A Glimpse of Chinese Spring Festival Migration

[Yizhi]

That's what I like about Chinese people and Chinese mentality. It is a very pragmatic one. Chinese, wherever they are, either in China, Japan, America, Europe, they have the ability to adapt rapidly to the environment. It is like the saying :

是开放的手。不要握拳。

Chinese (and to an extent Japanese) are able to take the core of any concept and apply it to Chinese way of life. For example, a Chinese Christian will adhere to tenets of Christianity, but at the same time will maintain Chinese cultural practice such as Ancestral Worship (which really works with Christianity because in Christianity we are supposed to pray for our relatives, loved ones who already passed away). The concept of Good Samaritan is synergistic with Chinese Confucianism , too.

This is why Chinese people are adaptive. They succeed , flourish wherever they are anywhere in the world because of this 'Open Hand' pragmatism. 是开放的手。不要握拳。



I try not to take the dogmas too seriously, essential is the belief system and the active (personal) religious practice that helps with internal locus of control. As a support system for us. That's what i like about Catholicism and Orthodoxy is because there is a respect for mysticism and not so much 'by the book'.

This is why I come to disagree with some Christian Protestants.

But that's a different matter.

humm...historically speaking religion has never had that much power in Chinese society as it had in Christian, Islamic or Indian ones, which made China more or less secular for over 2000 years, quite unique when you think about it. moralities were Confucian mixed with other schools of thoughts, educational apparatus was combined with bureaucratic national examination system, political power lied firmly in the hands of emperor and civil servants. so religion as strictly defined in other societies didn't have much room to develop in China, it changed into a more cultural-ethical base practice rather than worked as a powerful sociopolitical structure in other places.
Chinese (Han) could be superstitious, but religious? we pick & choose parts of a religion we like and create curious new adaptions, it's a totally different understanding of what 'religion' is supposed to be, lol.

Sometimes too pragmatic. Sometimes I am thinking what if some gods do exist, then should I go to hell?

you know i have a friend newly converted Christian always behaves like i shall go to hell for not believing in god....

Death will always stir fear in us, and the acceptance of one's own mortality is something that not many are able to do, even in the last moments. I do take comfort in knowing , believing that i will see my grandfather and grandmother again. I'm sorry to hear about your friend, im sure he was a good man.

wow from travel to culture to comparative religion now to philosophical thoughts about death? @Nihonjin1051 i can barely keep up with you! this thread has been unbelievably peaceful (is this why it got moved to members club? lol.). GJ everyone!

@birdy welcome, and i like your username.
btw, @AndrewJin you two in same school?

 

[AndrewJin]

humm...historically speaking religion has never had that much power in Chinese society as it had in Christian, Islamic or Indian ones, which made China more or less secular for over 2000 years, quite unique when you think about it. moralities were Confucian mixed with other schools of thoughts, educational apparatus was combined with bureaucratic national examination system, political power lied firmly in the hands of emperor and civil servants. so religion as strictly defined in other societies didn't have much room to develop in China, it changed into a more cultural-ethical base practice rather than worked as a powerful sociopolitical structure in other places.
Chinese (Han) could be superstitious, but religious? we pick & choose parts of a religion we like and create curious new adaptions, it's a totally different understanding of what 'religion' is supposed to be, lol.


you know i have a friend newly converted Christian always behaves like i shall go to hell for not believing in god....


wow from travel to culture to comparative religion now to philosophical thoughts about death? @Nihonjin1051 i can barely keep up with you! this thread has been unbelievably peaceful (is this why it got moved to members club? lol.). GJ everyone!

@birdy welcome, and i like your username.
btw, @AndrewJin you two in same school?

Gratitude to all of you, @Nihonjin1051 @Yizhi @birdy @SvenSvensonov @powastick etc.
More of my friends will post their own stories and captures in this thread.

humm...historically speaking religion has never had that much power in Chinese society as it had in Christian, Islamic or Indian ones, which made China more or less secular for over 2000 years, quite unique when you think about it. moralities were Confucian mixed with other schools of thoughts, educational apparatus was combined with bureaucratic national examination system, political power lied firmly in the hands of emperor and civil servants. so religion as strictly defined in other societies didn't have much room to develop in China, it changed into a more cultural-ethical base practice rather than worked as a powerful sociopolitical structure in other places.
Chinese (Han) could be superstitious, but religious? we pick & choose parts of a religion we like and create curious new adaptions, it's a totally different understanding of what 'religion' is supposed to be, lol.


you know i have a friend newly converted Christian always behaves like i shall go to hell for not believing in god....


wow from travel to culture to comparative religion now to philosophical thoughts about death? @Nihonjin1051 i can barely keep up with you! this thread has been unbelievably peaceful (is this why it got moved to members club? lol.). GJ everyone!

@birdy welcome, and i like your username.
btw, @AndrewJin you two in same school?

Gratitude to all of you, @Nihonjin1051 @Yizhi @birdy @SvenSvensonov @powastick etc.
More of my friends will post their own stories and captures in this thread.

we are from the same QQ chatting group (QQ group number 317761915), a very friendly sino-indo chatting group started by an Indian engineer who is currently working in China. He writes excellent travelogues on China and India. Sulekha.com Member Profile page

 

[Yizhi]

Gratitude to all of you, @Nihonjin1051 @Yizhi @birdy @SvenSvensonov @powastick etc.
More of my friends will post their own stories and captures in this thread.



we are from the same QQ chatting group (QQ group number 317761915), a very friendly sino-indo chatting group started by an Indian engineer who is currently working in China. He writes excellent travelogues on China and India. Sulekha.com Member Profile page

i'll take this as invitation then. thx.

 

[birdy]

humm...historically speaking religion has never had that much power in Chinese society as it had in Christian, Islamic or Indian ones, which made China more or less secular for over 2000 years, quite unique when you think about it. moralities were Confucian mixed with other schools of thoughts, educational apparatus was combined with bureaucratic national examination system, political power lied firmly in the hands of emperor and civil servants. so religion as strictly defined in other societies didn't have much room to develop in China, it changed into a more cultural-ethical base practice rather than worked as a powerful sociopolitical structure in other places.
Chinese (Han) could be superstitious, but religious? we pick & choose parts of a religion we like and create curious new adaptions, it's a totally different understanding of what 'religion' is supposed to be, lol.


you know i have a friend newly converted Christian always behaves like i shall go to hell for not believing in god....


wow from travel to culture to comparative religion now to philosophical thoughts about death? @Nihonjin1051 i can barely keep up with you! this thread has been unbelievably peaceful (is this why it got moved to members club? lol.). GJ everyone!

@birdy welcome, and i like your username.
btw, @AndrewJin you two in same school?

Hi, Yizhi. Thanks a lot.
Actually, we are not in the same school, but we know each other through Navneet, uncle sailor. We are members of Navneet's QQ group.

 

[AndrewJin]

Yeah, nice map, isn't it?


I think what you want to convey is that it's too early for me to go to bed, right? But you know, people change.


It's ok, please let me know if you see anything weird in my words, which may be a typo.
Thank you.


Wuhan is a megacity compared with Nanjing. I love both of them.

Wuhan and Nanjing are all megacities of 8-10 million inhabitants, difference is that Wuhan is all both sides of Yangtze while Nanjing is mainly on one side of the river.

nonono， my mistake by omitting a NOT

i'll take this as invitation then. thx.

Welcome then. We are desperate for new members there.

 

[AndrewJin]

why has this thread been moved to members club? Anyone knows?
@Nihonjin

 

[birdy]

Story one: Back home(Nanjing-Wuhan-Huangshi)
By Sunny

Chapter 6

Full of people.
Migrant workers are always rushing ahead of the crowds so as to find enough space to locate their luggage. Life is never easy.

Brunch: instant noodle, very spicy. I'm almost sweating at every pore.

Reaching Hefei Station.

I received a warm welcome from Anhui province on my phone.

Reaching Luan Station

Random photographing

Reaching Wuhan Railway Station. From 9:10 to 12:22, it took 3 hours 10 minutes from Nanjing to Wuhan.

 

[AndrewJin]

Story one: Back home(Nanjing-Wuhan-Huangshi)
By Sunny

Chapter 6

Full of people.
Migrant workers are always rushing ahead of the crowds so as to find enough space to locate their luggage. Life is never easy.
View attachment 197236
Brunch: instant noodle, very spicy. I'm almost sweating at every pore. View attachment 197236
View attachment 197237

Reaching Hefei Station.
View attachment 197238

I received a warm welcome from Anhui province on my phone.
View attachment 197246

Reaching Luan Station
View attachment 197240

Random photographing
View attachment 197242 View attachment 197243

Reaching Wuhan Railway Station. From 9:10 to 12:22, it took 3 hours 10 minutes from Nanjing to Wuhan.
View attachment 197244

Mr. Birdy is really a great observer of life

 

[Aepsilons]

why has this thread been moved to members club? Anyone knows?
@Nihonjin

Probably because it is a personal and broad minded thread. That is fine at least this way it won't be flooded by nationalists or trolls who will try to derail the beautiful content started by you and many others.

I love the pictures @birdy -sama ! I can see and tell that you are a great photographer , documenting your experiences.

Story one: Back home(Nanjing-Wuhan-Huangshi)
By Sunny

Chapter 6

Full of people.
Migrant workers are always rushing ahead of the crowds so as to find enough space to locate their luggage. Life is never easy.
View attachment 197236
Brunch: instant noodle, very spicy. I'm almost sweating at every pore.
View attachment 197237

Reaching Hefei Station.
View attachment 197238

I received a warm welcome from Anhui province on my phone.
View attachment 197246

Reaching Luan Station
View attachment 197240

Random photographing
View attachment 197242 View attachment 197243

Reaching Wuhan Railway Station. From 9:10 to 12:22, it took 3 hours 10 minutes from Nanjing to Wuhan.
View attachment 197244

Hehehe, i feel like i was there with you through your experiences !

Thank You.

 

[birdy]

Story one: Back home(Nanjing-Wuhan-Huangshi)
By Sunny

Chapter 7

Get ready to check out.

People are rushing to the exit. It's a little crowded with so many people around.

It's filled with different kinds of stores here in the station. I'm going to cram myself with some food.

Cai Linji(蔡林记) is famous for Hot dry noodles.

Hot dry noodles (Chinese: 热干面 pinyin rè gān miàn), also known as reganmian, is a traditional dish of Wuhan, the capital of the Hubei province in central China.

It's not captured by me, I got this pic from the internet.

Da Hankou is another store which also supplies Hot dry noodles.

But the food here is not cheap, 20~25 yuan on average, which is a little more expensive than the former one.

 

[AndrewJin]

Probably because it is a personal and broad minded thread. That is fine at least this way it won't be flooded by nationalists or trolls who will try to derail the beautiful content started by you and many others.

I love the pictures @birdy -sama ! I can see and tell that you are a great photographer , documenting your experiences.




Hehehe, i feel like i was there with you through your experiences !

Thank You.

No hatred in members club?
I am curious

 

[AndrewJin]

Story one: Back home(Nanjing-Wuhan-Huangshi)
By Sunny

Chapter 7

Get ready to check out.
View attachment 197266

People are rushing to the exit. It's a little crowded with so many people around.
View attachment 197267
View attachment 197268

It's filled with different kinds of stores here in the station. I'm going to cram myself with some food.
View attachment 197269

Cai Linji(蔡林记) is famous for Hot dry noodles.
View attachment 197270

Hot dry noodles (Chinese: 热干面 pinyin rè gān miàn), also known as reganmian, is a traditional dish of Wuhan, the capital of the Hubei province in central China.
View attachment 197273
It's not captured by me, I got this pic from the internet.

Da Hankou is another store which also supplies Hot dry noodles.
View attachment 197271
But the food here is not cheap, 20~25 yuan on average, which is a little more expensive than the former one.
View attachment 197272

Food in HSR station is crazily expensive. I think the cheapest one in Shanghai Hongqiao Station is McDonald's

 

[AndrewJin]

Story one: Back home(Nanjing-Wuhan-Huangshi)
By Sunny

Chapter 7

Get ready to check out.
View attachment 197266

People are rushing to the exit. It's a little crowded with so many people around.
View attachment 197267
View attachment 197268

It's filled with different kinds of stores here in the station. I'm going to cram myself with some food.
View attachment 197269

Cai Linji(蔡林记) is famous for Hot dry noodles.
View attachment 197270

Hot dry noodles (Chinese: 热干面 pinyin rè gān miàn), also known as reganmian, is a traditional dish of Wuhan, the capital of the Hubei province in central China.
View attachment 197273
It's not captured by me, I got this pic from the internet.

Da Hankou is another store which also supplies Hot dry noodles.
View attachment 197271
But the food here is not cheap, 20~25 yuan on average, which is a little more expensive than the former one.
View attachment 197272

RUN!RUSH!CROWDED! That's about this migration.

 

[Aepsilons]

humm...historically speaking religion has never had that much power in Chinese society as it had in Christian, Islamic or Indian ones, which made China more or less secular for over 2000 years, quite unique when you think about it. moralities were Confucian mixed with other schools of thoughts, educational apparatus was combined with bureaucratic national examination system, political power lied firmly in the hands of emperor and civil servants. so religion as strictly defined in other societies didn't have much room to develop in China, it changed into a more cultural-ethical base practice rather than worked as a powerful sociopolitical structure in other places.
Chinese (Han) could be superstitious, but religious? we pick & choose parts of a religion we like and create curious new adaptions, it's a totally different understanding of what 'religion' is supposed to be, lol.

@Yizhi , that was beautifully and eloquently said. That's one thing i really admire about Chinese traits because it enables overall people not to be too rigid. It is a contrast to Japanese (not trying to put down myself or my people here, but just dichotimizing). Japanese are , in a sense, very rigid and like to do things in a certain way, tho they apply changes when necessary, overall there is a rigid structure in place. Whereas Chinese is very fluid, can be rigid when have to, can be soft when have to. We can best explain this in the martial arts. If we examine Chinese Kung Fu or Wu Shu , its very fluid. But if we examine Japanese Shotokan Karate -- the forms are pre-determined, are set in place, attacks and defense is rigid. In a way I kind of envy that fluidity of Chinese culture and nature. The word i like is adaptive, and i'm not just talking about technologically context (because in that sense Japanese and Chinese are similar), but I'm talking about the trans-social context.

For example, when I first got my apartment , it was my xgf who helped me design it, she being Teow Chu Chinese, always reminded me to keep everything Feng Shui designed. So here i am buying furniture from Ikea for my new place (modernity, ease) and she's the one telling me where to put the bed, what position the bed should be in, where to place the dining tables, the chairs, what kinds of plants to buy in the house (for good luck, apparently, lol). She was the one telling me to buy money trees , bamboo plants etc etc. Its amazing how when i observed her or listen to her she is able to reiterate all traditional Chinese mentality of the home according to Feng Shui, but she's Christain you know, lol. Talk about adaptation, man! hahaha.

Story one: Back home(Nanjing-Wuhan-Huangshi)
By Sunny

Chapter 7

Get ready to check out.
View attachment 197266

People are rushing to the exit. It's a little crowded with so many people around.
View attachment 197267
View attachment 197268

It's filled with different kinds of stores here in the station. I'm going to cram myself with some food.
View attachment 197269

Cai Linji(蔡林记) is famous for Hot dry noodles.
View attachment 197270

Hot dry noodles (Chinese: 热干面 pinyin rè gān miàn), also known as reganmian, is a traditional dish of Wuhan, the capital of the Hubei province in central China.
View attachment 197273
It's not captured by me, I got this pic from the internet.

Da Hankou is another store which also supplies Hot dry noodles.
View attachment 197271
But the food here is not cheap, 20~25 yuan on average, which is a little more expensive than the former one.
View attachment 197272

O man, the Hot dry noodles looks delicious ! So it is the traditional dish of Wuhan , eh? I'm curious to know how the flavor is like now...

wow from travel to culture to comparative religion now to philosophical thoughts about death? @Nihonjin1051 i can barely keep up with you! this thread has been unbelievably peaceful (is this why it got moved to members club? lol.). GJ everyone!

hehe. what can i say, i'm a thinker by nature, my little bro.

i see that you're also quite deep in social analysis, too. you're deep yourself.

 

[SvenSvensonov]

hehe. what can i say, i'm a thinker by nature, my little bro.

i see that you're also quite deep in social analysis, too. you're deep yourself.

You and Armstrong are the reason we can never stay on topic... ever. Well, I should probably add myself, things tend to take a turn when I show up too.