Seven Cities in 15 Days – My Cultural Exchange Adventure in China

Katarina, a participant in the cultural exchange program “Journey to the East”, has already visited nearly ten cities in her first month in China! Here’s her story so far:

Before coming to China, I had my fair share of doubts—just like many people I know. I imagined terrible food, strange people, and a language that seemed impossible to learn. But now, after just one month here, every single one of those preconceptions has completely fallen apart.

My adventure began in Chongqing, a major city in southwest China located along the Yangtze River—the third-longest river in the world! I spent my first week up in the Heishan mountains, not far from the city. The first thing that completely won me over was the people—especially the host family I’m living with. They’ve been so welcoming, treating me like one of their own from day one, which made adjusting to life here so much easier.

I was lucky enough to visit seven cities in my first 15 days, thanks to a “small” family trip designed to help me get to know China as much as possible! Some of the unforgettable places we explored include:

Guiyang – the capital of Guizhou Province

Qingyan – an ancient town built 620 years ago during the Ming Dynasty

Kedu (Pingtang) – home to FAST, the world’s largest radio telescope

Huangguoshu Waterfall – one of the largest waterfalls in China and East Asia

I feel incredibly lucky to have experienced the food, culture, customs, and people from so many different parts of China. The biggest shock? The food—everything is spicy, even snacks and sweets! And then there’s the famous hotpot, which I both ate and sweated through at the same time.

After two weeks, I’d already adjusted to spicy food, boiled salad, drinking tea several times a day, and people casually walking around in pajamas. That’s when I headed to my next stop: Shenzhen.

Arriving in Shenzhen felt like landing in a completely different country. The city is stunning—full of greenery, palm trees, modern skyscrapers, and it even has a coastline! Life here feels worlds apart from the western regions of China. The food isn’t spicy, and the atmosphere is much more modern, with lots of young people embracing a more Western lifestyle. With all the high-rises, trendy cafes, and international restaurants, it honestly reminds me of an American city.

I’m really enjoying my time here. My host family is doing everything they can to immerse me in Chinese culture—we visit new places and try food from all over China almost every day.

That’s all for now, but I’m looking forward to even more adventures in the two months ahead!