China Impressions: Falling for the Charm of a Neighbor

By Park Yeonju

A close yet distant neighboring country. On clear days, you can even see it across the sea, and to some regions, you can fly in just about an hour. That neighbor is China. However, despite being such a nearby country, not many people from Korea used to travel there. This was mainly because traveling felt difficult if you couldn’t speak Chinese, and the process of getting a travel visa was quite complicated. But those who have already fallen for China’s charm unanimously say, “If you ever get the chance, you must go to China!” I didn’t realize this myself until I actually set foot on Chinese soil. Since travel reviews and detailed information weren’t easy to find, there was always a sense of a “barrier to entry.”

However, Koreans can now travel to China much more easily. From November 8, 2024, to December 31, 2025, visa-free entry has been permitted. With the elimination of the once cumbersome paperwork, a full-fledged boom in travel to China began in early 2025. Among the most popular destinations are Shanghai and Qingdao, the city famous for its beer. I also opened the door to my own journey by starting with Qingdao, located in the Shandong region, just an hour and a half away from Korea. My winter trip to Qingdao was a chance to broaden my perspective on China. The China I encountered for the first time was quite different from the image I had seen in the media, and in an instant, I found myself captivated by its charm. Those wonderful memories later became the driving force that led me to Weihai, a city near Qingdao, for a Chinese language study program in July. I would like to share in detail the charm and beauty of China as I experienced it.

China felt, at the same time, both familiar and unfamiliar. Perhaps because Korea and China are both in the East, there wasn’t much of a difference in people’s appearances. But as I looked around, I was surrounded by Chinese characters, and that was the moment it truly hit me – I was in China. Since Korea is also part of the Chinese-character cultural sphere, and many Korean words are derived from Chinese characters, I didn’t feel any particular strangeness toward them. However, unlike the traditional-style characters often used in Korea, China uses simplified characters, so many of them looked somewhat recognizable yet different at the same time. In Korea, when I see signboards or texts written in Chinese characters, they often give off an old-fashioned, classical impression – because it feels like a language from the past. These days, with skyscrapers, glowing neon signs, and English signboards becoming increasingly common, China’s shift to simplified characters feels natural.

Yet, even amidst the towering buildings, dazzling lights, and signs of rapid development, the streets of China were still filled with Chinese characters. The harmony between modernity and these traditional orthographic symbols felt truly fascinating. In Korea, English signboards are everywhere, and international restaurants often use the language of their country’s cuisine. But in China, even foreign words are transformed into Chinese characters, adapted to sound similar to their foreign-language pronunciation. A prime example is “McDonald’s” (麦当劳, pronounced Màidāngláo). Reading those adapted brand names in Chinese characters turned out to be unexpectedly fun.

Another thing that left a lasting impression on me was how clean the streets were. Trash bins were conveniently placed everywhere, so there was no need to carry garbage around. The recycling system was also remarkably well organized, keeping not just the bins but also the surrounding areas clean. Overall, the sense of tidiness and order across the city was striking.

In China, even ordering food was incredibly convenient. Every restaurant allowed orders through QR codes, and payments could be completed instantly with the same phone. There was no need to call a waiter – just sit comfortably, browse the menu, and place your order with a tap. Even street vendors selling fruit or snacks accepted QR-code payments, making every purchase fast and effortless.

The China often portrayed in the media shows only one side of the country. Without firsthand experience, it’s difficult to truly grasp the beauty, joy, and convenience China has to offer. The refreshing and delightful summer I spent there has now become a cherished memory to carry with me into the coming winter. So, if you’re wondering where your next trip should be, why not set off to our neighbor – “China”?