And Away We Go…Smith Students Take Off for Beijing  

By: Ja’Nel Edens, MBA Candidate 2018 
January 9, 2018

After much anticipation, days of preparation, and a 14-hour flight, Smith students arrived safely to Beijing. Some students came a few days early to explore the capital city, visit museums and learn more about local Chinese culture. Excited to venture out for our first night together, we decided to go to dinner.

Getting around the city was easy as we took the Beijing subway (a commute which involved three subway line transfers) to reach our destination.  Upon entry into the subway, riders must first go through a security checkpoint and place personal belongings through a baggage scanner. Afterward, riders can purchase their fare card and ride the train. While waiting for the train, there was one security guard in the middle of the platform along with 3-5 workers who stand by the train doors to guide rider traffic. Since we were traveling after rush hour, the subway wasn’t very crowded, which was nice

After about a 15-minute subway commute and a 10-minute walk from the subway station, we arrived at Nan Men Hot Pot (南门涮肉), a traditional Chinese restaurant which served fresh vegetables and food to be cooked over a coal fired bronze pot.