Now that I am here in China for who knows how long, I thought that some of you may be interested in some of the things I see or read. If I see much interest, will add to it every now and then. This is very definitely a different culture to the North American culture and that makes it very interesting. The China that I have seen so far is not the China that the average American or Canadian may visualize. I had read that China is what is known as an emerging nation, but that fact never really sank in. America and Canada, watch out, because from what I see already, you are very soon going to be overtaken in many different ways.

There appears to be lot of money in some areas. If I go by the large quantity of expensive cars around here, the money is endless. Outside my hotel last weekend there was seen a Rolls, a Bentley, one of the really expensive Ferrari's (driven by a mid twenties guy), many big MB's and more. I receive a local newspaper every day (in English) and there is an article that says that Lamborghini sees China as it's #1 market and expects to have 20 dealers in China by the end of this year.

On another topic, the toilets at work are not the 'pot' we are used to, but are a dished ceramic hole in the floor. You need to squat to do your business. Ummm, no further comment.

Everywhere I have been so far there is construction of large, very high buildings. It would be easy to count over 100 tower/construction cranes in a 5 minute drive.

Although this is a communist country with restrictions, I can see large cracks appearing. I really cannot see the younger generation tolerating what their parents accepted for norms, particularly as they find ways to see/read/experience what the world outside of China is doing. I work with a bunch of younger Chinese (yeah, I know, everybody is younger than me!) and they are very bright, well educated and gung ho.

Been experiencing more and more sites that used to work getting blocked or just not working for unknown reasons, so this morning decided to hide my IP address. Surprise, since then, everything is working again. This service costs me $19 a month.

Most upscale stores have an outlet here. All the well known clothing companies are everywhere. Even places like Ethan Allen are here.

More later - if y'all want it.

 

Well, I know I want more! Very interesting to say the least. THANK YOU!

Strangely, I find the toilet description the most intriguing. How the heck do you read the daily paper, in shifts? I think my legs would get cramps by page 2!

 

Here is where I will be living for a while:

There is a large, hard cover book in my room that has a lot of photos of Shenyang plus many other details. Of course, some of it is probably a bit of government propaganda, but will quote some info from the book that may be of interest to you. Here it is:

This album shows everything you need to know about Shenyang, a city with 7,000 years of human habitation and 2,300 years of civilization. It is called "the birth place of Qing Dynasty, the city of two emperors", representing the splendor of the city's history and culture. It is also called "the eldest son of the Peoples Republic of China", indicating that Shenyang is a major industrial city in China.

The album outlines the geography and society of Shenyang. It's one place and two mausoleums are listed in the World Cultural Heritage. It's Luxon Academy of Fine Art is one of the eight top art institutions in China. It has the chief design engineer, **** Yongzhi of the space exploration project and the well known pianist, Lang Lang. They are two of the world renowned people from this city.

For entrepreneurs and investors, Shenyang is a place full of choices, innovations and competitions for tourists. Shenyang is an an ecological city with many historical places and beautiful mountains and rivers.

Shenyang is the capitol city of Liaoning province. The city is located at the hinterland of Liaodong pininsula. It is the economical, cultural, finanacial, commercial and communications hub of the Northern China and a major industrial city renowned for it's history and culture.

Shenyang has a temperate monsoon continental climate with an annual average temperature of 8.1C.

The city is named Shenyang because it is located t the north of Shenshui (now known as the Humhe river. About 7,200 years ago during the Neolithic era, people started to inhabit the area. Shenyang has always known to be "the birthplace of the Qing dynasty, the city of two emporers". In 1623, Nurhachi, the founder of the Qing dynasty, made te city his capitol. In 1634 Shenyang changed it's name to Shengjing. In 1634 Emperor Huangtaiji changed the name of country to Qing and set up the Qing dynesty. In 1644, after Beijing was made the new capitol, Shenyang was treated as a second capitol. It was named as Fengtian in 1657, but resumed the name of Shenyang in 1945. Shenyang now has a population approaching 8 million.

Shenyang has the largest airport in Northeastern China, the biggest railway group network and the most advanced highway network in China.

 

Shenyang, by the sounds of it, it trumps L.A. county in size and population.

 

Thanks for the interesting and informative post Stan. China is on the move.
Your word picture of the toilet hmmmm. Have you ever seen the public toilets in France. A hole in the floor, about 4 inch diameter. Men's and women's are the same. Will post a pix of them if I can find the ones I have from France.

Keep up the updates when you can.

 

Stan... Thats a squatting pan. quite popular in Asia. Yes, there is a LOT of money there. Singapore opened one of the largest casinos in the area JUST for the Chinese market.
MB isn't that amazing, most German vehicles are quite comparative in cost to over vehicles outside the US. They really aren't that expensive here for what you get.
If you want to see the china you expect, you will need to go west. get out of the cities and you will see the farmers in rice fields.

 

Keep it coming Stan - VERY interesting stuff!!!

And if I want a promotion I will end up there for a while!!

 

Yes! Good stuff. Nice to here info from somebody not in the tourist business or with an agenda.
You esp need to let us know when you see your first CTD. Try to refrain from running after it to smell the exhaust.
~

 

Have not seen any Dodges, let alone a CTD. Lots of small diesel powered cars here, such as the VW Jetta and some Chinese stuff. Buick is popular here too. Seen a few Chev Cruze's, but so far no Ford's.

Saw something funny while in the bus yesterday. Some guy in a car wanted to park and drove a short way against the traffic. A cop on a motorcycle saw him and stopped in front of him, about two feet from the front of his car. I noticed the driver reach behind him for something, but he must have taken his foot off the brake because his car rolled forward and hit the cop bike. Not hard enough to knock it over, but it got the cops attention. Last I saw as the bus drove away was the cop with his hands on his hips looking from the driver to his bike as the car backed up.

 

That is a lot different than the way a "collision" would have been handled here.
Saw a show on PBS about six months ago. At that time they were saying that a Black Buick was one of the most popular status symbols in China. Might be true!

I have an interest in China. Had an uncle who flew C-46 and C47s over the hump in WWII and my Son went over to meet with the family of a gal who became my neice in-law (they seem to be big on family ties).

On a totally different note, My Dad flew from 1949 to 69---well, I will save it for when you are back.

 

Great stuff Stan, thanks again!

Looking forward to the next 'chapter'!

 

Last time I was in Shanghai I did see a Ford Econoline van with a 7.3L Powerstroke, being used as a news truck.

GM Shanghai Buick Regal is a very popular car in China. So is Mercedes, BMW, Audi and Lexus for daily use. Saturday night at the ritzy night clubs rich people bring out the Rolls, Bentley's, Ferrari's and Lambo's.

MikeyB

 

Stan, thanks for your thread on China! Very interesting to say the least.
A good friend of mine was sent there last year on behalf of a large speed shop here on the east coast. They were looking for companies to make components for turbo systems for cars such as the 350Z. Anyway, they found some, tried them and the quality was so POOR they couldn't even use the stuff they had paid them to make! They are back using U.S. based companies with good quality control.

Keep your reports coming! Thanks!

--------
John_P

 

Feels kinda funny sitting in Denmark, a COUNTRY, with a population around 5.5 mill.
Knowing that you´re in a city with 8 mill.

Slev

 

Wish Mexico City ONLY had 8 mil.