CHINA

Country Overview:

"A land of contrasts, where ancient traditions meet rapid modernization, and delectable cuisine coexists with complex political realities."

My seven-year journey in China, from May 2013 to August 2020, was a whirlwind of experiences. I taught English, pursued my Master's in Politics & Foreign Policy at the prestigious Tsinghua University, and immersed myself in the media landscape at China Today and Xinhua News Agency. Beijing was my home base, but my travels painted a vibrant tapestry of China's diverse landscapes and cultures: the bustling metropolis of Shanghai, the historic city of Xi'an, the tropical paradise of Sanya, the unique blend of East and West in Macau and Hong Kong, and countless other destinations in between. From savoring the exquisite flavors of regional cuisines to navigating the intricacies of daily life under a distinct political system, China left an indelible mark on me.

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Noodles Noodles Noodles

I’ve always been an advocate for noodles over rice, and each time I eat these, I reaffirm my decision. These are called “You Po Mian” and are a broad, belt-shaped type of noodle, popular in Shaanxi Province, also known as biángbiáng miàn. It has vinegar, soy sauce, spices, garlic, bok choy and sprouts. It’s a super simple dish, but there’s something about chewy, handmade noodles that really brings it together.

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Noodles

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Noodles

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Noodles

Noodles over rice anyday

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Dinner

Tomato and beef noodles with fried dough

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Noodles

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Spring

Spring, beef noodles, and just one of the buildings in Wudaokou that is part of Beida.

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Biang

This is the most complicated character in Mandarin, constisting of around 56 strokes. It's a type of noodle (noodle dish?)

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Chongqing

Found a Chongqing restaurant and it was super tasty. First picture is beef noodles and second is jiaozi, served in hot water, compared to the strained jiaozi that are served here in the north.

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Noodles for days

For the record, I prefer ‘Harbin’ beer to 'Yanjing’.

There was also a long aisle of candy with some interesting translations. At first I thought they were literally selling sex lube in bulk, but then realized that it’s merely candy with a poor translation.