My Bye, Bye China List

My one-year experience turned into a six-year stay, which is now coming to an end as I start my new adventure in Thailand starting in September. However, although my time left here is short, there are still a few things on my China bucket list I had to check off. 

I am really grateful I got to get one last trip in before I set off. I was able to go visit Sanya, Hainan a few weeks ago. I spent most of 2020 and 2021 there working remotely, so I knew I needed to get down there one last time to say goodbye to my island friends and take one more boat ride on the open seas. Since I had been there so many times, I was able to really relax and just enjoy the weather, my friends and of course the seafood. 　

Unfortunately, it’s a bit risky to travel out of Beijing at the moment now, so I did have to change some of my plans, but there is no shortage of things to do even within the city. One thing I had to do (again) before I left was go to the Universal Studios theme park in Beijing. Although I have been there many times, I wanted to give the park one last visit before I bid China farewell. It was a great day and the only time I have gone in the summer. But the best part was, after that last visit, I have officially done every activity, ridden every ride and seen every show in the park. 　

Another activity that I have planned before I leave is to go on one more mountain getaway. We have the house booked and are all set to go two weekends from now. Since travel has been slightly restricted, these getaways have been the new go-to for me and my friends and this time we splurged as we are celebrating my friend’s birthday and my going away. The house has two pools, a KTV room, amazing rooftop seating, a full kitchen and a top-of-the-line grill. It will be the perfect setting to make some life-long memories with my friends. 　

As far as things I have never done, this Saturday is one I am very excited about – dinner in a yurt. My friends and I will be headed to the chain Ninety-Nine Yurts where they cook an entire lamb and you spend the night hanging out in your own personal yurt, eating, drinking and being merry. One of the meals I have loved most in China is lamb leg, so this is sure to be a treat. 　

One thing I sadly won’t be able to do that was on my list is go to Guilin, but to make up for it, I hope to make another trip to Longqing Gorge where they have a boat ride that is dubbed “Little Guilin.” The scenic area also has the world’s longest escalator and a cave decked out with tacky garb, as well as some thrills with a slide going all the way down the beautiful karst mountain. China’s karst mountains are some of the most beautiful scenery I have experienced while living here, so seeing them one more time is a must on my to-do list. 　

Luckily for me, I am able to have a few weeks off from work and any responsibility before I leave, so I want to make one more round of Beijing’s most popular attractions. The funny thing is as soon as you arrive you visit all the top spots – Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace – but usually never go back. My goal for my last weeks is to head back to all the attractions I took in when I first arrived and take some amazing pictures while soaking in China’s culture and history one last time. I hope to compile the pictures in a photo book along with other memories I have made along the way to commemorate my time here. 　

Although leaving is bittersweet, I am so happy I was able to have six amazing years here in China. The people, food, scenery and life I led here will not be forgotten and I am thankful for all I have learned. It’s only goodbye for now because I will surely be back to check off some more things on my China bucket list someday sooner than later.