What things can you do in China that you cannot do in the USA?

 
There are several things you can do in China that you can't do in the USA due to differences in culture, government regulations, and societal norms. Here are some notable examples:

1. Social Media & Apps

• Use of Chinese Apps (WeChat, Douyin, Taobao): China has a digital ecosystem that is very different from the USA. Apps like WeChat are used for everything from social media to payments, while Douyin (China’s version of TikTok) has unique features not present in the international version. Taobao and JD.com dominate the e-commerce scene.

• Access to Certain Services: Many Chinese platforms, such as Baidu (for search) and Weibo (for microblogging), offer features or local content not found in the USA. Conversely, platforms like Google, Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube are banned in China.

2. Censorship & Content Restrictions

• Access to State-Restricted Media: Chinese citizens have access to heavily censored internet content, which is very different from the more open internet in the USA. While the USA has stronger protections for free speech, China has strict regulations on what can be said online and in media.

3. Tourist Attractions & Experiences

• Visit Historical Landmarks: Some iconic sites like the Great Wall of China, the Forbidden City, and Terracotta Warriors can only be experienced in China. These cultural treasures are unique to China’s long history.

• Stay in Capsule Hotels: While capsule hotels are available in other countries, China has its own unique take on them, particularly in cities like Beijing and Shanghai.

4. Legal & Governmental Differences

• Own a Business with No Public Criticism of the Government: In China, it's easier to establish certain types of businesses, especially in sectors like technology and manufacturing. However, open criticism of the government is strictly prohibited and punishable by law, something that is protected under the First Amendment in the USA.
• Participate in Strict Social Credit System: China’s developing Social Credit System monitors citizens' behavior, influencing access to services. No equivalent system exists in the USA.

5. Modes of Transportation

• High-Speed Bullet Trains: China has one of the world’s largest and fastest high-speed rail networks. While the USA has trains, none match the speed and efficiency of China’s bullet trains, like the ones traveling between Beijing and Shanghai.

• Use of Electric Bikes/Scooters Without Many Restrictions: In Chinese cities, electric bikes and scooters are extremely popular and more integrated into everyday life. The USA has stricter rules on their use in public spaces.

6. Public Surveillance

• Experience High Surveillance in Public Spaces: China is known for its extensive network of public surveillance cameras. The USA has surveillance, but China’s system is more pervasive, with AI facial recognition and monitoring of citizens on a larger scale.

7. Cultural & Lifestyle Differences

• Practice Tai Chi in Public Parks: While you can practice Tai Chi in the USA, it's a daily ritual in Chinese parks where people of all ages gather to practice this traditional form of exercise.

• Experience Traditional Chinese Medicine: Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is widely accepted and practiced in China, including treatments like acupuncture, herbal remedies, and cupping, which are less common in mainstream American medicine.

8. Political System

• Live Under a One-Party Communist State: China’s government operates under a single-party system led by the Communist Party, while the USA has a democratic, multi-party system with regular elections and a division of powers.

These differences highlight how China and the USA operate under different social, cultural, and political systems, shaping unique experiences in both countries.