Of this I have no doubt
Again, I know that human rights remains a challenge in China, and I have no illusion that all companies are as pleasant to work for as Ctrip, China Green Agriculture, and China Fire. Clearly, these three companies stand out among China's best. Which is a big part of why my colleague, global investing expert, and Motley Fool Global Gains co-advisor Tim Hanson, named them his top picks from our 2008 and 2007 research trips to China, respectively.

It may also explain why one stock is up 100% and the other has already tripled in less than a year. Of this I have no doubt whatsoever: Disproving my No. 5 China myth -- my idiotic notion that Americans aren't welcome there -- was pure pleasure. Having visited no less than half a dozen of China's cities, I can assure you that nothing could be further from the truth.

The people I met across China are among the most gracious and friendly I've met outside of Iowa. And this from a guy who accepted more than one dinner invitation with the awkward confession that "I won't likely eat anything with a head on it." (I feel oddly homesick just writing this column.)

The best China idea out there
But this is an article about investing, after all. As I mentioned earlier, my colleague Tim Hanson and I returned from our research trips to China in 2007 and 2008 with actionable investment ideas that are now up 100% and more than 200%, respectively. That's what got me thinking about this column today.

Unfortunately, I couldn't make the research trip this year. But Tim landed in Shanghai a few days ago. He wasn't in Shanghai long -- this year he and his team plan to spend most of their time traveling across China's rural heartland -- visiting companies and searching for the next China Fire, China Green Agriculture, or other three-digit gainer. I have a suspicion he'll find it.

If you'd like to hear about Tim's No. 1 China stock for 2009, here's how to do it. Click the link below and sample Tim Hanson's global stock research for 30 days absolutely free. That way, you're automatically set up to receive his dispatches live from the road in China. You'll also be the first to hear about his top China stock for 2009.

I just received Tim's second dispatch and will be following along avidly over the next two weeks. Even without the stock ideas, reading the dispatches is a blast. If you're interested in joining along and being the first to receive Tim Hanson's top China stock for 2009, simply click here now.