The Utopian Present of China (Draft v2)
The Utopian Present of China (Draft v2)
Canonical: https://dscompounding.com/2026/03/27/the-utopian-present-of-china-draft-v2/
A structured field report on contemporary China from an investor-technologist lens, covering safety, digital infrastructure, social behavior, and long-term geopolitical implications.
“Travel can form a vital part of education, if we leave our prejudices at home.”
Montaigne
Almost three years ago, I spent three months in the United States and witnessed the country’s condition firsthand.
I realized the extent of the denial many Westerners live in, and to put things into perspective, I decided to organize a solo trip to explore China.
Below is my account of the United States, my personal observations supported by data, as well as photos and videos taken during my travels.
The Dystopian Present of the United States
Why China
As usual, I will start with the “why.”
What made me interested in China?
Interestingly, I received the same question from several Chinese citizens.
Those who follow me know that I’m an investor and a technologist, and the main goal of this blog has always been to learn and teach financial asset analysis.
For that reason, I have gathered extensive information about companies and the countries they belong to. This process opened my eyes to China.
What I learned is that the main task of a good investor is to think contrarily and discover hidden gems, companies undervalued by the crowd.
I can say that I found a remarkable hidden gem: China itself, a nation undervalued by the West.
Fig 1. China rises
Fig 2. Mining Dominance
Surplisingly, China even if banned Bitcoin, still leading the race in the hashpool supremacy thanks to AntPool based in Bejing and a bunch of other miners.
“Let China sleep, for when she wakes, she will shake the world”
Attributed to Napoleon
I realized that the Dragon was spreading its wings.
People in the West are skeptical about China, and, as often happens when one seeks the truth, it is almost impossible to have a meaningful discussion on the topic.
For that reason, after a thorough period of research and planning, I wrote a guide to help me navigate the key differences one should understand before visiting China (How to Travel China in 2025: A Practical Guide).
In preparation for my trip, I spent a year studying Chinese and downloaded several history podcasts, including The China History Podcast by Laszlo Montgomery, which I listened to throughout my travels. This gave me a much stronger historical foundation for what I was seeing. As someone passionate about history, I became even more curious after reading Will Durant. At the beginning of his 11-volume series The Story of Civilization, Durant highlights China’s immense contribution to human culture, reminding us that “gunpowder, the compass, paper, and printing were invented in China, and these four inventions altered the face of the world.” That perspective deepened my appreciation for the country as I explored it.
Arrival and First Impressions
When I landed in China, I went through a routine airport security check, and everything went smoothly since I was eligible for the 30-day visa-free entry.
My arrival coincided with a military parade in Beijing. I was aware of it beforehand, and I can’t deny that reaching my hotel was an adventure in itself. There were many soldiers and roadblocks, but I eventually made it thanks to the hotel staff, who were well prepared to make the situation as hassle-free as possible for their guests.
During my first night in Beijing, I saw the city center almost deserted from my room, but by the next day, everything had returned to normal, and I began exploring. I visited the classic tourist spots and walked along the Great Wall.
Beyond the usual route, what immediately impressed me was the city’s cleanliness and the sense of complete safety I felt right away. I can’t say the same about the United States, where I often felt unsafe and even had a few unpleasant experiences (Article Link :The Dystopian Present of the United States).
People in Beijing were genuinely welcoming, and the food was outstanding. The Peking roast duck, in particular, was both delicious and healthy. I noticed the great care taken by the staff and chefs in preparing the food and assisting me with the proper way to fill and fold the thin Mandarin-style pancakes using chopsticks (fortunately, I’m skilled with them, but the staff are so kind they’ll bring a fork if needed).
Digital Infrastructure and Mobility
Transportation, mobile apps, and connectivity worked perfectly thanks to my preparation beforehand.
Everything I needed was available on Trip.com, a Chinese booking platform that helps foreigners easily overcome the challenges of accessing Western digital services.
If you’re not familiar, China has the so-called “Great Firewall,” which blocks direct connections to Facebook, Google, and other American service providers. Once you become comfortable with China’s super apps, such as WeChat and Alipay, you can handle everything smoothly without any issues.
You can travel quickly using Didi (the Chinese equivalent of Uber) and easily book high-speed train tickets, moving between cities effortlessly.
During my visits to various tourist sites, I noticed that almost all the tourists were Chinese, especially in Chongqing. Someone later told me that Chongqing is primarily a tourist destination for domestic visitors.
This created an interesting dynamic, as many Chinese people are genuinely curious. They often stared at me and my belongings, since many had rarely seen Westerners in person.
What also caught my attention was the discipline of Chinese mothers, who sometimes correct their children publicly, occasionally with a light slap when necessary.
I have to say that children in China are remarkably quiet (not surprisingly, given their mothers’ discipline :D). You can enjoy restaurants and bars without being disturbed by overexcited kids, as often happens in my country.
On the other hand, the children were especially curious about me. It was probably the first time many of them had seen a Westerner, and their openness often created opportunities for me to socialize with their parents as well.
The Chinese are curious and cooperative. They are genuinely interested in learning and understanding. Beyond that, many try to involve you in their work or business; they tell you about their jobs and ask if you might have ideas, advice, or ways to collaborate. Others show sincere interest in being helpful to you.
Social Observations
The Chinese people I spoke with were very positive toward the West, especially Europe.
They hold Europeans in high regard, though I’m not sure we still deserve that esteem today. They are genuinely fascinated by European history and culture.
They are intelligent, and even the average person seems to have a thoughtful philosophy of life or, at the very least, to have reflected deeply on its meaning, sometimes connecting it with a form of spirituality or religion. Even though my experience is limited, one impression stood out to me: Chinese women tend to have clear standards when it comes to relationships. They often value discipline, consistency, and perseverance. By contrast, Western dating culture sometimes feels more chaotic, where presentation and persuasion can overshadow substance. This difference made me reflect on how culture shapes expectations and what people prioritise in a partner.
Broadly speaking, my impression is that while the West often relies on its past achievements and excels at marketing itself, the East is quietly building substance. Like a good investment, its real value is easy to overlook because it remains hidden beneath layers of external propaganda and Western neglect.
Moreover, the Chinese are highly proficient with technology. Since almost everything can be done through super apps, people are accustomed to using digital tools in their daily lives, which makes them far more digitally oriented than the average Westerner.
Beyond these super apps, which work remarkably well, I also paid attention to the consumer technology available in stores and the cars commonly seen on the streets.
At my hotel, there was even a robot that moved around freely, taking the elevator by itself.
A robot moving freely outside a shop, with kids playing with it and people curiously interacting.
SuperMiami Beijing Club
Every tier-1 city I visited had tourist areas similar to those in major Western cities, filled with international brands and restaurants. You can truly sense the abundance the country is experiencing. It’s worth noting that tourism is almost entirely domestic. The quality of food is excellent, hygiene standards are high, and the systems for keeping food fresh during China’s hot summers are impressive.
Apple Stores were full of people, but Huawei stores were even more crowded. Inside, you could see not only their latest smartphones but also the vehicles Huawei is developing. I was amazed by the design of their sports cars and the advanced technology inside them.
Fig 3. Huawei store
The main streets are full of life. People enjoy karaoke and dancing outdoors, and I can say that I saw genuinely happy people taking pleasure in the safety and cleanliness of their cities.
Nightlife is vibrant, with areas where young people gather to enjoy clubs and discos, no different from what I’ve experienced in my home country or in places like the United States and Las Vegas. The only difference is that there are no homeless people, no riots, and no violence.
When I witnessed Beijing nearly locked down for a military event, people were not particularly pleased, but no one displayed aggression. Even when expressing annoyance, they did so calmly, respectfully, and often with a smile.
During my exploration of the nightlife, I did see some young people drinking too much, as happens everywhere, but the atmosphere never turned problematic. Even in those moments, people remained friendly, polite, and non-aggressive.
A common misconception in the West is that social harmony in China comes from fear of authority. My experience showed something very different. The courtesy, calm, and general respectfulness I encountered seemed to come from personal education and long-standing cultural norms, not intimidation. Will Durant captured this well when he wrote that “wherever Chinese civilization has spread, it has taught reverence for parents, respect for education, and the value of social order.” This contrast is especially clear if you come from European cities where public spaces often feel tense, confrontational, or marked by declining standards of behaviour.
I loved the entire experience. Every city I visited was full of kind, welcoming, and genuine people.
Chongqing and Final Notes
Personally, I especially liked Chongqing.
It is an amazing city clean, safe, and full of life. The night skyline was stunning, and I spent hours admiring the beauty of its architecture. Some people were enjoying the river on electric aqua scooters, and the whole atmosphere felt relaxed and welcoming.
It’s incredible to think about how much a city like Chongqing has evolved.
Fig. 4 Chongqing evolution.
I found a destination truly worth my time, and I intend to invest my free time exploring more of this country, both from a cultural and a human perspective.
But remember, to conclude with Montaigne once more:
“It was told to Socrates that a certain man had been no whit improved by travel. ‘I believe it well,’ said he, ‘for he carried himself with him.’”
Montaigne
Approach your adventures with the right attitude.“If we can keep our minds and eyes open, the world will be our best textbook, for ‘so many strange humors, sundry sects… diverse opinions, different laws, and fantastical customs teach us to judge rightly of ours.’”
Montaigne
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Cross-posted from WordPress. Internal reference updated to Nostr version of the US article.
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