Quoting a netizen: 'Nowadays, when I find something truly delicious, I don’t post about it online. I’m afraid of making it too popular and ruining the place. So, the best spots are ones we quietly enjoy with friends.'

Wow, that sounds beautiful!

Does the restaurant help take photos for customers?

Sure, no problem. Go ahead and say you'll never come back to Jiangsu, or China, or even Earth, or the entire universe. It's all fine by us.

When will mainland China take a cue from this?

I really like Quanzhou too, but the traffic is just chaotic with electric scooters zipping all over the streets.

Do some people genuinely believe that only skyscrapers equate to 'good'? With such a narrow standard, how can they be so confident? The world is vast—they should get out more, broaden their horizons, and read more books.

I feel like Shenzhen is getting worse and worse; it doesn't have the same vibe it used to.

So, which hotel is this? Could you name it so we can avoid it?

I'm currently planning my trip.

You're doing great, sis! Things will only get better for you!

Never heard of 'Siji Mingfu,' only 'Siji Minfu.' For open-oven roast duck, I'd recommend Quanjude (Hepingmen branch), Beiping Shengshi, Jingweizhai, Da Yali, and others. For the closed-oven style, Bianyifang is the place to go.

You don't live in Beijing, you're Canadian.

What are orange cakes? I've never even heard of them.

This route looks good, right? Planning to go on the 1st.

Certainly, let me continue the story about Hangzhou in English:

Here are some thoughts about the Botanical Garden and the Art Museum:

• The Botanical Garden feels more like a large warehouse for plants with an incredible variety of specimens, perfect for plant enthusiasts who would undoubtedly enjoy it. However, to be honest, there was no evident design for scenic planning, and as the garden is quite large, navigating it can be quite strenuous.
• The Han Meilin Art Museum, the exhibition hall of artist and designer of the Olympic mascot, Han Meilin, has a presence of solemn Buddha statues. However, people taking photos are constantly obstructing, making it difficult to get a picture without some human activity in the frame.
  • (P.S. When we visited, it had just rained, causing many flowers to fall, leading to a bit of disappointment in the scenery and a desolate appearance.

Difficulties with Lingyin Temple:

• Caution: Lingyin Temple Traffic Guide:
  • If you take a taxi to Lingyin Temple, GPS normally only guides to the "Lingyin Temple Parking Lot." Drivers usually claim they can't drive further.
  • But actually, if arriving before 8 AM, their cars can pass by a place called “Lingyin Market,” which is much closer to the temple entrance after leaving the parking lot.
  • Some drivers might not know this shortcut, so make sure to confirm with the driver that his destination should be “Lingyin Market,” saving you from walking a substantial distance. We were fooled into walking unnecessarily.
• Tip on purchasing tickets for the Flying Peak Scenic Area:
  • Buy your ticket at 6:30 AM, as generally only one ticket booth is opened during those hours, with security guards guiding.
  • We encountered people cutting the queue, which was truly annoying.
  • If you don't have a particular affection for paper souvenir tickets, strongly recommend purchasing them using the QR code of the scenic area online to avoid long lines!

Some regrets from this trip can be remedied next time:

1. Improper planning for temple travel:
   • We visited in sequence—Lingyin Temple, Yongfu Temple, Faxi Temple—but later found out that the stamina was not enough, leading to the omission of the popular San Dian Temple (a temple dedicated to Kwan Yu with abundant incense activity).
   • Reference travel plan: If wishing to visit the San Dian Temple, it's best to start with a taxi to Lingyin Temple and take a cable car up to San Dian Temple while visiting Taoguang Temple and Yongfu Temple downhill towards Lingyin Temple. This way, most of the travel will be downhill, much easier!
   • If planning only for Faxi Temple, we recommend visiting there initially during the calm morning hours; the lack of crowd offers perfect conditions for worshiping Buddha, taking photos, enjoying Buddhist vegetarian food dishes served at the temple; before going to Lingyin Temple which is always crowded.
2. Hupu Park, renowned for its beauty, but unfortunately not visited.

Learnings shared from this trip:

1. Thoroughly research before traveling! Investigate the conditions at your travel destination during the specific period. We experienced less scenic appeal at Jiuxi Eight Streams in March, and after rain on the 27th, the Botanical Garden had fewer flowers, with trees lacking adequate greenery, quite disappointing.
2. Caution: How to choose the bus stop at Leifeng Pagoda!
   • After Leifeng Pagoda (the pagoda from the White Snake legend), if planning to take a bus, don't go to Su Causeway, an iconic long embankment on West Lake! On Tuesday afternoon, we waited there but couldn't board any of over a dozen buses due to full capacity.
   • Alternative solution: We walked back to the start station near the foot of the Leifeng Pagoda Mountain. Beware of congestion around the entrance as people are piling up to get on the bus; securing a seat depends on your speed!
3. Bicycles for rent truly work wonders in Hangzhou!! Hangzhou’s rental bikes are indeed very convenient! Consider transportation planning this way to avoid traffic jams or parts taxis cannot enter.
4. On the use of public transport vs. taking a taxi:
   • I read a post on Xiaohongshu (a widely popular social media app in China), believing the ride on public transport could feel better when it rains. I joined Bus No.1314, named after a Chinese phrase meaning eternal marriage, but was sorely disappointed because the severe movement in the bus made me seasick, and eventually I still needed to walk further even after dropping off the bus, exhausting indeed.
   • Personal experience: Only by careful time-planning to avoid peak hours, Hangzhou does not often experience traffic jam. Even when it occurs, most drivers have excellent driving skills and navigate freely. Taxi service can help shorten traveling hours and reduce physical fatigue, giving room for more sites to visit!
5. West Lake has more than Broken Bridge and Winter Lotus! Pay proper attention to the west side of West Lake when you visit the lake, like inside of ‘West Lake’ beyond Su Causeway, Mao Jiabu, Guo Gong areas, these ‘heavenly scenes’ which are less crowd and tranquil.
6. Looking for a memorable boat trip? Choose early morning Gondola (hand-powered boats) or Yachting (traditionally crewed wooden boats slowly propelled by oars) from Crossing Bridge Dock, available right after 7 AM, potentially earlier like 6:30 AM later in April, check Xiaohongshu update in advance.
   • Benefit: No queue, no wait!
7. Taking photos of Three Ponds Mirroring the Moon (backmarked on RMB note)? Don't necessarily have to travel to the island! Gondolas will navigate close to the site, providing a great spot for relaxed photo-taking, or simply ask the boatman to your desired location.
8. Don't worry about budget too much! Visiting other tranquil spots like Yanggongti (another axis line on West Lake, more serene than Su Causeway) or Guo Gong (a classic Jiangnan garden), scenery is magnificent and free enjoyment!
9. Wake up early! Early-birds have an advantage:
   • Traffic is not busy in the morning!
   • Earliest bird catches the first bus (no lines)!
   • Beautiful pictures are better taken then (less crowd)!
   • No queue for attractions!

Little surprises on the journey... Ha-ha, to be continued! #Rain in West Lake can be so beautiful #Traveling with Elders

So frustrating!

Certainly! Here's the translation of the text while keeping the details and the fun, adventurous spirit intact:

---

• Do you guys know that amazing feeling you get when you unexpectedly take off from work in the afternoon, hopping straight into a taxi to rush towards the cruise ship terminal (that’s where big ships dock, by the way)! The bliss of waving goodbye to work, heading straight towards freedom!

  • Road Condition Tip: However, the road to the terminal is surprisingly congested with long-haul trucks, turning a 30-minute ride into an hour-long journey. So if you plan to take a taxi, make sure to leave some buffer time!

• Boarding time was set between 12:45 p.m. and 13:15 p.m., but I reached there at 12:00 p.m., and could directly check-in my luggage at the terminal parking lot.

  • Boarding Tips:
    • Arriving early is always a plus!
    • No need to carry tapes or anything; the staff handles it by fixing luggage tags with staplers.
    • Ship tickets (boarding passes) can be printed at the venue, though it’s recommended to bring them already printed for convenience.

• After entering the departure hall, there’ll be some waiting. Approximately half an hour to an hour will pass until boarding actually begins, involving a call number announcement via broadcast. Same advice applies here: arriving earlier means easier boarding!

  • A duty-free store is passed before boarding.
    • Money-saving Tip: If you plan to buy cigarettes, they’re cheaper here than onboard.

• Stepping onto the cruise was a real eye-opener! It’s simply stunning! The design style is a classic representation of lavish oriental aesthetics, featuring abundant gold and red colors; foreigners might see this as a typical Chinese characteristic.

• Onboard staff seemed to be roughly split between Chinese and Southeast Asians, and communication with simple English or Mandarin was generally doable. Although sometimes accented, these interactions became more acceptable over time (laugh).

• I had secured the "Preferred Balcony Suite" (a suite class with access to a balcony), which, while compact, was well-equipped (this idiom in Chinese basically means everything you require would be there).

  • Numerous hangers (I counted precisely fourteen!), tissues, hairdryers were all available.
  • Toiletries like shampoo and body wash were provided.
  • Accommodation Advice:
  • Bring a water bottle to use at free drinking stations if you frequently drink water.
  • Use a portable shower filter if you are sensitive about water quality. Otherwise, pack everything as you would for a regular trip.

• The delay in receiving checked-in luggage to the guest suites was somewhat long and seemingly random. While waiting for luggage, a room service attendant introduced the amenities of the cabin.

  • Room Door Complaint: I must vent a tiny gripe about the peephole location on the room door! It’s been placed too high and too far to the side, requiring me to stretch my neck to barely observe who’s outside, not very accommodating for shorter guests.

• Time-wise, food consumption only kicked off around 3:00 pm after boarding, since it wasn’t prime dining hours, hence the limited variety offered by the restaurants, which was nonetheless suitable for our tastebuds.

  • The dinner banquet took place in the 'Palace Restaurant', served as a menu of Chinese or Western options, with identical starters, soups, and desserts, differing solely by main dishes.

    • Chinese main courses included pork rice & vegetable stew, beef short ribs, and spicy sour fish dish.
    • Western options comprised lamb chops and baked salmon.

  • Service waiters promoted additional paying dining spots onboard after the meal, and we reserved one for Cantonese cuisine.

• We went to listen to the jazz performance in the “Bavarian Lounge” (a German-themed bar on board).

  • Consumption Notice: Not everyone’s exempt from charges in the lounge; only VIPs enjoy the privilege, others purchase entry tickets or opt to spend in the lounge.
  • We ordered two drinks, feeling relaxed with the lively ambiance.

• Eventually, we explored the entire ship, and found levels 3-5 as very labyrinthine!

  • Navigation Tips: Be wary of restricted zones during lunch hours that required circumvention due to the unclear signage onboard; querying attendants often solved the maze. For the visually navigating challenged, just openly ask for directions.

• Later, we filled water from the 10th deck refill point, settling for the evening preparations; about 11:00 pm.

• Participated an hour of Chinese idioms game called "成语接龙" with friends, finally headed to bed.

• In conclusion, an incredibly joyous first day aboard!

We are all Suzhou locals; the driver was from out of town.

Hey everyone! On a whim, I boarded the high-speed train and came to Suzhou for a visit yesterday!

It's super convenient to travel from Shanghai. The bullet train takes less than an hour, and including the time from leaving home to arriving in Suzhou, it's about an hour and a half in total.

Suzhou Impression vs Shanghai:
I mainly explored around Pingjiang Road and Shiquan Street — famous old districts in Suzhou, where I also delved into smaller alleys and residential areas inhabited by local residents to experience the real Suzhou.

• A brief introduction: Pingjiang Road and Shiquan Street are well-known historic cultural zones featuring many ancient buildings, distinctive small shops, and traditional snacks, perfect for strolling leisurely.
• The greatest difference between Suzhou and Shanghai, according to me, is that Suzhou carries more "vitality of daily life."
• By "vitality of daily life," I mean a sense of realism and down-to-earth feel, where every corner of the streets is filled with the essence of everyday life. This is unlike some big cities, which may appear glittering but lack warmth.
• Here, I heard, or rather understood about seven to eight portions of Wu dialect (the dialect spoken in Suzhou and Shanghai, akin to sibling languages), more than in the urban area of Shanghai!
• Plus, in most shops and restaurants, many employees were local residents. Encountering such a warm atmosphere made me feel somehow comforted, truly a feeling of being home.
• Compared to Shanghai "hottest" scenic spots, I thought those of Suzhou were slightly less eye-catching.
• I have no particular preference for classical gardens or natural landscapes, so I won't comment on that (However, note that the classical gardens in Suzhou are world-renowned, with notable ones being the Humble Administrator’s Garden and Liuyuan Garden. Fans of these scenes definitely shouldn’t miss them).

Consumption:

• It feels like eating, drinking, and entertainment costs are a little cheaper than in Shanghai, perhaps around 10% lower.
• However, compared to Shanghai, it seems there're fewer coupons for shopping deals available online.

️Some reminders for you all:

• Safety with Electric Scooters:
  On the streets, few people ride electric scoots wearing helmets — probably just over half of them, which looks a bit dangerous.
  Note: If walking or renting your own e-scoot/bike, pay extra attention to the road conditions and mind avoiding obstacles!
• Style of Driving:
  Drivers seem rather "bold," somewhat irritated, and enjoy honking a lot. This wasn't what I am used to.
  Reminder: If sensitive to noise or plan on taxiing/driving your own vehicle around Suzhou, psychological preparation is key. While crossing the street be aware, and look carefully left and right.

No special plans for tomorrow, just wandering and exploring randomly. Haha!