Destination Profile: China

China is the fifth most chosen study abroad destination by U.S. students (and our last country profile for the semester).

Population: 1.35 billion

Capital: Beijing

Major language: Mandarin Chinese

Number of U.S. students who studied abroad in China during 2008/2009 academic year: 13,674

Popular cities with study abroad programs: Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong and Qingdao

What to see

Beijing: This capital city offers students and visitors a view of historic China. Visits to the Forbidden City, China’s best preserved imperial palace; the Temple of Heaven, and the Ming Tombs offer rich history. One of the most notable attractions is the Great Wall of China.  Also don’t forget to check out some new aspects of Beijing such as the Olympic sites.

Shanghai: Many visitors flock to the Bund, a part of the city famous for its architecture along the Huangpu River.  Another famous architectural site includes the Oriental Pearl TV Tower in Pudong Park. In addition to cutting-edge modern culture, you can find remnants of old China such as at the Yu Yuan Garden.

Hong Kong: The Sik Sik Yuen Wong Tai Sin Temple is a beautiful, traditional temple that many visitors frequent. The Victoria Peak offers a complete view of the city and the harbor. Other popular places to visit include Hong Kong Island, the Kowloon Peninsula and the outlying islands such as Lantau Island.

Qingdao: One of the most important symbols in Qingdoa is the Zhan Bridge. Many other outdoor attractions include the First Bathing Beach; the Golden Sand Beach; Ten Thousand Country Architecture Garden, which features scenic paths and the former home of Chiang Kai-shek; and Mt. Laoshan, which holds significance in Taoism.

Although Melissa will be studying in Shanghai, she plans to take weekend trips to see attractions in other cities. With so much to offer, I am sure she will have a great trip!