Middle Kingdom Expedition: Our Whirlwind Journey Through Modern China

We just got back from 12 days on the ground in China—what we’re calling the Middle Kingdom Expedition—and sat down while the jet lag was still fresh to capture our impressions.

This wasn’t a sightseeing tour. It was a boots-on-the-ground, trains-and-taxis, cigars-and-coffee kind of trip—ten cities in twelve days—meeting people, building connections, and getting a firsthand feel for life and business in modern China.

We went in with plenty of questions and a few preconceived notions. Some were confirmed, many were flipped upside down.From Shenzhen’s whisper-quiet electric streets to unexpected home-cooked dinners with near-strangers, the warmth and openness we encountered caught us off guard—in the best possible way.

In this episode, we talk about:

* The surprising beauty and style of Chinese cities

* Cultural nuances that unlock deeper connections

* Why politics rarely came up (and why that matters)

* The vanishing expat scene—and the opportunities that might create

* Our biggest takeaways for anyone curious about working with China today

Whether you’re China-curious, a fellow freedom seeker, or just here for the travel stories, this one’s packed with moments that made us stop and say, “Wait, this isn’t what I expected.”

See you inside,Lovis & Jason

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