Travels in China
Not a complete story, more of an exposé.
I came to China to explore what this amazing country has to offer to Rhynopack. I thought that I might be able to develop the relationship with my current supplier, explore the electronic manufacturing sector, and see what the region had on tap for new products I’d be able to bring back to Canada (pronounced Ja-Na-Da in Mandarin, fyi).
What I wasn’t prepared for (how naive I was) was how amazing the people, language and culture would be. I’ve been here for just under two weeks, travelled about 2000km, and explored 6 cities. And WOW, what an amazing trip it’s been. Each city is different, with it’s own tastes, sounds, sights, people, dialects, culture, history and economy. Shanghai, Nanjing, Wuhan, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Humen.. the list goes on and on!
If I had the time, I’d go into detail, but I don’t, and that’s my biggest takeaway thus far. China is a country transitioning in living color, experiencing the biggest mass-urbanization humanity has ever known as people flood the cities and urban centres from the central rural areas looking for a brighter future and a better tomorrow.
What’s wild is how the cities have evolved over hundreds and sometimes thousands of years to where we find them today. Walk down the side streets of Shanghai or Guangzhou and you’ll see things that you didn’t know existed. Shops, curios, vendors, artisans, specialists, fixer-uppers; you name it, they got it!
But what truly amazes me is the juxtaposition in this country. Visit Shenzhen and you’ll see one of if not THE fastest growing city in the world. What used to be a fishing village is now the electronic manufacturing capital of the world. Ninety percent of the global power bank production occurs here. It’s where the iPhones are made. The electronic night-markets are a true sight to behold. And the buildings! Amazing skyscrapers, easily rival (and dare I say, surpass) what I saw in New York 8 years ago.
But because I’m writing this from my hostel bunkbed with only enough breathing room to jot down my high level observations, I don’t have time to go into detail right now. This country is moving too fast to slow down and give a proper account of what I’ve seen and experienced.
China’s Delta Pearl (Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong) has a population of nearly 60 million people. Yes, you read that right. Three cities and the greater surrounding area has a population DOUBLE that of Canada. If I take the time to go into detail, I fear I’m going to get left behind. And I definitely don’t want to get left behind, not when there’s as much opportunity and excitement abound as there is here and now in this beautiful country.
Back to the grind folks, take care, talk soon, and XIE-XIE (“thank you” in Mandarin) for reading!
