Is the Twin Pagoda Market the same as the Twin Pagoda Temple?

The Qili Mountain Street really stands out among these places.

So the tourist isn't from Suzhou, the driver isn't from Suzhou, only the license plate is from Suzhou (Su E/U). On matters like this, we Suzhou locals prefer not to comment. Maybe just impound the car and report the whole thing to the central authorities.

Such a troll.

I've consulted several fortune tellers. Some advised me to head east, others north, but they all agreed I shouldn't stay in the South. They said even if I do stay here, my career will just be mediocre, with no significant improvement.

Alright, let me tell you about this properly!

• You know what? I used to think that the scorching heat of Shenzhen in summer was just unimaginable to me!
  • I always believed that because it was located in the Southern part of China (near the modern metropolis of Hong Kong), it could only be hot and humid, with being outdoors seeming like torture. Thus, unless there’s a big matter at hand, I’d certainly avoid travelling there during summer.
• Well, last month (July), I actually went to Shenzhen.
  • Can you believe that this southern city which is supposed to be sultry turned out to be cooler than my own Hebei, a province next to Beijing known for its dry heat or stiflingly hot summers!
  • With the gentle breeze blowing, one could feel as chilled as it would be during autumn!
• Upon closer look, heading to Shenzhen in July might help skip over those terribly hot days of Northern China that are so extreme hot that it could cook the people around.
  • So, who says Shenzhen is not an ideal destination for beating the heat? In my opinion, it makes sense!

(By the way, I have removed some tags related to self-study rooms and studying for postgraduate entrance exams as I don’t quite feel they’re relevant to this wonderful trip to cool Shenzhen.)

Migrants come here to work and buy property, but they don't cherish the city. What can you do?

After visiting Beijing, my worldview shifted. This 'disenchantment' with Beijing isn't about denying its value, but rather falling from a 'symbolic imagination' into the raw reality of life. I used to picture Beijing as an ideal city: the historic red walls of the Forbidden City from textbooks, the sleek CBDs on social media, the spark of ambition in countless 'Beijing drifter' stories. But then, navigating the morning rush hour subway, I saw well-dressed commuters mechanically pushed along by the crowd. Standing outside Zhongguancun's office buildings, it hit me that behind those gleaming glass facades lay the living spaces countless young people secured by burning themselves out. Beijing is like a giant prism, reflecting China's most advanced civilization while also starkly revealing fierce resource competition and the clash of dreams with reality. I realized that so-called 'opportunities' might just be a celebration for a select few. It's not that Beijing isn't good enough; it's that when the city transformed from a spiritual totem back into a real arena for survival, I felt the true, heavy weight of life hidden behind its brilliance.

Which tour did you sign up for?

Beijing actually has a pretty strong arts scene. Because it's so large, you can find abundant resources for whatever you're interested in. For example, many renowned international jazz groups only play in Beijing and Shanghai when they tour China.

Let me use myself as an example. I'm a Hangzhou native. My parents live in a traditional old residential complex, while I have a spacious apartment by the river and another property in Linping that I rent out. My commute to the office in Qianjiang New Town—an area dense with skyscrapers—is just two stops. I've never felt oppressed or suffocated there. I have an open view of the Qiantang River from my window, and it's a five-minute walk to a park during my lunch break. That's why I've never disliked my job; in fact, I quite enjoy it. Ultimately, it boils down to doing work you love, finding a sense of value in it, earning a satisfactory income, and being financially secure. So, the feeling of being stifled doesn't come from the office buildings or the city itself, but rather from a sense of confusion and uncertainty about the future. Simply switching jobs or cities won't necessarily fix things. It's better to first reflect on what you truly enjoy and desire.

Does 'tourism' only mean sightseeing in nature? There's also 'urban tourism,' and experiencing the vibe of a metropolis is very appealing. Besides, Shanghai took center stage in modern Chinese history. 'To understand modern China, look to Shanghai' – it possesses a unique modern humanistic heritage.

Xin Yi's dorayaki is delicious.

It's Exit 4 Northeast, that kind of thing, haha.

They come to Yuexi pretty often, but I've never actually watched their 'show'.

As someone from Hangzhou, I've been up late looking at guides – heading to Guangzhou the day after tomorrow! I've already been to Beijing, Shanghai, and Shenzhen, so how could I miss out on visiting and eating my way through Guangzhou?!

The level of courtesy is truly different. Every year when I go back to my hometown, people never queue at the high-speed rail station exit; it's always a mad scramble. But in Shanghai, people automatically queue up everywhere. It's really a stark contrast.

Shanghai's prosperity might not directly affect most ordinary folks, but the general level of public courtesy is indeed very high. Drivers know this. Plus, Shanghai is also a very safe city.

Maybe some drivers are just exhausted, or perhaps that's just their personality. Don't let someone you'll likely never meet again spoil your mood! Hope you have a wonderful trip.

Actually, there used to be a lot of trash cans. But then people started stuffing their household garbage into them, making a mess, so many were removed.