Jaspreet Taak

My trip to Xiamen, China has been one of most culturally enriching and eye-opening experiences of my life. I thoroughly enjoyed learning about China’s economy and how the city of Xiamen has played a large role in China’s rapid growth. I found the culture to be very fascinating and it was great to experience this first hand through activities such as tea and dumpling making, and visits to temples and local businesses. I was mesmerised by the beautiful sceneries and sky rise buildings, as I had not anticipated China to be so developed and scenic. I also really enjoyed waking up to a beautiful sea view in the morning as we were based right by the beach; this is where I would enjoy spending my most of my evenings. The people of China were very friendly and welcoming, in particular the student ambassadors, who showed us around the university and the city, always making sure we were taken care of.

One of my best experiences in Xiamen was the visit to Nanputuo Temple. I was astonished to learn that this stunning religious attraction was more than a thousand years old and had been preserved in such a sacred way. From the golden statues to the hundreds of devoted believers, the atmosphere was truly peaceful and special. The peak of this temple visit has to be when I successfully reached the summit of the temple after trekking uphill through old rocks and cracks for almost an hour. At each elevation the skyline view became even more enhanced and overwhelming. Every level I climbed I thought I had reached the top, but to my amazement there was always another level. However, this expedition was truly worth it, as the view from the top of the temple was one to capture and filled my soul with a great sense of accomplishment and tranquillity.

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In addition to this, I visited Gulang island, a major tourist site in Xiamen, which can only be reached by ferry. This was a particularly memorable trip as the ferry we were all supposed to travel on was sold out. This meant I had to get the next one by myself, which was a daunting experience. Nevertheless, when I eventually arrived on the Island, the narrow streets were crammed with souvenir shops, and little markets stalls selling a range of goods such as herbal teas, exotic fruits, and local sweets.

Another highlight from my time in Xiamen was going to Xiamen’s overcrowding and eventful markets and town centres in the evenings during my free time. I found that the one yuan (roughly 12p) bus fares were outrageously cheap, and I made certain that I took advantage of the bus services to the fullest. So much was packed into such small spaces through narrow walkways and alleys. Street vendors would approach from every angle to offer you a taste of their local delicacies with a smile, which created a very a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Although the bright lights, loud music and warm environment of the Chinese food markets and town centres was an experience to embrace, I don’t think the smell of dried out fish on the market stalls is something that I will be missing anytime soon.

All in all, my visit to Xiamen, China was very eventful and will be an unforgettable experience, and was even more enjoyable and worthwhile with my peers, and the student ambassadors and academics.