1999 A public phone in Guangzhou

Another big change in China is in telecommunications. In 1991 telephones were not very common. Making an overseas phone call was tremendously difficult. But now everyone seems to have a phone in their home. In the more cosmopolitan cities, everyone seems to have a cell phone, or at least a pager. Cable TV is also common in Chinese homes now. Improved telecommunications also encourages Internet use. These days everyone has a computer and a hotmail account.

A lot more information about the outside world is available, with the Internet, cable T.V., tons of book stores, and a somewhat freer news media. In Guangdong, people watch American news programs. But still information is limited. The government-controlled media still has tremendous control over what information people receive. When I visited China in 1999, not many people stared at me (or even gave me a second glance). Maybe it's because they have seen lots of "big noses" on T.V. China has its own pro basketball league and a pro soccer league. American films are popular. Pornographic movies are popular on video CDs.

1999 A new magazine features Michael Jordan

1999 The Panyu Hotel, a 3 star hotel in the city of Panyu, about 20 km east of Guangzhou	Travel has improved considerably. There are hotels everywhere now, and most of them seem quite nice. (However, don't be surprised if young ladies call your room to see if you're lonely and need some "company"). There are generally more options for travel. Air travel is tremendously improved and is very reasonable; airports have been renovated. Train stations are a much less harrowing experience too. You can take a bus directly from your hotel in Guangzhou to downtown Kowloon.
Restaurants are greatly improved. Like hotels, restaurants are everywhere in China. The main streets of Beijing are lined with huge restaurants where the lobbies feature aquariums full of aquatic life. In 1991 you could only buy a limited selection of food on the street, but now streets are lined with food vendors selling hot pot, noodles, jiaozi, etc.
1991 This is a roast chicken restaurant, where you walk up to the window and buy a whole roast chicken. Now these guys have to compete with Kentucky Fried Chicken and Kenny Rogers Roasters.	1999 Service and decor have greatly improved in Chinese restaurants. This is a Sichuan restaurant on Baishiqiao Lu in Beijing