This article presents four stories of personal experiences of China. In "A Journey Between China's Past and Present," Peter Hessler, a former Peace Corps volunteer and author, highlights misconceptions between Chinese and Americans and the desire both peoples share for knowledge about one another. In "Life on Liberation Avenue," Ryan Bradeen discusses how studying the ups and downs of China's economic growth, as seen from the perspective of one neighborhood in Hubei province, can help students appreciate the process of development. "Richard's Story" is Richard Wang's personal story describing the two sides of China--the rural, developing side and the urban, developed one--and how the lives of Chinese people are affected by where they are born. "Juefei's Story" presents Kathleen Woods Masalski's interview with Juefei Wang. In this interview, Juefei describes growing up in China during the early years of the People's Republic--his family's struggles, his relocation to the countryside, and his determination to further his education. (Contains 4 notes.)