Week 1: Everything's Bigger in Beijing
Surrounded by skyscrapers that somehow always seem further away then expected, I take my first steps in Beijing. Having landed late in the night the day before, I only now truly see the scale of the city. Buildings tower above you as far as the eye can see, but I still feel strangely exposed. The streets and the are so wide, and the blocks so spread out, that most of the time you are walking out in the open.
I am staying in the Chaoyang District, one of Beijing's six urban districts near the city center. During the week, the streets are usually bustling with corporate workers in suits commuting to and from their offices. However, the streets were mostly quiet today as everyone was hiding inside from the early summer heat.
Wandering with no specific goal in mind, I tried to familiarize myself with the area, taking in the new and nostalgic sights. It has been almost ten years since I have last been back to China and a lot has changed since then. The street stalls now have contactless pay, brightly colored rental bikes line every street, and delivery drivers are constantly zipping around on their electric mopeds. However, I found comfort in the fact that older folks were still dancing in the parks as organized groups and that the street vendors were still selling the red sausages that I enjoyed as a kid. Exhausted from walking only a few blocks (they were big blocks), I decided to head in for the night.
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This summer, I am working at Beijing Zhicheng Public Interest Law (ZPIL), China's largest public interest law organization. Founded by Director Tong Lihua, ZPIL is an umbrella organization focused on promoting the development of legal public welfare undertakings in China including children's rights, migrant workers' rights protections, and criminal legal aid.
On our first day, we met up with our supervisor, Luo Yihan. She gave us a tour of the office and surrounding area. Zhicheng's office is located in the Fengtai district, a newer district with a residential feel to it–a stark contrast from the area Logan and I were living in. We also met the other interns we would work with, which included some students from the U.S. as well as a few from local universities.
We were informed that we should start by doing independent research on issues regarding digital law. We would then meet with the director later in the week to discuss our research topic for the rest of the internship.
On Wednesday, the director returned and we chose our research topics. Director Tong is a true public interest pioneer in China having initiated the most encompassing cigarette suit in China, established a children's rights protection lawyer network across China, and was the first to promote Chinese corporate lawyers participating in public interest law. After my discussion with Director Tong, I have decided to focus my research on labor rights issues affected by the rise of digital platform enterprises such as rideshare services.
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Taking advantage of the evenings, Logan and I visited Jingshan park, the tallest point in Beijing that boasts stunning views of the city. We also explored the Temple of Heaven. Unfortunately, we arrived a little too late to see the iconic central square with the tower, but we still enjoyed a beautiful, relaxing walk around the grounds
Sunday was a solo day for me. I’ve started a habit of picking a random park on the map and just getting lost in it for a couple of hours. This time, I stumbled upon the Gate of Divine Prowess just outside the Forbidden City. The entrance was supposed to require a ticket, but the attendant was kind enough to wave me through, though I did get yelled at by some fisherman later for taken pictures.
Monday was a national holiday—the Dragon Boat Festival. We booked tickets to visit the Forbidden City, which was absolutely massive and—unsurprisingly—packed with people. Despite the crowds, it was incredible to see such an iconic place in person.
That wraps up week one! It’s already been a whirlwind of exploration, new experiences, and learning. I’ve somehow already taken more photos than I can count. At the end of each blog post, I’ll be sharing a few of my favorite snapshots from the week. Can’t wait to see what next week has in store!
