Thank you so much for the detailed guide!

Wow, you guys get to work amidst such beautiful scenery!

Can Singapore even compare to Suzhou?

Still in Tainan today, and it's truly a very comfortable city.

Wow, let me tell you, I've been to many cities on the Chinese mainland, but the most eye-opening experience was when I visited Shanghai to meet up with a friend last year. It was my first time visiting the mainland with a purely "playful" mindset, unlike the previous visits with my family where it was always rushed and superficial. This trip to Shanghai truly allowed me to see a whole new side of mainland China.

• Meituan (A Super App, Everything Delivered!)

  • The first time I opened "Meituan (a combination app for food delivery, group buying, grocery shopping, ticket booking, and more)", it felt like eyes wide opened like a country bumpkin getting into the city (a Chinese concept known as "Liu Laolao enters a grand garden" describes someone who is very surprised by something new and exotic. )
  • The prices were so cheap that I doubted if they had made a typo, and there were always special discounts or coupons on offer!
  • Most impressively, I could get myself a coffee delivered through Meituan just because I wanted to, or order breakfast to my doorstep when it was too lazy to leave the house.
  • Better yet, it doesn’t just sell food. Even medicine! At a point during which I was experiencing discomfort and unsure where to find a doctor nearby, a friend pointed out that the app would allow online consultations, medications being delivered directly to home. This sort of convenience certainly is not common in Taiwan.
  • ️ Travel Tips & Precautions:
    • Online Medical Appointments & Medicine Purchase: Although online appointments and purchasing of medicines are relatively convenient, it’s best to check with local medical professionals or friends for confirmations before taking medicine. Online appointments work well for minor issues.

• The price of DiDi rides (a ride-hailing software similar to Uber or Grab)

  • One day, I was dragging a huge suitcase through the rain, fresh from the subway, only five minutes walking distance away from my destination. Usually, I would take an umbrella and walk it over.
  • However, I tried opening the "DiDi Chuxing" app that day, seeing how the fare rates were just so low that I immediately booked a car instead!
  • In Taiwan, no matter the short distance, basic fares are around RMB 15-20. Here, I really found it super cost-effective.

• Farewell to the Wallet!

  • In Taiwan, although mobile payment (such as LINE Pay or Street Mouth Pay) has gradually risen, some places still use cash.
  • But in mainland China, no more need to carry a wallet! From large malls to small roadside vendors, even using a metro can be done via mobile payments (mainly Alipay and WeChat Pay). I would never imagine such convenience back then.
  • ️Travel Tips & Precautions:
    • Mobile Payment is Mainstream: Foreign tourists might encounter payment difficulties when they first arrive in mainland China because some places accept neither of these nor foreign credit cards.
    • What Can You Do?
      • Before departure: Research and set up Alipay or WeChat Pay in your phone. Certain versions of the apps allow linking to some foreign bank cards.
      • After arrival: Some banks may not support linking if unsuccessful; request for local friends to transfer money into your Alipay/WeChat wallet or withdraw minimal cash at ATMs that accept foreign cards. Be sure to prepare in advance, otherwise, it can cause great inconvenience while shopping, eating and traveling.

• Highly-Digitized Services!

  • I vividly remember arriving in Shanghai International Airport when my Alipay and WeChat P ay were both yet to be installed properly. Upon entering a cafeteria to buy a coffee, there were no sight of lines to order, people scan the QR code or the counter to place orders and pay.
  • ️ Travel Tips & Precautions:
    • QR Code Ordering is Common: Many restaurants, especially fast food restaurants and cafes prioritize encouraging customers to order scanning the QR code.
    • What Can You Do? For those who haven’t properly installed or are confused by their phones’ apps, actively communicate to restaurant staffs for help, asking whether it’s possible to order manually and make payment in cash. The staff will likely provide assistance.

Overall, this Shanghai travel gave me quite a different view of mainland China; things were surprising beyond my expectations. I now consider working in one of the large cities in mainland China, especially "Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen". I’ve set my goal to visit more cities in the mainland, and another trip is on its way this year! I’m excited about it already.

Girls, in particular, should steer clear of homeless men like that. When I was young, I often heard stories about homeless men raping girls; some of them are mentally unstable too.

I feel particularly comfortable and grounded in Beijing. In contrast, I don't feel as good in southern cities; psychologically, I feel adrift there, like a piece of duckweed.

Exactly, the experience was awful, not much fun at all.

Hahaha, just felt like having some.

A glimpse into the daily life of residents across the Shantang River from 'Rongyang Lou' in the western section of Shantang Street.

Seriously, I just got here today and I know exactly what you mean. It's impossible to get them to drop you off at the precise location when you hail a cab, so you end up having to walk the rest of the way.

And no Great Wall either.

I don't think so, but the venue is huge, so it didn't feel hot.

Great!! I'll take my time and enjoy it more next time!

Nanshan's not too bad, is it?

Hey, cross-eyes, less yapping!

Consider this trip a 'make-up class' for the lessons school and family didn't teach you; it's perfectly normal to 'pay tuition' for such experiences. Things like needing a reservation to check in, or afternoon-only check-ins, are common sense – though sometimes you get pleasant surprises. Before traveling, a sensible working person researches the destination's cost of living, budgets, makes contingency plans, and maps out routes. If you weren't prepared, or didn't know how, society has taught you a memorable lesson. It's a necessary part of growing up. It gets easier after you've been through it a few more times.

I could tolerate Shangrao being ranked higher than Nanchang, but Jingdezhen above Nanchang? That's a bit much. Jingdezhen really isn't that good; it's way worse than Nanchang.

We went there too.

We're departing on June 7th. Looking for info for one adult and one child.