Julie Leveque

Mysterious and misunderstood, China is not the most popular destination for Western travelers. Could it be because the Middle Kingdom is constantly being portrayed negatively in the Western media? This misrepresentation surely doesn't help. Westerners who do visit China, however, see those misconceptions shatter as they experience something which was completely unexpected.  

First, the fear and miscomprehension of communism propagated in the West for several decades has unfortunately left an indelible mark on people's minds. Many Westerners are somehow under the impression that the Chinese are living dreadful lives in constant fear of a totalitarian state, watching their every moves, dictating their every step. When I shared a picture of my students full of joy and with the most authentic smiles, someone commented with surprise: "These kids don't look like they live in a dictatorship." 

Having visited two Asian communist countries, China and Vietnam, I have to admit that I felt much safer there and saw a lot less police officers than in a country like Thailand, which is mostly presented as a paradise in the media, but where corrupt policemen routinely try to fine tourists for little misdemeanors. 

China doesn't have Thailand's beaches, but it has so much to offer: its rich history, its cuisine just beyond any other, its breathtaking landscapes, its beautiful gardens and cities with crazy futuristic architecture where every second building becomes a light show when the sun goes down, and, most of all, the Chinese themselves: authentic, funny, welcoming and sooooo generous! 

There are several cultural differences between Western countries and China. Here you can feel a deep sense of community in every age group, but most strikingly in children, for whom sharing is like a second nature. No wonder they come to our countries in huge buses! Being independent and doing things alone, like travelling, are not common and even seen as strange. 

It may seem like a paradox that despite this fraternity - and communism - hierarchy remains deeply rooted in Chinese society. Here, respect for elderlies, teachers and higher-ups is significantly more present than in the West. 

Chinese society is still very conservative and getting married and having children are still considered essential elements of adulthood and not having children is not a choice Chinese people can easily wrap their head around. Grandparents play a major role in the family and are very involved in the education of their grandchildren. Most of the time, they are the ones who drive the kids to school and pick them up.

There are countless differences, which have been brilliantly and simply illustrated in an infographic portrait by Chinese artist Yang Liu, which I invite you to look at. These include: 

- the beauty ideal: don't try to find a tanning booth in China. Here, the whiter the skin the better;

- the ego size: Westerners have big, big, big egos;

- standing in line: the Chinese don't queue- memories: the Chinese will take pictures of E-VE-RY-THING. Literally;

China is different, yet your life here can be just like it is in the West, and even better. The cost of living is low, cities are incredibly safe, transportation is so easy with the high speed trains and everything you need is around the corner: the market, the gym, restaurants, shopping malls, bars, beautiful parks, etc. And if you ask me what it's like to live in a communist country, I have to admit I don't see the difference between living here and living in Canada. 

Actually I do. I have a better life here than I've ever had back home.