China is a country of contrasts, where ancient traditions meet modern innovations. Its complexities can't be reduced to just headlines; to truly understand this global superpower, you need to look at everyday life. In China's cities, rural areas, and among its people, subtle societal trends and customs are constantly evolving. The country's unique blend of old and new is reflected in its architecture, food, and even its approach to technology.
Related: The Unbelievable Diversity of China’s Landscapes
We've gathered 15 photos that offer a glimpse into China's many faces. From self-service food carts to calorie-counted staircases, these glimpses into everyday life reveal how creativity and practicality often go hand in hand.
1. Words of advice displayed by local police in China.
2. In Beijing, subway riders can pay fares with plastic bottles to encourage recycling.
3. A majestic dragon sculpture made entirely of delicate porcelain.
4. The striking Crescent Moon Bridge in Guangzhou.
5. A Shanghai café serves coffee with cotton candy clouds that rain sugar into the cup.
6. Autonomous KFC food carts roam Shanghai, offering meals without any human staff.
7. McDonald's in China has exercise bikes that charge your phone while you pedal.
8. A girl plays the traditional Guzheng instrument in Chengdu, Sichuan.
9. A mall in China offers a unique "husband storage" service, where wives can drop off their husbands while they shop.
10. A building in Shanghai with a unique and eye-catching design.
11. An airplane-themed restaurant in China that offers a dining experience like no other.
12. China has curved escalators for an innovative way to travel floors.
13. Buses in Guangzhou are stocked with vending machines for water, umbrellas, and tissues.
14. Cucumber-flavored Lay's are a thing in China.
15. A Beijing restaurant has added calorie counts to its stairs to encourage fitness.
