I Was Wrong About China... So I Came Back 🇨🇳

Summary

In this travel vlog, the narrator revisits China with a new perspective after a challenging first experience. They explore Guangzhou, encountering friendly locals, efficient WeChat payments, and a bustling market scene. Despite initial struggles with language and cultural nuances, they find joy in trying local foods and navigating the metro. The video offers a glimpse into the traveler's journey to discover the 'real China' beyond the well-trodden paths, promising an adventurous five-week exploration of diverse Chinese cities.

Takeaways

• 😀 The speaker had a negative experience in Beijing and Shanghai during their last visit to China, but is determined to have a better experience this time.
• 📷 The speaker encountered issues with taking a camera, needing appointments in advance, and difficulties with cash payments during their last visit.
• 📲 The speaker highlights the importance of having WeChat for convenience during their travels in China, as it facilitates payments and interactions.
• 🗺️ The speaker plans to visit various cities in China with different histories and security levels, starting their journey in Guangzhou.
• 🍽️ The speaker tries local food and uses WeChat for transactions, noting the ease of use and trust in the system.
• ☕ The speaker is a coffee enthusiast and shares their experience of finding and enjoying coffee in China.
• 🚇 The speaker discusses the convenience of using the metro in Guangzhou and the differences from their previous experience in Beijing.
• 🛍️ The speaker attempts to find counterfeit goods, specifically a fake Stanley Cup, but finds the market overwhelming and not as expected.
• 🌐 The speaker emphasizes the necessity of a local SIM card with VPN for internet access in China due to the blocking of Western applications.
• 🏨 The speaker mentions staying in a hotel near Beijing Road and enjoying the local area, finding it more appealing than Shanghai and Beijing.
• 📝 The speaker reflects on the friendliness and humor of the Chinese people, expressing a desire to learn Mandarin to better connect with locals.

Q & A

What were the main issues the traveler faced during their first visit to China?

The traveler faced issues such as not being able to use a camera in Beijing without an appointment, difficulty in paying with cash, challenges in booking tickets to attractions, and only visiting the two biggest cities without fully experiencing the local culture.

What changes did the traveler make to improve their second visit to China?

The traveler made sure to have WeChat for easier transactions, read thousands of comments for tips, and planned to visit cities of different tiers, histories, and security levels to get a more authentic experience.

How did the traveler find the local people's trustworthiness during transactions?

The traveler found that local vendors trusted them to input the correct payment amount for purchases, which was a new experience for them compared to other countries they've visited.

What was the traveler's experience with using WeChat in China?

The traveler found WeChat to be extremely helpful for transactions and accessing the internet, making their trip much easier than their previous visit when they didn't have it.

What was the traveler's impression of Guangzhou compared to Shanghai and Beijing?

The traveler felt that Guangzhou was more friendly and had a more relaxed atmosphere compared to Shanghai and Beijing, and they enjoyed their time there more.

What difficulties did the traveler encounter while trying to buy a counterfeit Stanley Cup?

The traveler had difficulty finding a single counterfeit Stanley Cup as most places seemed to focus on wholesale orders rather than individual sales.

How did the traveler's experience with WeChat affect their ability to navigate China?

Having WeChat made it significantly easier for the traveler to navigate China, as it allowed them to use online marketplaces, pay for items, and communicate more effectively.

What was the traveler's strategy for accessing the internet in China?

The traveler used a local Chinese SIM card with a VPN to access the internet, which was essential for transactions and navigation.

What was the traveler's experience with trying local food in Guangzhou?

The traveler tried various local foods, including a pork bun and a sponge cake, and shared their impressions of the taste and texture.

What was the significance of the traveler's visit to Beijing Road?

The traveler visited Beijing Road to experience a famous local area and try popular local foods, which was recommended by the people they met during their visit.

How did the traveler's language barrier affect their experience in China?

The language barrier made it challenging for the traveler to communicate and understand the locals fully, but they still felt a connection and enjoyed the humor and friendliness of the people they met.