The China I Wish I Could Live Again

Every couple of years, my family would go visit my parents' hometown, Tianjin, China. We would take a plane to Beijing first and meet my grandparents there. I remember when we first arrived, they would always bring us Tanghulu, fruit covered with hardened syrup that was sold on the streets. Visiting China over the years gave me an appreciation for my heritage and I made many memories that I will treasure forever.

One thing that made China so memorable to me was the nightlife experience. I remember wishing I could stop time when I stood in the street. The smell of street food filled the air and the liveliness of people’s voices. Even at around midnight, I was surrounded by lights and the feeling of safety. In Tianjin, my grandparents lived right across a college campus and my brother and I would go there to roller skate. The fountain square turned into a park to rollerskate in at night, blasting music and colorful lights as kids rollerbladed everywhere. There were grandparents that danced there as well to the lively music. The dancing was called Guang Chang Wu and anyone could join in. It was unlike the US where I knew that most people stayed at home in the nighttime. On the other hand, Tianjin was filled with people, and the bright lights of the stores gave people the feeling of intimacy with the rest of the world. There were kids playing, people dancing, music blasting, cultural traditions, and many people walking down the lighted streets of Tianjin. It was especially hard to feel alone there.

Aside from the nightlife, the Chinese food during the times I visited also made a big impression on me. Sometimes my family would go out to eat at new restaurants and it always felt like an adventure. There were restaurants underground and on the top of buildings and I really enjoyed getting to taste more varieties of foods. Even the Mcdonald's around the block was decorated and had new foods on the menu. I remember visiting Mcdonald's and getting the spicy chicken sandwich with my brother to see who could eat the most. In the mornings, people would often visit places that served Zao Cha, which is a place that sold just breakfast dishes. Examples of the food people could get there were steamed buns, soups, steamed dumplings, chicken, etc. Another option for eating on the go, not only for breakfast but almost anytime, was the 小摊, the street vendors that set up little stalls on the sides of roads early in the morning. They sell all sorts of foods and things, from noodles and bbq to toys and clothing. Everything they sell is really cheap and they are set up all over China. For lunch and dinner, restaurants serve more solid dishes. Some of my favorite foods are 干煸四季豆 (fried green beans with hints of chili pepper), 刨冰 (shaved ice topped with condensed milk, boba, etc.), 肉夹馍 (like the Chinese version of a taco, bread, pepper, and beef), and probably a million other things. Almost every time I visited, I found I liked basically anything and everything I ate.

All the times I’ve visited China, looking back on it now feels like a daydream. From being pretend firefighters in a children’s world playground, splurging on the toys in the gigantic malls, the zoo that visitors could tour on by boats, karaoke with my cousin, or even just laying around my grandma’s house were all little joys that made my experience better. I realize that these trips to China over the years gave me something to remember and treasure, although some things aren’t there anymore. Still, certain smells or sights make me remember from when I was in Tianjin. It’s unfortunate that I can’t visit as I did before because of covid, but in the future, I dream of being able to again. I hope more people can have the opportunity to understand how beautiful China can be.