China has gone from very ancient to very modern is a very short time. Most especially Shanghai, which is close to Korea and Japan and China's most modern port. Nicknamed the Paris of the Orient Shanghai is a very modern city. It's incredible how old and new have merged. Western influence is seen everywhere. My favorite is the photo below, the traditional tricycle taxi below with McDonalds advertising...yet at the same time, it seems so wrong somehow. Everyone gets around on bicycles, or on motorscooters, there are many trucks on the road, there are cars from the mid 70's or the cars are very new and very expensive. Cars cost the Chineese citizen twice what it costs us. Income is 14 Chinesses dollars to every 100 of ours.Most western goods cost what they do here, like electronics. However groceries, heavy in fruit and vegtables, are still very affordable for all, Many of the clothes stores are also reasonable. They are doing very well economically.
China is growing like mad and productivity is through the roof. This is one busy country, on the move 24 hours a day!
The weather is very hot and humid, around 100 degrees and overcast. There is a constant gray light, much like the Northwest in the US, which keeps you from seeing vibrant colors.The People of China are very polite and they like visitors. |
