I'm a second-generation Dongguan native, not from Shenzhen.

Isn't this perfectly normal? Everyone in the comments section acts like they're saints; they don't even think this is a big deal.

Shenzhen is pretty good.

Absolutely, no problem! I've lived in Shenzhen for a few years and gotten used to many things, but some aspects still baffle me:

• The urban planning and management of the "Outer Areas" are hard to describe.

  • What is "Outer Areas"? Simply put, it refers to the regions outside the former Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Shenzhen, like Bao'an and Longgang. Although they have developed, there's still much difference compared to the city center ("Inner Area," such as Futian and Nanshan).
  • The situation? It feels chaotic everywhere you go: e-bikes/scooters speeding through traffic, street vendors appearing on every corner. These spots aren't exactly huge, so theoretically they should be easy to manage, but it seems like effort hasn't been invested enough. Beijing excels in urban planning and environmental governance, which Shenzhen could learn from.
  • Tourists' Notice:
    • When exploring these places, especially while walking, always, always, pay attention to those e-bikes! They may emerge anywhere, and they move quite fast, with little attention paid to traffic rules.
    • Enjoy the lively atmosphere of the street vendors, but please be aware of their hygiene standards as well.

• Internet speed is becoming increasingly frustrating, especially mobile internet.

  • This hadn't occurred to me initially after moving here in Shenzhen, but it’s been getting noticeably worse as of this year. The 5G signal feels fake; often, I need to refresh pages several times before they load.
  • Tip: If internet plays a crucial role for you, consider utilizing hotel or coffee shop Wi-Fi, or download necessary maps and guides offline earlier. Don't rely much on swift 5G while mobile.

• Despite being dubbed "the city of the young," I feel it no longer resonates accurately with its past glory.

  • Many former young pioneers have grown into middle-aged residents now. For true young people today, Shenzhen doesn’t seem overly friendly: job salaries may disappoint one; some companies tend not to provide adequate employee benefits (for example, low contributions to China’s social security), making it not like a world-class metropolis. This is primarily for those who intend to work and live in Shenzhen, as tourists might not thoroughly experience it, yet understanding diverse faces of a city still matters.

Then let's hang out together sometime.

Mine was 198.

So true.

Planning to go the day after tomorrow, but everything I see online is discouraging me.

Wow, listen up: if you're short on time, there are some places in Shanghai that might be worth reconsidering! After spending three days here, I feel like most of my time was spent being squashed in the crowds. It's quite draining!

• First Stop: The Bund

  • This is an iconic location in Shanghai, offering a view of the Huangpu River and the ultra-modern skyscrapers across the river in Lujiazui. The night view is truly magnificent—absolutely worth it.
  • But… The Crowds! So many people! You would almost doubt life itself. Especially at Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street (a bustling commercial street leading to the Bund), crossing the road when the light changes can feel like charging into battle.
  • ️ Friendly Tips:
    • If you dislike crowding too much, avoid visiting The Bund during holidays or over weekends.
    • For those with crowd discomfort (discomfort seeing packed crowds), please prepare yourself mentally, or consider admiring from afar.

• Second Day: Gentle Monster

  • This store is located on Huaihai Middle Road (also an extremely trendy shopping avenue). Many young people tend to enjoy visiting here. It's not just about selling glasses; the store design itself is modern and artistic. Many visit merely to take pictures.
  • My assumption was that this trendy shop would be less crowded, but I ended up waiting in line for around 40 minutes before I could enter.
  • ️ Photo Tip:
    • The interior of the store is primarily designed in a modern minimalist style with a black-and-white palette. Match your personal attire so that you aren't left out among the aesthetic surroundings.
    • Feels like all the most stylish men and women in Shanghai have gathered here! If one's appearance is relatively simple and natural compared to these meticulously prepared fashionistas, your photos may seem less striking than expected or a bit disheartening, hehe.

In summary, Shanghai certainly has its unique charm, but the crowd volume at popular spots should not be underestimated. I hope my experience will offer some references.

#Shanghai #TravelTips #AvoidingCrowds

Yuexi is a bit out of the way. You could check out Gelin and AEON Mall nearby. The lakeside area there is popular in summer, but it's too cold in winter. For more crowds, you'd probably head to Shishan, the 'Gate of the Orient' in SIP, or the Pingjiang Road/Shiquan Street area. I don't really go to other places much.

Let's talk about the parking problem at Taohuawu, an ancient and famous cultural district known for prominent artist Tang Bohu. Oh boy, this one is a real headache!

* Parking: A Grave Problem

• Want to find a parking spot near Taohuawu? Good luck! And forget about any guidance that might tell you where there might be room for another vehicle.
• Park anywhere on the roadside? You've been warned!
  • ️ Note: Keep an eye out for traffic police who are diligently working — that means writing tickets. So it's quite confusing to know which spots are legal and illegal to park in.
• However, I've found a hidden gem parking spot:
  • Tip: The underground parking lot below Pingjiangyuan Suzhou Noodle Restaurant (a place for local noodle dishes) actually has plenty of open spots!
  • Important! If you're coming from Pingsi Road, you won't be able to access the parking garage through that entrance. But you can easily enter the garage from Dongzhongshi. Amazingly, there are so many open spots down there!

* Confusing Signs and Directional Guidance

• Then there are signs that can truly drive you insane!
  • ️ Note: 'Taohuawu Historical and Cultural Block' and 'Taohuawu Li' are completely different places. One refers to the general cultural district, and the other refers to a specific area within the district, like the vicinity of Tang Bohu's former residence. But the signs don't make this clear, which can confuse visitors.
  • Even if you ask the nearby workers, they may just look blank and clueless as well. Since most of them are temporary staff brought in during the Chinese New Year holiday, they're not fluent with the area's actual conditions.

@Taohuawu Historical and Cultural Area

A Great Spring Festival Celebration # Lunar New Year Visual Guide # Festive Atmosphere Maxed # New Year’s City Walk # Taohuawu # Former Residence of Tang Bohu # Lunar New Year in Suzhou

Listen up, everyone!

I really want to share an experience with you: if you come to Hangzhou without proper preparation, it can be quite a challenge.

Why do I say that?

• Hangzhou is known as a typical "Water Town of Jiangnan" — referring to a region south of the Yangtze River in China known for its beautiful water scenery and exquisite classical gardens. The culture and scenic spots here are truly unique.
• If you don't do your homework beforehand, you may easily get lost in the beautiful scenes or miss out on the real highlights, seriously reducing the quality of your travel experience! Simply put, wandering around aimlessly like "a fly without a head" isn't exactly fun.

I've visited Hangzhou six times, collected plenty of experiences and lessons learned. So, I made a list of "pit-avoidance" tips just for you — all written in plain language, easy to understand.

My goal is simple:

• Help you avoid making more mistakes, enabling a smooth and enjoyable experience of Hangzhou. Truly feeling the charm of the phrase "Heaven above, Suzhou and Hangzhou below" (it's an ancient compliment for the beauty of the scenery in Suzhou and Hangzhou, likening them to paradise).

Hopefully, these tips will come in handy!

#HangzhouTravel #HangzhouTrip #HangzhouTravelGuides #HangzhouTourismTips #AboveParadise BelowSuzhouAndHangzhou #TourismPitAvoidanceGuide

Oh, will hiking take a long time? Should I look for a bike-share then?

Hello, fellow travel enthusiasts! I'm about to explore Shanghai and would love some advice from you all:

• Eating:

  • You know, there are countless "internet-famous restaurants" online now; those that appear really popular on social media and are famous for long queuing customers.
  • I'm curious, which internet-famous restaurants with big names but less-than-stellar taste or surprisingly high prices should I avoid? Please share real experiences – I really don't want to be disappointed!

• Things to see:

  • Shanghai has countless attractions, but some places might give you the impression of "not worth visiting." Or that could be so crowded that the experience wouldn’t be great.
  • Simply put, provide some "避雷" (Bì léi) tips. In Mandarin, this means avoiding potential disappointing or unpleasant experiences.

• A Special Note:

  • If you've experienced places with overblown reputations but were underwhelmed or low value-for-money, please let me know!

  • For example, some destinations advertise like they're incredible, but then turn out too commercialized, or just don't live up to expectations.

  • How can I avoid this? By taking time to read others' reviews ahead of time rather than relying solely on advertisements and doctored images!

To make my trip to Shanghai less bumpy and more enjoyable, I look forward to your experienced advice. Thanks a lot!

#Shanghai #CityWalkShanghai #TravelingInShanghai #Can'tWaitToVisit #BìLéiTips

I go every week, it's pretty good.

It's quite safe, but it's still advisable not to go out too late at night.

You're welcome to visit! We can grab some local snacks together. But just a heads-up, July and August are scorching – you'll practically melt! I highly recommend coming in autumn!!!!

Went today. The round trip cost just over 20 yuan. Totally worth it!

There's no one.

Same here. I just want to live in a small town.