China

China: A New Perspective

Visiting China alone can be an eye-opening experience. But try doing it as a college student, as part of a large marching band. You learn as much about your own culture and assumptions as you do China’s. And you also come away with some great stories to tell.

Life Behind China’s Great Firewall

We’ve all had it happen: You’re surfing the Internet at work, or maybe the library, and you try to get to a site somebody doesn’t want you looking at. Blocked. Access denied. You are stopped by an invisible firewall that stands between you and the information you’re seeking. It’s frustrating, isn’t it? Now imagine if this invisible firewall existed beyond the computer.

Now stop imagining, because, in many countries, this is reality. …

The Forbidden City: Not So Forbidden Any More

These days, Beijing’s Forbidden City isn’t so forbidden any more. In fact, today, the palatial wonder is one of the most popular tourist attractions in China, second only, perhaps, to the Great Wall. And, if you’ve ever visited the Forbidden City, it’s probably not difficult to understand why it draws millions of visitors — both foreign and domestic — each year.

Not in Kansas Anymore (or Adventures in a Beijing Techno Club)

The fact that we were looking for a club called “Banana Spicy” probably should have been the first sign that our night out in Beijing was going to be far from ordinary. But nothing could have prepared us for what we found at the Hi-Way Disco…

My Strangest Travel Experience — A Uniform, the Great Wall, and Kelly Clarkson

One of my most unique and memorable travel experiences took place on the Great Wall of China — as part of a 100-person marching band.