Day 07:
Last second day of the trip comprised of a cultural site to visit and a talk with an investment company since China is pretty strict with its banking sector.
Cultural Site: Great Wall of China
Was particularly excited for this cultural site! Even my brother was envious of the fact that I could climb the Great Wall of China when he have not even though he visited China many times.
Reaching Great Wall of China's peak is probably all Chinese's dream. It is one of the 7 wonders of the world.
Basically, it is a series of fortifications made of stone, brick, tamped earth, wood, and other materials, generally built along an east-to-west line across the historical northern borders of China in part to protect the Chinese Empire or its prototypical states against intrusions by various nomadic groups or military incursions by various warlike peoples or forces. It was continuously built by Kings of many dynasties. It was labour-driven and said to be built on many dead bodies as they died of fatigue and were being built on.
Nevertheless, I am grateful to be given a chance to be a part of the group to visit this significant place of China!
So many people were there too. It is such a nice place to visit.
All ready to go!
Pictures before we start sweating and going up!
Ready to go.
Souvenirs for sale as usual.
We chose the left route which was the route that is steeper and harder to climb.
Stopped at every section for rest and photographs.
Although it is considered a small section of the whole Great Wall of China, it takes a lot of perseverance to keep climbing and patience to come down.
The sight of the flight of steps can really scare you.
Resting on the stairs!
WE FINALLY ARRIVED AT THE PEAK OF THE GREAT WALL! CAPTURING THE TIME OF OUR LIVES!
Great Wall is the efforts of thousands of men, it is such a beautiful piece of art.
With the assistant leader of the trip!
Caucasians acting like China's Emperor and Warrior!
The day was pretty much completed and we headed for lunch!
Company visit: Ping An Investment Company
This pretty much marked the last company visit of the study trip, Ping An Investment Company. The speaker was very clear and patient with us, explaining each and every part of the slides clearly. As the speaker was late, he made the efforts to explain why he was late and apologized to all of us.
Ping An Insurance group is the holding company of Ping An Life Insurance Company of China, Ltd. and Ping An Property & Casualty Insurance Company of China, Ltd. It also controls China Ping An Insurance Overseas (Holdings) Limited and Ping An Trust & Investment Co., Ltd.
In short, Ping An Trust provides high-net-worth individuals and institutional clients with comprehensive and diversified trust wealth management products, quality investment and financing services,
They also have a full range of customized wealth management services which include capital trusts; chattel trusts and real estate trusts; securities trusts and other property or property rights trusts.
Besides, investment fund businesses for founders of investment funds or fund management companies; and intermediary services such as asset restructuring, mergers and acquisitions, project financing, corporate finance, and financial advising.
Last but not least, Ping An
Trust is actively developing property investment, infrastructure investment and private equity investment businesses.
Ping An Company is well-known to be innovative, professional, sound and reliable.
Ping An Trust's mission would be to further enhance its investment capabilities and investment brands, strengthen product innovation in the capital markets and build an open platform.
They also aim to optimize the operational platform and client service processes, give full play to the advantages of backup integration, enhance the client experience in all aspects and endeavor to become a high-end wealth management institution that is client-oriented and provides clients with customized wealth management services.
This would lead to their vision of becoming the largest, best and most innovative third party wealth management institution in China.
Cultural Site: Friendship Store, Beijing (友谊商店)
Aftermath, we went to Friendship Store of Beijing, 友谊商店.It was a state-run store in People's Republic of China (PRC), which initially sold exclusively to tourists, foreigners, diplomats, and government officials but now has no restrictions on customers.
We also visited this small art gallery inside the store! The sculpture and paintings were so captivating. I am sure the artists spent a lot of time and effort getting the final product.
We also had a walk in the Friendship Store.
Day 08
Cultural Site: Tiannanmen Square
Tiannanmen Square is one of the must-go cultural sites. It is
a large city square located at the center of Beijing, China, named after the Tiananmen Gate (Gate of Heavenly Peace), separating it from the Forbidden City.
Tiananmen Square is the third largest city square in the world. It has great cultural significance as it was the site of several important events in Chinese history.
One of which would be the focal point of the Tiananmen Square protests of 1989, a pro-democracy movement which ended on 4 June 1989 with the declaration of martial law in Beijing by the government and the death of several hundred civilians.
Explanation on the clock of the olden days.
The big tank made of Cooper which is many hundred years old yet still doing good.
Millions of footprints left behind this square.
We then headed to Beijing International Airport to check in our luggage! My overfull luggage and an extra bag for goodies!
Almost bigger than me.
The goodies I brought back to Singapore!
Trying to spend all the leftovers on a good cup of Starbucks.
LAST MEAL ON THE FLIGHT! Good food as usual!
That very much marks my 8 days trip diary!
