Going Beyond | Teen Ink

Going Beyond

January 8, 2026
By Raymondsze BRONZE, Bayside, New York
Raymondsze BRONZE, Bayside, New York
1 article 0 photos 0 comments

When I arrived in China, I opened myself to a new world to explore. I went with my family and notably, I got to meet other related members of my parents. There were many other members living in the same apartment that I cannot keep track of, but I liked my surroundings that engulfed me. China has large cities, plenty of vegetation, night markets where boats pass through, and various islands with their own set of contents in them. I stayed at various hotels, each with their own perks and were close to malls in the city that I went to get stuff. But the biggest highlights of my journey was the wide amount of places I saw everywhere; they included ancient temples, natural structures, and various large festivals. I found myself experiencing each one of them like fun. I thought to myself, “This view is amazing,” as I saw what China and its places were all about. It then occurred to me that it reminded me of how I viewed China in the past through various snippets over the years. Everyone else in my family thought the same way as well. Before I arrived in China, I was initially feeling I would see something great and different from my usual environment, and to see the distant places I heard from the territory. Upon returning back, I remarked my family was bigger than I know about, and learned the deeper meaning of my heritage, something I only have a partial grasp of beforehand. Generally, I had a great time on my trip to China. Me and my family got to try and experience new areas, and amongst these included visiting big places. One of these was a large temple with fancy looking structures and construction inside. Furthermore, entering one of the temples in China, I was intrigued by what it had to offer, remarking “I’m impressed,” throughout. Another place I traveled was an island full of cats I traveled via a boat, though it also rained for much of that time. I met a lot of cats of all types of breeds and colors and I interacted with them gently. Beyond this, one of my family members in China has a cat that looks similar to one of ours. I also ate a lot of food and held dinner with my relatives at my apartment and out of it in restaurants. The food tasted good and I got to try out some new dishes as well, even if I was hesitant to at first. Several of these foods included noodles, meatballs, and barbecue, on top of the food I usually eat at home, like rice, broccoli, and meat. When I tried the food, I reacted “This food tastes delicious!,” as I continued to eat it. Outside, I went to scenic environments and I went with a few to honor the loved ones that passed. I got to see various night festivals and their vibrant lights despite how crowded it was. I even went to a theme park centered on the Monkey King, filled with wild rides and ending with a big light show at night. Overall, this trip was a fantastic experience for me, one I would remember for years to come. One highlight of my trip that left a really good impression on my life was the light festival in the Monkey King theme park. It was long and full of colors that were projected on ever-changing water shooters that created patterns and other forms. “It was a spectacle,” I remarked.


The author's comments:

This poem is based on my real-life experience going to China for vacation.


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