What Does China REALLY Look Like, Beyond The Propaganda? (

[@SabbaticalTommy]

I know, it's been awhile. Have been off on some adventures in the Middle Kingdom. It's time to get rolling again. Let's go

[@amuz06]

Yay

[@ClaireMahaDream]

Good to know you're ok!

[@InternationalHealthCoach]

Bitch'n Man 🎉🎉🎉

[@Nigelllllllllllllll]

So glad you're ok mate 👍

[@thiccbutt1835]

some 8 ball adventures

[@garyconway1073]

I lived in China from 2005 - 2009 not working just having a another adventure in my life. Just like you , I have never enjoyed another country like I enjoyed my stay in China. I toured the mainland and lived mostly in Chongqing for one year but my focus was really in Sanya Hainan. Its the tropical island in the south. I managed to stay there 4 years and left like I was in paradise. I know you understand that.

[@americannumber2]

Old good days

[@mogozone]

😊

[@garyconway1073]

Actually it was 2004 to 2009

[@deebil8099]

He got fleeced by the barber. $8,50 for a beard cut. That should have cost no more than $4 @@hangtuah888

[@deebil8099]

$8.50 for a beard cut in that part of Shanghai is way too much. Maybe in some fancy salon in the middle of Shanghai, but not in that tiny hole in the wall in that neighborhood. @@hangtuah888

[@AmalekTrought]

It’s good to see Sabbatical back! This guy has the most diverse mix of countries on his channel but what amazes me the most is the amount of languages he speaks. Like how in the world does he know so many languages??? 🤯

[@brettg9481]

He based.

[@ValentinaMitchell1]

Tommy for president! 🎉

[@brettg9481]

@@ValentinaMitchell1 Give him a kiss if you love him so much.

[@cihanlost]

He must be an agent i guess.

[@brettg9481]

@@cihanlost Too happy and nice for that. Those folks have a frown on their face.

[@mcat0211]

My uncle and his family lived in a small city near Guangzhou in 2008, my family went to visit them and it was the biggest culture shock of my life as a 10 year old, but so awesome. I would love to go back to China again and see all the progress that has been made, especially regarding infrastructure. So fascinating.

[@SabbaticalTommy]

Have been all over the world and still nothing matches the culture shock of going to China for the first time

[@omegarift]

@mcat0211 Its horrible how deeply flooded that area is at the moment.

[@goutfromfriedokra3936]

@@SabbaticalTommy U had fond memories of Shanghai because u got to bang a lot of women there.. They love Americans at the time...

[@efficientsexy]

@@SabbaticalTommy Not even countries in Africa, or India?

[@mikef6399]

@@omegarift flooded at the moment? I thought it was wild fire that killed over hundred people already. Yes, it is horrible

[@hermesliteratus882]

The man clearly has some fond memories of Shanghai, where he lived for 7 years, and he also speaks decent Mandarin too.

[@francoiswilliams]

SH is boring...

[@alexandermutune6131]

How old is he?

[@francoiswilliams]

@@alexandermutune6131 Why

[@TAIWANPARTOFCHINA]

sir why u want go back to china ??? so serpentza the racist guy anti chinese didnt success brainwash u to hate china ??? 😱😱😱

[@jsheen1993]

His Chinese is ass for 7 years

[@ValentinaMitchell1]

So good to see Tommy back and to see he has a big smile is everything! I hope only the best for him!

[@2WheelsGood.01]

I used to go for work before COVID, went 4 or 5 times. Absolutely loved it and miss it all the damn time. Extremely unique country with very warm and friendly people.

[@frankkluz9787]

All those interactions simply prove people are just people wherever you go in the world. -- It's a nice city but the language is the key wherever you go in the world. They all were surprised by how well you spoke their language ! -- And so was I !!! -- Good video.

[@kongwee1978]

Because of US politicians. @TwiddleBee

[@雪客-i9c]

@TwiddleBee😂我们不讨厌美国人民，我们讨厌的是你们政府，一天天制裁这个制裁那个的😂，大家好好和平相处不行吗非要一天到晚到出挑拨😂😂

[@雪客-i9c]

@TwiddleBee你如果知道他们最后修行是让人自杀，并且得病不看医生，而是要去拜他们的首领，你就知道为什么要消灭了

[@ExVeritateLibertas]

@@雪客-i9c What are you doing on a platform your dictatorship bans?

[@雪客-i9c]

@@ExVeritateLibertas 管你屁事

[@son_o_day]

I'm 26 now and I spent 2 weeks in China with a friend in 2018.. one of my favourite holidays ever. The experiences I had in those 2 weeks were crazy haha

[@alexandermutune6131]

Wueeh!

[@son_o_day]

@fb_conforzo Me and my friend got free entry into a nightclub, vip tables and free drinks (with very expensive alcohol) and when we arrived, there were already foreigners in the VIP section.. I found out the next day that Chinese people prefer to go to a club that has a bunch of foreigners hanging out in it because it's seen as the cool place to go lol

[@son_o_day]

@@Max-dn6pl Ahh I'd love to honestly but I don't have a degree and it's pretty difficult to get a job and a work visa without a university qualification. I've money though, maybe I can play the money card somehow:)

[@haniahannslew4108]

@@Max-dn6pl not everyone of them like foreigners. Before foreigners were very well liked and were special because the country was just opened and Chinese didn’t know much about outside world. In the last 3, 4 years, things have changed a lot in China and around the world. Now they don’t see foreigners more superior / more special than them.

[@haniahannslew4108]

@@Max-dn6pl No, I don't expect to be treated as superior or special. But there are many many more foreigners expect to be treated special because they have been getting a lot of privileges in China.

[@Dieblauesau]

"If you can make it in New york, you can make it anywhere". Tommy is one of the few people in the world that could make it anywhere. Always enjoy your vids! Cheers from Norway!

[@charliewilliams5217]

I’ve been waiting for you to go back to China, very excited to see what you make of it after years away! Thanks for the vid Tommy.

[@P4RC3V4L]

Happy to see your dreams are coming true and the channel keeps growing! Keep traveling Tommy!

[@dianbb]

Omg I'm so happy you're back! This is so iconic, seeing you read/speak Chinese in Africa many times and now we get to see you in the motherland, so much fun! Can't wait to see more

[@unnamedman1720]

I spent some time in China, in the city of Dalian, I enjoyed it, nothing like what the west portrays it to be, the people were friendly. Good to see you back at it Tommy!

[@jumpinjehoshaphat1951]

I've also visited Beijing and Qingdao. Especially enjoyed the Forbidden City and Jinshanling section of the Great Wall. But haven't found the West's portrayal of the average Chinese person less than sympathetic. They're victims of the CCP regime too.

[@elektronischerliebhaber]

Most people in EVERY country in the world are friendly and welcoming. But some governments are really scary. Chinas CCP is one of them...

[@unnamedman1720]

@@thomasnorb4077 well we did leave the Eurozone, I’m sure YOU are right!

[@lowkeyconvert8971]

we need more foreigners going to china to expose western MSM lies. i saw a piece claiming that the western MSM is even going to the extent of placing grey filters on footage and pictures of china to give the impression that china is a bleak, grey, miserable dystopia.

[@NeonGenesis808]

@@jumpinjehoshaphat1951I've always felt the same, it's a place I'd love to visit at some point as people do seem friendly and there's that rich cultural history. I've tried to not get too involved in nationalist rhetoric. Shanghai looks very interesting for a wander about.

[@guanpu5809]

Love your laid-back style talking about the subject and approaching to the strangers you come across.

[@DavidTheCastle]

I visited and lived in China for half a year just before 9/11 in 2001. I was 9 years old and it was the best experience of my life to this day.

[@priscillaferguson267]

I wholeheartedly agree. My time being in China was the best time of my life as a Chinese American.

[@鼎达彭]

你是华侨还是华裔啊？

[@garywilliams1948]

I lived in Putuo for 10 years , leaving 2017 . I’m thinking of visiting next year despite hearing so many negative reports so thanks for this insight. I mainly want to return to Wuxi and Nanjing !

[@w.z.6062]

Wuxi and Nanjing are fun too. I just visited these cities in the past summer. It's so convenient to travel around China now.

[@ddk1422]

nice u hear u like my hometown wuxi!

[@JamieCowboyNo-Name]

Another masterpiece Tommy!! Loved it bud. Keep ‘em coming and stay safe out there. Thank you for your work.

[@blazed3060]

There he is! Been waiting for your videos forever lol. Glad to see you man. Thanks for the content!

[@dickydingerexploring5247]

I get so excited when I see you put another video out!!! You’re my absolute favorite KZbinr!!!!

[@FilippoBuscemi93]

the only genuine travel guy in yout ube, much love from portugal tommy boy!

[@tombimashri8149]

Tommy should hv the Highest Likes nd Subs, his trully The Best without prejudice

[@tombimashri8149]

America should be so proud of SABBATICAL

[@FilippoBuscemi93]

he gives USA a good image, not like all those fake youtubers @@tombimashri8149

[@No_Rice_No_Power]

Woohoo! Been waiting ages for an upload. Cool to see you back!!!!

[@terracecar1]

I can feel those good memories from your smiles. Great video!

[@baileycaful]

21:41 As one of those people who spent two years in China (one of which was in Shanghai), I concur. It was two the best years of my life :)

[@thomasrupp8751]

Wonderful how easily you flip into those different worlds and situations! Rural Africa to Shanghai to NY and so on... And always with good background informations. MY RESPECT Tom ! From me as a slow worldwide traveller. What a wonderful world!

[@BarryBrowning]

Hey, Tommy, glad to see that he who often takes us off of the beaten path didnt get lost on one them somewhere in his travels. Great to see you bro'! Thanks for allowing us to hang out with you in Shanghai.

[@bassomatic1871]

12:14 In my Father's scrapbook from the war there is a photo of downtown Shanghai taken from the same side of the river when his ship was anchored there in September, 1945. Looking at that photo is like stepping into a time machine compared to the modern city that exists today.

[@shaozhihao]

有意思的是，如果你从黄浦江的东岸向西岸（外滩）观看，你会发现西岸的建筑与1945年几乎没有区别。 黄浦江的两岸是我在上海最喜欢的景点，西岸即代表了西方殖民时期带给我国的耻辱，也代表了当时西方现代化相比于一个农业国家的先进。东岸的建筑则全部修建于改革开放以后，代表了我党在当下取得的现代化成就。

[@StartLivingNow1963]

Good to see you back Sabbatical love your videos missed your weekly videos. Watching from New Brunswick Canada.🙂

[@shaysew3879]

Welcome back Tommy. Awesome ,informative and fun video as always.

[@gavincottingham6451]

Spent 2012-16 in Shanghai - thanks for bringing back some great memories!

[@MichelePonte]

Welcome back Sabbatical!

[@blivit195cm3]

I worked there for eleven years and loved it. Three months working there, then one month back in San Diego, California , then back to China, three on, one off, for eleven years. They flew me out in December 2019 never to return. I worked in Shanghai, Beijing, Shenzhen and Chengdu. I have probably been to thirty different cities in China and countless small towns. I do miss the people and the beautiful country of China and of course the three girlfriends I had to say goodbye too with no end in sight of the lockdowns in 2021. I'm jealous, have fun!

[@avalancheace]

11 years !!!?

[@chrisbrown8748]

Your an amazing ambassador of our country and you make me proud👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

[@blanco6865]

Is it just me or doesn't the audio sync with the video from 2:10 - the sounds seems different from what's happening on the screeen

[@OhSoGoated]

Thought I was losing my mind 😅

[@vortexfx420]

Love the vid! Thanks for showing us what Shanghai is like and some history!

[@truthaboveall7988]

I can’t wait to visit again - it’s such an incredibly beautiful place & I LOVE how safe it is how immaculate how high tech how organised how healthy it is compared to the US

[@blackkid9498]

Wow is so it’s nothing like it’s portrayed in the west

[@haniahannslew4108]

The west, particularly the united states, just paints China so bad because of hegemony. They don’t want China to do well .

[@BlackManMeetsWorld]

Yay! My favorite KZbinr is back! Ive missed you Tommy. You teach me so much

[@tombimashri8149]

By far he is the Best His openess nd Respect for All is on another level. Lovecthis guy I could listen to him all day

[@CodingExpress]

Longtime my Friend. It's your fan from Nigeria.

[@motomason]

Tommy so glad to see you back and safe! We were all worried

[@der-weidi]

I lived in the province Guangdong for more than 4 years. Beautiful country with lovely people and amazing delicious food.

[@wekati]

Good to see Tommy back!

[@Little_scorpion-iz1xk]

Good to see you back love your vlogs Sab, keep them coming .Stay Safe🙏🏽

[@David_S52]

There you are! Good to see you back.

[@ScubaJelly]

Appreciate the great videos you make.

[@ValentinaMitchell1]

Tommy! My favorite vlogger!

[@MercedesDenz]

Hes back! Oh man perfect timing too. My boss expects me to actually work...

[@darioshub]

I was wondering lately why did Sabbatical disappear suddenly. Great to see you back with a new adventure!

[@tonybaloney6656]

Another excellent video, one of the few channels you actually learn something. Bought back a lot of memories, Nanjing road seemed relatively uncrowded, when I was there it was so intense I had to duck into an ice cream shop to get away.

[@bigchewy8069]

VERY HAPPY TO SEE YOU POSTING 🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@bigchewy8069]

Safe travels my friend

[@Kaygee79]

The marriage park is amazing lol! I love that setup! What a cool tradition! Lol very interesting indeed! Got rejected as an American, should have tried Canadian, it might have worked better for you lol!

[@lowkeyconvert8971]

i hear a lot of yanks are claiming that they are canadian these days when asked where they come from because of the negative view of yanks around the world.

[@Kaygee79]

@@lowkeyconvert8971 It is nothing new, I have been travelling for many years and yanks surely do have a bad reputation in many places. I've met a lot of Americans my self while travelling and although most of them a great people a good chunk of them are oblivious to the rest of the world. They know only of American culture and not much beyond that and a lot of times they unknowingly offend other cultures because of that. Then the reputation forms accordingly and everyone gets labelled the same way from America regardless of what they know.

[@jinlingliang4385]

无论你什么国家的人，虽然現在美国同中国有予盾，但对美国人民是友好的，每一个国家都有好人，和坏人，但中国人多数对美国人民是友善的，特别在中国生活的外国人，因为多数人都了解中国文化，喜欢中国，如果你在中国生活长时间，你会越来越喜欢的，

[@Kaygee79]

@@joe25564 lol, lots of people need help with dating, this makes it possible for some people who may never have found a mate!

[@reijin999]

i'm so excited for this. have been waiting for this sort of content forever. thank you

[@hanslund2280]

Take a good rest mate.... your content is worth waiting for

[@ZeekmanEats]

Great to have you back buddy

[@romanlerma4069]

Oh man i was really worried about you. Good to see your back and safe.

[@mervynmontague1811]

Welcome back 🇯🇲👍👍👍

[@gibsonkemosi6825]

Today,I was thinking it's been a while since I heard from Sabbatical, and then this video Pops up😊

[@tharp42]

I've been to Shanghai five times and always had a ball. You put me right back there.

[@orangeguy9166]

LETSGOOO, i had a feeling china was going to be next and seeing your old videos you talked a lot about your time there

[@TZone671]

Discovered you sometime last year. Started with the Philippine travel vids. Glad to see that you're back.

[@bobbyGnOly]

I spent two weeks in Shanghai on business in 1998...LOVE SHANGHAI..... Hope to get back someday...so beautiful...took long walks every evening...so interesting....so many nice people.

[@hhtravel8942]

shanghai and china in general have changed a lot since 1998 for the better in terms of the infrastructure and the economy, u should definitely go back and make a visit

[@LeecheeChinaTour]

Welcome to travel to China! Welcome to book your itinerary with me!

[@henkmulder5491]

520 wo ai ni why post it after so long time? I lived in part of Dongguan from 2011 till June 2022. Wonderful people. I had a very good time, thanks all my friends.

[@CPM1992]

This one might need fixing. From 2:09 it's a completely different video to the audio..

[@BGratefully]

Good to see you again Tommy, great video!

[@dddanw6268]

Very objective！Excellent video. Since I lived in Shanghai for 10 years, I know you are telling the truth.

[@roberthamilton1301]

I just got back Home from visiting Family in Shanghai. Love it, It was Very Hot & Very humid though. Still my favourite city to visit away from Home. Been there 10 times over the years will be back next year 🤞 Thanks for the video Mate

[@youreprettygood2603]

I was there in May as well to visit the in laws, it was nice to be back, I spent a third of my life in SH, I have fond memories of the place.

[@basil9983]

Fantastic video... Looking forward to the rest 😊

[@PalmTree26]

Hey Tommy, you and a few of other KZbinrs encouraged me to travel (more) whenever I'm able to and to make friends in other countries. The travel channels I follow opened my eyes that there's a lot more out there and people with different lifestyles and cultures. I met my wife online, and she lives in DR. I married her last month and have been visiting the country 3 times a year. We plan on traveling to a variety of countries. Thank you for the inspiration, your channel is amazing. You, Mark Weins, Bald and Bankrupt, and Kurt Kaz are big inspirations and influences.

[@dylanjones4019]

You are in your element this video Sabbatical

[@gstephenson9442]

Currently in Tianjin just left Beijing. It is truly an incredible place. Too hot right now for a Brit like me though!

[@ethancardinal1876]

the cat HIGH FIVING ya was the funniest thing ever , now we have the opportunity to see china thru your eyes my friend .. honestly i was looking forward to you going back to china :) keep it real and keep it weird my friend :P

[@wslbln869]

If you revisit the old place, you should find that Shanghai has changed a lot.

[@ainee9263]

Wow finally you are back!

[@UntangledKnots]

Planned to go for 1 year. Stayed for 5. Amazing time. Wouldn’t do it again 😆 but I’ll visit my friends, they rock

[@Mover-n-Shaker]

Brings back memories. I had my office on FenYang lu. It used to have restaurants in that corner where it was boarded now in the video.

[@urbanimgstudio4104]

Great vid, hope to see more. Left me hanging with why living there was the best, the community, food, women, things to do, scenery, what?? lol

[@2WheelsGood.01]

Cheap and delicious food, good and cheap healthcare, tons of huge parks, excellent public transportation, bullet trains, amazing hikes, close bond between people and family, fun nightlife, tons of things to do, friendly people...and even if you're an introvert it's just fun to walk around and see all the locals outside after work dancing, working out, playing badminton or ping pong and just any other activity. Best to just go yourself! Even if you don't speak the language.

[@ebat5069]

Yay was so fun to watch your video again!

[@bwilsondomain]

Good video. Very interesting ! Great to see China and such an amazing country. Thanks for the content and without the bias of world politics thrown in.

[@blackthai5023]

Great video enjoyed your unusual perspective as an expat returnee

[@trendchina1]

Very fluent Chinese and nice video!

[@coreyjoel3452]

Thank you for taking me to Shanghai

[@kandn420]

My grandfather was a china Marine in the 1930s and has a scrapbook of photos and papers. Hard to believe it is 90 years. It is interesting how things have changed since then.

[@AlTarif]

Been waiting for this one.

[@leongsam1075]

Watched - ended abruptly - it's okay - I am back - just to say - thank you for this vlog - learnt something👍👍👍, enjoyed watching you roaming around. Would be great if you could visit more places in China! 🙏🙏🙏

[@dannorth3138]

Nice to see you uploading again Tommy 👍

[@DecemberNames]

I just wanted to take a moment to say how amazing your video was! I was really impressed with the quality of the footage, the editing, and the overall presentation. You did a great job of explaining the topic in a clear and concise way, and I learned a lot from watching your video.

[@lonesilv]

Fake comment

[@DecemberNames]

@@lonesilv you are fake user

[@dylan818]

Love listening to the history of the places you go

[@michaelgarn5330]

About the best China vlog video I have seen no bull 💩 the people seemed nice kind of crazy that you are able to move so freely around it's nice to see change and things stay the same good luck out there

[@tombimashri8149]

Truth Tommy vloggs are so educational learning stuff never knew. X Tommy

[@benharrison1019]

Why is it crazy that he is able to move so freely around??? I live there and travel all around china. I don't understand what you mean

[@AMGWCLass]

Just a lot of animal cruelty everywhere…

[@Stekopo]

@@AMGWCLass You should investigate what happens in the majority of livestock farms and slaughter houses in the west and your racist indoctrinated accusations could be kept for your self.

[@goingtoshanghai]

Lived in Shanghai 2007-2008. Appartment was between Xujiahui and Shangai Stadium. Great times.

[@markeasley6149]

Love this tour! Cool to see Shanghai again and unfortunate it seems to be going through a tougher time.

[@benharrison1019]

Shanghai is back to normal, packed now

[@Blue0000FF]

Finally, he's back!

[@RahmanSL]

What strikes me the most while watching your videos is just how clean China really is both in the cities and rural areas.

[@johnstef4421]

About time thanks once again for your fantastic effort

[@qubit0002]

video/sound seems all out of sync

[@exoexo0494]

You’re back - good! 🎉

[@asintonic]

Who ever that was on the bike riding past you at 4:59 were playing Funky Town by Lipps Inc. Lol

[@peregrino9154]

Shanghai, loosely translated into English, means Funky Town.

[@blue-xb1cq]

a lot changed in Shanghai . Shanghai now has noise ordinances. Parks in Shanghai are a lot quieter for example. Not sure about loud music from a vehicle though.

[@Richard-en5rb]

Yaaaay tommy is back 🎉

[@blususpect]

The marriage market, a walkthrough downtown, colonial history of Shanghai, a trip down memory lane, & all whilst speaking Chinese. Sabbatical does it so effortlessly, we genuinely appreciate you man.

[@hassejansson]

thx for the tour, very interesting :)