This Border Wall Separates Two Cities In China (

China's most famous border may not be what you think. Just across the river from Hong Kong, the financial megacenter of Asia, lies Shenzhen. Shenzhen is a completely artificial city -- well, you could argue all cities are, but Shenzhen is a truly special case. It was thought up and planned to be the mainland's response to Hong Kong, and thus the 2 cities' histories are deeply intertwined.
But the strange thing is that despite being in the same country, there's a border wall and checkpoint between the two. Come with me as I explore how this affects the life of those living here..
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Instagram: sabbatical.tommy
Patreon: / sabbaticaltommy
#sabbatical #china #borders

[@SabbaticalTommy]

Glad to see everyone is as interested in this crazy China trip as I am --- more to come.

[@kokoyaro]

I think you'll have a lot more unique content if you cross the XiShuangBana border to Laos PDR. There's a lot of CCP projects and the belt n road rain line with speed train recently launched. The Laotian language would also be quite easy for you

[@mutumakimathi]

Aren't you in Ethiopia 😂

[@glbaker5595]

If you plan on returning to the states soon, do a video on crossing the border into the US, what I mean is fly to Mexico and come across the border as if you were a a illegal, I would just like to see if you would get flagged or not,😂

[@glbaker5595]

Does anyone know if China's economy is really as bad as China uncensored says it is

[@catsmeow4264]

ME NO CAN 科皮帕斯特 , 国庆节快乐 IN TRANSLATE!

[@andyman5648]

Yes, I did swim across Shenzhen bay to Hong Kong fifty years ago , The view toward Hong Kong still look familiar, but the transformation in Shenzhen is Jaw dropping and mind boggling, it remind me of a old saying, Life is all about timing, Right place at the right time, or for that matters, Wrong place at the wrong time. 🙉

[@Axjfe]

Fifty years ago. Must was quite a story.

[@guestonearth1274]

@@Axjfe Sabxxxxx is double-faced bloger , talk about too much political ... against human nature as of ordinary person

[@deanl0]

@@guestonearth1274 Yeah well we all know that they have an eye on him Otherwise he would have been kick out already..

[@bcanuck]

@@guestonearth1274 Historic and current facts are important for all to understand, whether you like them or not.

[@bamkobe1]

China is a fire dump

[@marvinsantana]

I'm grateful for KZbin's existence. I love watching "Sabbatical" or "Little Chinese Everywhere" and other similar channels to see how beautiful the landscape, people, and cultures can be. I reside in the US but it's motivated me to get my passport and to seriously try to learn some of the basics on languages I'm interested in. Thanks for all the awesome videos!

[@biglance]

You should do it for sure. For learning Chinese i recommend 301 Chinese, there are 2 books for it, best series IMO, I do speak and read Chinese, peace.

[@eknick]

well thank YOU for allowing yourself to be open minded and not buying into the BS western media portraits of china

[@davewong4834]

You failed to mention that tens of thousands of Chinese died while swimming across the bay. A lot more than the Germans who died across the Wall.

[@saisirvous7363]

@@davewong4834yes. Those history kinda make u hongkong nese guy proud always.

[@tkh2944]

​@@davewong4834What's the population of China compared with Germany - therein the statistical answer why there's more fatalities in absolute numbers.😅 Also, know that there's quirks here and there due to the history of some countries. Do you know that cross border travel between states of the same country like Malaysia and Sabah Sarawak require the use of a passport similar to HK China ? 😊

[@NicolasNuykenCompositions]

Through your channel I have reallly a found a new love for china and a huge urge to see it . I started learning mandarin and hope to get to travel across china in the next few years . The scenery is gorgeous and the lifestyle and culture looks so intriguing to me . Thank you for taking us on the trip with you , and I always feel joy when I see you uploaded a new video about this trip your making across it. Much love from a German , Living in Suriname

[@i-eat-you]

Was macht man als Deutscher bitte in Suriname? Suriname würde mich auch mal interessieren.

[@craigr4763]

Hey, may I ask how did you end up in Suriname? I want to live and work abroad you see.

[@CLee-wn4od]

欢迎来中国，作为一个在德国的中国人

[@NicolasNuykenCompositions]

@@CLee-wn4od danke! I hope you are enjoying your time in Germany ? How do you like it?

[@NicolasNuykenCompositions]

@@craigr4763 I first moved to Saudi Arabia as a 6 month old baby , and then in 2007 at the age of 4-5 I moved to Suriname for my dad’s work. I have been living here (mostly aside from a 6 month period ) the rest of my life . in

[@xmarine73]

As a Westerner, China is so much cleaner, friendlier, and urbanized than the picture I had of it. Thanks for the video tours you've given us all! It's refreshing to see that people are people regardless of culture, location, or government. The Chinese people seem so genuine and warm.

[@ningh-it8qu]

The disaster caused by Western media, absurd media publishing incorrect information, especially in China

[@xgguo3531]

The real China is totally different from what you get from CNN, Fox, BBC. The internet and social media show the true world to everyone.

[@eimdeima]

Hmmm, visit maybe a third tier city and you can soon find the dirt and rubbish. No real difference than say to the London backstreets tho...😅

[@xgguo3531]

@@eimdeima Give a try . 3-tier city in China means population more than 1 million.

[@xmarine73]

@@eimdeima You mean if I go looking for dirt I'll find it? No kidding... My comment was pretty self explanatory. China, in general is cleaner, friendlier, and more urbanized then I thought it was. In other words, my mental picture of China was very different. It's like you can read but just barely.

[@TheArtOfStreetPhotography]

Thanks for another well produced video. I am a foreigner living in Shenzhen. I decided to retire here because of the amazing convenience of the infrastructure and the overall high living conditions. For instance, even as a foreigner, I travel for free on the Metro because I am older than 63!

[@AmazonBZDZKK]

欢迎，成为中国人民的一份子

[@thomasinlondon2849]

China stops giving out visas to over 65’s. Time to tie the knot, if not already ;)

[@metricmoo]

How is that possible? What visa are you on?

[@hcui7456]

@@metricmoo married to a Chinese, I guess, its much easier to get a long-time VISA.

[@user-hb9jq7wb7l]

@@AmazonBZDZKK 你先要问问他为中国的富强做过什么贡献，没有贡献的不欢迎，因为中国人够多了，中国富强是多少代中国人艰苦奋斗和巨大牺牲换来的，

[@antonioquanchan8432]

Your videos and narratives about Shenzhen are very informative- contrary to China bashing by American politicians. My father in law 😊and I boarded a train from HK to Shenzhen in 1975. We got out of the train and stepped into a muddy field with no modern building around but barriers separating Shenzhen from the rest of Guangdong province. 25 years later I donated a medical equipment Cardiac Ultrasound to neighboring BaoAn County Hospital. The major of BaoAn made a big deal about this with TV coverage of our donation. The BaoAn Cardiac Non-Invasive Lab was renamed with my Chinese name. My parents were born in Kaiping, which is about 40 minutes drive from BaoAn. Hence I personally witnessed China’s economic rise from the mid 1970s to the present. Dr AQC Retired Stanford Clinical Professor of Medicine (Cardiology)

[@antonioquanchan8432]

My father left China at age 17 in 2017 to find his fortune in the Philippines. Years earlier my grandfather whom I never met left Kaiping, Guangdong for Singapore. My late father never seem him again. In the 1930s my father sent money from the Philippines and built the ancestral home in Kaiping for his mother. My wife and I finally had the chance to see the home 23 years ago. By then several businessmen became my patients. I had the opportunities to contribute to China as Visiting Lecturer in Medicine in Guangzhou and Beijing. Retired Stanford Clinical Professor of Medicine (Cardiology)

[@ponuni]

@@antonioquanchan8432 2017 and he time traveled back to 1930? lmaoo

[@user-fd5oz7hw5g]

thanks for you help my friend you earned my respect

[@juanitoalcachofa1183]

Thank you so much for sharing, professor! Greetings from a medical student from Spain! :)

[@caangngungkulanpoek1604]

​@@ponunisuppose to be 1917, wrongly wrote

[@jerrtinlsc]

As a Hong Kong Resident I’m enjoying Shenzhen and mainland China a lot more The quality of life is much better than any westernised city now

[@user-bw8vk1wl1p]

Yes

[@broodyhenloloa]

It's safer in terms of no migrants. But goverment is very restrict in China. So choose whatever u want.

[@jxmai7687]

@@broodyhenloloa don't be fool, we all live under the rules and lows even in western counties, that make us feel safer, example the gun control law gives us a safer environment in Australia.

[@waterdropsfall]

Not yet. It’s just because you make money in Hongkong and spend it in Shenzhen😂

[@jerrtinlsc]

@@waterdropsfall yes to be fair, the "Good quality" of life is still more of a luxury to most Mainlanders.

[@Galarius23]

I currently work full time and still broke but I travel trough you and I appreciate everything you do keep it up for those of us who can't do this love the videos

[@BenjaminFranklin2u]

@Sabbatical - You should accept when people compliment your language skills. I know you're being humble but people take it as an insult when you tell them they are wrong.

[@ryougiguda]

@@BenjaminFranklin2u Actually it's a Chinese tradition, normally people will say "哪里哪里" which basically means "not at all" when they recive compliment to show their humility. Sabbatical only does it in China, and it shows his deep understanding of Chinese culture.

[@janetjames1562]

😢It is fascinating to travel with you and get to know places I will not likely to visit but love to learn about. Especially like how you interact with the locals. Humanity is one .

[@pandabearoceanpark]

You misunderstood the driver. When he said he "沒条件" go to Hong Kong, he didn't mean that he didn't have the " requirements" but meant that he didn't have the "financial means" to go. It could be because you took the literal meaning of "条件”, or it may have been a case of a foreigner wanting to hear what you wanted to hear.

[@7zigo267]

能理解就行了，很多外国人对一句话的语境不同意义不同，搞不清楚

[@NO1xANIMExFAN]

yea its definitely the case of a foreigner wanting to hear what he wants to hear lol... also some of his takes are just plain incorrect lol

[@Q_QQ_Q]

What about permission he talked about ?

[@pandabearoceanpark]

@@Q_QQ_Q that wouldn't be 沒条件. It would be having no permit to go. Permit is really easy to get nowadays, especially he lives in Shenzhen. He could have gone multiple times a week if he had the financial means.

[@user-gc9yh2ic4q]

I think you misunderstood the taxi driver on how hard it is for him to go to Hong Kong. Basically the same reason you don't go to some of the restaurants or night clubs in the US I guess. It's not difficult for him to get the pass. He just didn't think Hong Kong was for him. Mostly the high prices.

[@SylviaShi-dy8jo]

Not only misunderstood but also misinterpreted 😢

[@Q_QQ_Q]

But he said he needed permission to go to hongkong

[@SylviaShi-dy8jo]

@@Q_QQ_Q not permission, but a pass, it’s easy to get

[@SylviaShi-dy8jo]

@@Q_QQ_Q 机器上办个通行证就可以了

[@Lanaya-vs1ws]

I once lived in Shenzhen for three months. In fact, you can easily obtain a Hong Kong and Macao pass in Shenzhen without going back to your place of birth to go through the formalities. BTW, I'm from Xi'an,a city in western China.

[@ChristinaLee_SkyJournal]

Apart from Shenzhen, there are several developed cities in Guangdong Province. I hope to watch the best videos from you .

[@cheapercharlie]

Sabbatical is my new Anthony Bourdain. Love watching their takes on life.

[@dogvip7688]

Likewise.😀

[@globallibran378]

I agree with you! Except Bourdain was not fluent in so many languages 😊😊

[@formxshape]

Harld baldr is good too.

[@rml4289]

​@@formxshapesabbatical is less creepy

[@MrReymoclif714]

@@rml4289Very sarcastic though.

[@bossdeman]

I love the old school narration of Tommy.....gives me 50s and 60s vibe...and love your content. Keep walking and talkin !

[@michaeljiang960]

the history, and culture, the knowledge we can learn from from such a short vlog is what set sabbatical apart from other vloggers.

[@eXiLe824]

These are legitimately some of the best most informative videos on KZbin

[@oblivionzzzmike]

Much respect how you answered honestly to that guy from Shanxi. Him asking you about the differences between the US and China.

[@fzmoifzmoi2575]

But China is not just a little safer than the US. It is multiple times safer than the US. Mass shootings, crumbling infrastructure, high cost of living, homelessness...... Need I say more? Not as honest as perceived

[@jiessiewong901]

Your video is very humorous and interesting, especially the collision between different cultures brings different sensory experiences. Thank you for shooting and have a nice trip!

[@matheuss886]

I love this channel and I thanks to Tommy's work it is better to know a little bit more how life is like in countries which are at times challenging to know details of, as well as the perspective of some common folk just going by with their lives. Keep up the great work, cheers from Brazil!

[@paranoidhumanoid]

"Quality of life" is a _very_ relative question when comparing Asian countries to the U.S.!

[@user-dt9tk3zr8q]

this understanding about the living quality in china is more accurate

[@Jordan18561]

@@wyz9815Chinese cities have better safety, metro and more convenient access to food and online shopping delivery. More advanced healthcare and education institutions in US cities though. Chinese cities are lacking in diversity and public services for those without hukou. US cities have homelessness and drug problems. No place is perfect right?

[@xiaozhao2534]

可能居住条件比美国差很多，但是好在没有枪晚上也能独自出来闲逛😂

[@user-ys8hi1iy9s]

I was going to say the same. I can’t say there’s quality of live in New York. We are always chasing after inflation no time to enjoy life unless we live paycheck by paycheck, even so still don’t see much quality of life.

[@leanlifer]

@@xiaozhao2534 跟用什么跟什么比，一线城市的打工人住的是远远差于美国大城市租房住的人，购买住宅价格也离谱； 但是二线三线城市住宅还是比较容易负担的，我感觉比美国的居住条件强； 美国住house是比较便宜，但是要自己维修和打理费时费力很多人也并不一定习惯；住condo因为有HOA什么的成本就高了； 国内200万人民币的房价加100万装修也能在大部分地方买到还不错的别墅了；

[@henry-pj9zo]

it's not difficult for mainland people visiting Hongkong, just simply apply by ID, no special requirement, and no rejection.

[@kentgao]

he just want to express something, he’s good at it.

[@vincenzoli3608]

if you need at least 15 days for a clearance, that's call difficult

[@Hyperallergenicc]

@@vincenzoli3608why?

[@Nontacticalboy]

Love your truthfulness in your videos, without pushing any political narrative.

[@kimjong-un8361]

Recently, many Hong Kong people travel to Shenzhen during holidays because the consumption level in Shenzhen is much lower than that in Hong Kong.Even Coca-Cola in Hong Kong is several times the price in Shenzhen.

[@ertang1010]

But the salaries in China were also several times lower than Hong Kong.

[@marcelkostenko1024]

I visited Shenzhen in late 2013 & also Hong Kong. So great to see you there. I was on a business trip and that was such a fantastic adventure.

[@rricardo1599]

There is even an expression - 深圳速度 (Shēnzhèn sùdù) which translates to Shenzhen speed, that was used to describe how fast the city was built and developed over the last 2-3 decades, and some people use it colloquially to describe something when it's done at a fast pace or to hurry something up.

[@gosunflower]

Thanks for the new vid! Really insightful. At around 17:00 you mentioned that NY is on a similar level in terms of technology, but honestly just from your videos, I feel like the average citizen in Shenzhen (or any other major Chinese city) experiences a much higher level of tech in their daily lives, for better or for worse. Manhattan at least felt like a decade or two behind. Also have to wonder just how many "your Chinese is so good!" and "can I take a picture" you had to cut out of the footage hahah

[@karljohan3989]

NY subway is probably 80 years behind.

[@SabbaticalTommy]

Oh in terms of infrastructure, yeah, sadly China is way ahead now, I've said many times NY's subway is an embarrassment. But I meant Silicon Valley. Chat GPT, Tesla, Boeing...China is still behind on a lot of fields

[@youreprettygood2603]

The feels man, I have crossed that border so many times. My employer has a SZ office in Futian right next to the Ping'an tower and Cocopark so like 5 mins from the border by DiDi and another office in Sheung Shui after a quick trip on the MTR from the border, it was always fun crossing the border on a last minute notice because they needed me in either one of the offices, had to carry my passport everyday just in case, you're supposed to always have it on you as a laowai in China anyways, even though no cop ever checked my passport in the 9 years I lived there except for the ones at the PSB when came the time to renew my Z-visa of course. Fun times, I have fond memories of China.

[@thomasinlondon2849]

Carry a photocopy and it’s acceptable.

[@maxint2680]

20:11 the "requirements" the driver refers to are mainly his personal economic status instead of government policies as he later complains about the high living cost in Hong Kong. "有条件"/"没有条件" in Chinese usually means the status of oneself is good/not good enough to have the initiative to do something.

[@jibberjabberman]

of course your right. the goverment never gets involved. social credit system and social mobility is a myth

[@guestonearth1274]

@@jibberjabberman Sabxxxxx is double-faced bloger , talk about too much political ... against human nature as of ordinary person

[@iN31L]

That's actually pretty unfortunate it was translated this way - as someone who knows no Chinese i wouldn't have known that without this comment, so thank you! Otherwise this video was incredibly informative

[@rogerzen8696]

​@@jibberjabbermanActually, it is. I've lived in China for 20 years and have yet to run into the social credit system. Would some Westerner care to point me to the direction? 😂😂

[@tempestmars123]

The social credit system is fictional but the social mobility in China is indeed becoming stiffer and stiffer as the resource of Chinese society is increasingly skewed to the fortunate ones. @@jibberjabberman

[@realylee5611]

Wechat's company is Tencent. There is a building in Yuehai Street, Nanshan, where there are many domestic listed companies and many technology companies.

[@ohjajohh]

Cool video! I last was in Shenzen over 10 years ago, it already was an impressive city to me back then.

[@LordTaylor007]

Having traveled in your footsteps myself, I'm loving these videos. Great stuff!!!

[@dianefeinstein8951]

Hi Tom: Two places I’d like you to visit in China so that you can give your own unique perspectives which I so much enjoy. First, the house of German Nazi businessman, John Rabe, who sheltered over 600 Chinese from being slaughtered by Japanese troops in 1937. Rabe (pronounced “rah-bay”) along with his American friends then established Safety Zones in Nanjing responsible for saving an additional 250,000 Chinese during the weeks that Japanese troops massacred about 300,000 Chinese civilians in the city in one of the most horrific documented and filmed war crimes committed during the Japanese invasion. Rabe’s house is on Xiaofenqiao No. 1, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China. Open Mon - Fri from 08:30 am - 04:30 pm and is cared for by a “peace servant” from “Austrian Service Abroad,” an Austrian non-profit organization. The upkeep is funded by both the German government and the Historical Department of the University of Nanjing. Because of this, I would say Nanjing, would be the most American friendly city in China. After Rabe returned to Hamburg, Germany, his family fell on hard times and lived in poverty. After the War, the Mayor of Nanjing learned of this and gathered a gift of food and money (equal to $25,000.00 U.S. today)and personally visited Rabe and the City of Nanjing continued to support Rabe and his family every month until his death and then afterwards, his family. Second, I’d like to see you visit the Grain for Green Program (GFGP), the world’s largest reforestation program that is turning the Gobi Desert back into forests and arable land with 66 billion trees planted so far eventually equalling six times the area of Belgium and whose progress can now be observed by the International Space Station (ISS). Side note…Dec. 13th is The National Memorial Day for the Victims of the Nanjing Massacre. It is a national day of mourning observed in China; so, there could be a lot of diplomatic and military activity around John Rabe’s house. ❤Diane, Vancouver, Canada. ThOC05/23 07:39 pm

[@dianefeinstein8951]

@@icet6665Thank you for the referral! Just checked. It’s $31.10 for the Blue-ray from Amazon. Zhang Yi-mou also directed 1987’s “Red Sorghum,” with Gong Li, my favourite Chinese actress. There’s also “John Rabe,” a 2009 movie with German actor Ulrich Tukur, and the 2007 “Nanking” with Woody Harrelson as Rabe, Jürgen Prochnow (the U-boat captain in “Das Boot), and Mariel Hemingway (granddaughter of novelist Ernest Hemingway). I’ll see if I can find some movie clips on You Tube tomorrow after I get home from campus. ❤Diane, Vancouver, Canada. FrOC06/23. 01:28 am

[@qqconsoleqqclient7749]

Hi,have you ever been to China?

[@user-bw8vk1wl1p]

Yes

[@remind1393]

Hi i am german and was amazed by this story and read up about it. In german sources it says that he was ordered back to nazi germany in 1938. After the war he lived in Berlin and wasn't able to work for Siemens again because of the denazifaction process in germany (he was a member of the NSDAP). Do you have sources i can read where it states that he received financial support from china? German sources state that he lived his live in poverty until he died in 1950 in Berlin.

[@pabloa_e]

600 ? It's more soemthing like 200k to 300k of Chinese saved by this heroe !

[@pessi6185]

Fun fact... Hong Kong is the city with the most skyscrapers in the world. Shenzhen is second in the list of cities with most skyscrapers. It looks like Shenzhen could possibly become first on the list in the future.

[@MrReymoclif714]

Definitely a busy place. They’re not lacking any amount of things to do. Well behaved people for the large amount that’s shown?

[@ompeezy]

My favorite parts of these videos are when you start to talk to the locals and they open up to you!! At first they're like "why is this tall white man trying to speak to me" and then they realize that you can actually speak their language. Love it Tommy, so happy that you've found success on KZbin!!

[@yandenuts]

Sabbatical mentioned the sound of Hong Kong, ha, I only heard it once in this video, but the sound of China is the ubiquitous noise of packing tape coming off the roll. If in Shenzhen or especially Guangzhou, that sound is the sound of productivity, progress and food on the table, education for the kids etc. You hear it everywhere. I'm Australian, In Beihai Guangxi at present, my 13th visit to this place and country. I love it. Breakfast for 3 for $AUD7 an hour or so ago. National Day holidays, so Beihai being a costal tourist town, it is busy, it is fun and is is especially safe. I had to take note of Sabbatical (forgot his name) saying China was a "little bit" safer than America. hahaha. An understatement for sure. Love these videos, the best re[resentation of china and its people I have seen. Good stuuf mate!

[@flim360]

I love the way you causally walk around and giving us glimpses of daily life of the regular folks. I feel like I'm doing a walking tour. Awesome!!!

[@Ed7501]

I'm thinking of a Shenzhen trip from HK myself. Haven't been in over a decade! Excited to see what has changed.

[@kaka40672]

Thanks to KZbinr for letting me see China from a Western perspective. Although I am currently unable to travel around the world due to family and financial reasons, I can still travel around the world through videos and strengthen my English skills. Great video, viewers from mainland China.

[@michaelgrisafi821]

Dude, I love your channel. Thanks.

[@alice10888]

Thanks for your video upload. Your Mandarin is good! I am Chinese, I think the taxi driver meant that it’s easy for him to go back to his home town (financially), but to go to HK is difficult because of the cost. He didn’t mean that he has to go back home to apply 😊

[@thomasho4825]

You didn’t mention about the crime in New York that’ll scare the hell of a him specially their subway

[@MrReymoclif714]

No more internet celebrity!

[@BluesyVlogs]

This is becoming my favorite youtube channel, exceptional videos, i'm totally hooked.

[@CheSemah]

Hi there, at 22:45 actually that is not the border, it is used to separate those mangroves from urban invasion.

[@ovormotssetgetsiin6359]

I really enjoy your videos. I get the feeling you are very safe there. Reminds me of how life used to be in Jersey City and even NYC in the 60s and 70s. I wish I took the time to learn Chinese (I went with Russian, because I already speak Polish and German).

[@hammothw4814]

extremely safe, so people are so much more relaxed...less guarded, and show emotions. whereas in western countries people are just guarded, cold, very little emotion.

[@i-eat-you]

​@@hammothw4814shut up

[@rorychivers8769]

You say that as if it is somehow too late for you to start. You don't have to live your life held hostage to your own regrets.

[@deenzmartin6695]

Who's going to tell this person why it's so safe?

[@hammothw4814]

@@deenzmartin6695 because the government doesn't tolerate drugs and crime. and also the people are simpler and think about family, health, and traditional values.

[@futureworldhealing]

best travel vlog ever!

[@gbrlslzr23]

drone b-roll would level up your videos! but love them either way!

[@danielch6662]

That guy who built his own phone is Scotty Allen / Strange Parts. Unfortunately, he went back to the US (during the pandemic I think), had an accident renovating his new workshop there, resulting in an awful brain injury, and of course he stopped making youtube videos. He has since recovered and restarted work, but his output rate is nowhere like where it was. Probably because he's no longer living in Shenzhen. 😞 I used to look forward to each of his videos.

[@ponuni]

i had a friend who's parents came from shenzhen. the government paid them out for a decent sum of cash for the land and they used that money to buy a home in staten island lol.

[@zhuofanzhang9974]

29:21 Tommy casually vlogging past a sign that says "no photogarphy, no videos"

[@nicholaspearson4246]

With your extensive travel and language skills you have been able to communicate in a way that most travelers can't with locals. I wonder if you are writing a book now collecting together your exepriences and the insights you have gained.

[@musical_lolu4811]

His videos speak a thousand words.

[@chenxinli4963]

as a Chinese, I have no motivation to go to hong kong, perhaps twenty years ago, hong kong was more developed than other china cities, but now, not even as good as shenzhen

[@donaldliu]

Hello Jimmy, welcome back to Shenzhen, China and I can feel that you are much happy with common Chinese people, certainly I respect your independent thoughts and values (maybe also with "open-minds and positive thinking" as my American friend Geof said)...greeting from Suzhou, China

[@singsing3628]

This is a very interesting and good travel video. Thanks

[@abdiadam3808]

This vlog was nice, but some of the translations were totally wrong, so there is a lot of incorrect information. Other than that, it was a great video . thank you for sharing

[@leredditcommander8208]

Shenzhen looks better than HK to me. IDK, i never went to HK when it was the old good HK from the 80s, i went post 2010, then i went again in the height of the protests when the protesters destroyed the city but the western media kept saying they were heroes somehow, once you stand there, i had a hard time supporting their side after that... China looks good AF, i wish i could travel around the country, its fascinating, but its so hard to get a visa, i would need to travel to another city to even try and get one, so no thanks m8.

[@NO1xANIMExFAN]

HK is kind of a shithole compared to shenzhen. no offense to anybody living in hong kong but its not only more expensive and more crowded, but the streets are dirtier as well. certainly reminds me of the west but not by any means a good thing

[@ertang1010]

I won't say the protesters were heroes, but they were basically reacting to the Chinese and Hong Kong's government's dictatorship of violating the constitution. I think the majority of them have reacted fairly and deserve the emphasis of the western countries. Besides, apart from politics, Hong Kong and some cities in China are valuable for visiting, enjoy your time there.

[@davechristian7543]

Every time i watch your newest upload i get lost in it n forget about all my worries. #Yourthebest. 'Cheers from Sydney nsw. 'wishing you would come but i understand why you don't, only if you seen sydney before the 2000s came n the Olympics came to town as sadly its just not the same as it was, its to clean n sterile now wit to may laws n infringements sadly. even Kings cross has been dead now for well over 20 odd years. Anyway thanks again Tommy.

[@bellebslife6504]

I just love your channel. I have learned so much about china by watching your videos. I think it would be so cool to travel with you for a week or two. It's impressive that you can speak so many languages. Thank you for the great content.

[@SimonHowells77]

So cool to see you in Shenzhen! I wish I’d known you were coming, could’ve taken you for lunch! I live here and you always inspired me to try to learn more Chinese and to learn more about the culture. Thank you for the videos

[@stevens1041]

I haven't been to Hong Kong in ten years, but I imagine it has changed a lot. When I visit last time, my friends' mom told me not to bother learning Cantonese, to just focus on Mandarin instead. I was a bit shocked a native HKer would tell me such a thing. Anyways, I can't help but think that slowly, little by little, Shanghai will take back the crown that it once had as China's premier global city. I think Hong Kong will always be important, but they will adapt and change yet again.

[@naturalisedhker7953]

I live in HK and I would also recommend that you learn mandarin and not Cantonese. Cantonese is still the main language in HK and it’s not going anywhere anytime soon. It’s not in any danger of being lost or forgotten… As a foreigner you can live and visit here very easily solely on English. Yet if you go into China, they don’t know any English…it’s just practical to learn mandarin.

[@EbuzzNYC]

How can it not changed after the CCP takeover? HK is dying, most of the native Cantonese are leaving, there's an emigration crisis and the ones that are staying are not doing it because they like it there.

[@erdongchen0823]

？？你代表广东人？ @@EbuzzNYC

[@EbuzzNYC]

I've been to HK 5 times over the years it got worse and worse. I'll never go back to HK again due to what CCP did there.@parkeweiner9520

[@user-wf3wb5rq9e]

@@EbuzzNYC

[@Richard87H]

When Tommy said hardware I was ready for some channellock grips or some Stanley socket sets and carriage bolts lolol different hardware....love what you do and show in your videos!!

[@mikeythamason]

Lost my closet friend to suicide a few years ago . He traveled the world playing music . I met so many people from all over the world from his travels . We had always talked about traveling together but we never got to do that . I love vicarious through your videos . Someday I am gonna make it overseas and let his ashes but your videos have been encouragement

[@simonjp873]

SHENZHEN and Hongkong are the most skyscrapters in the world ,Hongkong is no 1,Shenzhen is no 2,NEW YORK IS NO 3

[@BenjiSun]

hrm.... a couple things. if it's that late, there's probably some people heading into SZ via Futian/Lok Ma Chau because it's close proximity to the giant massage places (that are also food and entertainment centres). the bus/car part of Futian called Huanggang, is the only 24hr crossing, which is very convenient for late arrivals at SZ airport. also, i wonder if you'll consider doing an episode at Sha Tou Jiao/Sha Tau Kok where there's literally a small pedestrian street(中英街 Chung Ying Street / Zhongying Jie) where it's split down the middle and one side of the shops are in HK and the other side in SZ.

[@harry12]

非中国大陆人去中英街非常麻烦，需要申请香港禁区纸。

[@kludz007]

Just found your channel today. This is great stuff! Its always great to see the common folk are the same everywhere.

[@mbryred]

Fun and informative video Tommy. I left there 4.5 years ago and hope to return in a few months. Thanks!

[@catbertevil750]

the "Trump" toilet actually has absolutely nothing to do with DJ Trump. it has a longer history than DJ Trump has made his name famous. oh, I vaguely remember he did try to sue but failed, thus made the obscure toilet maker a lot of free publicity ironically. lol

[@peaterful]

In the UK trump is a slang word for fart. Appropriate for both the toilet company and the former president

[@lilyzhou5943]

😂😂😂

[@llee4225]

I love your videos as you not only provide great commentaries and historical information but also able to converse with locals to get local and personal views!

[@kayowens6832]

I'm glad I found you ❤Love your videos.

[@stadtbekanntertunichtgut]

It is always fun to watch your vids!

[@vikchou]

I live in Wuhan and I was in HongKong three days ago. Amazing city, I will definitely go there again

[@yonight6871]

You speak Chinese very well. How many years have you studied it?Wow what beauty and thought went into planning this city. Just simply amazing. The architects, city planners and officials who put this all together should be applauded. 😃

[@liberty4175]

These videos are like an encyclopedia, not only you get to see other countries , but you learn a bit of history. Thanks Bro, hello from Bronx NYC

[@jamirajamira7303]

Man this is top tier vlogging. Can't wait for your next video!

[@Linkwii64]

I love the history lessons, it is a eyes opener for us here in the US. Keep doing the documentary vlog.

[@IMUSTHCOOSEANEWNAMEB]

I've been interested in china and I realised there isn't that many youtube channel that aren't either pro or anti china, hard to see the real thing so thanks for doing it even if there is some limitations in what you can say.

[@castorchua]

Laowhy86 and SepentZA were good when they were there but now the lean into the anti china market hard

[@i-eat-you]

Exactly my thoughts. All channels Eether anti or pro Chinese government. But China is also about the people, the society and culture. I am still not totally convinced by Tom, but it's the best Chinese channel I discovered so far on KZbin. Not as one sided as Laowhy, Serpentza and of course no propaganda bullshit like Jason and the others.

[@eknick]

@@MomeGnome china isn't some mystical land you only hear about in childrens book, it's a couple of hours of flight away you don't even need a visa, you can get a stay over visa for a couple of days and see for yourself what china is like. why are you so eager to criticize?

[@yongzhu8454]

@@MomeGnome I guess you must be a descendant of a cult organization, or a descendant of a corrupt official who fled, or a loser who ran away in debt. Otherwise, normal Chinese people would not be filled with resentment towards their motherland.

[@unifieddynasty]

@@MomeGnome China is not nearly as bad as how they are portrayed in the west. Lots to criticize, but also lots to praise. If you care about the Chinese people, then perhaps you should start by accepting the opinion of the vast majority of Chinese people towards their country.

[@MrKAmsterdam]

At 4:48 - in know from someone who purchased an appartment there, its roughly 2 Million €, but these appartments are huge and super fancy. So this might be the upper limit of what an appartment might cost in the new parts of the city.

[@zerry6184]

fasted 32 minutes if my life tbh. just goes to show how good your entertainment is

[@lcfflc3887]

yess yes why not, show us drone views of the places you visit, it gives the viewer a different perspective, the idea is right on, videos of the cities from above, many KZbin creators and filming travelers do this.

[@combatekan]

The chinese guy asked if america is more developed than china ? tell that guy to watch the zumbies on the streets of philadelphia or the rats on the ny subway/City (then he gonna find his answer )

[@RovexHD]

And the railway system is awful In the US. Compared to European countries the US is undeveloped.

[@youme1414]

Well put together. Thank you, sir.

[@glitchard3685]

I always love hearing about the backstories and histories of the places you visit. Thanks for sharing!

[@Mr_Joshua_hasoai]

welcome to my city, shenzhen ❤

[@TwoCentsOnTour]

Despite the weather, Shenzhen looks like a pretty happening place! Next time I need an eye massage I'll have to go there

[@ShroomFairy]

Tellin uncle to turn on the escalator was wild 😂

[@Sakura-gw6wm]

Fun fact about Luckin Coffee. They were delisted from Nasdaq 2-3 years ago due to financial fraud. But they survived and are currently doing pretty well. Their Chinese name is Ruixin, which is the same pronunciation as Credit Suisse, who is the main sponsor of Luckin's IPO. Guess what,.Credit Suisse is now dead ahead of Luckin, isnt it ironic? I went to Shenzhen the other week to taste Luckin x Moutai coffee, which brought billions of Rmb to their sales. Maybe they will replace Starbucks one day, who knows.

[@bonaudi]

Is Hong Kong more developed than the Mainland? No way, only if you compare Hong Kong (a city) with a 3rd tier Mainland city... What about comparing it with Shanghai instead? There is no way to compare Shanghai's infrastructure level with Hong Kong's. But I agree the ding ding ding sound of the pedestrian lights and the (less)Chinglish signs give Hong Kong a unique colonial character.

[@user-ik6zs5pp2h]

国庆节快乐❤

[@warriormom_of_many]

I love watching your videos and learning.

[@shaysew3879]

Can't wait to watch this new one. Thanks Tommy

[@Anonymous_Prole]

Seen as you met a group from Henan, please consider going to the megalopolis of Zhengzhou, the ancient city of Kaifeng (home of China's oldest Jewish community), and the Shaolin Temple in Dongfeng.

[@pikachus5m166]

"China's a little bit safer", if ever an understatement.

[@SL-jo4om]

I love how you say just enough for curious minds to understand, without getting into trouble. Great content!

[@susancarol5487]

Really enjoy your China videos. Warm reminders of my adventures there.. Hope your health grows strong and you will return and create more videos. It's a fascinating country!

[@ecarpo3479]

Its crazy he reasons that the UK gave back HK because "China might have tried restricting the water". It's as if he thinks there is no other reason why the British should have returned it. Every single video from this guy he has to qualify everything positive about China with something negative, he's one step away from becoming that South African weirdo that got kicked out.

[@billlewis9362]

Sorry to report 'Winston' from South Africa didn't get kicked out of China! They left because of police, and threats to their family's.

[@ecarpo3479]

@@billlewis9362 So he jumped before he was pushed? The police were threatening his family?

[@oberstleutnant787]

Will go to Hong Kong and Shenzhen next week for two weeks. Know both places very well. People in Hong Kong used to look down on Shenzhen but with the rapid development of Shenzhen which has surpassed Hong Kong not only in gdp but also in city development, Shenzhen people become proposerous and well off, Hong Kongers start to envy of Shenzhen and have a inferior complex. Hong Kongers used to call people from Shenzhen derogatively as阿灿，but now they themselves are known as 港灿 and they feel belittled.

[@daveshongkongchinachannel]

There’s a lot of truth to your words and the general vibe of Shenzhen is probably better than Hong Kong now that both cities seem to be emerging from the madness of the last 4 years. Sadly both cities could go back overnight to the mass panic and chaos and both are subject to extreme government overreach. I recall the days when HK people would speak down to mainlanders openly and back then I knew that the boot would soon be on the other foot. The fact was the Hong Kong people had grown up in far better circumstances than their mainland counterparts. They had avoided the horrors of the cultural revolution and were just lucky. Many of the HK people who chose to go to China to work at that time were in fact only attracted by the higher salaries offered at the time as China was seen as a kind of hardship posting. While some had useful skills to bring to China, many were from the lower echelons of HK society and really not that smart and quite ignorant. Today it might be said that Shenzhen has combined some of the arguably positive aspects of being a dictatorship while at the same time borrowing some of the aspects of the more open economies. Hong Kong on the other hand seems to be losing all of the positive aspects that once made it such a great international city while adopting the worst aspects of mainland dictatorship - a lose-lose formula for sure!

[@dlive368]

we were patiently waiting for the new video before the weekend!HOORAY! thasnk you @Sabbatical

[@aarancole9296]

Such an awesome trip enjoying this little series through China wonder where you’ll end next

[@Lauren-vu7vo]

Keep em coming, Sabbatical.

[@toppjj4154]

Dude asks about how America compares: US infrastructure. Compare the average underground to something like NYC subway. High speed rail doesn’t exist in the US. Just a few examples. Thanks for your interesting travel content though. 👍