I just saw someone raving about it online; guess opinions vary!

At the special exhibition hall of the Nanjing Museum, I saw parents taking photos of their kids climbing on the sculptures on the first floor. I was really speechless

Oh, recently I have been inundated with various "Avoid Pitfalls" posts on my social media, it's making my head spin!

• I am not saying that all "Avoid Pitfalls" posts are bad.
  • If you come across food safety issues, dishonest merchants who secretly under-deliver, travel security risks, or any other sort of non-compliance—these disclosures I absolutely support and should be taken seriously!
• But what kind of "Avoid Pitfalls" posts are out there now anyway?
  • Regarding food: Some people say certain dishes taste terrible, so everyone should "run for it". Come on, everyone has their own taste preferences! What tastes bad to you might be yummy to others! Going on a tour is supposed to be about the new experience, right? Don't like it, just avoid ordering it next time—who will force you to eat it? I really don't understand why this deserves an "Avoid" warning.
  • About long queues: Tourists complain about overcrowded queues in scenic spots in tourist cities, which make taking pictures difficult.
  • Regarding city cleanliness: People also complain about city dirt and litter on the ground.
    • I'd like to say that, considering how many people gather in popular tourist cities, some situations like these can be unavoidable. Just take the food market next to my home, which has become a "must-visit spot" for tourists. During holidays, the streets are swarming with tourists, and the trash on the ground has indeed increased. But normally when tourists are fewer, the place isn't that dirty. So, who threw the trash? (You can think for yourself!)
  • Regarding traffic manners: Some people say drivers don't give way to pedestrians; others talk about people running red lights.
    • It's indeed wrong to run a red light, but isn't it a matter of personal quality? Is such behavior only prevalent in tourist cities? Don't you see this happening everywhere, including where you live? As for drivers who don't yield to pedestrians, we can always check the license plate to determine their origins, too.
  • Regarding excessive osmanthus scent: It's autumn, yet some people are still complaining about the overabundance of osmanthus flowers in the cities and that they can't stand the pervasive scent everywhere, which makes them feel nauseous after a few days. Seriously…(The osmanthus is very popular in China and well-known for its fragrant aroma, being a city signature during autumn.)
  • Regarding hotel price surges during holidays:
    • Come on, hotel pricing tends to shoot up in popular tourist cities during holidays. This phenomenon is rather normal as it happens worldwide! Plus, prices are clearly marked. If you find it too outrageous, you don't have to stay there, right?
    • You know what most of these people want? They wish to stay at a posh hotel in a prime location, and demand cheap rates while expecting outstanding environments—a pipe dream!

Travel Tip (very important!):

• Hotels in hot destinations tend to hike their prices especially during the golden week or public holidays.

• **How to handle this:**It is recommended to book hotels in advance; or consider staying in areas slightly farther from downtown yet convenient by transport. In peak season, you cannot expect staying at top-tier hotels in central locations with normal prices.

• What drives me nuts is that some people dismiss an entire city just because they encountered a slight unpleasantness during their trip and apply the "Avoid Pitfalls" label to it.

  • This is way too subjective! Although you might indeed experience unfavorable events, but does spending just one or two days make you qualified to decide whether a city is worth visiting or not? (Heavily sarcastic)

#Travel #TripExperience #CityImpression #TravelMentalities #FoodExperience

For Taichung, staying around Feng Chia or the 7th Redevelopment Zone might be better. The old district near the train station has declined; walking around, apart from a few popular shops, everything else looks run-down and old. Some storefronts have been vacant for a long time, and there's even a smell of urine near their entrances... It really feels like the Taichung city government doesn't have enough money for urban development.

She's imitating Donnie Yen with that move, right? But she comes off as more of a '御姐' (a cool, mature, and dominant woman).

Exactly! I'm a big fan of black tea.

Which city in mainland China isn't based on private property rights? It primarily depends on whether developers have the money.

Planning to go over Chinese New Year. Is there really not much to do there?

I'm completely disillusioned with Shenzhen now. [facepalm]

I interviewed with an operations company at Mingteng Center. They offered 3000 for the first month, including food and lodging, then 6000 after the probation period. However, they mentioned there would be deductions later, a few hundred RMB each month, but wouldn't specify the exact amount when I asked. All they said was they wanted me for a trial period. It feels pretty sketchy.

So beautiful! My teammate led me the wrong way, and I missed this.

I think either is fine, you just have to make sure the driver doesn't take a detour.

I don't like it. There's a strong sense of social hierarchy, and it feels like little nobodies like me don't belong.

Hangzhou, a tourist city that doesn't actually make its money from tourism.

It's useless. They even made multiple follow-up calls to me.

Yeah, I bought mine for 25.

The 24-hour airport shuttle from Pudong Airport only serves Longyang Road, Jing'an Temple, and the Hongqiao Hub.

I'm honestly speechless about Suzhou drivers. I'm hesitant to even hail a ride now. They either refuse to go to the exact destination or glare at you as if you owe them a fortune.

Hi, [OP/Blogger]! I'm currently working on a research project about 'Shanghai Memories.' I was wondering if I could invite you for an online interview regarding your feelings about these small Shanghai streets? (I feel like you've really voiced what I've been thinking). The interview would last about 20 minutes, just a quick chat about your impressions. Would you happen to have some time?

Sure, no problem! Leave it to me to explain the "love-hate tale" of this music platform (music terrace) to your foreign friends, letting them appreciate the beautiful views while skillfully avoiding potential pitfalls!

Hello, hello, let me tell you about Nanjing’s charming Music Terrace!

• To be honest, the Music Terrace itself is a fantastic place, green like a large park, and designed quite uniquely. Originally, it was supposed to be an enjoyable leisure area for taking pictures with pigeons.
• However, its true downside lies among some "business people" there, ruining the space slightly with commercial activities.
  • Those so-called "commercial photographers" (who specifically solicit tourists on-site to take pictures for profit) can make anyone laugh.
  • Picture this: after braving intense sunlight and walking quite a distance (Friendly reminder: indeed, the route from the entrance to the core Music Terrace is long; make sure to wear comfortable shoes!), you intended just to relax a bit and breathe on those steps.
  • Reality, however? Within only half an hour, as many as ten to twenty people would bombard you with offers like, "Hey good-looking! Want your photo taken?"
  • Even if you’re tired and don't want to respond, these individuals wouldn’t show up empty-handed; they’d simply stay persistently beside you, relentlessly asking away, driving you to almost want to perform an impromptu B-Box act just to shoo them off!
  • So, you think to yourself: I’ve come all this way; surely, I have the right to take a couple of pictures as a keepsake using my own smartphone?
  • Hey! Those “commercial photographers” would then pounce over and say: "Oh no! Please move! I’m taking a customer’s picture here!"
  • I was left utterly dumbstruck at the moment. I thought to myself: Isn’t it me who has already paid to enter by purchasing a ticket? Why should I make way?

Therefore, while the Music Terrace is recommended to explore, given its stunning scenery, I must warn you about those photographers!

️ Important reminder! Practical avoidance tips for foreign friends:

• What is “commercial photography”?
  • Many popular tourist spots in China, which include our Music Terrace, have numerous professionals with cameras actively soliciting visitors for fee-based photo-taking services. These commercial photographers will capture 'tourist shots' that can be printed out or transferred to digital versions — all of which entails fees.
• How to deal with these “enthusiastic” photographers?
  • Just say no if you’re not interested: If you find their services unappealing, you can outright express your refusal firmly, saying, “No thanks!” (Bú yòng le, xièxie!) or simply waving your hand. Usually, they’d start looking for another participant.
  • Don’t feel awkward: They approach hundreds of people each day anyway, so your refusal won’t embarrass them.
• Regarding being asked to 'move':
  • It’s your right to take your photos: You’ve entered on your tourist rights too, hence you have the liberty of snapping, provided that you don’t disturb others.
  • Handling the conflict: When faced with such scenarios, graciously let them know what your intention is; if they’re insistent in the slightest, politely shift slightly or wait until after their session to sidestep inconvenience. Generally, public spaces entail rights shared among all.
• Other small tips:
  • Feeding pigeons is one signature activity at the Music Terrace, but please ensure not to disturb the flock by respecting their space.
  • Remember sun protection during summer months above all.
  • Study map in advance, plan walking route well, as the scenic area is indeed expansive.

In summary, the Music Terrace is certainly somewhere worth visiting, but always keep these “commercial photography” realities in mind while preparing effective responses to ensure it doesn’t spoil the fun!

#'Jiangsu' 'Nanjing' 'Music Terrace' 'Travel' 'Holiday' 'Tourism Guide in Jiangsu' 'Things to Avoid' 'Tourist Tips'Tag: 'Travel Tips'