The speaker, after a thrilling journey to China, is excited to share his experiences and observations. He notes that China has undergone significant changes in the last few years, particularly in response to the global pandemic. The country has reopened to tourists, and the speaker intends to document his experiences and dispel myths about the country.
He begins his journey in Beijing, commenting on the impressive subway system and the unique challenges of navigating it as a tourist, such as the use of local map apps and local messaging apps like WeChat. He also highlights the significant impact of the pandemic on daily life, such as the use of masks and the transformation of the city's infrastructure.
One of the most striking changes he observes is the disappearance of the famous street food market, Wangfujing, which was known for its exotic offerings. He discusses this with a Mexican friend who expresses his disappointment at not being able to try the local fare.
The speaker also notes the rise of e-commerce and the boom in electric motorcycles, which he attributes to the increased demand for home delivery services during the pandemic. He observes that these motorcycles are not only quieter but also contribute to reducing pollution.
He concludes by commenting on the changes in tourism, noting that while it has reopened, it is still recovering from the impact of the pandemic. He expresses his excitement to continue exploring and documenting his experiences in China.
1. The speaker is watching a patrol robot in China.
2. The speaker is interested in the changes in China over the last few years.
3. China has been closed to tourists for the last three years due to global circumstances.
4. The speaker is excited to be back in China after four years.
5. The last time the speaker visited China was in 2019.
6. The speaker plans to stay in China for a few weeks.
7. The speaker is going to document daily life in China, aiming to disprove or confirm some of the myths about the country.
8. The speaker is currently in Beijing, a city with over 25 million people.
9. The speaker has noticed a lot of changes in China since their last visit in 2019.
10. The speaker is in Beijing's subway, which is impressive but not very accessible for tourists.
11. The speaker is having trouble navigating the subway system due to language barriers and restrictions on foreign apps.
12. The Beijing subway has more than 20 lines.
13. The speaker is commenting on the complexity of the subway ticketing system.
14. The speaker is noting the currency in use, the yuan, and its exchange rate.
15. The speaker is mentioning the face of the first president of China's People's Republic on all banknotes.
16. The speaker is observing the use of masks in the subway.
17. The speaker is saddened by the disappearance of a famous street food area, Wangfujing street, which used to sell exotic food items.
18. The speaker is commenting on the rise of e-commerce in China, which has led to an increase in the sale of electric motorcycles.
19. The speaker is noting the use of mobile phones for payments in China, with many businesses operating solely through apps.
20. The speaker is observing the changes in tourism in China, with fewer people visiting tourist areas due to the recent opening of the country to tourists.
21. The speaker is commenting on the number of professional photographers in Beijing, with many photographers taking pictures of Ari.