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WE had heard so much about China, but with such a vast territory, so many people and such a long history, how do you describe China without covering every single aspect of it? How can you sum up the whole of China in one word?

From the moment we arrived to the moment we left, our trip to China was one we enjoy recounting to friends and family. From stunning places like the Hanging Temple in Datong, to the Forbidden City, to the giant Buddhas in the grottoes of Yungang, to the simplicity of a walk in a park where hundreds are singing, dancing, fishing, walking, exercising or playing, China truly amazes!

Yet amazement isnt a big enough word to describe China either.

A Perfect Balance

between Architecture

and Nature

Whether its the Hanging Temple of Datong or the Birds Nest in Beijing, Chinas architectural wonders left us stunned. Whether one looks at the old or the new, one is awed. Take the giant Buddhas of the Yungang Grottoes. They are giants indeed, carved into a mountain, not with modern machinery but with the primitive tools of 1,500 years past! As well as being impressively large, there are many hundreds of them. And it is not just the sheer size or number which leave one awe-struck, it is the details with which they are carved, making each one unique and seemingly alive.

Similarly, one can look at the Hanging Temple of Datong in Shanxi Province, built more than 1,000 years ago on a cliff, literally hanging suspended in midair. Here elements of Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism stand in union. Despite our fear of heights, we walked on the wooden floor of the temple as if walking through history, and could imagine the pride of the people who built this temple.

Then there is the Great Wall of China, one of the seven wonders of the world. It stands there colossal, yet undulates over the mountains and through the valleys like an extension of the landscape itself. The view from the bottom reveals the imposing grandeur of the structure, while the view from the top is broad and vast, giving you mountainous panoramas for miles around.

Then there are all the various palaces in Beijing, including the Forbidden City. While the richness of some of these palaces is incredible, it is their spaciousness, grandeur and attention to detail and perfection which held our attention. Walking through these palaces, you get a glimpse at how people once lived in this complex of buildings. It strikes you as a life lived in accordance with the basic rules of nature. The palaces fit with their surroundings seamlessly as if nature itself had put them there. That was the main impression left with us.

The Unity of the People

Needless to say we met with several Chinese and what struck us most was their friendliness. They seemed genuinely happy to see us. From infants to the elderly, they smiled or greeted us with “Hello” or “Ni hao” or “Welcome to Beijing.” We really felt welcome. I remember taking a photo of a man doing calligraphy with water on a sidewalk. He smiled and invited me to do some. After a little practice, we shared our names via calligraphy. Despite the language barrier, we related to each otherthrough this art.