We went out on foot for a while yesterday afternoon… our experience at the local supermarket was a mix of excitement at the incredible array of goodies to choose from (man! the Chinese have a serious sweet tooth… and I like it!) and the awkwardness of being gawked at. Must be the adorable little boy in Andrea’s arms, people were literally tripping over themselves to get a look at Cole.
Our guide explained later that the Chinese are very surprised to see foreigners adopting little boys, especially ones that don’t appear to have a physical defect. This saddens me, I can’t help but think that many Chinese are just not aware of the scope of orphan problem and the precious, beautiful children that are waiting for a family. I do believe the tide is changing, though, the Chinese are becoming both more aware and accepting of the possibility of domestic adoption, and I hope that in the future, many children will find homes both in America and in China.
That said, on to my burning questions. Anyone been to Nanchang? What is fun to do? We are the only family in the province with Andrea’s agency and let’s just say we aren’t getting a whole lot of hand holding. Which is okay in my book, but I would like to find fun things to do, exploring a new city in China is so exciting… but for a bit of a non-world-traveler like myself, I need a bit of help. So if you have any specific spots you visited in Nanchang and loved, places of interest and/or, of course, some great shopping…. please share!
This was Cole all bundled up yesterday on our way to the local market. Is this little man handsome or what? I am having the best time taking pictures of him.
P.S. If you notice the time I posted this and wonder, “What time is that in China?” let me tell you. It’s 5:15 AM. And we’ve already been up for an hour and a half had 2 cups of coffee. The body clock is not quite functioning properly yet…
We were just there in November. Our guide took us to the Tengweng Pavillion (it’s on the river). You take an elevator up and there is a short Tang dynasty show at the top. Then browse the gardens around the pavillion. Our group also walked down to Wal-Mart a few times. We also visited a local village to see how 95% of the country lives. That was a good visit since we know most of our kids had been in foster care in similar villages. There is also the porcelain shopping that the area is famous for. Oh and another family before us went on the ferris wheel, also on the river.
Stefanie…the large Teng Wen Paviliion like site is right across the street from The Gloria Hotel. There are lovely Bonsai gardens there. If you climb the pavillion building you can catch a show of "old" Chinese opera. You can also watch the boats on the river & see the grp of boats that use the ducks / birds to catch their fish. It is fascinating to watch.
Over by the Galactic Hotel in the evening (well they did this still in Sept, but do not know if it continues all year) they have a nightly laser show with lights & fountains set to music. It is on the riverfront.
There is a small bowling alley over at the Lake View Hotel & a very good & authentic Chinese restaurant on the second floor of the Lake View Hotel. They have a Chinese menu (snake blood soup & other delicacies) or you can order off of a more western menu. The food was great.
The area is known for porcelain, so be sure to pick some up.
Who is your guide? We had Sissy the first trip I was there & Jenny the last time I was in Nanchang.
Debby
We were in Nanchang in October and loved it! The Teng Wen Pavilion is a must see. It’s right by the Gloria Hotel. It’s beautiful and you can spend a good chunk of time there. The tallest ferris wheel in Asia is in Nanchang, and that is cool, too. The nightly music, water show is very fun and a great thing to do at night. Our guide took us to a village about 20 minutes outside of the city and we spent a good amount of time there. It was very eyeopening and we enjoyed our time there. There is also a “Walking Street” it’s like an outdoor mall. There is a McDonalds and KFC at the end, and it’s very fun to walk down. They have music playing and a lot of stores. There’s a beautiful park in the city, called the “People’s Park.” There is a street that has a lot of porcelain shops, as Jiangxi is the porcelain province. Those are some of the things we enjoyed doing during our time in Nanchang. Hope that helps! He’s adorable!
We’ve been there twice now (2004 and 2006). We did most of the things the others already shared with you. You need to do the Pavilion for sure. The pedestrian shopping/walking area is very cool. It was nice to not have to worry about being run over while shopping. 🙂
We didn’t get to the light show but heard it was great. I was not about to get on the ferris wheel but if you are game, go for it!
People’s Park is great. We enjoyed walking around and having the girls ride the rides (amusement park stuff). Anytime we stopped, we were immediately surrounded by locals to see our family. We also went to the zoo while we were there.
I had to giggle about all the people tripping over themselves to see sweet Cole. We almost caused a few bike/car accidents while we were in Nanchang. Heads would whip around to watch us walk down the street. I guess two parents, two teens, and two Chinese girls in a double stroller must be good sight-seeing!
Have fun!
Sarah is from Jiangxi and so, we of course were in Nanchang last year. We loved the People’s Park and the Tengweng Pavillion with the traditional show they did up top. (though the elevator scared us a bit 😉
There is also a phenomenal dumpling place about 1 walking mile from the Galactic Hotel. By the big old shopping meca.
Oh, I am so wishing I was there!!!
Blessings and love,
Anna
We were in Nanchang for 8 days in 2007. Unfortunately we didn’t find that there was much to do.
We also went to the Tengweng pavillion and Wal-Mart, as well as the small village. The other days they just took us to a park ot to a mall shopping. Also, we stayed in NEW Nanchang, which was NOT very poulated at the time, so it really made for a lot of down time and not much to do. It was a great city by the way and the people were incredible. They made us feel like movir stars!
Have fun!
I wish I could say I’d been to Nanchang, because that would mean I’d been to China :O) and E was home with me, and since my heart is ACHING for her anymore…well, that would be very nice!! I was just on the couch watching Oprah thinking that you and your family need to be on the show talking about SN adoption… what a GREAT show that would make.
Cole is GORGEOUS. And I’m very, very partial to the name since my sister’s 3rd son (who happens to be my Godson) carries the same name :O)
Hope you find some fun exploring to do!
We were in Nanchang in June…it sounds like you have heard all that there is to do there (which is not much, but we loved it anyway).
I think you (or your sister) mentioned that Mary is your guide..that is who we had as well! I hope it is the same gal because she is such a delight!
Have fun!!! I really wish I was there too!
Lori
Sounds like you are having fun..
He is sooooo CUTE..
Have fun..
~ Kim
Stefanie,
I know you are in China, would you mind emailing me at my3gals@sbcglobal.net when you get a chance. I have a question for you. It can be when you get home.
Thanks!!
I’ve never been, but I just wanted to say that I am following y’all on my adoption website too! Cole is a beautiful boy! I know your hearts are overflowing with love for him!
Absolutely gorgeous photo!!!!
Thank you for sharing your journey with your sister!!!
He is such a gift! Hand picked for your families!!!
Blessings,
Diana
Stefanie,
So good to see pictures of little Cole, he is so cute!!! I of course know nothing about China, but it sounds as though you have been given some fabulous ideas. Have a great time, and enjoy!!!
Thank you for keeping all of us included in your sisters journey with Cole.
lisa
Hi Stefanie,
Congratulations to your sister and you as the proud new aunt as well! Cole is just adorable!!
We also got Sophie in Nanchang. I agree with everyone else….Teng Wang is a must see! Jiangxi is also known for its pottery….lots of shops! We also went to a very cool park along the river….at night time there is also an awesome water and light show set to music across the river from the Teng Wang. Chris says this is a must see!!! ur group just took taxis over there. You can always have your hotel write the directions on their business card for you to give to the taxi driver. Other than that….not a lot to do….but the days will go quickly! We did have lots of great food in Jiangxi! We also found a great bookstore in the heart of the city and found great kids books to bring home…..Enjoy every minute!!
We were in Nanchang 9 days in 2005, we did the Pavillion, that was fun. The Porcelain shops are great and the prices are right. We went to a zoo, kind of a sad zoo, but it was something to do. Walmart was down the street from our hotel, the Jiangxi, and there was a nice little park behind the hotel with birds in cages in the trees and always a LOT of people. I was a little nervous alone because I was so afraid someone would take Makana from me, silly I know. The people there certainly do stare! There was a great restaurant within walking distance of the hotel, it had numbers instead of a name and a huge goldfish tank in front, you could stand on the tank and then it went up behind you like a funnel kind of shape. We loved the sesame balls there, though it was more fun just calling them green balls! I know that about 90 miles away is a famous mountain, but we did not get to go there. We got our LOA today for our son, so we hope to be in China in a few weeks, I am enjoying reading about your trip!
Kristin
Tengweng Pavillion and The People’s Park were two of the places we would recommend. We stayed at the Galactic in 2007 when we went to get our Jiangxi girl. Porcelain is a must when visiting Jiangxi (get a tea set for sure!!)
Best wishes!
Hi Stefanie,
Sorry, I’ve never been to Nanchang, but just wanted to say I’m following your trip on MAW and you are taking some fabulous photos of your handsome little nephew. That sure is one cute and happy little kid!! Congrats to your sister!!
It seems like all of Nanchang folks did the same things…Pavilion, People’s Park, “Real” Village, Porcelaine Street…Me (6 foot 2 with beard) and my daughter (5 foot 10 with curly blonde hair) were pointed at and had pictures taken of us when we were seen holding Luke. We got used to it, and no one seemed to be doing it with ill will. Our favorite part of Nanchang was the bakery across the street from the Jin Feng hotel, you could get lots of goodies, including loaves of bread!!! This was a big deal to us.
Oh dang he’s cute!!!!! You are too fabulous, taking all these cute pics of Cole! Love it!
Sorry I can’t help on the stuff to do… looks like you’ve got some good advice though. 🙂
I’m gonna be blunt here (because you know I am)… our guide told us that she equates Nanchang to… umm… Detroit, as opposed to Savannah or New York or San Francisco.
Having said that – I agree with everyone else. The Tengweng Pavillion, People’s Park and the ferris wheel are cool. And if you don’t receive a finding ad, stop by Tiffanie’s shop behind the Gloria Hotel. They give them out for free.
http://www.luckytiffanie.com/page/zhaopin/index.php
We just returned home, so happy Christmas to you! And even happier travels.
Cole is so adorable!!!!
Beautiful picture! He is so precious!
Once you get your ‘clock’ figured out, it will be time to come home 🙂
I just think it is so precious that you can be there with your sister! I would have loved for my sissy’s to be with us…they had to stay home and watch the other 4 🙂
Okay, your Cole could be our Macy Li’s bio brother!!! Go to our blog and just look at the similarities…We got her in Nanchang on July 21st and she came from the Jianxin SWI about a 3 1/2 hr. drive from Nanchang….WILD!!!
You’re right…not much to do there in Nanchang. To be a city of what, 10 million? The BEST is the 8 pm light show on the Gan River each night! Don’t miss it! Also, there is a big park….WHAT hotel are you at?
Email me at rjk1818@aol.com and I’ll see what info I can help you with.
Is it cold there?
I’m so jealous of you! I would go back tonight!
Congratulations!!!!!!!!!
~Rhonda
Hi Stefanie. I tried posting before you left but for some reason my post got gobbled up!! I just wanted to let you know that I have been thinking about you and your sister and Cole!! He is just adorable and it is wonderful that you are there to share in this with her!!! Have a safe and blessed journey home and enjoy your beautiful new nephew!!!
Ann (Lizzie’s Momma)
We have been to Nanchang on 2 of our 5 adoption trips. hate to sya it but Nanchang was my least favorite Province as far as thigns to do. Other than the Pavillion, park and the occasional trip to WalMart we pretty much stayed in. nanchaNG is famous for their porcelian and they have one road full of porcelian shops so that mught be a good outing.
We were in Nanchang in November. Doing all the things that everyone has already mentioned, there is one more thing we did. There is a museum at the end of the “Walking Street” near The Gloria. Go down the street and take a left. It’s down about a block on your right. It is closed at lunch time – just a warning. It was ok. Something to do and get out of the hotel!
Sounds like the trip is going well! Cole is simply adorable!
Hi Stefanie!
I haven’t read through the comments yet but here’s my shopping tip 🙂
There is a large pedestrian mall near the Gloria Hotel (not sure where you are staying) that is great shopping BUT the best shopping is to be had is at the end of that mall where the McDonald’s is .. cross the street, there is a two story building with an outside staircase, the bottom floor is a flea market type place with TONS of great authentic buys (CNY decor, hair decor, etc. etc.) BUT if you go up the stairs and inside is a fabric market and go up the staircase from there is a HUGE children’s market with lots of toys, clothing, shoes and etc. We bought some wonderful shoes and wooden toys there that we saved for Lilli (from Suichuan, Jiangxi). Have fun! Cole is adorable!!
Margie