please visit North Korea after this supposedly theres travelagencies that can book the train in Bejing for you we will be happy to share our rations with you
The fact that he's walking around and ppl are so friendly. If an Asian person comes to the US and just walk around and asking questions, I highly doubt ppl here would be this kind. it's quite unfair.
Many White people are on the edge, stressed out, had a bad childhood, still defending their land that they have issues with sh*it. That's real talk. JK not all. Some are absolutely kind, unselfish and generous. Just messing w you.
After having lived in Shanghai for 6 years, and travelling to various parts of China, I loved watching this video. The people are very friendly especially if you make the effort to speak Chinese. The older people seem more wary of westerners. Funny how the guy in the restaurant just snatched your phone out of your hand to type something. Typical of Chinese forwardness and no nonsense. Love it.
My Grandparents were missionaries in China from around 1910 and during the Japanese occupation.It was a time of famine and war.I wonder what they would think of modern China?There is poverty but not famine and war.The energy and determination of the Chinese people offers hope to war torn, impoverished regions with broken governance.I imagine that people all over the world are shocked when they see the homeless in our cities.
Man! You were in my hometown Daishan!!! Whaaat?? Lollllll I thought it was the last place any Laowai would pay a visit!!! This is probably my most surprising Youtubing moments! Since I started using VPN to watch RUclips since 2008!! Welcome to Daishan/Zhoushan!
I just stumbled in your door, and have no idea who you are, but I am enjoying your trip across China enormously. As one of the aunties said, I’m glad you speak Chinese! Your casual style is great and it’s really interesting to see how people react. I’m looking forward to catching up.
quick rundown, he Lived in china for 7 years and came home to see family just before covid. and since he couldnt go back to his home in china he started traveling to countrys without restrictions. primarily African and South American countries. now that restrictions are lifted he has neen back to many Asian countries.
I'm surprised to know that you're suprised to see foreigners filming everywhere in China. What kind of country did you think China is? A country full of politial policemen? LOL ~~
It's not surprising that this rural part is not in bad shape. Zhejiang Province has the most equalized income between rural and city populations in the entire country. Zhoushan is also one of the largest ports on Earth so the government has plenty of money to invest in infrastructure. PS: the old ladies speaking the local dialect thought you were asking about the trees, so she replied: "they grow fruits looking like tangerines ... (some mumbles) ... I was reluctant to remove the trees but I trimmed some branches ... (mumbles) ... they cool down the temperature and can shed from sunlight"
Absolutely true. This is a holiday destination, of course they're not destitute. He needs to go in land and get a few trains. He'll see windowless apartments with open fires inside and no chimneys. Probably 2 billion living like that. He's a typical Shanghai Laowai, thinks everywhere in China is misrepresented as bad, because of the bubble he was in
@@Bambeakz Have you lived in China? Shanghai laowais are notorious for 1) never leaving Shanghai, and 2) for using Shanghai as their base for judging China as a whole. It's clear that's he's guilty of both to me. Shanghai is like a different country man. Completely divorced from China as a whole in a cultural sense. Shanghai is a cosmopolitan city, it's really a nice place to live if you don't mind being in a Metropolis and the pollution that comes with it. Just listen to the guy talking about China like in his videos, he clearly has a massively positive opinion on China, and it's based upon the falsehood of living in Shanghai.
I just discovered you thru this video. I think that you are a great travel reporter compared to many others on RUclips. I am impressed that you speak some Chinese and talk to people there. Most other vloggers don't speak the local language and are embarrassing in what little they understand and report. You have a great personality and an enjoyable, funny speaking style. Your 3 word sentences and pauses really make me pay attention. Your playful conversations in Chinese are interesting and amazing. I have always heard that it is difficult for Westerners to learn to speak the language. You prove that it is possible. You are doing an awesome thing with this video by demystifying China!
The best places in Puerto Rico ( a commonwealth of America) do not look half of what China’s “arrabal” look like… and puerto ricans are American citizens……who’d say!!!!!
what a surprise to come across my hometown on utube! Ningbo is a prosperous but quiet city in my opinion. Wish you and all the visitors have a good time here!
Everyone I met from China speaks about China with pride. But it's different. It's not like being the most powerful or richest. It's about their traditions compared to other countries.
@@donHooligan I'm not American so ultimately I have no comment on their geopolitical influence.. but it's factual to say Mao Zedong's policies instituted genocide on chinese culture and citizenry.
@@s._3560 going "overboard" is quite underestimation.. given the combined effects of the Great Leap Forward and the Cultural Revolution resulted in the deaths of millions of Chinese citizens and untold destruction to Chinese antiquity which can never be reclaimed. The CCP still to this day glorifies to some degree the tyrant which was Mao Zedong.
Interesting video! I came to Guangxi and married my wife in 2004. Single man in LA for 49 years. After chatting for many years, I truly am blessed and wish that it could've been sooner! Getting married in China was the best thing that ever happened to me. I'll be home from our NC farm in June for our 20th year of marriage! I'm thankful to have learn, seen, and touch China in so many ways! Most folks in our world want simular things but, most of all would be a better lifestyle for their children! Ladies truly are sincere in relationships to have a like ideals to work together on! A good government is one working for their majority of people/citizens! A corporate government can take advantage for stockholder greeds and not interested in what's good for all! NO SLAVES! ENJOY YOUR TRAVELS ANDSHOW THE WORLD THE TRUE CHINA!
@@thetreekeeper143it is not a shame for admitting that we are communists, without the communiss party the KMT has already ruined our contry. If you are interested in modern Chinese history you'll see how Capitalism sparked in China and eventuall turned over to some people-slavery tools, thats why China chose another way.
@@thetreekeeper143It is better to know that all sociaty -ism is just a tool, the bad or good depends on the people and the way run the contry, communist could be dictator's powerful tool, but why can't capitalism be the large companies' ruling tools? Rememben only the gov represents the benifits of the most and respect the minority, that was a good gov, no matter what social -ism it use. As for now in China communist work fine and the CPC literally makes the extreme poor housed, fed and clothed, that was the communists' true wish: erase poverty from the world start from our own contry.
If this is the Chinese countryside, I love it. It's quiet! You can think and not have overstimulation. That is how I like things. I always love the little things in life. The people are friendly and respectful.
More and more young people are choosing to go out to make money, and more and more urban people want to go to the countryside to enjoy a slow life@@Naples-Florida
WOW that temple was unbelievable! It was a cool timing that you stumbled across the temple when they were decorating for Sakyamuni Buddha's birthday! Everyone was so welcoming and friendly! Even on a small island like that homes some pretty stunning architecture! Also those Chinese grandmas were so sweet. It lowkey worried me though when they told you not to go back to America. I'm sure you gave them a funny story for a life time saying you were looking to marry a Chinese grandma.. LOL "Let me tell you the time I met an American who was looking for a Chinese grandma to marry!"
In fact Chinese grandma and grandpa will look after grandson and granddaughter for their son and daughter. It is so different culture from USA. I love American people too. Just hope the world peace.
I think they really don't have good vibes about US. Because they saw he's a nice guy, they asked him not to go back to that "not nice" country, but stay in China instead. 😄😄
The reason I support the Chinese government is that they have not just focused on the big flashy development of the metropolitans, but instead have also truly honed in on the development of impoverished areas of rural China. That is a true reflection of democracy for me. The government is for its people. Say what you will about the way they run their country, but no other government in the world has done what the Chinese government has been willing AND able to achieve for the bottom half of its people.
yep😊 China has kept trying to get the poor people out of poverty, and the poor will have the corresponding medical insurance，although the amount is not as good as that of developed regions because Basically, the country is paying for that and the poor don't have enough money to worry about their future health.😢😢😢
Not to forget china build Africa first railway for them in the 60s when British and US refused to when africa beg them to even when they loot all their natural resources. When china offered, those western country was laughing saying china only can able to make bamboo rail At that time china is poor and don't even own their own railway but they feel that Africa need it more then them and fully paid for everything and even provide labour without asking for any benefit. 70 chinese died there and their body still laying there.
Ok CIA agent I know you’re trying to put me on a watchlist.😂 True prosperity for the Chinese people sure but it’s not democracy. If it were democracy why has the CCP not lost an election?😂
Interesting vlog Lots of E-bikes/scooters Everyone seemed friendly No traffic and lots of fresh-air Seems sophisticated and orderly Stay safe, have fun. Looking forward to more.
As a Chinese, there are tons of fun of watching your video. All the people you met are similar to me and I can imagine every sentence they might say. That's too normal for me but the funniest part is your reaction. What you've seen is the true Chinese life. It is really the one that I experienced day by day. By the way, I about died laughing when you said you were going to marry a grandma.
One of the most marvelous aspects of Chinese culture that you showcase here so well is their frankness: Just a raw look at everything. It's such a wonderfully honest way to think and communicate. We should learn from this and stop with the fake politeness in our western world. It also amply demonstrates their sense of humor, so unique in our world. It may sound unvarnished at times because the world is unvarnished and its wonderfully appropriate. This is one invaluable culture that we would be so wise to visit. I find your attitude of carefree acceptance so appropriate for long term travel. It seems little fazes you, again so necessary for travel without a designated end. It allows you to weather the bumps so much better than others that get distraught and anxious. You really bring a unique flavor to travel videos, one that we sorely need on RUclips. And no cheap shocked clickbait thumbnails! I can't wait to see more of your videos. Finally videos with common sense, honesty and civility. This is what RUclips should aspire to be like: Truthful.
That’s a silly thing to say, I think. Politeness goes a long way, even if it’s fake. But I will say that we must definitely still judge people on their actions and not their niceness/politeness.
China is now a democratic country based on that poster you read sir . In people and in way of living could be, but in government still can't fathom yet because it's communist. Anyhow, the way people are not spied and can roamed freely is a sign of communal oneness and openness in Chinese culture and most eastern and South East Asian cultures. So development in China is based on communal concept not on individualism or king management like in many countries of the world and you are amazed by that fast progress.
Tommy, this was absolutely fascinating. I so admire your linguistic abilities, communication with the local folks adds so much to the experience. Thank you.
Awesome video! As a Brazilian who is well travelled within and without Brazil, these rural areas are excelent, they remind me a bit of some japanese rural areas. Now for the demografic problem, small towns disapear in every country that goes through recent industrialization and urbanization, it happens here in Brazil too.
Dear Sir, I hope you will continue your amazing journeys in China Your unique personality enhances the viewing pleasure for many fans of yours. Keep going young man and show us more of your amazing sojourns around the world😊
I've lived in China for many years, having married a Chinese woman and gaining a Chinese stepson. I deliberately decided to avoid all the international tourist places, and so I've spent a lot of time living in non-touristy places in Beijing and my wife's hometown of Zhangjiajie, in Hunan Province, though in a small village in the countryside there. Although it's not possible to understand China as a foreigner, i think it's a much more interesting place to live with many new experiences one could never hope to have if one mainly lived in the big metropolitan areas and kept company with many foreigners there. I think I have known less than 5 foreigners during my years of living here, and the vast majority of friends I have are Chinese. Many of them I taught at various universities I held courses at.
Love your videos Tommy. Love the knowledge / effort you put into each video and the respect / positivity you give to the citizens of each country / city / region .
How fun was this video?! Thanks for taking the adventure, introducing us to that smaller village, and discovering the openness of the people (albeit apprehensive toward meiguoren). Loved the folks at the gym! Gotta go watch your other videos! (Finally, RUclips algorithm recommended something I’ve actually found enjoyable!).
I guess the attitude change towards the "American' identity is mostly because of the US gov. According to my obsevation, most Chinese civilian people are friendly and hospitable to American civilian people. American civilians even get some privileges over the local Chinese because Chinese people treat them as guests
I came across your videos just a few weeks ago. I cant stop watching your clips especially the ones on China. Your natural ability to connect with strangers and find interesting characters even in places you describe as boring is really commendable and also very entertaining to watch. As far as your cultural intelligence goes …respect.. the world would be much more peaceful place with people like you around. Looking forward to watch more videos...
Ya, I agree with you completely. Just stumbled on to this video and was so interesting and different than usual YT travel vlogs. This Tommy gent has a very calming voice and manner about him so I subscribed and look forward to watching more.
Why didnt this guy mention any thing about cleanliness,safety without being mugged at night walking,no homelessness in cities or rural places in china where he visited.
where do you think American Fentanyl comes from? there are mass stabbings, kindergartens in China look like army barracks for a reason, it is just that they will never show you or allow it to be shown... you are more likely to be stabbed walking in China than in Baghdad.
And no freedom either. Freedom can be messy when people choose to use their freedom for destructive purposes. But I’ll take the messy freedom of the West over the calm and clean central planning of China.
Depends on where you go in China. There are videos on YT by other people travelling through China showing there is a another darker side of the republic. The western world is very much more open than the eastern world. Just because you do not see that darker side shouldn't be taken to mean there isn't one.
As an ethnic Macedonian this has intrigued me and made me want to visit China even more. No matter what anyone says the Chinese know what they’re doing and they improved their country immensely.
Love the video yet again man! Educational, funny, and mostly REAL! Look forward to seeing more of the chinese culture through your channel man, safe travels!
Traveling the world is also my dream. I'm currently living vicariously through those travel videos until I can experience it myself. Thank you for sharing your adventures.
It was never hidden, in fact rural China has progressed much. It's just that the rate of development is the fastest in the world. They're just an innovative people. And I like your thorough explanations when you narrate. Good stuff, subbing
China always hides it though. Its like with Chinese culture. China always tries to hide their culture to show how modern the country is, and acts like those are seperate things.
The innovative people thing, theres a saying in chinese that goes like this - we chinese invented paper, but used it for decorating, while the westerners made the printing press. we chinese invented gunpowder, but used it for scaring away ghosts, while the westerners made firearms. we chinese invented the compass, but used it for calculating feng shui, while the westerners used it to sail across the ocean. See what im getting at here, what can you name that was an important modern invention (like car, fridge, tv, electricity etc) from prc, or roc, or qing empire. Its not that chinese people are stupid, since you see all the great achievements by chinese who immigrated to western countries, but its the system thats screwed up and not designed to let you invent something and succeed. When the british showed the qianlong emperor all the recent advancements in technology, he replied, that the chinese empire already had everything it needed, and had no need for useless "barbarian" oddities. And that was that, it was forced down on the people straight from the son of heaven. We all know how well that attitude went for them in the 19th and 20th century. My dad immigrated from prc to the west (britain, canada, then usa) in 1989, leaving from beijing a week before the june 6 massacre in fact, and never looked back, because he didnt like the system. he watched the news in britain of the massacre when it happened, and it was completely calm when he was there a week before. crazy huh
Everything is so clean and well-organised! The people are so friendly and polite! Robbery and violence seem absent! I think I'll start learning Chinese - perhaps I can move there....why can't America be like this? 🤔🤔🤔
Yeah buddy take it from someone from America who lived there 7 years. There is relatively little violent crime but you are making a bargain with the devil for that. They are the thugs you really need to worry about, and all it takes is getting on someone's bad side with the right connections.
Best video I watched today. Probably the first time I watched your video, and I loved your balanced perspective. In the US, we hear so many negative things about China. I visited China a few days ago, and I was SHOCKED by how much they have advanced. In terms of infrastructure and convenience, they are far ahead of the US at this point. I spent most of my time there in a tier 3 city and a day or so in Shanghai. My comment about infrastructure and convenience applies equally to both. However, I was actually wondering what the countryside looks like, and whether it's in poor shape. Your video answered my question.
I've lived here for six years, going into my seventh. Will be here for a long time, as I have a wife, kid, and another on the way. I live in a Tier 1 city, Guangzhou, and it's high-tech beyond most cities I've ever visited. My wife is from Guangdong and comes from a 'village'(population around 200,000) that resembles many of the places visited in this video. My Chinese, and Cantonese, suck, because I have relied on my wife who I've been with for five years, to translate almost everything for me. My bad. But people here are damn friendly and helpful, even with a language barrier, once you show them some common decency. We're all people at the end of the day. I feel a lot safer here than back home. It's a strange place at times, with unique customs people from outside struggle to understand at times, but it's home for me now, and I enjoy it for most of the time.
@@adamlevin6351 Maybe I'm not as clued into everything as you are, but would you care to explain why you think that is the case? I just go to work, come home, eat my dinner, and play with my kid. I'm not rolling in money. I live a basic life. The parents of my students drive Ferraris. How am I higher class? I'm not getting angry or anything, with you, I'm just curious why we're perceived that way. Your response will definitely be helpful. Cheers.
@@adamlevin6351Chinese people were first curious about foreigners, and now they are hospitable. Hospitality is the basic accomplishment of Chinese people. In addition, foreigners also need to respect laws, customs, and national sentiments in China.
At last a person in the same boat as me, although I am a bit older, I imagine, than you. Been with my wife for over 14 years now, she followed me around the middle East while I was working. On retirement I asked her where she wanted to live,UK, France or back to china. So here I am in a 4th tier city, Sanming enjoying life. My Chinese socks although I have tried to learn, I find china is the safest country I have lived in, and that's been a lot, people are so friendly and respectful and I don't see myself returning to the west.
Dude, you make the best content. It's so easy to see into countries such as Russia through social media but China is a different story. Thanks for the education!
Great video and I really like the way you speak Chinese. The pronounciations might be a little off, but the way you speak in such a calm tone sounds very natural, unlike a lot non-native speakers who tend to try too hard and end up sounding like they are trying to make weird noises.
Hey Tom. This is the first video I have seen from you and I wanted to let you know that I absolutely loved it! Your relaxed and friendly attitude is great to watch. I love the sincerety in which you speak to the people. May you stay healthy and joyful! Wun
America can replicate what China is doing in these villages to transform the inner cities and keep the homeless off the streets instead of wasting trillions on senseless wars and funding countries which don’t appreciate America. But the democrats are interested in importing illegal immigrants to replace the homeless for vote harvesting purposes.
Glad you took the time to visit the off-the-map places which in a way showed the side not your regular tourist might end up seeing. What was even more surprising, you, and of course yours truly - me not disappointed at all. I will be visiting China next month and see for myself all the terrible and dark secrets of the rural cities and back alleys that I have had been spoonfed ever since I could remember by my elders and the mass media whenever the US wanted demonize a certain country or their governments. Thank you and looking forward to your more in-depth video, hopefully before I leave. Good luck and enjoy your stay.
you did great with this one, keep doing it! I just wanted to take a moment to say how amazing your video was! I was really impressed with the quality of the footage, the editing, and the overall presentation. You did a great job of explaining the topic in a clear and concise way, and I learned a lot from watching your video. ;)
But theres nothing really remotely communist about them, they are what you call (USA wannabes) capitalists with mixing of feudalism and dictator.. They are taking the approach of "hitler" when hitler used "socialism" to drive out their socialist christian party, as they had no value, just as in the USA... Socialism and communism are just "words", with no real implementation. Its not like its doing them good, as they are having serious homeless issues and drug issues. Remember if this was actual socialism or communism,, their homeless wouldn't be homeless. Plus that tree at 10:03... really contradicts everything. doesnt really hold up lol. its either preaching some sort of "pseudo" usa democracy or a fascist dictatorship and other things.. doesnt make no sense. for the society they are aiming for in that tree.
I was also living in China from 2007 until end of 2010. Beautiful country with lovely people and one of the best food world wide. Hopefully one day I can return. Really miss China ❤
@tileux You should be able to see the 'implication' is that I must know what I'm talking about and the differences. If you need to know why I 'implicitly' have been there and other parts of rural China (since I was describing them and the differences and what he'd experience there) then you should know I have probably spent more years in more rural Chinese villages than you have been an adult. from Northern China to the south, criss-crossing province to province, spending months or days. Longer than you've been an adult. I can even tell you that toy pistol is, technically, not legal anymore and a dozen other things. In fact, its possible I could actually be a professional tour guide and I might have another channel with dozens of videos about rural Chinese villages. So, you have a lot to learn about China hehe.. a lot to learn. If you want I can start teaching you about China and how things work in China. I've even lived in the USA, Canada, UK, Vietnam.. a dozen other places so I can even teach you the differences ad comparisons with those too. Any more questions?
Great video. It is almost like i visited this place except i dont need to walk around. Good to see you being so friendly to them. I have been to China many times. The common people are pretty chill and are not taught to hate Americans or see them as enemies, unlike what you see in America.
My wife's family is in the middle west of China, used to be a very remote and poor village in the Big mountains (秦岭). In the 90s, they needed to take a bus for over a night to go to Xi An. And even from 10 years ago, the local government helped local farmers to build modernized houses for each family. Each family needs to spend around 5000 Euros, and the rest was covered by the governments. The houses are better the ones on this islands in this video. And may be someone think it's not a big deal. Well, it is for the local farmers, some of them even lived in small rooms built with soil. And most important thing is the Education for the kids, government spent really a lot of money and efforts to make all the kid to have a proper education, including the infrastructures and better systems for the teachers.
@@truthadvocacy Yeah, right, joined April 2023? You know, fine, you want to compare, right, compare the same size country, so as China is the communist country, then you should compare the biggest democratic country India to China. Please compare average income, living standards, average education, electricity usage (Electricity in China is covered 100%, while in 90s it was not even 100% covered in big cities), etc.
I strongly believe Chinese success should be replicated around the world, most especially, in developing countries. I appreciate their hard work, seriously.
@@lordumasthey could be the fastest to make things happen doesn't mean it actually worked out well. They built a hospital during covid in one month but by the 8th month it was deserted and uninhabitable because the plumbing was no good. Also all the ghost cities. Fast isn't the same as quality.
Just started watching your videos last week, really enjoying them. I actually have been to Ningbo, where I taught English for a summer in Cixi and Xiangshan while I was still in college. I'll be visiting china again this October, this time going to Xiamen. Thank you for uploading this!
I love your video. It’s really eye opening to see what’s happening on the island. We love your smile and you are relaxed with a great sense of humor and humility.
@@leanlifer Most Chinese villages including inland ones look like the one in the video, cia bots little meifens just can't stand their dumb propaganda being shattered lol.
I’ve never been to China before, but really looking forward to visiting there one day. I’ve seen a lot of videos on RUclips, and China absolutely looks very beautiful, diverse and peaceful.
@user-po8xv4rj6l Major companies have left china, the economy is in shambles and their birthrates have bottomed out. Also major flooding thru out the country and major environmental issues. China is going back to the really poor times of the 90s.
Welcome to Ningbo! It’s a beautiful coastal city which embraces rich culture and thick historical site, like Tianyi Pavilion and Gulou (U r visiting at the beginning) Incredible how independent you are, and I'm glad you got a glimpse of real life in China. But actually Zhejiang is one of the most developed provinces in the country, especially in the rural areas, and a lot of the mid-western areas tend to be less developed.But Chinese people are hard working and kind no matter where they are.
That's the most poor part of China. And the population of Gansu is only equal Shanghai. If someone want to see rural China he should go to Henan. @@Whataboutism-o8j
As an American that loves his country ......I travelled through Asia. It is SAFE ...the people are wonderful ...the food is healthy .....We have lost our way in the USA
Be careful about generalizing and comparing after traveling through a country. Also, be careful about assuming the health of the food. It varies considerably and many Asian countries have very few regulations about sanitation. I agree about safety and the people.
@@joshtep6784 Where have you been the past three years, hello covid, wet markets? From that one video you uploaded clearly the US, but you still have acess to the interent, when you're not liking chinese state propaganda videos go look at acutal rural videos in China. FFS just go to China, they literally reuse oil from the trash. "America is dirty" But i still choose to live in it(clearly from your upload) always hypocrites. Go to China, Josh!
Wow such a beautiful countryside town. And the people over there seem very friendly! There seems to be something to see and learn about everywhere. It seems so peaceful.
No graffiti, no gangs of youths, no muggers and place is nice and clean everyone has transsport even if it's a bike or scoooter very few immigrants. It would suit me fine! Great video thanks for posting!
China is a non-immigration country. It will be more difficult for foreigners to settle in China. Unless you are a scientist or a business tycoon, it will be difficult for you to settle in China for a long time. Even if you marry in China, it will be difficult to obtain a residence permit.
the old lady on the island speaking local language is saying the tree in her yard is something like tangerine, and the tree grows wildly so she have to cut some branches of it, otherwise it will be bigger.
Thank you for being an educational filmmaker - it became hard for a while to find travel videos like these without the creator having a strange/toxic character revealing itself, glad to have discovered your channel.
It's really pretty there. I'm fascinated by the architecture and that cobblestone road lined with the fencing. The Chinese definitely know how to build.
You should probably take a deeper look into Chinese architecture and buildings. I really recommend you do, you'll see how many buildings and floors collapsed onto people and children. There was a school's gymnasium that collapsed onto the students while they were holding an assembly, the parents children that died because of the roof collapsing couldn't even see their own children if they didn't sign a permanent contract saying that they will take no legal action against the Chinese government and they won't speak out about it.
Ha ha ha ha, can you believe it? There are always some people who deliberately discredit China. China people are not idiots. You can watch some videos of international students who come to China and those who travel to China on RUclips. More real and objective. No place in the world is perfect. Besides, this is a country with a population of 1.4 billion. At the same time, you are welcome to visit China.❤❤❤❤
@@victorious1357 I wonder how many buildings collapsed in China. As for government's response, What did the US government respond to the collapse of apartment building?
I took a 2 hour ferry ride from Shanghai to one of the religious island near Ningbo, 15 years ago. Also a tourist place as well. Typical. Stayed there for a week. It was well developed then. I am sure it is better now. Ningbo is known for seafood and salty dishes. Many Shanghainese are originally from Ningbo, 100 year ago. So it is old, established and well known place. Thank you for sharing your journey.
@@richardvass1462 It also use to be part of Sichuan province which is officially not part of, but for the food they are still calling it Sichuan food which will always be very hot and spicy🌶🌶
@@echooohce That's because Chongqing is a mountainous city that is very easy to hide from. When Japan captured the former capital of China, Nanjing, the entire Chinese government relocated to Chongqing as its second capital. The South Korean government was originally located in Shanghai, but should have moved to Chongqing with the Chinese government later,
I had the opportunity to live/work in China a few years ago but passed on the offer. I love your videos because I get to see what it would have been like being there. That village looks very pleasant.
By far the most interesting and enlightening series I have had the pleasure of watching on RUclips, looking forward to following you around this fascinating country. You're right "people are people, governments are governments"
They're brainwashed, they think the Chinese people don't support their government lmao. The media tell us that you're enslaved LOOl and people who never left their villages to see the world believe in that. I mean, even Sabbatical believes in that and he traveled all around the world. Amerikens being Amerikens.
It's a great government, the West are jealous that they are subservient to the Capital and China is a sovereign nation able to do what it wants.@@Nina_1107
Hi. I lived in a small town in the USA for a couple years. You might get some curious questions by a shop owner at the time of checkout or a child who hasn't seen a Chinese person, but nothing meant to offend. People in small towns are very curious about different cultures. Though they, like all small towns, would gossip and likely not trust you at first if you decided to stay. Your visit may be the only thing to have happened in a year. Per capita crime rates by farm villiages... is pretty low. According to a study done by the Phillidelphia Children's Hospital School, rural counties have a 46% LOWER gun homicide rate.. but they have a 76% higher gun suicide rate. It can get isolated sometimes.
out of sheer curiosity, how fluent were you in mandarin? (i hope this doesn't come off as rude i'm legitimately just curious as someone who doesn't speak it)
@@GeraldBeagan-ee6se maybe just for taking cool photos? I got pulled aside by some students to take photos outside a mall once for their school project... having a foreign face gives it x-factor apparently 😅
What an awesome video, a complete eye-opener! I have been watching Joe & Nic's roadtrip around the US, and the differences between rural USA and rural China are, to this NZ'er, absolutely stunning. Tommy didn't even seem to see any policemen in is trip, even when walking around with a toy gun in his hand.
Thank you for this video showing us this opportunity to see the rural part of China. From your talks to the even the rural Chinese people the people to people relationship between China and U.S. is very good. Lets hope this great grass root relationship will be keeping up as always 😊👍👏👏👏
This is so good reporting ( and fun too ) it belongs in the National Geographic or even better ! Bravo and thank you for sharing this outlook on China as it is now ;-)
Young people moving out and old people remaining is very universal across the world. In France you can buy cheap houses in remote villages that are almost completely abandoned. The thing that was most remarkable in China is that local governments DO make efforts to improve the living situation and infrastructure even in remote/poor areas. But with the recent global (Birmingham in the UK has gone bankrupt) economic downturn it'll be more difficult for all to make ends meet.
I am from this island!! The old lady @15:30 said, "This tree will grow fruits similar to oranges. Once it grows bigger, it can provide shade from the sun, making the whole yard cooler."
Was thinking to make a video about the "core values" displayed everywhere in China until I saw this. And you are the only youtuber who actually mentioned this! :)
Amazing to see you speak such fluent Chinese to the people around you in the places you visit startling the Chinese people who then interact with you in such a friendly way 😂. This proves that language connects people and linguistic bonding is a social reality. Thanks a lot for your informative videos that helps us know about people and places that most of us cannot visit. Keep up the excellent work.
The environmental improvement is so much for the past twenty years, the government has a lot of credit. Hope it keeps on improving everyday people’s lives
Hope you're appreciating this more frequent upload schedule..
Definitely 💯
We do ‼️👍🤗
please visit North Korea after this
supposedly theres travelagencies that can book the train in Bejing for you
we will be happy to share our rations with you
Best RUclipsr and glad the video drops are weekly!
Love you Tommy
I love your unscripted, friendly, and honest approach to your interactions and commentary.
The fact that he's walking around and ppl are so friendly. If an Asian person comes to the US and just walk around and asking questions, I highly doubt ppl here would be this kind. it's quite unfair.
yeah， you are right
Many White people are on the edge, stressed out, had a bad childhood, still defending their land that they have issues with sh*it. That's real talk. JK not all. Some are absolutely kind, unselfish and generous. Just messing w you.
Mostly because they do not see many foreigners there. In the USA, you see a lot of people from all backgrounds every single day.
Mostly because their governments and their medias have been adopting an anti Asian attitude.
@@nesttea2239, Not necessarily. This could also be a reason for them not to be friendly.
After having lived in Shanghai for 6 years, and travelling to various parts of China, I loved watching this video. The people are very friendly especially if you make the effort to speak Chinese. The older people seem more wary of westerners. Funny how the guy in the restaurant just snatched your phone out of your hand to type something. Typical of Chinese forwardness and no nonsense. Love it.
truth that. love or hate that. but very direct, and there's a lot to be said for that. i said "that" too many times.
@@breasonable4343 good one.....
Maybe the older people still have memories of the white people that came to their country to conquer them and snatch everything up?
there's menu on his phone. you scan the qr code on the table, their menu will pop up on your phone,you can order food,check out,and rate the food
Because you are foreigner and you have the privilege and we are still putting ourselves, especially most of the real Chinese, an inferior status.
My Grandparents were missionaries in China from around 1910 and during the Japanese occupation.It was a time of famine and war.I wonder what they would think of modern China?There is poverty but not famine and war.The energy and determination of the Chinese people offers hope to war torn, impoverished regions with broken governance.I imagine that people all over the world are shocked when they see the homeless in our cities.
感谢你的家族对苦难的中国人民的帮助
Man! You were in my hometown Daishan!!! Whaaat?? Lollllll I thought it was the last place any Laowai would pay a visit!!! This is probably my most surprising Youtubing moments! Since I started using VPN to watch RUclips since 2008!! Welcome to Daishan/Zhoushan!
I have to type daishan into Google map to know it's 岱山. My first time to hear of this place.
兄弟，别激动，你老家要被挤爆了，哈哈
从拍到大桥时，我发现有点不对劲.....🤣
岱山
哈哈哈哈😂确实好漂亮！
I just stumbled in your door, and have no idea who you are, but I am enjoying your trip across China enormously. As one of the aunties said, I’m glad you speak Chinese! Your casual style is great and it’s really interesting to see how people react. I’m looking forward to catching up.
quick rundown, he Lived in china for 7 years and came home to see family just before covid. and since he couldnt go back to his home in china he started traveling to countrys without restrictions. primarily African and South American countries. now that restrictions are lifted he has neen back to many Asian countries.
@@mycocorleone4771 Yes, suprisingly they allow Foreigners to film everywhere, that is so unheard of.
I'm surprised to know that you're suprised to see foreigners filming everywhere in China. What kind of country did you think China is? A country full of politial policemen? LOL ~~
@@mycocorleone4771 Thanks so much for filling me in!
It's not surprising that this rural part is not in bad shape. Zhejiang Province has the most equalized income between rural and city populations in the entire country. Zhoushan is also one of the largest ports on Earth so the government has plenty of money to invest in infrastructure.
PS: the old ladies speaking the local dialect thought you were asking about the trees, so she replied: "they grow fruits looking like tangerines ... (some mumbles) ... I was reluctant to remove the trees but I trimmed some branches ... (mumbles) ... they cool down the temperature and can shed from sunlight"
ty i was wondering what she said
Absolutely true. This is a holiday destination, of course they're not destitute. He needs to go in land and get a few trains. He'll see windowless apartments with open fires inside and no chimneys. Probably 2 billion living like that. He's a typical Shanghai Laowai, thinks everywhere in China is misrepresented as bad, because of the bubble he was in
@@happyd9733Why? He even stated it could be different when he goes deeper in to China.
@@Bambeakz Have you lived in China? Shanghai laowais are notorious for 1) never leaving Shanghai, and 2) for using Shanghai as their base for judging China as a whole. It's clear that's he's guilty of both to me. Shanghai is like a different country man. Completely divorced from China as a whole in a cultural sense. Shanghai is a cosmopolitan city, it's really a nice place to live if you don't mind being in a Metropolis and the pollution that comes with it. Just listen to the guy talking about China like in his videos, he clearly has a massively positive opinion on China, and it's based upon the falsehood of living in Shanghai.
Love it, my hometown❤
I just discovered you thru this video. I think that you are a great travel reporter compared to many others on RUclips.
I am impressed that you speak some Chinese and talk to people there. Most other vloggers don't speak the local language and are embarrassing in what little they understand and report.
You have a great personality and an enjoyable, funny speaking style. Your 3 word sentences and pauses really make me pay attention. Your playful conversations in Chinese are interesting and amazing. I have always heard that it is difficult for Westerners to learn to speak the language. You prove that it is possible.
You are doing an awesome thing with this video by demystifying China!
Can we appreciate the fact that Tommy tries to make most of his videos educational & hasn’t changed? We genuinely appreciate you man!
Yes he hasn’t changed he still doesn’t have a pop filter lol
I travel vicariously through Tommy!
his name is tommy? I thought it was sabbatical.
The best places in Puerto Rico ( a commonwealth of America) do not look half of what China’s “arrabal” look like… and puerto ricans are American citizens……who’d say!!!!!
It is neither. He is just making a propaganda film for China Gov't, so don't expect he will reveal his name.@@elkmeatenjoyer3409
what a surprise to come across my hometown on utube! Ningbo is a prosperous but quiet city in my opinion. Wish you and all the visitors have a good time here!
I think I like it more than other Chinese cities. The people there are warm. Maybe I don't know much about other Chinese cities
Everyone I met from China speaks about China with pride. But it's different. It's not like being the most powerful or richest. It's about their traditions compared to other countries.
They destroyed most of their cultural traditions during the Great Leap "Backward".
@@donHooligan I'm not American so ultimately I have no comment on their geopolitical influence.. but it's factual to say Mao Zedong's policies instituted genocide on chinese culture and citizenry.
@@s._3560 going "overboard" is quite underestimation.. given the combined effects of the Great Leap Forward and the Cultural Revolution resulted in the deaths of millions of Chinese citizens and untold destruction to Chinese antiquity which can never be reclaimed.
The CCP still to this day glorifies to some degree the tyrant which was Mao Zedong.
@@tiernanrea1726 Did you see the temple in the video?
@@donHooligan 😁
Interesting video!
I came to Guangxi and married my wife in 2004. Single man in LA for 49 years. After chatting for many years, I truly am blessed and wish that it could've been sooner!
Getting married in China was the best thing that ever happened to me.
I'll be home from our NC farm in June for our 20th year of marriage!
I'm thankful to have learn, seen, and touch China in so many ways!
Most folks in our world want simular things but, most of all would be a better lifestyle for their children!
Ladies truly are sincere in relationships to have a like ideals to work together on!
A good government is one working for their majority of people/citizens! A corporate government can take advantage for stockholder greeds and not interested in what's good for all! NO SLAVES!
ENJOY YOUR TRAVELS ANDSHOW THE WORLD THE TRUE CHINA!
You sound like a communist representative 🤣
@thetreekeeper143 we all are
@@thetreekeeper143 Everyone that knows what it actually is does that ;)
Western propaganda has nothing to do with reality, just keep that in mind.
@@thetreekeeper143it is not a shame for admitting that we are communists, without the communiss party the KMT has already ruined our contry. If you are interested in modern Chinese history you'll see how Capitalism sparked in China and eventuall turned over to some people-slavery tools, thats why China chose another way.
@@thetreekeeper143It is better to know that all sociaty -ism is just a tool, the bad or good depends on the people and the way run the contry, communist could be dictator's powerful tool, but why can't capitalism be the large companies' ruling tools? Rememben only the gov represents the benifits of the most and respect the minority, that was a good gov, no matter what social -ism it use. As for now in China communist work fine and the CPC literally makes the extreme poor housed, fed and clothed, that was the communists' true wish: erase poverty from the world start from our own contry.
If this is the Chinese countryside, I love it. It's quiet! You can think and not have overstimulation. That is how I like things. I always love the little things in life. The people are friendly and respectful.
Rural China has a habit of taking a lunch break。
The pace of Chinese countryside is very slow, sometimes can be boring.
More and more young people are choosing to go out to make money, and more and more urban people want to go to the countryside to enjoy a slow life@@Naples-Florida
Me too. I think I’ll love to live in such an environment too.
I saw no countryside....
WOW that temple was unbelievable! It was a cool timing that you stumbled across the temple when they were decorating for Sakyamuni Buddha's birthday! Everyone was so welcoming and friendly! Even on a small island like that homes some pretty stunning architecture! Also those Chinese grandmas were so sweet. It lowkey worried me though when they told you not to go back to America. I'm sure you gave them a funny story for a life time saying you were looking to marry a Chinese grandma.. LOL "Let me tell you the time I met an American who was looking for a Chinese grandma to marry!"
Welcome to China in future.
In fact Chinese grandma and grandpa will look after grandson and granddaughter for their son and daughter. It is so different culture from USA. I love American people too. Just hope the world peace.
I think they really don't have good vibes about US. Because they saw he's a nice guy, they asked him not to go back to that "not nice" country, but stay in China instead. 😄😄
Chinese Grandma to marry! 😂
Interesting point you noticed
你确定 他说的不是中国“富婆”？ 我想他说的是有钱的女人吧？
Thank you for sharing with us your journey across China. It really nice to see the quality and peaceful village life.
The reason I support the Chinese government is that they have not just focused on the big flashy development of the metropolitans, but instead have also truly honed in on the development of impoverished areas of rural China. That is a true reflection of democracy for me. The government is for its people. Say what you will about the way they run their country, but no other government in the world has done what the Chinese government has been willing AND able to achieve for the bottom half of its people.
yep😊 China has kept trying to get the poor people out of poverty, and the poor will have the corresponding medical insurance，although the amount is not as good as that of developed regions because Basically, the country is paying for that and the poor don't have enough money to worry about their future health.😢😢😢
Facts.
Not to forget china build Africa first railway for them in the 60s when British and US refused to when africa beg them to even when they loot all their natural resources. When china offered, those western country was laughing saying china only can able to make bamboo rail
At that time china is poor and don't even own their own railway but they feel that Africa need it more then them and fully paid for everything and even provide labour without asking for any benefit. 70 chinese died there and their body still laying there.
尽管很多人说中国政府坏话，但是我最佩服的也是他们从来不会忽略每一个贫困人口并且中国人会自发组织扶贫也是政府积极推动的功劳，再诋毁也消灭不了中共的贡献
Ok CIA agent I know you’re trying to put me on a watchlist.😂 True prosperity for the Chinese people sure but it’s not democracy. If it were democracy why has the CCP not lost an election?😂
I just discovered your video, sitting back at home in Xiamen , I so enjoy it . the hilarious Chinese grandmas really make me laugh out loud hahahhaaa
沉默了😢空气突然宁静了😂
Interesting vlog
Lots of E-bikes/scooters
Everyone seemed friendly
No traffic and lots of fresh-air
Seems sophisticated and orderly
Stay safe, have fun. Looking forward to more.
As a Chinese, there are tons of fun of watching your video. All the people you met are similar to me and I can imagine every sentence they might say. That's too normal for me but the funniest part is your reaction. What you've seen is the true Chinese life. It is really the one that I experienced day by day. By the way, I about died laughing when you said you were going to marry a grandma.
dont be fooled by this CIA troll
@@freshmaker6441负责任的告诉你，中国普通人的正常生活就是视频里这样的，没有一点偏颇
@@YuZhang-ur5bn you clearly dont understand sarcasm his made , he mocking your country at same time , just look at his face, reaction ,opinion .
@@freshmaker6441true bro
@@freshmaker6441Black fool
One of the most marvelous aspects of Chinese culture that you showcase here so well is their frankness: Just a raw look at everything. It's such a wonderfully honest way to think and communicate. We should learn from this and stop with the fake politeness in our western world. It also amply demonstrates their sense of humor, so unique in our world. It may sound unvarnished at times because the world is unvarnished and its wonderfully appropriate. This is one invaluable culture that we would be so wise to visit.
I find your attitude of carefree acceptance so appropriate for long term travel. It seems little fazes you, again so necessary for travel without a designated end. It allows you to weather the bumps so much better than others that get distraught and anxious. You really bring a unique flavor to travel videos, one that we sorely need on RUclips. And no cheap shocked clickbait thumbnails! I can't wait to see more of your videos. Finally videos with common sense, honesty and civility. This is what RUclips should aspire to be like: Truthful.
Very well said. Wise words.
That’s a silly thing to say, I think. Politeness goes a long way, even if it’s fake. But I will say that we must definitely still judge people on their actions and not their niceness/politeness.
@@whatafreakinusername You are not wrong, but I see politeness as one of the actions too
@@whatafreakinusernamerigth
China is now a democratic country based on that poster you read sir . In people and in way of living could be, but in government still can't fathom yet because it's communist. Anyhow, the way people are not spied and can roamed freely is a sign of communal oneness and openness in Chinese culture and most eastern and South East Asian cultures. So development in China is based on communal concept not on individualism or king management like in many countries of the world and you are amazed by that fast progress.
Tommy, this was absolutely fascinating. I so admire your linguistic abilities, communication with the local folks adds so much to the experience. Thank you.
Nobody says that to me when I speak English in the UK and US
I am surprised he can even speak nice dialect like a native Chinese people
...虽然博主的中文很broken，但至少有勇气说。
不像我，人在澳洲，每次说英语都感觉尬，后来干脆不说了😢
Awesome video!
As a Brazilian who is well travelled within and without Brazil, these rural areas are excelent, they remind me a bit of some japanese rural areas.
Now for the demografic problem, small towns disapear in every country that goes through recent industrialization and urbanization, it happens here in Brazil too.
Dear Sir,
I hope you will continue your amazing journeys in China
Your unique personality enhances the viewing pleasure for many fans of yours.
Keep going young man and show us more of your amazing sojourns around the world😊
It's really intriguing seeing your adventures on the other side of the world! Thanks for the uploads and putting a smile on my face
Tommy is so underrated, imo the best of this video genre.
I've lived in China for many years, having married a Chinese woman and gaining a Chinese stepson. I deliberately decided to avoid all the international tourist places, and so I've spent a lot of time living in non-touristy places in Beijing and my wife's hometown of Zhangjiajie, in Hunan Province, though in a small village in the countryside there. Although it's not possible to understand China as a foreigner, i think it's a much more interesting place to live with many new experiences one could never hope to have if one mainly lived in the big metropolitan areas and kept company with many foreigners there. I think I have known less than 5 foreigners during my years of living here, and the vast majority of friends I have are Chinese. Many of them I taught at various universities I held courses at.
And you have gone natives❤
The sensation of immersing yourself deeply into a culture vastly different from your own is truly fascinating. Best wishes to you and your family!!!!
😂老外咋这么喜欢单亲妈妈啊，带儿子的女人很难找到中国男人
@@司小凡-f6i 我妻子的第一任丈夫对她如此恶劣，以至于她无法面对嫁给另一个中国男人。在她的离婚听证会上，法官同意了她的意见，并将她儿子的唯一监护权交给了她，并更改了她儿子的姓氏以与她相匹配。
@@司小凡-f6i主要是国内传统观念太重
Love your videos Tommy. Love the knowledge / effort you put into each video and the respect / positivity you give to the citizens of each country / city / region .
How fun was this video?! Thanks for taking the adventure, introducing us to that smaller village, and discovering the openness of the people (albeit apprehensive toward meiguoren). Loved the folks at the gym!
Gotta go watch your other videos! (Finally, RUclips algorithm recommended something I’ve actually found enjoyable!).
I guess the attitude change towards the "American' identity is mostly because of the US gov. According to my obsevation, most Chinese civilian people are friendly and hospitable to American civilian people. American civilians even get some privileges over the local Chinese because Chinese people treat them as guests
@@lucydarcy8553- that makes sense.
Loving the chinese series , stuff we don’t get to see. Chinese have a good sense of humour, their language is so literal. Thanks again Tommy .
I came across your videos just a few weeks ago. I cant stop watching your clips especially the ones on China. Your natural ability to connect with strangers and find interesting characters even in places you describe as boring is really commendable and also very entertaining to watch. As far as your cultural intelligence goes …respect.. the world would be much more peaceful place with people like you around. Looking forward to watch more videos...
How so Mr Grumpy Gus? @@natasspin3015
Ya, I agree with you completely. Just stumbled on to this video and was so interesting and different than usual YT travel vlogs. This Tommy gent has a very calming voice and manner about him so I subscribed and look forward to watching more.
bro,你的评论好认真😂
Why didnt this guy mention any thing about cleanliness,safety without being mugged at night walking,no homelessness in cities or rural places in china where he visited.
Wow, no violence, shoplifting, druggies etc. That's better than central Australia and many parts of the US.
Shut up. This video is about something else. Go watching Jasons living in China crap
where do you think American Fentanyl comes from? there are mass stabbings, kindergartens in China look like army barracks for a reason, it is just that they will never show you or allow it to be shown... you are more likely to be stabbed walking in China than in Baghdad.
And no freedom either. Freedom can be messy when people choose to use their freedom for destructive purposes. But I’ll take the messy freedom of the West over the calm and clean central planning of China.
Depends on where you go in China. There are videos on YT by other people travelling through China showing there is a another darker side of the republic. The western world is very much more open than the eastern world. Just because you do not see that darker side shouldn't be taken to mean there isn't one.
@@kooringagnd Those drug days are gone as the penalties are severe. It seems nobody wants to die for nothing, just like Singapore etc.
As an ethnic Macedonian this has intrigued me and made me want to visit China even more. No matter what anyone says the Chinese know what they’re doing and they improved their country immensely.
china is a shithole full of lies and govt propoganda
wumao
@@natelan69420 you are boring af :). Not much going on in your life?
@@natelan69420better than CIA bootlicker who does it for free😂
@@natelan69420 you call some random person a wumao? Hatred is not going to cure your mental diereses.
Love the video yet again man! Educational, funny, and mostly REAL! Look forward to seeing more of the chinese culture through your channel man, safe travels!
Traveling the world is also my dream. I'm currently living vicariously through those travel videos until I can experience it myself. Thank you for sharing your adventures.
It was never hidden, in fact rural China has progressed much. It's just that the rate of development is the fastest in the world. They're just an innovative people. And I like your thorough explanations when you narrate. Good stuff, subbing
China always hides it though.
Its like with Chinese culture. China always tries to hide their culture to show how modern the country is, and acts like those are seperate things.
"innovative" everything china has was copied or stolen from the west
someone needs to learn about the genocide China is committing in xinjiang@@云岩-y7l
这叫幽默感，tommy的视频很中立，西方人看到出来的@@云岩-y7l
The innovative people thing, theres a saying in chinese that goes like this - we chinese invented paper, but used it for decorating, while the westerners made the printing press. we chinese invented gunpowder, but used it for scaring away ghosts, while the westerners made firearms. we chinese invented the compass, but used it for calculating feng shui, while the westerners used it to sail across the ocean.
See what im getting at here, what can you name that was an important modern invention (like car, fridge, tv, electricity etc) from prc, or roc, or qing empire. Its not that chinese people are stupid, since you see all the great achievements by chinese who immigrated to western countries, but its the system thats screwed up and not designed to let you invent something and succeed.
When the british showed the qianlong emperor all the recent advancements in technology, he replied, that the chinese empire already had everything it needed, and had no need for useless "barbarian" oddities. And that was that, it was forced down on the people straight from the son of heaven. We all know how well that attitude went for them in the 19th and 20th century.
My dad immigrated from prc to the west (britain, canada, then usa) in 1989, leaving from beijing a week before the june 6 massacre in fact, and never looked back, because he didnt like the system. he watched the news in britain of the massacre when it happened, and it was completely calm when he was there a week before. crazy huh
This is the China I love seeing. Not many people show this type of places from China. Thank you for the video.
Everything is so clean and well-organised! The people are so friendly and polite! Robbery and violence seem absent! I think I'll start learning Chinese - perhaps I can move there....why can't America be like this? 🤔🤔🤔
😂😂😂😂
Welcome
Bot. I can tell from that sly America bashing.
Have you ever been to China?@@theterminators6512
Yeah buddy take it from someone from America who lived there 7 years. There is relatively little violent crime but you are making a bargain with the devil for that. They are the thugs you really need to worry about, and all it takes is getting on someone's bad side with the right connections.
Best video I watched today. Probably the first time I watched your video, and I loved your balanced perspective. In the US, we hear so many negative things about China. I visited China a few days ago, and I was SHOCKED by how much they have advanced. In terms of infrastructure and convenience, they are far ahead of the US at this point. I spent most of my time there in a tier 3 city and a day or so in Shanghai. My comment about infrastructure and convenience applies equally to both. However, I was actually wondering what the countryside looks like, and whether it's in poor shape. Your video answered my question.
I've lived here for six years, going into my seventh. Will be here for a long time, as I have a wife, kid, and another on the way. I live in a Tier 1 city, Guangzhou, and it's high-tech beyond most cities I've ever visited. My wife is from Guangdong and comes from a 'village'(population around 200,000) that resembles many of the places visited in this video. My Chinese, and Cantonese, suck, because I have relied on my wife who I've been with for five years, to translate almost everything for me. My bad. But people here are damn friendly and helpful, even with a language barrier, once you show them some common decency. We're all people at the end of the day. I feel a lot safer here than back home. It's a strange place at times, with unique customs people from outside struggle to understand at times, but it's home for me now, and I enjoy it for most of the time.
Of course! Foreigners are always prior to natives in China. U enjoy living here because u are set in the higher class of the society.
@@adamlevin6351那是因为这里外国人少，大家好客
@@adamlevin6351 Maybe I'm not as clued into everything as you are, but would you care to explain why you think that is the case? I just go to work, come home, eat my dinner, and play with my kid. I'm not rolling in money. I live a basic life. The parents of my students drive Ferraris. How am I higher class?
I'm not getting angry or anything, with you, I'm just curious why we're perceived that way. Your response will definitely be helpful.
Cheers.
@@adamlevin6351Chinese people were first curious about foreigners, and now they are hospitable. Hospitality is the basic accomplishment of Chinese people. In addition, foreigners also need to respect laws, customs, and national sentiments in China.
At last a person in the same boat as me, although I am a bit older, I imagine, than you. Been with my wife for over 14 years now, she followed me around the middle East while I was working. On retirement I asked her where she wanted to live,UK, France or back to china. So here I am in a 4th tier city, Sanming enjoying life. My Chinese socks although I have tried to learn, I find china is the safest country I have lived in, and that's been a lot, people are so friendly and respectful and I don't see myself returning to the west.
Dude, you make the best content. It's so easy to see into countries such as Russia through social media but China is a different story. Thanks for the education!
Just follow some Russians
I love when your videos come out. The China series especially is excellent.
Great video and I really like the way you speak Chinese. The pronounciations might be a little off, but the way you speak in such a calm tone sounds very natural, unlike a lot non-native speakers who tend to try too hard and end up sounding like they are trying to make weird noises.
Hey Tom. This is the first video I have seen from you and I wanted to let you know that I absolutely loved it! Your relaxed and friendly attitude is great to watch. I love the sincerety in which you speak to the people. May you stay healthy and joyful! Wun
America can replicate what China is doing in these villages to transform the inner cities and keep the homeless off the streets instead of wasting trillions on senseless wars and funding countries which don’t appreciate America. But the democrats are interested in importing illegal immigrants to replace the homeless for vote harvesting purposes.
I love these series can't wait to see more of the countryside.
Glad you took the time to visit the off-the-map places which in a way showed the side not your regular tourist might end up seeing. What was even more surprising, you, and of course yours truly - me not disappointed at all. I will be visiting China next month and see for myself all the terrible and dark secrets of the rural cities and back alleys that I have had been spoonfed ever since I could remember by my elders and the mass media whenever the US wanted demonize a certain country or their governments. Thank you and looking forward to your more in-depth video, hopefully before I leave. Good luck and enjoy your stay.
You've got a new subscriber (and fan). 🙂
you did great with this one, keep doing it!
I just wanted to take a moment to say how amazing your video was! I was really impressed with the quality of the footage, the editing, and the overall presentation. You did a great job of explaining the topic in a clear and concise way, and I learned a lot from watching your video.
;)
From this small village's perspective, the Communist Party has done really damn well.
But theres nothing really remotely communist about them, they are what you call (USA wannabes) capitalists with mixing of feudalism and dictator.. They are taking the approach of "hitler" when hitler used "socialism" to drive out their socialist christian party, as they had no value, just as in the USA... Socialism and communism are just "words", with no real implementation.
Its not like its doing them good, as they are having serious homeless issues and drug issues. Remember if this was actual socialism or communism,, their homeless wouldn't be homeless.
Plus that tree at 10:03... really contradicts everything. doesnt really hold up lol. its either preaching some sort of "pseudo" usa democracy or a fascist dictatorship and other things.. doesnt make no sense. for the society they are aiming for in that tree.
Cringe
@@SirWetBiscuit But only after the Cultural Revolution no? There wasn't much development at all until the 80s, just a lot of fanaticism and trauma.
@@goblinsdammit loooool 🤣ah yes just keep believing that
As a Native American, our trauma never ended.
I was also living in China from 2007 until end of 2010. Beautiful country with lovely people and one of the best food world wide. Hopefully one day I can return. Really miss China ❤
Welcome back to China as soon as possible. In the past 13 years, great changes have taken place in China. You won't be disappointed.
@@jondong476 thank you. It was already amazing 13 years ago...excited 😘
God bless China.
The best food? where are you from that you'd think that?
@tileux You should be able to see the 'implication' is that I must know what I'm talking about and the differences.
If you need to know why I 'implicitly' have been there and other parts of rural China (since I was describing them and the differences and what he'd experience there) then you should know I have probably spent more years in more rural Chinese villages than you have been an adult.
from Northern China to the south, criss-crossing province to province, spending months or days.
Longer than you've been an adult.
I can even tell you that toy pistol is, technically, not legal anymore and a dozen other things. In fact, its possible I could actually be a professional tour guide and I might have another channel with dozens of videos about rural Chinese villages.
So, you have a lot to learn about China hehe.. a lot to learn.
If you want I can start teaching you about China and how things work in China. I've even lived in the USA, Canada, UK, Vietnam.. a dozen other places so I can even teach you the differences ad comparisons with those too.
Any more questions?
Great video. It is almost like i visited this place except i dont need to walk around. Good to see you being so friendly to them. I have been to China many times. The common people are pretty chill and are not taught to hate Americans or see them as enemies, unlike what you see in America.
My wife's family is in the middle west of China, used to be a very remote and poor village in the Big mountains (秦岭). In the 90s, they needed to take a bus for over a night to go to Xi An. And even from 10 years ago, the local government helped local farmers to build modernized houses for each family. Each family needs to spend around 5000 Euros, and the rest was covered by the governments. The houses are better the ones on this islands in this video. And may be someone think it's not a big deal. Well, it is for the local farmers, some of them even lived in small rooms built with soil. And most important thing is the Education for the kids, government spent really a lot of money and efforts to make all the kid to have a proper education, including the infrastructures and better systems for the teachers.
@@truthadvocacy Yeah, right, joined April 2023?
You know, fine, you want to compare, right, compare the same size country, so as China is the communist country, then you should compare the biggest democratic country India to China. Please compare average income, living standards, average education, electricity usage (Electricity in China is covered 100%, while in 90s it was not even 100% covered in big cities), etc.
商洛安康还是汉中
秦岭最想去了，看小说看的，年轻时天天看盗墓笔记😂
I strongly believe Chinese success should be replicated around the world, most especially, in developing countries. I appreciate their hard work, seriously.
It had been replicated before China's success in countries like Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Singapore.
China invented copying other people's inventions on a massive industrial scale.
@@sPlusJs TW and HK are a part of China.
@@lordumasthey could be the fastest to make things happen doesn't mean it actually worked out well. They built a hospital during covid in one month but by the 8th month it was deserted and uninhabitable because the plumbing was no good. Also all the ghost cities. Fast isn't the same as quality.
@@lordumasI do not think there is another country who did it as fast as Japan.
Sabbatical or Tommy is one of my most anticipated vloger's that I watch. Always some great content.🍻
We are not all as developed as Shanghai. If you find something not good about us, please boldly display it, as it helps us to become better.
Just started watching your videos last week, really enjoying them. I actually have been to Ningbo, where I taught English for a summer in Cixi and Xiangshan while I was still in college. I'll be visiting china again this October, this time going to Xiamen. Thank you for uploading this!
Holy shit I’m born and raised in Cixi! Now I’m an international student going to college in America
@tileux Liar, I was in Xiamen, any city in China except Hong Kong and Taiwan is not censored at all
Wi jao pantangmu, nina?
@tileux Since you have been in Xiamen, do you know in Xiamen you can watch Taiwan television shows and nobody bothers to interrupt you?
@tileux many people like Xiamen except you
Dude you are the best travel vlogger on RUclips, these China vids are getting more adventurous and we love it!
Wow I love China such a beautiful country hope I can visit someday when I am older.
Rural China has a habit of taking a lunch break。
you have replied the same thing on half a dozen comments@@pipidexiaoche
It’s a horrible country and you REALLY do not want to have any association with it.
@@pipidexiaochechina has a habit of killing it’s people in large numbers and torture them and using them as livestock
Same here. I am practicing my Chinese already lol. Tommy's Chinese is fire.
I really enjoy the frequent uploads.
I love your video. It’s really eye opening to see what’s happening on the island. We love your smile and you are relaxed with a great sense of humor and humility.
Seriously, this rural area in this video is 5x more cleaner than the rural in my country. Look at their road, the width and their local are friendly.
Yangtze Delta is the one of the two most developed areas in China. This countryside is better than most other ones.
he need more deep inside@@leanlifer
@@leanliferI live in western China, our village is not really that different
I'll take any crappy rural here over any clean rural there.
@@leanlifer Most Chinese villages including inland ones look like the one in the video, cia bots little meifens just can't stand their dumb propaganda being shattered lol.
I’ve never been to China before, but really looking forward to visiting there one day. I’ve seen a lot of videos on RUclips, and China absolutely looks very beautiful, diverse and peaceful.
you better do it soon cause its on a steep decline.
We are all going to hit bottom. No one will be unaffected.
iam chinese，china is tooooo big to visit，and high tickets
@@cpt.redhood The grapes you are eating must be really sour!
@user-po8xv4rj6l Major companies have left china, the economy is in shambles and their birthrates have bottomed out. Also major flooding thru out the country and major environmental issues. China is going back to the really poor times of the 90s.
Welcome to Ningbo! It’s a beautiful coastal city which embraces rich culture and thick historical site, like Tianyi Pavilion and Gulou (U r visiting at the beginning)
Incredible how independent you are, and I'm glad you got a glimpse of real life in China. But actually Zhejiang is one of the most developed provinces in the country, especially in the rural areas, and a lot of the mid-western areas tend to be less developed.But Chinese people are hard working and kind no matter where they are.
Looks better than half the rural parts of the USA I’ve lived in and been too.
it actually reminds me of some really nice idaho towns
That’s not even rural china. Wait until you see rural areas in Gansu province
That island is basically the suburbs of Shanghai, so there are plenty of money to go around
That's the most poor part of China. And the population of Gansu is only equal Shanghai. If someone want to see rural China he should go to Henan. @@Whataboutism-o8j
No, it does not.
As an American that loves his country ......I travelled through Asia. It is SAFE ...the people are wonderful ...the food is healthy .....We have lost our way in the USA
Be careful about generalizing and comparing after traveling through a country. Also, be careful about assuming the health of the food. It varies considerably and many Asian countries have very few regulations about sanitation. I agree about safety and the people.
That is very true @@gstlb
The food is healthy? Have you heard of gutter oil?
I ate at restaurants 95 percent of the time. Street food can be unhealthy yes. Use common sense @@LuvThyMind29
@@joshtep6784 Where have you been the past three years, hello covid, wet markets? From that one video you uploaded clearly the US, but you still have acess to the interent, when you're not liking chinese state propaganda videos go look at acutal rural videos in China. FFS just go to China, they literally reuse oil from the trash. "America is dirty" But i still choose to live in it(clearly from your upload) always hypocrites. Go to China, Josh!
Wow such a beautiful countryside town. And the people over there seem very friendly! There seems to be something to see and learn about everywhere. It seems so peaceful.
You really need to know how poor and hopeless China was 40 years ago to appreciate that it is not propaganda, it is shear gratefulness and joy.
40年前中国并不贫穷，已经有很多城市高楼大厦，你搜80年代的广州就知道
@@Y-ot9td 那只是广州罢了😂一直是中国前四的城市，上海也从来不会穷😢
It can be seen that the government has made a lot of efforts in these 40 years.
@@Y-ot9td广州中国第三大城市，中国有几个？ 你是00后吧， 40年前好多农村都没通电
得了吧，装什么10后，中国现在有多富以前就有多穷，2000年前还有多少人没办法顿顿吃肉，更不用说在之前不一定能吃饱饭。承认事实并不会让我们看起来很可怜，反而更证明这几十年我们发展有多神速
Hi loving your vibe and attitude to China ..thanks so much ..just discovered your channel.
Amazing video bro! I'm able to see a side of China I'm not able to see by any other creator, thank you :)
No graffiti, no gangs of youths, no muggers and place is nice and clean everyone has transsport even if it's a bike or scoooter very few immigrants. It would suit me fine! Great video thanks for posting!
They are a lots of old people crowd 😂
在中国，农村地区只有老人和孩子。被称为留守家庭。
China is a non-immigration country. It will be more difficult for foreigners to settle in China. Unless you are a scientist or a business tycoon, it will be difficult for you to settle in China for a long time. Even if you marry in China, it will be difficult to obtain a residence permit.
@@jenq6751I choice old people all day than immigration
Lmao what a clueless comment.
the old lady on the island speaking local language is saying the tree in her yard is something like tangerine, and the tree grows wildly so she have to cut some branches of it, otherwise it will be bigger.
Thank you for being an educational filmmaker - it became hard for a while to find travel videos like these without the creator having a strange/toxic character revealing itself, glad to have discovered your channel.
It's really pretty there. I'm fascinated by the architecture and that cobblestone road lined with the fencing. The Chinese definitely know how to build.
You should probably take a deeper look into Chinese architecture and buildings. I really recommend you do, you'll see how many buildings and floors collapsed onto people and children. There was a school's gymnasium that collapsed onto the students while they were holding an assembly, the parents children that died because of the roof collapsing couldn't even see their own children if they didn't sign a permanent contract saying that they will take no legal action against the Chinese government and they won't speak out about it.
@@victorious1357 ah.. well. That's.. depressing!
Ha ha ha ha, can you believe it? There are always some people who deliberately discredit China. China people are not idiots. You can watch some videos of international students who come to China and those who travel to China on RUclips. More real and objective. No place in the world is perfect. Besides, this is a country with a population of 1.4 billion. At the same time, you are welcome to visit China.❤❤❤❤
@@victorious1357 I wonder how many buildings collapsed in China. As for government's response, What did the US government respond to the collapse of apartment building?
@@victorious1357😂我在中国都不知道这些，你真厉害
I took a 2 hour ferry ride from Shanghai to one of the religious island near Ningbo, 15 years ago. Also a tourist place as well. Typical. Stayed there for a week. It was well developed then. I am sure it is better now. Ningbo is known for seafood and salty dishes. Many Shanghainese are originally from Ningbo, 100 year ago. So it is old, established and well known place. Thank you for sharing your journey.
普陀山😂
普陀山
putuo mountain island
That was really enjoyable to watch. Thanks! Have a wonderful journey!
Absolutely love the content Tommy, cant wait to watch this. If you ever come to Scotland I'd be happy to show you about!
Good job showing us around china & other countries. Surprisingly quite clean the streets and the people are friendly too. Thank you ❤
I liked seeing the old guy living his chill life catching fish and recommending the local fish soup :)
@@NeonGenesis808 probably rural people are more friendly even they don’t know you, or maybe this is Asian culture.
Love this China series. I hope you go to Chongqing, that looks like a really interesting city!
I'm reading a book about Chunking right now and it used to be the capital of China during the Japanese war.
@@richardvass1462 It also use to be part of Sichuan province which is officially not part of, but for the food they are still calling it Sichuan food which will always be very hot and spicy🌶🌶
@@deanl0 yummy 😋
@@richardvass1462 another interesting thing is the korean provisional government settled in Chungking (Chongqing) until the end of World War II.
@@echooohce That's because Chongqing is a mountainous city that is very easy to hide from. When Japan captured the former capital of China, Nanjing, the entire Chinese government relocated to Chongqing as its second capital. The South Korean government was originally located in Shanghai, but should have moved to Chongqing with the Chinese government later,
Fantastic tour. The interactions with the locals are priceless.
I had the opportunity to live/work in China a few years ago but passed on the offer. I love your videos because I get to see what it would have been like being there.
That village looks very pleasant.
Small towns in China are actually very boring. In fact, big cities are also very boring... Maybe it’s because I don’t have money, hahahaha
Thank you for talking us with you on your adventures
By far the most interesting and enlightening series I have had the pleasure of watching on RUclips, looking forward to following you around this fascinating country. You're right "people are people, governments are governments"
Beautiful. Just beautiful. @@Carlosnaoki
I am a Chinese and we support our government. Without CCP, there would be no China now.
They're brainwashed, they think the Chinese people don't support their government lmao. The media tell us that you're enslaved LOOl and people who never left their villages to see the world believe in that. I mean, even Sabbatical believes in that and he traveled all around the world. Amerikens being Amerikens.
First video I've seen of this guy and love it! Bald and Bankrupt is another travel vlogger I think you'd love. He's great
It's a great government, the West are jealous that they are subservient to the Capital and China is a sovereign nation able to do what it wants.@@Nina_1107
If you walk through a village like this in America you most likely get shot at or called police on you.
Very true.
agree, this man even don’t want to back it,lol
Hi. I lived in a small town in the USA for a couple years. You might get some curious questions by a shop owner at the time of checkout or a child who hasn't seen a Chinese person, but nothing meant to offend. People in small towns are very curious about different cultures. Though they, like all small towns, would gossip and likely not trust you at first if you decided to stay. Your visit may be the only thing to have happened in a year. Per capita crime rates by farm villiages... is pretty low. According to a study done by the Phillidelphia Children's Hospital School, rural counties have a 46% LOWER gun homicide rate.. but they have a 76% higher gun suicide rate. It can get isolated sometimes.
Do not be ridiculous. Nobody in a rural village will just shoot you for walking.
@@SaintSaintI’m surprend he was just joking haha but thanks for the explanation
Wow I lived in China for years but even compared to what I'm used to those people were super friendly!
out of sheer curiosity, how fluent were you in mandarin? (i hope this doesn't come off as rude i'm legitimately just curious as someone who doesn't speak it)
@@Snartfoodler my Mandarin is pretty decent man, although it's got a bit of a Wuhan accent because that's where I lived most of the time 😅
did you get covid@@TwoCentsOnTour
The first women seemed to be using him for propaganda purposes, what. with the flag and all ..
@@GeraldBeagan-ee6se maybe just for taking cool photos? I got pulled aside by some students to take photos outside a mall once for their school project... having a foreign face gives it x-factor apparently 😅
This is a refreshing change from the China bashing Serpentza!!
What an awesome video, a complete eye-opener!
I have been watching Joe & Nic's roadtrip around the US, and the differences between rural USA and rural China are, to this NZ'er, absolutely stunning.
Tommy didn't even seem to see any policemen in is trip, even when walking around with a toy gun in his hand.
How can there be guns in China? ??
Chinese police generally do not carry guns, only to catch the more ferocious criminals will carry guns
@@jingweiliu-nu4xd Your question is most worthy of asking. Most worthy.
Thank you for this video showing us this opportunity to see the rural part of China.
From your talks to the even the rural Chinese people the people to people relationship between China and U.S. is very good. Lets hope this great grass root relationship will be keeping up as always 😊👍👏👏👏
grass root..😂hahaha...If there is no politics in the world，we grass root should own the peaceful world.
This is so good reporting ( and fun too ) it belongs in the National Geographic or even better ! Bravo and thank you for sharing this outlook on China as it is now ;-)
Young people moving out and old people remaining is very universal across the world. In France you can buy cheap houses in remote villages that are almost completely abandoned. The thing that was most remarkable in China is that local governments DO make efforts to improve the living situation and infrastructure even in remote/poor areas. But with the recent global (Birmingham in the UK has gone bankrupt) economic downturn it'll be more difficult for all to make ends meet.
然后有大量的移民拥入😢
So a freedom they have in China and not America is walking around with a toy gun and not freaking anyone out😂
On top of that you can drink alcohol in the public streets in every city ;) The cops probably want a sip too LoL.
Kind of ironic that you can walk around with a real gun in America, but it's illegal to walk around with a toy gun without the orange painted tip.
Knife
@@chunhayleeToy companies lack donations for rectification
@@chunhayleeToy companies lack donations for rectification
I am from this island!! The old lady @15:30 said, "This tree will grow fruits similar to oranges. Once it grows bigger, it can provide shade from the sun, making the whole yard cooler."
Seeing new videos is a bright spot in my life! You've got a unique way of developing a rapport with folks everywhere! That's a rare gift!☮️
His interactions are more funny than I could have imagined 😂 awesome stuff
Great video as always, really interesting to see some unusual places, keep em coming!
Was thinking to make a video about the "core values" displayed everywhere in China until I saw this. And you are the only youtuber who actually mentioned this! :)
Amazing to see you speak such fluent Chinese to the people around you in the places you visit startling the Chinese people who then interact with you in such a friendly way 😂. This proves that language connects people and linguistic bonding is a social reality. Thanks a lot for your informative videos that helps us know about people and places that most of us cannot visit. Keep up the excellent work.
1❤C,
The environmental improvement is so much for the past twenty years, the government has a lot of credit. Hope it keeps on improving everyday people’s lives
Legend! The best videos mate
This was the funniest intro youve ever made :D as a dane i appreciate every bit :)