Here are a couple of shots taken from the Beijing University campus. Beijing University is the most prestigious university in all of China and was located about 30 minutes from our hotel by taxi (a taxi ride which cost only two U.S. dollars thanks to the exchange rate).
Much like Kyoto University, Beijing University is filled with concrete buildings and a lifeless feel. Just like Japan, bikes were seen everywhere on campus, however most of the bikes were rusted and knocked over.
The centerpiece of the campus is a large lake with a view of the tall nearby pagoda. Vendors set-up by the lake and harass you to buy fake Beijing University goods and t-shirts. I was told that even if you go to the bookstore, you cannot get any "official" Beijing University souvenirs - it is all fake.
My friends and I also visited the Stanford Center at Beijing University (located in the international building - which is a converted hotel with the large crystal chandeliers still in place). Stanford students do not live with host families in China - they live in dorm rooms instead. The Stanford in China program is still in its infancy (it started just thee quarters ago), however, it appears to be in very capable hands and I wish it the best.
My friends met up with some of their friends (I didn't know the people) who were Stanford students studying in Beijing. We all went to a meat-bun place on campus and ate lots of meat-buns. They were very good (and dirt cheap), but as with most Chinese food I ate during my trip, it was all I could do not to projectile vommit a few hours after digesting.
On that note, enjoy the pics!
B.E.W.
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