Henan Province June 2011

Exam week is over, there is a holiday on the following Monday and then there are 4 days to take 39 Grade 9 student traveling in China. Where to go is the important question – and the answer is Henan Province. The bus with the 39 students, 4 teachers and tour director Jerry leaves the school at 6:00pm to the Western train station in time to catch the 8:00 train. No problems clearing security, time for a snack and even some time for some card games and then it is time to find our hard sleeper. While it seems like a long journey we finally arrive at the car and get settled in. The train leaves on time and the 2011 Grade 9 China Link trip to Henan Province is off and running.

The night is uneventful on board. Lights out is at 10:30 and the car is quiet by 11:00 – everyone is asleep or resting peacefully by 11:30. There are stops and starts all night long as the train is not direct. Not a problem as everyone in the hard sleeper is going to Henan. The train is scheduled to arrive at 8:00am but when we awake in the morning we find out we will be about an hour late. The students mull about, eat, play games and some even remain under cover until they must get out.

Upon arrival at the station we meet our local guide Joe who takes us to the bus and it is off to a local hotel for a buffet breakfast. Quite nice too. The hotel is well ventilated and air-conditioned as it is VERY hot outside already. One thing about Henan Province in the second week of June is the temperature – it is always hot.

Our first tour is the Longmen Grotto, which is a series of caves in the walls of a riverbank that date back a few centuries. They are all still there along with most of the carvings and Buddhist religious icons. They are extremely neat to see and the walk along the river, while a bit long, is peaceful, quiet and scenic. Crossing the river to the other side and an equal walk back to the awaiting air-conditioned bus.

The afternoon is at a Taoist Temple where we have lunch and take some time to lounge around and look at the sights. Some of the students had their fortune told by the local temple seer. There are some interesting relics, statues and buildings to see here at the temple. We then board the bus and it is off to the hotel. Dinner is at a local Shaolin restaurant the food is plentiful and delicious.

The evening is filled with a show of local talent from the various Shaolin Kung-Fu schools. There is story line telling of the history of the area and some of the important events in the time line of the Shaolin Kung-Fu. The show is amazing to say the least with all the latest of electronic events tied in with some fabulous choreography. The actors are filled with energy and it spills over to the very enthusiastic crowd.

Day 3 sees us off to spend the morning with the Kung-Fu monks at one of the local schools. There are over 8000 students at this school and these monks who are pleasant and very well mannered greet us with great pomp and ceremony. They take us to a small auditorium where we watch performances of some of the training that they do as well as some of the more exciting moves they perform (one of the monks broke a steel rod over his head). We they have a photo session with the monks who are happy to allow this. After this we break into small groups of 4-5 and share some our energy with them in the form of games. There is a language barrier since none of the monks speak English. Lucky for our students, their Chinese is easily understood by the monks so gradually all the barriers are broken and there is lots of fun and friendship that transpires. To end the morning the monks invite us to have a regular lunch with them. The meal is healthy and varied and we are happy to share with them. Finally we have to say goodbye as we must move one and they must get back to their studies.

The afternoon is taken up with a visit to the Shaolin Temple where there is a Hike up the mountain to a special monastery and a look around the temple. It is amazing to see the temple but the day is very hot and long and is taking a toll on some of the members of the team. Most of them are very glad to be back in the bus and there is a lot of sleeping happening as we move on to our last night’s hotel. The meal at another local restaurant is magnificent with an abundance of food and tasty treats. The students tonight are not up very late and there is no problem enforcing lights out tonight.

The last day starts with a bus ride to the local museum, which is truly a sight that should not be missed. Very well laid out, itemized and organized in specific categories, there is something here for everyone. It is also well air-conditioned. Two of the boys are really feeling under the weather and are taking it easy for the morning.

We are off to a local mall where there is plenty of food for lunch and each student is given RMB25 to spend for lunch anywhere they want. I feel like a milkshake to I settle in at the Dairy Queen for the break, joined by several other students and one other teacher.

Our last trip is off to the hovercraft for a ride up the yellow river to a sand bank where the students can ride horses if they want. The trip is comfortable and the scenery is great. There is a bridge being constructed across the river that must be at least 5km long. I am not sure when it will be completed but to see it under construction was breathtaking. While we are here we also take in the stone-mountain engraving of the two kings who united this part of China. It is quite amazing to see and some of the students even climbed up to the top to have a better look.

Finally we are transported to the airport, say our goodbyes to Joe (the local guide) who was great and get our gear for the plane trip back to Beijing. Unfortunately the flight is delayed by 3 hours but the students handle this very well with card games, resting, conversation and, of course, food. Everyone arrives back in Beijing with a better understanding of Henan Province and the wonders that are there.

If you want to see all the pics I took click here.