The Beijing Center is thrilled to have hosted Xavier High School faculty members Headmaster Kim, history educator Edward, Fr. Spinale, assistant professor at Fordham University, and alumnus James and his wife Penny during their week-long visit to Beijing. It was a week full of cultural experiences. Xavier High School is a Jesuit institution based in New York and named after St. Francis Xavier, who was about to extend his mission to China when he passed away, making their visit even more meaningful.
On their first day, the Xavier High School faculty members were immersed in a unique cultural experience. They toured TBC’s offices, classrooms, and famous library and even had the opportunity to inspect our rare books collection. For lunch, they were taught the art of making dumplings, a traditional Chinese meal, from shaping the dough to filling and closing the dumplings. The hands-on experience was a hit, and the best part is that they got to eat them!
In the afternoon, they explored the historic Drum and Bell Towers, which were built in 1272 and are part of Beijing’s historic central axis. They even had the chance to witness a small drum performance and conquered the 70 very steep steps that led to the top of the 153-foot-tall tower. Later, they strolled through the Hutong area and enjoyed a bicycle rickshaw ride along Houhai Lake. The pinnacle of their visit was a heartwarming stop at a local family in a Hutong, who are masters of Snuff Miniature bottle paintings. They all learned this ancient technique of bottle decoration while having an insightful conversation about Chinese traditions and customs.
On their second day, the agenda was as interesting as the previous day. First, they attended a Tai Chi training session where they practiced the ancient art of finding inner peace. Then, they had the opportunity to explore the Temple of Heaven, one of Beijing’s landmarks. Later, they visited the Ancient Observatory, built in 1442, and one of the world’s first observatories. Lastly, they attended a Chinese calligraphy class, where they learned about the evolution and meaning of characters and the skill required to trace each stroke. From how to dip the brush in the tint and position the hand and the pressure needed, it was truly an enlightening experience!
The next day, the Xavier High School faculty members participated in a volunteering activity at Five Loaves and Two Fish (五饼二鱼), where the kids showed how they learned English and demonstrated their English proficiency. Then, they visited the Beijing Stone Carving Art Museum, a really hidden gem in the city. Less visited than other places in Beijing, it is a Tibetan Buddhist Temple built in the early 1400s where they could see the majestic carvings in the stones and the pagodas. In the evening, they strolled down Qianmen Street, marveling at the ancient road and shops along the former Emperor’s road to the forbidden city. Finally, they enjoyed a drama performance at Laoshe Tea House.
Day four came along, and it was a more relaxing agenda. The Xavier High School faculty visited North Cathedral. Later, they went to The Confucian Temple built in 1302 for Confucius, the Imperial Academy, where students and officials alike attended to study for examinations for imperial positions, and the Yonghe Lama Temple, an Indo-Tibetan Buddhist temple and monastery. Lastly, they enjoyed some free time to explore the city on their own.
On the fifth day, the Xavier High School faculty headed to China’s most famous landmark, the Great Wall of China, which is also one of the world’s seven wonders! In the afternoon, they returned to the city and walked around the Olympic Park, a legacy of the 2008 Olympic Games, including the Bird’s Nest and Water Cube. To end the day on a good note, they had an academic exchange session where they discussed their learnings and experiences from the trip.
Their last day in Beijing started early in the morning. They visited the Summer Palace, one of China’s youngest infrastructures, which is only a couple hundred years old. The Xavier High School faculty walked around the lake and gardens of the Palace. They also had a quick visit to the Old Summer Palace ruins, YuanMing Yuan Park. Later, they returned to TBC headquarters to attend a Tea Ceremony class; they learned about the 6 main types of Tea, including green tea, black tea, and white tea, how it was brewed in ancient times, and how it has evolved from edible to medicinal to the drinking version we know today. The class was in the hands of our in-house Tea Master, Molly Gu.
Finally, the Xavier High School faculty group headed to Shanghai, where more adventure awaited them. They continued exploring more Chinese landmarks, such as The Bund, and visited St. Ignatius Cathedral, which has gothic European architecture, and Zi-Ka-Wei’s Library, founded by missionaries Frs. Claude Gotteland, François Estève, and Benjamin Brueyre in 1847, and the T’ou-Sè–Wè Museum, which served as a Jesuit school and orphanage in the 19th century. This visit will provide an opportunity to explore the historical, cultural, and educational impact of the Jesuit footprint in the city.
In conclusion, the visit of Xavier High School faculty to Beijing was a resounding success, facilitating the exchange of knowledge and culture. Headmaster Kim, history educator Edward, Fr. Spinale, assistant professor at Fordham University, and alumnus James and his wife Penny represented Xavier High School with great enthusiasm and curiosity. The visit strengthened the bond between our institutions and left an unforgettable mark on all participants.
We look forward to more such enriching exchanges in the future!
Art often bridges the past and present, connecting us to centuries-old traditions while sparking deeply personal creativity. My recent experience in a Chinese Arts and Culture class beautifully encapsulated this idea.
Recently, I had the opportunity to participate in a volunteering activity that left a deep impression on me. It was a day dedicated to cultural exchange, creativity, and a wonderful reminder of the vibrancy of tradition — both Chinese and beyond.
The past few weekends have been some of the most exciting of the entire semester, full of trips to the zoo, mountain hikes, ancient parks, and more! Our first trip out of many was a visit to the Beijing Zoo. I had mentioned earlier in the semester that I wanted to see some pandas, since I was in China after all, and our TBC friend Andy made it happen.
Last year, The Beijing Center (TBC) celebrated its 25th anniversary with a dinner that was not just about marking a milestone but about embodying the Jesuit tradition of service and community impact.