In addition to the things Silverboy has already listed, I'd like to add some things that I miss about daily life in China (that most FTs/expats don't care about, or even like):

1. Grandparents taking their grandchildren to school in the morning
2. Groups of older women having public exercise together, waving fans (often with a blaring music machine as well)
3. Groups of older men gathering together with their birds, comparing, and claiming their bird is better than the other's
4. Fresh, barrel-baked xiaobin (the salty ones) for breakfast
5. Fresh and cheap fruits and vegetables sold on the street

and finally the one where people think I'm really crazy...

6. People on the street (usually early in morning, and usually right outside your window) yelling out for used cardboard, glass, metal, etc.

These elements of daily life in China are some of the things I miss most. No kidding!