I've heard that drivers in Nanjing don't yield to pedestrians, but I found it was actually the electric scooters that were more of a problem. They drive fast and honk continuously, which is really annoying.

Let me explain the traffic lights: Nanjing is one of the few cities in China that has large countdown numbers. As a local, I find it difficult to adjust to places without them when I travel.

Was it fun?

Alright, I'm quite familiar with this topic! Having crossed the strait frequently over the years, I've heard and seen a wide variety of things. Let me share some insights on how Taiwanese people genuinely view mainland China, so that foreign friends can easily understand too!

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Understanding the perspectives of the Taiwanese on mainland China isn't something you can wrap up in a few sentences; everyone has their own unique views, influenced by whether they belong to a previous generation or are young people, the news they consume daily, as well as their personal political stances. Here are some key points I will cover:

• Mixed Feelings Between Older Generation and Young People

  • Some older Taiwanese folks may have been born in mainland China, or spent their youth there, forming deep-rooted emotions that tie them to it like their "hometown." They often have positive feelings towards the mainland, aspiring for its well-being, and viewing both sides as essentially one family, inseparable.
  • In contrast, younger Taiwanese people form most if not all of their impressions of mainland China through the internet, social media posts, video content, or TV news. As such, their views are varied. Some appreciate the rapid development and numerous opportunities provided by mainland China, whereas others may hold misconceptions due to biased news reports.

• Economic Development Shapes Different Opinions

  • Over the past several decades, mainland China's economy has advanced rapidly, closing the economic gap with Taiwan and even surpassing it in certain respects. This has earned the respect of many Taiwanese people or even a bit of envy.
  • With increased trading and tourism activities over the years, more Taiwanese visitors have had the chance to witness firsthand the impressive skyscrapers and convenient mobile payment systems in places like mainland China, transforming old stereotypes.

• Newspapers' Reporting Impacts Our Perceptions

  • Regarding how Taiwan's media portrays mainland China, there's no lack of diversity among news sources:
    • Some media outlets strive for objective reporting to present a fair picture of mainland China.
    • Others might exaggerate minor incidents or misrepresent stories to cater to different political inclinations, misleading readers' understanding of mainland China.
    • Be wary! More often than not, sticking to only one piece of information is similar to being confined in a small room, preventing one from having a comprehensive or accurate depiction of mainland China. So you'd better explore multiple sources and see firsthand what's out there!

• Politics: A Point of Great Division of Views

  • Different political inclinations naturally lead to divergent attitudes toward mainland China:
    • Some believe that reunification is beneficial for both parties, contributing to peace and prosperity.
    • Others, heavily affected by "Taiwan-first" ideologies, prefer maintaining distance or even exhibit aversion towards close interactions with mainland China.
    • In recent years, given the complex developments in cross-strait relations and international affairs, some Taiwanese opinions towards unification have also changed. Some prioritize peace and unification, while others remain observational or dissatisfied.

• Cultural and Societal Affinity Amidst Criticism

  • It's undeniable that both places share many cultural similarities, such as the use of Chinese characters and their custom practices. However, the cultural and societal aspects observed by Taiwanese people in mainland China are diverse:
    • Some feel that mainland China lags behind in certain areas when it comes to cultural details, or struggles with environmental pollution. These are common concerns raised among them.
    • On the other hand, many deeply admire mainland China's efforts in cultural preservation and innovation, along with overall social progress.

In summary, the Taiwanese people's perspectives on mainland China are highly varied and cannot be summarized in just a word or two. Increasing interaction and mutual understanding can reduce misunderstandings.

Wondering if your itinerary is reasonable, how to plan it, or need to check maps and subway routes? Please take a look at my other posts on my homepage first! Same goes for questions about the weather and what to wear – you'll likely find answers in my other posts. As for specific weather forecasts, honestly, your guess is as good as mine.

Excuse me, quick question: do I need a COVID test result to leave Zhuhai by high-speed train? Thanks so much!

I was busy preparing for my thesis defense.

For an international metropolis, and this being my second visit to Guangzhou, maybe Guangzhou doesn't particularly need one tourist like me, but their efficiency in handling the complaint was truly impressive! Hopefully, nothing like this happens on my next trip to Guangzhou. I'll definitely try to stick to ride-hailing apps.

Hoping to find a girlfriend. Anyone out there?

I'm so done. I kept taking wrong turns all day and was absolutely exhausted. In the end, I just gave up and hailed a cab back to the hotel.

You can go to the Tourist Distribution Center and take bus 80, or take the S2 train, or bus 919. All of these options work.

That 'Romance of the Song Dynasty' show? I've only ever seen it on Xiaohongshu.

Ugh, I specifically came to this photo spot for the May Day holiday, and the view is completely blocked!

Just wondering when this big ship is leaving? I'm visiting Shanghai next Thursday!

What about the Lingering Garden (Liu Yuan)?

Hahaha, that's why I didn't go up

Where is that white wall in picture 17?

The tour boat schedule depends on the weather. It's been very windy these past two days, so they've suspended operations. I'm not sure if they'll resume tomorrow.

Oh wow, my business trip to Hangzhou was quite a "unique" experience!

Firstly, I hurriedly traveled from Shanghai early in the morning to get a task done in Hangzhou.

I thought it would be convenient and quick to take a taxi since I was unfamiliar with the place.

However, reality turned out differently.

1. As soon as I sat down in the car and told the driver where I wanted to go, his face dropped somewhat, because my destination was only three kilometers away.
2. He then began complaining, saying he had been waiting from 5 a.m. until around 8 a.m., finally getting a reservation, only for me to give him such a short ride that barely covered the starting fare. This left him extremely depressed.
3. He then directly challenged me, asking why, when going on such a short trip, I could not have used an online taxi service like “Diyidache”? By doing so, he believed I wouldn’t have wasted his working time. (Note: "Online taxi services" is very popular in China, just like Uber or Lyft elsewhere, where you can make a reservation using a mobile app, "Diyidache” being the largest one.)

Initially, I was confused, thinking, "How could I have known about his wait time? Besides, the essence of the job is to provide transportation regardless of distance. And if he found my pick up unsatisfactory due to short distance, he could simply have politely refused to serve. That's call opting-out."

In any case, this incident somewhat dulled my first impression of Hangzhou.

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Caution for Travelers! Small tips for taking taxis in Hangzhou (especially for short distances):

• In Hangzhou (similar to many tourism cities), if you take a taxi just for a very close distance (for instance, within just three to five kilometers), some drivers may not be in a good mood.

• Particularly those who have waited long at airports, train stations, or tourist attractions prefer to bring passengers further which will earn them more money.

• How to avoid unpleasant experiences?

1. Use online taxi services like "Diyidache," where drivers know your destination before pick-up, avoiding potential awkwardness. Usually, the prices are also clear and transparent.
2. If you still choose a regular taxi, tell the driver about your destination when you get into the car. If you sense he is dissatisfied, you might want to consider another driver.
3. Be aware of your rights. According to regulations, taxi drivers must not refuse short trips without reasonable cause. If met with particularly bad service or explicitly refusal from a taxi driver, be sure to take note of his license plate number to file a complaint officially. Still, the golden rule is to avoid direct confrontation and maintain harmony.

This is that 'earthy, lively atmosphere' or 'human touch' that many older folks enjoy.