Name: Jennifer Gunter
Originally from: Huntsville, Ontario, Canada
Years in China: 4
Occupation: Teacher, department chair, college counselor and voleyball coach!
Written by: Jennifer Gunter
When I tell many people that I live in China, they ask me questions about crowds, traffic, and other problems that they’ve heard exist in China. I’ve been living internationally for 18 years and this is the start of my fourth year in China. To answer these questions, I always show pictures of where I live – in a beautiful beach side community with no traffic and no crowds. Actually, I used to believe those stereotypes about China, too. At one point, I said ‘Never China’ when thinking of where to go next. I’m so glad I decided to change my mind and give China a chance.
Here’s where I live and where work is only a 15 minute walk from home – Park Lane Harbour, China. It’s a far cry from my hometown of Huntsville, Ontario which is a place surrounded by lakes but also one far from any ocean. As you can see, Park Lane is the opposite of the stereotype of a crowded and noisy city. It’s great! Though it’s a little place, there’s still lots to do from volleyball on the beach to boat trips to book club.
I came back into China on March 1st, 2020 after waiting in various places in South East Asia for the pandemic to get less intense in China. Crossing back in was a tough decision as I was scared of Covid and wasn’t sure if I would be putting myself at risk, but I had a home, my cat, and a job that I love and that I needed to get back to.
Not being able to travel outside of China since then, I made the decision to make the best of being in China and a huge part of that for me is travelling. In these 18 months in China, I’ve seen some of the most amazing places, and I like to think of that as my silver lining of not being able to leave China these days. What fascinates me about China is how many diverse landscapes, people, and places there are to see! I never knew this about China until this year.
I’d like to use this post to introduce you to some of my favorite places in China all of which are a short train or plane ride from where I live. I do this to dispel the myth of the China of stereotypes and to give you a glimpse of some of the adventures I’ve had and that you could have too travelling in China.
In the last year alone I’ve been hiking, desert trekking, boating, and to the freezing land of the Harbin Ice Festival. China has every climate one could want and getting around is made easy by translation and transportation apps. Even without the knowing the language, it’s still very possible to travel around. I find that, in general, people here are honest, friendly and helpful, and a smile and a friendly attitude go a long way if you are ever travelling and in need of directions or help.
Yangshuo and Guilin: a 3-hour train ride from where I live in Guangdong Province.
Yunnan Province:
Here in China, you can find travel groups run by foreigners that cater to foreign travelers and residence. One such group, Pacha Mama out of Guangzhou, took me and a small group on a hiking trip to Yunnan over the summer that showed me some of the most spectacular views I’ve seen in my life. It was truly an amazing trip and one that I would one day like to repeat.
Gansu Province:
Golden Week in October was a chance for myself and two friends to join a travel group out of Shanghai to explore Gansu province along the old Silk Road. This trip was spectacular and more than we could have expected with parts of The Great Wall, desert camping, dune hiking, and a helicopter ride over the desert. It was a great chance to meet people (and camels) and to see more of China.
Harbin:
Winter in China is the right time to head way up north to Harbin to go to the Harbin Ice Festival. Pack your warmest clothes – I’m from northern Ontario, so I’m used to cold – and I found it absolutely freezing! It was worth the trip though. Four friends and I booked a private three night/four day trip which was just the right amount of time to see the sights. We explored ice palaces, did snow activities, and also had a great time exploring the Russian influence in the city. A must go but also a must dress warmly!
China is an amazing, diverse country with some much to see and do! I’ve been all over the place, and I feel like I’m just scratching the surface. I’m looking forward to planning future trips both with travel groups and on my own. As I hope I’ve shown here, China is way more than stereotypes repeated in the media. For now, China is home.
To follow my travels in China and beyond, follow me on Instagram at @jenngunter_thoughthislens
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