Post #102 30 May 2016

Gentlefolk,

This post describes our visit to Shenyang, capital of Liaoning Province last weekend.

Shenyang is about 1,000km due north of Qingdao.  The flights took about 1.5 hours.  We flew up on Friday evening, and returned Sunday evening.  Remarkably, both flights left right on schedule (Xiamen Air - well done!!!).

The main purpose of the visit was to say goodbye to Li Ying. We met Ying and her friend Olivia when we first arrived in China in August 2009. They were very helpful to us in our first few months in Dongying - we called them "our guardian angels".

Olivia worked in UPC's International Office, while Ying was a student, majoring in marketing; she did both Bachelors and Masters here (first Dongying campus, then Qingdao campus).

When she completed her Masters (3 years ago) Ying found a job with Budweiser beer in Shenyang, her home town. She did well, and quickly became a team leader.  But, like many young Chinese, she dreamt of running her own company.

Last year Ying and two partners founded Chess Ivy, a school to teach kids to play chess. They rented nice premises (see photo below) but progress has been painfully slow - let's hope it picks up soon.

Actually, I visited Shenyang back in 1984-6 when I worked at the Australian Embassy in Beijing.  It was then known for its heavy industry, pollution and shabby Soviet-inspired architecture.  I had heard that it had changed, and was curious to see it again.

Saturday 28 May 2016

 Ying met us at our hotel, and we walked to the Go Gung Palace.

Lunch at the Lao Bian Restaurant - it's been serving dumplings for more than 150 years!

In the afternoon we visited Zhong Shan Square to look at the huge Mao statue, the old Liaoning Hotel, and surrounding buildings.

Ying's parents, Li Zhi Ming and Wang Xiao Ping, invited us for dinner in their apartment.

Sunday 29 May 2016

Visit to the Tomb of Huang Tie Ji, second emperor of the Qing Dynasty.

Lunch in hot pot restaurant.

7pm Return flight to Qingdao

Here are some photos of our visit to Shenyang.

Shenyang is the capital of Liaoning Province, which in turn is part of "Dong Bei" or the North East Region comprising Liaoning, Jilin and Heilongjiang Provinces.

Shenyang is about 1,000 km due north of Qingdao. It has very cold winters and hot summers.

Shenyang is the capital of Liaoning Province, and the largest city in the North-East Region. It is the transport hub of the province.

Liaoning has long been a battlefield.  The British founded Port Arthur; Russia controlled the Liaodong Peninsula for about 5 years, then the Japanese took over when they won the Russo-Japanese War.  Finally Liaoning was part of the Republic of China , only for the Japanese to return and establish a satellite state  in Manchuria (1931-45). The Communists finally won the Civil War, but that was followed closely by the Korean War .  The long-suffering people of Liaoning!!!

Today Shenyang is a modern, bustling city of about 10 million people.  It is located on the banks of the Hun River. 

Another view of Shenyang City. When I visited the city 30 years ago the highest building was 6 storeys!

We stayed at one end of Zhong Jie, a long pedestrian street lined by modern shopping malls.

On Saturday morning we visited Gu Gong, the Imperial City built between 1625 and 1636 by Nurhachi (1559-1626), the founder of the Qing Dynasty and his son, Huang Tai Ji (1592-1643).   The Qing defeated the Ming, and in 1644 moved their capital from Shenyang to Beijing "inside the Great Wall" and ruled China from there.  The Qing Dynasty finally collapsed in 1912 when the last emperor, Pu Yi, abdicated and the Republic of China was established. 

The Emperor's "office" was located in this ornate pavilion.

We were lucky to catch a little enactment during our visit: the Emperor receiving visiting dignitaries. 

Some girls in period costumes put on a welcome dance during the "show". How could they move so gracefully on those awkward-looking wooden clogs and wearing those elaborate head-dresses?

The Emperor, accompanied by wives #1 and #2, receiving guests.

We had lunch at the Lao Bian Dumpling restaurant, which can trace its origins back to 1829. Still going strong.

On Saturday afternoon we visited the huge Mao statue in Zhong Shan Square. It was built in 1969, at the height of the Cultural Revolution - many of the figures are wearing Mao badges on their jackets and waving the Little Red Book.

Adoring hordes surround the Great Leader, waving copies of Mao's sayings.

Everyone was eager to build New China.

The venerable old Liaoning Hotel is on one side of Zhong Shan Square. It was built in 1929. Now the city has a dozen  or more five-star hotels.  I stayed here 30 years ago when it was still the best hotel in town! 

Li Ying and Vera accompanying some street art. There were some interesting old buildings in this part of the city.

Ying's parents invited us home for dinner.  Very nice to meet them - wonderful hosts.

Ying has started a school to teach children how to play chess.  Attractive premises, but up-take has been slow.

On Sunday we visited the Tomb of Emperor Huang Tai Ji (1592-1643) which is located in Bei Ling Park.  He was the second Qing Emperor and leader of the Manchu people, basically of Mongolian origin.  Fierce warriors, they defeated the Ming Emperor in 1644 and ruled China for more than two-and-a-half centuries.

Visitors paid to dress in traditional costumes.

One of the many impressive gates and buildings in the Tomb.

The Tomb covered a large area, with the actual body believed to be buried under this mound. They claim to be waiting for improved technology before excavating the burial site some time in the future.

They created lakes near the Tomb - good fortune - now a popular spot for families and boating.

On Sunday afternoon we had a leisurely lunch at a hot pot restaurant. From left: Xu Liang (Ying's cousin, he studied physics in Toronto); his wife Jiang Yi Xiao (doing a PhD in Organic Chemistry); and Li Ying.

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We enjoyed our short visit to Shenyang. It was great to see Ying before our departure  - who knows if we'll ever get up this way again - and to meet her parents and her cousin and his wife.

We couldn't believe our luck on two counts: firstly the flights were both on time, and secondly the weather was perfect: high 20s with clear, sunny skies.

Lastly, the city has changed beyond recognition from 30 years ago.  The factories and smoke-stacks have been moved to the outskirts and the city is a cluster of gleaming, modern structures. Truly amazing.

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Next weekend we will visit Hangzhou, the capital of Zhejiang Province.  We always wanted to see famous West Lake, and time is running out so here goes.

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The NBA semi-finals have seen great contests.  The Toronto Raptors put up a great fight but finally lost to Cleveland Cavaliers.  They will play either the Golden State Warriors or Oklahoma City Thunder in the final.

Best wishes, keep well and keep smiling.

Alex & Vera Olah
English teachers at the China University of Petroleum, Qingdao
www.upc.euu.cn
Monday 30 May 2016

Post #101 25 May 2016

Gentlefolk,

This post comprises photographs of three recent events: English Speech Contest; the University's annual two-day Sports Meet; and the visit by Walter Vollenweider.

English Speech Contest

Michael and I were invited to be judges in UPC's 20th Post-graduate English Speech Contest, 7pm on Saturday 7 May 2016.

The student organisers from the College of Petroleum Engineering were Cui Yan Chun and Li Tian Liang.  Hosts were Li Cheng and Xie Hui (Xie was also a competitor).

Judges were Guo Yue Qin, Shen Dan, Zheng Lin, Zhang Chang Yan, Michael Christensen, and myself. Judging criteria: Appearance (10%); Content (35%); Pronunciation, fluency, presentation (35%); Q & A (20%).

Twelve contestants made the final round. They had to present a 5 minute prepared speech on the topic "Better late than never", and then answer two questions from the judges.

Final placings were based 90% on judges and 10% on audience voting.

The winner was a girl, Yin Xia; she had lived in Canada and her spoken English was very good.  The two runners-up were Xie Hui and Zhao Qian.

I'm always impressed by the level of spoken English exhibited by students in these contests.

It was a fun night.

The Judging Panel for the Post-graduate English Speech Contest

I was asked to make some remarks at the end of the speeches, while the scores were being tallied up.

The audience also voted - by giving blue stickers to their preferred speakers. The girl in the red skirt, Yin Xia, was the winner, while the girl in the pink dress, Xie Hui, and the boy next to her, Zhao Qian, were runners-up.

UPC Annual Sports Meet, 20 & 21 May 2016

Vera and I attended the opening ceremony of the University's annual track & field sports meet. The Opening Ceremony went 7.30 - 8.30am, followed by the start of the competition.

The leaders of the University were there to watch the Opening Ceremony.  There was a parade, short speeches, and a display of gymnastics and dancing on the oval.

The parade was led by students in the Army Reserve.

Students in the Army Reserve carrying the Chinese Flag.

Students in the Army Reserve.

Competitors from one of UPC's Colleges.

The International Students Union also participated in the parade.

Competitors from various Colleges lined up at the end of the parade.  The University's iconic gymnasium is in the background.

Fireworks marked the end of the formal opening.

After the parade, speeches and fireworks were done, students and teachers performed gymnastics and dancing.

A 'Fan Dance' by students, boys and girls.  Most impressive.

These students demonstrated their yoga skills..

Female teachers and staff showed their dancing skills.

Visit by Walter Vollenweider

Old friend Walter Vollenweider visited us 20 - 22 May 2016. It was wonderful to see him again.

We knew Walter and his wife Susan in Rio de Janeiro 1980 - 82. Walter was manager of Swiss Air in Rio.  We met on the tennis courts of the Paissandu Club in Leblon, and kept in touch.

After retirement Walter wrote a book about his 30-year career with Swiss Air (search Amazon 'Business Class' by Walter Vollenweider). They had postings in Moscow, Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Nairobi, and New York. Among other things, he gives his take on the extraordinary demise of the once-famous airline which folded in 2002.

Walter's book - but you need to be able to read German.

Vera and Walter at Beach #1 in Qingdao, 21 May 2016. Walter flew from Shanghai to Qingdao yesterday - his flight arrived 20 minutes early, a miracle!

One of Qingdao's many coffee shops, this one is called "Kaffee Haus".

We visited the German Governor's Palace which was built in 1903 (Qingdao was a German colony from 1898 to 1914, when a joint British - Japanese army took over). 

The Lutheran Church built by Curt Rothkegel in 1908 is very popular for wedding photos.

Qingdao's best #6 Beach, nice but not as good as the beaches in Huangdao!

Vera and Alex in front of the May 4 Monument. It commemorates the student demonstrations which started on 4 May 1919 when the Versailles Treaty 'gave' Qingdao to Japan.

A visit to the "Food Alleys", built in 1902.

Vera buying a snack in the Food Alleys.

A visit to St Michael's Catholic Church, built in 1934.

Many couples were taking wedding photos in front of St Michael's Church.

A local group welcoming a couple for the wedding party/banquet in this restaurant.

St Michael's Catholic Church as recently re-opened following major restoration. Good job.

The refurbished alter in St Michael's Church.

We had coffee and sandwiches for lunch at a recently-opened French bakery.

Farewell tea at the Prince Hotel, fronting the promenade in Qingdao.  Under Germany this hotel was originally named Prince Heinrich Hotel, but the 'Heinrich' was dropped when the Germans were defeated during the First World War.  On Sunday afternoon Walter took the bullet train back to Shanghai (1,200 km in 6.5 hours!).

We thoroughly enjoyed showing Walter around Huangdao and Qingdao City.  Let's hope it's not another 20 years before we see him again!

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We're starting to run out of time here.

Next weekend we will visit Shenyang in Liaoning Province, and the weekend after we'll go to Hangzhou in Zhejiang Province.  So much still to do, but so little time left.

The final exams will be in late-June, then grading and packing up.  We will leave Qingdao on 9 July 2016; first a couple of months in Europe (mainly Hungary and Germany) and then head for home, Down Under.

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Best wishes, keep well and keep smiling.

Alex & Vera Olah
English teachers at the China University of Petroleum, Qingdao
www.upc.edu.cn
Wednesday 25 May 2016