Just out of curiosity, what did you do while you were there? I've always fantasized about taking off to some distant Asian country to hack away on code while learning the language and experiencing the culture (while also enjoying the minimal living expenses), but I'd love to hear experiences from someone who's actually been there and done that.

Why shenzhen? I spent some time in India and it was awe inspiring on one level but it was also depressing having to deal with such overwhelming incompetency.

That's the difference, is it not? Many people go and they think people are incompetent. I go and I see that people are not working optimally, and I figure out a way to make them work optimally.