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I could actually write a book...but I will keep it short.  I came to China in 2007 and was overwhelmed by it.  It was not at all what I expected.  I had only seen China on travel shows or movies and then only Beijing or Shanghai.  I however ended up in a small town in Guangdong Province, deep in the south of China. 

I didn't expect that I would attract so much attention merely being a foreigner.  I didn't expect to see really old cliche China standing next to modern nondescript China.  The contrast at times was shocking.

I was constantly reminded that I was living in an emerging economic zone where new wealth was making itself known and all the pit falls that come with that experience.  Young people tasting the fruit of new wealth and buying i-phones, laptop computers, and other electronic toys their parents could now afford.  Coming from the west I knew the downside of this trend and watching it play out wasn't fun for me.

However, my first impression of China was having my purse stolen in the first week I came.  It would be something I would never forget and it would change my time in China from awestruck innocent to hard-core skeptic.  It's a very long story but I had been set-up, and the people who had been assigned to help and guide me, well one of them decided that the lure of quick cash to buy new "toys" was too tempting.  What that person didn't realize was if they had only asked I probably would have been very generous.  Instead, my apartment keys, new phone, other papers (thankfully not my passport), new digital camera, and credit card, just a little of what I had with me were taken. 

I was able in a few weeks to get most of the stolen property replaced, but some things I would never be able to replace, like the photos I had with me, or the purse which had been something I had purchased in Kazakhstan and held dear memories.  I also would never get back the innocent trust I had come to China with, from then on I would be tainted and find it hard to trust anyone. 

So, my first impressions, the awe of being here, the strange mix of old and new converging and clashing.  I literally watched the town where I lived transform from an old river town with San-pans where people lived to a River-walk worthy of any American city, sanitized and made tourist friendly.  The charm of the old gave way to the "fresh" but sterile new.  To be honest I liked the old better but I do understand the desire to become modern, and this is what China has done in the 13 years I have been here.

I have now lived in northern China for nearly 10 years and I have watched the same thing here.  I live in a much larger city but the changes are on-going.  Nothing here has stayed constant (not even the weather).  I still don't carry a purse (just in case you were wondering). 

I can still remember my first year but over time I now feel more "rooted" here and China is slowly becoming home.  I am not sure how much longer I will stay here but for now I have no plans to leave.

I can recommend China as a place to live, work or just visit.  Come with NO expectations or cliche impressions as both will be dashed.  China is a country in constant change in a race to be modern and relevant in the global economy and politics.  However, it struggles to maintain old things that anchor the people to their past and it's that struggle that plays out as the old tries to hang on while the new pushes it to make room.  I hope that makes sense.

Nice post. Very well said   Having been in China since 1998 I’ve seen and experienced much the same. I also live in the North after having been in Guangdong for a dozen years.  Most foreigners come for a few years and then go unable to adapt but some learn how to accept and enjoy life here.
The place is what it is. My adopted home. I’m glad it is yours too

thanks...I have found you either love it or not...LOL

We are sorry that you met with a thief which may happen everywhere every minute worldwidely. And it is much safer now.

We try to keep our traditional and historical culture, at the same time, to better our people's living level.

We treat foreigners friendly, as well as our own people. We won't allow people, whaterver nationalities they may be, to be mistreated.

We take pride to say that China now maybe one of the safest country in the world.

Hope you all can live in China the same happy as ever.

Thank you for the kind words and that happened over 13 years ago and I am still here so I think I'm over it.  LOL   It was not the best introduction to China but it did help me to be ready for the journey I've been on.  I do like China which is why I have stayed here.  Like I said before, you either like it or not...China is not for everyone.