NSF IRES China 2017
Week 6
July 30th 2017
Today, marks the beginning of our final week here in Beijing and the Tsinghua University. Therefore, we started it off by going to a Confucian Temple and Imperial College Museum. Both historical sites are located right next to each other, plus it was a good day to explore as the weather was nice. We began with the Confucian temple and explored around and looked at the exhibition halls as well as the monuments that had either been engraved by Confucius or nobility that had written to him. An interesting fact that we came across was that Confucius was one of the first to open private schools as that era had schooling controlled by the government. Another was that his disciples ranged from aristocrats to merchants to plebeians as Confucius believed that all people had the right to learn no matter their status or background. As we finished our tour of the Confucian Temple we moved over to the Imperial College. According to the knowledge that we learned the imperial college was for those of nobility or government officials to learn and obtain knowledge. Also, there is a gate there that according to records of the past is not supposed to be crossed until one graduates from the college and can be considered a master. According to Weijun, one of our host students who is trying to obtain his PhD, in the current times many people who complete their degree come here to pass through the gate and he hopes to do so in the future as well. After this we grabbed a bite to eat for dinner before making our way back to the dorms.
July 31th 2017
Today we visted the Beijing Zoo. We were worried that it wouldn't be up to the standard of animal care that we are used to in the United States. But everything was fine. We enjoyed viewing the familiar zoo animals as we coasted through the crowded walkways. We eventually split up the group. One group left and returned to a market street we visited before to buy food and more souvenirs. Others stayed behind and enjoyed the animals at the Zoo.
August 1st 2017
Today was a lab day that was very relaxing as most of our simulations and lab work have ended. What was special about today was that in the morning we received a visit from the current Dean of Bourns College of Engineering Sharon Walker and Professional Development Officer Jun Wang. After meeting up we related our experiences to them about our trip thus far and what we enjoyed not only in the research portion of the trip, but also in the cultural aspects. We then took a photo with them and our host professor Jun Xu. After this meeting, we grabbed a quick lunch and returned to the lab to finish our final day there, which consisted of personally testing a transistor on a wafer and having to set up and use a microscope and machine and then probing the metal conduits that are linked to the gate, drain and source via needles. We then received an output that could be used as data for a graph, to see if the unit is functioning properly. And thus, our final lab day came to a close.
August 2nd 2017
Today we went to visit the Ming Tombs. After taking the subway and a bus to get there we finally arrived after about an hour and a half. We began our sightseeing tour by travelling from Stele Pavilion along the Stone Sculptures pathway to the Dragon-Phoenix Gate. Although, the pathway was very long it had a very serene atmosphere that made one relax and enjoy the surrounding scenery. Afterwards, we took a short bus ride to the Dingling tomb, which is the only open underground tomb available to the public. One thing that caught our attention was that the surrounding encasement of the coffins were very huge and that did not even include the smaller encasements which were replicas to represent the treasures that they brought with them. We then travelled to the largest tomb call Changling that took eighteen years to construct. What is interesting to note is that the tombs and most of the houses in China follow a particular belief that the entrance of the building should face the South while the back of the building faces the North. This believe goes back to how when the entrance faces the South more sunlight can enter the house and when Winter comes from the North the back of the house will take the brunt of the weather thus keeping out the cold. As our day came to an end after exploring the tombs we ate at a fast food restaurant called Yonghedawang, which is near campus and we had a pork chop and fried rice meal that was very delicious.
August 3rd 2017
Today we visited the Temple of Heaven. It is a huge park that was used by the emperors to pray to heaven. The park has long pathwats flanked by forests
August 4th 2017
Today we visited Yuanmingyuan park. It is known as the Imperial Garden. It was the biggest park anyone in the group has every seen. We walked for 3 hours and barely mad it half way through the park. The park has many ponds, lakes and rivers with ornate stone arch bridges. We decided to leave halfway through it
August 5th 2017
Today was an easy day. We each did our own activities in preparation for our departure. Most of the group went to the market street to buy lunch and souvenirs. At night we played badminton and got our butts handed to us by Weijun and Linyuan.
August 6th 2017
Today was the day of our final dinner. We spent most of the day packing and getting last minute items. In the evening we walked to a nearby mall that has a very fancy Sechuan restaurant. We ate our fill after toasting to our new friendships and to safe travels.
August 7th 2017
Today was our final day in Beijing. We checked out of our dorms, and said a long tearful goodbye to out beloved host students, Weijun and Linyuan. We then began the long journey home via airplane.