Exploring Guangzhou

Sunday we spent the day exploring Guangzhou. It is where the US Consulate is located, so all adoptive families have to get processed through here before leaving the country. It is also the second largest city in the world, at about 32 million! 

First we went to the Chen clan academy, a former school turned museum. The architecture was incredible. 

There was a calligrapher there who painted a scroll with Asher's chinese name, his date and place of birth, and his adoption date. 

Next we went to this area called Shamian Island. It's a former French settlement that was the former location of the US consulate when international adoptions first started. Now it's just a beautiful area with lots of trees and shops, it's a nice way to feel like you're out of the big city. 

It's kind of a tradition to take pictures with this statue on the island. Asher loved it.

Mostly we just enjoyed walking around and bonding with our beautiful boy!