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
Every time Sino-Immersions staff lead a trip to China or engage in field research, we take photos as well as videos.
China constantly surprises and delights. Contact us for some of our favourite locations and check here for some of our shots
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.
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!
Here are some of Julie's impressions of China:
Click on the link to see some of our archived
photographs: Archives