You can see they're ordering by the head, not spending their own money.

That was from Shanghai Disneyland.

If you haven't undergone their internal waste sorting training, you might cause more trouble for the cleaning staff. Your good intentions could even lead to them being penalized or having their pay docked.

Could you share the itinerary/details? Thanks.

Excuse me, where do you light the sky lanterns?

There's a popular saying in Taiwan: 'The most beautiful scenery in Taiwan is its people.' ️ Always approach everyone with a peaceful and kind heart.

Wow, this trip to Taiwan sounds absolutely amazing! I have reorganized your journey and added some explanations to help anyone interested in visiting Taiwan, especially foreign friends, understand it better!

• The Little Background Story

  • I, a mainland Chinese "dinosaur from Chongqing and Sichuan," known for their straightforward and sometimes fiery temperaments, took an 11-day solo trip to Taiwan right before the abolition of the "freedom pass" (an individual travel permit for mainland residents to visit Taiwan).
  • My itinerary consisted of starting from Taipei, heading south all the way to the famous beach resort of Kenting, then eastwards to Taitung and Hualien (both renowned for their natural beauty), before returning to Taipei, making a roughly semi-circular tour of the island.
  • Honestly, Taiwan's gentleness truly stunned my rough nature from inland China. It was like a complete surprise that made me lose track of myself!

• First Impressions of Taiwan: The Ultimate Gentleness!

  • Upon landing at Taipei airport and booking a ride via telephone, I was set off to the hotel with a plan to watch my much-anticipated concert in the evening by Chen Sheng, a locally famous Taiwanese singer.
  • As soon as the plane landed and got in touch with the driver, he answered with gentle tones, "There is heavy traffic, you don't need to worry. I will be there in less than ten minutes!"
  • When the ride arrived, indeed a big guy opened the door and asked "Do you really need to rush?" I replied yes because it was a 7:30 pm concert in Legacy (a local well-known music performance venue).
  • The driver was extremely supportive, offering an extra mileage to drop me off at the hotel first, then proceeded to Legacy where the venue was closer.
  • I admitted my worries regarding the extra fare but the driver waved it off, saying it wouldn’t take up too much time.
  • With such kindness, I ended up arriving at the concert earlier than expected!

• Taipei’s Diversity and Inclusiveness

  • On the second day, I happened to witness Taipei’s " Party Day Out" (meaning a pride parade, celebrating the LGBTQ+ community).
  • The streets were dotted with rainbow couples singing and dancing together; particularly near the Ximending Red House (a famous historical landmark in Taipei known to be a significant location for LGBT culture now).
  • At that moment, I realized how vast our world was and desired everyone living their life happily.
  • Later that afternoon at the subway station, I saw an elegantly dressed gendry teenager carrying elegant high heels, but no one seemed to be staring at him with any odd looks – just a general acceptance.

• Warmth Everywhere

  • During my short stay in Chishang, the picturesque little county with its stunning rice paddies and bicycle paths, I couldn’t bring myself to ride the bike and chose to rent a tiny four-wheeled battery-powered vehicle instead.
  • During the return process, since it was located far from the hotels, the owner offered to kindly drive the motorcycle over and dropped me off without any hesitation despite our communication being limited.
  • From Chishang to Hualien, there was a train delay, which led me into panic mode and caused me to enter the wrong train car. Fortunately, several passengers helped me out as they called the attendants while others kindly assisted me with my belongings.

• Travel Tips for Solo Female Travelers: Warm Reminders

  • Transport Advice:
    • If like me, you have urgent plans once arriving, reserving an airport pickup service can be a lifesaver (such as arriving just ahead of time for a concert!)
  • ️Caution about train/public transportation: trains could be late or show less clear platform indications compared to in the mainland. Always ask staff or fellow passengers for instructions and make sure that you're boarding the correct train!
  • Cultural Experience:
    • Taiwan’s LGBTQ+ community are very appreciated and embraced. For those intending to explore such an opening atmosphere, consider attending the Pride Parade or spending time around the Ximending Red House area where you can find various cultural elements of interest.
  • Rental Trips:
    • A power-assisted bicycle would be a practical choice if unsure of riding bicycles while enjoying the scenic views in Chishang.
    • Tip: Ask the shopkeeper if they can drop you off at a nearby place when returning the rentals as it can save you considerable distance and time (as in my case above, it turned out that the shop keeper was willing to give me a ride.)
  • ️Safety Tips for Solo Females Travelers:
    • Although every interaction I met within Taiwan showed kindness, remember, basic safety awareness still matters while traveling abroad.
    • For instance, avoid walking to secluded areas alone after nightfall.
    • Keep family or friends notified of your whereabouts and plan.

• Reflections on the Journey

  • Each corner I visited, each person from the taxi drivers, cafe owners, motorcycle rental shopkeepers and homestay innkeepers all provided assistance during my single travel. There were truly numerous encounters that brightened my days!
  • Reflecting on what life is truly about, isn't it to embrace the beauty of nature, the sound of a flowing stream, the sight of swaying farmland under the sunlight, and the goodwill of strangers?
  • I hope we pay a bit more mind to the simple yet pure moments in this life, instead of getting lost in abstract "grand narratives".

In this heat, the ingredients can't possibly stay fresh. It's best if everyone avoids eating this stuff.

OMG!!!! This shot is absolutely incredible!

Hello, fellow local! I'm a Beijing local visiting Guangzhou for the first time. Could you offer some advice to help me avoid tourist traps? I've seen posts on Xiaohongshu from people visiting Beijing, and their experiences were full of pitfalls – I felt bad for them! I'd like to visit museums, the zoo, and a temple. Other than that, I just want to wander around and eat. Thanks!

I'm thinking of visiting during the Dragon Boat Festival, but the weather forecast predicts light rain every day. Does anyone know if it's continuous rain or more like intermittent showers? Generally, how much would this affect outdoor plans?

Doesn't Beijing lack significant rivers and lakes? How can it be a 'Water' element city then? I actually feel much better in Tianjin.

Recommendations, please! Thanks.

Exactly! Super astigmatism-friendly.

Let me try to explain briefly. Often, what might be perceived as our 'pettiness' actually stems from a strong sense of personal boundaries (this is a neutral term). It means we generally don't like to trouble others, and similarly, we rarely expect 'others' to trouble us. So, when interacting with people from other places, differences in perspective can sometimes lead to discomfort.

Sure, no problem! I will help you adapt "Rant Conference" for foreign friends, so they can understand the key points without being confused by cultural differences. Rest assured, I'll keep your sharp style in mind!

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Attention to those planning a trip to Hangzhou, especially if you want to feel at ease with a planned tour group, pay close attention to my experience!

• On Xiaohongshu (an app where many young people share their lifestyle and shopping experiences), I saw some reviews about Hangzhou tourism that seemed great, so I made contact and booked a package.

• It turned out that the moment we landed, an enthusiastic driver handed me a contract with several designated shopping stops included! Since there was not much choice once we were in China - not even if it started to get dark - I signed it with a shrug.

• The first couple days were okay, following plans as expected. Hangzhou scenery is indeed impressive!

• Here is the focal event, which happened on day three (a fateful day in April 18th of 2025):

  • I woke up at 6:40 AM - oh dear!

  • Following this, it took us an entire hour to hear the tour guide promote Hangzhou's emerald (a kind of jade cherished by Chinese), silk (Hangzhou specialties with a smooth fabric) and green tea (very famous for Longjing tea), plus "feng shui" (an ancient Chinese method for interpreting how the environment affects fortune). So much promotion was designed to convince us that not taking anything was losing out big time.

  • First shopping point: Jade City

    • Not only were the price tags outrageous, but once I asked my informed friends, they agreed the prices jumped up significantly from standard. So there we sat, not buying - a smart decision.
    • Hot zone! The tour guide looked sternly over and said, "If you don't purchase, you shouldn't have signed up in the first place! And please don’t come along as we move forward!" He looked positively annoyed.（I just wonder what's this @Hangzhou culture tourism department’s idea of hosting guests?）

  • Second shopping point: Silk Store

    • Mainly focused on silk quilts.The strategy was concentrated sales, talking nonstop about the product's benefits.
    • ️Save money tip！
      • Buyers beware must bargain! bargain! bargain! The price is negotiable!
      • They may recommend a certain "cooling mat," which more often than not is made of imitation silk. Nothing valuable about these at all.
      • If asking for some souvenirs, go for the bedsheet sets - practical and cost-effective.
      • After listening to quite a few online users and doing observation, I can provide price suggestions:
        • Option one: With around 5000 RMB, get two of the “golden mother daughter quilt” (a quilt with layers of silk and warmth)，plus two sets of four-bed-sheet set. Add an extra cooling mat (or another bedding set).
        • Option two: 5000 RMB gets you three golden mother daughter quilts，plus some random freebies. More people in a group means better negotiating power.
      • Sincere advice: In reality, visiting reliable local silkworm farmers directly could be more satisfying- get real products at competitive prices and support local industries in Hangzhou.

  • Third shopping stop: “tea tannin” and tea shop

    • A live chemical reaction with rice would happen and you won‘t be able to take picture.The salesman will fool you and call it detox of human body. You know that's nothing but junior chemistry.
    • Also, salesman claimed to be professors from Zhejiang University！@Zhejiang University，is that being taught as education?

• ️Be advised for those planning to join such groups:

  • The schedule starts at half an hour after the early morning so don’t delay. A whole day just to visit three shopping spots until evening. If you find it too much physically and mentally, reconsider booking the package immediately.
  • Try to resist the “cold ridicule” and even reproach from the tour guide
  • Control yourself from impulsive consumption under the heavy selling pitch environment. Only buy what you love and need.
  • I've seen a lot of posts about avoiding these traps, and even though there are refunds if you purchase products, the process is troublesome and time-consuming. Since I didn’t buy anything this time, I can’t provide any specific advice on the refund process.
  • But good news is that many people have been successful at making refunds. Hopefully, someone who's had success returning their purchases can share the process here, helping future tourists avoid these pitfalls.

#Hangzhou #Travel Guide #Hangzhou Tour Trap Avoidance #Dark Side of Hangzhou Tours

The Bund Sightseeing Tunnel.

So glad if I could help!

That's some serious speed!

I'm a tourist, and I feel the same way.