Which hotel did you stay at?

The roads in Nanjing are quite bumpy, making it a bit of an adventure when riding a bike. In comparison, some streets in Shanghai (like Yuyuan Road) may also be rough, but they're generally in better condition. Be cautious while cycling, as uneven manholes and missing bike lanes can make the ride challenging.\n Drivers in Nanjing often don't yield to pedestrians, especially when turning right. This is much less of an issue in Shanghai.\n3. Attractions in Nanjing are more scattered, which can be confusing for first-time visitors. It's recommended to familiarize yourself with the layout of places like Zhongshan Scenic Area before visiting.\n4. Historical sites in Nanjing are well worth the ticket price, thanks to their rich history. In contrast, many of Shanghai's attractions are centered around the former concessions, with local spots like Yu Garden being somewhat disappointing.\n5. Public behavior in Nanjing can sometimes be lacking, such as climbing on historical relics or playing loud music. While this happens in Shanghai too, it's generally less common and more likely to be discouraged by others.\n6. People in Nanjing tend to be friendlier and more approachable, whether it's staff at tourist sites, street vendors, or hotel workers. Shanghai residents, on the other hand, can come across as a bit more aloof.\n7. I was surprised to see people damaging flowers, particularly sunflowers, in Xuanwu Lake Park. This is not as common in Shanghai.\n8. Some of Nanjing's popular snacks, like the egg hamburger, are overpriced and not very special. Other sweets are overly sugary, though the duck blood vermicelli is decent. Shanghai doesn't have many distinctive local snacks.\n9. There's a higher rate of cyclists going against traffic in Nanjing compared to Shanghai.\n10. Ji Ming Temple in Nanjing has a tea shop inside, selling expensive drinks. This contrasts with Jing'an Temple in Shanghai, where shops are located outside the temple grounds.\n11. Xuanwu Lake in Nanjing is far superior to any water-based attraction in Shanghai. The same goes for Xuanwu Lake Park, which outshines Century Park in Shanghai.\n12. Fuzimiao Pedestrian Street in Nanjing is a much better experience than Nanjing Road in Shanghai, which is another underwhelming tourist spot.\n13. Management at some of Nanjing's attractions is rather lax, with security personnel rarely seen. I witnessed several drones flying close to Jiming Temple, which would be hard to imagine in Shanghai.\n14. Shopping malls in Nanjing still seem vibrant, with stores like Gome and Suning still operating. These chains have largely disappeared from Shanghai.\n15. On average, people in Nanjing appear to be taller than those in Shanghai.\n16. Traffic lights in Nanjing can be confusing, leading one to wonder if they were installed incorrectly. Pay extra attention to traffic signals and cross carefully.\n17. Avoid Ke Xiang Food Street, and steer clear of the overpriced cakes there. A small piece can cost up to 20 RMB.\n18. Nanjing is known for its beautiful women, although many might not be locals. In Shanghai, you'll find stylishly dressed women, but Nanjing has a high number of naturally attractive people.

Then just book Haiyou next to Jinji Lake.

Many Taiwanese people, including celebrities like Jay Chou, Nicky Wu, Jam Hsiao, and Jolin Tsai, trace their ancestry back to Quanzhou. So, it's more accurate to say Taiwan resembles Quanzhou, not the other way around. Also, if you travel to Southeast Asia, to places like Singapore or Penang, you'll find that the Minnan dialect (Hokkien) is widely spoken there too.

Wow, I've just returned from Quanzhou to Zhejiang, but the feeling there still lingers in my heart! You must know that Quanzhou is in the southern Fujian Province, on the southeastern coast of China, right across from Taiwan. My impressions of Quanzhou were strikingly similar to Taipei when I visited a few years back—be it in the sentiments of the locals, the cuisine, or the cultural ambiance, they were all so incredibly亲切.

Quanzhou is a city that brims with everyday energy—a lively aura of real-life happenings, very vibrant, which is quite rare in our cities in Zhejiang.

After a brief stay in Zhejiang, I'll be heading back to Fujian again tomorrow for a full taste.

Seriously, I strongly suggest not to overcrowd in popular spots like Xijie Street.

There are many cozy cafes and tea houses in Quanzhou's bustling streets and lanes. Immersing in the authentic atmosphere and distinct charm of the city is much more rewarding this way.
Regarding Xijie Street, I won't say too much—I think it's merely bustling commercial street with nothing special (according to me).

Warning signs and tips for traveling in Quanzhou:

About Xijie (Xī Jiē):

• Be aware: Xijie is one of the most famous streets in Quanzhou. But beware, as it has become highly commercialized with an overabundance of crowds. Therefore, this might not be your best option if you wish to experience the genuine essence of Quanzhou.
• What to do instead: Turn down the smaller alleys or walk through other areas around the city. You will discover many delightful surprises!

About the transportation:

• Be aware: Quanzhou’s public transportation system may not be as convenient as big cities, hence may lead to some frustrating moments while commuting.
• What to do instead: With a bit of pre-planning and using ride-sharing platforms can alleviate travel stress significantly. Plan extra time for a bus ride as needed.

Apart from some travel warts, everything else about Quanzhou is nearly perfect:

• It enjoys coastal scenes (for it is indeed a seaside city)!
• It boasts profound cultural legacies.
• It offers a diverse array of foods.
• It features charming ancient architecture.
• Also, it preserves many nicely renovated Western-style old bungalows from past times.
• Plus, museums and various fascinating cultural creations products.
• “Intangible Cultural Heritage”, the local traditional craftsmanship showcasing such as puppet show, Nanqu (an aged tune), are at your disposal.
• And girls, surely would adore “zanhua weilian”—it's a local custom decoration of lovely flowers atop their heads, a unique experience among them.

I'm looking forward to returning to Quanzhou for another stay soon! First, I'll set off to Fuzhou, another city in Fujian tomorrow, hoping for the same terrific journey.
#TravelQuanzhou #SlowLifeInQuanzhou #AvoidCrowdToExploreQuanzhou #CulturalExplorationInQuanzhou #FujianIsGreat

You all seem to get easily influenced by news. Taiwanese people are generally quite unfazed, and that includes earthquakes. I remember one night when there were multiple quakes. I was right near the epicenter, and the shaking was pretty intense, which freaked me out a bit. But everyone else in the restaurant just carried on chatting and eating, totally calm. It made me feel like I was overreacting.

Shenzhen is a big city, and it's quite inclusive.

What area is this near?

It's pretty dry and hot right now.

Awesome!

Oh wow, that actually makes sense! When we went to see the flag-raising, there were tons of people sleeping there.

If you're bored, just go out for a stroll.

Went today. It was awful. The experience was terrible.

In other cities, I'm usually out and at the car park within 10 minutes of deplaning.

There's the Natural History Museum, the Shanghai Museum East Branch, countless art galleries, a wide array of exhibitions, plays, and musicals. Culturally, Shanghai is truly in a league of its own in China.

Is it going to be like this at the 'Little Dome' (arena) tomorrow too?

You'll just be looking at a sea of heads.

Smart move. The entrance to that parking lot I mentioned is really tricky to find.

It's 350 a day. And it's a standalone unit with its own private entrance and yard. For future guesthouse stays, try to find places that are the owner's actual home and self-operated. That way, you have a better guarantee for everything.

The Bund is worth a visit, especially at night when it's more beautiful. Disney is a must-see!