Trip to Mu Tian Yu Greatwall with UIBE & Pepper Bars & Clubs # Beijing - China

Every end of the month, UIBE for Chinese Language Course, held a trip together. And this day, is the first trip. We go to Greatwall. There's so many part of Greatwall. In Beijing, there's 3 part: Badaling, Mutianyu, and Shimatai Greatwall. This time, we go to Mutianyu Greatwall.

Website: http://www.mutianyugreatwall.net/

There's 22 watchtower at Mutianyu Greatwall. Because I enjoy took photos much, we didn't have a chance to reach the top watchtower.

And for go downstair, we ride slide. It's fun, and less tired.

Path from Bus parking to Greatwall Entrance

View from Entrance

It's the end of winter and the start of spring

The Mutianyu Greatwall

View from Greatwall

Mutianyu Greatwall

Mutianyu Greatwall, still long path

Mutianyu Greatwall

The view from onf of Watchtower

If you can't walk to long, then there's cable car to go upstair, even not until the top.

We are going down, seems so high

The trip finished in the afternoon. Then my friends decided to go to the bars because today is Saturday. So I tag along. We went to Pepper Bars & Club. I never been at bar before, so this is my first time. Too bad, I didn't have the photos of the bar. We go there by Taxi.
See: http://www.timeoutbeijing.com/venue/Bars__Clubs-Bars__Clubs/10152/Pepper.html

First time goes KTV # Beijing - China

I'm very lucky, my friends like to singing. And here's that KTV in China is very famous, then we decided to try it. There's one KTV near UIBE. We often see it when we go outside from North gate.

KTV is a singing place. But because we are in China, so never wish for English / other language songs in here. All the songs here is in Chinese and using Chinese Character, no Pinyin. So if you didn't memorize the lyrics, you can save it in your smartphone XD..

I forgot the KTV name, it's a small one and near the university. We go there once at night. (I think the name is - 钟情星河俱乐部KTV （北京市东城区和平里东街12号 - 12 Hepingli E St, Dongcheng, Beijing, Tiongkok)

PS: we only went there once, and then next time, we go to another better KTV

Another side of Wangfujing Street # Beijing - China

Today we go to Wangfujing again, but at night. We visit another side of Wangfujing Street, Wangfujing Snack Street, which sell a lot of traditional stuff. There's some stall that sell unique things to eat too.

The street located in the middle of Wangfujing Street. There's a big gate with traditional carving, which you can find it easily.

Once you enter the gate, you will see some unique snack, and traditional house.

Scorpion Satay

I didn't dare to eat it. haha... :) It's my friends who try it, they said it's crispy. We eat at traditional noodle restaurant which actually I didn't like the taste. In the corner of the street, there's Beijing Opera show. You can watch it if you like it.

South Cathedral 南堂 # Beijing - China

It's Sunday, and it's time to go to Church. We go to South Cathedral 南堂 *nan tang* at Xuanwumen 宣武门. We can go there by subway, stop at Xuanwumen MRT.

The Cathedral original name is The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception 圣母无染原罪堂 *Shengmu Wuran Yuanzui Tang* and also known as Xuanwumen church 宣武门天主堂 *xuanwumen tianzhu tang* or South Cathedral 南堂 *nan tang*.

Website: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cathedral_of_the_Immaculate_Conception,_Beijing

Trip to Tian'An Men 天安门 & Forbidden City 故宫 # Beijing - China

Today, my friends Pramono, RW and Dede invite me to join them take a trip to Tian'An Men 天安门 & Forbidden City 故宫 *gugong*. It's only us four.

To go to Tian'An Men, you can ride subway, to Tian An Men station.

Once we came out from the subway, we will see Tian'An men Square. There's Mao Zi Dong's museum and also People's monumen.

2008, the Olympiade will held in Beijing. So, there's a countdown to the Olympiade time in the Tian An Men Square.

After take some photos at Tian'An Men Square, then we went to Tian'An Men Gate.

Then we enter the gate.

The main building has been renovated, for Olympiade preparation. So we can't see it.

Then we enter the Forbidden City 故宫 *gugong*. It cost RMB 120 for tourists. But for students, there's discount, and it only cost RMB 80 using Student Card 学生证 *xueshengzheng*. This is where the Royal Family stay. We can see some royal clothes, and utilities. And also some gift from other countries.

The Garden inside Forbidden City

Back side of Tian'An Men.

Website:
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tiananmen_Square
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tiananmen
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forbidden_City

After roaming around Tian'An Men, we go back to the dorm. One of our friend, Via, inviting us to dinner at her apartment. She will cook for us. So, we go there, and join the others.

International Student Welcome Party and Jin Ding XuanRestaurant 金鼎轩酒楼 Yonghegong # Beijing - China

Today was International Student welcome party, which take place at lounge at 6th building. I met my roommate Gloria's friends.

After enjoy the party, we went to eat supper at Jin Ding Xuan restaurant 金鼎轩酒楼 *jindingxuan jiulou* near MRT Yonghegong. My roommate join me and my friends too.

The restaurant specialized was dimsum and cantonese. The place open 24 hours and always full of people. Xiao Long Bao, Shrimp dumpling and spring rolls, etc, everything was delicious.

Besides the restaurant was night club and KTV.

I often come here with my friends, when we need supper. We can took the last bus, to Yong He Gong Station, then back with taxi. The price was okay, not too expensive but also not cheap. This is one of supper choice.

- http://www.cityweekend.com.cn/beijing/restaurants/chinese/jin-ding-xuan/
- http://www.thebeijinger.com/directory/jin-ding-xuan

Address:
77 Heping Xijie
和平里西街77号

Class 212 UIBE # Beijing - China

Today, the result of class was come out. And I'm at 212 class. 2-1 means, intermediate level 1, and "2" means there's two class for intermediate level 1 and I'm at 2nd class.

In my class, only there's 2 Indonesian student, me and one friend from Jakarta. At first, I sit down besides Japanese student, Lingmu. He is shy, but nice. Then I also met some Korean friends, Nana & Guang Nan, and Thailand friends. Our theacher was kind and nice too.

We have 4 subject:

- 听力 *tingli* / listening,

- 精读 *jingdu* / Intensive Reading / Grammar,

- 阅读 *yuedu* / Reading，

- 口语 *kouyu* / Spoken Language.

We have 2 class each day, from Monday to Friday. The time was according to the schedule. Each class, has a break for 15 minutes.

The class was fun. I can enjoy the Listening, Grammar and Speaking. But It's hard to follow the reading, because the vocab was difficult and almost like news vocabulary.

But I like the class very much. My classmates was fun but competitive. But not too serious, we joking around, and always help each other.

I miss my 212 Class.. :)

Chang Cheng Restaurant dekat dengan UIBE # Beijing - China

Hari ini, kita makan malam di restoran bernama Chang Cheng. Today, we ate dinner at Chang Cheng Restaurant. Maaf, saya lupa lokasi tepatnya restoran ini, seingat saya keluar dari pintu utar UIBE, ada restoran merah namanya Chang Cheng.

Makanannya enak sekali, buat saya sangat enak dan cocok dengan selera saya.

First Time Skiing at Nanshan Ski Resort 北京南山滑雪场 # Beijing - China

One of friend that we met at Beijing, ask us to join him for skiing. I decided to try it because it's my first time and the class hasn't been started yet, so why not try it. I went with Nit, Vi, Via, Roni, yeye, and some other friends.

I forgot how much it cost, but our friend has already count everything including the bus to go there. We will skiing at Nanshan Ski Resort 北京南山滑雪场 *beijing nanshan huaxue chang* (http://www.nanshanski.com/index-en.asp).

Once we arrive there, we rent the jacket, pants, shoe and ski stuff. We have to leave deposit for it. We feel so excited because it's our first time.

This is Nanshan Ski Resort:

There's a cafetaria in there, so we can eat lunch easily. We spend almost 4-6 hours and so tired. I drop so many times because can't balance my ski and all of my body feel sore. But it's fun.

At the evening, we came back to UIBE. I sleep during the journey back because exhausted.

Placement Test # Beijing - China

Sebenarnya, saya tidak begitu ingat kapan placement test ini diadakan. Mungkin kira-kira 1 minggu setelah registrasi ya, saya lupa. Waktu registrasi, kita akan diuji apakah kita bisa ngomong bahasa Chinese atau tidak. Dan nanti guru-guru disana yang akan memutuskan apakah kita harus ikut Placement Test atau tidak.

Placement Test bahasa Chinese ini sama seperti tes bahasa Inggris pada umumnya. Ada Listening, Grammar, Ready dan Essay.

Awalnya tes yang diajukan adalah Mendengar atau Tingli, lalu Grammar kemudian Membaca. Semuanya adalah pilihan ganda. Dan pada sesi terakhir, kita disuruh membuat sebuah karangan berdasarkan salah satu topik yang ditawarkan dalam bahasa China.

Tidak semua murid ajaran baru membutuhkan placement test. Ketika kita melakukan registrasi ulang, mereka akan mewawancarai kita dengan bahasa Mandarin. Dan bila kita bisa menjawab dengan bahasa Mandarin, mereka akan menyuruh kita membaca buku bacaan mandarin level awal. Dan bila kita bisa membacanya, maka mereka akan menyuruh kita mengikuti placement test.

Saya merasa saya sudah melakukan yang terbaik. Tapi saya tidak terlalu peduli, karena tujuan saya ke Beijing adalah untuk belajar bahasa Mandarin. Jadi dimanapun nantinya mereka menempatkan saya, semua tidak masalah.

Setelah semua melakukan tes, kami bersama-sama pergi shopping.

Re-registration & Stroll around UIBE # Beijing - China

Today, we re-registered our applications and also make the payment for the course. It took place on the basement of 6th building. They will asking your name using Chinese first, and if you can speak chinese already, they will give you short interview. I'm one of the application that have an interview. They ask me to read a book. And fortunately, I can read it. I have already learn chinese language for 2 year for intensive. So they ask me to do the placement test.

After the registering finished, we stroll around UIBE with Greatwall, to take photos together. We arrived at the east side of the campus, which there's a small park in there. It's so beautiful, with the snow cover the park. With the sunny weather, make it more beautiful.

After took photos, we ate lunch at the red restaurant again. :)

Trip to Wang Fu Jing Street # Beijing - China

The class hasn't started yet, so we have time to roaming around Beijing. This time, we went to Wang Fu Jin Street 王府井 *wangfujing*.

Just like Singapore's Orchard Road, or Japan's Ginza, there's so many shop in Wang Fu Jing. And the most fun is, we can walk in the middle of the street, without afraid to be hit by car because it's car free street XD.

From UIBE, just ride bus (See the bus number in here: http://www.bjbus.com/, you have to at least can read Chinese to use this website. I use the website to see what bus number to go to some place, and it's useful.), to MRT Yong He Gong then from MRT Yong He Gong, you rode subway to MRT Wang Fu Jing and you arrived at Wang Fu Jing. There's the big department store, and also book store beside the department store. From subway, you will came out from the department store. Then just walking around.

Thanks to my friend 爷爷 *yeye* who took this photo. :)

PS: When I'm In Beijing, the subway line was not as many as nowadays. There's no line purple (line 5) yet. But I see that there's more line, which make it easier to using subway.

my First Snow in Beijing - China

It's been 2 days, and my roommate hasn't come yet. I just hope that she is kind and nice person.

When I woke up, seems like the morning darker than before. And guess why? It's snowing. It's my first snow during my life. And it's beautiful, and also cold.. haha.. 

I saw it from my terrace room, and it's sooo cold. My room facing the north gate of UIBE, and in the photo was the view of building in the north gate.

I still don't have any winter clothes, only scarf and usual jacket. So It's really cold. I go to Nit & Vi's room then we walk around the campus, and took some photos.

Then when lunch time, we ate lunch together with others. Today, was cap go meh, the 15th day of the first month in Chinese Lunas Year, and the end of celebration of Chinese Lunar Year. It also called Lantern Festival 元宵节 *yuanxiaojie*. And also one of my Beijing friend's birthday, so he treated us lunch.

When I'm back from lunch, my roommate, Gloria, has already inside our room with her parents. She is from USA, but she's Vietnamese. They are very kind, and nice. They can speak Chinese, and my roommate can speak a bit Chinese. So we decided that everyday we will speak Chinese. She will stay with her parents at the hotel for a few days, so I will be alone again for a while.

My Life at UIBE from 2nd March 2007 to 8th January 2008 # Beijing - China

In Mar 2nd, 2007, I start my journey in Beijing to learning Chinese Language at 北京对外经济贸易大学 *beijing duiwai jingji maoyi daxue* University of International Bussiness and Economics which known as UIBE (http://www.uibe.edu.cn/).

I apply for the chinese language course at December 2006, with the help of my cousin that study at 中医 *zhongyi* (北京中医药大学, *beijing zhongyiyao daxue* Beijing University of Chinese Medicine - http://www.bucm.edu.cn/). She help me to apply at UIBE and I send the documents by Fax.

Then in January 2007, my approvement to joined the Chinese Language in Beijing was arrived, then I apply my visa at Nusantara Tour Yogyakarta (http://www.nusatovel.com/site/id/). I need to do medical examination, but when I'm at Yogyakarta, I only check-up for HIV, Hepatitis and Drugs. All of my friend, doing the complete medical check-up which cost much. (But when I'm arrived at Beijing, I need to do another medical examination at hospital with the help from school, and it didn't cost as much as when you do it in Indonesia).

Because when I came to Beijing time, my cousin will not be there (she had holiday, so she is back Indonesia), so my Mom ask me to join Greatwall - China Education Consultant in Indonesia (http://www.study2china.com/). They help me to reserve the dormitary room, doing school registration at Beijing and guide the payment (at Beijing), help us to open bank account in China, and accompany us to go to China for the first time for the 1st weeks after we arrive at China. There's another advantage if you join this agency, you can meet with your friends first so you won't feel lonely when you arrive at China. There's a briefing 1 week before you depart to China. And because I'm at Magelang, so I join the briefing at Semarang which took 1 month before depart. And I have already met some friends when the briefing time, they are Nit, Vi, and RW.

We departed from Surabaya Juanda International Airport to Beijing by Cathay Pasific, which transit at Hongkong for lunch.

Arrived at Beijing Capital International Airport (http://en.bcia.com.cn/), there's a bus from UIBE which pick us up. There's 22 students that go with me to UIBE. We arrived at night. The journey from airport to campus was 1 hour.

I got my Beijing Phone Number using M-Zone. Greatwall help us buy it, and give it to us in the first time we arrive at Beijing.

Once we arrived at dorm 6 (6th building), Greatwall help us to pick our room. You can roomating with whoever you want, same country with you or foreigner. I requested for another Asian roomate. I got room number at 4th floor. The dorm didn't have a lift, so we have to climb the stairs to go up. But there's a help from the staff to bring our luggage upstairs. There's 6 floor in the building.

My roommate hasn't come yet, so I will be alone at my first night at Beijing. But that's better so I can adapt with the room first. Because too tired after a long day journay, I go to sleep directly that night.