The bearded 50-year-old and his 43-year-old friend Rakesh Chahar never thought China would be so developed.

"We are very impressed," says Sharma, sipping on his drink at a caf next to the Yashow clothing market. "We had a very wrong impression about China."

"We thought it would be rigid, strict and very military," he adds. "But, we've found it to be very friendly and liberal."

"We had this mindset; we know it's becoming a superpower, but we thought it's all just a show, that inside, it's not as strong," says Chahar, pointedly. "But, it is strong."

The pair was among the 400,000 tourists who came to the Chinese capital to experience the Beijing Games. Tourists lingering around the city before heading home also say their trip was eye-opening.

"I didn't know much about China before," says 20-year-old Brooke Lees. "I just thought it was a Communist country, but it's a very nice place. I've really enjoyed it."

The blonde Aussie was among three other Australian students who came to Beijing to volunteer during the Games.

Pippa Haughton, 20, was amazed by the efficiency of the city's public transportation system. "I found the subways really good," says Haughton. "We also took the buses to work everyday, and it was great."

Twenty-year-old student Abbey Wright admitted she thought she would see a poorer city.

"I was expecting more poverty," she says. "But, I haven't really seen much poverty here."

Wright also commented on the warm reception she received during her time in Beijing.

"They city's done a lot to make us feel welcome," she adds. "The people here have been so great and welcoming."

For schoolmate Maree Hancock, 20, the city's many Western influences came as a surprise, particularly its large and modern buildings. But moreover, the petite brunette said her time in Beijing helped her gain "total acceptance and understanding of a culture so far removed from back home".