Chinese culture continues to be the same as it was thousands of years ago. Chinese people are quiet. Everyone is good at kung fu and other martial arts. These are the common impressions of China and Chinese people in foreigners' eyes before visiting the country based on things heard second- or third-hand or pictured in films.

But how much do foreigners know about China and Chinese before visiting China? Does a China trip change their views? What was their most unexpected encounter? The Global Times recently asked some first-time foreign visitors to pick three words to describe their impressions of China and Chinese people respectively before and after their trip.

Ancient China often overshadows modern China in the world's eyes. Many interviewees used words like "ancient," "traditional" and "civilization" to describe their impressions of China prior to coming here.

However, modern China is something different. Major cities such as Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou are similar to other metropolises around the world, with skyscrapers, abundant night life and rapid expansion.

View on the Bund Photos: CFP and Qi Xijia/GT

View of the historical buildings on the Bund

Marina, Russia

Marina, Russia

Before visiting China I would say tradition, culture, and development. Now I would say modern, development and difference. In Shanghai, on the one side of the street you may have a skyscraper and on the other side you may have a broken old house. For me it shows a great difference and it was really interesting.

Magdalena, Poland

Magdalena, Poland

Before I came here, I heard it was a huge country. The third impression is you have really cheap things. In Poland there are a lot of Chinese shops and the things sold there are really cheap. After visiting China I feel like it's quite green. I see a lot of trees everywhere. The second one is there are lots of bicycles. Also the food is really good. I really like the baozi (steamed bun). It reminds me of my grandmother's food.

Anais, Peru

Anais, Peru

Before visiting China I would say crowded, ancient and loud. Now I would say welcoming because I feel quite welcome here. Second I would say important because China has an important place in the world's political stage. It's leading. Also I would pick strong.

Warinrat, Thailand

Warinrat, Thailand

I would say dirty, crowded and big before visiting China. Now I would say good management, beautiful places and beautiful culture.

Pooh, Vietnam

 

Pooh, Vietnam

My impression of China was a long history, big civilization and many ethnicities. Now I would say clean environment, developed transportation and great scenery.

Impressions of Chinese people before and after

For a long time, the overseas image of Chinese people were stereotyped as badly behaved tourists vandalizing famous sites around the world, wealthy people spending on luxuries or the reserved, quiet, studious type of Chinese student. But these impressions are often far from the case in China. Many interviewees said they are impressed by the friendliness, openness, courteousness and helpfulness they received during their visit.

Marina, Russia

Before coming to China I would say friendly. They are closed to communicating with other people, especially foreigners. They are a little bit strange and beautiful. Now I would say they are still friendly, beautiful and openhearted.

Magdalena, Poland

My impression of Chinese people was that they speak fast, there are many of them, and they are nice. Now I would say they are quite helpful. I was in a hospital and the lady wasn't speaking English at all but she still helped me. They are friendly. In a canteen when I started to try to speak in Chinese like xiexie they will smile at me. And I think they are sporty. I have a window where I can see the playground. Every time I look from the window there is someone running on the track.

Anais, Peru

First of all, because I come from the other side of the world, I would say different. That was the first thing in my mind. Second would be hardworking and the third would be cultured. After staying in China for one month, I would say friendly, lively and awake. It feels like they are always doing things, they are modern, and they are fast-learning. They have this energy.

Warinrat, Thailand

My impression of Chinese people was talking loudly, competitive and busy. Now I would say they are modern, like technology and pay by phone.

Pooh, Vietnam

My impression of Chinese people was faithful to friends, welcoming and friendly. Now I would say they are fair-playing, civilized and considerate.

Their most unexpected experience in China

China is a great place to visit, but there are some things foreigners may find it hard to believe, especially public restrooms, which were mentioned by many interviewees.

Magdalena, Poland

I was shocked by the toilets. You need to kneel down to do what you need. It's strange because in Poland we do it the other way.

Marina, Russia

It's really unexpected that a lot of people don't close their doors when they are using toilets. It shocked me.

Anais, Peru

It never stops amazing me. It's infinite. There are always things to do, like coffee shops, cultural activities, buildings and art. I come from a city, the capital of my country. It's a big city but does not compare with Shanghai. It really surprised me to be in such a big city.

Warinrat, Thailand

Before I came to China, I thought maybe there will be a lot of traffic jams like in Thailand. In Bangkok, for example, you may get stuck on the road for hours. But China has good transportation.

Pooh, Vietnam

I am a transgender. When I try to explain this to Chinese people, usually they don't accept it. It's different from Vietnam, where they try to understand me. I feel Vietnam is more open for me.