Life in China — What Is Real Life in China Actually Like? | Travel Documentery

quiet villages, rice fields, old houses, and villages, rice fields, old houses, and villages, rice fields, old houses, and elderly people sitting outside their elderly people sitting outside their elderly people sitting outside their homes. Both of those places are China. homes. Both of those places are China. homes. Both of those places are China. And that's probably the first thing you And that's probably the first thing you And that's probably the first thing you need to understand before talking about need to understand before talking about need to

understand before talking about life here. life here. life here. China isn't one lifestyle. It's an China isn't one lifestyle. It's an China isn't one lifestyle. It's an enormous mix of modern cities, small enormous mix of modern cities, small enormous mix of modern cities, small towns, rural communities, and completely towns, rural communities, and completely towns, rural communities, and completely different regional cultures all existing different regional cultures all existing different regional cultures all existing inside one country. China had

around 1.4 inside one country. China had around 1.4 inside one country. China had around 1.4 billion people in 2025. But even that billion people in 2025. But even that billion people in 2025. But even that number doesn't really communicate how number doesn't really communicate how number doesn't really communicate how enormous the country feels. Around 2/3 enormous the country feels. Around 2/3 enormous the country feels. Around 2/3 of the population now lives in urban of the population now lives in urban of the population now lives in urban areas,

meaning hundreds of millions of areas, meaning hundreds of millions of areas, meaning hundreds of millions of people have moved toward cities over the people have moved toward cities over the people have moved toward cities over the past few decades. Cities such as past few decades. Cities such as past few decades. Cities such as Shanghai, Beijing, Shenzhen, Guangha, Shanghai, Beijing, Shenzhen, Guangha, Shanghai, Beijing, Shenzhen, Guangha, and Chungdu can feel like completely and Chungdu can feel like completely and Chungdu can feel like completely

separate worlds. Buildings are enormous. separate worlds. Buildings are enormous. separate worlds. Buildings are enormous. Public transportation is everywhere. Public transportation is everywhere. Public transportation is everywhere. Food can be delivered to your door Food can be delivered to your door Food can be delivered to your door within minutes. And almost every part of within minutes. And almost every part of within minutes. And almost every part of daily life can be connected to a daily life can be connected to a daily life can be connected to a

smartphone. But at the same time, smartphone. But at the same time, smartphone. But at the same time, hundreds of millions of people still hundreds of millions of people still hundreds of millions of people still have strong connections to smaller towns have strong connections to smaller towns have strong connections to smaller towns and rural areas. Some people were born and rural areas. Some people were born and rural areas. Some people were born in villages and moved to cities for in villages and moved to cities for in villages and moved to cities for

work. Others still live in the same work. Others still live in the same work. Others still live in the same region where their family has lived for region where their family has lived for region where their family has lived for generations. For someone living in a generations. For someone living in a generations. For someone living in a major Chinese city, the day can start major Chinese city, the day can start major Chinese city, the day can start surprisingly early. Streets are already surprisingly early. Streets are already surprisingly early. Streets

are already active in the morning. Small restaurants active in the morning. Small restaurants active in the morning. Small restaurants open for breakfast, and commuters begin open for breakfast, and commuters begin open for breakfast, and commuters begin filling subway stations. Breakfast filling subway stations. Breakfast filling subway stations. Breakfast doesn't necessarily mean cereal or doesn't necessarily mean cereal or doesn't necessarily mean cereal or toast. Depending on where you are, you toast. Depending on where you are, you toast. Depending

on where you are, you might see people eating steamed buns, might see people eating steamed buns, might see people eating steamed buns, noodles, congani, eggs, soy milk, or noodles, congani, eggs, soy milk, or noodles, congani, eggs, soy milk, or john bing. And one thing that can john bing. And one thing that can john bing. And one thing that can surprise foreigners is how normal it is surprise foreigners is how normal it is surprise foreigners is how normal it is to eat breakfast outside the home. Tiny to eat breakfast outside the home. Tiny to eat

breakfast outside the home. Tiny shops serving one or two dishes can have shops serving one or two dishes can have shops serving one or two dishes can have a constant stream of customers because a constant stream of customers because a constant stream of customers because people don't necessarily need a large people don't necessarily need a large people don't necessarily need a large kitchen or a long breakfast routine. In kitchen or a long breakfast routine. In kitchen or a long breakfast routine. In major cities, millions of people depend major cities,

millions of people depend major cities, millions of people depend on buses and metro systems every day. on buses and metro systems every day. on buses and metro systems every day. During rush hour, stations can become During rush hour, stations can become During rush hour, stations can become unbelievably crowded with people moving unbelievably crowded with people moving unbelievably crowded with people moving through them almost like a river. But through them almost like a river. But through them almost like a river. But China's transportation story

doesn't China's transportation story doesn't China's transportation story doesn't stop at the city. The country's stop at the city. The country's stop at the city. The country's high-speed railway network has high-speed railway network has high-speed railway network has transformed the way people travel transformed the way people travel transformed the way people travel between major cities. A city that looks between major cities. A city that looks between major cities. A city that looks incredibly far away on a map can incredibly far away on a map can

incredibly far away on a map can suddenly become a realistic weekend suddenly become a realistic weekend suddenly become a realistic weekend trip. And then there's the smartphone. trip. And then there's the smartphone. trip. And then there's the smartphone. This might be one of the biggest This might be one of the biggest This might be one of the biggest differences a foreign visitor notices. differences a foreign visitor notices. differences a foreign visitor notices. In China, your phone can become almost In China, your phone can become almost In

China, your phone can become almost everything at once. Cash still exists, everything at once. Cash still exists, everything at once. Cash still exists, but digital payments have become deeply but digital payments have become deeply but digital payments have become deeply integrated into ordinary life. WeChat, integrated into ordinary life. WeChat, integrated into ordinary life. WeChat, in particular, is much more than a in particular, is much more than a in particular, is much more than a messaging application. It has become messaging application. It

has become messaging application. It has become part of the infrastructure of everyday part of the infrastructure of everyday part of the infrastructure of everyday communication and commerce. Someone can communication and commerce. Someone can communication and commerce. Someone can send you a message and money through the send you a message and money through the send you a message and money through the same ecosystem, while businesses can use same ecosystem, while businesses can use same ecosystem, while businesses can use it to communicate with

customers and it to communicate with customers and it to communicate with customers and accept payments. accept payments. accept payments. But the Chinese internet is also very But the Chinese internet is also very But the Chinese internet is also very different from what a foreign visitor different from what a foreign visitor different from what a foreign visitor may be used to. may be used to. may be used to. Many major international websites and Many major international websites and Many major international websites and services including Google,

YouTube, services including Google, YouTube, services including Google, YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram are blocked or Facebook, and Instagram are blocked or Facebook, and Instagram are blocked or restricted in mainland China. Instead, restricted in mainland China. Instead, restricted in mainland China. Instead, China developed its own enormous online China developed its own enormous online China developed its own enormous online ecosystem. This can be strange for ecosystem. This can be strange for ecosystem. This can be strange for foreigners because

they may arrive foreigners because they may arrive foreigners because they may arrive expecting to use the same apps they use expecting to use the same apps they use expecting to use the same apps they use at home and suddenly realize that the at home and suddenly realize that the at home and suddenly realize that the online world around them is different. online world around them is different. online world around them is different. Now, let's talk about money. Because Now, let's talk about money. Because Now, let's talk about money. Because saying China

is an economic superpower saying China is an economic superpower saying China is an economic superpower doesn't tell you what an ordinary person doesn't tell you what an ordinary person doesn't tell you what an ordinary person earns. Salaries vary enormously earns. Salaries vary enormously earns. Salaries vary enormously depending on location, profession, and depending on location, profession, and depending on location, profession, and education. A software engineer working education. A software engineer working education. A software engineer working for

a technology company in Shenzhen can for a technology company in Shenzhen can for a technology company in Shenzhen can have a completely different financial have a completely different financial have a completely different financial situation from a restaurant worker in a situation from a restaurant worker in a situation from a restaurant worker in a smaller city or a farmer in rural China. smaller city or a farmer in rural China. smaller city or a farmer in rural China. China's official income statistics also China's official income statistics also

China's official income statistics also show a significant urban rural gap. In show a significant urban rural gap. In show a significant urban rural gap. In 2025, average per capita disposable 2025, average per capita disposable 2025, average per capita disposable income was around 43,000 UN nationally, income was around 43,000 UN nationally, income was around 43,000 UN nationally, while urban residents had substantially while urban residents had substantially while urban residents had substantially higher disposable income than rural higher disposable

income than rural higher disposable income than rural residents. But even those numbers don't residents. But even those numbers don't residents. But even those numbers don't tell the whole story because housing, tell the whole story because housing, tell the whole story because housing, food, transportation, and family food, transportation, and family food, transportation, and family responsibilities vary dramatically from responsibilities vary dramatically from responsibilities vary dramatically from one place to another. one place to another. one place

to another. Housing is one of the biggest issues in Housing is one of the biggest issues in Housing is one of the biggest issues in urban China. From the outside, Chinese urban China. From the outside, Chinese urban China. From the outside, Chinese apartment complexes can look almost apartment complexes can look almost apartment complexes can look almost futuristic. futuristic. futuristic. Massive towers stand next to each other, Massive towers stand next to each other, Massive towers stand next to each other, sometimes containing thousands of sometimes

containing thousands of sometimes containing thousands of apartments and even more residents. But apartments and even more residents. But apartments and even more residents. But inside those towers, apartments can be inside those towers, apartments can be inside those towers, apartments can be much smaller than foreigners expect. In much smaller than foreigners expect. In much smaller than foreigners expect. In expensive cities, space is valuable. So, expensive cities, space is valuable. So, expensive cities, space is valuable. So, a young couple may

choose a relatively a young couple may choose a relatively a young couple may choose a relatively compact apartment because being close to compact apartment because being close to compact apartment because being close to work and transportation matters more work and transportation matters more work and transportation matters more than having a huge living room. Some than having a huge living room. Some than having a huge living room. Some residential developments are so large residential developments are so large residential developments are so large

that they almost function like miniature that they almost function like miniature that they almost function like miniature cities. Dating in China isn't always cities. Dating in China isn't always cities. Dating in China isn't always simply about whether two people like simply about whether two people like simply about whether two people like each other. In more traditional each other. In more traditional each other. In more traditional families, parents may want to know about families, parents may want to know about families, parents may want to know

about someone's education, career, income, someone's education, career, income, someone's education, career, income, family background, and whether they own family background, and whether they own family background, and whether they own a home. Marriage can be seen as a a home. Marriage can be seen as a a home. Marriage can be seen as a connection between two families rather connection between two families rather connection between two families rather than just two individuals. than just two individuals. than just two individuals. This doesn't describe

every Chinese This doesn't describe every Chinese This doesn't describe every Chinese relationship, and younger generations relationship, and younger generations relationship, and younger generations are increasingly challenging some of are increasingly challenging some of are increasingly challenging some of these expectations, but family these expectations, but family these expectations, but family involvement can still be significant. involvement can still be significant. involvement can still be significant. There are also enormous differences There

are also enormous differences There are also enormous differences between urban and rural communities, between urban and rural communities, between urban and rural communities, between generations, and between between generations, and between between generations, and between individual families. individual families. individual families. China's younger generation is changing China's younger generation is changing China's younger generation is changing many of these traditional expectations. many of these traditional expectations. many of these

traditional expectations. Some young adults are delaying marriage, Some young adults are delaying marriage, Some young adults are delaying marriage, having fewer children, or deciding not having fewer children, or deciding not having fewer children, or deciding not to follow the life path their parents to follow the life path their parents to follow the life path their parents expected. expected. expected. Economic pressure is one reason, but Economic pressure is one reason, but Economic pressure is one reason, but personal priorities also matter. Young

personal priorities also matter. Young personal priorities also matter. Young people have grown up with smartphones, people have grown up with smartphones, people have grown up with smartphones, international entertainment, new career international entertainment, new career international entertainment, new career opportunities, and much greater exposure opportunities, and much greater exposure opportunities, and much greater exposure to different lifestyles. to different lifestyles. to different lifestyles. The result is a generational gap that The

result is a generational gap that The result is a generational gap that can sometimes be surprisingly visible. can sometimes be surprisingly visible. can sometimes be surprisingly visible. Education is another area where the Education is another area where the Education is another area where the pressure can become intense. Chinese pressure can become intense. Chinese pressure can become intense. Chinese students can spend years preparing for students can spend years preparing for students can spend years preparing for exams, and the most famous of these

is exams, and the most famous of these is exams, and the most famous of these is the GACO, the National University the GACO, the National University the GACO, the National University Entrance Examination. For many students, Entrance Examination. For many students, Entrance Examination. For many students, it represents a major turning point. it represents a major turning point. it represents a major turning point. Getting into a prestigious university Getting into a prestigious university Getting into a prestigious university can open doors to better

career can open doors to better career can open doors to better career opportunities, while failing to achieve opportunities, while failing to achieve opportunities, while failing to achieve the desired score can feel devastating the desired score can feel devastating the desired score can feel devastating after years of preparation. You've after years of preparation. You've after years of preparation. You've probably heard the term 996. probably heard the term 996. probably heard the term 996. It refers to a working schedule from It refers to a working

schedule from It refers to a working schedule from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. 6 days a week and 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. 6 days a week and 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. 6 days a week and became associated with parts of China's became associated with parts of China's became associated with parts of China's technology and business culture. It technology and business culture. It technology and business culture. It isn't the schedule of every Chinese isn't the schedule of every Chinese isn't the schedule of every Chinese worker, and China's labor authorities worker, and

China's labor authorities worker, and China's labor authorities have pushed back against illegal have pushed back against illegal have pushed back against illegal excessive working hours. it. The phrase excessive working hours. it. The phrase excessive working hours. it. The phrase became famous because it represented a became famous because it represented a became famous because it represented a wider concern about overwork. Younger wider concern about overwork. Younger wider concern about overwork. Younger workers increasingly question whether workers

increasingly question whether workers increasingly question whether sacrificing their entire lives for a sacrificing their entire lives for a sacrificing their entire lives for a company is worth it. company is worth it. company is worth it. Some began talking about lying flat, a Some began talking about lying flat, a Some began talking about lying flat, a phrase associated with rejecting extreme phrase associated with rejecting extreme phrase associated with rejecting extreme competition and refusing to constantly competition and refusing to constantly

competition and refusing to constantly chase traditional measures of success. chase traditional measures of success. chase traditional measures of success. Nightife in China can also surprise Nightife in China can also surprise Nightife in China can also surprise foreigners because it doesn't look foreigners because it doesn't look foreigners because it doesn't look exactly like nightife in London, New exactly like nightife in London, New exactly like nightife in London, New York, or Los Angeles. In major cities, York, or Los Angeles. In major cities,

York, or Los Angeles. In major cities, there are enormous clubs, cocktail bars, there are enormous clubs, cocktail bars, there are enormous clubs, cocktail bars, karaoke rooms, late night restaurants, karaoke rooms, late night restaurants, karaoke rooms, late night restaurants, and shopping areas that stay busy well and shopping areas that stay busy well and shopping areas that stay busy well into the night. But karaoke or KTV is into the night. But karaoke or KTV is into the night. But karaoke or KTV is especially interesting. Instead of especially

interesting. Instead of especially interesting. Instead of simply going to a bar and listening to simply going to a bar and listening to simply going to a bar and listening to music, groups of friends can rent a music, groups of friends can rent a music, groups of friends can rent a private room where they sing, eat, private room where they sing, eat, private room where they sing, eat, drink, and spend hours together. For drink, and spend hours together. For drink, and spend hours together. For many people, it's a social activity many people, it's a

social activity many people, it's a social activity rather than just entertainment. And then rather than just entertainment. And then rather than just entertainment. And then there are the late night food streets there are the late night food streets there are the late night food streets where restaurants can remain busy long where restaurants can remain busy long where restaurants can remain busy long after midnight. after midnight. after midnight. In some cities, eating spicy noodles, In some cities, eating spicy noodles, In some cities, eating spicy

noodles, barbecue, or hot pot at night is almost barbecue, or hot pot at night is almost barbecue, or hot pot at night is almost part of the social culture. part of the social culture. part of the social culture. Cars are another fascinating part of Cars are another fascinating part of Cars are another fascinating part of modern Chinese life. China has become modern Chinese life. China has become modern Chinese life. China has become the world's largest market for electric the world's largest market for electric the world's largest market for electric

vehicles, and Chinese manufacturers have vehicles, and Chinese manufacturers have vehicles, and Chinese manufacturers have developed an enormous range of electric developed an enormous range of electric developed an enormous range of electric cars. Food is probably one of the cars. Food is probably one of the cars. Food is probably one of the easiest ways to understand China's easiest ways to understand China's easiest ways to understand China's regional diversity. Calling something regional diversity. Calling something regional diversity. Calling

something simply Chinese food doesn't make much simply Chinese food doesn't make much simply Chinese food doesn't make much sense when you consider the country's sense when you consider the country's sense when you consider the country's size. Sichuan cuisine is famous for its size. Sichuan cuisine is famous for its size. Sichuan cuisine is famous for its spicy and numbing flavors. Cantonese spicy and numbing flavors. Cantonese spicy and numbing flavors. Cantonese cuisine has a different tradition with cuisine has a different tradition with cuisine has a

different tradition with dim sum and an emphasis on fresh dim sum and an emphasis on fresh dim sum and an emphasis on fresh ingredients. In northern China, wheat- ingredients. In northern China, wheat- ingredients. In northern China, wheat- based foods such as noodles and based foods such as noodles and based foods such as noodles and dumplings are especially important. dumplings are especially important. dumplings are especially important. Along the coast, seafood plays a major Along the coast, seafood plays a major Along the coast, seafood plays a

major role. In other regions, you'll find role. In other regions, you'll find role. In other regions, you'll find completely different combinations of completely different combinations of completely different combinations of spices, ingredients, and cooking spices, ingredients, and cooking spices, ingredients, and cooking methods. Even the same dish can taste methods. Even the same dish can taste methods. Even the same dish can taste completely different depending on where completely different depending on where completely different depending on where

you eat it. And some food habits can you eat it. And some food habits can you eat it. And some food habits can genuinely surprise foreigners. Hot pot genuinely surprise foreigners. Hot pot genuinely surprise foreigners. Hot pot isn't just a meal. It can become a isn't just a meal. It can become a isn't just a meal. It can become a social event that lasts for hours. social event that lasts for hours. social event that lasts for hours. Everyone sits around a boiling pot and Everyone sits around a boiling pot and Everyone sits around a boiling pot and cooks

their own ingredients. There are cooks their own ingredients. There are cooks their own ingredients. There are restaurants where you can order dozens restaurants where you can order dozens restaurants where you can order dozens of different items from vegetables and of different items from vegetables and of different items from vegetables and noodles to meat and tofu and slowly cook noodles to meat and tofu and slowly cook noodles to meat and tofu and slowly cook them at the table. Meanwhile, Chinese them at the table. Meanwhile, Chinese them at the

table. Meanwhile, Chinese tea culture remains important in many tea culture remains important in many tea culture remains important in many parts of the country. Tea isn't parts of the country. Tea isn't parts of the country. Tea isn't necessarily treated as some fancy necessarily treated as some fancy necessarily treated as some fancy ceremony. It can simply be something ceremony. It can simply be something ceremony. It can simply be something people drink while talking, eating, or people drink while talking, eating, or people drink while talking,

eating, or working. Family life is another huge working. Family life is another huge working. Family life is another huge part of Chinese society. Older part of Chinese society. Older part of Chinese society. Older generations often remain closely generations often remain closely generations often remain closely connected to their children and connected to their children and connected to their children and grandchildren. In some families, grandchildren. In some families, grandchildren. In some families, grandparents play an enormous role in grandparents

play an enormous role in grandparents play an enormous role in raising children while parents work. raising children while parents work. raising children while parents work. This becomes particularly important for This becomes particularly important for This becomes particularly important for families where the parents have moved to families where the parents have moved to families where the parents have moved to another city for employment. another city for employment. another city for employment. Rural China tells another story Rural China tells

another story Rural China tells another story entirely. There are villages where life entirely. There are villages where life entirely. There are villages where life is dramatically slower than in Shanghai is dramatically slower than in Shanghai is dramatically slower than in Shanghai or Shenzhen. People may farm, run small or Shenzhen. People may farm, run small or Shenzhen. People may farm, run small businesses, or work in local industries. businesses, or work in local industries. businesses, or work in local industries. But perhaps the biggest

surprise is that But perhaps the biggest surprise is that But perhaps the biggest surprise is that China isn't nearly as futuristic China isn't nearly as futuristic China isn't nearly as futuristic everywhere as the internet sometimes everywhere as the internet sometimes everywhere as the internet sometimes makes it look. Viral videos tend to show makes it look. Viral videos tend to show makes it look. Viral videos tend to show the most impressive parts. The the most impressive parts. The the most impressive parts. The skyscrapers, robots, electric cars,

skyscrapers, robots, electric cars, skyscrapers, robots, electric cars, giant screens, and high-speed trains. giant screens, and high-speed trains. giant screens, and high-speed trains. Those things are real, but they're only Those things are real, but they're only Those things are real, but they're only one layer. Behind them are ordinary one layer. Behind them are ordinary one layer. Behind them are ordinary people worrying about rent, exams, people worrying about rent, exams, people worrying about rent, exams, relationships, parents, jobs, and money.

relationships, parents, jobs, and money. relationships, parents, jobs, and money. Just like people everywhere else.