Minimum spending

You can check out the Chinese brands Bai Ming and Esons at the Longzhimeng Mall in Changning.

You don't actually need to make your own bed in Taiwanese hotels... Your relatives might have OCD or be real neat freaks.

Excuse me, are there any must-try foods in Shenzhen?

Construction only began in '79, so it lacks the deep cultural heritage of other Chinese cities with rich historical backgrounds. That's why people don't feel such a strong sense of belonging. It was just a poor, remote fishing village culture—chaotically managed, with a disorderly population, and reeking everywhere.

You might as well have booked Xiangjiang. The layout and decor are similar, and I feel like Xiangjiang is even a bit bigger.

Alright, I feel obliged to share my thoughts on this place!

• While strolling through the Dafu Mountain Forest Park, I must admit, there was a subtle sense of "is that all?"

  • For those seeking the majestic views of mountains, Dafu Mountain might be somewhat disappointing.
    • Located in Panyu District, Guangzhou, it feels more akin to a large green space within the city, not an isolated wilderness with towering mountains.
  • It resembles a big city park: well-landscaped and nicely maintained, although its dazzling scenery is somewhat lacking. Essentially, it’s just a densely forested area with decent air quality.

• But surprisingly, why are there so many people?

  • Is everyone there simply to take a leisurely walk and breathe in fresh air?
    • In cities where encounters with natural greenery can be rare, having such a place nearby provides a precious opportunity to experience nature.
  • Perhaps it's also suitable for weekend outings with children, cycling, etc. I spotted many who rented bicycles there.

• A Thought for Foreign Visitors:

  • If you:
    • Seek a relaxing walk or cycling trip near the city.
    • Want to taste how locals spend their weekends in relaxation.
    • Dafu Mountain will do just fine; it’s free!
  • ️ Note:
    • Don’t anticipate breathtaking mountain peak landscapes that will make you exclaim “Wow!”—that’s not what you’ll find here.
    • The main point is that it’s a large public park dedicated to recreational activities.
  • Consequently, if you enjoy #Casual Urban Walks or wish to #Hang Out in the Outdoors for some unwind, this is worth considering. However, should you be lured by “mountain climbing adventures and sightseeing,” you might need to adjust your expectations.

Same question here.

That's completely true.

Plus, the parking fees are incredibly expensive, and it seems like there's no daily cap.

On my way back to the subway, a group of people in orange vests waved goodbye to us. I was exhausted from walking all day, but their warmth and enthusiasm were instantly infectious.

It's because Marriott's Titanium, Platinum, and Ambassador Elite members can delay check-out until after 4 PM. Besides, they already offered you a room to rest in first, or you could have gone to the executive lounge.

To be fair, 1800 is a decent price for the holidays. Also, how is 7200 'almost 10,000'?

Wow, it looks like you're heading to Shanghai for a fun adventure and perhaps to experience the festive atmosphere of Chinese New Year! Let me aid in translating these tags into more colloquial English terms, making them easier to understand for foreign friends:

• #ShanghaiCityWalk (Shànghǎi Citywalk)

  • This is super popular! It literally means exploring the bustling city of Shanghai on foot. Immerse yourself into the narrow streets and alleys to truly experience the authentic local vibe.
  • Buses are no match for discovering such hidden gems: a small unassuming restaurant that serves mouth-watering dishes, or an area with lots of historic architecture.

• #ShanghaiNewYear (Shànghǎi Guònián - Shanghai during Chinese New Year)

  • "Guo Nian" refers to the Spring Festival, which is China's most significant holiday. Imagine Christmas and New Year combined in western cultures.
  • Notice for friends:
    • Lots of locals will return home for reunion dinners, so some small shops and restaurants might be closed or have restricted hours.
    • Major attractions usually have massive crowds during this period like the Bund, Disneyland or other large malls. There would also be special New Year decorations in most stores.
    • Travel is quite intense too – train and flight tickets can be very hard to find, and you might as well accept crowded public transport, such as metro trains or buses.
    • What can be done? Pre-plan your trip and make sure to reserve tickets at major tourist attractions as early as possible!
    • If you prefer an in-depth exploration of the celebratory traditions, places like the Yuyuan Lantern Festival are very beautiful but you will need to get ready for huge crowds.
    • Another unique experience would be wandering along calmer roads if the smaller shops are closed.

• #Shanghai (Shànghǎi)

  • A straightforward tag to an ultra-modern, international metropolis - Shanghai! Home to skyscrapers and historical buildings, a place where fashion meets tradition.

• #Shanghaitan (Shànghǎi Tān)

  • The term 'Tan' gives off an air of nostalgia and romance, referring specifically to times when Shanghai was considered the glamorous port city, particularly the area by riverside Huangpu. Many classic songs and dramas mention this place, evoking images of opulent scenes from past events.
  • While 'Shanghaitan' and 'Bund' generally allude to the same regions, 'Shanghaitan' offers up a heavier dose of historic background and stories tied to its past.

• #TheBund (Wàitān - The Bund)

  • The world-famous Shanghai Bund right here! On one side, you see the international architectural treasure, featuring a variety of old-fashioned western-style buildings that used to be banks in colonial times. The other side gives way to Landmark Shanghai and financial district with their magnificent skyscrapers.
  • Friendly reminders:
    • No matter what day, be prepared for the crowd especially after dark or during holidays.
    • When taking pictures, please look out for any safety concerns and avoid leaving behind valuable personal belongings.
    • For less crowded photo ops, try getting there earlier in the morning before rush starts at daybreak.

Hope these descriptions help and wish you a great time in Shanghai!

It's really not fun! If you don't watch the shows, you can't see the dolphins or killer whales. But if you want to watch a show, you're looking at a minimum one-hour wait to get in! Otherwise, you risk them hitting capacity limits. I'm speechless. Seriously, steer clear of this place!

Wow, this is actually pretty good!

Where is this?

Getting Chinese New Year stuff pushed to me now? Er Yue Er (Dragon Heads-raising Festival) was ages ago! Is Xiaohongshu running out of content or something?

Well, we went to Suzhou during a holiday, and it was incredibly crowded there!

Regarding Shantang Street:
If you visit during a public holiday in China, such as National Day or the Spring Festival, prepare yourself mentally. Shantang Street is a famous old street in Suzhou, bordering a river with beautiful scenery, but also comes with an overwhelming number of people because of its popularity.
There was no way for us to squeeze inside; the queue was so long that we needed to wait at least two hours 🥺.
With children accompanying us, the situation of people packing the area was very inconvenient for us.
Ultimately, we had no choice but to settle for a bowl of crab roe noodles in a shop across from the street.
Special Caution: That noodle dish might have cost around ninety RMB or even more (I'm not sure of the exact amount), but the taste...it's hard to describe - it had a burnt flavor, truly not enjoyable. If you're thinking about trying the famous Suzhou style crab roe noodles, you could ask for recommendations from locals or read reviews before going in with guns blazing.

Then we strolled down Pingjiang Road, another well-known historical district in Suzhou.
Though alright, it felt a bit familiar, I feel, as many places in China with similar "ancient towns" and "old streets" all end up looking similar after turning commercialised; it gets a little wearisome on the aesthetic senses.

So, after spending only one night in Suzhou, we decided to head to Wuzhen (another famous water town in Zhejiang province).

Travel Tips & Complaints Summary:

1. Holiday travel alerts:
Popular spots like Shantang Street will be extremely crowded during Chinese public holidays.
How to avoid them? Choose non-holiday time if your schedule allows, and if you can't, leave early or mentally prepare for lengthy queues – especially for families with children.

2. On food:
Restaurants nearby popular scenic spots often have high prices and mixed tastes.
How to avoid them? Find places to eat out of the main tourist area, or look up restaurant reviews online. Expensive doesn't always mean good!

3. Old street experience:
A lot of restored old streets are quite commercially-oriented, with not much difference in merchandise.
Suggestion: Keep expectations low and take things as they come, or explore some alleys off the main streets. You may find something different than what you've seen elsewhere!

I know. It's started developing now. It probably wasn't as expensive before.