Before moving to China, I honestly had no idea what to expect. Everything I knew about the country came from movies, social media, or random things I had heard — and, like many people, I thought I had a pretty clear picture in my mind. But living there completely changed the way I see China.
China is one of those places that you can’t fully understand until you’re actually there — because it’s so much more than what we usually see from the outside. Here are five things that genuinely surprised me during my time living there:
- The Food Is on Another Level
Before moving to China, I thought Chinese food was just fried rice, spring rolls, and sweet and sour chicken — basically what you find in most Chinese restaurants abroad. But the real Chinese cuisine is a whole universe of flavors.
In Guangzhou, I discovered Cantonese food with its delicate dim sum, steamed rice rolls, and fresh seafood. Then there’s Sichuan cuisine — spicy, numbing, and completely addictive. Every province has its own dishes, spices, and cooking styles — and honestly? I could spend a lifetime just eating my way through China.
If you’re a foodie, China is paradise — and street food is where you’ll find some of the best meals of your life for just a few yuan.
- Technology Is Everywhere
I swear, China lives in 2050 while the rest of us are still catching up.
The first time I saw people paying for street food with their phones, I was mind-blown. Nobody carries cash — literally everything is done through apps like WeChat Pay or Alipay. You can pay for food, order a taxi, book a hotel, or even buy groceries with just a scan of your phone.
Even the smallest street vendors have a QR code — I’ve honestly never seen a country so advanced when it comes to technology in daily life.
- Education Is Everything
If there’s one thing I quickly realized in China, it’s how seriously people take education.
The Gaokao — the national college entrance exam — is one of the most important moments in a student’s life. I remember seeing entire families supporting their kids during exam season. The pressure is insane, but it also shows how much education is valued as a way to build a better future.
It made me appreciate how lucky I was to have the chance to study abroad and follow my own path without that kind of pressure.
- People Love When You Embrace Their Culture
One thing I was always a bit scared of was accidentally disrespecting the local culture. But what really surprised me is how welcoming and proud Chinese people are when they see foreigners showing interest in their traditions.
I remember visiting Yunnan and trying on traditional ethnic clothes. At first, I felt a bit awkward — I didn’t want to look like I was just doing it for the picture. But the locals were genuinely happy and excited to see me wearing their traditional outfits — they even helped me pick the right colors and taught me how to pose for photos.
It showed me that appreciating a culture with respect and curiosity is always a beautiful thing.
- Tradition and Modernity Go Hand in Hand
One of the coolest things about China is how old traditions still live side by side with modern life.
You can walk through a city full of skyscrapers and high-speed trains, and suddenly stumble upon a little temple hidden between buildings or an old lady selling incense on the street. Festivals like the Lunar New Year or the Mid-Autumn Festival are still celebrated with so much love and devotion — even in the biggest cities.
No matter how fast China is developing, its cultural roots are still deeply present everywhere, and that’s something I really admire.
Living in China completely changed the way I see the country and honestly, it changed me too. It taught me how important it is to break down stereotypes and really experience a culture from the inside.
China isn’t perfect (no country is), but it’s one of the most fascinating places I’ve ever lived in, because it’s full of contrasts, history, and surprises.
If you’ve ever been curious about China, my advice is simple: go with an open mind, leave the clichés behind, and let the country surprise you.