新年快乐！

From February 15th until the 22nd respectively, all of China is celebrating the Lunar New Year. Like most of the country during this time, I took the holiday as an opportunity to travel. To ring in the new year I spent three days in Suichang county in Zhejiang Province. This was about a six hour bus ride from Shanghai.

Suichang was such a nice contrast to Shanghai. Full of greenery, clear skies, and no pollution. It was the perfect environment for all of the hiking I did.

On the first day, I visited the scenic tea terraces. These tea terraces can be seen all over the county, but the specific tourist spot I visited offered the most amazing views.On day two, I made my way up a much more relaxed trail that ended at a beautiful Buddhist Temple. It was so exciting to finally get out of the hustle and bustle of Shanghai for a few days. Living at a much more relaxed pace was definitely needed.

China also never fails to impress me with its immense history and culture that can still be seen today. It successfully breaks through the crevices of everyday life and gives the country and unique modern culture all its own.

I find that this is a common trend among many Asian countries. They have found the right recipe to preserve their past within their present.

Visiting Suichang county has reminded me of the extreme diversity that exists within China. Every province is known for different things. Each with their own distinct cuisine style and local dialect.

China is a country that is so quickly evolving, I’m not sure I will ever fully know one version of the country.  I can already see small differences to my own neighborhood every few months.

I am forever in awe of China and all of its changes.