<strong>My first time in Asia:</strong> In 2008, I visited my sister Stephanie in China. We started the trip in Beijing, where I saw the major sites, including a part of the Great Wall. Stephanie showed me her China and gave me the courage to venture out on my own too. Click through for a look at some of my adventures:
My first time in Asia: In 2008, I visited my sister Stephanie in China. We started the trip in Beijing, where I saw the major sites, including a part of the Great Wall. Stephanie showed me her China and gave me the courage to venture out on my own too. Click through for a look at some of my adventures:
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<strong>Reunited:</strong> In Beijing, Stephanie and I wandered around the arts district, Dashanzi, a cluster of former military factories turned into hip creative enclaves.
Reunited: In Beijing, Stephanie and I wandered around the arts district, Dashanzi, a cluster of former military factories turned into hip creative enclaves.
Stacey Lastoe/CNN
<strong>Double Happiness:</strong> The hotel on a hutong in Beijing served an authentic Chinese breakfast. I loved it.
Double Happiness: The hotel on a hutong in Beijing served an authentic Chinese breakfast. I loved it.
Stacey Lastoe/CNN
<strong>Dumplings: </strong>Eating my way around the vast country during a three-week period proved to be one of the most satisfying parts of the journey.
Dumplings: Eating my way around the vast country during a three-week period proved to be one of the most satisfying parts of the journey.
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<strong>Daily bread: </strong>We ate like kings, often in small, nondescript restaurants, where the food was always hot and satisfying.
Daily bread: We ate like kings, often in small, nondescript restaurants, where the food was always hot and satisfying.
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<strong>Qingdao: </strong>A desire to get off the beaten path and not only go to the main tourist draws led me to the beach in a town on the Yellow Sea.
Qingdao: A desire to get off the beaten path and not only go to the main tourist draws led me to the beach in a town on the Yellow Sea.
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<strong>Qingdao:</strong> I ate freshly caught fish from street vendors frying it up on the spot and drank Tsingtao (the flagship brewery is located here).
Qingdao: I ate freshly caught fish from street vendors frying it up on the spot and drank Tsingtao (the flagship brewery is located here).
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<strong>Ringing in the New Year:</strong> More Tsingtao was consumed as we welcomed in a new year: 2009.
Ringing in the New Year: More Tsingtao was consumed as we welcomed in a new year: 2009.
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<strong>Tea ceremony: </strong>With Lucy and Helen, I enjoyed a tea tasting. Even though I later learned it was a scam to make money off of me (and my naivety), I still had to admit I enjoyed the afternoon.
Tea ceremony: With Lucy and Helen, I enjoyed a tea tasting. Even though I later learned it was a scam to make money off of me (and my naivety), I still had to admit I enjoyed the afternoon.
Stacey Lastoe/CNN
<strong>China shopping:</strong> It rained a lot in Shangai during my visit, but I still enjoyed wandering around the big city.
China shopping: It rained a lot in Shangai during my visit, but I still enjoyed wandering around the big city.
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<strong>Yuyuan Garden: </strong>I visited Shanghai's gardens on a rainy day.
Yuyuan Garden: I visited Shanghai's gardens on a rainy day.
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<strong>22-hour hard-seat: </strong>Construction on<strong> </strong>China's bullet trains had begun just months before my visit, so I got to experience the slow and extremely uncomfortable K train.
22-hour hard-seat: Construction on China's bullet trains had begun just months before my visit, so I got to experience the slow and extremely uncomfortable K train.
Stacey Lastoe/CNN
<strong>Yangshuo: </strong>One of China's most beautiful places was a welcome respite after Shanghai — and that brutally long train ride.
Yangshuo: One of China's most beautiful places was a welcome respite after Shanghai — and that brutally long train ride.
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<strong>Pre-selfie: </strong>Here I am posing for a photo before everyone had an iPhone and an inclination for a selfie.
Pre-selfie: Here I am posing for a photo before everyone had an iPhone and an inclination for a selfie.
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<strong>Bike riding in the countryside:</strong> Outside of Yangshuo, about 1,500 miles south of Shanghai, I got a glimpse of village life and a much slower pace.
Bike riding in the countryside: Outside of Yangshuo, about 1,500 miles south of Shanghai, I got a glimpse of village life and a much slower pace.
Stacey Lastoe/CNN
<strong>Street delights:</strong> I continued to seek out street food delights. This man's noodles were delicious.
Street delights: I continued to seek out street food delights. This man's noodles were delicious.
Stacey Lastoe/CNN