Sigh, I have to tell you all about it. I just saw a post that made me feel a little upset too, as an experienced traveler.

Here's what happened:

• A sister from somewhere else visited Suzhou for the first time.

  • (For those not very familiar with China, Suzhou is a city in Jiangsu Province known for its beautiful gardens and water towns. It's nicknamed as "Oriental Venice" and is famous for its flowing rivers, small bridges, and traditional houses, making it absolutely beautiful!)

• According to her, she took a ride-hailing car (that's like Uber or Lyft, you know), and ended up being cheated by the driver. She didn't say much more, but likely she was overcharged or taken on a detour. Such things do happen, sigh.

• Angry at this, the girl posted something on Little Red Book (a popular Chinese social media app similar to a crossover between Instagram and Yelp), saying that she would never come back to Suzhou again.

• Here are my views on it:

• First of all, I understand her disappointment and anger if such things had really happened; anyone would be unhappy. The intention to have fun was completely ruined, and if that had happened to me, I'd probably also fly off the handle!

• However, discarding the entire city because of one terrible experience with a driver seems a bit over-stretching, don’t you think? There are plenty of things to see and enjoy in a big city like Suzhou, and most people there are friendly toward tourists anyway.

• I know for sure that this incident serves as a reminder for Suzhou authorities that reputation and the impression of the region are important; otherwise, such things could potentially ruin the tourist experience.

Travel Notes & Tips to Avoid Falling into Pits

• Be cautious of these potential traps:
  • Drivers who take wrong turns or negotiate prices: Some selfish drivers will intentionally take longer routes, or they might not charge based on the fare estimate from their application. They may also ask for extra cash upon your arrival.
  • Illegal/unregistered taxis: There may be certain individuals at the station and around attractions who try to get business from visitors and offer taxi rides. However, many of these services can often cause trouble and overcharge you.
• How to avoid unpleasant experiences:
  • Use official apps to order: Use trusted ride-hailing apps instead of informal means (such as Didi Chuxing, the most popular service in China). Before departure, double-check the license plate and make sure that the information displayed matches the driver's profile.
  • Make payments through the app: Paying within the app eliminates disputes about actual fares. Normally, an estimated fare is available beforehand on the app. Having a clear estimate keeps you well-informed.
  • Set up a navigator: After boarding the vehicle, use your own smartphone to set a navigation route and compare it with them. This way, you can tell if a detour has occurred or not.
  • Report problems immediately: If a driver tries to scam you, don't sit on your complaints – report it inside the app or contact relevant authorities.

To be honest, there are some bad eggs in every city. But let's keep our minds open and not dismiss an entire region solely based on a bad experience. When travelling, we should be more vigilant and attentive!

Now, a question for you: supposing you faced a situation like this, #when given the chance, would you still consider visiting Suzhou for a tour [Opinion]? Share your thoughts!

It's too green for my liking.

Reading your article, I felt a genuine sense of goodwill and pure connection! That's how beautiful serendipity should be. Time seems to hang on the treetops, swaying gently with ease. As you've come to love Taiwan, Taiwan is loving you right back...

Seeing you say it's been suspended for seven years... I opened my photo album, checked, and you're right... I also went in 2017... I still really miss that Pacific breeze in Kenting!

So little of it around.

The Greater Bay Area's 'Pioneer Zone for E-scooters.' E-scooters, secondhand smoke, street BBQ, and spitting everywhere – Shenzhen's four 'signature features.' An 'international metropolis' and a 'National Civilized and Sanitary City,' right. Hahahaha. Just laughing as I pass by.

Alright, no problem! I know my way around Shenzhen. Let me give you a rundown in a way that even foreign friends can easily understand.

• Shenzhen is one of China's well-known "first-tier cities".

  • What's a "first-tier city"? Simply put, it's one of the largest, most developed, and richest cities where opportunities abound. Shenzhen ranks shoulder to shoulder with Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou.
  • It's home to nearly 20 million people! Imagine that - almost as populous as some countries.
  • Now for something fun: when compared to those other "big cities", Shenzhen is actually the smallest in terms of territorial area. Moreover, its shape is really interesting; it elongates east to west in a long strip.
    • I once took the metro from the farthest corner east to the farthest west, and it took one and a half to over two hours! That should give you an idea of how "long" it is.

• Speaking of youth, this city is quite frighteningly young at around forty years old.

  • In such a short period, it rocketed itself up to becoming one of the leading economic and technological centers in China that is recognized internationally as a modern metropolis.
  • Some people joke that Shenzhen is the world champion when it comes to building skyscrapers. I think they aren't exaggerating!
  • But can you believe, in this skyscraper-piled city, there is actually a tiny ancient town hidden away? I still vividly recall the shock of seeing it for the first time! Tell someone that Shenzhen has no history, and I'll shove Nantou Ancient Town right in his face!

• Wandering through the narrow alleys of Nantou Ancient Town feels simply magical.

  • Touching the weathered flagstones underfoot, looking up before your eyes will be a lineup of brand new high rices.
  • The visual impact is just like you have suddenly crossed through time and space! Turns out that Shenzhen does have a quiet, graceful, and aesthetically pleasing place that soothes the eye.

• I have been making frequent trips to Shenzhen due to work commitments.

  • I just checked my flight records - 124 trips to Shenzhen so far, which actually surprised me!
  • But frankly speaking, although I've been to it many times, I have basically not thoroughly explored the nooks and crannies of Shenzhen. Every visit I rush in and out like I'm preparing for war.
  • To speak of deepest impressions, first would be of being surrounded by skyscrapers, followed by streets bustling with cars and people day in and day out.
  • At the same time, you can also see "urban villages".
    • What's an "urban village"? It's the original villages, surrounded by tall buildings during the city's rapid development, forming a unique community that is rich in life and bustling with activity.
  • This split personality is what makes Shenzhen so special, because it represents its particular magnanimity, capable of accommodating everything.

• You are a Shenzhen resident once you come here! - This line truly captures Shenzhen's inclusivity.

  • There, there is no distinction among "natives", "outsiders". All citizens arrive from all corners of the earth, united by money-making and livelihood concerns without bothering about their origins.
  • Young people especially favor migrating into the city - and these very young people are propelling the urban process of Shenzhen further towards modernity and faster pace.
  • Every morning during breakfast time, peeking out the hotel window, you see young adults flooding the streets - vibrant and full of energy!
  • You can see sleek and chic white-collar workers striding confidently, and also small street vendors shouting loudly at their road-side stalls. On the surface, they seem incompatible, but in fact, it is such people that constitute this harmonious yet dynamic Shenzhen.

There are more tales and observations about Shenzhen I can share – let's save them for another day!

Girls, take my word of advice! Pay attention if you are planning a trip to Guangzhou and intend to get some stunning ID photos there!

• My friends and I were so excited when we went to Guangzhou on vacation. With the idea of taking pictures in mind, we knew that we had to come back with something decent!
• We stumbled upon a photography studio named "Yushi Photography", in XiaoHongShu (one of China's popular versions of Instagram full of life tips). It received good reviews, so we booked it.

However, on the very day we were scheduled, an unexpected outbreak occurred in Haizhu District (a district in Guangzhou)! The studio was also quite near to the restricted zones.

To avoid compromising our health code (a must-have app for travel within China), we decided not to proceed, thus maintaining the green status while avoiding any potential inconvenience from yellow or red warnings.

️ Caution! Watch out for this! When we canceled our appointment, the company insisted on only refunding half of the deposit we paid in advance – this is beyond ridiculous! Although we carefully reviewed the booking information, none of the rules regarding cancellation and refunds were disclosed.

Warning signs for those who plan to travel: Always ask about all the refund policies prior to payment!

We even added their customer service WeChat (China’s prevailing chatting app), but they did not disclose anything beforehand. Upon making a formal complaint by phone, they were unwilling to grant a full refund.

Gosh! This ruined our cheerful mood. Next time, we would never set foot in this place again. Please be cautious if you are looking to have some pictures taken in Guangzhou.

Okay, folks, listen up!

• If you're the type who bought a ticket specifically for "Greater Bay Area Lantern Festival", then the info below is not really relevant to you.
• However, if you are like me, planning on taking a long-distance city-linking bus (such as one from Shenzhen to Guangzhou) just intending to spend a day in Jiangwan Nansha and explore around, my suggestion is that you should wait until the lantern festival is over!
  • Important note: here’s where you might get into trouble.
    • Places like Nantian Temple (a shrine of the Maritime Goddess) can still be accessed, but others, such as Pu Zhou Garden and the seaside Park (which were free of charge before), have all been fenced off by iron railings with staff stationed there.
    • Moreover, it seems that lantern festival tickets don't allow entry until after five o'clock in the afternoon (I am not entirely sure about this; perhaps they strictly adhere to that time slot).
    • Worse yet, if you want to go to the beach? That'll cost too: you must purchase a ticket first for the lantern festival. Mind you, this was once a public beach!
    • As for transportation - the local cross-city bus station here (from Guangzhou Jinan to Shenzhen Qianwan) is far away enough that you'll need to take Line 4 of the subway to its final stop “Nansha Port Station”, then walk roughly 2.3 kilometers more to reach your destination.
• Disclaimer: This is purely based on personal experience and gripes. You'd be better off not getting into an argument with this if you find disagreement.
  • Honestly, I have never experienced something that turned originally free parks into paid attractions.
• In conclusion, some honest advice:
  • Whenever searching online travel tips in the future, do not only check the most liked posts. It's advisable also to scan through recent posts sorted by date and update. This way, you can gain insights into the status of the tourist destinations and avoid unpleasant surprises such as being unable to visit or encountering heavy traffic jams when you travel far.
• By the way, that cross-city bus is in exit B of the Qianwan Subway Station in Shenzhen, and I have a picture to refer to.

Exactly! That's the feeling. Suddenly, life's little worries don't seem like such a big deal.

Shouldn't you check a review app first?

Isn't the biggest problem that getting anywhere takes forever? Imagine someone from Beijing and someone from Tianjin leaving at the same time for another district in Beijing – the person from Tianjin would probably get there first.

If you could afford a home in a decent location, you probably wouldn't feel this way.

Malls these days are pretty much just places to grab bubble tea, eat, or watch a movie.

City God Temple? Going once in a lifetime is more than enough.

So, did you just go there to eat noodles or something?

Here's the translation of your text:

OK, let me share my insight on exploring Shanghai while avoiding tourist traps—ideal for my fellow overseas travel enthusiasts!

Exploring Shanghai: My Ultimate Travel Tips!

• Hello everyone! I recently returned from Shanghai and wish to impart some valuable advice. Shanghai is indeed an impressive city, however, having some insider information makes all the difference!

  • What to Wear? Reach for a T-shirt!
    • With warming weather, opt for short-sleeved attire.
    • Although it doesn't become bitterly cold at night, a light jacket is recommended if you tend to feel cold easily.
  • Don't Forget Sunscreen and An Umbrella!
    • Frankly, it can get extremely hot. However, prepare yourself for unexpected rain showers—a common occurrence in Shanghai.
  • Tempting Restaurant Dishes? Be Prepared for the Price Tag!
    • Expect costs to be slightly higher. To enjoy tasty meals without breaking the bank, seek out "tuangou" or group deals, available in local apps. These can result in considerable savings!
  • Warm Welcomes? Undoubtedly!
    • Despite potential skepticism regarding certain global cities, Shanghai locals were surprisingly friendly. Relax and enjoy the hospitality.
  • The Bund (Wai Tan) – Truly Worth the Hype!
    • At times, tourist attractions appear similar, but trust me, The Bund comes alive at night with architectural splendor. The contrast of historic and futurist structures combined with picturesque views is breathtaking.
  • ️ Pre-Caution: High Crowds and Walking Distances Ahead!
    • Major hotspots may become congested, shutting off streets, compelling a significant amount of walking. Ensure you are well-prepared by wearing comfortable footwear.
    • Approach: Opt for early mornings or late evenings for reduced crowds. Allow for leisurely strolls amidst bustling areas.
  • Subway Comfort: Restrooms Available!
    • Great news – unlike some cities, Shanghai’s subway stations do contain restrooms.
    • Yet, keep in mind you’ll need to pass by the turnstiles to access them.
  • Escalator Culture: Keep Clear of the “Lost Tourist” Title!
    • It's essential to maintain proper etiquette: always stand on the right side of the escalator.
    • Avoid clogging both sides; permit space for individuals attempting to walk.
    • Potential Confusion: A safety measure now advises against walking on escalators. However, most continue following the traditional rule of walking on the left and standing on the right.
    • Play it safe and politely align to the right side.
  • Disney Expectations: Always Crowded!
    • If considering a visit to Shanghai Disneyland, recognize there isn’t an off-peak period as it remains popular throughout the year.
    • Research thorough Disney-specific guidelines prior to your trip—it'll avoid unnecessary hassle.
  • Navigating around Shanghai with Alipay!
    • To easily utilize public transportation like subways and buses, use the "Travel" function within the Alipay app (referred to as "Zhifubao"). Alternatively, metro stations offer physical transport cards upon request.

• And that concludes my initial recommendations! If any extra information comes to mind, I'll update the list. Don't hesitate to bookmark this post—it’ll stay posted! Add your own Shanghai tips in the comments if you have them. Thank you for stopping by, happy travels!

#Shanghai #TravelTips #ChinaTravel #VacationMode

Can I use this photo? It's way better than the ones I took today!

We've just concluded our trip to Suzhou, and in the midday, we hailed a taxi using Didi (similar to Uber or Grab) to go to the high-speed train station (a station where ultra-fast trains can be taken). But oh no! We met an unorthodox driver!

• We ordered a ride through "Didi", kind of like you guys have Uber or Grab. Did you know it's such a frequently used app for taxi-hailing services in China?
• As soon as the driver arrived, he immediately laid into us for standing there waiting and explained that he had to take a detour. It was strange though because the same didn't happen when previous rides were booked; previous drivers just pulled over.
• All throughout the ride, his mouth never stopped speaking, “teaching” us and urging with phrases like “hurry up.” At first, we thought he must be having a bad day so no need to make a fuss. But things escalated!
• The unexpected happened: he started cursing in Mandarin (China's official language), and more importantly, that’s vulgar stuff, the kind that left us with an icky feeling when heard. Imagine hearing this stream of dirty mouth words pouring out of a big man, three of us girls, sat at the back seat, feeling too frightened to say anything but rather vented on each other by typing furious complaints in a WeChat group chat.
• I just want to mention that if one can't handle this job, then it makes sense to not do it! Our money was meant to pay for service and not to endure humiliation.

️ Some reminders for international travelers coming to China, especially on using ride-hailing apps: ️

• This situation happened again:
  • Just like what we experienced, the driver started complaining from the onset, saying that the location where he came across was not ideal since it made him take unnecessary detours (yet previous drivers managed the same spot without issue).
  • During the boarding time, he hurried us nonstop.
  • The most outrageous part was that after we left the initial spot of pick-up, the driver started to use very harsh words in Mandarin, which definitely offended everyone in attendance.
• Important reminder & solutions:
  • Maintaining personal safety is the utmost priority: If a driver seems aggressive or poses any threat, it's better to refrain from confronting directly and prioritizes protecting oneself. In our case, staying silent might actually be better.
  • You can report the driver after your journey: Ride-hailing app like Didi usually provides channels for complaints. Definitively make sure after your journey, find these platforms within the app, and file a report against the said driver. Additionally, try to make notes on license number or driver identifier if possible.
  • Not all drivers are like that: We have been lucky enough to interact with friendly drivers during our days in Suzhou. Nonetheless, this experience reminded us that occasionally we would stumble upon some unpleasant people. Being careful never hurts!

That's right, true citywalk style!