Searching for the 'real China' in its rural villages

Open accessibility guideSkip to sections navigationSkip to contentSkip to footerThe Sydney Morning Herald logoThe Sydney Morning Herald logoAdvertisementWorldAsiaChinaGleaming skyscrapers, robots, and futuristic EVs are just one part of China’s modern story. In rural areas, life is much slower, incomes are lower and development lags behind the cities, but communities are tight knit.Updated July 23, 2026 — 2:06pm,first published 2:03pmLoadingLatest in VideosVideo icon0:34Anson Mount plants unexpected kiss on The View host Joy BeharVideo icon2:51New data reveals luckiest suburbs to get a winning lotto ticketVideo icon1:26McKay suffers knee injuryVideo icon3:03CCTV vision captures good Samaritans stepping in to stop violent attackAdvertisementThe Sydney Morning Herald logoTwitterFacebookInstagramRSSOur SitesThe Sydney Morning HeraldThe AgeBrisbane TimesWAtodayThe Australian Financial Reviewnine.com.auDriveClassifiedsTributesPlace your adThe Sydney Morning HeraldContact & supportAdvertise with usNewslettersAccessibility guideSitemapPhoto salesPurchase front pagesContent licensingWork with usTerms of usePrivacy policyPress CouncilCharter of Editorial IndependenceAI Editorial GuidelinesProducts & ServicesSubscription packagesMy accountSubscriber FAQsDelivery statusToday’s PaperGood Food GuideDaily PuzzlesCopyright © 2026Subscribe