Since I started visiting China a year ago, I’ve been fascinated by life there. But the country still puzzles me. The big cities look so polished and futuristic—but what if that’s just the exception? Western media claims the progress is a facade, that real life in small towns is poor, grey, and tightly controlled. No robots, EVs, or AI-powered smart cities—just people struggling to get by. I wanted to see for myself if that’s true.

So I decided to go beyond the big cities, visit villages, and talk directly with locals—ask them if they make good money, whether they’ve ever thought about leaving China, and what they think about America. To make it happen, I asked a Chinese friend, to drive me to some villages.

TO START AND GROW YOUTUBE:
🎬 Online workshop "YouTube Fast-Track to Views & Passive Income". Join for free: www.shym.sg/workshop
🏆 12-month full-scale personally coached program ‘Side Hustle YouTube Mastery.’ Join us: www.shym.sg/

LET'S BOOST OUR RELATIONSHIP:
📷 Casual daily life on my Instagram: www.instagram.com/chernov_networking
😏 Unfiltered opinions on my Telegram channel: t.me/friendsofmax
💰 Sponsorship-related requests: max@maxchernov.sg
👥 If you have a guest suggestion for an interview, please reach out at max@maxchernov.sg

➢ My friend Xim on TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@ximengxim

WATCH NEXT:
► Honest view on China after 16 years (American POV):    • Honest view on China after 16 years (Ameri...  
► This walk with Brit in Guangzhou changed my view of China:    • This walk with Brit in Guangzhou changed m...  
► Brit took me inside a Chinese Factory... I Didn’t Expect This:    • Brit took me inside a Chinese Factory... I...  

TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 INTRO
01:12 Where Do We Go
01:17 Paying by QR in Rural China
02:05 Walking Around a Chinese Village
03:47 The Guy Who Built a Fancy Chinese House
05:07 What’s the Job of the Villager
06:15 Drinking Tea with Local Chinese
06:41 What Chinese Think About the U.S.
08:30 Basement in a Chinese House
10:39 Rude Grandma?
11:45 Walking Around a Chinese Village
13:02 Looking for the Real Side of China
14:05 Restaurant in Rural China
16:56 Do Chinese Villagers Watch the News?
17:53 Eating Chinese Food
19:20 Paying with Smart Glasses in a Village
20:56 What Happens When Your EV Dies in Rural China
24:08 American Brands in a Chinese Gas Station Shop
25:28 Picking Grapes in the Village
27:27 Going Back to the City

Hey! This channel bridges the gap between locals and foreigners all over the world. Join Max as he interviews expats, unraveling their unique stories and providing valuable insights into their lives in the vibrant places of Asia. Through engaging conversations, Max fosters understanding and appreciation between locals and the global community, focusing on cultural exchange.

If you're a company seeking sponsorship opportunities to engage our upscale audience, contact us at maxchernovYT@gmail.com. With over 50% Singaporean viewers and a substantial number of foreign professionals (US, EU, Australia), our mature audience (35-54 years) boasts strong purchasing power and interests in an above-average lifestyle, travel, investment, and personal fi