseeing
Reflections of a Walton MBA Grad 