When did the travel bug bite me?
At 17, I flew back to China alone.
20+ hours later, I arrived at the Hong Kong International Airport. There were a few hours before my connecting flight. Being a hungry teen, I walked into the first restaurant that looked like it served decent food. And OMG, it was the most delicious eel fried rice I’ve ever eaten!

It’s not exaggerating for me to say that this summer changed my life. Before this, my life revolved around school and work. Other than school trips, I had never traveled outside the city I lived in. I was the frog in that small well who didn’t know life outside of NY.
Having moved to the US as a young child, I haven’t really experienced what it is like to live in China.
In one summer, I learned about a unique culture, experimented with food, and experienced various modes of transportation. Most importantly? I explored my first two cities!
The Trip.
I have an uncle I have never met before. He left for Japan soon after I was born. But this time, he’s living in Beijing. So I grabbed one of my cousins and we took off on a trip to Beijing.
On this trip, there were a lot of firsts:
First time seeing my uncle. ✔️
Visiting Beijing ✔️
Riding a train ✔️
And experiencing the sleeper train! ✔️
Never had I known the existence of a sleeper train. Compared to the high-speed train, this was much slower. We spent about 1 1/2 days going from Fuzhou to Beijing. In the train, there were three sections: hard seats, hard sleeper (6 bed), and soft sleeper (4 bed). For half the price of a soft sleeper ticket, we picked the hard sleeper compartment. Sleeping on the top bunk (least distractions) for 35+ hrs, I had to say I really enjoyed it.
Beijing
It was pouring when we arrived at Beijing’s train station. The storm outside had flooded the roads, and the taxis were stuck under the bridge. The line for the taxi was getting massive. An hour of waiting, an hour of riding, and finally us running through the pouring rain. It’s a dramatic first meeting with my uncle!
Because it was the start of a workday, my uncle could not bring us sightseeing. So instead, he gave us directions to an attraction every day. We were on our own to explore this new city for a week!
The rain took away the haze, and my first official day in Beijing had a bright clear sky. The weather was perfect for the Forbidden City. Walking through the palace that I had only seen in dramas was an amazing experience. I’m in the palace where the emperors lived!
Top bucket list ✔️
Being a content child, I quickly took out my heavy camera and started taking pictures of everything I saw. Yet, I forgot the most important photo.
“Where the picture of you at the Forbidden Palace?”, my uncle asked when I showed him my photos.
Yes. I had taken every photo I possibly could, except of myself… There was not a single one. All I’ve gotten were photos that looked like poor quality stock photos. No proof that I was ever there.
Lesson learned: take photos of self at attractions ✔️

The week swiftly passed by as we visited the Summer Palace, the Great Wall, 798 Art Zone, Nanluoguxiang (ancient street), and Wangfujing (for some of the strangest street foods).
We had foodie adventures all over the city. I always search for a cafe because that’s where you can find the newest creations.
There was a malatang stand hidden underneath our base metro station. The spicy aroma quickly lured us in. We each ordered a stick. I had the tofu puff skewer while my cousin ordered a mushroom one.
One bite. Each.
And we were both KO’ed by the hot spiciness that went into our mouth. Oh, the humiliation when I saw another person had eaten 100 sticks. Alone!!
Near the end, we reserved a table at Quanjude where my uncle treated us to some mouthwatering Peking Duck!

My impression of Beijing was at its best. The air wasn’t the greatest, but everything else made up for it. Unlike NY, where train and bus delays were a way of life, the metro system in Beijing was spot on. I never waited more than a few minutes to get on a metro. English signs were everywhere. It was so easy getting around, even if you don’t know Chinese.
Hangzhou
After our week in Beijing was up, instead of flying directly to Fuzhou, I proposed that we take a detour. I’ve long heard the praise, 上有天堂 下有苏杭 (Badly translated: There is heaven above, Suzhou and Hangzhou below). The two cities are supposedly so beautiful that it’s heaven on earth. How could I miss this?
Upon arriving in Hangzhou, however, we found out that our hotel doesn’t accept foreigners.
What?!
Thankfully, the nice lady at the reception walked us to an international hostel where we were accepted. Being homeless in an unknown city was not on my checklist.
First hostel stay ✔️
For a one day detour, we filled it with activities.
We spent the day walking around the beautiful West Lake.

Scammed by the taxi driver because we were idiots that didn’t use a map (it was only a 5 min walk).
Learned that I hate cilantros after tasting it in the west lake soup.
Asked around the locals for their recommendation on the best Hangzhou pork buns. My picture doesn’t do it justice. It was so delicious we order three of these!
And went on a shopping spree for souvenirs at 10 yuan shops where everything is 10 yuan (~$1.5).
Was Hangzhou heaven on earth? Not sure. One day is too short for me to experience everything Hangzhou offers.
Going back to Fuzhou, my first ever bullet train ✔
Remember all the food I tried in Beijing and Hangzhou? Apparently, I ate so much that my cousin complained about me to everyone.
“She ordered everything she saw!”
Am I to blame for ordering all those delicious food? Maybe. But they were in small portions and sooooo good.
Despite all the craziness and misadventures, my first trip was a success. I love the feeling of exploring new cities, trying out all the new dishes, experiencing things never done before.

I’m officially bitten by the travel bug! Wanderlust is my symptom.
Thus, a new foodie and adventurer has been born! 🎉