I think it's still a big deal. I didn't hear about anybody teaching English in China, though I've heard of several people telling me they knew someone in Korea. To live in a small city in China, when it's your first time living outside of your own country...it was a little tough. Your description of "years ago" basically describes my experience. All my friends and family told me I was so brave, although I didn't feel that it had anything to do with bravery. They don't understand China, only knowing that I'd wanted to travel for a long time. And it is a significant thing to them. Honestly I think it's tougher than people believe back home, because they don't know about the real China. Aren't people horrified at some of the stories you tell them? Sure, the biggest cities are more modern, but even those can be a challenge, although I didn't personally experience life there.

Do the newer expats have it easier? Language-wise, maybe. It seems like more and more Chinese are speaking some English. But the paperwork is probably more difficult. Getting the visa can be a pain, and you'll need the proper qualifications for a good job. I think they will continue to get more strict with that. Originally I had planned to come to China for two years, but when I went to apply for a new job, and saw all the trouble it would be, I gave up. Getting a job in China is not difficult, but finding a good one? It's like a needle in a haystack, a haystack where some of the hay looks like needles but they're really not, and if you're unlucky, you make a wrong choice. I just don't have the mental stability to go through that again.

for fun no but if you are going to bumF*** nowhere to work on a 2 year contract then yes

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Time to have some guts and go to N.Korea now.

If you go to a big city like Beijing or Shanghai, it isn't that big a challenge anymore. But going to a small city or the countryside... That still takes some courage.

I arrived there just after the olympics in 2008 and it seemed to actually get harder after that.

For the average expat with minimal or zero Chinese language ability, yeah...I think it still takes some guts.  Especially like Mr_Spoon said if you're taking up residence outside of a tier 1 or tier 2 city.  Even in the big cities, I've found the english ability of the local Chinese is not always something you can rely on (had to use my broken Chinese to order at a McD's in Shanghai....).  And that's just talking about communication issues.

The whole other issue is the "cultural" difference between China and the home countries of most expats.  I mean, you can say "cultural" differences or just us trying to adapt to the general boorishness of the folks here.  After about a month or 2, it really starts to grate the nerves, let alone staying a whole year or more.  Even now, if I can't go back to my home country every few months or so....I start to lose it.  Just start getting snappy at my colleagues and friends here over small, trifling issues.

So yeah, I think it still takes some guts.  On the average, I think the expat here still faces quite a few challenges, especially in those first few months of acclimatization.

I've heard brave from my friends and family. I've mostly heard insane and nuts and crazy, though. Visiting is one thing, moving, however is completely out of the scope of their reality. To be honest, I dont know if it's just China or if its Asia as a whole. 

But any move takes guts. To another country... with another language and another life style... crazy mad guts.

Actually, it just seems like "everyone and their mother" is making the jump. The statistics are that those who come are still a very small number. When I told my family that I was moving to China, it was certainly a surprise, but followed by the knowledge that, for that time in my life, just something "I" was doing. I've always had an interest in Asian culture, especially the arts and philosophies, so my choice originated from those interests.

In other words, I've always been a little crazy.

But let's look at another side of the issue. How many people, before they come here, truly know about the "real China." The information you get back home glosses over the obvious reality of the day-to-day mindset of the average Chinese, and paints this image of adventure and intrigue. How many on this forum would have moved to China, knowing then what they know now. I can not personally say that, if this was the case, I would have. 

Now, I really have enjoyed my life here thus far. For example, last night, a friend of mine who owns a small shop invited my wife and I over for dinner. It was just getting dark, and we set up a table in front of the shop and had a great meal. People were walking along the street, sometimes stopping to talk, trying to "beat the heat," as it were, and generally engaging in social activities. It was a relaxing, evening meal. Kids were playing along the sidewalks, once and a while a pup would come up to the table looking for a hand-out. A typical, urban setting as evening descended. And, it was fun.

But back to the subject at hand. Those who came years ago didn't know what to expect, just as those who travel in their footsteps don't have a clue, either. And, those who are "back home" still think those who have gone are either brave, foolish, bold, crazy, or just plain restless! Which just about is the truth of it all.

1st week i spent here was errrmm how do i explain it, i wanted to get the efff out of here, i was really paro and scared to be honest i dont often go away alone or come to this part of the world but then i made some friends and the cultural difference , living conditions where irrelevant, i mean if you want to im sure you can find a decent apartment  and eat at a god place, now ive been here for sometime and ive managed to see so many parts of the country but it wont stop here still a lot to see, when i meet people who want to do a gap year abroad i tell them, why spend lots of money going to a few different countries, so much more to see in china and its only 1 country