# Moments by Alex **@alex12358** ## Quick Navigation - [Find Partners](https://www.hellotalk.com/partners.md): Discover language exchange partners worldwide - [Language Exchange](https://www.hellotalk.com/partners/exchange.md): Practice with native speakers worldwide - [Moments](https://www.hellotalk.com/moments.md): Share your language learning journey - [Topics](https://www.hellotalk.com/topics.md): Explore trending topics and discussions - [Chat & Messaging](https://www.hellotalk.com/features/chat.md): Text, voice, and video conversations - [Voice Rooms](https://www.hellotalk.com/features/voiceroom.md): Join live audio conversations - [Live Streaming](https://www.hellotalk.com/features/live-streaming.md): Interactive classes and language sessions - [Certified Teachers](https://www.hellotalk.com/features/certified-teachers.md): Learn from professional language instructors - [Immersive Learning](https://www.hellotalk.com/features/immersive-learning.md): Learn everywhere with instant translations - [Translation Tools](https://www.hellotalk.com/features/translation.md): Instant translation between any languages - [AI-Powered Apps](https://www.hellotalk.com/aiapps.md): Access specialized learning tools - [Language AI Apps](https://www.hellotalk.com/aiapps.md): Discover our AI-powered language learning applications - [All Features](https://www.hellotalk.com/features.md): Explore all learning features and tools - [Download](https://www.hellotalk.com/download.md): Get HelloTalk on iOS and Android Showing 3 of 31 moments --- ## 1. 8/4/2025 The Grand Canal (大运河) museum in Yangzhou tells the story of one of the greatest construction undertakings in ancient and medieval China (after the Great Wall). In the span of two millennia multiple canal sections were built connecting lakes and rivers (Yangtze, Yellow, Huai, etc.) across the land and connecting southern and northern China from Hangzhou all the way up to Beijing. It is the longest artificial waterway in the world. The museum doesn't only show the history of how and why the canal was built. It also depicts a picture of how trade, farming, arts, etc. flourished on these river banks and connected people across China and spread their traditions, beliefs, languages, etc. via the canal to other parts of China through cultural exchange. It created cohesion and familiarity across the different dynasties, kingdoms, communities, and groups of people at all echelons of society. The other key aspect that was presented and noticeable was the ingenuity and ability in hydraulic engineering and shipbuilding. The methods used to dig canals, build dams, control waterways, etc. were shown. There was a large exhibition room dedicated to ship building and the different types of ships designed and used for centuries. There were many ship categories including magnificent lavish ships used by royalty, fishing ships, ships used for transporting grain tributes to different parts of China, etc. There were so many model ships I didn't have time to check them all out individually. At the ending they allow you to enter a real wooden ship and watch a virtual reality screen making you believe you are floating across the canal. Now why is this museum in Yangzhou and not some other city? It is just one of the many cities and ports across the canal. I am not fully sure. I believe it was one of the main key port cities involved in the project and the last emperor of the Sui dynasty (Emperor Yang 隋煬帝) who invested in building a great portion of it died and was buried here. **Language**: English *99 likes · 9 comments · 6393 views* [View this moment](https://www.hellotalk.com/moments/uuHRqTXNxmytHD.md) --- ## 2. 6/2/2025 Mount Huangshan (黄山)) or the Yellow Mountain is a place where immortal pillars of granite (100 million years old) rise from an ocean of clouds with tall pine trees hanging from them like outstretched hands reaching for the sky. If you are lucky and get to climb up the mountain on a sunny day after rainfall you get to see these mountains with the sky above and clouds below while traversing through rainforest paths and steep steps (1500 years old) encircling mountain walls. In my case it seems I was a day early and was allegorically swimming in that ocean of clouds and literally trudging through a thunderstorm. I was drenched from torrential rain and going through mists of clouds blowing through the canyons around me. Hence, why the horizon in most of my pictures is just a big blank white wall. A wall where you can imagine what should have been there and paint your own version. Speaking of paintings, this mountain range has been of great interest in Chinese arts and literature in the past millennium including ink paintings which is one of the images I have shared. They also say it is one of the natural landmarks in China that inspired the floating mountains in the movie Avatar. I want to end this writing with the fantastical and unique names of some of the scenic viewpoints I went to: - Begin to believe peak - A monkey gazing at the sea - Cloud-dispelling pavillion (not in my case) - Bright summit - Dawn pavillion - Refreshing terrace **Language**: English *144 likes · 9 comments · 4960 views* [View this moment](https://www.hellotalk.com/moments/xxM1TFIUTRVtHD.md) --- ## 3. 5/12/2025 Am I walking between the bohemian streets of Paris, or am I lost in Victorian London, or am I wandering the artsy neighborhoods of old New York?  No, these streets belong to a region known as the "French Concession" in Shanghai. Some also call it the"Paris of the East". The word concession means a place that was "conceded". That verb means to surrender or yield something to someone.  That is what happened in Shanghai in the 19th century. Certain parts or areas of the city were given to the Europeans including the French due to unfair treaties which have a long history themselves. After that, the French developed streets and buildings reminiscent of cities like Paris with similar architecture and styles belonging to those old days. If old Shanghai was a coin, one side would be the Chinese side and the other side the European side of this city, and that can be found in these old streets. It consists of beautiful streets all lined up with large green trees, old mansions with distinct western architecture, narrow alleyways promising adventure at every corner, art-deco style apartments, and artsy cafes, cinemas, and shopping centers filling all the different corners of this popular Shanghai district. If you want to teleport yourself to not just Europe, but old Europe then definitely take a walk or even a bike ride in the French Concession. It will be worth it. **Language**: English *91 likes · 11 comments · 3817 views* [View this moment](https://www.hellotalk.com/moments/SWM1NwZQXNpNHD.md) --- [View all moments on HelloTalk](https://www.hellotalk.com/partners/alex12358/moments.md) [Back to Alex's profile](https://www.hellotalk.com/partners/alex12358.md) --- ## Language Exchange Partners - [English Exchange Partners](https://www.hellotalk.com/partners/exchange/english.md): Connect with native English speakers - [Spanish Exchange Partners](https://www.hellotalk.com/partners/exchange/spanish.md): Connect with native Spanish speakers - [French Exchange Partners](https://www.hellotalk.com/partners/exchange/french.md): Connect with native French speakers - [Japanese Exchange Partners](https://www.hellotalk.com/partners/exchange/japanese.md): Connect with native Japanese speakers - [German Exchange Partners](https://www.hellotalk.com/partners/exchange/german.md): Connect with native German speakers - [Chinese Exchange Partners](https://www.hellotalk.com/partners/exchange/chinese.md): Connect with native Chinese speakers - [Italian Exchange Partners](https://www.hellotalk.com/partners/exchange/italian.md): Connect with native Italian speakers - [Russian Exchange Partners](https://www.hellotalk.com/partners/exchange/russian.md): Connect with native Russian speakers - [Portuguese Exchange Partners](https://www.hellotalk.com/partners/exchange/portuguese.md): Connect with native Portuguese speakers - [Arabic Exchange Partners](https://www.hellotalk.com/partners/exchange/arabic.md): Connect with native Arabic speakers - [Hindi Exchange Partners](https://www.hellotalk.com/partners/exchange/hindi.md): Connect with native Hindi speakers - [Korean Exchange Partners](https://www.hellotalk.com/partners/exchange/korean.md): Connect with native Korean speakers ## Learn Languages - [Learn English](https://www.hellotalk.com/learn/english.md): Master English with native speakers - [Learn Spanish](https://www.hellotalk.com/learn/spanish.md): Master Spanish with native speakers - [Learn French](https://www.hellotalk.com/learn/french.md): Master French with native speakers - [Learn Japanese](https://www.hellotalk.com/learn/japanese.md): Master Japanese with native speakers - [Learn German](https://www.hellotalk.com/learn/german.md): Master German with native speakers - [Learn Chinese](https://www.hellotalk.com/learn/chinese.md): Master Chinese with native speakers - [Learn Italian](https://www.hellotalk.com/learn/italian.md): Master Italian with native speakers - [Learn Russian](https://www.hellotalk.com/learn/russian.md): Master Russian with native speakers - [Learn Portuguese](https://www.hellotalk.com/learn/portuguese.md): Master Portuguese with native speakers - [Learn Arabic](https://www.hellotalk.com/learn/arabic.md): Master Arabic with native speakers - [Learn Korean](https://www.hellotalk.com/learn/korean.md): Master Korean with native speakers - [Learn Hindi](https://www.hellotalk.com/learn/hindi.md): Master Hindi with native speakers ## Partners by Country - [USA Language Partners](https://www.hellotalk.com/partners/countries/usa.md): Find language exchange partners in United States - [UK Language Partners](https://www.hellotalk.com/partners/countries/uk.md): Find language exchange partners in United Kingdom - [Canada Language Partners](https://www.hellotalk.com/partners/countries/canada.md): Find language exchange partners in Canada - [Australia Language Partners](https://www.hellotalk.com/partners/countries/australia.md): Find language exchange partners in Australia - [Japan Language Partners](https://www.hellotalk.com/partners/countries/japan.md): Find language exchange partners in Japan - [Korea Language Partners](https://www.hellotalk.com/partners/countries/korea.md): Find language exchange partners in Korea - [China Language Partners](https://www.hellotalk.com/partners/countries/china.md): Find language exchange partners in China - [Spain Language Partners](https://www.hellotalk.com/partners/countries/spain.md): Find language exchange partners in Spain - [France Language Partners](https://www.hellotalk.com/partners/countries/france.md): Find language exchange partners in France - [Germany Language Partners](https://www.hellotalk.com/partners/countries/germany.md): Find language exchange partners in Germany - [Brazil Language Partners](https://www.hellotalk.com/partners/countries/brazil.md): Find language exchange partners in Brazil - [India Language Partners](https://www.hellotalk.com/partners/countries/india.md): Find language exchange partners in India ## Resources - [Download iOS App](https://apps.apple.com/app/hellotalk/id557130558): Get HelloTalk on the App Store - [Download Android App](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.hellotalk): Get HelloTalk on Google Play - [AI Language Apps](https://www.hellotalk.com/aiapps.md): Explore AI-powered language learning tools - [About HelloTalk](https://www.hellotalk.com/about.md): Learn more about our mission - [Blog](https://www.hellotalk.com/blog.md): Language learning tips and stories - [Help Center](https://www.hellotalk.com/faq.md): Get answers to common questions --- *HelloTalk connects you with native speakers worldwide for authentic language practice and cultural exchange.*