How I Survived China for 14 Years 

Thank you for being a part of this incredible adventure, you're all so fantastically awesome! Watch Stay Awesome, China! here: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-mSie5A3LWgI.html If you think you may have seen this before, I did livestream this but immediately made it unlisted as the livestream was over 2.5 hours long, I edited this, added some relative media and re-uploaded it, if you would like to watch the original 2.5 hour unlisted stream, here's the link:ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-mBhDtpkBCQ8.html

To think I've been watching you almost since the beginning. I was 12 years old when I found this channel and I only happened onto it because I was into the PSP modding scene and you happened to be one of the only people on RU-vid who was showing off the camera which wasn't available in the US at the time. Here I am twenty eight still following the journey.

Lmao, can't imagine how revolutionary the PSP traveller concept was back in the day. It's crazy to think how far we've come in such a short time, mainly technology wise.

Your filming in China is legendary. Especially regarding the Conquering China series. You guys made a full out Motorcycle Diaries style documentary in China that has never been done before and cannot be done again. The balls you guys had to go to the places you visited and show it exactly how it is in a country where that's not allowed and just being there with no cameras at all can get you arrested and far worse. I'll bet you're so glad you did it when you still could and we all are too. I also remember when you lived in China that you were extremely fair towards the Chinese people even about situations that were really unacceptable in my view. Now you're exposing how things are going sour under the current leadership. Lately it's often a sad story but one we really need to hear. Thank you.

Wow, what a story. My first time going to China was 2007. The last time I went was just before the pandemic, a solid ten year run. I have so many memories of the wonderful people and places I went, but every time I went, I could see and experience the government control tightening. It began to really creep me out, even though I never had any really bad experiences. I feel for the beautiful people of China. It's hard to know where this is going to go but I don't think the surveilence state and the repression is sustainable. The only question is how it ends. Hopefully, for everyone, not violently.

I started a factory in Shenzhen about 8 years ago and “escaped“ to Taiwan about 2 years ago. I can vouch for every word you say about China, the good and the bad. Sadly it is getting worse very quickly under pooh bear!

Congrats on a million! Your 14 years gave you a career, a community of supporters, a beautiful family and the man you are today so a wonderful investment! Wishing many happy years on this next chapter here in the US!

Man I can sit and chill and listen to you for hours. You're such a great story teller and everytime I feel stressed and out of something good to watch I find your content very soothing. Also no, you've hit a million subscribers thanks to YOU. You're a legend and badass. P.S: I started my first video using PSP camera too lmao!

Glad you have been sharing your experiences! Been watching you and C-Milk for a bit over 2 years now. Please never change

My favorite video from Winston's "olden days" is one titled "Village Crawl - I Almost Died". In that video, he buys an old Kawasaki bike and has to ride it back home one night in the rain and in the dark. I guess you might call this a "stream of consciousness" video, because it is just Winston alone, and as he pushes on and on through the long, dark, and dangerous night, talks about the bike, about his younger days in South Africa, about his current life in China, and about things that he misses. It is a harrowing ride, because the bike has no lights, an overheating problem, generally in really bad condition, and with the rain and the dangerous traffic, he readily admits that it is extremely dangerous. In the end , as he finally approaches home, he says that he is glad that we, as viewers, were along for ride WITH him, kind of like partners helping to see him through this challenging adventure. The whole video has a "noir" quality as well, shot at night, in the rain, with several stops and problems along the way. I bit of a classic, if I might say. And it just goes to show that sometimes, some of your best work happens organically when you would have least expected it to be so. I always look at the "views" count shown underneath the title on that video, wondering how many of those views are my own repeat watchings ! Quite a few actually. Congratulations on the 1M subs, Winston, from a big fan who has been with you from the beginning here at YT. Cheers.

I truly believe some channels on RU-vid should be archived and preserved for their importance and contribution to the world. Yours should be one of them. Fantastic job overall. You're truly doing something important here.

The Serpent ZA back story... I can't imagine being homeless in a country where you don't speak the language. For that matter, I can't imagine learning to become fluent in Chinese, it's so completely different than English. The personal stories that you and CMilk tell, provide such a unique "look into China". Thank you, because right now the Chinese people need voices outside the country to tell their story, more than ever!

Winston, thank you for your videos. I dream of doing what you’ve done. The draw for adventure is so strong with me. I dream of living in a different country like you. Thank you for keeping it in my mind.

Listening to your story is like like reliving coming to Taiwan 18 years ago as a 24 year old, being totally broke after a while. I had nothing left, overstayed my visa for 3 months was about to get banned from entering Taiwan. Good fortune shines when you need it the most & here I’m being a permanent resident of this beautiful county … Well done Sir you deserve all of it specially considering not only did you have to deal with the Chinese trolls along with many of the CCP shills stabbing your back .. Once again well done man 💪💪💪

Serpentza was a huge reason I went to China when I was in my early 20s. Chengdu was amazing and really enjoyed my time. Stayed around 6 years and what he says is truly correct and on point. There was a big change towards foreigners and visas became harder and harder to renew. Also back in US, the economy got really good for a time and that for me was what brought me back home. So thank you amigo for motivating me back then and your videos really helped me out so much to navigate my initial travels in China! Big cheers with a modelo beer and keep making great videos!!

Congratulations on reaching a million subscribers! You’ve done a great job!

I hadn't watched this yet, so glad I was with you back when. Bless you Winston ❤️🍀🐨

You're the man, never stop doing this, ignorance is truly our worst enemy

It's pretty damn crazy being homeless half-around the world, not speaking the language... But you pulled through and no doubt it laid the foundation for the success you are today!

My heart breaks for the people of China. Most everyone you have ever featured seems to work hard and want a good life for their family. It’s such a shame they have no real freedom to express themselves. The people you met in the rural villages touched me the most, my grandparents were farmers and that way of life is so pure and real. I was born and still live in the USA, I’m so glad you have brought your family here and I hope your daughter gets to experience every good thing America has to offer her.

You've been on some crazy adventures, so I'm glad you made it out in one peace tbh. Your videos have always been great and I admire how you've persisted with telling the truth despite the troubles it caused you. Great work 💪

Hi. I am a Ugandan who lived in China for about 9 months between April 2008 and January 2009. I was on some volunteer programme that should have gone on for 2 years but was cut short because of funding issues related to the crazy financial meltdown that happened that year. Anyway while watching your video 2 things resonated with me. The first was how that initial trip has stuck with me all these years and I had every intention to go back to China in my own because I was so enthused by what China was at the time (at least Beijing where I was based) that I felt I had to be part of it for a longer time. Anyway life happened and I never got to go back. But the vibrance and positivity in the air at the time was intoxicating. China was a nation on the ascendency and 2008 being the Beijing Olympics year just dialled all that up to 100. I had heard so much about how terrible China was from the western media that I was a bit scared when I landed but truth be told there is not a single day I felt unsafe as a black man in China for the time I was there. May be it was because all my documents were in order and I am generally an easy going guy. A lot of what some of the black guys I met there attributed to racism and harassment I usually found was just a case of cultural misunderstanding and also because some of them had dodgy residence status. I was a curiosity as the only non-chinese person on my neighbourhood, in Deshengmen Beijing and when I say non-chinese I don't mean I was the only black guy. I was the only non-chinese guy of any race. This meant I attracted a lot of attention but I embraced it and I soon became a bit of a local celebrity with whom locals wanted to take pictures or practice English. Anyway I have kept up with some of the people I met back and I have generally tried to keep abreast with Beijing issues whenever I could and it seems the Beijing of 2008 is not the same as that of 2022. For starters many of the lively (lovely) Hutongs that I used to walk or cycle through do not exist anymore. Sanlitun, ohhh lovely and fun Sanlitun, that was the "United Nations" or bar and night club district that us foreigners used to meet and interact with happening locals no longer exists. It exists but all the fun dive bars and all night fun venues are no more. Slot of it sacrificed at the altar of what the authorities consider the proper image of a world superpower Anyway, thanks @SerpentZa your video brought back some good memories and I have been reflecting on those lovely months in Beijing since I watched it

I went to China in 1997 for the first time. Your channel is by far the most accurate and interesting about China I have found on RU-vid. Really appreciate your work.

What a great adventure and insight into your highs and lows in China. Thank you for persevering so that we can all enjoy your channel today. God bless you and your family on your future adventures from the US. Awesome channel!

I love these videos! Some even bring tears to my eyes. I met my with in the US in 2009. We moved to Shenzhen in 2010. Had great times there. Are daughter and son were both born there. I knew though they we would not stay and I had to get the kids out before they were ready for school. We left in 2014 to visit my parent and have been in the US ever since. Also being in IT, I found a job within two weeks and we never returned. Recent changes in China are scary. Can't imagine how bad things would be for us if we were still there. You're awesome, and like you say, stay that way!

Considering how much you've experienced in your time at China, it might be a good idea to try to capture some of that in a book, one day, presumably when you start finding it more difficult to come up with content for your YT channel, should that day come. I can tell you right now that I'd be happy to give you $20 for such a book, and I'm sure there are thousands more out there who'd do the same.

Hi Winston, I was in tears when I heard your closing words in this video. I'm very glad that I was part of your adventure in Shenzhen, China, because I was one of the students when you taught English in Tencent. I totally understand and resonant with the stories in your videos, no matter the good memories or bad ones. I can feel the complex feeling you had toward China. I'm still working and living in Shenzhen. I hope you could come back and visit Shenzhen one day, where there are still so many kind people, so many positive stories and more. As always, stay awesome! -- one of your students from Shenzhen, China

Such an interesting story! RU-vid has dozens of westerners that live in Japan and do videos about Japan, but you're the first western RU-vidr I've seen that has lived in China!

Thank you for sharing your true life storyline. I can appreciate and empathize your struggles and your successes. Awesome video!

Congrats on the million subs. Keep up the good work telling it how it really is, unfiltered and unapologetic.

Listening to your early struggles in China reminds me of my own in Japan in the first half of the 90s… down to being alone, not knowing anyone, running out of money, and having a poor grasp of the language. I returned after a three year break and stayed for another decade running my own language school. Visa trips to Hong Kong, Guam, Thailand and Korea. Kindergartens in remote areas. Teaching lovely people and kids who didn’t want to learn English. I survived 15 years during my two stints there. Many struggles and tears. Long hours and often felt like a slave in a prison. I think Japan has changed a lot since I left in 2009. I struggled to adapt to such a foreign culture but I succeeded. Being there taught me a lot about myself and changed me for the better.

Wow, awesome video, fascinating story, I am hooked, I have been to China once, and I love it but also know the downside, cant wait for the other videos

I moved to China in 2008(in the northeast) and stayed there for about 7-8 years. I always loved China. Back then, it was VERY chaotic. But in a good way. Every street was random stuff, you didn't know where anything was, but it was an adventure. China started growing so fast back then. It was beautiful to be part of that. Like Winston said, it's very easy to get into a relationship. I met a girl on the train from Beijing to where I lived in the northeast. Back then, most people had never seen a foreigner in their life. You feel like a superstar! I spent most of my 20s there, and it wS an amazing place ro live. There were alot of hardships, but it was VERY hard to be a foreigner, because of the government. I had to register my cell phone number with the local police, and it got phone tapped. I never did anything illegal, but it was annoying anyway. There was alot of bribing, extortion, and cheating back then, especially towards foreigners. I did speak mediocre mandarin, but just enough to get by. I learned very quickly, because I didn't hang out with foreigners that I came across. Clubbing and bars were a great place to meet locals, and learn about the culture, and make "friends". I use quotes, because mostly it was just because they wanted to be seen together with a foreigner. Although I did have fun amongst the chaos, being a foreigner was very hard, as you were constantly being monitored. And if anything happened between you and a local Chinese person, weither a simple argument that got out of hand, or a vehicle accident, the foreigner was ALWAYS at fault. Foreigners didn't have any rights. Nevertheless, I still had a great time. I met my (now) ex-wife, but I highly reccomend not to get into a serious relationship for awhile. In the end, I'd say it still was a great place to live for 7 years. As I never got online and made myself known, so I stayed under the radar. For the most part. Unfortunately, I would highly discourage any foreigner from moving there at this time, because the government(and the people to some extent), are now very anti-foreigner, mostly because of covid, and the propaganda around that. Everyone, have a great day, and remember....stay awesome

"You know what China's not as bad as you think. It's actually really fun and interesting and vibrant." ~Winston, 2008

Halfway through but excellent story and great storytelling! I lost count of the number of times I said wow, oh my and what!?! out loud. Thanks for sharing your experience.

Your story is fascinating! Thank you for sharing!

Viz. English speaking Chinese who are educated. I own a ZTE Cymbal phone (flip phone). I called the customer service number and had a five minute conversation with a young lady. It was evident English was not her first language. She was clear, she understood everything I said, I could understand her. At the end of the call I complimented her on her English. I told her I know how hard it is to learn English and her grasp of the language was excellent. And I thank her. I don't think I've ever heard someone more grateful for a compliment like that. She was very professional, but I could hear her light up.

When I was a kid, I was pretty enthusiastic about the Asian culture, especially Japan n China, and your channel has been one of the most insightful videos I've watched on RU-vid particularly on China n it has taught me lessons of balancing passion n wonder with caution n self awareness. Just because you might like some aspects of a foreign culture doesn't mean the people will necessarily like equally. Some are friendly and nice, some are indifferent, some are hostile n outright cruel with not just foreigners but their own people. It shows that I've grown up n realized the complexity of different country's agenda in relationship with foreigners, so have you to thank on this interesting perspective. Congratulations on hitting 1 Million subscribers, dude. It's well deserved

Keep it up!! I really appreciate your time to vlog your videos on ur YT

Im so happy to discover your channel! Thanks a lot ❤

Congrats for you reaching 1M subs, you deserve every success in life. Even though you've covered some or all of these experiences in your videos, it was good to see it all put into a timeline. Much love from Australia mate.

Congratulations on 1million Winston! You deserve it. Ive watched you and cmilk for years now, i love your content. Thanks 😊

wow thanks for the footage from past days in Shenzhen street. I missed the back days so much in there but didn’t catch some photos. Great jobs ❤

Thats insanse. That is absolutely crazy, the story of your growing up and becoming into an adult, in a foreign country, that being china no less. And how it manifested itself. Very very interesting and also inspiring despite the fact that, as you’re saying youself, you did put a blind eye to the negative aspects, and that you stayed despite, and not because, in the beginning. I just want to say good on you and i appreciate you being open and honest and saying “i wanted this to work, i wanted this to be good, so i focused on the positives, and tried to ignore some of the worse things i saw. The way you described it aswell, very very relatable, and i totally could see myself making the same decisions, if i were as fearless and brave as you are! Great content, keep it coming 👍🏾

before watching the video, i just want to tell you i appreciate your work mate.

This is definitely one of my favorite videos on RU-vid now! Thank you for all that you do!

Great videos Serpentza----- very informative , insightful with a dash of dry humor.. Keep up the fine work

I survived Australia for 13 years and it was awesome 😎🇳🇿❤️🤠🇦🇺

Not sure how your video ended up on my feed, but as a expat, I felt a certain connection. Life is a journey that when looking back sometimes you realize you could have done some things differently. But that is life! Keep up the good work and even though I have not seen your pass videos, I look forward to your future updates!

I try to remember the first video I saw of yours...I was so happy to finally "learn" about China. I haven't been disappointed. Both C-Milk and you make the videos so personal. Love the work, Winston.

I’ve watched many of your videos and found them to be fascinating and insightful and. Dry intelligent and actually quite compelling

Thank you for creating this excellent channel and for making vids like this one! Great stuff!

Hey Winston. I've been watching you since 2012. It's been awesome watching you grow and evolve. I still go back and watch your old videos now and again. I am still planning on moving to China and you have prepared me for that journey more than you could know.

Enjoy the videos (especially when you guys were in China). But one thing I've realized after watching a while is Serpentza has been in hundreds of sketchy situations, but is never the sketchy one himself 🤣 definitely some cool adventures though, so Conquering docs look unreal

Happy forthcoming birthday SerpentZA !

Story rocks! I'm a new fan and loving the inside China view.

Great video, I really liked how you summarized your whole life in China and reflected on it. Again, congratulations for a million subscribers and keep on making awesome content!

CONGRATULATIONS ON A MILLION SUBSCRIBERS! You 100% deserve every one of them. Love your videos so much, thank you Winston!!!

You're one of the best person ever ~ keep doing video like those, they are very enriching

Thanks for sharing your story, I felt like time just passed away listening to every word you said. My dad travalled a lot to china back in the early 00's, many of his stories fits yours, even though that he only was there for business trips, so 2-3 weeks at a time.

I discovered you at the end of 2018 when I had both hips replaced, worn out from climbing mountains, not from some weird disease lol, and I am super glad to see that you're still around and have grown so much. I've lost count of how many people I've told about you. Please keep it coming.

following u since long time ... rly true inspiration!

Dang!! 😳😲 Thank you so much for sharing your "beginnings" in China with us! 🤗❤ What a great story, and such an unforgettable time in your life! It really shows, that as individuals, if we want something, are driven enough, and not willing to give up when life gets hard, we can accomplish a great many things! Wow! 👀❤ You have led such an interesting life, and I pray great experiences keep coming for you and your family, for all the years to come! You are a very brave, and tenacious individual, and are doing great things for the Chinese people, and country as a whole, by sharing what life is really like there. Like you said, "Only by talking about the difficult things, can there be changes made to correct them."

I wonder if I will ever get tired of listening to Winston's amazing, down to earth recounts of his life's adventures. Well, clearly not any time soon. Thanks for yet another amazing video Sir.

Exactly the video I was waiting for. Made me nostalgic and I’ve never even lived in China. Thanks Winston!

I can relate so well to your experiences with having travelled through 65 countries on a tight budget , hitch-hiking , bussing , cheap trains and flights , military zones , deportation as a military spy because I didnt fall for bribes etc. But what an adventure , absolutely mind blowing . The nature and beauty of our planet is beyond comprehension. It truly makes one feel alive. Ive been an eco tourist as most cultural /political history does not interest me. Even now after 38 years Im still yearning for more . Can never get enough soul food . And by the way , I am also an ex-Capetonian.

Legit glad you made it out 🙏🏽

Been following you for several years. Your story of your first year or so in China, so dire. You are a survivor, and your perspective on China is so valuable to our world today.

I watched Serpentza videos for 2 years from 2010 to through to the end of 2012 and they had me falling in love with China. End of 2012 I quit my job, sold my cars, got rid of everything I owned and moved to China. Lived there from 2013 till 2019 then left because it was starting to turn into a full on dictatorship. I really hope when Xi dies the next leader starts to reverse that. I miss that place so much but it's devolving quickly with the current leadership

LOVED your channel back in the day when it was just going out for chill scooter rides in the country and wrench turning!

Thanks, Winston. Look forward to seeing more stories from your adventure there in China!

You must be a hero to live in that for 14 years and tell people the truth, respect

I stayed In china 🇨🇳 for 3 years before moving to Japan and still in Japan 🇯🇵 now. Bro I really respect your job on RU-vid because you’re saying the truth about china 👍🏾

Absolutely one of my favorite channels. Stay Awesome Winston. Peace!

Thank you sir. Keep up the good work.

As I plan my departure from the Republic, it has been great to look back at my experiences lived vicariously through your videos and gives me hope and inspiration to make change too.

I am a long time watcher of your channel and I have lived vicariously though you for years. I did beat 'cha to China however I made dozens of trips there for work in the mid to late 1990's to Guangzhou and HK. I love China and it's people. It is terrible the dystopian nightmare of a place it is becoming.

Loved this video. Loved the country and so I am going to have to find the ones you did. Thank you for uploading

I remember watching all your videos from the early days . I really enjoyed the easy going climate of your early videos .

Winston, my belated congrats to you for reaching this milestone! And, a great video topic for this moment... You’ve shown and educated a lot of people about China (both good and bad), in ways no one else has ever managed to do! Til you hit the diamond award - cheers mate!!! 🎖🎉

the 90’s in China was vastly different from now. the big turning for me was about 2012. i’ve enjoyed your take on what you’ve seen to contrast with my own experiences.

I have been following you and your friend lawai 86 for a while. I lived in China from 2009-2018. Keep it up man!!

That was really, really interesting. You're a great story teller!

Thank you for sharing your life story, it is really moving after watching it！ 謝謝你分享人生故事，看完真的很感動！ Congrats on reaching one million subscribers！ You did a really great job！👍😄👏

I started watching these videos around 2010 in middle school. Crazy how things have become more authoritarian since then. China used to be someplace I wanted to visit - but I’m not planning on it anytime soon.

Subbed. Love listenting to your stories and experiences... but really have to go to bed.... Monday coming up... will be back tomorrow 😀

Thank you for staying true to yourself and always being honest, open-minded and fair

Thank you very much for this video. I have watched quite a few of your videos, over the years, but intermittently, and out of order. After a while I saw that you had gone through an evolution. This video puts that evolution in context, and I am going to try to get some other people to watch it. Best of luck

Well, we had same situation. Watching this video and listen your story, i saw myself...perfectly same situation. I've been 15 days totally homeless in shenzhen, sleeping under a Nanshan bridge long sotry. I think people like us who went through such things have should be proud of what has been built after.

Huge respect for what u do winston, stay awesome. :)

Great video, very comprehensive!

👏🙂 Thanks for sharing your story and keep up the great work Serpentza

I found your channel sometime after 2010 and been watching all your videos! Thank-you for sharing your amazing stories! One day your kids will grow up and get to see you retell your life through these videos, and I’m sure that it will be priceless story that they will continue to carry through out their life just like all the viewers get to experience it now.

When I first discovered you, I liked your videos. I've stayed a subscriber because you actually tell the truth of what you're seeing in China. Keep on trucking, baby.

You are one of the first channels I subscribed to more than 10 years ago! l loved following your journey and learning more about China, your videos on Shenzhen, made me explore more of the city. Congrats on the 1M and hope life is well.

I found you in 2016 because I was a vipkid teacher meeting all these awesome Chinese kids online and I wanted to know more about their world. I loved the motorcycle ride videos so much. When their gov't shut down foreign teachers and essentially fired over 100,000 vipkid teachers last year, it really wasn't a surprise to me because I knew you and cmilk had been saying that nationalism was ramping up and you saw stuff like this coming. So thank you for a view of China I've never seen elsewhere and for keeping it real. I think I too acquired fond memories and a broken heart in China.

Shenzhen is only an hour away from my current home and I have no more motivation to go there, despite the intense nostalgia I feel watching this video. I also got there in 2008 and lived next to Dongmen. We were a decade neighbors and never met. Difference was I didn't use shenzhenstuff :D

I don’t know if you read this since this popped up in my feed suddenly in 2023 and it is a long time since this video was posted. I have watched a few of your videos, and I have not been sure what to think of you or your videos. A part of me has thought of you as some white cocky South African, while at the same time your videos have intrigued me. With this video you won me over. 😊 I don’t think I could have done what you have - just sell everything and pack up and leave, and your struggles in China humbles me. Still, I think I can understand. I grew up with the faith of Stephen Biko and I was impressed and almost cried when Pik Botha declared an end to apartheid and Nelson Mandela became president. Which is also why you have my sympathies and I despair at what SA has become. But enough of that - I just wanted to express my respect for you and your work after watching this video, which gives a fascinating insight in how/why you went to China, and into what you stand for. I wish you all the best. 💐

I love your pronunciation. Clear, easy to understand and nice to hear.

Congrats on the 1 million! I've loved your content for a while - I'm glad to see others are becoming aware of how great your channel is!