Having just returned from my first trip to China, I have one word to summarize it all - WOW.  The picture above is taken from the 29th floor apartment I was staying in for a week in the Central Business District of Beijing.  As you can see, there are some enormous buildings, all of which are surrounded by additional construction.  And this going on ALL OVER Beijing. 

We were staying in the CBD, but had to travel 45 minutes each morning to get to Tshinhua University up in the Northwest corner of the city.  Needless to say, nearly the entire drive had scenery like the picture above - big buildings interspersed with small buildings interspersed with run-down hovels.

This trip was a perfect example of “see it to believe it”.  You can read all the stories about the phenomenal growth in China, but it never really sinks in until you are right in the middle of Beijing (or any other city for that matter) seeing the increased level of activity for yourself.  To be sure, this kind of growth wouldn’t be possible without some fundamental drivers.  In my opinion, it comes down to the people in China and their passion for education, but more on that later.

For this weary traveler, all it took was one week to fall in love with China and the Chinese people.  I can only hope to return again soon.