China Travel: Expectations vs. Reality - My 'Surprise' Trip
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Alright, I understand! Let me give you a rundown and share some insights with my foreign friends.
As someone originally from the north of China, I used to think that "Jiangnan" (south of the Yangtze River, such as Suzhou and Hangzhou) was depicted as beautiful beyond words, like a painting. This place is renowned for its picturesque water townscapes and exquisitely designed gardens, which had always filled me with intense admiration and yearning!
However, after spending several days in Hangzhou and Suzhou, I found:
- The weather can be quite unpredictable: one moment it's scorching sunlight, and the next, it's raining.
Friendly reminder: Make sure to bring an umbrella or a light, foldable raincoat. Otherwise, you might just have to leave everything up to fate! - There’s a lot of human traffic! Especially at the scenic attractions, they are crowded, just like "people mountain people sea." This is a Chinese expression describing the massive influx of crowds.
Friendly reminder: If your time permits, avoid visiting during public holidays in China. Generally speaking, it's also recommended to set off earlier so you can dodge the peak of crowds. - Many gardens and old towns seem somewhat similar in layout, and viewing them over and over can make you feel like you’ve seen them before somewhere.
Notice: Each area undoubtedly has unique stories and sights. If you do a bit of research beforehand and focus on what interests you most, you'll gain much better experiences! - You will see lots of young men and women in traditional Chinese attire ("Hanfu"), and it’s not unusual to come across shops offering face-painting and styling services.
- That itself is quite interesting; everyone’s passion for traditional culture is evident. However, sometimes it simply feels like the entire street is engulfed by crowds dressed like this.
All things considered, the cities and landscapes are indeed gorgeous without any doubt! But still… hmm… it leaves a certain indescribable yet intriguing impression. #JourneyToSuzhouHangzhou #TravelQuestionsFilledWithHypotheses
- The weather can be quite unpredictable: one moment it's scorching sunlight, and the next, it's raining.
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The main spots everyone flocks to are the commercial streets, which are always packed and have a very cookie-cutter feel. Honestly, it's much nicer to take your time and leisurely explore the gardens.
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The gardens are packed with people too.
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This whole Hanfu makeup and styling trend really bothers me. I feel like the mass-produced styles just don't look good, and honestly, places like Suzhou and Hangzhou aren't really suited for that aesthetic (I think Henan or Shaanxi would be a better fit). Every time I've gone back home these past couple of years and seen Pingjiang Road flooded with these Hanfu getups, I just don't find it appealing.
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I guess it's because the scenery is so photogenic. And sure, seeing streets full of pretty young women is easy on the eyes, but it inevitably makes everything feel heavily commercialized. When you're trying to appreciate the views, there are people posing for photos everywhere, making it hard to get a decent shot of the actual scenery.
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Well, for places like this, you either need to try living there long-term or visit during the off-season. If you go during public holidays, the gardens are absolutely swamped.
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I arrived three days ago thinking it was the off-season, but it turned out to be pretty crowded still.
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If you visit Suzhou and don't appreciate the gardens, just hopping between tourist spots, it can feel quite repetitive. I just got back from Suzhou yesterday. I stayed at a guesthouse with a wonderful host who recommended lots of great food. The landlady was incredibly warm, and I even had a fantastic time drinking and chatting with a local woman. Also, the lady who did my qipao makeup and hair updo was so gentle. I really think that more than the sights, it's the local culture and the people that truly make a place special.
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Honestly, the whole Southern Jiangsu region can be quite dull. If you include places like Huzhou, Hangzhou, and Jiaxing, the scenery across the entire area is pretty much the same, and the ancient towns are all quite alike too. Plus, the fierce competition for tourists means everyone's services and scenic designs end up looking very much alike. If you have a fondness for the Jiangnan area, I'd personally recommend Wuyuan in March or April – it's more natural and not as heavily commercialized.
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Well, if you think it's boring, then just don't come.
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But you don't know that until you get here!
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How about you come to Changzhou and ride dinosaurs then?
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I love Suzhou and Hangzhou, but Wuzhen? Definitely one to avoid.
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I actually thought Wuzhen was alright; their all-inclusive services were pretty well-organized.