I always thought entering a communist country was like in the movies. Giant walls with barbed wire, fierce guard dogs, soldiers with M16s, searchlights. The reality was just a boring airport-terminal like area.  It took less time in line getting in and out of China than going through US customs (where 3/4 of the lines are closed all the time. Sort of like shopping at Frys).

The tour went to this “painting village”, where you can buy copy-paintings. Then boing boing does a post on it days later, weird coincidence.

No need to leave China, a miniature version of the world theme park is here too.

Wal-mart conquers the world:

Housing that looks like it was made out of Legos:

Shipping container houses:

The Konka factory! This was a big deal at Disney in 1999. We all ran out to Fry’s to get Konka DVD players, since it was the first time players were down to $100 or so. It broke 2 weeks later.