New government policies

The new policies have a strong impact on hotels, restaurants, airlines,...

 

New airport is coming

Beijing's current airport, actually 3 airports linked together using 3 runways, is pretty big but already reaching its limits. Construction is ongoing for a new airport in the south with 8 runways...

 

Fast food

Many countries rely on burgers for fast food, which are pretty expensive for what you get. In China you can get all kinds of "fast food", which not only are much cheaper but also a lot healthier.

 

Transport

Chinese people are creative and make things happen!

 

Is China different?

Good visualizations of often asked topics

http://www.chine-informations.com/forum/les-differences-culturelles-entre-chinois-et-occidentaux-en-images_43460.html

IKEA

In Europe I remember Saturdays at IKEA as a stressfull event. Loads of people, families with kids, stressed parents etc.
In China it's the pure contrast. First of all Chinese people are used to being around large crowds of people. Secondly they understand the real benefit of IKEA. Before buying clothes people try and try. So why not try furniture?
(You can literally see people taking off their shoes and sleeping under the cover in a bed)

 

Growth 2

And that's the growth above ground...

Growth 1

 

It is difficult to explain the speed of growth in China if you haven't seen it yourself.

Not that I have been here since 1993 but the visualization shows very well how fast things move here!

Shanghai towers from a different view

Two Russian guys climbed the tallest Shanghai tower during construction and took amazing shots.

 

 

European country names in Chinese

 

 These are the translations of the Chinese country names to English...

 

Fake DVDs

There are very good copies of various goods but in some cases earth become earch...

 

 

Snowy mountains

The flight from Beijing to Zurich leads over Ulan Baator, Irkutsk and a good part of Russia. In winter there are always wonderful views of snowy mountains.

 

Health impact of smog

CNN's view on how smog impacts health - not very encouraging

 

Visibility

This is the visiblity on a 500+ pollution day at lunch time - yes, that's the sun and no, there are no clouds...

 

Bird's nest - top view

A different view of one of Beijing major sights

 

 

Smog level

In Switzerland a PM2.5 (pollution index) of more then 25 leads to a warning. In China 20x this value is unfortunately more the norm then the exception!

 

Contrasts

This is the entrance to a modern compound in Beijing. One the left side one of the rich Chinese people living there leaves in his Mercedes. At the same time you see another person on the right with a bicycle selling birds (see the small cages)...

 

Laundry

Chinese people love to dry their freshly washed laundry in the "fresh air". Well, whether the choice of hanging the underwear on this busy construction side will lead to "clean and fresh" might be challenged...