Where do locals usually go to eat?

How can you say Shanghai isn't good for shopping? Maybe only Tokyo in Asia can satisfy you.

Taihu Lake is truly beautiful; take a look at what a friend shared below.

This guide is unbeatable! I'm following your recommendations to visit these spots.

I find Tainan very livable; I really like it here.

Sure! Here's the translation with focus on readability and emotional authenticity:

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Absolutely, no problem! Taiwan is indeed a place that elicits love and some reserved emotions. I understand what you’re referring to! Let’s adjust it a bit so foreign friends can resonate:

For me, Taiwan (lovingly referred to by many as "the Bay") has always been a place of great significance.
• People have praised it for its rich cultural vibe, representing a certain sense of freedom. Despite the reserved nature of emotion expression, it carries profound meanings.
• Places like "Fembooks" (a bookshop focusing on female issues) and "Witch House" (a popular live performance venue featuring many independent musicians) symbolize independence and freedom.
• These venues are absolute must-visits for those who embrace the arts.

I had high hopes when visiting these sites, but unfortunately came across some disappointing experiences:
• Special note: A word of caution/experience
• I wanted to take instant pictures at Witch House, just as my favorite singers, Jolin Tsai aka Qingfeng and Anpu (renowned independent musical artists in Taiwan), did previously.
• The staff, however, used “We have to close soon” as an excuse, aiming to make us leave more quickly.
Moreover, from the moment I spoke Mandarin with a mainland accent, I could tell they were rather indifferent towards me. It felt like everything was ruined in an instant from an ideal scenario. The mix of emotions was overwhelming.
Therefore, I would like to remind any visitors: Be prepared because there might be different treatment due to accent or identity. It’s important to keep calm.

That night, my heart was somewhat heavy, wondering if I had been too idealistic earlier.
However, I reassured myself that despite this, Taiwan’s nurturing atmosphere allowed the blossoming of unique cultures and ideas. This diverse beauty is indeed a part of its charm.

It looks like ideals and reality will always have discrepancies. Although Witch House didn't provide a satisfying experience, Fembooks warmed my heart with the shopkeeper's welcoming words, "Thank you, welcome back often".
Therefore, my small suggestion would be that, with passion-filled destinations, you should maintain expectations while also being mentally prepared for realities to sometimes deviate from expectations.

To me, Witch House remains a cradle of independent music in Taiwan. And I will definitely not be visiting Taiwan merely once. Those unpleasant experiences shall dissipate soon! I believe one day everyone can travel freely and comfortably. # WitchHouse

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I got my permit for Taiwan back in 2017 and still haven't used it. I initially wanted to go right after I got it, but then I thought the entry permit was too expensive, so I didn't end up going.

Come to the Northwest for a breath of fresh air! 1. [Copy the code and head back to the Xiaohongshu App] Limited time offer until June 18th. Let's discuss "China Northwest Tour - Departing from Lanzhou" in the topic area. MU1178 :/#x🥟

I got overcharged by a taxi in Guangzhou too. The driver complained about waiting at the train station for over an hour, saying how tough it was for him. When we got to the destination, he didn't even bother to open the car door and demanded an extra 10 yuan. I was furious!

It just feels exceptionally crowded to me.

In my travel experience, Beijing is China's most fun big city, Hangzhou offers the most relaxed and comfortable visit, and Shanghai is the most novel and exciting.

Hey sis, how did the Envision interview go?

As a US bachelor's degree holder, I got my visa rejected yesterday. I'm acting calm, but I'm actually freaking out. I just can't understand why.

...A regular meal is more like 20-30 RMB. And you can find group deals for Black Pearl restaurants – a meal for two that's usually 400 RMB per person can be had for 200 RMB total.

Isn't that even more ridiculous? So my money in WeChat Pay or Alipay effectively loses value? I'm not buying anything, just exchanging it for cash, and I still have to pay a fee? That's a bit outrageous, isn't it?

Alright, I must tell you about this spontaneous trip to visit the gardens in Suzhou!

Here’s what happened: While scrolling through photos of beautiful spring scenes online, I immediately got enamored with them and decided to book tickets for the Humble Administrator's Garden (拙政园) and Lion Grove Garden (狮子林) the next day!

TIP FOR FOREIGN FRIENDS: Both gardens are famous classical Chinese gardens located in Suzhou. They have rich history and intricate design, making them great places to experience traditional Chinese garden art. Suzhou is well-known for its many gardens and is called the "City of Gardens."

Since it was close to where I lived, I set off very early that morning. You know what? I am really glad that I did! If I had been any later, the lines would have stretched on forever! Even though I entered at 9 AM, it was already packed full.

I remembered reading a classic book called Six Chapters of a Floating Life which features a description of Lion Grove Garden mentioned by its late Qing Dynasty author Shen Fu. He wrote it proudly as what was “the most famous attraction” in the city but he didn’t think much of the place, seeing the stacked stones as “messy cinders.”

However, beauty is truly in the eye of the beholder. Nevertheless, it’s indeed difficult to thoroughly understand the intricacies of these beautiful gardens without an interpreter or some assistance.

• You can rent an automatic guide at around 25 RMB each.
• Alternatively, you can also subtly follow along with a tour group and casually listen to the introductions or explanations led by the guide, ha!

Regarding the many gardens in Suzhou, the Lion Grove Garden likely has the highest number of man-made rocks.

• Its premises are actually quite small, but through a clever use of stone stacking, the designers created a sense of variation in scenery, making it quite elaborate and diverse enough.
• You can both climb and go into those artificial rock formations, the winding paths resembling a maze. Many children find the area perfect for hide-and-seek games!
  • (Previously, I couldn't understand how anyone could spend half a day there in such a small garden! Now I understand why… If you’re bringing kids, they will definitely have plenty of fun here… if only for half the day….)

The pathway leading up to a pavilion on the water is made of stones as well, meandering down to the edge.

WARNING: Please watch your step!

• The stone paths and steps, having been used so many times over years, are extremely slippery!
• And in more areas, they can get quite narrow with steep slopes.
• What should you do then? Walk cautiously and safely!

At present, this blooming season of Hydrangea flowers, which look like big beautiful white pom-poms, is perfectly bloomed and beautiful! Furthermore, there is also a special display of Azalea potted plants and numerous flower arrangements and miniature landscapes of gardens which resemble stunning paintings from far away, worthy of every single photo taken!

🪷 There are also a few purple Wisterias, however, as the colors are starting to fade, they aren’t quite suitable as photo subjects anymore.

I brought a camera with me, hoping to take some beautiful portraits. Those ladies in Hanfu (a classic traditional Chinese dress used specifically for photography), usually start arriving after 10 AM, so fortunately, I managed to catch one towards the end of my trip. I took a photo which I thought came out quite well and sent it to her as a small surprise later, sharing the appreciation for the scenic view we had experienced together

—– A quick scribe enjoying and sharing stories about books, construction toys, life at work, series review, just to discuss any interesting topic. Thanks for liking it!

Hello, fellow travelers planning a trip to Suzhou!

To be honest, it's not that Suzhou has more pitfalls than other tourist cities. Every tourist city has its own surprises, especially for us travelers who are new to the area and unfamiliar with local customs. It's easy to run into these traps if we don't keep an eye out.

Most of these pitfalls can be avoided with a little care:

• Absolutely do not eat at restaurants near tourist attractions!
  *   Take places like Pingjiang Road, Shantang Street, or scenic spots known for their gardens (like the Humble Administrator's Garden and Lion Grove Garden) as examples. With so many visitors and expensive store rentals, the owners aim to make money and the quality of ingredients they use... you should know.
• Don't buy those peculiar fruits and cigarettes from vendors on the street!
  *   Suzhou has neither its unique local fruits nor any "tobacco" worth purchasing. If you wish to taste local fruits, simply open AutoNavi Maps (a Chinese app similar to Google Maps) and search for legitimate fruit shops nearby. Instead of spending your money unwisely, donating would be better, don't go easy on those who sell counterfeit products at exorbitant prices!
• Be cautious about "crab roe noodles"!
  *   You likely know the "big-handed crab," (a famous hairy crab) is seasonal cuisine. During seasons when this crab isn't available, the crab roe you'll find in these noodles may just be precooked using old crabs with questionable sources, then sold at high price by the bowl! I've never seen local eaters queueing for the food—avoid them.
• A special warning about information on Xiang Xiang Book (China’s popular social media app, similar to Instagram)!
  • Don't blindly respond to someone looking for "drinking buddies" on Xiang Xiang Book; doing so could lead to meeting several rough-looking men who are aiming to trick you into buying overrated fake alcohol!
  • The most important warning comes from Xiang Xiang Book’s food blogger "store exploration notes"! These hidden pitfalls are more deceptive than obvious ones—because they look so real!
    • Actually, there aren't many amazing dishes in Suzhou. But some restaurants take their marketing strategies very seriously: for instance, hiring people to line up in front of them pretending the place is busy, or collaborating with influencers (nicknamed "meat megaphone") to extol themselves.

In short, stay vigilant and informed, most of these pitfalls can be avoided, so you can avoid paying your "IQ tax" if you still get scammed somehow!

Could I get the address? What's it like?

What you said reminds me of a passage from Yu Qiuyu's 'White-Haired Suzhou': Suzhou lacks the imperial grandeur of Jinling (Nanjing). There are no imposing palaces here, only gardens. It's not a place for battlefields; only a few city gates were built, almost in vain. Its winding alleys cannot accommodate grand official sedan chairs, and its local customs don't revere harsh prohibitions. Here, the water is too clear, the peach blossoms too vibrant, the music and singing a bit too alluring. The snacks are too sweet, the women too pretty, the teahouses too numerous, the bookshops too dense. The calligraphy is too fluid, the paintings lack a desolate, vigorous power, and the poetry misses the deep, husky tones of a tragic hero from Yi River. Thus, Suzhou, bearing all these 'accusations,' sits quietly, welcoming and seeing off visitors, living its days contentedly, yet unwilling to 'dress up' and accept that kingly aura.

Aren't Shanghai taxis just the same?