China - can you define it by it's cities? I think not

Temples
Originally uploaded by Gone-Walkabout

Having now been to 3 large cities in China, and barely in the countryside. I'm more lost on how to define China.

Shenzhen is a new, modern, nouveau riche city. It's faulted that it's so near Hong Kong, as it's trying emulate the status obsessed neighbor. It's got more registered residents then Beijing, but only about 1/3 the land mass.

Shanghai is a sophisticated city, and has a mix of old and new. It's got the old French port, mixed with the new Pudong, and is currently the financial capital of China. Its has too many people, 26 million. Thus it's over crowded, has too much smog, and pure hectic.

Beijing reminds me of Eastern European cities. It's got a lot of structure, but is still lacking in many respects. There are car swallowing potholes abound, the sidewalks have large cement blocks in the the middle of them, and it's forever dusty.The roads are horrible, so it's constant rush hour traffic nightmare - it took 2 hours to go 15 miles. Beijing was the first city, I saw Caucasians walking around on their own(without guides), maybe Beijing is safer, or maybe they don't know. Also the city seemed rather empty compared to Shenzhen. It's large land mass (550km around), but only about 20million people

Having driven from Shanghai to Huangzho; the country side is still very simple The people are more friendly, they're mostly farmers and have little wealth. They drudge on, oblivious to the expanse of their cities.

Durian...the 'King of Fruits'

Durian
Originally uploaded by Gone-Walkabout

Well just ate Durian fresh for the first time - EXCELLENT! It's described as one of the most foul smelling fruits there is, but with the texture of custard, and it's sweet. Well the first time I had it, it smelled horrible, it was served in a cheesecake fo sorts; and smelled of rotten eggs/diapers/sulfur. Similar to what it smells like around a geyser.

Thankfully, I have a very knowledgeable colleague in the office, who knows how to pick out the best/freshest food. There was a faint smell, but no high sulfur content. I ate about 1/2 of it, only because we had just gotten back from lunch.

Another food taboo thrown out the window.