​Since this year our program has a large number of students, the program had to arrange two coach buses to drive us to Hongqiao airport. While on our way to the airport, one student forgot his passport so he had to take a taxi back to the dorm. Luckily, he made it on time.

​​After arriving to the airport on a two-hour flight, our tour guides picked up and we were driven to a restaurant for group lunch. The tour guide informed us that we will be visiting two destinations today: Shenzhen Museum and Lotus Hill & Park.

First stop: Shenzhen Museum

​I personally am not a huge fan of museums (unless it is about science or magic) because I find it no point in visiting something that I won’t remember anything I learned about. I would read the facts and information but in the end if I am not interested, it won’t stay on my mind.

Even though I hate museums, I still took plenty of photos since I want to savor the moment. The only fact I remember about Shenzhen is that twenty years ago, from a small town, it was transformed into a metropolitan city based on the visions Deng Xiaoping had. I don't remember much details but I do remember some of the statues I’ve seen because they looked pretty realistic.

​Next stop: Lotus Hill

​The tour guide told us Lotus Hill was nearby so we can just walk there. Because the weather was very humid, most of us walked very slow; I didn’t know we would be hiking right after our flight without rest, so I wore jeans and wedges, which are unsuitable for hiking up a hill. Anyways, I still miraculously made it but I looked gross after the hike up hill. Surprisingly, there were many people on top especially taking photos. That’s what my friends and I did; for me, it was a personal achievement to successfully climb up a hill in wedges and jeans.

​Last stop: Grand Soluxe Zhongyou Hotel

​If there were another place we would have to visit after the hike, I would cry and opt out. But thankfully, we were heading to our hotel. We would have a buffet dinner at the hotel after we wash up.

The hotel was very grand and beautiful. I wanted to rest for a bit in the room but since dinner starts around 6:30 pm, my roommate Catey and I want to be down right when the food comes out.

After dinner, I took a stroll around the neighborhood with Catey, Jordan, and Will. It was getting dark and I wanted to stay near the hotel, I decided to head back so I can also celebrate my friend Tammy’s birthday. So I met up with other students and we walked towards the other direction. They’ve finally decided on karaoke by 1 am. However, I was getting really exhausted and tomorrow will be another long day, I decided to return to the hotel.