The top of the Potala is undoubtedly one of the most recognized of the city. Above the top is the famous and easily identifiable plant thirteen building was the seat of spiritual leader Dalai Lama. The fort was originally a winter palace, but later became the seat of the Dalai Lama. The building is painted red and white with golden roofs that shine over the sacred city. The building is presiding over the mountain from the seventeenth century. Today the fortress is a museum, a mere reflection of his old glory. However, it is said that the thousand rooms of the palace remain intact.

Although Potala is undoubtedly the most remarkable site of the city, in the second emphasizes the spiritual heart of the city, the Jokhang Temple. This temple, covered with a golden roof, has more than 1300 years old. The temple is combining the influences of various places, such as the same Tibet, India, Nepal culture or Chinese culture. The custom dictates that the devotees follow the kora, when the faithful walk in a circle around the temple, located near Barkhor, the commercial district. Inside the temple are more than 200 statues of Buddha surrounded by hundreds of candles reflected in the temple. Among the statues also houses the largest Buddha statue.

The city is over 3600 meters high and very near the northern Himalayas. The eastern part of the city is more and more traditional Tibetan influences, while the western part of the city has more Chinese influences and better services.

While you visit this amazing city, we recommend visiting the Norbulingka Summer Palace, built by the Seventh Dalai Lama in the mid eighteenth century. Now in the territory of the Old Palace are zoo and several botanical gardens. Visitors could also view the Drepung Monastery, founded in 1416. They may also see the Monsaterio Sera, founded in 1419. If you’re interested in history and culture of the country should visit the Tibet Museum, an interesting museum where you will find all sorts of gadgets.

Walking through the streets of Tibet, one must prove the thousands of local delicacies and traditional tea drinking. The best treats for the palate are the thugpa and varieties of local cuisine. If you visit the Barkhor market, may bargain to buy the traditional Tibetan rugs.

The city of Lijiang has a history of more than 800 years. Its narrow streets with typical houses built in the historic area, with a system of canals and bridges, as well as the traditions and customs, earned him recognition as World Heritage by UNESCO, a title which paradoxically attracted a take-off tour that ended at threatening its essence. Lijiang experienced its peak during the Ming and Qing dynasties, when they built many temples and notable buildings. Located northwest of Yunnan Province, is one of the most picturesque of the PRC, both its past and by how well it was preserved. Lijiang is too compelling to not visit her, and too perfect to keep it secret.

While completing my Masters I had occasion not only to study Mandarin and applied to the Chinese market economy, but also a section devoted to the culture and history. Despite many habérseme warned about Chinese customs before my departure from Spain, I took many surprises during my stay. The first thing I noticed when leaving the airport in Shanghai was to see a man squatting (the normal resting position in China) smoking on the street. Such a posture is unthinkable in a Western country, but not in China, where I think the anatomical and physical differences have much to do, and allow people to “sit” that way “. My previous conception of the Chinese was that of a taciturn and reserved people, loving work and with little interest in dealing with foreigners. In later days, I found this was not it, as Chinese are extremely outgoing and expressive, curious about foreigners, and sometimes show frustration at not being able to communicate with you properly. He also believed that Chinese living only for work but I could see that consumerism love, buy clothing and quality, go out at night, go to discos and pubs …
During the weeks that followed I began to feel increasingly integrated in Chinese culture (not without some effort). In terms of language was where I found it more difficult, but as soon as I started to have friends among the Chinese, my Mandarin level began to improve. Today my attempt to advance knowledge through self-study Chinese, and practicing conversation with friends or in daily life with taxi drivers, pedestrians, shops, etc..
It took me quite some time to adjust to the food in this country. At first I went every day for lunch at western fast food restaurants (McDonald’s, KFC, Pizza Hut …) but soon I realized I had to change this bad habit and start using Chinese dishes. I began to frequent restaurants in the minority ethnic Hui, Chinese Muslims, whose kitchen specializes in preparing noodles (Noddles) and meats. It became my favorite style of Chinese food, but during my stay I also had opportunity to taste dishes from the kitchens of Si-Chuan, Zhejiang and Guangdong.

With reference to my stay on campus, in addition to Chinese language learning materials divided into three compulsory study (grammar, listening and speaking), we had some electives such as Chinese painting, Chinese characters, tai chi and kung fu . Because of my schedule I could only attend the class of characters, but one day I found under the window of my room in a nearby garden, a group of people practicing kung fu in an “unofficial”. The teacher was Mexican, but had Chinese living in over ten years, and had much experience in the practice of wushu (the generic name given to the Chinese martial arts). I was curious because so far only had practiced Japanese martial arts, karate and judo in my country. My experience with the kung fu was short (lessons only lasted until the end of the semester), but satisfying, though sometimes painful .