When did you go?

Both are bright and bustling cities. I think Guangzhou is also very prosperous. Coming from a smaller town, the visual impact was indeed very strong.

So beautiful!

Sure thing! These tags clearly belong to a traveler with some stories to tell. Let me help you organize these memories and experiences into a more relatable, friendlier narrative for foreign friends, while preserving that distinct tone of an experienced traveler.

Oh my, Taiwan is a place you can’t help but love… well, mostly because it’s just so lovable! Especially Taipei and Kinmen, these two places offer completely different landscapes but both are worth exploring.

• About the Main Island (especially Taipei):

  • Impressions of Taipei:
    • Taipei is a typical bustling metropolis, with its subway system (also known as MRT) that connects everywhere easily. However, be prepared for crowds, especially at popular attractions such as the Taipei 101 and the National Palace Museum. It’s particularly crowded in Shin-Yi District (a shopping district popular among young people, similar to Shibuya in Tokyo or Myeongdong in Seoul) during the weekends, which might make you question your life!
    • You must definitely try the Night Markets! This is one of Taiwan’s major highlights, offering all sorts of delicious and affordable street foods including bubble tea, giant chicken cutlets, and fishcake pancakes. Just thinking about them makes your mouth water!
  • Cultural Insights:
    • Taiwan uses Traditional Chinese, slightly different from Simplified Chinese used on the mainland. Although they can still guess most meanings, their soft and charming way of speaking is quite unique.
    • The EasyCard is a must-have convenience when paying! Bus rides, MRT tickets, or shopping at convenience stores, it can do it all!

• About Kinmen:

  • Impressions of Kinmen:
    • Kinmen is interesting; it's actually a group of islands very close to China — sometimes, you can see the coast of Xiamen across the sea with binoculars.
    • Previously a front-line battlefront, the island is now brimming with traces of military history, such as tunnels and bunkers, making it quite unique compared to the cityscapes of the main island. History enthusiasts will feel right at home.
    • Exploring the island riding a scooter or bicycle gives you the most authentic experience. Appreciate the untainted scenery at your own pace without the hustle and bustle of the city.
  • Cultural Insights:
    • The Kinmen Kaoliang Wine is famous there, a high-alcohol wine worth trying if you’re up for it. Also, the Kungtang candy (a peanut candy) is really delicious and suitable as souvenir gifts.

• My travel reflections are as follows...

  • A sense of freedom comes when you explore on the go without a strict itinerary. Sometimes, following the guidebook isn't as much fun as strolling randomly through small alleys where surprises await around every corner.
  • Of course, there are also moments you might misstep, such as being directed by GPS to strange locations, or eating something unexpected. But these little mishaps are just part of the journey, making some funny stories now.

️ Important note for foreign friends who visit:

• Language barrier:
  • In cities like Taipei, a lot of people in touristy spots understand English, especially among the younger generation. Yet, communication barriers may appear when conversing with elders at quieter locations.
  • How to deal with this: downloading a translation app before visiting always helps. And learning basic Chinese phrases such as "Thank you" (xièxie), "Hello" (nǐ hǎo), and "How much?" (duōshao qián) are guaranteed to bring smiles from the locals!
• Payment habits:
  • While many places accept credit cards, street food vendors, small shops might require cash (Taiwan New Dollars, NTD).
  • How to tackle this: always keep some cash handy. The EasyCard can never go wrong, easily obtainable at any convenience store.
• Navigation & Transportation:
  • Google Maps is mostly reliable in Taiwan.
  • Note: some narrow alleyways might not be mapped or might trick navigation systems into going through difficult roads. Asking local residents for directions tends to work better!
    • Taiwanese people are typically very friendly.
• Weather:
  • Taiwan is quite humid in summer (June-September), with occasional typhoons. While the northern part (like Taipei) might feel wet and cold in winter.
  • How to handle this: if visiting during the summer, always bring sunscreen and hydrate yourself, but also remember to bring an umbrella. Winter travelers to the north need warm jackets or a down jacket.
• The peculiarity of Kinmen:
  • Accessing Kinmen usually requires flights or ferries from the main island. Because of its sensitive geographical location and military history, certain areas might still be off-limits. Watch out for warning signs!
  • Solution: make sure to check your transportation arrangements in advance. Renting an e-bike or bicycle around the island offers a convenient way to commute while still respecting local rules.

I hope these information will help you along your journey. Remember, the best part of the trip is enjoying it!

Ahhhh, these kinds of downhill slopes are so beautiful! Gives off such Japanese drama vibes

Shenzhen has really gone backwards in the last 10 years.

Summer in Luoyang is just like this...

It hasn't started raining here yet, but boy, is it muggy and hot.

No, I searched for a 'Nansha one-day trip' post and wanted to experience the intercity bus.

That's just Guangzhou for you; you'll have to get used to it. Even the buses use the elevated roads, which just adds to the traffic chaos. And get this – some turns on these elevated roads actually have traffic lights, making the congestion even worse. It's utterly ridiculous.

Can you deliver breakfast to the hotel early tomorrow morning?

The traffic is too chaotic. Major intersections surprisingly don't even have separate left-turn signals. Even when pedestrians have a green light, cars can still turn left and they don't yield. As a tourist, I was genuinely shocked.

Orange cakes and what sauce now??? You've got this Beijing gal completely baffled!

Yes, that's us [smooths tie].

It's so incredibly noisy, come and investigate! I'm about to break down.

Definitely avoid The Bund and Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street.

As a Shanghai local, I don't even dare to use the 'Tehui' (budget/express) Didi option. There's a high chance something unpleasant will happen. The premium Didi services ('Zhuanche') are much better. If it's expensive during peak hours, I just take the subway.

Not everyone might support this idea, but at least you do. Besides, even if your phone doesn't have NFC, you surely have a bank card, right? Can't you just tap your bank card?

Line 6 finally opened today! It's going to ease the tourist pressure in Suzhou. This line is definitely built for tourism.

Alright, let's be real, who among us doesn’t feel that Suzhou could put a bit more effort into the aesthetics of some of its newer public spaces? I’m talking to you, public spaces team!

• There’s this entity known as the 'New Era Civilization Practice Center' ('Xīnshídài Wénmíng Shíjiàn Zhōngxīn').
  • Some quick context for my out-of-town friends: "Gū Sū" is the ancient and charming name for Suzhou. These 'New Era Civilization Practice Centers' are essentially new community hubs, and sometimes they even feature small coffee shops or snack areas. That's certainly an interesting concept in theory.
• But let’s be honest—these centers have been around for quite some time now, and I can’t help wondering if perhaps they could seek guidance from some individuals at an art institute. A professional designer could give these locations a fresher feel, one that’s both more globally appealing and just generally more aesthetically pleasing.
• It’s genuinely puzzling that an opportunity to merge Suzhou’s renowned beauty, which is referred to locally as the city’s 'cultural and tourism aesthetic' ('wénlǚ shěnměi'), with such contemporary community venues has seemingly slipped through our fingers.

And now for a bit of insider knowledge, or maybe just another one of our local complaints:

• Friendly Advisory: If you happen upon a newer public structure and find that the design leaves much to be desired, don’t think you’re the only one with such thoughts.
  • It appears that when ordinary people—who we refer to as 'everyday citizens' ('lǎo bǎixìng')—comment on the less appealing aspects of the designs, their feedback often does not result in significant modifications. The relevant authorities, such as the Suzhou Culture & Tourism Bureau ('Wénlǚjú'), may nod in acknowledgment, yet many times, no concrete actions follow.
  • Dealing with this: Frankly, keep in mind that this is a commonly discussed topic within our local community. This won't diminish Suzhou's charm, but it could become one of those conversations you exchange with local residents about a certain building or space that didn’t quite meet expectations.