China: Living in a Third-World Playground

Relocating to a third-world communist country is a thought that will make your hairs stand on end, but if you’ve ruled out China, think again. In spite of China’s bad rap, freedoms and opportunities exist there, where in other countries they might not, especially for foreigners. The slower paced lifestyle of China revolves around work and entertainment. The adage, “Work hard, play hard,” applies in its extremity amongst its people. Every city in China boasts something for everyone, whether it be sight-seeing or modern day entertainment facilities.

Working in China

China has a world-class work ethic that managers around the world would envy. Six day work weeks, and nine to twelve hour days are not uncommon for people of China. Everyday is a race to the top of the ladder, and few ever get there. For some employees, overtime is scheduled, for others it’s by choice for a better life. For most foreigners however, full-time work consists of a part-time work week in America, which translates into about twenty hours a week in China. Overtime is optional. The pay? Two to four times more than Chinese nationals earn working full-time. Opportunities are plentiful for foreigners, and consists of teaching, consulting, and import/export trade, just to name a few. Positions for foreigners can range anywhere between 4,000rmb ($640) to as much as 30,000rmb ($4,800) per month. Receiving the minimum of pay, a foreigner can live quite comfortably, and enjoy certain luxuries they’re used to in their country’s.

If relocating to China in search of a simpler, slower paced life, you’ll want to concentrate on the more rural areas. China is rife with farmland, where fields of rice and vegetables are grown. Laborers in these areas still perform their work as they did thousands of years earlier. It seems progress has skipped these towns. The ancient way of living attracts many curious foreigners and locals from larger cities, which makes for popular tourist destinations. The weathered lady adorned with the typical conical bamboo hat leading an ox to plow will be more than happy to stop and pose for a photo, for whatever small fee you can afford of course. These areas are perfect for an artist or writer seeking inspiration and isolation.

Larger cities, such as Shanghai, Beijing and Shenzhen attract more business type foreigners, and tend to be equivalent to America’s city lifestyle; closely resembling New York. You’ll feel right at home with the amount of traffic on streets, sidewalks and stores. Like America’s melting pots, China is crawling with cultural diversity. There’s a place for everyone in China, it all depends on your lifestyle.

Holiday Celebrations

With China’s 5,000 year history, it’s no wonder national holidays are many. Some of the most popular holidays Holidays include, Dragon Boat Festival, Mid-Autumn Festival, National Day, Lantern Festival, and the list goes on. Add these to America’s major holidays, and you’ll discover most people enjoy more free time than they know what to do with. To occupy their time, most Chinese travel to their hometowns where family and classmates gather to celebrate. It’s common for locals to invite foreigners along to show off their new lao wai peng you (foreign friend). Like 4^th of July in America, holidays are celebrated with fireworks. Displays are perhaps some of the best in the world, with no restrictions. Chinese promote openings of new businesses with fireworks as well, no matter what time of year. A foreigner will soon get used to the sounds of exploding fireworks illuminating the sky with colorful arrays of celebration.

Entertainment

When not visiting hometowns, people often enjoy one of the many entertainment facilities located around the country. California may be the entertainment capital of the world, but China has its share of amusement parks as well. Shanghai is completing a Disneyland, Beijing and Shenzhen offer Happy Valley (an equivalent to Magic Mountain in California). Travel around the world without leaving Windows of the World, also in Shenzhen. Many more amusement parks exist within China, and locals are always ready to accompany foreign friends. China’s movie industry is on the brink of becoming equivalent to California. Many countries have discovered it’s much less expensive to film a movie in China, and the resources and locations are abundant. Look out Hollywood.

Chinese take pride in their meticulously manicured parks, rife with an exotic aroma of flowers, ginkgo and thousand year old banyans. Forests of bamboo with croaking frogs on the waterside give you the jungle feeling. Flowing springs meander into fountains and lakes. Small entertainment areas geared for children are a popular attraction at most parks. It’s the perfect place to rest under a willow and read your favorite book. Popular park activities include hiking, fishing, and of course one of China’s national sports, badminton. Conveniently located, parks are always within walking distance no matter where you live in a city.

Rivers are found in most cities of China, although exclusively used by work boats carrying large mounds of sand or refuse. It’s not a beautiful sight, but one that easily passes in a few minutes. It’s almost impossible to find private recreation boats or a marina on any river, with the exception of the occasional romantic riverboat cruise. After enjoying a peaceful day at the park, local pubs and nightclubs are a favorite venue amongst foreigners and locals. Nightlife lasts until 2:00 in the morning, with many open until the last person stumbles out. After the locals down a few Qingdao beers, a foreigner quickly obtains celebrity status and mobbed with new friends. No need to worry how to get home, taxis are abundant and always waiting outside, just remember how to tell them where you live without slurring.

When we think of a communist country, we have visions of police storming into houses unannounced. China is far from that. In most circumstances of daily life, China enjoys more freedoms than most countries. Relocating to another country is a difficult decision to make, but before scratching it off your list, consider all China has to offer. This land painted red, may end up being just what you were seeking. Give this third-world playground a chance to prove itself to you, you might be pleasantly surprised.