As the second largest economy in the world, China has come a long way in a very short period of time and many of its first tier cities, such as Beijing and Shanghai, feel like any other large international cities in Europe or America. But China is still a developing country, and this is readily apparent in its more rural areas. There, one can see the effects of polluted air, food, and rivers. Empty villages bear witness to water loss, soil erosion, and land desolation. While China has experienced an unprecedented period of modernization, the benefits have not been evenly enjoyed across the country.