China: a land of stunning contrasts

From breathtaking landscapes, rich history, incredible food, and rapid modernization alongside intense crowds, a significant language barrier, and bustling, sometimes chaotic traffic, with impressions ranging from awe at the Great Wall and the funny pandas to surprise at the efficiency of apps like WeChat/Alipay and the kindness of locals. 

Key takeaways include vibrant culture, delicious food (street food safe in many areas), efficient tech, overwhelming scale, challenging communication, and very different costs (often cheaper than expected for some things, pricey for others).  

The Terracotta Warriors, the Forbidden City, the Great Wall – China is home to some of the world’s most intriguing historical sites. It’s also packed with remarkable landscapes, impressive modern architecture and cuisine.