A personal reflection on how rural China shaped my understanding of the country’s transformation, its people, and the authenticity behind rapid development.
I share your fascination with the countryside. I've been hanging around in West Hubei for a long time. A foundational text that helped me see is "From The Soil", by Fei Xiaotong...one of the first, or the first, sociological studies of Chinese society.
I was in China from 2008 to 2020, and like many, the pandemic brought that chapter to a close—for now. That said, I don’t think I’ll ever stop being involved in China research!
🙏 An Amazing time to be alive and in China! 1997 to today for me, though my life has been mostly cities and the factories that spawned them. Now, travel and “deep thinking”.
From ’97 to today... That’s a lot of history to absorb! Even though my writing focuses on rural China, cities and factories are just as fascinating to me. Travel and deep thinking used to be some of the unexpected perks of my time working around China... sadly, I find it harder to capture that same pace back in the UK, but I’m working on it!
Best of luck, I found most of us need some balance in our existence. Interesting times in the UK too, a lot to think about and share. Let’s stay in touch. I’m looking for China perspectives that broaden and grow my understand of history and culture, ancient and modern.
An excerpt from my 1988 diary while travelling in China. Your article does resonate, even after all this time!
"December 1 – Thursday – Spent most of the day riding around the nearby villages. The landscape did not change much but I was able to taste again the solitude and tranquillity of the places that lie aside from the din of tourism. People here are at one with their lives, and I have realised that, when the gap in the road between two groups of people allows, one can hear the slightest of breezes against the surrounding canes and it is possible to understand why artists in this country pay so much attention to nature and not to men."
How are you able to sustain a living in the countryside? Outside of being an English teacher, I'd assume there are not many opportunities for foreigners. And even if you were to, say, earn enough money via a newsletter, that doesn't solve the visa issue. Very curious. Thanks for the interesting content.
I started out backpacking before finding work as a teacher in those early days. Over time, I became a research student, worked with several consultancy firms, and took on China-focused professional services roles with UK universities while continuing my research. This article is a retrospective reflection on my early experiences in China around 2008.
You’re absolutely right—making a living in the countryside as a foreigner isn’t easy, especially with the low salaries and basic living conditions. However, opportunities do exist for those willing to navigate these challenges. Market expansion-type roles with consultancies are often the best route, enabling travel to rural areas while maintaining a liveable income and securing a visa. I still offer these services today, though I haven’t lived in China since the pandemic.
I share your fascination with the countryside. I've been hanging around in West Hubei for a long time. A foundational text that helped me see is "From The Soil", by Fei Xiaotong...one of the first, or the first, sociological studies of Chinese society.
Thanks for reading. I’ll definitely check out that book! If you ever write about West Hubei, I’d love to read it, too.
Nathan, look forward to learning more about China from a different perspective. May I ask, what years you were or are here?
I was in China from 2008 to 2020, and like many, the pandemic brought that chapter to a close—for now. That said, I don’t think I’ll ever stop being involved in China research!
🙏 An Amazing time to be alive and in China! 1997 to today for me, though my life has been mostly cities and the factories that spawned them. Now, travel and “deep thinking”.
From ’97 to today... That’s a lot of history to absorb! Even though my writing focuses on rural China, cities and factories are just as fascinating to me. Travel and deep thinking used to be some of the unexpected perks of my time working around China... sadly, I find it harder to capture that same pace back in the UK, but I’m working on it!
Best of luck, I found most of us need some balance in our existence. Interesting times in the UK too, a lot to think about and share. Let’s stay in touch. I’m looking for China perspectives that broaden and grow my understand of history and culture, ancient and modern.
An excerpt from my 1988 diary while travelling in China. Your article does resonate, even after all this time!
"December 1 – Thursday – Spent most of the day riding around the nearby villages. The landscape did not change much but I was able to taste again the solitude and tranquillity of the places that lie aside from the din of tourism. People here are at one with their lives, and I have realised that, when the gap in the road between two groups of people allows, one can hear the slightest of breezes against the surrounding canes and it is possible to understand why artists in this country pay so much attention to nature and not to men."
Nathan, thank you for sharing your story. Your passion is infectious. Discovering your Substack is the best thing to happen for me this year!
Well, thank you for taking the time to read it! Comments like this help me find the motivation to keep it going.
How are you able to sustain a living in the countryside? Outside of being an English teacher, I'd assume there are not many opportunities for foreigners. And even if you were to, say, earn enough money via a newsletter, that doesn't solve the visa issue. Very curious. Thanks for the interesting content.
I started out backpacking before finding work as a teacher in those early days. Over time, I became a research student, worked with several consultancy firms, and took on China-focused professional services roles with UK universities while continuing my research. This article is a retrospective reflection on my early experiences in China around 2008.
You’re absolutely right—making a living in the countryside as a foreigner isn’t easy, especially with the low salaries and basic living conditions. However, opportunities do exist for those willing to navigate these challenges. Market expansion-type roles with consultancies are often the best route, enabling travel to rural areas while maintaining a liveable income and securing a visa. I still offer these services today, though I haven’t lived in China since the pandemic.
Thanks for the insights!