Prior to beginning a graduate degree at the School of Advanced International Studies at Johns Hopkins University, Kate Murray was a Manager of Entrepreneur Selection & Growth at Endeavor, Detroit, a global nonprofit that supports high-impact entrepreneurs in emerging markets worldwide. Kate enjoys working in the world of economic development, but her one true love will always be the fascinating relationship between the United States and China.
Kate learned her first Chinese words at age ten from a “Big Bird in China” song. Since then, she spent ten years studying Mandarin in the classroom and one semester living in Beijing during her junior year of college. She dug further into U.S.-China relations during her senior year, researching and writing a thesis titled Bashful or Brash: An Examination of the Chinese Response to the Pivot.
Today, Kate tries to keep up with her Mandarin as much as possible, and to use her understanding of Chinese language, culture, and politics to help the entrepreneurs that she works with.
Kate is a proud Boston College Eagle with a Bachelor’s degree in International Studies and Chinese.
Prior to beginning a graduate degree at the School of Advanced International Studies at Johns Hopkins University, Kate Murray was a Manager of Entrepreneur Selection & Growth at Endeavor, Detroit, a global nonprofit that supports high-impact entrepreneurs in emerging markets worldwide. Kate enjoys working in the world of economic development, but her one true love will always be the fascinating relationship between the United States and China.
Kate learned her first Chinese words at age ten from a “Big Bird in China” song. Since then, she spent ten years studying Mandarin in the classroom and one semester living in Beijing during her junior year of college. She dug further into U.S.-China relations during her senior year, researching and writing a thesis titled Bashful or Brash: An Examination of the Chinese Response to the Pivot.
Today, Kate tries to keep up with her Mandarin as much as possible, and to use her understanding of Chinese language, culture, and politics to help the entrepreneurs that she works with.
Kate is a proud Boston College Eagle with a Bachelor’s degree in International Studies and Chinese.


SOME OF OUR PHOTOS FOR YOU
Famous Sites

This is an active Buddhist Temple in the heart of Beijing

Summer on the Great Wall

Located in one of the old hutong districts in Beijing, the old tower watches as children play

At leisure or at pace, this 13 km ride will keep you interested

Xi'an's famous archeological site does not disappoint

In Xi'an history takes on many hues

After the Long March, Mao and his followers rested at Yan'an, where dwellings were built in hillsides

Workers picking Dragon Well tea

Now a museum, this was a thriving Russian Orthodox cathedral
Architecture

This famous tea-house sits in the middle of a small lake near Yu Garden.

This pavilion is in the Forest of Stone Stelaes Xi'an. Note the intricate and clever distribution of weight.

Xi'an has preserved many of its old buildings

Every corner one turns in Shanghai reveals buildings restored to the elegance of yesteryear

The 1930s were a creative time in Shanghai

The letters reveal the history of the building

Beijing's International Airport is one of the busiest in the world

The airport at Yan'an is not one of the busiest airports in the world but, strangely, has excellent coffee.

Aptly named, the Bird's Nest in Beijing is even better close up
Food

Lots of Beijing dishes involve sizzling dishes.

Laden with lots of garlic and chilli

Chinese vegetarian dishes are as varied as they are scrumptious

Pork pot stickers

These variety of fried dumplings (baozi and jiaozi) are very popular

A Beijing special: sauteed shredded pork in sweet bean sauce, wrapped in a doufu skin with slices of leeks

A Chinese amuse-bouche!

If it fits on a stick it can be grilled

A northern special
Places we love

Where every Chinese tries to visit

China's temples and houses reward closer looks

The annual ice festival is beautiful

Suzhou's canals are always fun

Old style drinking yoghurt

The village that time forgot

This district is disappearing before our eyes, but is still great

Beijing's Ancient Observatory features much Jesuit history

A nice place to while away some time
Scenery

This seventh century pagoda in Xi'an is a landmark allowing 360 views of the surrounding city

Each different season shows a different aspect of the Great Wall


For a time, it looked as though bicycles would disappear but now smartphones and clever apps means bikes are everywhere.

Dusk after a ride along the 13km walls

Street scenes can often raise a smile

Near the Stone Stelae Museum, Xi'an is an excellent walking street full of artistic curios and cultural items

The light, music and dance show over the West Lake is simply wonderful

This temple is on Guozijian Street, a beautiful tree-lined way near the Lama Temple.
Bars and all

Xi'an has become known for its craft beer

Beijing has a burgeoning craft beer scene

Although this is near Lama Temple, School Bar has distinctly loud bands.


Numb and spicy hot pot flavour

Lazy bars near Xi'an's city walls

Love an educated bar

A slice of history with your coffee


Early morning exercise outside the ancient Pingyao City Wall
VIDEOS
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Every time Sino-Immersions staff lead a trip to China or engage in field research, we take photos as well as videos.
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China constantly surprises and delights. Contact us for some of our favourite locations and check here for some of our shots
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Some of our videos are also on our Facebook page.
GALLERIES FROM SOME OF OUR PREVIOUS TRIPS
All of our travelers find themselves struck by the beauty of China, and can't wait to capture those special moments on their cameras.
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We were lucky enough that an artist joined us on one of our recent journeys and then posted some great images on her website, thanks Julie!
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Here are some of Julie's impressions of China:
Click on the link to see some of our archived
photographs: Archives