Every year, SAS hosts its very own hunger games: the bloodbath that is the China Alive signups.
Although the battle for spots happens only in a short span of fifteen minutes, the outcome of the battle determines, and I quote in all seriousness, “your life for the next few months.” As you can probably tell, underclassmen take their China Alive trip selections very seriously. Nothing tastes more like disappointment than getting on a relatively unpopular trip with none of your friends to go through it with you.
You see, each China Alive trip holds a special sentiment in everyone’s heart. For freshmen, it’s the exhilaration of having your first high school China Alive experience; for sophomores, it’s the nostalgic feeling that comes with your last China Alive. For upperclassmen, it’s the bitterness you feel knowing that underclassmen are having fun while you’re withering away in a classroom. But I digress. It’s because of the special sentiment attached to these trips that underclassmen feel the need to get on the very best trip for the year’s China Alive.
Each China Alive trip explores different, sometimes exotic, regions of China, each in its own unique way. Sadly, some trips from last year have been cut, such as the Panda Alive trip and the very popular desert-trekking trip in Inner Mongolia.
But no worries! There have been exciting new additions to this year’s China Alive trip selections. This year’s selection boasts nine adventure trips, two art trips, and two cultural trips.
A popular new trip is the Taiwan beach tour, designed for students to develop their skills on water through a wide range of water activities. Who doesn’t want good food, bright sunlight, and sandy beaches for a whole week? No wonder it’s the top pick of the year.
New trips include the Hong Kong paddling trip, which offers water and navigation activities, and the Suzhou cycling adventure, which gives students an amazing opportunity to tour ancient Suzhou from the seats of their bikes.
Most trips from last year have been continued, which is good news for students who didn’t get on their dream trip last year. I asked around and got you some insider tips for you to have the best trip possible. You can thank me later.
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| Hong Kong paddling trip |
Most trips from last year have been continued, which is good news for students who didn’t get on their dream trip last year. I asked around and got you some insider tips for you to have the best trip possible. You can thank me later.
Hong Kong high adventure trip has received a surge of positive feedback after last year’s trip ended. Previous trip-goers Emily Xi and Angela Loh suggest bringing more clothes than the packing list entails because you will get very sweaty and smelly, and quite possibly wet.
If you’re going to Hainan Surfing, Celina Tala says to bring surf shorts, or else you’ll get rashes.
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| Hainan surfing trip |
To those who are going to learn the principles of butt-kicking in the Shaolin martial arts trip, previous trip-goer Lauren Cheung says to pack light, bring workout clothes and a water bottle.
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| Shaolin Martial Arts trip |
Zhejiang caving is another repeating trip. Cindy Zhao, sophomore, suggests bringing jackets to the trip because it gets cold at night. She proclaims her undying love for the food and hopes that the future trip-goers aren’t scared of heights.
The Sichuan cycling trip follows the norm of any normal cycling trip. As Ethan Kiang so bluntly puts it, “Don’t fall down. Don’t brake on gravel. Bring lots of water.”
All the art trips from last year are also got a renewal. Alina Zhu who went to the Guangxi photography trip last year tells me that there were a lot of hikes on the trip. She recommends bringing extra money for buying local food. If you’re going to Hengdian--enjoy yourself! You’re given a really rare opportunity to work in a famous studio, so don’t let it go to waste.
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| Shangri-la trip |
For people to go to Shangri-la, don’t fall asleep on the bus! Sleeping increases oxygen demand, and Shangri-la is very high up so you might wake up dizzy.
For the Taiwan cultural trip, Katherine Lai tells me that future trip-goers should make the most out of museum visits and appreciate the opportunity to visit historical sites around Taiwan.
Only two more weeks until China Alive!
Abbie Leung
Abbie Leung
